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Chapter 6

A Bad Dream

A deep, weathered voice echoed through the chamber, demanding, “Tell me what you’ve discovered about Roe’s death.” Before a magnificent throne, two men stood clad in immaculate suits. Below their feet lay a black-and-white checkered floor, while gold lace and ebony wood interiors adorned the walls.

The man to the left adjusted his glasses, his voice steady as he revealed, “It appears as we initially suspected. Roe took her own life, willingly.” The room buzzed with whispers and gasps. “The note she left behind explained the reasoning behind her actions.”

Clearing his throat, the man seated on the throne inquired, “What does it say?”

The suited man retrieved a folded piece of paper from his lapel, his hands trembling slightly. As he unfolded the document, the room fell silent, all eyes on him. Taking a deep breath, he held the note open for a moment. “This is my last divination to the council,” he read, his voice wavering. “I have confirmed that the bleak omen I foresaw has come to pass, as evidenced by the recent reports of the otherworlders.”

His voice gained strength as he continued, “The time has come for a new world to begin. No longer am I capable of carrying forth the greater work. I advise whoever becomes high priestess to possess the strength to endure the responsibilities that lie ahead. Thus, after I have completed this letter, I shall end my life. New worlds impose burdens I cannot bear. It is my duty to prepare the tools the high priestess will require to complete the ritual. As a result, you will have the necessary instruments to finish the greater work. The new high priestess must be initiated into the secrets of sacrifice and granted the keys to the craft.” He finished reading, folding the paper and returning it to his pocket. “The correspondence ends with this, Lord Mitsura. She penned it with her own blood.”

“Interesting…” Mitsura mused.

An older man snickered from his balcony seat. “Not the stomach for it,” he sneered.

A sigh heavy with frustration escaped Mitsura’s lips. “Do you believe her to be beneath you, Natsukawa, simply because she isn’t a killer like you?”

Natsukawa guffawed. “We live, we die. That is all.” Mitsura rocked back and forth, deep in thought.

The man who read the report added, “There is another developing issue. Another otherworldly sighting has been reported.”

Mitsura furrowed his brow. “Continue.”

His voice tinged with concern, the man elaborated, “This one is perplexing, as it occurred inside a grocery store, in full view of the public. We’ve detained the victims for examination and questioning. Four were injured, and three were killed. According to recent updates, two of the injuries are life-threatening. We have informed the witnesses that a terrorist exposed them to a biological agent, inducing a mass hallucination.”

A man from the nearby seats interjected, “We need to dispose of the witnesses. They won’t believe such an absurd explanation. It will also create unrest within the community.”

A woman with a white-painted face rose from her seat. “And how would we explain the sudden disappearance of several people? We’re not just talking about a handful of individuals here; we’re talking about an entire market full of people.”

Another man stood, his voice firm. “I concur with Hegia. The witnesses must be removed. If necessary, we can inform the public that they perished during the attack.”

“No, that’s wrong. We can’t act in such a manner,” protested another man.

Mitsura rose from his throne, his voice thundering as he roared, “Silence! We will not make a hasty decision like that.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in. “We will hold those who refuse to accept the narrative separately in a detention center. It may be possible to convince the community that they have suffered mental trauma due to the effects of the toxins. Once treated, we might be able to release them. Until then, I want no word of this to leave the lodge. Do you understand me?”

In unison, the room responded, “Aye.”

Mitsura continued, his voice resolute. “It is of utmost importance that we find a new high priestess. Lady Kyo, my niece, will be next in line for the position. Does anyone object to her appointment? Does this displease anyone?” Mitsura paused, allowing the silence to permeate the chamber. No one dared to challenge his decision. “In that case, Kyo will assume the role of high priestess. Make all the arrangements for the rites.”

The warm yellow light of the police station enveloped Apricot, offering a small measure of comfort. Shaken by the night’s events, she sat in a wooden chair, her fingers tracing the decorative grooves carved into its surface. The clerk’s desk, cluttered with various papers, folders, and photographs, was illuminated by a small lamp casting just enough light for the reports in front of him. “Your account of what happened is troubling, Miss Apricot,” the clerk remarked, rubbing his cheeks thoughtfully. “You were held hostage earlier this month, and now you’ve experienced a terrorist attack. You’re not having an easy month, are you?” His tone was lightly teasing, an attempt to ease the tension.

Suppressing the urge to snap back, Apricot simply nodded. “Yes, sir.”

The clerk set the paper on his desk, offering a reassuring grin. “I’m almost finished with your statement, but the state psychologist will want to speak with you. Based on your exposure to the biological agents, they’ll determine if you were affected or not.” He narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice, whispering conspiratorially, “I have some advice for you. Play along. You know what really happened. Just follow the state’s narrative and you’ll be out of here in no time.”

“Excuse me?” Apricot inquired, taken aback.

Gesturing for her to lean in, the officer continued in a hushed, eerie tone, “I don’t know what you saw tonight, but you’re not crazy. What you told me, I didn’t record. Instead, I wrote that you blacked out and woke up in the warehouse.”

Apricot swallowed hard, realizing she was caught up in a textbook coverup. “Don’t make a fuss. Just go along with it, and things will go much smoother. These things may not be real, but they’re here nonetheless. You seem like a good kid, with your whole life ahead of you. This little incident—just put it out of your mind.”

Fear flickered in the officer’s eyes. “They’re like ghosts or something. Everyone in this department is terrified right now. Any witness who acknowledges them is being incarcerated under insanity charges. No matter what you believe, forget it ever happened. Honestly, I shouldn’t even be telling you this, but I need you to listen.” Leaning back in his chair, his eyes glassy with unshed tears, he spoke with a firm, direct tone. “Well, ma’am, I think I can handle the rest on my own.” He flipped a switch on his desk. “Hey, I need someone to take Miss Signa for her evaluation.”

A disembodied voice responded, “Right away, sir.”

“Remember what I said,” he urged Apricot, who nodded in agreement.

Uncertain about how to handle her predicament, Apricot’s mind replayed the day’s events, hinting at the potential consequences. A uniformed officer opened the door, interrupting her thoughts. With a gesture, he beckoned Apricot. She rose from her seat and followed him down the hall, her heart heavy with the knowledge of a truth she could not reveal.

“So you didn’t see anything?” A woman clad in a black police uniform inquired, her voice crisp and professional. Despite the official nature of her attire, her rose-colored glasses somewhat diminished the gravity of her appearance. “There was a lot of panic in that room tonight. The chemical attack appears to have had little effect on you.” She scrutinized her notes. “Thus, you blacked out during the chaos and ended up in the warehouse.”

“That’s right, ma’am,” Apricot lied, her heart pounding in her chest. The rules of the game were unspoken, but crystal clear. Both parties were lying to each other, and according to her account, those were the facts. In Okabe, adherence to the narrative was all that mattered; it maintained the illusion of stability. It was possible that everyone knew about these things, but no one spoke of them for fear of being exposed. And even if they did, no one acknowledged it. It was a cunning trap, Apricot mused.

The woman tapped her pen against her clipboard, her gaze meeting Apricot’s. “Many people claimed they saw a monster. What do you have to say about that?”

Without hesitation, Apricot replied, “People often see things when they’re hallucinating.”

“Excellent point,” the woman conceded. “Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. If you experience any hallucinations, contact the police immediately. Your cooperation is highly appreciated if you remember anything.” She extended a card to Apricot. “You can contact me.”

Accepting the card, Apricot feigned interest, examining it briefly before slipping it into her pocket. “Thank you,” she responded, planning to discard the card at the first opportunity.

“You’re free to leave. The exit is to the left,” the woman informed her, a quiet confidence emanating from her demeanor.

An unstoppable torrent of bile gushed from Apricot’s mouth into the toilet. As she stared at the murky water, she wiped the sides of her face, gagging as she forced the remnants of her stomach’s contents back into the bowl with a loud splash. She snatched a towel from the shower rod, wiped her mouth, and tossed it into a laundry basket in the corner. With a sigh of relief, she flushed the toilet.

Gazing into the mirror, Apricot saw the reflection of a disheveled and heartbroken young woman. Her makeup was smeared, her eyes red and puffy, and her lips cold and pale. Her cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue, and her hair resembled a messy, tangled nest. “What the hell is going on?” she wondered, tears streaming down her face as she thought of the monsters that seemed to surround her everywhere. “This isn’t happening. This is a nightmare.”

Sniffling, Apricot wiped her nose with her shirt sleeve, desperately wishing she was crazy. To her dismay, she knew she wasn’t. The bathroom had become her sanctuary in this terrifying new reality.

She turned on the faucet and drew herself a bath, her muscles relaxing as the warm water enveloped her naked skin. It was in this moment that she could let go of everything. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she soon drifted off to sleep.

Upon awakening, Apricot shivered as the once-warm water had turned icy cold. With pruned fingers, she lifted herself out of the tub, wrapping herself in a towel for warmth as she entered her bedroom.

Noticing her phone blinking on her desk, she picked it up and flipped through the missed messages from her friends. After reading them, she set the phone back down without replying. Apricot dressed for the day in a pink and white plaid button-up shirt adorned with a cartoon bunny patch, along with a pair of blue jeans.

Descending the wooden stairs to her living room, Apricot spotted Machi lounging on her couch. “Machi?” she asked. Machi yawned, stretching her arms as she lifted her head.

Sitting up and rubbing her eyes like a child, Machi offered a warm smile. “You were out like a light,” she said. “I heard what happened at the store. Since I have time off, I wanted to keep you company.” Apricot nodded, walking down the remaining steps to join Machi on the couch. Machi assured her, “We don’t need to discuss it.” Apricot embraced Machi’s slender frame, tears dripping onto her shoulder as Machi gently patted her back. “It’s okay, honey. Everything will be okay.”

Apricot shook her head, sniffling. “I’m not. No, I’m not okay at all.”

Machi tenderly kissed Apricot’s forehead and whispered, “I know, I know. It’s okay to cry, dear. You don’t have to be okay.” But Apricot knew she wouldn’t be saved by anyone. “It doesn’t end,” she thought, her heart pounding.

Machi wiped the tears from Apricot’s face and nuzzled her. “Alright, let’s go get some food. We can meet at Bingo Burgers. I’ll call the others.”

But the thought of leaving the safety of her home was unbearable for Apricot. “No. I don’t want to go out right now,” she groaned.

Machi took a deep breath and nodded. “I can see where you’re coming from.”

“I’m fine,” Apricot mumbled, wiping more tears on her sleeve. “At least as fine as I can be.” In the silence that followed, Apricot offered Machi a moment of gratitude before suggesting, “Machi, would you like some tea with me?”

“Of course, sounds good to me. I’ll make it,” Machi said, motioning for Apricot to sit down.

Apricot settled back into the living room, watching Machi move about her kitchen with familiarity, as if it were her own. She found it surprising that Machi remembered where everything was in her house from the few times she had visited.

“You know my house well, don’t you?” Apricot observed.

Machi chuckled. “So, I peeked during your sleep.” She paused while grabbing the saucers. “It’s dangerous, you know,” she sang teasingly.

“What do you mean?”

Machi giggled softly. “Falling asleep in the bath.”

“Machi, that snoop,” Apricot thought. Machi must have peeked into the bathroom while she was in there. But now was not the time to confront her. “It was just so comfortable,” Apricot admitted.

Machi giggled again, “I can’t say I’ve never done that.”

Machi placed a tray with two teacups and a few cookies on the black glass table. As Apricot sat cross-legged on the floor, Machi curled up on the couch.

“It seems so strange. We’re adults now, but… nothing’s changed. I remember when I was a little girl in primary school. Now, everything feels overwhelming,” Apricot confessed.

Machi smiled, “Yeah, I see what you mean, sort of. Exams are still exams, but now they seem more important.”

Apricot sighed long and deeply. “Thanks, Machi.”

Machi murmured as she looked into her tea, “Yeah, it could’ve happened to anyone.” Stirring her tea with a spoon, she added sugar. “It scared me, Apricot,” she said, her voice quivering. “There was an announcement that it was a terrorist attack. In a flash, I saw on the news that it was the store you worked at.” Machi’s lip trembled. “I was so scared for you.” Apricot looked up to see Machi’s eyes welling up with tears. “I thought you might have been seriously hurt.”

“Nothing happened to me,” Apricot said, sipping her tea. “I was just scared.” She tried to remain calm, but the horrifying memories of the monster, the man’s head, and the snapping of muscle tethers flooded her mind. The screams and cries echoed in her ears, even now. The taste of tea on her tongue only intensified the surreal experience.

Machi picked up a cookie from the tray, dunking it into her tea before biting into the soggy treat. “I saw the hideous clothes they gave you,” she said. “Those blue-green scrubs. Where are your old clothes?”

“Taken for evidence,” Apricot replied, pondering what that evidence might have been.

Machi shook her head. “That seems odd.”

Apricot explained, “Fabric analysis so they can identify the agent used.” It made no sense, and they knew it. “There must be a reason they are keeping her clothes,” she thought. The thought of the bloodstained uniform nearly made her gag.

“How was your interview?” Machi inquired.

Apricot looked up, puzzled. “The interview?”

“You know, the one about the robbery,” Machi added.

Apricot suddenly remembered the interview she had earlier this week. “I had a wonderful time, but you reminded me I have to see your brother.”

Machi’s expression grew suspicious. “Why is that?” A hint of anger lingered in her tone.

“Camera. I got him a new one,” Apricot replied. “It’s used, but it’s a Nihon Dazzler. Bought it from a friend of mine.”

Machi rolled her eyes, sighing. “Give it to me. I’ll make sure he gets it. Stay home tonight and get some rest. You better not get sick.” She was no doubt trying to keep Apricot from meeting her brother one-on-one. Apricot nodded and hugged Machi one last time.

As soon as Machi left, Apricot climbed back under the covers in her bed. She closed her eyes, intending to rest until Jasper came home from school in the afternoon.

The sound of the front door opening and closing roused Apricot from her light sleep. She glanced at the clock, realizing that Jasper must be home. Reluctantly, she pulled herself out of bed and made her way downstairs.

“Hey, Jasper,” she greeted her younger brother, who had just entered the living room.

Jasper looked up, his eyes wide with concern. “Apricot, are you okay? I heard what happened at the store.”

She forced a small smile, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, Jasper. Just a bit shaken up, that’s all.”

He approached her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he whispered.

Apricot hugged him back, feeling a surge of gratitude for her brother’s concern. “Thanks, Jasper. I appreciate it.”

Seeing her brother’s happiness brought a genuine smile to Apricot’s face. For a moment, the horrors of the recent events faded away, replaced by the simple joy of spending time with her family. Together, they spent the rest of the evening chatting and snapping photos, creating new memories to help chase away the shadows of the past.

Apricot found herself in the center of a room, her heart pounding in her chest. An odd sensation washed over her as she realized she was both inside the room and observing herself from outside of it. Darkness enveloped the space around the floating room, which, upon closer inspection, she recognized as her own bedroom. The room floated in eerie silence within the void, until the sudden sound of scraping against the walls pierced the stillness.

An invisible barrier separated the room from whatever clawed at it, the unseen fingers dragging and scraping in a desperate attempt to cross. Apricot’s breath hitched as she grasped the horrifying truth: an endless ocean of monstrous creatures lay just beyond, fighting with each other to tear a hole in the room, and she could see them from outside the door.

A voice from within her whispered, “Let us in.” Panic consumed her, and she clutched her chest as she screamed. The monsters couldn’t penetrate the room, but the walls trembled and buckled under their assault. A deafening crash signaled the door’s collapse, and a grotesque head the size of a human torso floated in the doorway. The face, covered in a sickening layer of fleshy material reminiscent of uncooked hamburger, seemed to let out a shrill scream as it hurtled towards Apricot.

Awakening with a start, Apricot pushed herself up in bed and screamed. Her room was cold, causing her to shiver as she curled into her pillow, her eyes darting around the familiar space. Her gaze settled on the closed door of her bedroom, and she couldn’t help but tremble at the thought of what might lurk outside. The lingering fear from her nightmare gripped her heart, leaving her to wonder if she’d even have the courage to open the door.

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