the truth(10)

The infinite void pulsed softly around them, flickering as if responding to the emotions of the group. Dakota stood in front, his arms crossed, watching the memory unfold before him. The others stood behind him, shifting uncomfortably.

Ava narrowed her eyes at the scene playing out.

Ava:

"Dakota… I don't get it. This girl—Lisa—she doesn't look evil. Not even a little. She looks like a normal girl, maybe even a good person."

Luna crossed her arms, nodding in agreement.

Luna:

"Yeah. I mean, in this world, she's done horrible things. She's part of Blazer's group, right? She's one of the enemies we fought in the Dungeon of Wish and Terror. But here, in this memory… she doesn't seem bad at all."

Henry clenched his fists.

Henry:

"Did she really do something evil? Because right now, she just looks like some random high school girl."

Mia sighed, rubbing the back of her head.

Mia:

"I hate to say it, but they have a point, Dakota. I get that you don't like her, and I trust your judgment, but… I don't see any signs of her being evil."

Dakota exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable.

Dakota:

"Look, guys, I know. I thought the same thing when I first met her. I even thought maybe she was a good person. But trust me—" (his voice darkened) "that woman is evil. I know it because I saw it. Her actions, everything she did in high school was unforgivable. What she did to Ethan… especially Ethan… that's something I'll never forget."

Lucas, who had been quietly watching, narrowed his eyes. A strange feeling swirled in his chest—something he couldn't quite name.

Lucas:

"Really? Well… to be honest, Dakota, I might actually agree with you here. The emotions I feel towards her… they're not good at all."

The group turned to him, curious.

Lucas:

"I don't know why, but when I look at her, I feel disgusted. Angry. Like I'm filled with rage just from seeing her face. But at the same time… I feel something else. Something that I can't explain. But mostly, all I feel is hatred."

Mia and Ava exchanged glances.

Mia:

"That's… intense."

Ava:

"Yeah, and kinda weird, considering you only met her at the Dungeon of Wish and Terror. Why would you feel that strongly about her?"

Lucas frowned.

Lucas:

"Exactly. Why do I feel this way? I don't even know her like that. So why…?"

Dakota turned to him, his golden eyes unreadable.

Dakota:

"Lucas, I can't tell you the answer yet. But after these memories end, you'll probably understand everything."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Lucas didn't say anything. He just clenched his fists and stared at the floating memory in front of them.

Mia:

"Well… hopefully, we will."

And with that, the memory continued playing.

The school grounds were bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. Students walked past, laughing and chatting, while Michael and his friends sat on a bench near the school entrance.

Lisa stood beside Ethan, smiling as she listened to their conversation.

Marie raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.

Marie:

"Okay, Lisa, I've got to ask—how did you and Ethan even meet?"

Lisa chuckled softly, glancing at Ethan.

Lisa:

"It's actually kind of funny. I was reading in the library one day, and he kept sneaking glances at me. Eventually, I just asked him why he was staring, and well…"

Ethan smirked.

Ethan:

"She was cute. What else can I say?"

The group groaned.

Michael:

"God, you two are disgustingly adorable."

Marie:

"I think I'm going to be sick."

Lisa giggled, but she didn't seem embarrassed. Instead, she looked genuinely happy.

Lisa:

"Ethan's always been really sweet to me."

Ethan:

"And you're amazing, Lisa."

Michael rolled his eyes.

Michael:

"Alright, alright, we get it, lovebirds. Moving on—Lisa, you're pretty smart, right? I heard you're at the top of your class."

Lisa nodded.

Lisa:

"Yeah, I study a lot. But I heard you're a genius, Michael. Is that true?"

Michael shrugged.

Michael:

"I guess. People say that a lot."

Lisa tilted her head.

Lisa:

"But why? Were you always like this? Or did something happen that made you this smart?"

Michael frowned slightly. His instincts twitched. The question seemed innocent, but something about it made his skin crawl. He masked his discomfort with a smirk.

Michael:

"Honestly? I don't really know. I guess I'm just naturally smart."

Lisa studied him for a moment before nodding.

Lisa:

"I see."

Michael's instincts flared again.

Something felt off.

For a brief second, he felt like she was analyzing him, as if she were testing him. But the moment passed, and Lisa just smiled warmly, returning to her conversation with Ethan.

Michael pushed the thought aside. Maybe he was just overthinking things.

The group continued to talk and joke around as the sun dipped lower into the horizon. The conversation was lighthearted, but Michael couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Then Lisa spoke again.

Lisa:

"Hey, guys, how about you all come visit my parents' house?"

The group turned to her in surprise.

Emily:

"Wait, really? You want all of us to come over?"

Lisa nodded.

Lisa:

"Yeah! My parents love meeting my friends. I think you guys would get along with them."

Michael felt a chill crawl up his spine.

His instincts screamed at him.

Something wasn't right.

Something terrible was about to happen.

He looked at Lisa. She was still smiling, her black eyes warm and kind.

But deep in his gut, Michael knew—

This was the moment where everything would change.

The memory froze.

Back in the void, Dakota's group stood in complete silence.

Lucas clutched his head. A splitting headache hit him, his vision distorting.

Mia placed a hand on his shoulder.

Mia:

"Lucas? You okay?"

Lucas's breathing was heavy. His hands were shaking.

Lucas:

"I… I don't know. My head just started hurting out of nowhere."

Dakota narrowed his eyes.

Dakota (thinking):

It's starting, he's going to gain his memories back, a little by little.