Sonia stood near the edge of a lake, taking in the scenery. She wore a beautiful white dress. It was a wedding dress. She turned around to face me, "I'm so happy you're my husband," She said. I could not speak, I could not tell her that I was happy she was my wife. I saw her smile slowly turn into a look of despair. "I thought you loved me? You promised me you'd never let go of me, and you did," She screamed. I wanted to speak, but no words could escape. I watched her slowly walk into the lake, and I couldn't do anything as I saw her submerge herself in the lake. I screamed with no sound as her air bubbles disappeared.

The subject is still vulnerable to recent trauma, note for further exploitation.

Where are those damn voices coming from?

Wipe the last two minutes and proceed.

Get out!

I woke up in a cold sweat, still feeling like I could not speak. I clawed at my throat in aggravation of it not working. I wanted to tear out my vocal cords for not saying anything to her.

"Eli!" A hand grabbed onto my arm. It was Monika's.

I once again attempted to speak, "Monika?" I said in a raspy voice. I was dazed and confused. I had no understanding of what was going on. I didn't know what time it was or why I was there. Monika pulled my head to rest on her chest.

"Everything is fine, you're okay, I'm here." She slowly consoled me and whispered those words. My breathing steadied, and I was no longer panicking. I could view the clock. It was 6:32 in the morning. I looked up at Monika. Her concerned face made me feel like I was the reason for her worries. Like how I would always worry Sonia, I move that burden to Monika.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you," I said. She shushed me and kissed the top of my head. I enjoyed the feeling of being cared for. Sonia had cared, but she would never console me like this. I had only wanted to be reassured and be held like this. Sonia wouldn't want to do this. She wanted me to comfort her because of the slightest inconvenience in her life. I was more than happy to, but I just wanted to know how it felt.

I let her continue to console me. She would caress my hair and kiss me on my cheeks, forehead, and mouth until she became a little more intimate. I watched as one of her hands withdrew from my hair and moved into her panties. I grew a little nervous as I did not wish for things to escalate from there. I had never had intercourse with Sonia as I was afraid of the risks, as well as my inexperience. She then tried to get my hand to move toward her, and I resisted.

"Is something wrong?" She asked in-between breaths.

"I just don't want to do anything like that right now. I'm sorry." Monika then ceased what she was doing and simply wrapped her arms around me.

I had fallen asleep in her consoling arms. I didn't know if I had fallen asleep first or she had, but It was only a few hours I had slept after that as I had woken up at 10:56 in the morning. Monika was still embracing me, sleeping. I could hear her draw breath. It was harmonious to me. I quietly whispered her name. I could hear her rhythmic breathing break as she awoke from her slumber. "Eli?" She whispered. Her eyes slowly opened to give me her wondrous emerald eyes. I loved each time those eyes looked back at mine. She smiled when she saw me.

"Morning, are you awake yet?" I asked. She groaned and dug her face into the pillow.

"Five more minutes," She said, muffled by the pillow. I chuckled and got up. Some supernatural events must have occurred as I was completely naked. A glance at Monika proved the same for her as well. She was topless and still very sleepy. My hips were sore, I felt somewhat draggy, and I could not recall the event of last night. but I pushed on anyway. I put on some shorts and a shirt. I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My hair was messy from sleep as it usually is. and the bandages on my arm were already irritating me. I knew it was going to take weeks to heal, however.

I walked downstairs to the kitchen. From the window, I could see the usual fog that was still present. I looked inside the fridge and withdrew the eggs, bread, butter, and cheese. I turned on the electric stove, a far cry from my usual gas stove. I cracked the eggs open into a bowl and scrambled them. Then I put them into a pan with oil and let them cook for a while. I inserted two pieces of bread into the toaster.

Monika showed up, still wearing nothing. I don't know how someone could be so comfortable walking around their house naked. I tried my best not to look at her breasts. She walked up to me, still trying to wake up.

"Morning sleepy head," I said as I continued to cook. She wrapped her arms around me from behind, her silk-like skin sending chills up my spine. She put her arms under my shirt, feeling my chest. She said nothing, but I was okay with it. I placed two pieces of toast on a plate and spread butter on both of them. I then added the egg and topped it off with cheese, creating an egg and cheese sandwich. Monika was sitting on the island table in the middle of the kitchen, sipping on coffee, watching me cook. She had already woken up a little bit.

"Here you go, a meal fit for a queen served to, well you," I said playfully while placing the plate down on the table.

She chuckled, "You call this fit for a queen?" I couldn't help but laugh. She took her first bite, and her eyes widened. "This is amazing," She said with a mouthful. I sat beside her, smiling as I watched her eat. However, my observation was soon interrupted by the doorbell. She glanced at me. It was the kind of glance telling me not to do what I was about to do. I still went up to the door and looked through the peephole. It was Sonia. My heart started pounding, and I grew anxious. I backed away from the door, almost losing my footing. I regained my composure, prepared myself mentally, and opened the door.

"Sonia? What are you doing here?" I asked. She looked sorrowful, and I was worried as to why.

"Eli, I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but can I talk with you inside?" She said, attempting to walk inside. Without a thought, I moved outside the house and closed the door.

"You can talk to me here," I said, crossing my arms.

She looked down and took a deep breath in and out. What was so important to tell me at this moment?

"I love you, I still do. It has only been one day since we broke up, of course. I still love you. You can't just throw me into the fray as you did. It was wrong. We should have discussed it." I didn't want to hear this, I didn't want her to come up with some lame excuse for why we should stay together.

"Sonia shut up, shut the fuck up. I know how much I hurt you and how you tried to fix me. I don't want you to worry or try to fix me anymore. I want you to forget me and move on, all I will do is hurt you, so please," I entered the house and looked outside the door, "Leave me the fuck alone." I slammed the door in her face. I listened for her footsteps outside. There was nothing. Just the idle sounds of Monika eating her breakfast. I decided to disregard the whole incident and go back to Monika, she looked curious.

"What was that about?" She asked. I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind and gently rested my head on her shoulder.

"It was Sonia, she was just trying to apologize for something she didn't do." Monika placed her hands on my own that were still wrapped around her.

"Maybe I could help take your mind off of her?" She said with a lustful tone, moving my hands to her breasts. I quickly retreated not wanting intercourse.

"I'm sorry, I just don't feel like it right now," I said, picking at my bandages.

"No, it's okay I shouldn't have suggested it, my fault."

I felt bad once again for making her apologize. I could see what I was doing to her. I'm in no state mentally to be with Monika. Without warning, she stood and ran upstairs. I was just left in the kitchen, staring at Monika's half-eaten breakfast. Her coffee was unfinished, so I took a sip of it. It was regular coffee with creamer, however, there was a minty taste. I looked more closely and there was a peppermint melting in the now warm liquid. Its red stripes reveal its identity slowly fading away with time.

Monika then re-entered the kitchen wearing oversized shorts and a white t-shirt. She noticed me holding her coffee.

"How's it taste?" she asked as she returned to her meal.

"It's good," I was upset at everything. I didn't want Monika to know this. I just needed to be alone right now. I set the coffee down and sat next to Monika. She paid no attention to my state, which I was glad about. I watched her finish her meal and wash her dishes. I threw on some pants and a random grunge band shirt. I looked out of the bedroom window and stared into the fog.

The clock on the wall read 11:30 when Sayori showed up at the door. She had brought some cookies as one would expect her to. However, what I wasn't expecting was Yuri. As Sayori had gladly let herself in, Yuri remained at the door. I walked up to the door.

I extended my hand, "I'm Eli."

She shook my hand, "My name is Yuri, It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Sayori."

I gave her a fake smile, "That's good to hear, please come in." I motioned her to enter and she did. I closed the door thinking about how I should approach Yuri. I know she's shy but whenever she's talking about literature she goes a mile a minute about it. As if another person came forth from that shy timid girl.

Everyone was seated in the living room. Sayori and Yuri were sitting on the recliners while Monika sat on the couch with an empty spot next to her. I wonder who that is for?

As I sat down Yuri decided to start speaking, "So Eli, I hope everything is okay with you?" In truth I was hurting inside, I wanted to rip out my internal organs, I wanted to swallow razor blades. I wanted to cut open my skin.

"I've been doing really good," I said. "You guys have been really helpful and I'm thankful for that. What about you guys? How have you all been doing?" I asked.

Monika responded first, "I'm good, your accident yesterday scared me a bit but I'm ok since you're ok." She said, giving me a small smile.

"What about you two? How have you been?" I asked.

Sayori spoke first, "I've been alright just thinking about some things but other than that I've just been looking forward to today." We all looked at Yuri now since it was her turn to speak. However, she looked like she was entrapped in deep thought and was not paying attention to the conversation. Around five seconds had passed before she realized that we were waiting for her to speak.

"Oh! Sorry, I've been doing good," She said as she fiddled around with her fingers. We all disregarded her unattentiveness and pressed forward.

"Eli, how is the wound?" Sayori asked me. I looked at the bandages. The outer layer was pure white with no speck of any color. However if one was to lift these they would find that the inner bandages were now stained with a deep dark reddish black.

"It's fine, but it just needs time to heal is all." Sayori looked relieved as if a huge weight had been lifted off. One thing I noticed was Yuri consistently looking at me and my bandages. I found it odd till I recalled the events that occurred within a certain chapter of the game.

Monika took hold of the conversation, "Well how about going to the park nearby? We could use a bit of nature." Sayori and Yuri nodded, meanwhile, I was not in favor of this idea. I just wanted to stay home and do nothing. That's usually what I do when I have free time or when I'm not with Sonia.

"Alright then let's go," I said, giving Monika a small smile that masked my true feelings. As everyone headed out the door and I locked it behind me, I felt an odd feeling. That someone was in danger that they were needing my help. It took me a while before realizing that the entire club was here in my presence, except Natsuki. My mind went racing.

We started walking to the park however I was visibly upset at the fact that Natsuki was not present. Monika took notice of this.

"Eli, is everything alright?" I could not even answer her, as I was too enveloped in my thoughts. I needed to know where Natsuki was, I needed to know that she was safe. My mind toured myself at the thought of her father's abuse.

Initiate.

Then without explanation, I saw her. She lies there on the ground in her room. Fetal position, unmoving pale, bruises, and lacerations on her arm, neck, and hands. Naked cold shivering, vomit strewn around the room. Pills from failed overdose attempts. Her room was endowed with the scent of bile and defecation.

I do not know how I came to know this information but I had suddenly gained it against my will. As if it was a repressed memory returning to haunt me. I stopped in my tracks.

"Eli!" A voice had said, withdrawing me from my thoughts. It was Monika but I didn't care. I needed to know where Natsuki's house was.

"Where does Natsuki live?" I asked Monika. She looked confused and concerned at my sudden question.

"Why what's wrong?" She asked, as my patience grew thin. I grabbed her by the shoulders and shouted in her face with anger.

"Where the fuck is her house!?" I demanded. She pointed immediately in the opposite direction and said with tears in her eyes, "The house number is 1603." With that information, I, with no hesitation turned and started running. Looking for the house number. I didn't hear anyone calling my name or they were just muted by my thoughts.

After a few minutes of running, I found the house. I looked at the windows on the second level, they were barred with iron as if to prevent escape. I knew it was this house. I ran to the door and knocked. However, the door was already slightly ajar. I opened it, and the smell of smoke, alcohol, and defecation filled my nostrils. I pressed onward nonetheless, stepping over trash, vomit, and whatever decaying food was on the floor. I ran up to the second floor and saw two doors beside each other. One was brightly colored pink the other was a solid white. I opened the pink door and saw exactly what I had envisioned.

There Natsuki lay in her room exactly as I envisioned it. I could not move as I was in awe of how accurate my thoughts were. Was what I was seeing even real? It can't be real. How could I have predicted this? The vision was precisely how I saw it. Everything was in its correct place however it was no longer a vision but now a reality. Natsuki is lying in front of me and is dying.

I maneuvered my way through the various pools of trash, bile, and manure to get to her. I touched her gently, she twitched at my contact. Her skin was rough, scars were present, and appeared to be at least a few years old. I slowly attempted to put my hands into a position where I could carry her. Her face was undamaged either that or she was wearing makeup. I picked her up slowly and proceeded to exit the house.

As I left the house I could see Monika and the rest of the girls in the distance walking towards my direction. Each of their faces was in horror seeing what state Natsuki was in. They stood gathered around me and there was nothing but silence. The wind whistled, giving me a cold chill, I felt a single raindrop fall on my arm. Then another, and another, I knew rainfall was coming.

"We need to get her inside," I said. No one responded. I grew more infuriated than I already was from seeing the consequence of her father's actions. "Who lives closest to here?"

Yuri spoke, "I do, it's this way," Yuri began hastily walking in the direction they had first come from. I darted past Monika and Sayori who were still frozen in surprise. I paid no attention to anything other than Yuri as I was more concerned about Natsuki's well-being.

We were only walking for one minute when we reached the house. Yuri opened the door and I rushed inside. The decor looked expensive, vases and statues were strewn about the place as if it was a museum. I sat on the couch still holding Natsuki.

"Yuri I need something to drink, warm," I said as Monika sat beside me. "Monika I need a blanket," Yuri was beginning to make tea and Monika stood up and hastily walked to The kitchen. I could hear them talking.

"Yuri, where do you keep your blankets?" Monika asked, as Yuri frantically put a teapot on the stove. I disregarded the events occurring within the kitchen and looked down on Natsuki. Her pale skin was slowly returning to life from the warmth I radiated. Her chest rose and fell more frequently than its rate in the cold. Monika then returned with a heavy blanket and I covered Natsuki with it. Yuri then approached with a small cup of tea with a straw. Natsuki wasn't waking, I grew more worried. She should have woken up with the commotion we made.

I held on tight to Natsuki as Sayori and Monika sat next to me. Then suddenly, in the direction of the front door, a loud banging sound could be heard. All of us jumped as we had not expected any loud noises. I looked up at the girls, they were looking at me. I put Natsuki on the couch and walked to the door. I looked through the peephole and there stood a somewhat disgruntled man, wearing a tan office suit; it was dirty and had various stains all over it. I could feel the rage manifesting. I knew I had to hold it inside, I couldn't jeopardize Natsuki or the girls. I quietly locked the door chain and slightly opened the door. He is only slightly taller than me but has a bigger frame than me. I grew anxious.

"Can I help you?" I asked. He looked disoriented.

"Where is my daughter? I know she's with you, I am taking her back home."

I shook my head, "I don't know who you're talking about," I began closing the door. "Sorry," I said as the door shut. There was no noise from the door after that. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement, From the kitchen window. It was as if something had passed by it swiftly. I ran to the living room and saw Natsuki still laying on the couch and The man staring at her from the window. The other girls saw him when I pointed him out. He then disappeared, and I ordered all the girls to head upstairs. Monika was carrying Natsuki and Sayori was tagging behind her. Yuri however stayed.

"If you're going up against a man of that size I'll assist you." I gave her a nod and thanked her. Our moment of unity against an unrelenting force was then interrupted by a loud bang at the front door. Yuri then withdrew a concerningly large "utility" knife. It was polished to a mirror sheen. I braced myself as the door produced another bang. Could he break it down? The door looked sturdy but breakable with enough force.

With a final bang, the door broke off its hinges and fell forward. There the man stood, face full of anger. I steadied my footing bracing myself for his assault. Yuri and myself facing him, ready to fight.