Chapter Text
The egos were all gathered in the living area, watching some Netflix Original movie as a storm boomed outside, thunder cracking every few seconds and lightning lighting up the room just as frequently. Dark and Wilford had long-since barricaded themselves in the demon’s room, Dark visibly tensing the moment the rain began to pour down. The storm was affecting them all, making them drowsy and lazy – even Silver, who hadn’t let his guard down for almost two weeks now, was dozing lightly in his recliner, curled in a tight ball and wrapped in a blanket.
They all jumped, Silver poking his head out from beneath his cocoon, when the intercom began crackling above them, and a second later Wilford’s voice was coming through, panting heavily and sounding…scared. “Code Red! Everyone get to your rooms now and lock yourselves in! I can’t –”
Wilford was cut off by his own cry, sounding like he was shoved bodily away from the mic if the accompanying thud! was anything to go by. They all tensed when a high-pitched giggle came through instead, the hairs standing up on the backs of their necks. Bim drained of all color when a sing-song voice echoed around them. “Senpai~ I’m coming for you~”
The intercom went dead.
The living area exploded with movement as the egos all scrambled for cover, Ed tugging a confused Eric along toward his own room. “W-w-wait, who was that? Why are you so scared?”
“That was Yandere!” Dr. Iplier seized the Host’s hand, the blind ego muttering fervently under his breath and no doubt creating the barrier that prevented Yandere from leaving the manor and wreaking havoc on the rest of the Realm. “It is really complicated to explain, and right now we need to go!”
“But how is she here?!” Google looked almost as confused as Eric and Reynolds, but for an entirely different reason. “It usually takes her at least a year to muster the strength to break off! It’s only been a couple of months!”
“I really don’t care and I really don’t want to find out!” Bim took off running, but before he could get very far King caught his sleeve. He looked terrified.
“Bim, let’s hide together! Last time she was here she kidnapped you and almost really hurt you!” King took his hands in his own, begging with his eyes. “Please?”
Bim kissed his forehead, but shook his head. “No, it’s too risky. You know how obsessed with me she is, if she somehow found out we were together I…” He shuddered, squeezing King’s hands. “I don’t even want to think about it. I’ll try and check on you later, okay?”
King relented, but he didn’t look happy about it. “…Okay.”
Everyone flinched when the heard a gunshot from above, followed by Wilford’s unintelligible shouting. The Jims bolted, leading the charge back to the hallway with all of their rooms and screaming in unison. “Go go go go go!”
And so the lockdown began.
Bim slammed his door behind him, the chorus of the others doing the same reaching his ears as he hurriedly clicked the lock into place with panicked, fumbling fingers. He slid down the door to rest on the floor, his breath coming in far too rapid gasps, he needed to calm down, he was safe, King was safe, Yandere couldn’t hurt them, not now.
Still, that didn’t stop him from going completely stiff with terror when he heard slow footsteps echoing down the otherwise dead quiet hall. Yandere was humming some nursery rhyme Bim couldn’t quite place, and the closer she got to his door the more he began to shake. He’d been cocky the last time she was here, not fully understanding what she was capable of, but now, with the memory of ropes digging into his wrists and the feeling of her lips on his own as he struggled to get away…she just made him sick with fear.
He slapped both hands over his mouth to muffle his rapid breaths when the footsteps and humming stopped just outside his door. A booming crack of thunder shook the manor just as Yandere began pounding on his door. Bim flinched, curling forward with his knees pulled up to his chest and his hands pressed tight over his ears, trying to just wait it out. His pulse pounding in his ears made everything else sound like it was underwater.
“Senpai!” He just curled into a tighter ball as the knocking stopped and Yandere’s voice rang out. “You can’t hide from me forever, Senpai, I’ll get to you eventually. And you’ll be mine.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You won’t get away from me this time.” She giggled, then began walking away once more, another explosion of thunder making Bim’s ears ring.
Bim stood on shaky legs, collapsing on his bed and rolling onto his back. He pulled out his phone and opened his texting app. ‘Hey King. You okay?’
King messaged him back almost instantly. ‘I should be asking that of you! I’m pretty sure everyone heard her shouting. Are you alright?’
Bim gave hoarse laugh. He could practically feel King radiating anxiety and concern even through his phone. ‘I’m good. Shaken, but good.’ He frowned. ‘You know, Google made a good point. There’s no way she should have the strength to break away this quickly. What do you think changed?’
‘I have no idea. I don’t think I want to know. God, I wish you were here. I’m…scared.’
Bim sighed. ‘Me too, King. Maybe we should’ve stuck together after all.’
‘No, no you were right. She’s the perfect embodiment of the ‘yandere’ stereotype. She’d rather commit murder than allow you to be with someone else. Frankly, I’m not prepared to die yet.’
Bim muffled a snort with his hand. ‘I love you. Whatever happens today…I love you.’
‘I love you too, Bim.’ There was a pause. ‘What do you think she did Wilford? He…shouldn’t he be back on the intercom by now?’
Bim stiffened. ‘Shit, I completely forgot about that! I think Wilford is probably fine, but Dark…Dark’s on the brink of death. He can’t survive without her.’
‘…When did you become an expert on how Dark works? I’m not sure even he knows how he works.’
Bim tensed. ‘Let’s just say I saw some shit last time Yandere was out among the free world. I couldn’t explain it if I tried, and Dark threatened me with a slow, painful death if I even attempted, so I’m a bit sworn to secrecy here.’ He flinched when another crack of thunder sounded. ‘I think I’m gonna try and get sleep. Don’t know how successful I’ll be, but if I don’t calm down I may explode.’
‘Okay. Sweet dreams. Text me when you wake up. So I know you haven’t exploded.’
Bim swallowed back a laugh. ‘Will do.’ Already he felt more relaxed just from texting King, and he didn’t even attempt to get under the covers before he set his phone and glasses on the nightstand and rolled over onto his stomach, pressing his face into his pillows with a groan. Thunder boomed again, the rain pounding on the roof in a soothing beat. He let go of all his tension, melting into his bed with a muffled sigh of content.
It was surprisingly easy for him to drift off into a light, dreamless slumber.