Chapter 5 - Aftermath

"…terror has struck the city of Monstropolis after a horrific killing spree took place at the city's Monsters, Inc. scream factory last night.

At about 10:30PM, one of the factory's scare assistants, named Fungus, exited the building with a hostage and was apprehended by CDA officers, who had been alerted by two monsters who managed to get out of the factory. A thorough search of the factory was undertaken, in which massive structural and explosive damage was found. The bodies of four monsters were found in the factory, all had been killed in various ways. One was found crushed on a waste disposal machine, while another was found with stab wounds, and the final two bodies had internal and external damage. Forensics at the CDA have carried out tests on the bodies, and found that all of the wounds were indefinitely inflicted by another monster. DNA tests proved that Fungus carried out the sickening attacks, it is also believed he was responsible for causing the damage to the factory…"

The words of the news report blaring from the TV did not escape Mike, Sulley, Randall and Celia. Confined to a ward in Monstropolis General Hospital, the traumatic events of the last twelve hours were still sinking in. For the most part, they were relieved to be alive.

Their concentration on the news report was interrupted by the arrival of Smitty and Needleman into the ward.

"Hi guys," greeted Sulley, sitting on the edge of his bed. Mike, Randall and Celia also acknowledged greetings.

"Hey there," chimed Needleman, who was sporting bandages on his leg, "you guys OK?"

Mike, his small round body totally covered in bandages and plaster, sat up. "We're OK, but we're kind of trying to see the news…"

Needleman nodded, and then glanced at the TV himself. "Man, this is awful…"

The news report became even more morbid at this point. "The bodies of the victims have been identified as George Sanderson, Pete Ward, Bob Peterson and Thaddeus Bile, who all worked at the Monsters, Inc. factory."

At once the six survivors' faces fell, even Randall. Sure, he didn't like anyone, but he wouldn't have gone this far.

"They didn't deserve what they got…" said Sulley quietly, "the Scare Floor won't be the same anymore…"

Celia was trying her best to keep the tears back. "I don't think…I don't think I can ever set foot in there…again…"

At this, Mike got out of his bed and sat on Celia's bed, comforting his distressed girlfriend.

"…'It was horrible…when we realised something was going on, we were just panicked, we couldn't figure out who it might be…and the fact that he could be watching us and waiting to strike…just truly awful…'"

The words from the news report were Sulley's, though he hadn't wanted to give an interview. Right now, he just wanted to forget the whole trauma.

Randall supplied the question no-one really wanted to hear. "Any idea what's happened to Fungus…?"

Mike just scowled at the chameleon monster's question, as did the others, bar Sulley.

"He's still sedated," answered Sulley, wanting to create closure, "but when he's revived, he'll probably be moved to a secure unit for rehab…"

"I see…" replied Randall, giving a slow nod, "probably for the best…"

Finding the TV report unbearable, Sulley grabbed the remote from his bedside table and clicked it off. The ward then fell very silent for a few moments.

Breaking the silence, Sulley got off his bed and headed for the door.

"Hey, Sulley…" chimed in Mike, "where you goin'? You sure you should be outta bed?"

Sulley just stared at Mike, it seemed like a very lost stare. "I'm gonna get some air…I'll be back soon, OK?"

Mike nodded. "Yeah…it's OK, man…take as long as you need to…"

Sighing, and giving a little nod, Sulley exited the ward. As he walked along the hospital corridor, the events of the last twelve hours sped through his mind once again. The deaths of four of his friends, the sheer callousness and madness of one scare assistant, the fear of almost dying, and the relief of being a survivor. Not one of those thoughts could be forced from the veteran scarer's mind.

Sulley reached the stairs at the end of the corridor and climbed up, all the way to the third floor, where he found a door leading out to a balcony. Greeting him was a breathtaking view of the city of Monstropolis, bathed in morning sunlight, and not a cloud in sight.

It never looked better…

THE END