Blood Crusted Lavender {Danganronpa OC Fanfic}

Chapter 17 - Forgotten Memory Lane

I open my eyes slowly. The dim lights shine down on me as my eyes adjust, giving me a headache for a split second. Before I can even comprehend where I am, I feel something soft wrapping around my arms and tilt my head to see someone gently wrapping a bandage around my left arm. Her lavender eyes are fixed on her work, and she doesn't acknowledge my staring. As her pale hands work, I realize I feel completely at ease with her, despite not knowing exactly who she is.

I haven't seen this girl before, have I? Then why does it feel like I've known her a lifetime.

The aching of my muscles suddenly kicks in, and I wince, tilting my head back to take in the room around me. It's a garage. Not my family's, though. I don't recognize it, but the distinct smell of gasoline and the heat are still enlaced with a string of familiarity.

I look back at the girl again, who just finished bandaging my arm and was now smearing a layer of some kind of salve over my right eye, which I realized was bruised. My muscles relaxed as I let the salve provide a cool relief.

"You can't keep picking fights," the girl spoke for the first time. "This is what always happens." She's gentle but firm.

I try to ask her who she is, but instead my voice just squeaks out, "they were picking on you. I couldn't just..."

"Who cares what they think?!" She retorts. Finishing applying the valve, she sits on her knees and looks down at the floor. "I just want you to be safe."

My eyes focus on her for the first time, her red dusted cheeks and porcelain skin give my heart a sense of serenity. There's silence between us until the creak of a door breaks it.

A woman comes walking toward us. She has the same hair and eyes as the girl who bandaged me up, but unlike her, the woman has short hair that hangs loose on her shoulders and a face lined with age.

"How are you feeling, Blair?" The woman hands me a wet cloth. I put it over my eye, feeling grateful for the cold against the swelling.

"Fine." I reply, and try to get up. My knees are a bit wobbly and the sudden rush of blood makes my vision blurry and my head light for a few seconds.

"Woah, careful there," the woman says, grabbing my arm. She gives me a small smile, and it's like a switch clicks on in my brain.

This is Kirigiri~sensei. My jiu-jitsu instructor. But why is she here?

She sees the look on my face, and says, "okay, I can tell you're a little confused. Let's do some stretches to get you feeling physically better, and we can see how you're feeling after that."

"Drink." The girl who banged me suddenly commands, pushing a water bottle in my face. I take it, taking multiple deep swigs. Kirigiri~sensei then leads me outside.

She leads me through some simple stretches on the grass, and when we're done the girl gets me a sandwich. I thank her, realizing how hungry I am as I gobble it up.

"I'm still mad at you," she says, but sits down next to me anyway. "Thank you, though. For standing up for me." Her expression is a mix between irritation and warmth.

"Of course," I reply, and there's an awkward silence between us.

"Well, are you feeling better, Blair?" Kirigiri~sensei cuts the awkward tension between us.

I nod. My only injuries are my arm, eye, and a few other little bruises. I can stand up more easily now, and get to my feet to look out to the setting sun over the neighborhood.

"Want me to walk you home?" she asks.

"I think I'll be okay," I responded.

Wait, where's home? I panic for a minute, but my feet begin moving west, and it feels right.