#109 chapter 5

[despair109]

Chapter 5 - Morning Moon

(ab)normal days part END

[despair109]

The Execution of Kurihara Kagome

The lights rise on what looks like a house of cards. Only, it’s entirely too large, and each card is made of concrete. They balance precariously on each other, occasionally groaning worryingly. Sat in one of the archways is Kagome, curled up and hugging her knees to her chest. And though she already looks terrified at the unstable structure all around her, her eyes widen further when multiple Monobears file in and stand in a circle around her, linking hands and chanting the children’s nursery rhyme.

Kagome kagome

The bird in the basket

Oh when will it come out

In the evening of the dawn

The crane and turtle slipped

Who is it behind you?

The song ends, and there is an abrupt, loud creaking from the concrete cards. Kagome whips around to see who is behind her as the song dictates, but instead sees not Monobear, but Nariko, behind a barrier.

The bears all giggle and scatter, and as Nariko leaps the low wall to pull Kagome from danger, the house of cards collapses with a thunderous crash, shaking the floor. The dust settles, and all that is left is the rubble, and the smallest trickle of blood.

[despair109]

Monobear File 5

The mall-goers’ IDs ping as a new section is added to their screens.

Victim: Inoue Daisuke

Time of Death: 8:15pm

Time of Discovery: 8:35pm

Location: Arcade

Cause of Death: Punctured lungs, multiple organ failure.

State of Body: Daisuke is propped up against the Rhythm Madness 4: Horror on the Dancefloor machine in the arcade. His body shows signs of being beaten up, along with blood from his mouth, multiple stab wounds, broken bones, and he is also missing a shoe.

State of Crime Scene: All the machines in the arcade are functioning accordingly. Blood has dripped and sprayed messily around where the body lies.

[despair109]

Case 5 - Round the Mulberry Bush

The evening is drawing in, though there's still about an hour and a half left to go until the stores close. Sayuri, like the proactive protagonist she is, is walking about and passes by the arcade with her book of the moment, and glances up at the flashing lights within. 

There's something sticking out from around the corner of one of the machines. A foot? A bare foot, no less. With sudden dread, the bookseller approaches to check on the owner, but quickly finds herself much too late.

The alarm goes off. Wait, what?

"Following a brief period of investigation, we will commence our trial!"

She looks around for anyone else. She is alone, and staring down at the lifeless body of...

Inoue Daisuke, propped up against one of the rhythm game machines. Seems like whoever did this has a twisted sense of humour... but who?

[despair109]

Chapter 5 Motive

Who knows how long it's been since the blackout. But then, all of a sudden, the ground begins to rumble. The lights flicker -- on, off, on, off, on -- and stay lit. And a moment later, everything goes silent.

A familiar voice comes over the intercoms, while the screens by the information kiosk and mounted around the floors light up. Just as if this had been like old times.

...

"Ehh... this is a security announcement. Now that the lights are back on, all mall-goers should report to the information kiosk immediately. Anyone who fails to comply with this wish will be eliminated."

Damn. Maybe the lights should've stayed off. But you figure it's best to not dilly-dally. You hurry to the information kiosk, where Monobear stands waiting.

"Hey there, idiots! I'm glad we finally shed some light on this despairing situation just in time for the motive. And the blackout, for the record, was totally planned! Ahaha..."

Yet he doesn't sound too certain about that.He clears his throat.

"Anyway, I have a special surprise for you all. Because I'm sure you miss your loser friends, I've decided to make a deal with you! If you get away with killing, you'll be able to bring one of your friends back to life."

Murmurs spread throughout the crowd. This can't be legitimate, can it? He's probably messing around yet again.

Monobear cackles.

"Ahahaha! Don't think I'm serious? Well, here's your proof!"

A golden retriever races out from behind the bend. His tail is wiggling and his tongue is flopping and he looks very much alive.

"Good boy, Biscuit! See, and here you thought the pet detective's little sidekick was dead. But nope, here he is. And if that's not enough proof, then what is?"

The bear's grin grows. He giggles and does a little spin before racing out. He leaves parting words with you, though:

"Get killing!"

You look over at Biscuit, who's staring happily at you all. What, are you supposed to take care of him now? Well, good thing there's a pet store.

[despair109]

Chapter 5 - Morning Moon

(ab)normal days part

[despair109]

A Candle's Light [Event]

It happens slowly and then all at once. When the lights flicker initially, you might not think much of it. After all, maybe someone's fiddling with the electronics store. Yet when it flickers again, you may begin to worry. But by then it's too late.

The world around you turns pitch black. No doubt you and those around you all freeze, waiting for Monobear to come over the intercom. And finally, he does. The intercom seems to be working, luckily, even though the power is clearly out.

"Ehh? Testing, testing. Upupupupu! Oh, good. This still seems to be in working order."

The bear clears his throat.

"And this means I have a chance to ask you: how did you manage this one, you idiots? There aren't even any power boxes around here. So 'fess up: who did this and why?"

All's quiet. You can't move and you're too afraid to speak. What... so this isn't one of his tricks?

Monobear sighs.

"Alright, alright. I'll see if the emergency lights still work. And you all better be looking for a solution soon too, because who wants to live n the dark forever?"

A moment later, small red security lights illuminate the area around you. They cast everything in an eerie red glow. Well, at least it's better than pitch black.

You wonder if he was serious about the whole 'searching for a way to turn the lights back on' thing, because if so, you have your work cut out for you.