[Novel] Dream Ability #3
#1 is here!
To the previous story
When Aira returned to her room, Sigma was standing in front of the door.
"There are no changes to today's schedule. Shall we start studying right away?"
Just like always, a one-on-one study session began in her room.
However, today, she couldn't concentrate on her studies at all.
When will the explosion happen—
How should I escape if an explosion happens—
Because she was constantly thinking about such things, she couldn't focus on her studies, and Aira was repeatedly scolded by Sigma each time.
However, despite such imaginings, the hour hand of the clock kept moving forward.
And then, night. It was time for bed.
[Ding-dong-ding-dong! Thank you for your hard work today. It is almost time for bed. Good night.]
Hearing the emotionless broadcast, Aira stopped reading and headed to her bed.
She had been reading to calm down, but in the end, the content didn't sink in. Looking at the clock, it was 9:00 PM. There were only three hours left until today ended.
Even when she lay down, she couldn't fall asleep. No, she must not sleep. If she did, she might be too late to escape in an emergency—
Aira got up, and when she headed to the shelf to take a book again—
BOOM!
The facility shook with a roar.
(It's an explosion—)
When she hurriedly opened her room door, she saw children peeking out of their rooms just like her.
Several guards in the hallway were whispering to each other with their faces close together.
A guard with a desperate expression appeared from the floor stairs. It was Lambda—
"Something exploded on the first floor! Guards, take the nearby dream ability users and evacuate!"
Lambda shouted from the end of the hallway.
At that moment!
With a tremendous roar, a door that had been blown off hit Lambda, who was shouting, directly in the back. Lambda fell face down on the spot.
It seems an explosion had occurred in a room nearby as well.
The flames spreading from that room were gradually reaching toward the fallen Lambda.
"Hey, someone! Help me! The fire, the fire!"
He must have broken his leg. There were no guards who went to help Lambda, who was crawling.
"Run away!"
Along with someone's scream, the floor fell into a panic.
While explosion sounds could be heard from all over the building, the dream ability users and guards headed for other stairs, each trying to be first.
Aira followed that group.
"It's hot! Someone!"
Those fleeing turned their backs on Lambda, who was being consumed by the flames. That sight revealed the true nature of humans. The guards, in particular, were miserable.
A guard with a "New" name tag pushed people down and moved forward—
He stepped on fallen people and moved forward—
Even he, who was fleeing with a devilish expression, was caught in an explosion and his body was blown away.
(This is the second basement floor, so... I have to get up to the first floor quickly!)
Explosion sounds could be heard constantly from somewhere. There was no time to lose, as smoke with nowhere to go was filling the area.
People were lying in the hallway. Children who were likely dream ability users. There were guards, and there were researchers in white coats.
What could be heard were the sounds of fire burning, the building collapsing, and people crying and screaming.
It was truly a scene from hell—
Avoiding those who were bleeding or charred and lying on the ground, Aira aimed for the stairs.
*
"Hey! Aira!"
When Aira found the stairs and went up to the first basement floor, she was called from behind.
When Aira turned around, Dai was coming up the stairs.
"Big Brother Dai!"
Aira jumped at Dai. Dai gently stroked Aira's head.
"It's become a bigger deal than I thought. I don't know where the bombs are planted... and there are fires everywhere, so it's full of danger."
"Big Sister Air—"
Dai shook his head with a grim expression.
"But, she's surely safe. We promised to meet in the outside world alive..."
"Let's go look for her!"
"Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of searching. For now, let's prioritize our own lives. If we don't escape from here quickly, we'll be burned to a crisp."
The two were on the first basement floor. Since Dai started going up the stairs, Aira followed him. However—
"This is terrible..."
Rubble was piled up on the stairs leading to the ground, and there wasn't even a gap to pass through.
"If we could pass through here, we could escape immediately! It can't be helped, let's look for another way."
With Dai in the lead, the search for stairs leading to the first floor began.
They repeated going and returning, going and returning, eliminating paths one by one.
They don't usually move this much. Therefore, the stamina of the two... especially Aira's, was reaching its limit.
Even so, the feeling of wanting to survive and escape kept encouraging their bodies.
While looking for the stairs to the first floor, they found a girl in a slightly open area, screaming for help.
"Someone! Someone help!"
A girl around middle school age was screaming continuously a few dozen meters away.
Dai, who confirmed her figure, stopped and turned around, then knelt on one knee to meet Aira's eyes and began to speak with a serious face.
"Listen, Aira, right now our own lives are the top priority. My life and Aira's life. Do you understand?"
"Yeah..."
"So, until we get outside, you don't need to think about helping injured people."
"But... Aira wants to help people who can be helped..."
Dai shook his head.
"If you try to help that person and end up dying yourself, it's meaningless."
"Then, are you saying I should ignore injured people?"
"Those injuries are not our fault. Even if... that person dies, it can't be helped. There's nothing we can do. Let's... let's act to survive."
"Yeah..."
Dai placed his hand on Aira's head as she nodded reluctantly.
"Try not to make eye contact with people who have fallen as much as possible. Do you understand?"
"Yeah..."
"Alright! Let's go!"
At Dai's word, the two started running again.
An explosion must have happened here too. Flames that had ignited wooden pillars and curtains were reaching toward the ceiling, and rubble caused by the explosion was scattered in the hallway. Dai and Aira ran through the treacherous footing.
"Help! Someone!"
The girl's voice asking for help could be heard from nearby. However, Dai's gaze did not turn toward the girl.
Dai passed by her without looking at the girl... but Aira couldn't do that. When passing by, she made eye contact with that girl.
"You there! Please, help me!"
Her plea was definitely directed at Aira. Now that it had come to this, it was awkward to leave her to die.
Aira stopped. Noticing that, Dai turned back and ran toward Aira.
"Aira, what's wrong?"
"Big Brother Dai, that person. She's still alive!"
"I told you before, our own lives are the top priority. Let's go!"
Dai grabbed Aira's arm and pulled, trying to take her away even by force, but Aira wouldn't move.
"But..."
Aira's gaze was directed again at the girl asking for help. Seeing Aira's depressed figure, Dai gathered wrinkles in the center of his face and gritted his teeth. Then he ran toward the fallen girl.
Aira followed after him, but... when she saw the girl's legs, she almost screamed.
It seems she had been pinned under a fallen pillar. That pillar was crushing her legs.
"Are you okay?"
When Dai asked, the girl answered with wide eyes.
"I'm not okay... When I was running away, a wooden pillar fell on me. Please, I want you to move the pillar. If you do that, I can run and escape."
Is she not aware of the state of her own legs—.
Even if they moved the pillar, she—
"Your legs are already—"
"Aira!"
Dai's voice cut off Aira's words. Dai's expression at that time was... the most serious face she had ever seen.
"Hey! Uh... what should I call you?"
Dai asked awkwardly. Sensing the intent of that question, the girl answered.
"My friends call me Rika."
"Rika, in your current leg condition... I don't think you can run and escape."
"Can't escape... don't make fun of me! I'll have you know, I'm actually quite athletic."
Perhaps she was trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere. Rika spoke in a bright tone, but Dai and Aira's expressions were serious.
"What? Why do you both have such serious faces?"
It seems she realized it was an extraordinary situation. Rika's expression also stiffened.
"Rika, calm down and listen to me."
After visually confirming that Rika nodded, Dai began to speak in a voice that feigned calmness.
"The fallen pillar is crushing your legs... and your legs are bent in the opposite direction. You won't be able to run at all, and standing might be difficult too."
Rika didn't answer anything. No, perhaps she couldn't answer.
"Eh? You... what are you saying? At a time like this... stop joking!"
"I'm not joking!"
As if competing with Rika's angry voice, Dai raised his voice.
"It's the truth..."
A weak, sorrow-filled murmur, contrasting with his previous voice, spilled from Dai's mouth.
"But... there's no pain."
"That's likely due to the shock of the accident. I read in a book before that adrenaline can temporarily suppress pain."
"No way..."
Rika's face was dyed with despair. It's no wonder.
The inside of the facility was truly hell. In such a situation, being told she couldn't even stand—it was like being sentenced to death.
"I... am I going to burn and die like this? Here, without being able to do anything... hey!"
Rika's hand grabbed the sleeve of Dai's clothes.
He knew he should say something. However, at that moment, Dai couldn't say anything. He didn't know what words he should say.
"Hey! Answer me! Am I going to die like this?"
The strength with which she grabbed Dai's clothes increased. Dai still remained silent.
"Hey! Why me! Why!"
He couldn't say anything, but he had to do something—thinking that, Dai gently held the hand that was grabbing his sleeve, as if handling something fragile.
Rika showed a surprised expression at first, but as if she had suddenly come to her senses, she began to regain her composure.
"I, I'm sorry, I got emotional. You didn't do anything wrong, yet I took it out on you. I'm really sorry..."
"Don't worry about it. In a situation like this, anyone would be confused."
Rika's expression became the same as when they first met. He didn't know if that was her true self or if it was manufactured.
The two's hands let go.
"You know, I'm good at reading the room. I know you guys are desperate to live, and I won't ask you to carry me on your back to save me. It's just..."
"Just?"
Strength dwelled in Rika's eyes. She turned that powerful gaze toward Dai.
"I don't want to give up on living. I'm a woman who doesn't give up easily. So... lastly, I want you to grant me one request."
"If it's something we can do..."
Rika said "Thank you" and made a smile.
"I want you to move the pillar on my legs. I don't want to die without being able to move in a place like this. If you move the pillar... I'll crawl and escape, and show you I can survive."
Rika was constantly aiming her straight eyes at Dai.
"Big Brother Dai..."
Aira murmured behind Dai. Dai turned to that voice and said.
"Helping is the first and last time."
"Yeah!"
Dai spoke while looking into Rika's eyes.
"We'll lift the pillar. I'll give a signal, so please escape at that timing. How's that?"
"Yeah, thank you!"
Rika answered while showing joy.
"Alright, let's lift it!"
Dai and Aira moved to Rika's feet—toward the fallen pillar.
They tried lifting the pillar as a test, but... it didn't budge at all.
"It's quite heavy..."
"Does it look difficult?"
Aira's expression clouded.
"For now, let's try lifting it together at the same time."
Dai raised his voice a little.
"We'll lift it together on the count of three. Rika, are you ready too?"
"Roger!"
Rika answered while still face down.
"Here we go! One, two!"
The three put strength into their arms all at once. Dai and Aira tried to lift the pillar, but... it felt like it had barely moved at all.
Because of that, Rika still couldn't escape.
"We're going again! One, two!"
Dai and Aira put strength back into their hands. However, the result was the same the second time. The pillar didn't lift, and Rika's body was still under the pillar.
"No! I still can't get out..."
"Not yet! Once more! One, two!"
Dai's third call. However, the pillar didn't move. Rika was also desperately moving her arms to crawl out, but her body wouldn't move forward.
If this continues, Rika will—a bad imagination crossed Dai's mind.
"Try one more—"
"It's already okay. Both of you. Thank you..."
A voice that sounded like it was about to fade away was heard from under the pillar.
Even after hearing that voice, Dai's feelings hadn't broken.
"No, once more—"
"That's enough!"
Rika raised her voice. Dai and Aira let go of the pillar and moved to a position where they could see Rika's face.
Rika opened her mouth after looking up at the two's faces.
"I can't cause you two any more trouble. Just the fact that you tried to help is enough. Thank you so much..."
Silence visited the three. The one who broke that silence was Dai.
"Is that really okay with you, Rika...?"
Dai murmured in a thin voice that was drowned out by the surrounding sounds. Perhaps those words hadn't reached Rika.
"You want to live, right? Are you giving up on living?"
Silence visited again at Dai's words.
"—want to."
Rika's raspy voice was heard.
"I want to live. But... even if I got out, I don't know if I could survive, and—"
"I understand."
Dai cut off Rika's words.
"If Rika says so, I'll end it here. However!"
Dai raised his voice. His eyes hadn't lost their light.
"I'm also a man who doesn't give up easily. I think I'll try lifting the pillar one last time."