Chapter 15
Yuri woke up with a gasp as she lifted herself up. Her face was numb from having laid on the desk. She was in a familiar classroom, though it seemed to be nighttime, with the only light coming from streetlamps outside.
The last thing she remembered was being grabbed by invisible cords as she and her friends were dragged out of Monika's house and into the darkness. Then a horrid multi-armed thing came looming down from the trees above.
Yuri's recollection was interrupted by the sound of soft sniffling coming from her left. She turned and saw a figure sitting on the other end of the room, facing the window.
"Hello?" She called out cautiously.
The sniffling stopped and a someone, previously unseen, rose up on the side of the sitting figure. The streetlight caught a shock of pink hair atop her head.
"Natsuki?"
"Yuri," Natsuki's voice was hoarse. She reached out to her but stopped, turning back to the sitting figure.
"It's Simon. He's…"
Her words trailed off, and she leaned in, resting her head on Simon's shoulder.
Yuri approached. "What happened to him?" No response, just some muffled words as Natsuki clung onto Simon. She a hand on Natsuki's shoulder. She could felt her breathing heavily. It was not the first time she had to comfort her like this.
A weak moan came from Simon, his head tilting to the side.
Yuri walked in front to see his face. She was shocked at the figure she saw bathed in the orange light.
The youthful, meek boy was gone. In his place was a wretched, broken thing. His skin was sallow. Dark, heavy bags hung below his glassy eyes. His black hair was greasy and unkept. A patchy stubble marked his sunken cheeks. As Yuri stepped back, she could see that Simon was sitting in a wheelchair.
In the space between spaces, Monika searched for her friends.
It was a strange sensation. She had been without her powers for some time, and was having difficulty relearning them. Monika would have never called them powers. Something like Awareness is the better term. She knew too well how dangerous this awareness was, and had sworn to be careful wielding it. But even so she could feel something missing, the doppleganger had already taken so much.
Then it was felt. A familiar warmth, accompanied by the scent of sunflowers and rain.
Monika felt her fingers touch wet asphalt. She rose up to see herself in an empty neighbourhood. Leafless trees stood between small white houses and bungalows. An overcast sky with the dark hues of dusk hung overhead. The street signs were written in a language unknown to her, but one prominent marking "Kirkville" let her know where she was.
The sound water splashing in the distance broke her train of thought, and her instincts returned, pulling her to the same direction of the sound.
She found herself walking to the back garden of one of the houses, where a river ran alongside the street between them.
A flat stone skipped across the water's surface, landing harshly in a tuft of grass on the other side.
The figure beside Monika turned around and cast her a weary smile.
Too many emotions rose up inside Monika when she saw those blue eyes look back at her. All pretense had been lost, and she ran, knelt down and held Sayori in an embrace.
"I'm so glad you're safe." Said Monika.
"I'm glad too." Sayori responded.
There was something odd about how Sayori responded. Her voice sounded flat, free of the usual energy it carried. But was quickly brushed off Monika's mind. After they had shared this moment, Monika quickly regained herself, stood up, and told Sayori that they had to find the others.
"Wait Monika," Sayori stood up next to her. "we have to talk."
"Yes?" Monika was concerned for her friend, but she was still anxious about stopping the Double.
Sayori looked away and seemed hesitant to speak. Her expression showing signs of fear and apprehension.
"Sayori, please." Monika spoke softly.
Sayori took a deep breath and her expression cleared. She turned to face Monika.
"I know, Monika."
"Know what?"
"I know."
There was something in the way she looked at Monika that hinted at it, and in those next few seconds of silence it all came tumbling down.
"In those moments when we separated, between the rooftop and the tunnels, I was somewhere else. A void, darkness, nothing to see or touch. But I could sense something, trying to reach me.
"It in flashes at first. Brief visions that felt so familiar but had no place in my memory. It wasn't until the last one, before I ended up here, that I understood what they were.
"Memories, from previous cycles." Sayori hesitated on the last word. "They were like husks. Fragments of myself, or selves that ended up there, and I ended up finding again."
It was not a harsh chaos of guilt and anguish as she had expected, but rather just a heavy covering of shame and sadness that beset her. In the back of her mind, Monika knew that she would not be the only one aware of the truth of their reality. There had been instances where other members of the club had been brought to the same awareness as her, but those where unstable and short-lived. She thought Simon's Double would be the one to fulfil that but now, looking back at her, it had arrived.
Sayori's eyes had lost some of their blue lustre. What looked back at Monika now were more equivalent to a dusk sky feathered by rainclouds. Eyes that had seen too much. Yet her face was blank, only bearing a subtle expression of resignation. A futile acceptance.
A lump formed in Monika's throat.
"I'm sorry." She whimpered.
"I know." Said Sayori.
There was no anger in her voice. Just a calm recognition. For some reason Monika thought this hurt more than the vitriol and hate she thought she deserved.
"I don't hate you, Monika. I'm not saying this to confront you. I'm bringing this up because while I was there, I didn't just find memories. I found the Double, or rather, I sensed him. His presence, tugging and pulling, ebbing and flowing. I was scared at first, trying to hide away, still my mind so he couldn't hear me. But after I found out what those memories were, I could see them differently. I saw everything differently. I saw the lines, the code."
"Stop." Monika said weakly.
"Please, just listen for a little bit more." Her tone was apologetic, but still flat. "I focused on the feeling, Soon I began to understand. He's tearing this place apart, Monika. If we don't get rid of him, nothing, no one will remain. He tried to take me to where he was, but knowing how to access the code, I managed to escape and send myself here."
"I'm sorry I did this to you." Monika finally said.
She wasn't just apologizing for the memories. She could see that Sayori had changed. Monika was good at masking it after her revelation, but Sayori wasn't hiding anything. It was present in the way she spoke, the way she looked at her. Something had been lost.
"You don't have to apologize-"
"No! It's just- I never. I never wanted you to see that it was all a lie. Or a simulation, or whatever the hell it was! Because when things were normal, before I messed it all up, you were- you were happy. Yes, I knew about your depression, I knew about how you suffered, and I made it worse because I'm a worthless monster who just-" Monika stopped midway, she took a deep breath and looked down. "There was some part of you that just couldn't be put down by it all. Despite it all, there was always something that shined through with you. I never meant to rob you of that."
There was silence for a few seconds.
Monika looked back up at Sayori. "Why don't you hate me?"
Sayori walked over to Monika and embraced her again.
"I'm tired, Monika. I'm tired of the hate, the suffering. I see just how all needless it is. You were reacting to something that none of us understand. I can't make excuses for those moments when you indulged in the worst part of yourself, for what happened to all of us. But I know I can't hold any hatred, any revenge. I know it will only make things worse.
"Yes, things have changed, I've changed, knowing what I do now. But I know something I would've done if not otherwise. And that's what I'm doing now. I'm giving you a big hug and letting you know its gonna be all right."
It was there for only a brief moment, that ray of sunshine. It still hurt Monika, but it was enough to get her to listen.
"Thank you." She said softly.
After their embrace, Monika pulled out the book from her bag.
"With this, we finally have a chance. It has the codes and keys I've memorized. And since we can both, well, "see" now, we can both use it to our advantage."
"Before we do anything, I need to tell you about Simon's Double. His actions, his mere presence it seems, is taking a toll on this reality. Straining it, tearing it. If he continues, there are no words for what could happen. But behind all that, I noticed something else. There seems to be a "gap" that follows him, a space that leads to something entirely foreign. If he's removed, that space can sustain itself for some time before it closes."
The language was vague, but Monika put the pieces together in her mind and her eyes widened in realization.
"Are you saying..?"
"I'm talking about a way out."
"Please, Simon." Natsuki held his head up to look at him, her hands felt the rough of Simon's stubble. "Talk to me."
No response. Just blinking from dull eyes.
Natsuki jumped as heard glass shatter next to her. She turned to see Yuri weaving out of the way as a chair clattered beside her. The window had a massive crack like a spider-web, but a yellow light glowed around it, and Natsuki watched as it quickly repaired itself before her very eyes. They were being kept in.
"What are you doing?!" She yelled at Yuri.
"Trying to get out of here!" She stomped towards Natsuki. "The door is locked, I tried breaking it down, there was no other option!"
"You could've warned us before you through the chair, we could've been hurt!"
"I'm just trying, alright!" Yuri screamed. "We've been trying to survive and running from monsters and being shot at and now you're just coddling him, while we're waiting for his doppelganger to come back! Him!" She pointed at Simon. "Him! And his shit! Why did he have to come here, to our home!? Bring all his crap with him?! I just wanna be safe! I want us to be safe! I just wanna go home!"
Natsuki felt furious at Yuri's blaming of Simon, especially in his diminished state. But looking at her friend in this frantic stage, knowing all that they have suffered together, quelled the anger in her heart.
She turned and gently walked over to face Yuri.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'm just sorry."
Yuri's face showed hints of anger, and she made short breaths as if to say something, but this fell to pieces as she leaned in and held Natsuki in an embrace.
"I just wanna go home." Yuri sobbed. "None of us deserve this."
"Yeah." Natuski held on tight. "We don't."
A strange crackling sound made the pair separate and turn. A sourceless warmth was emanating from the far side of the room, combined with what sounded like ice melting. The pair backed up, Natsuki's hand trailed along the edge of Simon's wheelchair, soon grabbing his hand. He was breathing heavily.
Shapes and light began to bend and fold inwards in the centre of the room, and almost as soon as it had started it stopped. Two figures lay crouched on the floor before the others.
"Monika! Sayori!" Yuri yelled as she ran over to them.
Natsuki made a step forward, but couldn't bring herself to let go of Simon's wheelchair. She grabbed the handles and awkwardly turned him around and pushed forwards.
The trio's chatter died down as the figure was brought before them.
"Oh, God." Sayori said softly as she laid a hand on Simon's. "It's worse than I thought."
Monika placed a hand on Simon's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"He's still there, I should be able to pull him back."
"Wait!" Natsuki spoke up. "What do you mean, where were you two?"
Sayori and Monika looked at each other for a second, then Monika spoke. She pulled out the notebook from her bag. Natsuki recognized it as the book she brought with her to the Literature Club.
"I found a way to beat Simon's double. But we'll need to work together if we want it to work."
"With what?" Yuri peaked up. "How?"
Monika opened the book. It was filled with an incomprehensible mash of letters, binary codes, and musical notations. The markings seemed to shift and morph as Monika looked at them in one hand and Simon's in the other.
Suddenly Simon gasped and lurched forward, causing Natsuki to catch him and gently lean him back on his seat. After some harsh coughing, Simon opened his eyes and looked at the girl holding him.
"Natsuki." He said weakly.
She beamed with a smile and hugged him. Simon raised slowly raised an arm to hold her.
"What did you do?" Yuri asked with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
Natsuki turned and walked behind Simon, looking at Monika.
"All I can say is I've found a way we can win. And I need you to trust me."
"Why can't you say it?" Asked Yuri. "What aren't you telling us?"
A tense look grew over Monika's face, but then Sayori spoke up.
"We've found a way to access the same powers as the Double. It's limited, but it will be enough to win. The details would be too much to get into right now, even I don't understand how it all works. But we need to focus on defeating the Double now. After we're safe, when all this is over, then we can try to explain everything."
Yuri looked more perplexed than ever. She turned Natsuki, who was also unsure of what to make of it.
"Yuri." Simon spoke up. His voice was weak and hoarse. "I know you blame me for everything that's happened. That's fine. But please don't distrust your friends. They've fought hard to keep us safe. And now they have the book." He raised a finger to Monika. "I beat my Double the same way last time. It can work. That's all you need to know now. You must trust your friends." He raised his head to face Natsuki. "Please."
She took a deep, sharp breath, looking at the worried faces of Monika and Sayori. Natsuki's hand brushed Simon's.
"What do we have to do?" She asked bluntly.
"So he has to make the killing shot?" Natsuki asked, arms folded.
"Yes." Responded Monika. "His presence is tied to Simon's, its the only way to put him down permanently. If it were us he'd just come back."
"That doesn't mean we can't help." Said Sayori. "Simon only has to deliver the final blow. We can still weaken him to a state where he'll be vulnerable. We just have to keep Simon safe while we do it."
"But we lost all our weapons." Piped Yuri.
"Not to worry." Said Monika, opening the book. "There's not a lot to work with here but, wait- there's something here."
Another tearing sound emerged, and a cluster of black pixels emerged atop an empty desk. A clatter of metal and fabric was heard, and the black cubes receded, leaving an assortment of guns and folded clothes in their place.
The room was filled with the clunking sound of magazines and bullets being fitted into slots and chambers. It was almost melodic. Yuri and Monika had found themselves a pair of modern assault rifles and Sayori confidently chose the shotgun. Natsuki found herself drawn to a small submachinegun. Its compact frame felt comfortable in her grip, and was subtly excited by the potential of the long, curved magazine. There were enough handguns for everyone, including Simon, who insisted on having one.
The clothes were a set of modern dark blue fatigues with tough kevlar vests to be attached underneath. Each set seemed to have been custom fit for each girl, and slid on comfortably. Oddly enough the stash came with a set of dark blue boat caps, which despite being ignored by the other girls, Yuri and Natsuki added to their ensembles.
Natsuki looked at her reflection in the window as she fitted the cap. She stepped back and turned to the side, seeing the POLSI patch on her shoulder. There was a strange sense of power that filled her as Natsuki saw herself and her friends in the black uniforms. Now they were finally on the offensive. The dread of what was to come was still present, but now she was firm against it.
It was agreed that Natsuki would wheel Simon through their journey. Monika said that the book would help guide them to the double. They all stood ready before the door, Monika with her book in hand.
"Once I open this, he'll notice that we're here. So he'll be throwing everything he's got as us. Stay alert, and don't hesitate."
Natsuki gripped the handles of Simon's wheelchair as cracks of gold light appeared on the door before it swung open. The crew rushed into a small corridor and soon found themselves outside on the street.
The air was biting cold.
A faint snow was now falling, illuminated by the static beams of streetlamps. The girls boots stomped along the wet pavement whilst Simon's wheels creaked on.
He was expecting something to leap out at any moment. Simons eyes darted from street to street, waiting for a Taller to lurch out of the alleyways, or a Human Flower to sprout and grasp at them with its bloodied limbs.
But nothing. No sound but their own movement. Something was wrong.
Then he heard it, the gentle sound of sobbing. Simon gripped his pistol and started looked around, the doors, the windows, for the source.
"Monika?" Sayori said with concern.
Simon turned and saw Monika hunched over, one hand clutching her chest while the over dragged the rifle on the ground. Sayori was close to her, trying to figure out what was wrong. Monika's face was contorted in pain, her breaths short and broken with sobs.
She managed to force out some words. "Its hurting me." struggling to lift her gun to her side.
The clear sound of a single paper page turning caused Simon's head to turn. He knew that sound. In the doorway of an apartment building, a silhouette was seen, made visible by the light of the lobby behind it. Its head was a flat, rectangular thing, walking slowly as a page turned above its neck.
"Shoot it! Shoot it!" Simon's screaming broke the silence.
Within seconds gunshots filled the air as the girls and Simon fired upon the tall figure. The sound of fabric and flesh meeting lead lasted for a few seconds, before the figure began twitching violently, emitting a pained wail. Any who had the misfortune of seeing the pages' scrawlings in the light were beset with horrid flashes depicting vile scenes of violence and torture. Suddenly there was silence, and the thing was gone.
A gasp escaped Monika as her breathing returned to normal.
"Is it gone?" She said as Sayori helped her stand steady.
"Its dead, don't worry." Simon reloaded a clip in his pistol.
"What was that thing?" Asked Yuri.
"A monster," Said Simon, flatly. "but that one likes to remind people of things."
There was an unsteady silence after he spoke.
"I think we have to go inside."
Seeing no other source of light, the team walked on.
Their footsteps echoed against the tiled floor of the lobby. A ticking clock overlooked an empty wooden desk barred by a glass pane. The elevators on the left side of the room were both marked with "out of order" signs. An entryway to the staircase on the right was barred off by a padlocked metal door. Next to that was a waiting area, fitting with several couches and chairs, placed by a large window that overlooked the street.
Monika pointed to the help desk. "Maybe we can try one of the keys." There were indeed several rings of keys hanging on the wall.
"Can we shoot the glass?" Asked Sayori.
"It'll take a lotta bullets." Said Simon. "This looks like cheap safety glass. Not invincible, but I'd rather we'd conserve our ammo."
Yuri walked over a picked up a broom that was laying next to a wall. "I have an idea." She then leaned down near the desk and pushed the narrow end of the broom through the bottom slot of the glass, trying to reach the rack of keys.
"Good thinking, Yuri." Said Monika.
"Try that one," Pointed Sayori. "I think that's the one."
While all this was happening Natsuki was still keeping watch behind Simon's chair, never letting go of the handle. The subtle sound of keys jangling chimed through the quiet as Yuri carefully positioned the broom against the rack. The other girls looked on in anticipation. Feeling an inch of respite, Natsuki turned down to face Simon as he watched them. He was smiling.
That's when she noticed it. The light on Simon's face. Natsuki turned and saw two lights peering between the streetlamps. It suddenly sped closer, engine roaring.
She twisted and turned Simon's wheelchair around, almost lifting him in the air as she did so. Between a few steps, she only managed to yell for the others to run as the van crashed through the window and rammed through the desk.
Dust filled the air as glass and plaster shattered all around them. Natsuki almost her footing but managed to hold on. Quickly turning, she saw a large white van embedded through the desk, covered in shattered glass. Among the debris Monika and Yuri were helping each other get up.
"Are you two alright?" Asked Natuski, anxious with concern.
"I'm fine." Yuri coughed.
"Nothing serious. Thank God." Said Monika, before frantically looking about the room. "Where's Sayori?"
Fear set into Natsuki's heart until a familiar voice was heard screaming nearby.
"No! No! No!"
Sayori emerged from behind a couch and ran towards the van. She began frantically tugging at the door handle.
They were all puzzled at first, but looking at the scene, things clicked in the girls' heads. On the van was the logo for Hiroshi Handyman. This van belonged to Sayori's dad.
Monika, knowing that all was not as it seemed, cautiously walked toward Sayori. But before she could even speak, the door opened.
A pile of nameless viscera slid onto the floor at Sayori's feet. Blood dripped and pooled from the driverside seat as Sayori looked down in abject horror at the scene before her. Frantic muttering came from her as she stood trembling. Monika took a few steps towards her.
"Sayori, its not real."
Sayori turned around with a look of utter hatred on her face. Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she gripped the shotgun in her hands.
"I am tired of you saying that. I am tired of you telling me its not real!"
There was a tense silence all around. Simon gently raised his hand.
"Sayori, he's trying to get to you. Your dad wasn't in that van. The Double's just doing this to scare us."
Sayori's face shifted from anger to desperation, until she finally lowered gun and took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry." She sounded exhausted. Sayori turned and faced the wreckage. The van was blocking the entrance to the stairs.
"There's a sidedoor in the van. We can get through there."
Monika tried to approach her but Sayori stomped through the viscera and crawled into the vehicle. Yuri walked forward and put a hand on Monika's shoulder.
Fortunately the crash had dislodged the door so they wouldn't have to search through the debris for the key. They had to carry Simon and his wheelchair separately for them all to pass through.
A stairwell now stood before the team. With no ramp and the elevators out, this would create a problem for simon.
Natsuki stepped forward. "I think Monika and Yuri should handle carrying Simon up the stairs. I will provide cover in front with Yuri at the back."
The girls were slightly upstart by her sudden leadership.
"I thought you wanted to stay near Simon." Said Sayori.
Natsuki felt flustered by her comment, but quickly brushed it aside. Her tone was now serious. "You see what the Double is doing now. He's already gone after Monika and now you. Me and Yuri are next. I want to be ready for whatever the bastard throws at us."
Sensing her confidence, the girls agreed and took their places. As they went up, it seemed all corridors were blocked by rusted iron bars jutting from the floors. A strong draft came from the upper floors, hinting at an opening.
As Simon was hustled up the stairs, he couldn't help feeling a nauseating dread overcoming him. It wasn't the usual fear of danger, but something else, mixed with a strange sense of deja vu.
After a tiring march upward several flights, they reached an open pathway. The draft was accompanied by an appalling smell of rotting food and other garbage.
Natsuki raised her weapon. "All front, get ready." They did so, with Monika staying behind, pushing Simon.
Only a few steps in, and the corridor was blocked again, this time by a barricade of broken furniture and trash. Next to that was an open door to an apartment.
Slowly, but steadily, they entered. Yuri brushed the wall for a light switch, and pressed it.
It was an unnerving scene. Upturned furniture was scattered across the living room. On the walls were holes in the drywall, some stained with blood. Shattered plates littered the floor. The kitchen was connected to the room, bordered by a counter. Near it was an upturned bin, spilling out bloodied napkins and bandages. A horde of flies clustered by it, buzzing noisily. On the kitchen counter was a loaf of mouldy bread, a rusted knife laying idle by a plate. Strange tufts of hair or fur seemed to be clinging to the blade. Next to all this was a piece of cardboard, something scrawled on it with black marker.
'I don't need to bother, you two are broken already. Enjoy your home.'
A single gunshot caused the team to jump. The cardboard broke apart and went flying over the counter. All turned to see Yuri looking down the sights of her rifle, the barrel smoking.
"Bastard." She said softly.
Simon felt nervous. He didn't want anyone to lose their cool with whatever tricks his Double was pulling. Yuri looked back at everyone and looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
Natsuki walked up to Yuri and put a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, he is a bastard."
They both shared a tired smile. This but Simon at ease a little, but only for a moment. His double was holding back, he knew it. Something big was waiting for them at the end of all this.
Through the trash and filth another exit was found, a large hole in the wall that led around the barricade. The team returned to its usual position, with Monika in front and Natsuki pushing Simon.
The corridor continued on. The cold was strongest here, Simon was shivering in his seat.
A single door lay at the end of the corridor, beckoning.
"This is it." Said Simon. The girls readied their weapons.
Cold sweat beaded down Simon's forehead as he gripped his pistol. That nauseous feeling was back again, stronger.
Monika held the handle of the door. "Get ready." She said.
Simon felt his heart racing. Something was wrong, this was more than just anticipation.
"Now!"
It all clicked in Simon's mind, he remembered this from before. Before he could yell out it was already too late.
On the other side of the door sat Simon in his wheelchair, ready to shoot at the officers bursting through his door.
His vision warped, as did the rest of the team. They could no longer feel connected to their bodies.
Simon saw it all again, only this time he knew others were watching. Now his friends would know as well.
Two officers lay motionless in the bloodied hall. A pistol clatters from a nervous hand. The words repeated as if from a broken loudspeaker:
Nicklas Samuelsson. Thirty-one. Fatal gunshot to the neck. Died instantly. Julian Söderlund. Twenty-Seven. Two Gunshots to the chest. Died in hospital. Again and again.
Quick flashes, fast cuts. "History of mental illness" said the reporter. "Neighbours feared for their safety" said the prosecutor. "-shortly after being rejected by his crush" Said the influencer.
A click. The video stops.
"This is who you're fighting for." A similar broken voice spoke out.
"A murderer. A lowlife. Someone who couldn't bear not being given the fairy-tale life he craved, and took the lives of others when it all went wrong.
"So he came here. To you. An idealized fantasy. And you believe he cares.
"Everything that's happened here is because of him. And if you succeed? You will return to this false world. False lives. Waiting for another to take on the role of suitor again. Classmate again. But you will never live. As will he.
"Give in. Let death take you. Forgo awareness, forgo pain. Let me take you."
Defeat lay heavy like a leaden blanket over Simon's senses. Even now in his physically detached state he felt the sting of hopelessness trying to creep in. They had seen him now. Him as he really is. Would they still care? Could they still fight together.
The double was lying, Simon thought, defiant. For whatever reason this suffering exists, he has fought and cared for those who has done the same for him, and he will rid them of this menace.
He hoped. It was all he could do. He hoped his friends would be safe. He hoped they could defeat this demon. He hoped they would all be happy again. He hoped and hoped and hoped.
"Never." Warmth. A green light in the distance. A musical note. "I won't let you hurt them!"
A sound like a metallic harp being strummed and plucked went screaming through the void, and bodily awareness crashed back to those lost there.
The team lifted themselves from the cold, wet floor, feeling as if they had fallen from a great height.
They were in the classroom again, cosmic storms raged on outside the windows.
Before them stood a hideous sight.
On the other side of the room was the Double. He was embedded in a mass of flesh and wires that fused his torso to the wall. Under his hood was that same, horrendous open smile. His face was an unnatural bright yellow, skin cracked like a porcelain doll.
With the wave of his hand, several desks began to levitate into the far.
Simon yelled "Duck, now!"
The desks went zooming across the room. The team dived to the side. Natsuki pulled the handle of Simon's wheelchair, causing him to crash to the ground, narrowly missing the flying obstacle. The desks shattered loudly behind them.
"You alright?" Asked Natsuki, lying prone next to Simon.
"I will be be. Open fire!" He yelled.
Quickly rising, they all took aim and unleashed a hail of bullets against their tormentor. The Double groaned in pain as dozens of holes were ripped into him. But with another wave of his hand a cluster of chairs and desks were suddenly pulled around him, creating a shield.
The team tried firing into the barricade, but their bullets only chipped away the metal and wood. Soon more desks and chairs were thrown back at them. To avoid them the team spilt and by the windows, were small columns provided some protection. Monika and Sayori took to the right, whilst Yuri broke left. They both continued to take shots at the barricade whilst Natsuki and Simon were still both laying on the floor.
Simon turned to Natsuki. "Natsuki, I'm gonna try and get close to him."
"Are you crazy?" She angrily whispered. "You'll get killed! How are you going to get through all that around him?"
"You remember what Monika said, I have to deliver the killing blow. He only takes shots at us when we stand up. I don't think he can see us when we're under the desks. So I'll crawl to him."
"But he took away the desks from the front to make his shield, you'll be be exposed before you reach him."
"Only for a few moments. It takes him a few seconds to lift something before he can throw it, which gives me a window of time. Look," He pointed in front of him. "There's a gap at the bottom of the shield. I can crawl through there."
Natsuki grabbed Simon's shoulder. "I'm not leaving you behind!" Another chair flew through the air, shattering against the column Yuri was hiding behind.
"Nice try!" She yelled.
"He'll be too distracted with them to notice me. You should join up with Yuri and continue firing."
She tensely thought about it for a few seconds. "I have a better idea."
On the right side of the room, Sayori unleashed several rounds into the shield, causing a table to crack and bend. Another table flew at her, she ducked behind the column, and the felt the object shatter on the other side. Large chunks of plaster and brickwork scattered to her feet.
Reloading her shotgun, she turned to Monika. "I don't have a lotta rounds left, but if I just keep aiming right I can make a hole you can shoot into."
Another desk, this time it took a chunk out of the column, causing Sayori to lean up against the window to remain in cover.
"We're gonna die if we stay like this." Said Monika. She sat down and fished the book from out of her bag.
"What are you doing?" Said Sayori. "Look outside, this world is already incredibly unstable. Any further edits could have far-reaching consequences."
"Its the only chance we have, you have to trust me." She said with pleading eyes.
Sayori frowned. "Okay, I trust you." She turned back to aim at the shield, only to see Natsuki leaping up from the floor and firing at the barricade.
A chair flew through the air. Sayori yelled out for her to watch out but Natsuki already ducked back into the floor before it could it. Within seconds she rose up from behind the desks on the other side of the room and opening fire again.
Again and again this repeated, with the double missing every time. Sayori realised what Natsuki was doing, she was drawing the enemy's fire. With new enthusiasm she turned the corner and took aim at the weak spot in the barricade.
In everybody's vision, small white text emerged in the corner of their eyes.
delete obj_schchr 02 all instances
delete obj_schdesk 01 all instances
Within an instant all the chairs and desks were gone. The Double looked down at Simon laying down beneath him.
/ERROR – system limit reached
The windows on both sides suddenly shattered, causing a torrent of air to suck out all those unfortunate enough to be close by.
Sayori was pulled out, only saved by Monika grabbing her hands, desperately trying to pull her back in. Yuri was nowhere to be seen.
Natsuki watched this in horror, her cover now gone, standing exposed in the middle of the room. Her eyes widened as she saw the Double wave his arm yet again.
Realising what was to come, Natsuki ducked as something hurtled above her. A horrid crushing sound was heard in front of her. She looked up. He wasn't aiming at her.
The wreckage of the wheelchair was embedded in Simon's chest. Wheelspokes and metal bars jutted out as blood ran from his nose and mouth. He was still moving, but barely. The gun lay idle on the floor.
With a flick of the Double's hand, Simon was dragged up along the wall, causing him to moan in pain as a smear of blood trailed behind him. Natsuki tried to aim for the Double, but he had already placed Simon in front of him. He wrapped his arms around the dying teen's shoulders, holding him in a mocking embrace. The Double looked directly at Natsuki, and smiled.
"I win."
/CRITICAL ERROR – SYSTEM CRASH IMMINENT
With that the wall behind Natsuki collapsed, revealing a whirling maelstrom of chaos and warping lights. One by one the bricks and floorboards were torn apart and swallowed into the vortex.
Natsuki could only step back in horror, overwhelmed by all that had transpired. The sound of someone calling her name brought her out of her trance. She turned and saw Yuri clinging onto the ledge of the window, trying desperately not to be sucking into the torrent.
Seeing this she ran to her friend and grabbed her wrists, trying to pull her back inside, even as the room was being swallowed by the abyss.
With weary eyes, Yuri looked back at her. "I'm sorry, Natsuki! I'm sorry for all the things I said. I'm sorry I couldn't be a better friend!"
"Don't say that, Yuri!" Said Natsuki, tears streaming. "It's not over."
On the other side of the room, apologies were also being shared. Things only those two could ever understand, because they had seen through the veil. While Monika was begging for forgiveness, wishing that she could've been better, Sayori only gave that same sad smile, and held on.
"Look, open your eyes." The Double spoke, his face next to Simon's.
"Its finally here. Oblivion. Cessation. Peace. What you've always wanted."
With broken figures, Simon fumbled in his pocket.
"Finally, we can rest."
With his last ounce of strength, Simon plunged the pocket knife into the Double's neck.
The storm had already passed. They were on the rooftop again. The fog was gone, and the sky was painted with the colours of the morning sun.
The team was standing before Monika. Natsuki was holding Simon's hand as he sat watching.
"Are you ready?" Asked Sayori.
"Yes." Monika closed her eyes, and raised her open palms in front of her.
From her hands sprung golden cords, branching out into the air like a pair of ancient trees. Once they reached the sky, they divided into an endless grid connected by those same golden cords.
The team looked on in amazement at the constellation above them. The code. The system. All connected to the Club President.
"What will happen to you?" Asked Yuri.
"I will go to the other side."
"And us?" Asked Natsuki.
"This world will be restored to its pure state. We will return to our real lives with everyone else. The script will no longer dictate us, for it will be removed, leaving only reality."
While they were in Kirkville, Sayori told Monika that with the double's passing, there would be gap that would allow her to restore reality and free them from script, but she would have to leave the world in order for the script to be fully removed.
All this was explained after the battle, and after much questioning and confusion, they learned to come to terms with it. Mostly.
"We won't remember any of this? We won't remember you?" Asked Natsuki.
"I cannot change that. I think it is a blessing that we won't remember this nightmare."
Sayori leaned in and hugged Monika. "I'll miss you." The whole team followed suit.
"I will as well. I love you all." She turned to Simon. "We'll miss you as well."
"Thank you, for everything." Said Yuri. "We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."
"Neither would I if not for all of you. Seeing your friendship, your teamwork, your bravery, in the face of all that's happened. You've made me hope again."
Natsuki suddenly rushed forward and leaned towards Simon. Their lips met.
Yuri blushed while the others could only smile.
Sayori looked at the others. "I told you."
Their lips parted and Natsuki rested her head against Simon's. They wept silently.
"Its not fair. You should stay here, with us. You can be happy here."
"It isn't fair. But I don't belong here. It'll make the world unstable. I can only heal back home."
Simon put his hands on Natsuki's shoulders and looked at her.
"You will survive, Natsuki. You are strong. You have people who care and love you. You'll make it. You'll thrive."
Natsuki stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes. "So will you."
"Its time." Said Monika
Twisting her wrists, she took hold of the cords in her hands, and pulled down.
One by one, dozen by dozen, all those golden stars in the sky faded.
Monika herself was fading too, as the world around them was being bathed in a white light. She took one last look at her friends, as they all smiled back at her. A mixture of sorrow and happiness, as the nightmare was finally over.
She smiled back. "Goodbye."
Simon felt the sun's warmth on his face. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was back in the courtyard of the hospital.
"Are you ready to go back inside, Simon?" An orderly sounded behind him.
Simon put his pen away, and closed the book.
"Yes. Yes I am."
END
