Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

Death Wish

He comes to a sudden stop when he reaches the hallway, his eyes following the blood on the floor. 

I get up swiftly despite the pain shooting through my ankle as I hop after him. "Cado!" I shout, his hand reaching for the doorknob to Malice's room. "Wait!"

But before I can catch up, he opens the door. Not only is the creme carpet marked by unsettling blood splatters, but a strange girl is lying motionlessly on the bed like a corpse.

I contemplate the potential consequences of Cado's next move. If he calls an ambulance, Malice will go to jail. If he calls the police, both Malice and Link will go to jail. And I can't even begin to imagine Father's punishment for inviting Malice to our home. All the outcomes are looking bad.

My mind races, desperately searching for a solution that will protect everyone involved. There is no time to waste. When Cado dials 911 on his phone, I have to come forward with the truth.

"Okay, I can explain," I say, trying to get his attention.

I hear a faint voice on the other line. "911, what's your emergency?"

"Cado!" I urgently grab his arm, trying to make him understand. "She's a friend," I pant. "She stayed the night, that's all!"

But Cado remains focused, knowing better than to wait for questionable explanations.

"This is Cado, the security guard at the Hyrule residence," he speaks into his phone.

I have to stop him!

"Cado, please hang up, let's talk this through! I know this looks bad, but calling for help right now will only make things worse."

However, Cado continues to relay the situation to the operator, not giving my words much thought. "There are multiple injuries that require immediate medical attention," he says.

I need to act fast. I open the pocket knife. I know it's a dangerous move, but one that might just save us all. Link watches me with a mixture of worry and confusion.

Once he understands my plan, Link shakes his head in distraught. "Zelda, no, what are you doing?"

"One of the residents has suffered stab wounds," Cado continues, his focus solely on the phone, his back turned my way. "Another individual is unconscious. I have the attacker restrained."

"Cado!" I cry out again, but my voice seems to fall on deaf ears.

It's Link's urgent and desperate shout that finally grabs Cado's attention. "Zelda! Stop!"

Cado finally turns to see what is happening behind his back. His eyes widen in shock and disbelief as they fixate on the knife in my hand. The persisting voice of the operator fades into the background as she repeatedly asks for an address.

"W–What are you doing?" Cado asks in shock.

The knife is not pointed at Cado. It would be irrational to threaten him. His job is to protect me, not himself, and so I knew I would get him to listen if I threatened myself instead. The cold blade pressed against my wrist, its sharp edge poises to breach my skin.

"Hang up," I demand in a grave tone.

The weight of the moment hangs in the air, as if time itself is holding its breath. My heart pounds in my chest, and I know that the stakes are high.

"But... Miss Zelda..."

I apply pressure to my skin, my eyes never leaving his. "Listen to me carefully, Cado. Link didn't hurt me, and that girl doesn't need an ambulance. So hang up the phone."