The greenhouse was silent, except for the faint rustle of leaves and Koda's ragged breathing. The air was humid, clinging to my skin, but it wasn't enough to drown the icy dread pooling in my chest.

I locked the door and braced it with an overturned potting bench. Not much, but it would buy us time.

Koda slumped to the ground, curling into himself. His quiet sobs filled the room, and for a moment, I just stood there, unsure of what to say.

"You're lucky," I muttered finally, breaking the silence.

His head jerked up, confused. "W-What?"

"You're lucky I don't believe in karma," I said, pacing in front of him. "Because if I did, you'd already be six feet under for what you've done."

He flinched like I'd slapped him, but I didn't stop.

"You lured them, didn't you? You helped those maniacs corner them. Set up the traps. Watched them die." I knelt down, my voice dropping to a hiss. "Do you have any idea how many lives you destroyed?"

"I didn't have a choice!" Koda sobbed, his voice cracking. "They... they made me! They said they'd kill my mom, my rabbits—everyone I care about!"

"Yeah?" I snapped, standing up. "And now they're after you, too. So tell me, Koda—how's that working out for you?"

He didn't answer, his shoulders shaking as he buried his face in his hands.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Look, I'm not saying it's okay. It's not. But if you want any chance of making this right, you need to talk. Everything you know. Names, locations, everything."

Koda sniffled, wiping his face. "I... I don't know their names. They always wore masks, and they never stayed long. But..." He hesitated, glancing at me nervously.

"But what?"

"There was one... one of them who gave the orders. A woman. She... she called herself 'Specter.'"

Specter. The name sent a chill down my spine.

"And?" I pressed.

"She said... she said I was special. That they needed me because of my Quirk. She called it... 'useful.'"

"Your Quirk?" I frowned. "What's so special about talking to animals?"

Koda shook his head. "It's not just animals. It's... everything. Birds, insects, even plants. She said I could 'hear the world.' That I'd help them control it."

That didn't make sense. Koda's Quirk was strong, sure, but it wasn't exactly apocalyptic-level strong. What did the League want with him?

Before I could ask, the greenhouse door rattled.

Both of us froze.

"Koda," I whispered, pulling him to his feet. "We need to move."

"But—"

"Now," I snapped, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the back exit.

The door burst open just as we slipped into the shadows of the garden beyond, the first figure stepping inside.

"Little Koda," they called, their voice sing-song. "Come out, come out, wherever you are..."

I glanced at Koda, pressing a finger to my lips. He nodded, his breathing shallow.

We crept through the undergrowth, each step careful and deliberate. The figure's footsteps crunched behind us, closer with every second.

"You can't hide forever," they taunted. "We'll always find you."

Koda's grip on my sleeve tightened, and I glanced back at him. His face was pale, his eyes wide with fear.

I leaned in, my voice barely a whisper. "Trust me."

He nodded, and I turned back to face the figure, my heart pounding.

If they wanted Koda, they'd have to go through me first.