Unlimited Chances

|17| Wash Away Your Sins

{} Aria's POV {}

        "Are you sure you want to come with us? Two people is already more then enough to handle a little laundry," I eyed the teen with uncertainty.

        Sayaka nodded, the action resolute, but her expression is dull and down. "I need to do something, something... helpful."

        "Alright," I concede, "But if anyone is there and you want to leave, tell us."

        Sayaka nods again. It's so strange to see her act so... depressed. Just looking at her blank, emotionless eyes unnerves me. It makes me miss the old Sayaka, all bright and cheery. Even if it was a facade, it was at least a little better then the somber one she now wears.

        "Okay, got the clothes out of the sink," Leon's says as he steps out of the bathroom. In his hands is a fabric bag taken from storage. The bottom is already becoming wet from the water soaked clothes inside.

        "The soak better have worked its magic, or its to the incinerator with these clothes," Leon frowned at the bag.

        "You said it worked on tough stains," I point out it was his idea in the first place.

        Leon shrugged, "Well, yeah... But I never had to clean blood stains before."

        "True," I agreed. I looked to my watch, we had an hour and a half before nighttime took effect. "We better get moving, I don't want to be out past nighttime."

        "Right," Leon stole a glance at Sayaka. She didn't seem to respond to the comment.

        I opened the door, looking down both ways in the dormitory hall. Thankfully, no one is in sight. I hold open the door for the others, Sayaka fumbles to lock it with only one hand. I go to help, but she finally gets it and turns the lock.

        Leon leads the way to the laundry room. I notice Sayaka look uneasy being out of her room, hugging her sling and looking around. I put a hand on her shoulder, she jumps, whirling around to look at the culprit. I give her a reassuring smile, letting her know she has friends here. She gives a small smile back, but it soon fades back to her dull look.

        We make it to the laundry room, and luckily, it's empty. Leon puts the bag down on the table in the center, while Sayaka sat on the bench. I found it a little extreme to have seven washers lined up against the wall, but then again, I didn't come here when everyone else did. Clothes are hung up to dry on the clotheslines strung across the ceiling. If I wanted to, I could probably see who washed their clothes today. I wonder who has a swimsuit up there? One of the girls most definitely since it's a one piece.

        A beep alerted me to Leon turning on one of the washers on the end by the bench. He opened it, grabbed the clothes, and threw it in, bag and all. I gave him a funny look.

        "It's fabric, it'll be fine," Leon waved me off. I left him to put in the detergent and softener. Taking a seat by Sayaka on the bench. I gave the teen a good look over as she plays with the sling's frayed edge. She's no longer in the bloody, cut up outfit from last night. I had helped her into a clean one since she can't put on clothes that well with only one hand. I'll probably have to continue helping her till her wrist heals or she figures out a way herself.

        "Now we wait," Leon plops down on the opposite side of Sayaka. We settle into silence, not sure what to do while we wait. I decide to look up at the clothes, just mindlessly staring. Watching the fabric wave with the air conditioned breeze.

"Okay, I'm bored," Leon complained, not even a minute in. He turned to us, "Any of you got anythin' to talk about?"

"Not... really," Sayaka responded.