"FEAR!"

The name ripped from Joy's throat even as she sprang forward to reach their friend. Headquarters was in total chaos. A terrible, violet hue flooded every corner of the place, sapping all other colors away. A hum filled the air; a dreadful, powerful, frightening noise of something overloading. And in the middle of it all, Fear stood gasping in complete panic over the controls, stiff and erect, hands clutching the console in tense desperation. He looked so small and helpless. So alone. Why was he alone? Even as Joy rushed forward, she saw the others doing the same, all asking themselves the same question. Why was Fear alone? They had promised to help him through this, and here he stood by himself; abandoned. They had all frozen, left the action to him, too shocked to move. But now something was terribly wrong, they could feel it. Just the sight was wrong. Fear should never be alone.

Joy reached out a hand, only a matter of running steps away from him. She didn't know what she planned to do once she reached him. There was nothing she could do for Riley right now, and the same might apply to Fear. But she had to try. She had to. Just a few more s-

'BAMM!'

Joy staggered back, gasping in pain as she rebounded off of something hard and unmoving. Her already weakened body screamed in pain, and she found herself falling backward, only to be caught by Anger, who had been hurrying alone behind her. Joy rubbed her aching head and chest, already feeling the bruises forming, but she paid little attention to that. Struggling back to her feet, Joy reached out hesitantly with the gentle fingers of her hand, flinching when they came to rest on something solid. Solid, but completely invisible. "Wha-?" She ran both hands along it; up, down, left and right, but it was there in every direction. A barrier. An invisible barrier.

"Sadness! What is this?!" She could barely keep the panic from her voice. Her frailty and weakness forgotten in her concern for her friend. She turned abruptly to the blue emotion, eyes bright with tears of pain and worry.

Sadness had her hands pressed against the wall as well, gazing in sadly at the lone figure within. "I-It's a wall, Joy. It blocks out all other Emotions other than the one inside it, at the console." Her eyes welled with her own load of tears.

"You mean, Fear put this up?!" Anger growled, leaning his full weight upon it. He too was concerned, eyes constantly flitting between Fear and the barrier that was keeping them from reaching him.

"I...I don't think he knows he's doing it," Sadness sniffled, hugging herself. "It's a coping mechanism. When Riley is too overwhelmed, she is controlled by a single Emotion so strongly it keeps her from feeling anything else. It's...It's never happened before, but the Manuel says only two Emotions can trigger it. Fear and...and me."

"Is there a way you could get the barrier down somehow?" Disgust breathed shakily. Her eyes were locked on Fear, who still stood, painfully tensed, over the controls. He looked as though he might snap. "Can he hear us?" she inquired, giving the barrier a surprisingly violent slam. Fear didn't even flinch.

"No, I don't think he can," Sadness said, taking the green Emotion's hand in her own, knowing that Disgust had probably hurt it in the attempt to catch Fear's attention. "It blocks out everything. I-I think I can bypass it, but it might take a bit of time."

Joy's expression hardened. "How much time?"

"Hours...days..."

"Do it." The sooner they found a way around this thing, the sooner they could help both Riley and Fear.


Fear felt as though his body were going to shake itself apart. His mind was in shock, his eyes glued to the screen, forcing him to be still, stuck to the console. He was consuming Riley again, only this time it was different. She was feeding off of him, increasing her own fear and emotional pain, all while draining him and causing him physical pain. He gasped with each devastating wave, feeling as though he were going to pass out, but at the same time completely incapable of doing so. Something held him in its power, keeping him where he was. He vaguely wondered why the others weren't helping him. Why weren't they there beside him, telling him that everything was going to be alright? Was it because they thought he deserved this? After all the trouble he had caused, had they finally just had enough of him?

Another jolt of agony shot through him, and his back arched slightly, his hands shaking as they tried to pull away from the controls, before they were forced back as though they were magnetized.

He did deserve this. He did. He had made Riley's life miserable. He had caused her to be terrified of practiacally everything. Permitted her to build an imaginary world, only for her to get stuck in a fantasy. Then he had forced rage and depression on her by making Anger, Sadness, and Disgust take over. How selfish! He deserved this. He was certain. He hoped it tore him apart.

As long as it didn't tear Riley up with him.


Riley finally struggled to her feet, her mind now roaring with so many fears she felt it would explode. She was afraid of what Casandra might be thinking of her. She was afraid of what her parents would say when they found out about what she had almost done. That she had broken the dinner plate too. And behind all those fears, the old horrors returned. What if she lost someone she loved? What if she lost her friends? Her home? Was she ugly? Was she fat and stupid? Was she-

You're insane. You're crazy. You've lost your mind. You're insane. You're insane. You're insane.

It repeated in her mind like some terrible chant. With each thought, her pain grew. Her horror grew. It was all she could feel now.

Pushing out of Casandra's hold, Riley made a panicked dash for the stairs, not even daring to look back; afraid to see Casandra with that terrible look of fear on her face. Mortified by her supposed 'best friend's actions. How could Riley ever face her again? How could she face anyone ever again? She raced up the stairs, stumbling up each step noisily. She reached the top, clinging to the rail a moment before propelling herself down the hall to her bedroom. She ran inside, slamming the door shut behind her. She stood with her back against it, the only sound in the room her own ragged breathing. Her eyes wide, she scanned the room, as though searching it for any danger that might harm her further. Her gaze settled on the pile of homework sitting on her desk, illuminated by the warm, golden light of her desk lamp. The activity she and Casandra had been enjoying before...before...

Riley's knees buckled, her back slowly sliding down the door frame as she collapsed in slow motion to the carpeted floor. Her eyes welled up in hot, painful tears, almost more that her eyes could handle.

Riley cried.

Not with Sadness, but with Fear.


Joy felt helpless.

She stood, her hands pressed against the invisible barrier; her usually cheerful face contorted into a grimace of horror and grief. No matter how hard she pushed; no matter how hard she struggled, Joy could not get through. She could only watch as Riley's vision blurred and she began to cry, unprompted by Sadness's touch. She could only watch as Fear, likewise, seemed to wilt over the console, his shoulders shaking weakly. Though she couldn't hear through the barrier, she knew he was crying. She longed to race forward and comfort him; help him, but she couldn't. She could only watch.

It hurt.

It physically hurt her to see what was happening. And it hurt all the more that she knew there was nothing she could do about it; nor could the rest of Riley's collective Emotions. They too could only watch. Joy tore her gaze to Disgust, finding the green Emotion right behind her. Her eyes were wide, and her hands ceaselessly clenched and unclenched in front of her chest. Her eyes locked, she had long since given up her efforts of breaking through. All Disgust could do was watch; her stomach twisting inside of her. It made her sick; an illness founded in deep, growing repulsion. She couldn't take her eyes off of Fear. She couldn't. She wanted to help him, to get rid of the dreadful ache in her heart. But there was nothing she could do. Her way was blocked. There was nothing she could do.

To Joy's left, Anger continued to pound and fight against the barrier, just as he had been since the structure had first been erected. The top of his head glowed with a warningly bright mix of light and heat; a testimony to his frustration and temper. But a look in his eyes; a hint of desperation, proved just how scared he truly was. Scared for Riley, scared for them, and scared for Fear. The thin, little guy was in pain, Anger could see it. It filled him with guilt. Fear had asked him for help, and, though Anger had tried his very hardest, it hadn't been enough. He had failed, and now Fear was paying for it. It wasn't fair! It just wasn't fair. He wanted to rush in and pull Fear away from that stupid console; break its hold on him. But he couldn't. There was nothing he could do. Nothing but to keep on trying to break through. Keep on trying to help.

And Sadness, who stood motionless, hands resting, unmoving, against the structure's smooth, impenetrable surface, took in the sight with pained, sorrowful eyes. Her compassion flowing from her very being, she watched, as they all did; wanting nothing than to hold out a hand and help their friend, who stood so close, but was so out of their reach. Trapped and separated by his own choice, whether he realized that or not, they could not get through to him; the barrier blocking their every attempt. It robbed them of hope; paralyzed their function; crippled their purpose. For no matter how hard they fought, and argued, and begged, Fear would not let them in.

Sadness concentrated all her energy into lightly pressing into the barrier. She knew that, if she focused hard enough, the structure would allow her through. She just had to keep waiting. Watching. Believing that at any moment, she would be able to help. The other Emotions weren't sure exactly how she was hoping to accomplish that, but Sadness knew more about how Riley's mind worked than any of them. So they let her be. They continued to watch sadly, hearts aching.

Disgust rubbed her own arms, eyes still wide and worried. "He's...He's crying," she stated softly. She didn't know what else to say. It was so obvious. They could all see perfectly well what Fear was going through. And yet, she felt it needed to be said. Out of love. Out of friendship. Out of respect. And, most of all, out of concern.

Joy trembled beside her, completely captivated by the sorrow within her. "This is all my fault. I never should have come up with the idea of the daydreams." Her voice was somewhat hoarse, and she had begun to curl up slightly, her weakness returning to her once again. Anger had been right. Joy could not survive where there was only fear. She was still there, but sickly and lost. Forgotten. Though, now, they all were. All except Fear. The one being among them who actually wished to be forgotten. "This is all because of my dumb idea."

"I don't think this is about that anymore," Anger spoke up gently; far more gently than they had ever heard him. "Riley still struggles with them, but there seems to be far more than that." He cringed as he witnessed Fear twitch at another jolt of pain. "A lot more." He looked up at Joy, meeting her eyes. "Riley's been carrying far too much inside of her for far too long. It was my idea to let her deal with it alone, without telling anyone. Now I see that we never should have done it that way." His shoulders dropped. "If there's anyone to blame, it's me."

"And me." Disgust lay a hand on his shoulder, eyes shining with tears. She wasn't about to let him take all the slack for an action they had all agreed on. "But maybe it's not to late. Riley can still ask for help. We just have to...to get Fear to get her to ask for it." It seemed an impossible task at the moment. "We need to reach him."

They all agreed, becoming silent again as they watched Sadness close her eyes, furthering her concentration. Riley's mind would let her in. She would. Sadness was sure of it. It was just a matter of when. They didn't have much time. Fear needed her. Riley needed her. She was the only one who could do this. After all, fear is so very often followed by sadness.


Riley sat crying for a long while.

She shivered and shook, feeling oddly cold. Her mind was slowly beginning to fade from panic to a steady, throbbing, numbing fear. After an hour or so, she heard her parents' car pull up the curve, the engine turning off like an omen of doom. Her mom and dad's cheerful voices echoed out along the sidewalk, the sound of the car doors opening and shutting. Their voices instilled in Riley a renewed sense of panic. She wanted to rush downstairs and pretend nothing had happened, greet her parents and just forget about the whole thing. But another part of her was still too afraid and ashamed to show herself. Riley rose to her feet, turning to face the door, hand holding the knob as she struggled with the two possible courses of action. She recoiled when her parents entered the house, shutting the door behind them. Their still cheery voices echoing in the kitchen...where Riley's night had just shattered.

She heard their voices greet Casandra with a bit of surprise, and then the low mumbling of Casandra's own voice. Things became deathly quiet in the Anderson household after that. It was as though a cold chill had swept through every room, darkening the cheer that had resided there before. After a while, Riley heard the front door open and shut, and the sound of their car engine starting up. Hesitantly, Riley stood by the window, just close enough to see, but not close enough to be seen. Mom was driving Casandra home. Riley's eyes turned to the pile of Casandra's homework, glad that they had managed to finish the bulk of their studying before all this had happened. That way they were at least ready for school tomorrow.

Riley's stomach dropped at the thought of leaving home. She wanted to hide. Lock herself away. How could she face anyone ever again?

The sound of shoe-clad footsteps coming slowly up the stairs made her heart race. Jumping back from the window, glancing left and right for a place to hide. Her feet shuffled first one way, and then another, uncertain. But there was no where to go. Resigning to her fate, Riley sat upon her bed, just as there was a small, gentle knock on the outside of her bedroom door.

"Come in." Riley was surprised herself at the steadiness in her voice. It didn't make sense. Inside she was practically hyperventilating.

The door opened with a light creak, allowing Dad's calm, but concerned face to enter, followed by the rest of his body. "Hi there, Monkey."

"Hi."

"Um, I hear you had a little trouble tonight." His tone wasn't angry, only worried. There was no wrath hidden behind it, but a good deal of...sadness? Grief? Almost as if he were hurting. Riley could see it in his dark, brown eyes. She quickly looked away, knowing that it was her fault he felt that way.

"Yeah, I just sort of...lost my cool." Riley shrugged, giving perhaps the most fake laugh she had ever heard. It sounded wrong, coming out of her own mouth.

Dad nodded slowly, looking around the room at the various trophies, toys, and books that crowded the small space. He was trying to appear collected, Riley knew. He was freaking out inside just like she was, and that made her feel even guiltier, and more frightened. Mom and Dad had enough worries of their own. They didn't need this. "Would you like to...talk about it?" He had returned his caring gaze to her, hoping that she would say yes.


Fear's eyes were moist from crying. The pain in his body had lessened, but every part of him still felt tight and tense. His eyes were glued to the screen, watching as Dad verbally reached out to Riley. To him. He wanted to accept. They needed help. Oh, they needed help so badly. But...

What if they thought Riley was crazy? What if they took her to see a doctor? What if they sent her to some sort of asylum? She would never make it there. She couldn't handle something like that, and neither could he. With a trembling hand he moved a lever, and Riley's deceptively strong voice broke out in the silence.

"I was just feeling a little overwhelmed with school, Dad. I'm alright now. I pushed myself a little too hard. But I'm good. Sorry I broke the plate."

Fear had to throw that last part in. He felt so bad about it, as did Riley. Dad's face softened, but the concern was still there. It didn't lessen at all. In fact, he looked like he didn't believe a word of her story. But that was alright, Riley hadn't expected him to. But it was a way to make him back away from the subject. Dad was like that. He wasn't always comfortable talking about stuff like this. Emotional stuff. That was more of Mom's department. But Mom wasn't here. If she had been, she would have received the same answer.

"I'm fine now."

But she wasn't.


"He didn't ask for help." Sadness's voice shattered the silence. She was still working on getting through the barrier, but had paused to listen to what was playing out beyond. Though the invisible wall cut of all hearing from the console side of Headquarters, the Emotions were relieved that they could still hear Riley and the world outside of Riley's mind.

Joy nodded slowly in agreement. She was sitting on the floor now, legs tucked beneath her and her body pressed as close to the barrier as possible. Her breathing had steadied, but she was still very weak and pale. Her eyes were still settled on Fear, watching him, studying him. "He's afraid."

"He can't help that," Disgust added almost immediately. It was so unlike her to defend Fear's 'cowardice', that it actually caught the other Emotions attention for a brief moment, before they accepted it. "He can't help being who and what he is." She never would have imagined herself saying that before. But her heart ached so much. For Riley. For Fear. At the moment, her compassion was equal to Sadness's own.

"How much longer until you can get through this stupid thing?" Anger growled softly. His frustration was focused on the barrier itself, rather than Sadness. He knew she was doing her best. It was this dumb wall that was slowing things down.

Sadness sighed, renewing her efforts to reach out to Riley's mind. "At the earliest, sometime tomorrow." She sent a worried glance toward the Headquarter's windows, frowning when she noticed every single one of Riley's personality islands were down. They had not fallen into the Dump, but they were virtually inactive. The only movement within them was an occasional twitch of machinery, as a rogue jolt of purple energy shot through them. Other than that, Riley's mind was abnormally dark and still.

The Emotions felt their hearts sink. Tomorrow? Poor Fear. Poor Riley. The longer they stayed in this condition, the more harm it was causing them all. But there was nothing else they could do. Nothing but sit and hope that Sadness's skill and kind heart would pull through and that they would somehow be able to fix this. Help Riley recover.

But, for now, they could do nothing.