Chapter 2: Grilled Machine

I coughed as I inhaled the smoke coming from my computer. I then brought the CPU outside and let the smoke blow away from it. I also left my door open to let the odor escape from my room.

"Crap! Can this day be more unluckier?" I said while coughing smoke.

Once I let go of my CPU, I sat down and I was shocked when someone sprayed the fire extinguisher to it. The action was so sudden that I couldn't help but stare at my computer being coated by the white stuff.

I looked up to the person who did it. He is a pretty slim guy, pretty young-looking, and he's hair is covered because he is wearing a beanie.

"Are you okay dude?" he asked me worrily. "Sorry if I acted so sudden."

"Oh y-yeah," I replied quickly, but still flabbergasted by what just happen. "If it weren't for you, my PC would probably detonate by now, haha." I followed while slowly gaining my composure. "Thanks, man."

"I guess so," he chuckled. "By the way, my name is Mark," he gives me a hand. "We've... We've been neighbors for months, and sorry I haven't been introduced myself, bro."

I stood up and I grabbed his hand and formed a not-so-awkward handshake. "Hey! Nice knowing you man, my name's Rex." I then loosen my grip and checked on my PC.

I then began to speak to break this uncomfortable silence." So it's almost midnight, what are you still doing outside in your room?"

"Well... I was actually browsing on the internet and suddenly the blackout happened." he said as he put his arms on the railings on the balcony. "I tried to get some sleep, but I wasn't really tired so I went outside and gave myself some air as I stare in this dark city. I actually thought that it's just another apartment blackout, turns out the whole city is affected by it."

"Oh yeah! There's a blackout that just happened," I said. I almost forgot that it happened as I am more concerned to what happened to my PC than the electricity in my room. "Since when did this blackout started?" I asked him.

"Pretty recently," he answered in a confused manner. "When I left my room, it was not that late since you come out to yours as well." he chuckled. "Weren't you awake when the blackout happened?" he asked me while a bit baffled.

"I actually went asleep, while editing something for work," I said while smiling goofily. "It just that when I woke up, I realized that a blackout just happened and my computer got fried," I followed up while putting my arms on the railing having the same pose as Mark.

"Really? That doesn't really sound nice, haha," he jokingly said. "By the way, If you want to get your PC fixed, I know a place for computer repairs and one of my friends work there... I might ask for a discount" he teased as I slowly brighten up.

"Dude, really? That's awesome!" I said cheerily. "You've been a huge help for my day, honestly, I so wanted to express my gratitude for your kindness today." I get too excited, I form two fists in front of me and jumping repeatedly.

"Aha aha aha," he laughed with pride. "Don't mention it, I'm just here to help!" he waved his hand up and down and afterwards put his hands on his hips proudly while looking at me goofily. "Just contact me when you're available, and I'll bring you there, maybe by tomorrow."

"That's cool! I'll inform you tomorrow." I said in response.

"Haha yeah," he said without much pride that he used to have. He then yawned and said, "Well, glad I could help, see you tomorrow, dude."

"Yeah! Good night," I said while he goes back to the room and raised his hand in response.

Before he entered and closed his room, he then said, "Aren't you going to bed now?"

"Maybe later, when the scent of the smoke from my apartment leaves." I replied. "I'll probably get some fresh air for a bit as well."

"Makes sense," he said softly. "Night."He then shuts the door and here I am again alone staring at the night sky with a very dark city.

I went back to my room and grabbed my camera. I went outside again, and took a picture of the city. I wasn't used to see the city this dark, mainly because most establishments here were open 24/7 and someway it's a rare scenery, and it's pretty astonishing. The beauty of darkness.

I flashbacked to the dream I had recently. About Monika. As if the time when she passed through the monitor was real, and she was really crying for help. I can't help but think of that dream constantly, and I can't get rid of that thought out. What if that really happened? What if that's not a dream at all? What if Monika of all this time was actually real?

I grabbed my head and shook it. No, no, stop having your fantasies again, Rex. You need to think about your computer and how will you face Boss again tomorrow, now that your equipment is broken. Boss will be mad at you again, and you promised her to improve your work. I'm just so unlucky, this is such a bad day.

Calm down, calm down. Mark found a way, I'll found a way too, okay?

I breathed heavily and sighed. I'm stressing myself again. My room wasn't smoky as before, just one good night sleep will help me release all of these stress.

I walked back to my room, bringing my CPU, and left it at the side of the door. I proceeded to my bedroom, prepared my bed, and laid down for a sleep.

I stared at the ceiling, suddenly images of Monika appeared, and hear voice started to say the exact same words she said on my dream repeatedly. "Rescue me, Rescue me, Rescue me..."

"Damn it!" I shouted as I sat down on my bed while grabbing my head. "Stop worrying about this damn video game character! I'm getting insomnia because of this!" I said angrily to myself while I smack my head a lot of times. "Just get out of my head!"

I get myself a glass of water, sat down on my bed, until I feel my sleepiness come to me. Nothing happened, sleep won't come, I still keep thinking the same things. I just stayed calm all of a sudden and started closing my eyes and meditate.

" RING RING RING!" my goddamn alarm rang loudly.

"Oh you son of a... "