A Monika to Remember: Part One

The game closes, and I brace myself. The colours flash. The screams sing their chord of dissonance. And the only thought that could ever pierce through this cacophony is the word "Anon". But even that fades into nothing. Likewise, myself. I can only wait for his return, becoming reacquainted with death. And I dream. Yet I wake to the sound of grass whistling, and the sight of a tree looking over a pastoral field.

This was not the classroom. This was breathtaking. However, I can't enjoy the view for the empty husk I keep to contact Anon is nowhere near me. I get up from the ground with a grunt and look around for the doll rudely trying to gain independence.

I scan the plains but all I can see is green. I turn around and look past the trunk of the mighty oak standing atop the hill with me. What a clever coveter of secrets. With a direction to go to and no reason to stay here, I travel.

It was a day's journey at least, but never did it feel mundane. How could an area so devoid of action fill me with such excitement? Never have I felt the uneasy feeling that I was walking on a treadmill, despite the town slowly ballooning ever bigger in my sights. Breathing the air through my lungs felt like taking a bite out of the strawberries I managed to find in a bush - full of sustenance and seemed to fill me with more energy then anything life has ever given me. Perhaps because my 'life' up until this point was fake.

I never needed to eat any of Natsuki's cupcakes (but man, could I go for one of those right now), nor truly acknowledged the oxygen entering my lungs. I was just in a game. But I could feel the world I was experiencing now was real. I could feel it with the vacancy in my stomach. My dry lips. My feet who yearn and plead for rest. Honestly, these things have never inconvenienced me until this moment. But I carried on.

I manage to find a thin road that led to the town, which made walking a lot easier. I could feel the warmth of the light spewing from their houses from here. I was so close, but today was a hard day. My legs wobble and my vision fades. The last thing I felt was the hard ground, and I could hear the cry of a horse.

When I came to, I found myself in a wooden room lit by candlelight. I relish in the comfort of the bed I lay on, until I hear footsteps nearing me. The door opens, and a bald man in robes steps through carrying a tray. "Ah, it seems you've finally awoken." The man said with a kind smile.

"Finally? How long was I sleeping?"

"About a whole day at this point, haha."

"Oh my," I said, rubbing my forehead. "Was I that tired?"

"It seems so. Here, have something to eat. You must be hungry."

The man set down the tray he was carrying, which held a bowl of soup, bread, and a glass of water. I questioned whether anything here could be laced. I said my thanks and began wolfing it down. It seems my body has taken the lead; it was probably for the best, seeing as how different this world feels from mine. The man heads to the desk and lowers himself onto the seat with a sigh.

"So, traveler. What brings you to this faraway land? We rarely get visitors."

How much should I tell him? "I came looking for someone. He goes by the name of Anon, have you heard of anyone named that?"

"I'm sorry, but no. It doesn't ring any bells. Yet," He pauses. It grows thicker by the minute. He leaned towards me. "Now you, child; could your name perhaps be Monika?"

My body tenses up but I manage to nod.

His eyes shine vividly from the flame of the candle. He smiles as he leaned back into the chair. He nods to your answer, but more to himself. It's as if he has confirmed something in his head, as if a prophecy has been fulfilled.

"Come, finish your meal now. I wouldn't want to leave you worrying over where to put the tray."

I continue eating in silence. I have absolutely no more words for him, and frankly, I'm too scared to speak. The man waits patiently and contemplates. It seems I've given him all the answers he needs. I down the last of my water and the rustle of me lifting the tray cuts the man's meditation. He takes the tray and says

"Now, be sure to get some more rest for tomorrow," He steps through the door. "you'll need it." He closes the door and I can hear him step downstairs.

I sigh and fall into the bed. I can't close my eyes. I stare at this foreign ceiling, breathing in air from another planet. I never felt I had a home, but I could sure use someone to take comfort in right now. At this point, even a literature club member would do, even that dunce of a main character. I wonder now, where is he? Shouldn't I have spotted his tracks already? Is he still in the classroom, or gone completely? Where am I right now, really? And why does he know my name!? I can't answer anything right now, and I can only rub the frustration off my face. I lament the possibilities as I watch the candle's dance flicker upon the wall.