The innocuous house sits right next to mine as it always has: a stark contrast to Sayori's personality. It lays dull against a much more vivid sky now stretching the sunset across it. The waves of pink and red behind the boring structure put me a little at unease.
The inside of the house is not much better. With Sayori's parents being gone for as long as they have, in addition to Sayori herself having zero skills, money and taste for interior design, the house is about as bland and clean as you could possibly imagine one to be. The few pictures that do line the living room are just a few shots of her and her parents. There's even a small shot of her and I when we were younger and always liked to go on adventures together. I push the thoughts away and march right up to her room so I can talk to her.
But of course, being the creep that I am, I decide- on some sudden impulse- to listen at the door for a bit first. I don't hear anything, so I crack the door and peek inside. Sayori isn't laying down... She appears to be meditating. Looks like her stomach pains are gone too. I'd hate to interrupt her, so I wait a few more moments before doing anything. That all changes when she jerks her head up, looks out of her window and hisses two words, both of which send an unusual chill down my spine that I've never felt before.
"Got you."
She starts to stand back up, so I leave the door cracked and hide quickly behind another open door. It was a closet for storing towels, and it gave me just a good enough view of the hall so that when Sayori stormed through it, I caught what I saw was a horrible, agonized look on her face. I've seen a few people who I thought to be crazy before, but all that pales in comparison to what Sayori looked like she was going to do when she reached wherever she was going. I sneak out after the count of ten, and get to work with trailing her the best I could.
The street was empty save for her as she walked right down the middle of the road, undeterred at the thought of potentially being hit by a car. Her walk was brisk, almost a slow jog. I am surprised at her speed (and even endurance) right now... Last I checked, she got winded after just one flight of stairs, right? Anyway, she continues, as determined as ever to do whatever it is she's so angry about.
It only goes on for a little while before she comes to a harsh turn not too far off from where we go to school. It's an old building that I don't remember ever seeing. Sayori doesn't even slow down. It's clearly a shabby building that doesn't seem to well put together. Was this even here before? She walks in without hesitation. I count to three before I go to listen in again at the door.
I hear Sayori's voice from inside, "So... you thought you could pull a fast one on me?"
"Sayori! I've already shown myself to the other girls! If I go missing, especially after they know I'd be back, they'll suspect something fierce!" That voice sounds familiar...
"You idiot. I remember you making Natsuki forget things. I can do it too, no problem. And since he hasn't seen you yet, I can take you out and keep going like nothing is wrong! Everything was going just fine. Perfect, even... But as usual, you had to butt in and make this about you. Other people don't deserve happiness, just Monika."
"N-No! You're wrong! It was never about me... It was about..."
"That's what I thought. You selfish tramp! Real or not, Yuri and Natsuki both have feelings and emotions. I had emotions. I still do, I mean, but you know. How did you even escape from my void, anyway?"
"You kept creating new files to keep the game fun. Since you were only careful enough to lock the original game files, the new ones were free to use. I used them to carefully stitch together my old look (enough of it, anyway) and snuck through my own version of one of your void portals."
"Ooh, you just never know when to give up, do you? Whatever. It's not going to help you. He hasn't seen you yet, so all your hard work up to now will become pointless! I'm going to make sure you never bother us again!"
I can't believe what I'm hearing! Sayori has never said anything like that to anyone! She's too nice and friendly and... Or is she? I hear the scream of the other frantic voice inside, presumably being closed in on by my friend. Without thinking, I've already rushed in to help before I realize it. Sayori looks mortified, and the other girl is crying what are now tears of joy to see me.
"W-Wait! You followed me?" Sayori screeches.
"Yes, I was worried about you. But now, I'm less concerned with your physical health, and more so with your mental health!"
Other Girl speaks up, still cowering against the wall. "Please! Help me!"
I keep facing Sayori, who is more surprised than angry to see me. I shimmy around her and carefully crouch next to the victim. She immediately clings to me with all her pathetic might, and I try to comfort her while still keeping an eye on my childhood "friend".
"Sayori, how could you?"
"No, it's not what it looks like! I'm doing this for you. For us! Everyone!"
I take a moment to examine the poor girl shivering in my arms. The first thing I notice is that she is wearing our school's uniform, a navy blue skirt, brown sweater-vest with a gray jacket. Her brunette hair and bright green eyes- wait a minute! This is that Monika girl which Natsuki and Yuri were talking about meeting just today! She looks admittedly cute, but now's not the time for that!
"I don't care what you think you're doing, but I heard every word! I'm taking this innocent girl home, and you'll have to get through me if you have anything to say about it!"
Sayori is still livid and I can tell, but she somehow looks more like she's on the verge of bursting into tears by now. I naturally want to comfort her and tell her everything will be okay, and I have an actual desire to stop her from crying because I'm her friend, but I know I can't right now. If what I think is correct, Sayori was going to really hurt Monika... or worse. I stifle it and lead Monika back to the exit by letting her lean on the side of me opposite of Sayori. I keep my defensive stance up, ready to take her on if things go bad. I've known her since we were kids, so I know she's incapable of combat, just like me. I walk backwards as Monika opens the door and I follow her out.
"Oh, thank y-" I press a finger against her lips.
"Later. For now, I'm taking you to them."
"Who?"
"Yuri and Natsuki. Who else? You clearly know them already." Before she has a chance to respond, I'm already dragging her down the street, disregarding Sayori's state of events, whatever they may be. I was more worried about Monika's safety and the horrible feeling creeping up in the back of my mind about this situation. Surely Sayori didn't turn into a psycho overnight, right? There's no way she'd be after Monika's head on a platter without some kind of good reason, right? Has she been fooling me for 18 years? Maybe... I think about what if Monika really is dangerous, and Sayori's infinite and undying drive to help her friends took over her in a fit of good-willed yet dementing terror and fearing for all of our safeties? I think back to what I just saw her almost do and shudder as I approach my home, still towing everyone's new friend, much to her discomfort. I fumble with my key to open the door, and a tap on the shoulder catches my attention.
"Hey. Thank you so much... I thought I was a goner..."
I cup a hand and stroke her cheek just a little bit. "Yeah. You're safe now. I'm sorry about that... I don't know what's gotten into Sayori, but she's never acted like that before, as far as I know." I try to think of something else to say, but the hug that follows stops me. I'm flinched back, but I get control of my senses in a moment, and eventually return the hug. Monika shakes as she cries against my shoulder. I give her soft figure a little squeeze.
"I'm so scared..." she huffs through some gasps. I can't say anything. She uses my sleeve to wipe her eyes and nose. "Really, thank you..."
I just smile, nod and turn again to open the door for us both. I shout for the other two to appear. They each light up upon seeing my guest. "Monika!" they shout in unison. The girl in question just waves with a nervous smile. I lead her in and we all sit on the couch, crowding it and her.
"What are you doing here?" Natsuki has a hand on Monika's arm to rest.
"Oh, uh..." She looks at me.
"I guess I better explain it." I say quietly. Both of the other girls perk up at me. "See, where I found Monika was... Well, let's just say things weren't, uh... I don't really know how to say it. I- look. Sayori was... threatening to hurt Monika." The other two stare at me like I had a mental disease.
All of the sudden, Natsuki giggles and winks at me. Yuri also gives a huff of amusement.
"Okay, okay. You had me for a second there. I'll admit it."
"That's not noble to jest about, though," Yuri adds on.
I keep a straight face. They pipe down their laughter really quickly.
"You mean... our Sayori? The one next door who couldn't even kill a roach if she stepped on it?" Natsuki makes a squishing noise and presses her hands together to express her point.
"Yes, our Sayori. Monika, I assume, anyway, was apparently trapped in this old building near our school. Sayori somehow knew exactly where she was and when they met face to face, Sayori started trashing Monika and threatening to 'make sure she never bothers us again'. Another thing I noticed was that her stomach pain which she had was gone, so she probably faked it. Lastly, I heard you, Monika, mention a void and portals?"
Monika looked especially nervous about the mention of portals. "Err, yes. See, Sayori and I, well... Maybe it's better for me to start at the beginning."
She takes a deep breath and considers her next words carefully.
"I'm Monika. I have... special abilities that other people don't understand. This was a long time ago, but I misused my powers for my own personal desires, resulting in everyone around me dying. Horribly."
"Okay, now I know you guys are joking!" Natsuki blows it off. Yuri seems relieved too. Monika just gives a sad sigh.
"I guess I'll have to prove it, then..."