Originally written as an ask-response for mrozna on tumblr
—
It's in his dreams again, same as always; the deep, rumbling voice that gives the orders, guides him, tells him what to do and where to go and who to kill. It's comforting in many ways just to hear it, even in a dream, even when he knows it isn't real. Except… it's different this time. When Foster wakes up the voice is still there, talking, ordering, beckoning.
He's sure it's real now; The Monolith has returned, just like he always knew it would deep down. He has to tell the others. They have to go back to Pripyat.
Pogo is the first one he finds, dragging him into a secluded corner and explaining in rasping whispers what he can hear, pleading with his friend to understand that they have to go now. But Pogo pulls away, tells him that he must just be imagining things. "The Monolith was a lie." he says, "A story made up to make us protect something we have no business protecting."
It feels like betrayal. Foster runs off in frustration, cursing Pogo at the top of his lungs; surely Klaxon will believe him, right?
He doesn't. The little sniper simply pushes the PDA away from him, shaking his head at the message, confusion clouding his face as he begins to back away like it's an armed bomb… And that's when Foster's patience shatters. The red mist descends, and all he can hear is his own pulse thudding in his ears, mingling with the still-present chant of the Monolith.
If Klaxon won't come willingly, he'll have to be forced.
—
It's too late by the time a Loner finds Pogo and tells him what happened; how Foster seemed to go berserk, how Klaxon tried to run, and how Foster dragged his screaming and terrified friend out into the Zone. The pair are long gone, but that doesn't stop Pogo venturing out in search of a trail to follow.
He comes limping back when the sun rises the next morning, devastated, exhausted and alone.
Foster and Klaxon are never seen again.