Chapter 1 Part 22 - Instability
We hear Yuri's screams from across the hallway.
"Maybe I shouldn't have done that…" Monika says, gritting her teeth regretfully as we sprint towards Yuri's location.
As soon as we make it to the living room, we see Yuri's bent-over figure, clutching her head tightly with her hands.
She lifts her head up. I can see her eyes.
Her pupils are substantially smaller, like when she gets all obsessive in the game. But the look in her eyes isn't one of obsession. It's one of utter fear and excruciating pain.
The horrifying look in her eyes drives me back a few steps in fear. Natsuki sprints into the room, as worried as we are.
"Yuri! What's wrong?" Natsuki asks, panicked.
"Haah…" Is all Yuri can make out.
Sayori runs in.
"Oh my God! Yuri! What's happening?"
"I don't know!" Natsuki screams over Yuri's screeches.
"Haah… Haah…" Yuri's labored breathing is heard over all other voices in the room.
Suddenly, the look in her eyes changes to a calm, oblivious one with a hint of panic.
Elizabeth.
I immediately realize that slight hint in her eyes.
"Elizabeth! Hang in there!" I say.
"Xavier…" Elizabeth says painstakingly. "She's… She's taking over… Again."
"Elizabeth, calm down. Just-"
"I don't want to leave you again, Xavier… I don't want you to be alo-"
Yuri's eyes contract back into realistic droplets of pupil and iris.
"She can't… She can't take over me again. This is… My body… I won't let go…" Yuri screams violently.
Natsuki comes to Yuri's aid. "Stay calm, Yuri… We'll find a way to stop this… Do you want an ice pack?"
Yuri can barely talk, so she shakes her head frantically. "I'm… Haah… Haah… Fine… Haah…"
"Monika, can you just set Yuri's file back to True?" I ask desperately.
"I'm trying! It's not working! I feel like it's just putting them through more pain!"
"Damn…" I mumble. We'll just have to get through this.
I think of a solution. I shut my eyes and review my current situation.
My name is Xavier. An online shipping company threw me into a video game. Monika is my girlfriend now.
Wait, when did that actually happen.
Whatever. That's the least of my worries right now. Anyways, my girlfriend from the real world got thrown into the game and is forced to share a body with Yuri. My best friend got murdered. I can never get out of this artificial reality. Now, Yuri and Elizabeth are struggling over control for their shared body, inducing excruciating pain for both of them in the process.
An idea!
As soon as I open my eyes, I realize my eyes are welling up in tears.
Now is not the time to cry!
I wipe my eyes off with my knuckle and get back to Yuri.
"Elizabeth."
Can I do it?
Their bloodshot eyes direct straight towards me.
It's the only way.
"Elizabeth, I know you're in there. I know you can hear me."
Yuri seemingly allows Elizabeth to regain control.
"Yes?"
Can I really do this?
"Elizabeth…"
No going back.
"I'm in love with Monika."
Her eyes widen, as do those of Sayori and Natsuki. All Monika does is smile.
Elizabeth's shoulders collapse down. She's no longer in physical pain.
Instead, she's been hurt beyond repair emotionally.
I try to open my mouth to apologize and say I lied, but no words come out.
"If that's what you really want, you can have her. I won't interfere." Elizabeth mumbles.
"Elizabeth…" I mutter.
"Goodbye."
"Wait!" I scream.
Light returns to Yuri's eyes. She's no longer in pain.
Monika's jaw drops. "She's… Gone."