A few hours have passed. The doctors are still monitoring Sayori's vitals and they won't let me in the room with her. I'm forced to wait outside. My mind is racing,

Is she going to be okay? Did I make it in time?

And most importantly,

Did Monika know about this?

That's crazy, right? There's no way Monika could have known she would've done something like this. But what she said still rubbed me the wrong way. What a strange choice of words. "You really left her hanging." And the poem! "Get out of my head before I listen to everything she told me."

What could that mean? "Everything she told me?"

I think back to Friday. Before Sayori left early, Monika had gone over to talk to her. What did she say to her? I make a mental note to confront Monika about it later. As I sit waiting for any news, I pull out my phone.

…

I have about a hundred texts from both Yuri and Natsuki, wondering where I am. I wonder why?

Oh no.

The festival.

I completely forgot! I shoot them a text saying an emergency happened and I can't make it. This isn't something I should tell them over text. I need to know Sayori is okay first.

As luck would have it, right as I put my phone away a doctor came into the waiting room to get me.

"You're here for Miss Sayori, yes? Follow me please."

I get up to follow him. He leads me down to a room where I see Sayori on a bed, hooked up to an IV.

"How is she?" I ask quietly.

"She is in surprisingly good condition, given the circumstances. We're expecting a full recovery. But it will take time. I won't allow her to leave for at least a few more days."

A few days!? Well, I guess its okay as long as she's safe.

"Thank you, doctor. Is it alright if I stay here for a bit?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need. And please let a nurse know if anything happens."

The doctor smiles warmly at me and walks out the door. As it closes I walk over to the bed. Sayori turns and looks at me, the normal glow in her eyes faded, but still present. I can tell she's been crying.

"Oh (Player), I'm so sorry. I was selfish. I didn't know what to do. I…"

She trailed off sadly.

I looked at her and grabbed her hand.

"Sayori, its okay. You're alive. You're safe. That's all that matters."

I grab a chair and sit down next to the bed, still holding her hand. We stare into each other's eyes for a while, just passing time. Eventually I apologize. "Sayori, I'm sorry."

"Why? You have nothing to be sorry for…I was just being self-

"No! You're not selfish! I was. I should have been there for you. I should have woken you up in the morning. I could have prevented this from happening."

I think for a moment. "What did Monika say to you?"

Her eyes widen, "Ehh? What do you mean?"

I look back at her, "Your poem. That didn't seem like you at all. You mentioned "Everything she said to me." And I watched her talk to you Friday before you left early. What did she say?"

She gives me a quizzical look and responds, "I…don't know. I have no clue what you're talking about (Player)"

"How can you not remember? You have to at least recall something! Anything?"

"I'm trying, but it all feels hazy. I know something happened but I can't remember what. It's like a wall pops up every time I try to remember. Is that strange?" She seems to be tiring herself out just thinking about it.

I think for a moment. All of this seems fishy. I need to talk to Monika about this. I need answers.

"Sayori?" I say suddenly, "Will you be okay if I run back to the school for a bit? I need to make sure everyone is okay at the festival."

"Oh! The festival! That was today…yeah, of course! Just…please hurry back, alright (Player)? You make me feel safe." She looks up at me and her smile melts my heart. I really lucked out, didn't I?

I squeeze her hand, assure her I won't take long, and leave. As I walk out of the hospital, I start to think of what to say to Monika. Something doesn't seem right, and for some reason I feel like it's her fault. But how am I supposed to bring it up to her? "Oh! By the way, did you have something to with my best friend/girlfriend's suicide attempt?" No, that wouldn't work. First thing's first, I need to get her alone. I can't have Yuri or Natsuki there for this. They can't know, not yet. This is between Monika and I. I break into a sprint back to School.

Hey guys! Thanks for continuing to support this story! I edited Chapter 1 a bit and added some more to it, so check it out if you haven't already! Next Saturday I will try to have the third chapter ready, so look forward to it!