the truth(17)

(The memory begins again. The shadows of the dungeon flicker and fade, replaced by the warm sunlight of a peaceful afternoon. A small town park stretches before them—green grass swaying in the breeze, children playing, people chatting, and the soft hum of life filling the air.)

(Michael walks beside Ethan and their other friends, his hands stuffed into his pockets. His face is tense, as if he's trying to find the right words.)

Michael:

"Hey… Ethan. Can we talk?"

(Ethan, who had been sipping a soda, glances over, raising an eyebrow. Michael rarely sounded this hesitant.)

Ethan:

"Uh, sure? What's up?"

(Michael exhales, running a hand through his hair. He looks around at the others—Alex, Marie, Emily—all waiting for him to speak.)

Michael:

"Look, I just… I just wanted to apologize. I screwed up."

(Ethan tilts his head, confused.)

Ethan:

"Huh?"

Michael:

"About Lisa. I was convinced she was… I don't know. That she was dangerous or hiding something terrible. I thought I had it all figured out. But I was wrong. I judged her too quickly, and I treated you like you were making a mistake by trusting her. And that was messed up."

(The group is silent for a moment. Ethan stares at Michael, processing his words. Then, slowly, a smirk tugs at his lips.)

Ethan:

"Huh. Well, look at you. Mr. 'I'm always right' actually admitting he was wrong for once. That's a rare sight."

(Michael groans, shaking his head.)

Michael:

"Yeah, yeah, get your laughs in. I deserve it."

Ethan (grinning):

"Damn right, you do. But… thanks, man. I appreciate it."

(Emily crosses her arms, smirking.)

Emily:

"Wow, Michael actually apologizing? This really must be a dream."

Alex:

"Or the world's ending."

(They all laugh, the tension lifting. The warmth of the afternoon sun makes everything feel lighthearted, as if the dark thoughts that had once plagued Michael were finally beginning to fade.)

(Soon after, the group finds themselves sitting on a park bench, talking about nothing in particular. Ethan is mid-sentence when a familiar voice suddenly interrupts him.)

Lisa:

"Hey, Ethan!"

(The group turns to see Lisa walking toward them. She looks as cheerful as ever, her blonde hair catching the sunlight. Ethan blinks in surprise.)

Ethan:

"Oh, hey, Lisa. What's up?"

(Lisa stops in front of him, hands on her hips, smiling brightly.)

Lisa:

"Why don't we go on a date?"

(Silence.)

(Ethan's drink nearly slips from his hand. His face turns red in an instant, and his brain seems to short-circuit.)

Ethan:

"W-What?"

Lisa (tilting her head):

"What do you mean, what? I said, why don't we go on a date?"

(Michael, Alex, Emily, and Marie exchange glances before grinning.)

Michael:

"Oh?"

Alex:

"Oh-ho~?"

(Marie and Emily barely hold back their laughter as Ethan stammers, his face practically glowing.)

Ethan:

"I-I… Uh… A date? Like, a real date?"

Lisa:

"Yeah, obviously."

(Ethan looks like he might actually pass out. He glances at Michael and the others, as if hoping for help, but they just smirk at him.)

Ethan (clearing his throat, attempting to be cool but failing miserably):

"Uh… okay. Yeah. Let's do it."

Lisa (grinning):

"Great! Let's go!"

Michael (smirking):

"Well, you two enjoy your date. I hope it goes well."

(Marie leans toward Ethan, whispering teasingly.)

Ava:

"Don't mess it up, loverboy."

(Ethan groans, burying his face in his hands before following Lisa.)

(They end up at a quiet, cozy café near the park. The atmosphere is warm, with the scent of coffee and fresh pastries filling the air. Lisa and Ethan sit across from each other, the tension slowly fading as they talk.)

Lisa:

"So, why do you look so surprised? Did you really never expect me to ask you out?"

(Ethan rubs the back of his neck, chuckling.)

Ethan:

"Honestly? No. I mean, I never thought you'd… you know, actually be into me."

Lisa (raising an eyebrow):

"Why not?"

Ethan (shrugging):

"I don't know. You're just… kind of out of my league?"

(Lisa rolls her eyes, laughing softly.)

Lisa:

"You're ridiculous. I wouldn't have asked you out if I didn't like you, you know?"

(Ethan stares at her for a moment, then smiles.)

Ethan:

"Yeah… I guess you're right."

(They spend the rest of the date talking, sharing stories, and teasing each other. It's natural, effortless. And for the first time in a long while, Ethan feels truly at ease.)

(As they leave the café, the sun starts to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Lisa stretches her arms and glances at Ethan.)

Lisa:

"Well, that was fun. We should do it again sometime."

(Ethan, still slightly flustered, nods.)

Ethan:

"Yeah. I'd like that."

(Lisa grins.)

Lisa:

"Good. Then it's a date."

(Ethan's face turns red again, and Lisa giggles before walking ahead. He watches her for a moment before shaking his head with a small smile, following after her.)

(The memory fades. The warmth of the café, the golden sunset—everything vanishes. The dungeon shelter comes back into focus, the flickering fire casting eerie shadows on the stone walls.)

(Lucas grips his head, his expression twisted in confusion.)

Lucas:

"Damn, this is familiar. Just… what is happening?"

(The others watch him silently as he presses his fingers against his temple, his frustration growing.)

Lucas:

"I don't get it. My mind is full of strange things. My mind hurts, but what is this feeling I'm getting? Why does it feel so familiar? Just… what is happening?"

(He grits his teeth, shaking his head in frustration.)

Lucas:

"God damn it, this is annoying me."

(The fire crackles. No one speaks. And deep in their hearts, they all know—something about this isn't just a simple memory.)

Dakota thinking: this must be truly annoying huh... Sucks for you Lucas, but bear with it, because when you get your memories back... Actually he'll probably suffer even more now that I think about it, and I will too since me and him are going to have a long talk... And of course with the others too.