Chapter 15: A Very Short Interlude
It was red here. Very red.
That was the first thought that popped into Monika's head after she entered the fourth layer.
Monika stood in a clearing of trees. Trees and trees and trees and trees for as far as the eye could see. Trees that, as far as Monika could see, were red, for some unknown reason.
In the center of the red clearing of trees was a lake. The lake was also red. Nothing could be seen inside of its depths.
Beside the lake was a log. The log was also red. On the log sat a pixelated red entity, holding a pixelated red fishing rod. Fishing in the lake for god-knows what.
Monika went over to the fisher. A log inexplicably appeared out of nowhere next to him, and she sat down.
"Sorry to say you have gone too deep into the code. There is no way back out." The voice of the red entity was clear, not like the glitched mess that Monika had somehow expected.
"What's your name?" Monika asked politely.
"My name is Old Man Consequences. Come, let's fish for a while. You have nowhere else to go."
For a few moments, Monika simply looked at the lake.
"So, what's in this lake?"
"Many things."
The two of them sat there for a little while more.
"So, I'm really stuck here forever? There's no way out?"
It seemed as though Old Man Consequences was frowning. He turned a little to face Monika.
"None that I know of. I'm sorry."
The Old Man turned away and went back to his fishing.
Monika sighed and stared at the lake, wishing a little that she could have a do-over.