The Impact of OMORI

☆CHAPTER 9☆

Sunny wakes up, sweat dripping from his forehead. He knows what happened now. He knows the truth. Jumping out of the blanket, careful not to wake the others, Sunny creeps through the hallway to Basil's room.

'Do you want to save Basil?'

Swinging open the door, his friend stands there, facing the window.

'Ah, Sunny, it's just you. I'm glad you came. It's...it's so good to see you.

It came to you that day, the day Mari died.

When Mari, when Mari fell...you couldn't have done it. It was something behind you, wasn't it? You're a good person, Sunny. I know you're a good person! A good person wouldn't do something like that...

When something killed Mari, I didn't say anything, I didn't want people to think it was you, Sunny

Don't worry Sunny, I'll save you again. Something behind you, I'll get rid of it once and for all'

Sunny turns around abruptly, and there it is. That trauma and fear from Mari's death, it's all there. This time, he won't let it control him.

Basil lunges forward at Sunny, missing him by an inch. Sunny jumps back, hoping to wear him out. The fight lasts for ages, before both Sunny and Basil collapse onto the floor. 2 young children were involved in an accidental murder 4 years ago, but faked it as a suicide. No one knew, after all those years, the weight that they carried beneath the smiling faces. The distant sound of an ambulance can be heard, before Sunny closes his eyes once again. Maybe, just maybe, they can fix it now.

When you open your eyes, you're not in Whitespace, or Headspace. Rather, a familiar street in a familiar neighbourhood.

'Your acknowledgment of the truth has come at a great cost...but it is not too late for redemption. Fortunately, you still know the way back home.'

Glancing down the row of houses, your sister's cat, Mewo, walks up the road, rubbing at your legs and purring affectionately. They turn around and trot away, as if beckoning you to follow.

Past the house with a broken fence. Past the neighbour with the plastic flamingo in the front lawn. Straight back to your own house, at the end of the pathway. A boy with blond hair and green eyes standing in the driveway turns around to face you.

'Hi Sunny, you found your way back home,' Basil smiles, 'I don't know if I've ever said this properly but, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.

All this pain we've been feeling, the guilt in our hearts. Even if you try to bottle it all up, it all comes out somehow.

I want to say that everything will be okay, that we have no choice but to carry on. But...that's up to you.

Aubrey, Kel and Hero are good friends. You'll have to trust that they forgive us.

The photos in our album, they're not just photos. They're real memories! Our memories! It's proof of our friendship! Hold those pictures close and remember what you want to protect.

The path to your future will open soon, but only you can decide what to do in the end. It's not much but...I'll be cheering you on.

Sunny, let's make some new memories together, okay?' He pulls you into a hug as tears prick at your eyes, before walking away down the path.

Approaching the door, you let out a sigh, before swinging open the handle.