While You Were Sleeping

Part 2

A scream.

Monica sat up and spun around violently, searching for the source of the noise. Damp with sweat it dawned on her that the scream had been her own. Sitting on her warm bed her breathing began to slow. She didn't know what had caused her to scream, she must have been dreaming but she couldn't quite remember what about. Still not entirely sure that her comforting bedroom was actually safe; Monica stood up and padded through into the kitchen. Flicking on the kettle Monica felt herself shivering. Deciding against the coffee she suddenly realised that the apartment was empty. She found herself glancing around nervously, as though searching for some invisible assailant. It was only when she forced herself to calm down that she remembered.

The coffee house.

They were all at Central Perk. Ignoring the almost boiled kettle Monica slipped her shoes on and practically ran down the stairs. Anything to get her away from the thoughts that haunted her mind.

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In the coffee house everything was still. The door was still unlocked, having been forgotten in amongst the chaos. Chairs littered the previously clean floor, remaining where they had landed almost an hour ago. Nothing had been touched. No soul had entered since IT had all started. No one had yet witnessed the violence.

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Monica pushed open Central Perks door almost violently. She was too desperate to see her friends that she forgot her own strength. Shouting into the coffee shop, she didn't even notice its emptiness.

"Guys? Guys you there?"

It was only then that se glanced around and saw the devastation around her. The chairs were thrown around, broken glass littered the floor. For an instant Monica feared there'd been a robbery. Then that thought vanished, replaced by an even greater one.

In her rush she had only really seen the patch of floor in front of her. Glancing around she was faced with images she would pray until her dying day to forget. Her friends, lying broken and bloodied on the floor. Monica was unable to help herself. Some deep part of her brain knew she shouldn't, told her she should call the police, but she couldn't stop it. She needed to know.

Rushing towards the nearest figure Monica gently turned them to face her. Seeing the familiar brown hair, now matted with blood, in her fingers, it took all her energy not to vomit.

Chandler

Chandler was there. And if he was injured, they all were. Her life, her friends, her everything, lying there dead on the floor of a New York coffee shop. She rushed around to them all, not really aware of her actions. Too dazed to really focus. She was still hoping, praying she was dreaming when she found herself staring down at Rachel's face, perfectly framed by her long hair. Her arms were still wrapped tightly around her body, but judging from the blood seeping from under her T-shirt, her baby hadn't survived the attack. Monica was still staring at her when she heard the noise behind her.

Jumping, Monica glanced back. Seeing only Ross. Ross. A perfectly healthy Ross, apart from the dazed look on his face and the slight hint of blood around his temple. Monica made to stand up and embrace him, longing for his inevitable reassuring hug. It never came.

Before she could understand the situation Ross lunged towards her, knocking her flying with his hand as he crouched down besides Rachel.

"Rachel? Honey? Are you OK? Rach! Can you hear me?!" turning to Monica with pure hate in his eyes he shouted, "How could you?! Why Monica? Why did you - ?! They're your friends. They're all your friends – "

Monica was stunned, she wasn't even sure how to answer, and her brain and her mouth were not yet communicating properly, "I didn't. No Ross. Not me. I – "her voice trailed away, the thoughts in her mind now vanished as she stared down at them both, injured and bleeding. She barely even noticed the arm taking her wrist and slowly pulling her away. She didn't notice the NYPD badge as it escorted her to a waiting car. She barely even acknowledged the words,

"It's OK sweetheart. We'll take you somewhere safe now"

Was I sleeping while the others suffered?