BEFORE LONG, WE GATHERED back in the lobby to discuss our findings. I set down a photocopied page of the book I had gotten after seeing Thoma. He and Ray leaned in as I explained, and for that second, I couldn't help but recall what he'd said earlier about his qualms, and how they seemed to intensify around Ray.

"It says here that the construction of Bluebells Orphanage began almost twenty years ago." The picture was of an unfinished building with an address in the caption.

Ray smiled, "We finally have an address. Good job."

"Oh, that's right outside the city," noted Thoma.

"So, now we know the orphanage didn't really last long," chimed Subaru. "Seven years, give or take."

"I think I know why," added Thoma, eyes wide with revelation. He gestured for us to come closer and looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was nearby. "Okay, listen. I got this detail from Geddit. It's one of the websites blocked by the city, but I managed to dig into it somehow."

"So, what did you find?" asked Ray curiously.

"There's a whole thread of conspiracy theories about Bluebells. The user who started it claims that the orphanage was actually a front for conducting human experiments." The rest of us were speechless. I held my breath. "That's sick, right?" Thoma's whisper squeaked at a higher tone, as if he couldn't believe it either. "And this is creepy, but some people claimed that they can hear eerie moaning within the grounds."

Thoma sat back and exhaled slowly as we all looked at each other.

"Human experiments?" I murmured.

"It sounds like something out of a movie," said Subaru. First games, now movies. It's like he doesn't take this life or death stuff too seriously. "It sounds unrealistic, but it could be possible if you assume we all lost our memories around the same time."

"You actually think that?" asked Thoma.

Next to him, Subaru folded his arms. "At this point, anything's possible."

Ray inhaled sharply. "If it's true, then we might've been part of those experiments."

"That's..." I crossed my arms, hugging myself. The thought was sickening.

"In our case, it would seem our minds have been manipulated," scowled Ray. "There are a lot of studies about transferring, deleting, or creating fake memories. The safest method is theoretically hypnosis, but there are also cases with rather gruesome techniques, and most of those were unsuccessful. Some people ended up dying," he said sorrowfully.

Covering my mouth with both hands, I glanced at Thoma, who clearly couldn't believe what he was hearing either.

"That's inhumane. Who would even think of doing that?"

"We'll have to investigate on site to get further into this," said Ray. Determined as ever, he suggested we go visit the orphanage immediately, and we nodded in agreement.

The four of us took Thoma's car for a trip to the neighbouring town. The further we drove, the less encouraged I felt to be revisiting the orphanage, but I knew that I had to keep it together for everyone's sake.

After a while, I caught Thoma glimpsing at the horizon through the rear-view mirror. "The sun's already setting. We should stay somewhere safe for the night."

I agreed, "Yeah, we can't afford to be out here when the clock strikes ten." We drove past a sign that caught my eye. "Look, there's a motel ahead."

We continued down that road until we arrived at the rather unremarkable building. At least the signage confirmed that we were in the right place. We climbed out of the car and made our way to the front desk, to then discover that there were only two rooms available. Ray tried to organise something better, but there was nothing the clerk could do.

"We'll have to share," sighed Ray.

"That's not so bad," I said honestly; two rooms were better than one.

"Aaaalright, so I'll stay with Ziya." Smiling, Thoma pulled me closer to him, and I suddenly felt embarrassed when I got a whiff of his cologne.

"Oh!"

"No way in hell am I letting her stay with you," tested Ray. "You're the last person I trust in a situation like this!"

Thoma's grip tightened on my arm for a moment as he glared at Ray. "Oh yeah? Well, I don't trust you either!"

Oh boy, here they go again. I manoeuvred my way out of Thoma's grasp. They're not even gonna ask what I think? Suddenly, Subaru casually pulled me by the hand.

"Let's go, Ziya," he said with a gentle smile.

"Huh? You mean..?" Before I could answer, Subaru started leading me away. His uncharacteristic assertiveness had my heart pounding. I suppose I have no say in this after all.

We'd only gone a few steps before Ray grasped my shoulder, stopping us.

"Where do you think you're sneaking off to with Ziya?" Ray was smiling, but I could tell by the twitch in his brow that he wasn't happy at all. He retrieved a coin from his wallet. "Let's settle this. Take your pick, Subaru."

"I'll take whatever."

"I'll go for heads, then."

Thoma piped up from behind Ray, "Hey, what about me?"

And me..? Ignoring him, Ray flicked the coin with his thumb and caught it quickly.

"It's tails," I said in a lacklustre mumble.

Thoma suddenly burst out laughing. "Too bad, huh?" His cheeks flushed.

"Shut up," groaned Ray. "Let's go."

Ray tossed Subaru the key, and we watched as he and Thoma disappeared down the hall. If they'd just asked me, I would have been fine with sharing a room with Thoma - after the day we'd had, and our talk at the library, I would have liked to spend more time together. Ray might've seen Thoma as some party animal, but I knew there was more to him. Besides, it wasn't like he couldn't be trusted alone with me. What did he think was going to happen? I sighed as Subaru walked ahead, before he stopped to look at me from over his shoulder, that delightful smile returning to his face.

"Let's go, Ziya."

"R-Right!" I said, speeding up. I'm sharing a room with Subaru? I could hear the sound of my heart thudding aggressively in my ears.

Once we'd arrived at the room, Subaru immediately went to shower, and I found myself sitting alone on one of the beds. It was a simple room: just two beds and one window shielded with brown blinds that looked an oddly similar material to that of the shower curtain. There was a slim shelf atop our headboards that probably served to make up for the lack of bedside tables, but I couldn't help imagining that people had accidentally bumped their heads on it when they woke up. While waiting for Subaru, I pulled my knees toward my chest and closed my eyes, trying to keep myself from trembling. I might've distracted myself with some TV, but there wasn't one. So, I listened to the sound of water from the shower, burbling beneath the sound of the room clock ticking away. It was the sound of the nightmare world getting closer and closer by the second.

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

Hurry up and get back here, Subaru...

Startled, I jumped at the creak of the bathroom door opening as Subaru came out. The scent of lavender soap filled the room. Subaru didn't say anything, but I felt the subtle movement as he sat on my bed, despite having his own. Why is he sitting here? My heart started racing for a different reason now. I bit my lip, trying not to let my imagination run wild. We remained silent as Subaru dried his hair with a towel. I could feel a few droplets hitting my skin like little raindrops. What was he thinking? I tried to get a look at his expression, but I found him glancing my way at the same time. Our eyes met, and my breath caught in my throat. Ah... he's blushing. His blue eyes gazed at me. It was a shame I couldn't see his red eye, but he was alluring nonetheless.

"It's almost time, isn't it?"

Oh... I glanced at the clock, and sure enough, it was almost ten. "I think I've gotten used to it." Much to my displeasure.

"That doesn't take the fear away," he said.

"You're right. It doesn't." I hugged my knees tighter. My heart was practically in my stomach at this point.

Subaru hesitantly reached toward me. "Don't worry, I'm here with you." He ran his cool hand over my hair. That's so comforting... "Should I sing you a song?"

I stared at him as he grinned. "Wh-What?"

"Sorry, that was a bad joke." He looked away nervously, and I couldn't help but laugh. He was doing his best to make me feel better.

"Thanks, Subaru." I looked up to see him staring down at me, his eyes dreamy. What I'm feeling... is this for real? I thought the time in the library earlier had just been my imagination.

"Ziya..." Subaru called my name in a gentle tone like never before, and I lost myself in his eyes. If he kept looking at me like that, I -

I lowered my head, biting my lip. The clamour of the bells soon took over, and as my vision blurred, I saw Subaru falling asleep.

Rays of crimson shone through the window, pouring onto my face. Still overpowered by drowsiness, I closed my eyes again, but my sleepiness faded when I realised that Subaru was no longer next to me. I looked around and realised that I was surely in the nightmare world. But where is everyone? I was woken up completely as that thought crossed my mind. I bolted from the couch, the recollection of yesterday forcing me up, and the sudden rush of blood had my heart beating madly.

"Licht! Where are you?" Licht? I wrenched my head in all directions of the house, and worry hit me when I realised that Licht was nowhere in sight. Where could he have gone?

CRASH!

Out of nowhere, I heard a crashing sound from the distance. Was that from the kitchen? "L-Licht? Is that you?" I tiptoed in that direction, pressing my hands to my chest. "Licht, you better not be trying to scare me!"

There was no response, but - CRASH! - the sound of breaking continued, much louder now as I made my way to the kitchen. I grabbed a nearby broom to arm myself and fearfully approached, step by step, but then another shattering noise made me jump. I pinned myself against the wall for cover. What's going on? Taking a deep breath, I clutched the broom tighter.

"Licht..?" Instead of a reply, I heard what sounded like a menacing growl. What should I do? What if Licht's in there and needs help? "There's only one way to find out," I whispered to myself, when suddenly, something moved behind me. There was a tap on my shoulder, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"Hey -"

"Aaaaaaaahhh!" I swung the broom wildly in all directions.

"Gah!"

"Get away from me, whatever you are!"

"Ziya, calm down."

All at once, I felt my broom being held by an unyielding force. I tried to pull it back, but the thing holding onto it was too strong. Wait... I slowly opened my eyes and saw him.

"Licht..." Relieved, I fell to the floor.

"You okay?" Licht extended his hand out towards me, his surprised gaze softening. I took his hand and slowly stood up.

"Please don't scare me like that again!" I thought I was done for.

"I'm sorry, I didn-"

CRASH!

On instinct, I clung to Licht. He went stiff for a moment; I could feel his heart hammering in his chest.

"S-Sorry..." I tried to let go, but he stopped me.

"I wouldn't mind staying like this," he smiled. "How about you?"

I silently decided to stay close to him. "Something's in the kitchen!"

Licht's violet stare intensified. "Yeah, I actually heard it from upstairs. That's why I came down." What was he doing upstairs? "I was resting," he answered, as if he had read my mind. "Sorry for not asking you."

"No, no, not at all." It wasn't like I still lived here. "You definitely need plenty of rest. How are your wounds?" I fixed my gaze on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine."

"But -" CRASH!!!

The terrible noise was too much to ignore now, as if it wanted our attention, whatever it was. Well, I'd managed to meet up with Licht, so as far as I was concerned, we could get out of here.

"Ziya, you stay here. I'll take a look."

"Wait!" I hissed back in the sort-of-yelling, sort-of-whispering way we had been conversing. I couldn't let him go on his own, so I decided to follow him.

We entered into the kitchen and nearly gasped at what we saw; pieces of broken ceramics were scattered all over. As a can of powdered milk fell from the top of the fridge, we jolted, looking in that direction. We could hear the growling of an animal.

"Hey, over there," said Licht, pointing to a shadow between the shelves.

Two golden eyes were staring back at us, and my heart galloped. Was it the monster? Perhaps it had somehow transformed itself again and stalked us here. But all its eyes were a bone-chilling ivory. Licht slowly approached the shadow, and I gulped, holding onto him for dear life. He reached out for the box and pulled it down.

"Mmmreaaaaow!"

I managed to hold back a scream just before it left my mouth. A cry accompanied the box as it fell to the floor. But it was a familiar sound.

"Mrrowww! Hissss!"

It's a cat. I blinked. Talk about anti-climactic. But I'm glad it's just a cat. The creature stood overhead, its paw swiftly swiping at Licht's hand.

"Whoa!"

"Careful! It might bite!" I said instinctively.

The cat purred in satisfaction, proud to have given us a scare. This little thing had been breaking the dishes? Licht and I backed up as it jumped to the floor and ran off.

Phew. "Gosh, that scared me."

"Aww, I thought it was cute."

"Cute? I don't think so. Look at all these broken plates," I glimpsed from Licht to the rest of the kitchen. What was it doing here in the first place? Suddenly, I imagined that the cat might have been mine once. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me, but this felt somewhat familiar. Had I even owned a cat? I guess not all my memories are back just yet.

Licht's laugh set my mind at ease.

"You seem to be feeling better," I noted. "Let's get out of here. I have some things to tell you."

I led the way to the front door, playing through the day's discoveries in my head. We left my former home behind us and walked around the neighbourhood. On the street, Licht listened intently as I relayed the information the guys and I had found. This was the second time I'd walked the streets together with him since my memories returned. It felt strange walking side by side with him as an adult. But he still hadn't regained his memories. I wondered why Licht had been brought to Bluebells.

"So, you're saying our lost memories are connected to this orphanage."

"Yes."

"And after remembering the past, the monster weakened, allowing us to escape?"

"I know that wasn't the case with Monica, so I can't be sure yet, but..." Licht seemed to be thinking about what I'd said. "I know it's a lot to take in. I'm having a hard time believing it myself."

Licht smiled, "I believe you."

"Oh." Licht didn't even question it.

"What's with that reaction?"

"I didn't think it would be that easy to convince you," I admitted, and now he seemed shocked.

"Really?" Licht let out a little laugh. "I've got no reason to doubt you."

Embarrassed, I averted my gaze. I supposed that was true, but to trust me so easily... it was like we were our kid selves again. I had always trusted Licht. Perhaps he felt the same way.