Chapter Text
The beating of wings disrupted the stillness around her. Crows, hundreds of them flew above her with feathers bleached white. Eyes, paled and marbled, glowered down at her. They were cascades of ashes and rich plums of smoke. Their cries escaped their sallow beaks as they landed before her.
They perched on buildings, streets, and cars.
They consumed the city.
They staked their claim.
Fear made her feet heavy and courage pushed her forward. She ran towards the largest crow with black feathers and golden eyes. It laughed and batted its wings. She was barely aware of the civilian clothing she wore and the lack of protection. She had no suit, no weapon, and no earrings.
But, that did not stop her.
She had to protect the city, needed to protect the people she cared for and the people that relied on her. She won't stand aside and watch it burn.
She couldn’t.
“Marinette!”
Her blood pumped thickly in her veins. She could feel every thump her muscles struggled to produce as she silently counted to seven. Sluggishly, the streets faded away to reveal, in its place, a familiar hallway.
The peeling green paint, the uneven hardwood floors, and the smell of humid filth mocking her in snide chuckles belonged to her apartment complex. She pushed her hair away and blinked furiously, noticing the dimness of the night. A gold shimmer twinkled outside the hallway windows.
"Marinette!" Twisting around hesitantly Marinette saw her front door was wide open. Tikki peaked her head out cautiously but her gaze rested heavily on Marinette.
Marinette, in her warm oversized pink sweater, mechanically stumbled to the red kwami. Fatigue overtook her as she entered her apartment and clumsily shut the door behind her. Leaning against it, she slid down slowly as her eyes closed. Her heartbeat subsided to a healthier pace as she sank fully onto the floor.
“This is the fifth time this week, Marinette.” Tikki landed on Marinette’s knee. “And it’s only Wednesday.”
“I know. I….” Marinette breathed out, still too anxious to form a complete answer.
“Do you remember?”
Marinette frowned; the swell of tears wanting to overflow resided like a tide. For the first time, she actually recalled the sequence of her dream fully. After months of waking up gasping for air, jumping out of bed, crying in her sleep, and awakening out of bed she knew what her night terrors were.
“The crows,” Marinette said. “They are in Paris.”