This chapter is written from FeMC's perspective. (2nd person)


Green.

That's all you can see right now as you blink your eyes from exhaustion. You don't remember much, only images of a blue butterfly flashing through your mind as you stretch your right hand against the wall to steady yourself. Your left is busy clutching your forehead, the pain shooting vehemently against your skull as you wait for the throbbing to pass. You wince when you attempt to look at what's ahead of you, noticing that you're in the halls of the dorm; green and red illuminating the floors, walls and ceilings. You're not in your room and it takes a moment before you remember why in the first place. You couldn't sleep, a nightmare keeping you awake so you decided it'd be okay if you asked Yukari and Aigis if you could sleep over; a butterfly passing over your head along the way.

Then everything turned green and the scent of copper infiltrated your senses.

You take a cautious step forward, feeling liquid merge and flux between your toes. When you look down, it's only gnawing curiosity that ebb your insides at the puddle of crimson soaking your feet. It's warm to the touch and you wonder if this was blood; and was it fresh? You realize there's plenty more down the corridor, the stench reeking and you ponder if this was all from one person. Did this come from people? And if so, how many? Your ruby eyes catch sight of an open door - Fuuka and Chihiro's? And hurry over; seeing empty mussed sheets for both occupants. You want to check up on Aigis and Yukari, but not before changing into more comfortable attire. You feel that you won't be getting any sleep tonight.

You run back towards your room, side-stepping puddles of red as you take short peeks across rooms that were left open.

Coffins.

Nothing but coffins in some rooms, on mattresses where people should be. It helps you conclude, however, that perhaps they were in there. Whether asleep or dead, you don't know. You don't stick around though, pace hastening until you finally reach your room. You head straight for the closet, grabbing a jacket and a pair of red sneakers and sprint back out. You aren't sure if you should be relieved or worried when you find the two people you were looking for not in coffins. Their room was just as empty as Fuuka's and it's bothersome.

You don't understand why you're feet is suddenly trotting down the stairs but you comply anyway; finding yourself at the entrance to the dorm. Seems like you won't be getting any fresh air because of the stench of blood still floating; noting it wasn't any different outside. It feels like you can't escape this, eyeing how the streets, the side-walks and the buildings look just as similar to the inside of the dorm; a canvas for inks of monochrome green and red.

Tak, tak,

Your head spins cautiously towards the small noise, foot steps clacking softly against pavement and you freeze in your spot. Your breath pauses in your throat, waiting for the slightest sound to show that it's near, but you release it when you find one of your classmates simply walking around. But what was Chihiro doing outside anyway? And where was Fuuka? You trudge over, feeling relieved that you weren't the only one 'awake'; hand reaching out to question the girl.

"Chihiro-san? What are you doing?"

Your brows furrow at her strange reply; her toothy, somehow-supposed-to-be reassuring smile kind of shaking your core as she stood there with an unreadable expression. You feel your body shift back as you gaze into those faded iris.

"Keeping you alive."

Your mind is reeling, coming up with many illogical reasons for her to say such a thing, but nothing fits. Keep you alive?

"I'm giving you all the love you need," and you step back when Chihiro grasps your arm, her brown eyes wide with an eerie gaze. Her hold feels frantic, desperate as if trying to show you what she means but her glazed pools make you doubt her intentions. What is she doing?

"Wh-what are you talking about?" She's trying to pull you closer, her grip frighteningly firm and you're thinking of pushing her; to get away. But when she reaches for your face, you can't seem to move any longer and you shut your eyes tight; waiting for whatever was about to happen. Her breath is tickling your left ear as she whispers words that still doesn't make you feel any better.

"You need us."

Her words were haunting, final as she drew back and walked away; leaving you to your rampaging thoughts. Your pulse is vibrating painfully against your chest, breathing coming out as short huffs - as if you've just ran a marathon. Blood is rushing through your veins, nerves shaking and head spinning.

Who is us?

"What did he say?"

Voices are faint, barely audible but you can recognize that it was Fuuka's. You feel immensely relieved that she seems to know exactly what she was saying, and you're compelled to find her. You grip your shirt to steady these erratic beats, still evidently disturbed with encountering Chihiro. But what if she was like Chihiro? What would you do then? You sneak your way over towards the voice, seeing Fuuka, Yukari, Aigis and even Junpei at the middle of the road. But why were they shaking the guy?

"What are you guys doing out here?" You speak out, hoping that they weren't like your classmate previously, "Isn't it kind of late to be out and about?" When they turn fast, looking like deers caught in headlights, it feels as if a ball of yarn is stuck in your throat as they stare at you with fear painting their anxious eyes. They look so frightened, Yukari's fist visibly shaking beneath the moon's green light. You glance briefly at the blonde, noting how she doesn't seem as shaken as the rest and it bothers you whether that was good or bad.

"We should ask you the same thing."

You're taken aback, hurt clenching your heart when Yukari stares at you with such animosity. Her brown pools piercing through your carmines with evident hostility, but your chest thumps painfully at the sight of overwhelming fear. Fuuka is looking at you with hints of concern in her darker eyes beneath the anxiety, but it does little to quell the tightness in your rubys. You want to get rid of their fear, of their worries and insecurities, so you take a hesitant step forward. You wince when Yukari takes an equal step back; it really hurts.

"Why are you afraid of me?"

Fuuka's eyes flicker as Yukari remained motionless. Junpei seemed to struggle taking in your appearance and you question Aigis' silent presence. Your carmines snap discreetly when a spark of light hit your eye, squinting and you don't know how to react when you find a gun strapped around Fuuka's waist; another around Yukari's thigh. They own guns? Would they shoot you? This wasn't how you wanted things to go. You wanted to feel relieved, safe to know that people you can trust were there for you. But it strikes a cord when you find the first people you seemingly befriended, appear so reluctant to see you.

"W-we're not!"

It didn't take a genius to figure out that horrible lie, but no one complained. You're aware that they were shaken, struggling to calm their nerves, but at least Yukari spoke up. It takes away the heavy air around them and you're grateful. You feel you should explain yourself, to rid suspicion they may have of you, but it's poking you to dare ask why. You choose not to.

"I was just looking for you," you say, hoping this was enough to clarify your presence, but that only seemed to heighten their senses; warily glancing at one another before finally looking back at you. You scratch your cheek, not sure if you should continue. "it's worrisome to find out your dorm mates aren't in their rooms." Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to make them feel any better.

"What exactly were you doing checking our rooms?" Yukari's voice lacked the malice it previously held and you're happy about that. You want nothing more than to just stick with them and solve this weird phenomena together. Your cheeks feel hot when you remember why you were looking for Yukari and Aigis in the first place, feeling embarrassed as you bite your lip; crimsons flicking away from piercing ecru.

"Oh, it's just—" Yukari doesn't seem to know what to say when you rub the back of your neck nervously, muttering quietly, "—I had a bad dream so.." it wasn't difficult to hear Junpei's silent cry of joy - a moan and it only makes your face flush a dozen shades darker. You chance a sneak and find Yukari looking just as flustered and Aigis appearing unreadable as ever.

"I'm sorry, but what does a bad dream have to do with our rooms?" You can hear Yukari groan, exasperated, her face buried in her hands and Aigis innocently cocks her head to the side; questioning with a childish gaze. You finally smile, a giggle escaping your lips as everyone else seemed to lighten up eventually.

"I just needed someone," and Yukari's face flares, seemingly not used to this kind of predicament, "to keep me company." You finish with your signature smile, tremendously relieved as you catch the sight of a rather pleased Junpei, a shy Fuuka, a curious Aigis and a blushing Yukari. You managed to take away their fears—with the unexpected help from the blonde foreigner, and that's a good feeling.

Of course, things don't stay the same for too long, as a screech reach your ears; your mind throbbing painfully. Your hands automatically react in an attempt to remedy the resounding echoes of shrieks as your head pulsates violently. It was deafening, a long-high-pitched note seamlessly carrying the same tone continuously as it screams against your skull. You squint, seeing that you weren't the only one experiencing this as Fuuka, Junpei and Yukari kneel grieving in indescribable pain. You realize Aigis is the only one standing, appearing unperturbed of the screeching as she bends over to her friends, her expression painted with concern. Her hand is soothingly rubbing Yukari's shoulder and you vaguely wonder if Aigis even hears it at all.

"What's wrong? What is it?"

Her questions only serve as proof as you groan, the volume of the shrieks increasing and your mind feels like blowing up. It's unbearable, and just when you thought you were going to lose it, the screams subside; only a trail of whispers left in its wake. You stand on wobbly knees, finding it quite an effort just to walk over to your classmates as Aigis continues to probe.

"What is it Yukari-san? What happened?"

You catch Fuuka send Yukari a worried look, while Junpei was as white as a ghost with disbelief written over his face. No one seems to realize Aigis was talking, so you kneel beside her; resting a hand over her shoulder. Her sapphire eyes snap towards you, a look of longing and familiarity flashing as she stares into your ruby pools. You feel compelled to speak, but Junpei seems to beat you to it.

"My persona," and you whip your head, wondering what exactly the boy was saying as he stares at his hands. Yukari's and Fuuka's eyes flicker briefly at you before staring at Junpei; but you didn't miss their worried expressions. You can still feel sapphires burn against the side of your face as you wait for the boy to speak again.

Persona? Like a mask? You think idly, realizing that they knew more than what they let on.

"Trismegistus," he says and a knowing look glazes over Fuuka and Yukari. You're still sitting there, wondering what the hell was going on. "was in pain, and I can hear his scream—" you're staring at him like he was crazy; not missing the hesitant nods from the two girls. "—coming right from my head. I felt like I was going to blow." What was he talking about? What could there possibly be anything understandable about this? But your two classmates agreed whole-heartedly; Yukari even joining in.

"I—" she starts, brown eyes staring at the little rocks on pavement, "—I heard it too, with Isis screaming." Your mind is wandering, nothing making sense at all.

"Juno too," and you can feel Aigis shift under your hand; shrugging it away as she stands. You watch with apprehension when blue pools look so lost as she stares at her friends with a troubled expression.

"Then why couldn't I," she breathes, sapphires darting to each one of them. You have no clue what she was so worried about, but you don't say anything as she raises her hands, studying her palms. "why couldn't I hear Athena..?"

Silence seemed to envelope them and you don't see what the big deal was. Besides, who were Trismegistus, Isis, Juno and Athena? Aren't those relating to Greek Mythology?

"Is that what you call a persona?" Apparently that wasn't the right thing to say because they're staring at you as if they've just realized you were there all along. Didn't they just look at you? Bewilderment clouded their eyes and you feel like squirming beneath their undivided scrutiny. You don't know whether it was a good or bad thing when their eyes slowly widen; hints of understanding reaching their pale faces. Did they figure out something?

"You heard it too, didn't you." Yukari states, her ecru gazing into your carmines; the knowing glance throwing you off balance. What was there to know? "A scream."

You nod, not quite understanding the point they were trying to get across.

"So then, that means—"

Air was suddenly knocked out of you.

You feel yourself glide across the cement floor, legs dangling whilst your right arm throbs with excruciating pain.

What just happened?

You can only catch whirring images of street lamps and buildings as your left arm skid against pavement. You hear a jarring crack echo through your ear drums when your back slams against some sort of wall; faintly hearing the cries of your classmates. You feel warm liquid fall from your forehead, forcing your right eye to shut as it slips to your chin. You feel it drop onto your torn jacket, but that's the least of your problems. You briefly glance towards the left, eyeing your crimson arm with a grimace as you watch red continue to ooze out of a large gash. It's numb so you don't worry about the pain; idly registering the sounds resonating through the air with slight curiosity.

You hear gun shots, the shattering of glass, the various cries of 'Persona' as you struggle with keeping your eyes open.

You feel incredibly light-headed, something wet beginning to drip from the back of your head as you watch with half-lidded rubys. You see monsters—three of them, as they fight off against this bigger looking one. It was sort of amazing.

You want to smile, simply because this would have been a cool action movie, because you always do, because you want the world to smile with you, and merely because you can. But as you try to lift a hand to wipe the blood from your eye, managing to raise a single finger instead, you realize you can't as your scarlets begin to slowly flutter close.

That's too bad, really.


I figured it'd fit best if I wrote from 2nd person, simply because us readers play as her, or as you.