Ep4

I slowly open my eyes against the dim light.

Huh?

"You're finally back. "

A familiar voice spoke up. A figure appears in my hazy vision, and I blink several times to see the face I've been wondering about.

"L-Licht? Is that you?" I speak up

"You remembered." He says smiling at me sweetly sitting on his bed as I sit up.

I kept silent, not being able to shake the feeling that I've met him somewhere before.

"I was a little worried on what happened to you guys, you just disappeared all of the sudden."

I look around to find Ray, Thoma, and Subaru scattered all about on the floor. Soon, the room echoes with theirs voices, groaning as they regain their bearings.

"Well, Adderall sure didn't work." Thoma speaks first among them

"This world forced itself into our dreams." Ray intern spoke

"Are you alright?" Licht asked concerned. "I've been waiting for you."

What? Was he waiting here all this time? All alone? But why though? Could that mean...

"Didn't you wake up in the real world?" I asked him

"Real World?" His face doesn't show anything but clear confusion as he repeated that.

"Yeah, we waited for you to come meet up with us this morning. You remember what Ray said, didn't you? We were supposed to me at the fountain." Thoma spoke to him.

"Yes, I heard that. That's why I went to the plaza, but you guys weren't there."

His words sends shivers through my body.

"Huh? Wait, what do you mean by that?"

"I hardly ever go out, so I don't actually know the names of places around here, but I went to the fountain down the street and found nothing."

"Maybe you just showed up too late." Thoma reasoned taking a sideways glance at Ray.

"See Ray. I told you we should've waited for him."

All Ray does is folds his arms.

"Something isn't quite right here. "Ray mutters to himself

Licht turns to me giving me a pleading look.

Trying to make sense of the situation, I asked Licht a question.

"Is it possible that you just went to the wrong plaza?

"Umm... as far as I known, that's the only one. Are there other ones?"

Ray eyes Licht suspiciously

"Hey Licht." Ray speaks up, calling out to him getting his attention, Licht shifts his gaze from me to him.

"What is it?"

"What does the real world look like to you?"

Licht looks down for a moment in thought, then he gently lift his head back up to Ray.

"I still don't understand what you're getting at here. What do you mean by this 'real world'? Isn't this the real world?" Licht said so calmly it surprises all of us.

What is he saying? It's like Licht isn't even from our world. Is that even possible?

"Hey kid, do you mean what you just said?" Thoma query him, obviously trying not to believe what he is meaning.

"Why would you think I'm joking?"

"Didn't you fall asleep along with us as well? Didn't you wake up in a different room?" I join in speaking. "Like in a different place, under the blue morning sky?"

He just chuckles at my talking.

What's so funny?

"You do say some funny things (Y/N). Now doesn't that sound like a dream. Isn't the sky always dark?"

What?!

"Licht, you...." I trailed off

"I seriously don't know what you want me to say, but the only world I've known is this place, where the moon always shines crimson."

After hearing him say that I swallow the breath I didn't even know I was holding.

It can't be, has Licht been here since the beginning?

"So are you saying that this place is your home?" Subaru asks softly

Licht nods to Subaru question.

"Well, I'll be damned then." Thoma softly exclaimed placing a hand on his forehead in shock, staggering backwards, letting himself drop to the bed behind him.

"If that's true, then doesn't that mean he's from this world?" Subaru continued

"Maybe he knows about the monster. " Ray said to Subaru's statement.

Then all eyes immediately turn towards Licht, waiting for his response, for him only to say.

"What monster? " Smiling excitedly, like a kid listening to their favorite bedtime story.

The eeriness of the settings are contrast to Licht's innocents, the childlike smile sends daggers into my heart. I'm suddenly struck with a nostalgically painful feeling again, knowing I must have met him somewhere before, just a long time ago. The feeling of it overwhelms me so much, it is making me want to cry.

"Does this have anything to do with this 'real world' you guys were just talking about?"

"Um, well-" I started but Ray interrupts me.

"A monster attacked one of us, she ended up dyeing."

"Ray!" I yelled at him being so blunt.

A sorrowful expression overtakes Licht's smile. His already pale face seems to grow even more paler.

"Oh dear, that is quite tragic. I'm sorry to hear that."

Ray turning agitated for some reason, clenches his fist, his knuckles turning white.

"Calm down Ray. He obviously has nothing to do with Monica's death." I quietly speak to him, standing next to him, grabbing his arm trying to calm him.

The room soon becomes dead silent. No one dares say anything, but even I know that I have no proof for what I just told Ray.

I just feel like he isn't dangerous, but how can I prove that to the others.

Soon I noticed Licht looking at my bewildered face and sighs quietly.

" I apologize, it kind of feels like I'm bothering you. Sorry (Y/N), I didn't mean to. " He stands up from the bed walking to me, lightly patting my head and heads out of the room.

He wears a soft smile as he exits the room, but all I can see is the dismay on his face. It cuts my heart into pieces. Not longer after he left, the silence in the room continues to linger. Everyone just seems unsure on what to do. Deciding to not be able to handle the silence any longer I speak up.

"Hey, umm... you guys might not believe what I am going to say, but I feel like I have met Licht somewhere before, like Deja vu. It might also have something to do with my lost memories. I'm still not 100% sure what the relation between our lost memories and this world is, but I wonder if Licht could be a key part in it."

As I speak Subaru, Ray and Thoma quietly listen to my words.

"I don't have any proof though.."

To me Licht doesn't seem like a bad guy. I stay silent then Ray returns in speaking.

"We only just met him, so I can't really judge whether he's good or bad, but (Y/N) does have a point. Right now, we should be trying to get whatever clues we can, and that includes Licht."

Thoma gives a swift nod, relieved they all agree with me I let out a breath. In the end of it, we all go out to the courtyard in search for Licht. A few minutes passed and we found Light, looking up to the sky the blood moon is high as we all sit around a marble table outside talking to Licht.

"Licht, it's not that we totally trust you yet. However, you have some sort of connection to this word. You might be the key to get us out of here. So, please come along with us." Ray asked Licht looking at him.

"You hear that Licht? Your one of us now." I say to him smiling, him returning a smile warmly.

"I'm delighted you want my help. I'd like to help you all in any shape way and form I can." After Light said that Thoma speaks up.

"You said you lived here, right?"

"That's correct."

Subaru folds his arms as he listens in to the conversation.

"Is there anyone else living here besides you?" He askes him.

"Well there are some people in the city, but they never talk to me."

"How long have you been here?" Ray questions

"I..." Licht trails off looking down at his hands. "I don't really know." He hangs his head down almost apologetically.

Oh Licht...

I slowly put a comforting hand on his back hoping that is soothing him.

"Its okay, you don't have to force yourself to remember if you can't."

Ray sighs before speaking " Hey." Licht looks up at Ray in response, curious.

"I'm terribly sorry about what happened to your friend."

"You don't have to apologize, it's not your fault." I speak up softly.

"But..." Licht tries to protest but Thoma intervenes before he could speak.

"Well, Monica was really just unfortunate, if that monster is running lose somewhere around here, that could only mean danger for all of us. "

"This monster that you keep speaking of, what does it look like?" Licht inquiries.

"It's-" Ray starts off but then left his sentence hanging, somewhat freezing in place. I look at him concerningly.

"Ray...?"

"Did you guys hear that?" He whispers lightly.

We all look around, suddenly alert, hearing nothing and seeing nothing I muttered quietly but enough for them to hear me. "Hear what?"

The leaves on the bushes that was not so far across us starts to rustle.

What's that?!

I internally yelled, fear starts coursing through me. In an instant, my entire body is covered in goosebumps. We are all quite, silently staring at the bushes that emit the noises. Without a single sound being made, Subaru makes his way closer to the moving plants, not wanting something bad to happen him I quietly yelled at him.

"Wait Subaru, it's too dangerous."

He doesn't pay attention to my words, still walking slowly towards the area, the rest watching him in anticipation. My body close enough freezes in it position by fear, a knot starts tightening in my stomach.

"No, don't do it man! It's a... It's a-" Thoma speaks out towards him.

Subaru hovers his hand on the shaking bushes leaves, parting the branches, suddenly a animal pops out.

"Damn, it's a squirrel! It's a squirrel!!" Thoma yells bolting out of his chair.

I heave a sigh of relief placing a hand on my pounding heart, nearly sinking down to the ground.

Oh thank goodness.

Licht comes up from behind me, grabbing my arms lightly holding me up. A strong familiar scent emanates from his clothes, almost making me feel like crying from the feeling. The said squirrel that was found walks along the plant bed and skitters away.

"Ah, great, you scared it." Subaru complained quietly glaring at Thoma.

"I scared it? You have no idea on how scary those so-called harmless creatures really are!? I almost got into serious trouble because of one of them! "

"Who knows, maybe you actually deserved it." Subaru grumbles

"Listen here, you little..."

While watching these two batter on squirrels I couldn't help but laugh out loud, but they don't pay attention to it as Thoma continues to lecture Subaru on the terrifying nature of squirrels, and I take it as a light-hearted moment.

I'm glad it was only just a squirrel, we've all been on the edge lately. I guess it's alright to loosen up just a little bit.

"So there are actually animals around here, what do you think about it Ray?" I ask him looking at him, but he seems a little distracted. "Um, Ray?"

Still looking somewhere he speaks. "It's back..."

"What are you..." I turn to look where he is looking and stops, slightly trembling, There was a young girl standing there in place where the squirrel was.

"Ah..." I let a small high pitch screech, before quickly covering my mouth. The rest seem to notice as well and turns to look at her.

"Who is that? Is she one of your friends?" Licht asked innocently.

Shaking his head, Thoma speaks. " Oh hell no..."

The little girl then twirls for a second then faces us with a bright smile.

I know that little girl.

My whole body starts to convulses in bone-chilling horror.

This can't... No...

"We're going to the park! Hee hee!" The little girl laughs, resulting a inexplicable fear rushes over me.

"(Y/N)?" Thoma lightly says.

"Papa's taking me to the park!"

No!

"What's wrong (Y/N)?" Subaru askes me.

I gulp before replying.

"That girl..." A picture frame flashes in my mind. I see my younger self holding my parents' hands, smiling brightly. No doubt about it, it's the exact same bright smile as the girl right in front of us. "It's me."

"What?" Ray gasps surprisingly.

"To the park! To the park!" The little girl cheerfully shouts, running away and I feel a sudden urge to follow, but the fear paralyzes me to the ground.

What if I end up just like Monica? Does this mean I'm gonna die as well.

I feel a cold sweat breaks through my pores.

Should I really go after her? If I follow, there's no turning back. What's waiting up ahead for me is something that will make me wish I never was born.

That's what I feel like telling myself. It not just death that I'm afraid of now, There's something else, it knowing the truth that scares me the most.

I don't want to see it, I don't want to hear it...

Right when I was about to close my eyes Ray speaks.

"Let's follow her quietly."

"but, stay between us (Y/N). We won't let anything happen to you." Thoma speaks in return trying to reassure me, I slightly shake my head to regain my lost senses.

"Okay..." I repress my worries and fears and press on forward.

We head out following the little girl, we walk along the street with Ray at the front.

Why is that child here? Are these my memories? Does this mean I'm going to die soon?

Despite my resolve, my mind is full of worries and questions.

Come on, stop overthinking (Y/N). You're only going to scare yourself.

While lost in my thoughts, Subaru behind me speaks to me.

"(Y/N)." He softly grips my wrists, making me turn around seeing him staring at me.

Oh...

The heterochromia boy intensifies his gaze on me, even in this darkness.

His red eye, it's still evermore beautiful to me.

As I thought this to myself he speaks up, softly like he always does. "I know it's hard, but you've got to stay calm. Take a deep breath. If you lose you head now, you won't be able to make it."

His words almost sounded like a reprimand, but it somehow made my heart feel lighter.

"Don't worry about it though, I'm right behind you." he spoke making a slight comforting smile at me. "So come on, deep breaths."

Feeling better from just those words I give him a slight smile. "Thanks, Subaru." I try to gently retract my arm from his hold speaking again once my arm was free. "But, I can manage it now, I believe. "

Going back to his normal expression he nods lightly. "If you say so." with that said he doesn't say anything else afterwards.

Truth be told, I still feel a little anxious. What will we see when we get to the park?

As we make it to the park and open the entrance gates, another figure appears next to the little girl.

"Papa!" the girl cried cheerfully.

Papa?

The man happily take the giddy child into his arms, but that is not the man I known as my father.

Is that my real father? So I guess it's true after all, I'm adopted, but how did I become a orphan to begin with?

He gently caresses his daughter's hair.

He seems so gentle...

My chest tightens, as I clutch my hands together over my chest. The corner of my eyes starts to sting, soon my heart starts to feel heavy, making me not want to see anymore of this vision, but I couldn't look away, as I stare at the apparition of the smiling father and daughter for a while. For some odd reason, my heart, feeling heavy as it is, starts to sting with anguish as well, as my tears start to slowly form.

No, Don't cry, I won't cry.

I fight against the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I keep my line of sight on the little girl.

She's so carefree, was I like that before? How did I end up in the orphanage?

While lost in my turmoil Thoma speaks up.

"Ah, they went somewhere else! Come on (Y/N)." He nudges my shoulder as we continue to walk on forward.

We follow the apparitions deeper into the park till they suddenly stopped in their paths near a empty park bench.

"Papa, where are you going?"

"Papa has a little work to do, (Y/N). Just wait right here for me okay?" my father speaks to me as he hands me my favorite candy.

"Okay Papa! I'll be a good girl and wait right here!"

He lightly pas my head and leaves the park. As I watched all that unfold I realized something.

I know what's happening here. This is the truth that I've been afraid to find out, the truth that I've been running away from.

We stop walking to the point of the figure of the man disappears, leaving the little girl all alone. She continues to wait all alone for her father to come back.

"That's what happened, I was abandoned..." I speak out quietly, everyone looking at me.

"(Y/N)" Licht says stepping closer to me and rubbing my back comfortably.

"Papa! Papa! Where are you?" The girl cries out, but no matter how hard she cries, her father never returns.

Feeling a overwhelm sense of sadness of what's happening I slowly walk towards the child.

"Hey, you..."

You're hurt, aren't you? It's scary being all alone, huh? It... it hurts.

I just want to comfort my younger self, just wishing I could say ' You're not alone. You're going to meet so many people, and be happy.'

As I was wallowing in my self pity Subaru screams out to me.

"Get back (Y/N)!" but I pay no mind to his screams, it seeming nothing but muffles, the only thing I can hear is the little girl's misery, a cry for help, only making me walk closer to her.

"Hey... You aren't alone." I utter to my child self.

"Please come back, Papa!" She continues to wail in desperation, her tears overflowing.

Not being able to continue much further I fall to my knees, my hands grabbing a hold of the grass on the ground, from the corner of my eye I see the monster gradually starting to materialize, but that is the least of my concerns at this moment. The emotions and memories from my childhood comes flooding in. I feel the tears falling on the back of my hand.

I don't want this! I don't want to be alone! It's lonely being all by myself, it hurts too much..

"Please, don't leave me..." I call out through my tears. "Please!" Unable to handle the pain and agony gnawing its way through me I close my eyes tightly.

"(Y/N)!" I hear Licht calling out towards me, making me open my eyes, and what welcomes my sight is the horrendous monster.

"Aaarggaaa-lone! Aaaargh!"

For a split second it look at me straight in the eyes.

That's-

I hear my heart pounding thunderously in my ears.

"Pa...pa!" the monster screeches.

The desperation, the misery, all the fear I've felt.

"Co-...Come....back!" It whines before reading itself to devour me.

Just as it's fangs are about to descend upon me, I instantly understand everything. This monster must be the embodiment of the memories I've been repressing all this time.

"(Y/N)!" Licht yells my name dashing to the scene.

"Licht. No!"

Before I could do anything, blood splatted everywhere, bathing the surroundings.

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