DANGANRONPA V2: ECLIPSE

Chapter 4: Haunted Woods

We were delivered right back to our old cabins once the trial was over. I slept through breakfast the next morning, past the morning announcement. It took me a long time to find the strength to get out of bed. Nightmares of Bashira's execution played in my mind over and over again. 

I also found myself thinking of Sora's friend. JD, I think his name was. Yeah, I think that's what Sora told me at one point. Was he even still alive? If he was, what would he do if he found out what happened? Would he be devastated, or had he prepared himself for this already? Where even was he? Did he know what really happened to his best friend?

I wish I could find him and tell him how much he meant to Sora. 

There was knocking on my door a few hours back, but I didn't answer. I figured it was probably Ruji checking up on me. According to the monopad, a new area had opened up. The map made it look like nothing more than more forest area and a meadow, so I didn't particularly feel like exploring. I just wanted to lay in my bed forever. Yuuki could lecture me about missing breakfast later. 

It seemed much darker outside. I could even hear the occasional rain shower pattering against my roof. Sometimes a leak or two would fall from the ceiling. Not that I minded. 

By the time 3:00 p.m. rolled around, I finally decided to get out. To my surprise, quite a few people were in their cabins. Daiki and Kichiro were gone; as was Rantaro, according to Saikoro, who was sitting on the steps of his cabin so he could be outside while still being covered by the roof. Apparently, they were all exploring the new area. 

"Suki, are you alright?" Ruji asked, running up behind me after my brief conversation with the ultimate gameshow host. "We've been worried. We haven't seen you or Ahmya all morning."

That made sense. If I was feeling uneasy, then I could only imagine what Ahmya was going through. 

I nodded and groggily replied, though I couldn't even remember what I had said. My head and stomach both hurt. I didn't feel hungry despite missing two meals. I just felt done. I wanted this all to be done. I was over it. 

Ruji talked about the new area that had been opened up. He was invited to go with Daiki and Kichiro, (meaning Kichiro yelled at him to go while Daiki silently watched,) but refused so he could wait for me. He felt more comfortable with me than them. Not that I could blame him. It was easy to get uncomfortable around Kichiro. 

However, after the last round, I was starting to have a little more sympathy for him. 

As Ruji and I walked off to explore the new area, I couldn't stop shivering. 

I hadn't even noticed that were were in the new area until Ruji pointed it out to me. The trees felt more lush, more dark. They were thicker and harder to push through. They seemed easy to get lost in. On top of that, it was hard to see very far due to the fog that had set in. 

"It feels familiar..." Ruji muttered. I don't know if he was talking to me or himself. 

"Really?" I asked. "How?"

"It just does..." he breathed, his voice soft. "I-"

He was cut off by a bright flash and a loud boom. He let out a shrill squeak and grasped my arm tightly. Classic Ruji, so mouse-like. I giggled and gently patted his shoulder.

"It's just lightning," I assured him as small drops of rain slowly started to fall from the sky. "See?"

"We should get inside," he said quickly.

"Oh, relax. It's just sprinkling," I smiled.

"Not for long," a smoother voice said from behind me. This time, both Ruji and myself jumped and whirled around.