Danganronpa: School of Despair

Chapter 4 - 1

The four of us head to Roger's lab after the trial ends. Roger leans against a lab table, and Thomas, Charlotte, and I sit on Roger's couch. Charlotte looks around at us. "So, what're we gonna do now?"

I look at each of us and just shrug. "I don't really know, to be honest."

Charlotte sighs. "I think the others have gone mad. We... might be the last line of defense for hope."

Thomas nods, sighing with her. "They've fallen into this horrid despair. They're nothing more than Monokuma's pawns against us now."

"How are we gonna stay safe like this?" Charlotte asks.

Roger thinks. "What if we have lookouts? Two of us can stay up each night, watching their activity."

Thomas nods. "That seems like a good idea."

I nod, smiling. "The other two should keep a non-lethal weapon within reaching distance just in case, though. We want to disable them, not kill them."

Roger nods to Charlotte. "Shall we take first watch then?"

Charlotte nods, standing up. I look to her. "Are you sure?"

Charlotte looks at me, smiling. "I want to feel like I'm being useful to you, Sonya. You've done so much for me, and I think I should finally get around to repaying that debt."

I smile, standing up. I hug her, seeming to surprise her. "I'm proud of you, Charlotte. I'm sure Tsuki would be, too."

Charlotte smiles, hugging me back. "Thanks."

Roger smiles. "Charlotte, we should probably brew some coffee so that we can stay up."

I release Charlotte, and she agrees. I look at Thomas. "Mind if I sleep in your room with you tonight?"

He smiles, shaking his head. "Please, go ahead."

He gets up, and the bell rings. I glance up to the monitor, and Monokuma appears. "Hello, students. It is officially nightt-"

The screen suddenly turns to static, flickering on and off a few times. I hear garbled speech and a fuzzy image appears, slowly clearing up.

"-s it coming through?" I hear him ask.

I gasp, staring at the image that is slowly clearing up.

I cover my mouth, tearing up.

DAD!

I hear another man's voice. "Yeah, I think so. It'll be only for a few minutes though before the mastermind kicks us off."

Dad nods and looks at the camera. "To put this simply, we're coming for you, but I'll keep talking until we lose connection."

I'm still in shock, watching Dad continue to speak. "I am Theodore Garland, the Ultimate Secret Agent. I'm heading to you as we speak, but it won't be for a while. Resistance is rampant out here, and Monokumas are constantly trying to stop us."

"Shit!" the other man shouts.

Dad nods, backing up and drawing his pistol. A Monokuma drops from the ceiling, walking towards him, but the other leaps into view, jumping onto the Monokuma. The blue-haired man grips on tight and takes out a karambit. He plunges it into the Monokuma's eye, making it fall to the ground. It lies there, motionless.

Dad walks back over. "I hate to say it, Carter, but you're useful."

Carter picks up his knife and looks into the camera. His green eyes pierce through me.

He grins. "Sonya, your dad misses you. You better not die, or I'll kill the one who did you in!"

Dad pushes him aside. "Don't scare them even more, Carter!"

"C'mon, I'm a serial killer!"

"Exactly!" he shouts back.

Dad looks back at the camera. "Sonya, keep making me proud. You've really grown up since I took you in. Keep them safe until we get there, okay?"

I nod. "I will..."

"Try to remember everything! Maru Tsukiyama! She's the Ultimate P-!"

The video cuts off, leaving us in dead silence.

Charlotte looks at me. "Sonya, you look really determined."

I look at her and smile. "He's my father. I have to keep his word!"

Thomas puts his hand on my shoulder, smiling. "I think we should get to sleep, though."

I nod. "That's probably for the best."

Roger nods to Charlotte. "Let's get some coffee."

Charlotte smiles, following Roger, and I follow Thomas to his room.

We get into bed, lying back to back from each other. "So," I say, pretty nervous already. "What do you think they're gonna do? The other three, I mean."

He stays silent for a moment before speaking. "If I had to guess, they're probably gonna bide their time in search of a prime opportunity to attack."

I nod. "Probably..."

"We should get some sleep though. We're keeping watch tomorrow."

I nod. "Yeah."

I close my eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.