«24-Lucky me»

                                    

                                          
«Byakuya Togami»
Our breathing echoes off the dungeon walls, creating a creepy harmony with the dripping water and crackle of many faraway fires. 
"Here we are." Whispers Mukuro. We stop in front of a blank wall. It's grey, smooth stone, with a tiny bowl sticking out, shadowed by the razor-sharp blade hanging over it.
"A blood sacrifice..." I whisper. I step forward just as Makoto does.
"No. I'm doing this." I order. If he... I can't let him get hurt. 
"But, Byakuya, I want to! You've already lost enough blood!" He protests.
"No." My voice wavers between a whisper and a roar. "I will." 
As I say the words, I hear a shriek from above us. My heart races, as we glance up in panic.
"A-A-Aoi." Sayaka stammers. "That was Aoi." 
Looking at Makoto's terrified face, I lean out, my finger poised to hit the sharp blade. I let out a breath, and
Stick!
A dribble of blood wells up, plinking onto the bowl. It sluggishly slopes down the side, dribbling into a minute hole.
With an earsplitting creak, the stone wall grinds back.
                          
«Makoto Naegi»
Screams still ring in my ears: Aoi's, Sayaka's- Byakuya's. My classmates. My friends. My soulmate. But there's not a scratch on me.
Sometimes my luck is a curse. Even if the sky fell in and the stars rained down like bullets, I would live. Sometimes my luck is a curse.
Next time, I'll go. It's my turn.
Once the wall has retreated, we're hit by a wave of heat. The acrid smell burns my nose and mouth, and when I look down I realise why. 
Lava.
Lava. I've only ever seen it in crappy action movies and in books. Never in real life.
Even more terrifying, is the rope stretched out over it. 
"Someone has to go across the tightrope..." Whispers Mukuro. "Or..." 
Out of the darkness blooms another stone wall beside us. Instead of a petite bowl, a huge hole gapes from the wall. 
No.
The perfect shape for-
NO.
A human body.
"The ultimate sacrifice..." Byakuya whispers. There's something in his eyes- not fear, not terror, just a sort of expectance, a realisation. A tight-lipped smile dashes his lips.
"No. I'm gonna go across the tightrope." I announce, marching forward.
"What?! You are NOT." Byakuya snarls. 
"Yeah I am! Don't you remember my talent?" I whisper. "Ultimate lucky student."
                          
I stand at the ridge, my first foot brushing the rope. Adrenaline makes my stomach somersault, waves of fear washing over me. I close my eyes and walk forwards.
The rope stretches and I hear Byakuya hiss with fear. Sayaka whimpers as I carry on forward, but I can't make a sound- fear has its cold hand tight around my air pipes.
I close my eyes and stumble forward. Slower than anything, one word repeating: Byakuya, Byakuya, Byakuya. I want to see his face again after this. I can't fall into despair! 
My foot hits the floor. Real floor! 
"I did it!" I scream.
"Well done Makky!" Squeals Sayaka.
"Makky?" Snorts Byakuya with contempt.
A stone bridge grinds forward and Mukuro, Sayaka and Byakuya make there way across.
I fall into Byakuya's arms, eyes closed and still trembling with adrenaline.
This truly is lucky.