Frostbite

Chapter 11: Round 3. Sudden Death

- Some More Time Later -

There wasn't any jerking back to life this time. Instead my eyes opened weakly and my blurry vision told me I wasn't outside anymore. I blinked, trying to clear things up. I could still hear the crowd quietly in the background somewhere.

I pulled my right hand up towards my face in an attempt to push myself upright, but when I touched the space in front of me it wasn't solid. It was a warm and softish surface, it felt like... Skin? Whose skin?

Obviously I don't know any of my classmates so well that I can differentiate them by thigh skin, but this isn't what I'd think any of them were quite like. It feels drier and less even, almost old.

"So you're finally awake are you?" Came an assuredly older voice belonging to a woman. I turned over slowly to face up. The lights overhead are definitely fluorescent, so inside a room beneath the stadium, assumedly the medical area.

The person was now recognizable as Recovery Girl, the healing hero. She had treated me after the USJ fight. Now I had my head in her lap and her hand in my hair, giving soft, slow passes through as she spoke. "You worried a lot of people out there, you know?"

I sighed, "Sorry ma'am. I didn't mean to cause any concerns. Just a little tired."

It wasn't until after I spoke that I realized I wasn't very tired at all. She seemed to see that and smiled.

"Yes, usually people feel that way after a treatment. I suspect however that you feel just fine."

I stretched lightly and rubbed my eyes. I didn't feel any of the pain or fatigue from before. "Actually I feel much better. Thank you." I replied.

"Well that's because I'm not a hack like the person who has been treating you for some time now." She said, very collected for the accusation she was making.

"I... Uhm... I..." I tried to formulate a thought.

"Healing is about far more than just replacing a part because it seems to be malfunctioning. Sure you can do that, but wouldn't you rather learn how to use the machine properly?"

I continued to stare at her. "The human body isn't a car. It doesn't just need gas and new parts. Each piece serves a delicate purpose and sometimes they just need rest in order to reach peak performance."

She exhaled deeply. "It pains me to see what the world has become. Evil on every corner, even inside the people we believe to be good. The kind of evil that wants a child to grow up too fast, and is willing to put the child's life in extraordinary danger. And for what? 'Greater Heroes'? Pah... What nonsense. All heroes are capable of greatness, and they achieve it every time they help even one person."

The elder stroked my hair again. "You see, I won't stand idly by while a young boy is literally and metaphorically torn apart for the sake of an ideal that he already serves. I have fixed the damages done by the careless stitching deep inside of nearly every part of you, but you warn them for me: If I see any more unjustified operations, I'll have them torn apart as well. Only this time there won't be a reassembly."

I think I just pissed my pants. This old woman is beyond frightening for seeming so gentle. She literally wants me to tell a mercenary that she'll have him killed horrifically if he crosses her again. That's some Mafia attitude if I've ever seen it.

I nodded my head and she smiled again without opening her eyes. "Go on then, they can't stall forever." She said, gesturing out the door.

I jumped to my feet, feeling fresh. I was tempted to sprint out, but something compelled me to turn and bow. "Thank you, again."