Dreams of Doki Doki

by the cooler eros

Xavier has been troubled by dreams for as long as he can remember but has been able to maintain an average life grounded in reality. When that reality starts to look more like fiction, though, will he be able to tell the difference between the two? And what does any of this have to do with Doki Doki Literature Club?

15. Chapter 1 Part 15 - Another

Chapter 1 Part 15 - Another

I open my eyes to a deep black abyss.

A dream…

My body is not that of the protagonist of Doki Doki Literature Club, but as my body was in the real world. I walk across the floorless void.

Infinitely dark, but no shadows.

I spot a figure in the distance. I walk towards it. As I see the image more clearly, I make out an all-too-familiar figure.

"Hey." I say.

"Surprised?" Monika smirks.

"Nope." About ten meters of distance still divide us. "I have quite the history with dreams, actually."

"I can tell."

"So what do we do, then? I mean, assuming this is the real you and not just some dream interpretation."

"Yeah. Same to you."

Silence. We just stand facing each other for five long seconds.

"I'm really sorry, Xavier. About all of this." Monika says in a genuine tone.

"How can you be?" I punch the invisible floor. It feels like memory foam.

"My best friend is dead." I let the tears rush. I've been crying way too much lately.

"And I can't even do anything about it because I'm stuck in this fucking video game for the rest of my life!" I scream.

A smile creeps across Monika's pale face.

"Stuck here with me…" Monika starts.

"Xavier, you're stuck with me, who, just a couple of days ago, thought the closest I could get to you was through a computer screen." It's her turn for tears. "But now you're here. Really here, Xavier."

"Monika…" I exhale idly.

"I love you, Xavier. I want to be with you forever."

"Monika, I love you t-"

Beep.

"What was that?" I stare into blank space for a split second.

"The files… They've been updated… Organized." Monika says.

She continues. "Our character files are squeezed into an information summary. It was encrypted before, but now the code is completely transparent. Every single bit of information is compiled into a kind of… Profile."

"What does this mean?" I say, clearly flustered.

"Let me show you." Monika says as she delves into the invisible code.

Suddenly, my torso disappears into thin air, as if they never existed. All that remains are my head and limbs.

"What the…" I make out. No pain. Nothing. It's just gone.

I slowly position my left hand where my chest used to be. Nothing. Just thin air.

My torso reappears just as quickly as it vanished.

"What the fuck…" I say.

"Yeah…" Monika replies. "Kinda creepy, huh? Really shows you how much control they have over us."

"Yeah, I guess..." I shrug, not completely understanding her point.

"What I'm trying to get at is that this is all you are now. Just a sentient bit of code. And I am too."

I turn my head away from her slightly. She continues. "There's no point dwelling in the past, Xavier. I hate to say it, but you really just need to move on and make the best of what's happening."

"Whatever." I sigh.

"Sorry," Monika says, realizing the fact that I'm not the most keen on her words. "I'm being a jerk, arent I?"

"Yeah, kind of."

"I'll leave you be then. See you tomorrow." I'm kind of surprised Monika changed her tone so quickly. It's kind of attractive.

"All right, see you then."

I wake up, sweating.

I look at the clock. It's 5:40. Ugh…

I put on my uniform, brush my teeth and head down. On the kitchen counter I see 5000 Yen and a baked waffle.

I stuff the waffle in my mouth and head outside.

Time to start the day...