A breath in, visualize the stance.
A breath out. Commit.
The handstand came as easily as breathing did. Freelancer had always enjoyed the dizzying feeling that came with the pose if they stood too long. Sometimes passing out from holding it.
But their thoughts kept circling. The inversion, people were calling it. That's what the media was calling the event now. The day shades entered the feild and took hundreds of lives.
Of taking Xaviers life.
They tried to breathe, doing the splits and shifting their grip. The warm of their hands not from sweat or muscle burn.
Breathe in, focus.
Breathe out, move.
They bended their back until their feet hit the mat, smiling as they stretched their muscles. It had been so long since they'd done a proper stretch. They even went as fat as to stand again. Sighing at the release in their back.
An idea struck them. They pulled the coffee table to the center. Nodding as they braced their hands, testing the strength. With satifaction they balanced again.
How much everyone admired this simple trick. Xavier had joked about testing their balance during practice. Freelancer would never get that chance now.
Their thoughts darkened. How many people wouldnt get to keep their jabs or promises now?
Darkness consumed them before they could think harder.
☙🎕❧
Gavin paused as he opened the door. The silence creeping in. It was never this quiet. He closed the door, dropping the bag as he smelled blood. Their blood. Freelancer's blood.
"Freelancer!" He shouted as he ran around. The bathroom was empty, their razor untouched. The kitchen knives were still in their block and drawer.
"Freelancer! Where are you?" He shouted, his eye catching on their form in the living room.
He ran over, realizing the damage.
Burned handprints on the coffee table, their temple was bleeding, some blood dripping down their face from where they laid. He knelt, feeling their pulse steady as always. He let out a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
He set to healing before waking them up. He didn't have to worry. They were still here. He didn't lose them.
He wouldn't let the chance happen again.