THE SCENE CHANGED BEFORE US; as one mirage dispersed into the ground, another materialised in the living room. Sitting on the sofa, the two boys were now happily looking through a sketchbook together. Young Thoma and Young Ray.

"That's amazing, big bro!"

"You think so? Do you think Mom will like it?"

"Of course!"

It was not long before the figure of a woman in a dark grey suit came into view. There was a piece of paper in her hands, crumpled by the force she was clutching it with.

"Mom!" Young Thoma ran excitedly towards his mother, waving the sketchbook in his hands. "Mom, I drew you for art class today, and my teacher gave me an award for it. Look!" The boy proudly showed his mother the artwork, but the woman passed him, going straight for his younger brother. "M-Mom?"

Thoma held onto his sketchbook tightly. Poor Thoma...

"Ray." The woman looked down at the boy, her one eye hidden behind a blonde fringe while the other, sharp and ruthless, was aimed right at him. All at once, the blood drained from the younger boy's face, his pallor ghostly white. He looks so scared... I turned my head to look at Ray and Thoma, who were dripping with dread. Did they know what was going to happen next? Both of them had gone pale gawking at the apparitions. "Come here, Ray."

"I-I'm sorry!" Ray shrunk into a corner, shielding himself, as if something bad was coming for him. I remembered him locked up in the room, crying.

"What did I tell you about being sorry?"

The mother threw the paper she was holding. It fell to the ground without a sound, but by the horrified expression on the younger boy's face, the weight it carried was a heavy burden. The paper showed a number of red marks. It happened to be a report card, bleeding unfavourable grades. Is that why she's angry? Because of her son's poor grades?

"If you have the time to be sorry, you have the time to do better!" She reached for young Ray, and the boy struggled in her hold.

"No, Mom, please! No owies! Please..!" he cried. "I'll study! I'll study hard. I promise!"

I felt my heart cracking to pieces as I watched the tears stream down the little boy's face. How could this happen?

SMACK!

Young Ray fell to the floor from a harsh slap to the face. "You insolent child!"

"Mom, stop!" The older brother threw away his sketchbook, and then grabbed onto his mother's hips. He did his best to pull her away, but what could a mere child do? Young Ray continued to cry as he took his mother's beatings, and young Thoma lamented his helplessness.

What kind of mother would do such a thing? Unable to hold onto anything that might have given me strength, I gripped onto my clothes. This is so sickening. I can't take this! If it hurts this much for me, how much more for Ray and Thoma? How can they stand to watch this? I hate not being able to do anything... I decided to scream.

"That's enough!" I shouted my frustrations, the corners of my eyes growing hot. "You're hurting him!" But a force pulled me back.

"Get a hold of yourself, Ziya." When I looked back, Subaru's intense gaze was on me.

"Do you expect me to just stand here and do nothing?" I turned to Subaru. Where did he even come from?

The reality of it was that I had no power over what was happening in front of us, but I wanted him to know that if I could have stopped it, I would have. Slowly, Subaru shook his head from side to side, his red eye shimmered sorrowfully, and I suddenly felt like an insolent child. He wasn't holding me back because he lacked empathy - I was sure he would have done something if he could. Instead, it was like he was trying to save me from myself, and remind me once again that while we were in the nightmare world, we had to keep our shit together. These were our childhoods; there was nothing we could do to change them.

"Sorry..." We were helpless before our memories, I already knew this. I knew that not all our memories were going to be happy ones. I followed Subaru, slowly relaxing my arm.

All I could do was look the truth in the eye. When everyone did regain their memories, I would just have to be there to help them through it as best I could. Like they had done for me...

Without warning, the scene unravelled as a strike of lightning whipped over us. Had it been raining all this time? Just as soon, we heard the sound of glass shattering.

"Wh-What was that?" I gasped.

The boys' mother fell to the ground, revealing the young Thoma panting hard against his tears. The younger brother cowered on the floor, eyes closed shut and trembling in fear.

"Please... stop it." I looked over to see the boy holding a broken vase in his hand. "Stop hurting my brother!"

It can't be...

I held my breath, shooting Thoma a look. Our eyes were all focussed on him. In that moment, the only sounds we heard were the young boys' sobbing.

"Thoma, you..." breathed Ray, turning to Thoma with a sad look on his face.

"No... No, I -" Thoma himself seemed to be confused and surprised, and he took a step back, shaking his head in disbelief. "No. I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to hurt her. I just wanted to stop the violence... It's not... It's not my fault."

But the boys' mother never again moved even an inch.

Thoma hid his head in his hands and mumbled in a faint voice. Thoma... The image of him standing all alone in the orphanage made his way back into my mind. When we were little, I'd thought he was just a gloomy kid. I had no idea he had such a traumatic past. My heart ached at the thought of a child having to carry the burden of such a sin, and the fact that he did it to protect someone only made it hurt more. The apparition turned into a bright light, transporting us to another part of Thoma and Ray's memories. This time, young Ray was walking around the hallways, exploring the orphanage.

"Stairs?" Maybe there's something cool down there!"

The boy happily descended the stairs, but distant chatter stopped him in his tracks. He pressed up against a wall, trying to take a peek. It was the man I had seen. Father. And the one he's talking to is -

"You know this experiment can't be completed without you, Licht. I can count on you, right?"

"If it's for everyone's sake, then you can count on me, Father!"

What does this mean? I quickly turned to Licht, who continued to stare at the apparition of himself. You were involved in the experiments? His expression was unreadable. The warm memories of our childhood together began to go cold. You knew all along, and you never said anything? But just as I was about to approach him...

"GROWAARGH!"

The monster appeared.

Instinctively, we fell back, but Thoma stayed still. "No, it's a lie. These aren't my memories..." he said, his head low.

"Thoma, look out!" Ray warned as the monster grew in size before us.

"MURDERER! MOMMY... MOMMY... MOMMY DOESN'T LOVE ME..." The creature roared with abrupt rage. "IF SHE DOESN'T... LOVE ME... THEN SHE SHOULD... DIE!"

"No!" shouted Thoma. "That's not true! I didn't do it! I didn't kill anyone!" he denied what we had all just witnessed. "You've got it all wrong! Ray..."

"MURDERER!"

Ray's eyes shot from Thoma to the monster, and he scowled. "It keeps growing! We got our memories back! Why?! You've forced us to relive these horrible memories..." Ray grabbed his chest tightly. "Why don't you just die?"

What's going on? Has Thoma not regained his memories?

"MURDERER!"

"Shut up!!"

That doesn't seem to be the case.

Thoma's legs collapsed, the weight of his memories pinning him down.

It seems he just can't accept them.

"RAWHHRR!" The monster grew even larger. In the blink of an eye, the lumps on its body started forming human limbs in all directions, as if they were reaching for something to eat. "KILLED... MOMMY... YOU... KILLED..."

"No, Ray! I did it for you!" Ray was speechless, but there was infinite sorrow between his and Thoma's eyes. "No, I don't want to see this! Aaaahh -"

The abomination reached out for Thoma before he could regain his composure, and I screeched. I wanted to throw myself in the way, but would I be as lucky as Licht had been to survive something like that? No, I couldn't be reckless. Thoma was so out of it right now that my best plan of action was to distract the monster. My options limited, I picked up a sizeable piece of glass from the floor and threw it at the beast with all my might, and then it turned to glare at me. I tried to stop myself from shaking; if I could distract it for long enough, Ray could go grab Thoma and escape. But what about me?

Am I going to die?

Licht stepped up and held my shoulder. "It's alright, I'll protect you."

He was staring daggers at the creature as I signalled to Ray with my eyes, and he nodded. Licht picked up another shard and threw it at the monster. We continued our attack, and it was distracted for a moment, but it wasn't long until we were all out of ammunition. Then, the monster turned back to Thoma, shoving its claw into his stomach.

"Nooo!" I cried, and Licht took me in his arms in such a way that he shielded me from the horror. I heard Ray and Subaru running up to the monster, followed by the loud thud of something hitting the floor.

"Dammit!" yelled Ray.

Fearfully, I turned my gaze to see Thoma collapsed on the floor, the pool of blood surrounding him growing. I held back my tears and covered my mouth.

"Hey, monster!" Ray glared at the beast. "You think you've won by making me remember all of that unpleasant shit? Well, you haven't. I've already accepted all of it. Now die already!" I felt Ray's quiet fury like electricity running through my veins. The monster even began to wince. "I said die. Didn't you hear me?"

In an instant, the monster shrunk before our eyes until it disappeared altogether. The apparitions faded with it, and we found ourselves back in Thoma and Ray's old house. Licht and I were standing alone in the hall, so I called out to them. We made our way out to the living room, and when I saw them there, my relief lasted only a second before I found myself running to Thoma's side.

"Oh my God, please tell me you're okay."

Ray and Subaru found the strength to stand, but he remained glued to the ground with laboured breath. "Ziya..."

I nervously looked at Thoma's abdomen. This can't be happening... I covered my mouth as a gasp escaped my lips - his blood was soaking him, painting over the lines between his skin and clothing.

"Stop moving!" Ray ordered, but his tone wasn't as harsh as it had been before.

"We've gotta stop the bleeding!" I'd only ever seen stuff like this in the movies, so I had no idea what to do really, but I took off my jacket and covered Thoma's wound. My hoodie was quickly stained red. Ray looked at me and nodded, tying my hoodie tightly around Thoma's middle.

"I don't... Aha..." Thoma coughed, choking on his own tears. "I don't think I'm gonna make it..." His eyes rolled backwards, head falling to the side.

No! "Wh-What are you talking about..?" My heart couldn't take this. "This is no time for jokes. We promised that we'd get through this together, right?"

"I don't know if I can keep that promise." Thoma gave an apologetic laugh and closed his eyes.

"Goddammit!" Ray took Thoma's face in his hands, slapping him lightly. "Stay with me!"

I grabbed Thoma's hand, pressed some warmth into it. The injury had clearly taken a toll on his body. He was so cold, but I gripped tighter in an attempt to help him stay awake. Blood spurted from the wound, hitting Ray in the face.

"Stop bleeding, goddammit!"

My jacket was sopped red, but Ray continued to apply pressure to the wound, to keep it from worsening. And yet, his hands were like a bottle stopper that just wouldn't fit, that couldn't stop Thoma from bubbling over.

"Ray..." Thoma grimaced in pain. I felt his weak squeeze on my fingers. "Before I die, I need to tell you something."

"I don't wanna hear it." Ray was trying to keep his cool, but his expression told another story. "I'm a doctor in training. I'm not letting you die!" I squeezed Thoma's hand to remind him that none of us were planning on saying goodbye - that I didn't want to. "If you've got something to say, say it after we get through this. I won't ever forgive you if you die here!"

Ray turned away, continuing to close his hands over Thoma's abdomen.

"Ha... Ray, I'm sorry I made things so hard for you."

"I said shut up! You can repent all you want later..!" Ray's voice was muffled by tears.

Thoma chuckled as his head turned my way. "Ziya, you'll hear me out, right..?"

"Me?" What could I do for him at this moment? When I glimpsed at Ray, I wanted to agree with him, to tell Thoma not to speak, but what if this was his last chance to say what he needed to? Maybe listening to him was the best I could do for him now.

Seeing Thoma like this, I couldn't help feeling like I was failing him, and I thought maybe that was why I was crying so hard. But then I realised that my tears had come with the horrible realisation that there was nothing we could do to save him anymore. This was it. As much as it pained me, as much as I wasn't ready for any of this, I leaned closer, still holding his hand in mine. Then, I placed my free hand over his chest to reassure him, if only I could.

"Thoma... I'm listening."

Thoma's eyes flickered, the hint of a smile on his lips - right then, I felt as if I'd seen an angel of mercy, which only made my heart ache even more. "I was so stupid. Hahaha..." Thoma choked as he tried to laugh and coughed up blood again.

"Thoma!" Ray finally faced him.

"I thought... I would be special to our mom... But she treated me like I was never there. I was so jealous of Ray. Why didn't she care about me..? I wanted Mom to notice me. I'd do anything for it. I was so desperate for attention that I would even put myself in harm's way. I just wanted my mother to love me. I didn't care how twisted that love was. Being ignored like that hurt so much..." Tears welled up in Thoma's eyes. "I know it was hard for you, too. I'm sorry."

"Stop talking now." Ray's lips quivered as he hung his head low. He shifted his attention to Thoma's abdomen, but no matter what he did, blood oozed out form between his fingers. "You need to save your strength. You can talk all you want later." Ray... Thoma exhaled deeply, half in resignation, half in defiance as he chuckled toward the end of it. "I said stop it! Do you really want to die so badly?!"

Ray stood up, furious, and I quickly took over as the bottle stopper. I watched Ray's usual cool and level-headed exterior break down in a fit of frustration.

"This is on me. This is on me, Ray. Don't feel too bad about it." As Thoma spoke, Ray's chest heaved up and down as he set his hands on his hips. Don't feel too bad about it?! Is he serious? Who says that? "I always thought there was something between us. I guess the answer is clear now."

"It's not," breathed Ray. "Nothing's clear, and you're going to hold on until we figure a way out of this nightmare. If you feel so bad about it, you better live to pay for it."

"When did you get so bossy?" Thoma laughed weakly. "Back then, you were such a shy little kid. You've really grown up." Ray looked away, and I caught him balling his hands into fists. "Ziya..." Thoma looked around, eyes unfocussed. As he called for me, I lifted his hand and brought it to my cheek.

"I'm here."

"Ah..." Thoma mustered what was left of his strength into his other hand. Soon, my knuckles were covered by his palm, our hands locked as if in prayer. "Take care of Ray for me, will you?" I bit my lip. "I trust you. Please look after him for me, Ziya."

I nodded, bringing our clasped hands to my chest. "I will."

"Mom's twisted love is the only love Ray knows. Please, show him what it really means to be loved. Ray... ah..." Thoma settled himself, finding a more comfortable position as he struggled to breathe. "Aha. Please be happy, Ray." He smiled, turning to look at him.

Thoma's grip on my hand loosened and fell to the floor. He passed with a peaceful expression, eyes closed as if to let us know he had been saved in the end. I was incapable of accepting that he was gone. I wanted to tell him that he didn't need his mother's love and that it wasn't the only love Ray knew because they had each other, and they had us. No matter what, when we came to the orphanage, we weren't alone anymore. We found the truest love, we became a family. But not by blood. That thought, a reminder, invaded my conscience. I knew that I could never know what it was really like, and because of that, I understood then just how important Ray was to Thoma as a brother. I wanted to honour that, I made a promise in my heart. Thoma... leave Ray to me. I'll be by his side.

Ray and I heard faint footsteps and turned to see Licht approaching Thoma's lifeless body. "I'm sorry, Ray," he said, as he reached out to try and comfort him.

"You!" Ray grabbed Licht by the front of his shirt.

"Ray!" I fumbled up to my feet.

"What do you know?!"

"I don't -"

"Don't lie! We all saw it!" he shouted. "You had something to do with the experiment. My memories are proof of that. What the hell is this world? What is that monster? What does all this have to do with the experiment? What did you do to us?!"

Licht remained calm despite Ray's heated words. He brought up his hands, turning them over, as if to show that they're anything but dirty.

"I said spill it!" rasped Ray.

"Ray, don't!" I pleaded. I ran to them, taking hold of Ray's clenched hand over the fabric of Licht's clothes.

Ray turned to me. "You saw it, didn't you? How he wagged his tail obediently at that old man?" His sharp eyes settled back on Licht, who cast his gaze downward apologetically.

"I'm sorry. I just can't remember..."

It really didn't seem like he was lying. Ray must have noticed it, too, because he slowly let Licht go and looked away awkwardly. I was relieved to see him calming down, not that I was picking sides, but my chest still felt restricted. Even though they hadn't remembered each other, Ray had just lost his big brother. We had lost Thoma. There was no way I could have told him to chill out. We were surrounded by an uneasy silence.

"Sorry for losing my cool..." said Ray, glancing over at Licht. "But I don't know if I can trust you."

"Yeah... I understand."

Before another hostile silence could ensue, the bells began to ring, and I felt my consciousness slip away. Then, my eyes bolted open, waking up swiftly from the nightmare. The ache in my chest was still there, the tenebrosity, and I sat up immediately, knowing full well why. With Ray's name on my tongue, I scrambled to get out of bed, passing Subaru's side before I could tell if he was awake or not.

Ray needs help right now.

My footsteps echoed as I dashed towards the hallway, but then I paused, not sure which way to turn, which room they were in.

"It's down the right side, Ziya," Subaru instructed, and I gave him an affirmative nod.

I found the room at the end of the hall and called for Ray, but no one responded. I knocked, holding my breath, denying what I knew I'd find on the other side of the door. A moment later, I decided to give the door knob a try, and to my surprise, the door opened. I entered into the darkened room, all the light from outside was blocked out by the blinds.

"Ray? Thoma?" I took a step, feeling the oppressive air beneath my feet, and soon, I found Ray sitting on the bed, hunched over and motionless. Next to his bed lied Thoma. No one needed to ask what was wrong.

He's really gone... Thoma's gone.

I threw myself at Ray's feet, peering into his face only to find him frozen stiff. "Ray? Ray, it's me." I nudged his knee, trying to shake him back to reality, but he only pursed his lips in reply, as if trying to hold back his feelings. Seeing him look this painfully empty... I felt tears well up in my eyes. "I'm so sorry..." I uttered the only words of comfort I knew, reaching for him. "I'm so sorry, Ray."

There was no way I could tell him, "I know how you feel." The only thing I could do was this; I wrapped my arms around him, channelling all the strength I had to give.

"I know it hurts." I couldn't take that hurt away. I could only remind him that he was not in this alone. "Let it out, Ray. You don't need to hold back. You can borrow my shoulder. Cry as much as you need to. When you're down and out, I'll be there for you - I am here for you. I'll accept all of your feelings. All of them..."

Ray stirred in my hold, shoulders shaking under the torrent of emotion. I stroked the back of his hair, hoping it might help reassure him at the very least. Ray whimpered, finally letting the tears he's been holding back spill onto my shirt. I felt the wetness on my skin, and he clutched my back, once again hanging onto me as if his life depended on it.

"Ziya..." his voice was raspy as he called for me, but it tugged on my heartstrings with both bitterness and relief.

"I'm with you... I'm with you." He clung onto me for a while longer, more relaxed than when I first held him. "You're not alone, Ray."

"Ziya..." Once more, my name was all that managed to leave his lips. I could feel his warm tears seep through my blouse as my own began to stream down my cheeks. I embraced him tightly. I didn't know how long we stayed like that before Ray lifted his head. "Ahh... Pretend you didn't see that."

"I can't do that," I told him. Ray sighed, lowering his hand from his face, which was reddened and streaked with tears. But he didn't seem to be ashamed of it now. "That's right. Look at me. You don't have to be embarrassed about showing your emotions."

Ray sniffed, looking towards the ceiling, and then back at me. "I really can't win against you." He reached out and ruffled my hair.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Not quite."

Ray's honesty put a faint, appreciative smile on my face, as I took him into my arms again. This time, he sank deeper, burrowing his chin against my neck.

"Take all the time you need."

Ray settled in my embrace like the little child he once was. I promised Thoma I'd look out for him. You're never alone, Ray. I turned my head to see Subaru's back through the gap in the open door. I had wondered where he was. He's being considerate. His quiet kindness showed through. Did he know that Ray needed him, too?

A few untracked minutes passed by. Having recovered for now, Ray took his phone out to call the police and report Thoma's death. Then, he looked back at us, eyes shining with conviction. But somewhere beneath that was a gleam of something more ominous and heady. Something like rage.

"Let's go," he said - his eyes narrowed, sharp as his words. "I'll find out who was in charge and make them pay."