~Disclaimer~ this isn"t my original story, this is a self insert story adaptation based on the otome game Nocturne of Nightmares by Genuis Inc. you can play it for yourself in the Google play store. and if you like it check out their other fantastic games.

Your young woman whose childhood was always a blur for some reason. No matter how hard you try, you can never quite remember it.

One day after falling into a deep sleep, you wake up terrified in a dark, creepy world. But you"re not alone. You find yourself trapped in this nightmare world along with a few attractive strangers. Yet, they all seem vaguely familiar. Who are these guys? And why does your heart hurt so badly when you look at them, especially Licht?

However, there"s no time to think about that when heart-wrenching apparitions of childhood begin suddenly appearing one after the other. But, before you can even process what is appearing in front of your eyes, a hideous monster shows up out of nowhere. It"s dead set to destroy you. Yet, strangely...even the monster seems to be suffering. What could this mean?

You run for your life scared and confused. Before you can unravel these mysteries, you wake up in a cold sweat. Only for the cycle to repeat itself every night when the bell tolls ten. What is going on? Why is this happening?

You agree to meet those strangely familiar young men in the real world to figure out a way to stop the cycle. It seems the nightmares are somehow connected to your shrouded past. Unfortunately, you also find out that if you die in the nightmare world...you die in the real world.

Will you survive the night? Will you solve the mystery? Can you put an end to this life-threatening cycle of nightmares? Or will you be forever tormented by your past? Ready or not, embark on an emotional journey of self-discovery, friendship, love, and survival!

"Aaah, why did the professor have to give us homework?" My best friend Anna mentioned walking back home.

"I want to spend the weekend shopping, not answering assignments!" She complained.

I chimed in with her stating.

" yeah, I wanted to catch up on my TV shows too."

We continued walking and talking about the plans for the weekend and nothing else important till we reach the intersection.

"Well I am gonna go this way." Anna said pointing at the direction she is gonna go.

I nodded and waved.

"Alright, I see you later."

I continue to wave goodbye to Anna till she crosses the intersection, we've been friends from the start of my university classes. A while ago after I graduated from high school, my friends and buddies all moved far away for their university. We still chat here and there online, but it still makes me feel rather lonely.

I started back to walking home, thinking back about my childhood.

I don't really remember my friends when I was little, do I?..

My memories of my childhood has always been a blur. The only feeling I get is, that something is missing, I know there must be something but I don't know what it could be, I can't recall much of anything, not a lot anyways.

I don't have any memories of when I was a child. Did I have friends? Did I have hobbies? Did I get a bunch of toys like other normal kids? The answer is I don't know. Sometimes I ponder on this from time to time, but everytime I do all I feel is indescribable emptiness, but....

"I'm Home!" I yelled when I entered through the front door of my house.

" Hello (Y/N)!" My parents replied greeting me. Both in unison but from different locations.

I took a deep breath smelling something delicious.

"Something smells good." I stated.

"Doesn't it?" My dad chimed in, bubbly as ever.

He walked over and sat down on the couch, then looking at me before saying.

"Your mom's making curry tonight."

And just like that my mom popped her head out of the kitchen pointing her ladle at me and said.

" (Y/N), I filled the bathtub up for you, so you should clean up before dinner."

"Okay! Sure!" I said more enthusiasticly than should.

I make my way up to my room, but the smell of the curry is making me really hungry.

Yeah, I admit, from time to time I do feel empty, but whenever I see the smiling faces of my parents....

"(Y/N)! Dinners ready!" My mom spoke.

.... It makes me feel really lucky.

"Coming!" I replied back, heading down for dinner.

A little while later, my parents went to bed, while I stayed in the living room to watch my shows. I peeked at the clock, reading 9:45 PM.

"Its almost time." I said smiling almost giddy.

A few more seconds past, and I could feel the tiredness of the day weighing itself on me, but feeling determine to watch my shows, so i slap my cheeks to keep myself awake.

"Not now (Y/N), you can't fall asleep right now, you've waited for this new episode for a whole week. " I said to myself, to try and motivate myself to keep awake.

I sat down on the couch and snuggling myself into the corner of it, watching the TV as the commercials run. A few minutes later I could feel my eyes slowly closing, my eyelids feeling heavy.

No...

I blink hard and open my eyes wide to contain my sleepiness as much as I can.

I need to know what happens next!

But before I realized it, the TV screen started to get distort, my vision blurring and the images askewing on the screen. Then just spontaneously, a ring of bell, sounding, almost echoing in my ears.

What is this sound?

My vision gets more blurry and hazy, to the point all I see is just a bright light.

What is this? I don't want to fall asleep just yet, I... I can't!

Despite all the efforts I made, and the attempts to keep awake were all in vain, as I slowly and surely felt myself dozing off, and not long before I knew it, I was out like a light.

Then I opened my eyes, seeing nothing but pure black and darkness surrounding me.

"Huh? What just happened?" I softly asked myself. Unsure whats going on.

Am I in my room?

Unsure of the circumstances, my breath catches in my throat, a unsettling feeling slowly creeping up.

Something is not right.

I take slow and steady deep breaths, to calm my shaking nerves, trying every ounce of being to not panic.

After a while, my eyes slowly started to adjust to the dark.

Where the hell am I?

I don't know why, or how, but I started getting a feeling of familiarity.

Didn't I fall asleep in the living room though?

I twisted my body to the side. I froze when my eyes widen at what they were looking at. I nearly felt my heart jumping out of my chest. Next to me I see a figure of a young man fast asleep.

What in the world?

As confusion and curiosity took over me, I peeped down to have a closer look at him. He was out to the world, seemingly peacefully.

He seems harmless.

"E-Excuse me..." I spoke up softly in caution.

I reached to his shoulders and lightly shake him. I can hear him audioably groaning while his eyebrows scrunch together.

"Hey, wake up." I spoke again, a little louder to be heard but still quite.

"Mmmnng..." He groaned.

His eyes slowly flutter open as he tries to sit up.

"Where...?" He spoke looking at the room, seemingly confused.

I sat up straightly looking at him.

"Um... Do you know where we are? I suddenly woke up here and..." I tried speaking.

Assumingly hearing me, he slowly turned and looked at me, and when he did, I was left speechless. His straight down, curly at the end white hair, dazzling heterochromia eyes, a blue and red mix, being astonished by his uniqueness, I left out a small gasp.

"Wow." I exclaimed quite, nearly a whisper.

With a impulse I stated.

"Your eyes are so beautiful."

Seemingly startled by my complement, he hurriedly covers his face with his hands.

"No, don't look!" He slightly yelled.

Feeling bad for saying something he must of not liked I responded.

"Oh, I am sorry.."

Did I accidentally say something to offend him?

I tried to reach out to him but he turns away from me.

"Stay away from me."

"But-"

Just as I was gonna respond a another male voice pops up.

"Man, you're so damn loud."

Startled, I jump in surprise. I slowly look over my shoulder to see another red haired male staring down at me.

He looks terrifying!

"The hell are you being so nosy for, huh?"

Scared I quickly replied stuttering.

"I-i am sorry!"

Out of no where a loud yawn echos through out the room. In the corner another man, stands up stretching, his mouth wide open in a yawn.

"What time is it?" He asked sleepily rubbing the back of his light brown hair.

"Hmm? Its still dark?" He questioned but it seemed more like to himself.

"Can we go back to sleep?" He ask looking at us.

After a few minutes it had seemingly dawned on him.

"Aaah!!! Where am I?! Who are you people?!" He yelled in a panic.

A another person, a woman suddenly wakes up in a panic cause of the commotion.

So there is five of us? Why though?

Five complete strangers, taken to a complete strange place. Something feels wrong about this, really fishy.

The red hair male spoke up.

"Hey, hey, calm down." He spoke in a gentle voice, seemingly trying to soothe the panicked woman.

"I think we are all in the same boat here, but why are we here?" He questioned.

"I-i can't be here! I have a date tomorrow! I have to get home." The woman freaked out more.

"Everybody settle down!"

The red haired, varsity jacket male takes charge of this sudden situation. I stood up to get a better look at him, but before I can he moved to the center of the room.

"Does anyone have any idea where we are?" He asked looking at everyone.

The brown hair male looked at the Red haired in surprised.

"Jeez, why are you starting with that? Shouldn't we get know each other first, before interrogating us?" He said smiling at each of us.

That's nice of him, he's trying to make everyone feel at ease.

Not long after the tension in the room subsides.

"I am Thoma." The brown haired male introduce himself putting his hands in his blue jacket.

Everyone looked at him without saying a word.

"I am (Y/N)." I decided to introduce myself.

"Oh nice to meet you (Y/N)."

The brown radish hair woman speaks up.

"Oh well then my turn. I'm Monica. I am fashion design student, and I already have a very cool boyfriend!" She exclaimed happily.

"But ahh I miss him right now." He spoke the last part softly.

There's is something childlike in Monica's charm. It's kinda.... Adorable.

"Sure you do, Haha." Thoma speaks up chuckling.

The red hair speaks up.

"Names Ray."

I looked at him in confusion.

That's it??

I would be lying to myself if I didn't say I was expecting something more, more dramatic or something.

He seems pretty bossy, but not very talkative.

Ray must have caught me staring at him cause he turned his head towards me.

"Wh-what?" I speak up awkwardly.

"You there. The sooner you speak the sooner we can plan things out." He spoke to me in a somewhat aggressive manner

Oh...

I noticed some movement from the corner of my eyes, I look over and see the white hair Heterochromia eyes standing up. He slowly but surely let his hands down, revealing the shine in his eyes.

I really did mean what I said, his eyes are just beautiful.

"My name is Subaru."

Subaru, huh....

For reason his name strikes a chord within me. He lightly glances at me, his red eye glimmering from behind his bangs.

There is something oddly familiar about those eyes of his.

I tried my hardest to think back to when I have seen them before, but I have no recollection to ever meeting him.

Am I just imagining things??

"Now that we got to know each other, things are little less scary aren't they?" Thoma spoke give a small smile chuckling, ending me up smiling with him.

Well that was a fact the atmosphere was extremely tense earlier. I am glad someone cheerful like Thoma is here to make it better.

"Right, now we got to know each other, lets get to the matter at hand and figure out where we are and why. So everyone gather around." Ray spoke up.

We all huddled together on the floor together in a circle.

"Has anyone ever been here before?" Ray asked us.

I look around the room, scanning it from one corner to the other. The room is a pretty average looking bedroom, of course aside from the fact, its dark with a blood moon shining brightly outside, illuminating us.

Nothing seems to abnormal, or strange, but I got a odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. Should I mention it though? With everything going on?

"Nope, not me." Thoma answered.

"Me neither, this place is way too creepy for my taste." Monica responded.

Ray turns his attention to Subaru, in return, he just shakes his head, then he turns to me.

"Well, not really but...." I started off

"But?"

"I just have this gut feeling, but I guess it's not much helpful information, is it?"

Of course as expected Ray doesn't say a word, till.

"Can you tell me what was the last thing you were doing before you came here?"

Monica excitedly giggles.

"I was snuggling with my boyfriend, it was very warm and cozy." Monica spoke all giggly, cupping her cheeks as she blushes.

"Hehe, this is so embarrassing. We were on the couch and-"

"Aha okay, Me next." Thoma interrupted Monica

"I remember browsing the internet, getting ready to sleep. Nothing unusual to mind you."

Yeah that is pretty normal. Mine was bassically the same way, I was deteremind to watch my TV show till I got sleepy.

" I was on the couch waiting for the newest episode of my favourite show on TV. It come on around 10, which is rather late then i am suppose to be up."

"10 at night?" Ray ask surprisingly.

I nod and Ray places his finger under his nose as if he is thinking of something.

"Now that you mention it, it was about the same time for me as well." Thoma butted in saying.

Ah that can be a clue.

"Something was ringing as well." Subaru calmly claim.

"In my ears." He finished

"Yes, I had that happen to me as well." I boldly related to him.

"Yeah it was a bit painful if I remember." Thoma agreed.

When the bell suddenly strikes 10 o'clock I suddenly became very sleepy.

"What about you Monica?" Ray asked

"I don't really remember well, but maybe? I was sitting with my boyfriend."

"Enough about you boyfriend."

Monica pouts glaring at Ray.

Haha, she does seem obsessed with him.

"You simply don't understand a sensibility of a woman in love Ray." Thoma spoke

"I don't need to know, its not important right now." Ray snapped at Thoma.

Thoma just shrugs, looking at me, making a face teasingly mocking Ray. I would have laughed but by my better judgment I bit my lower lip to contain my laughter.

I don't know if it is just me, but Ray and Thoma seem like they know each other a lot, or Thoma just likes teasing everyone.

Ray purses his lips together and lean back folds his arms across his chest as in deep thought.

"So we have already pinpointed three things about this situation."

Ray drops his arms putting them over his shins.

"First, that non of us has ever been here before, second we all begin feeling sleepy at 10 o'clock, and lastly we all experience some sort of tinnitus."

"Tinni-what?" Monica asked looking at Ray confused.

"Its a medical term for the ringing in our ears we experience." Subaru spoke up.

"Oh that sounds really smart." Thoma smiled

I curiously turned and looked at Ray.

I wanted to ask how he knew that word, but I don't think he would reply to me if I asked him. He then turns to Subaru clearly a bit impressed.

"are you a med student as well?" Ray asked him

"no." he replied simply.

Oh so Ray is a med student, that makes sense now, and Subaru seems to know a lot himself.

Then out of no where Thoma slaps Ray's leg.

"what about you Ray, what where you doing?" He asked him

In annoyance Ray abruptly yanked his long legs out of the way.

" I was studying of course."

"What? that is so boring. Who studies on a Friday night?"

"yeah!" Monica exclaimed butting into their conversation.

The atmosphere feels a lot less chilled and tense with Thoma and Monica around, I don't know if that should be a good thing or a bad thing.

"Friday nights are suppose to be for fun!" Monica continued on.

" I know, right? Partying with friends, drinking booze, getting wasted, that is the whole point." The two of them then share a high five that makes me smile.

At least we are all getting along just fine.

"If you have time for idle chit chat, then you have time to give insight of this situation we have all been thrown into." Ray annoyingly yelled at them two, clearly pissed.

I turn to look at the others, but they seem to be out of ideas.

Have they really not noticed?

"Hey, guys listen. We came here at a certain time, correct?" I stated

They all look at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue.

"But there isn't any clocks here. "

Everyone looked a bit surprised at my sudden statement, so I kept on.

"After we sat together, I looked around the room, and that was one of the things that stuck out to me."

Their eyes then started to scan the rooms looking for the clocks.

"Wow, you're right. I've been wondering what time it was for a while, but I kept on forgetting to ask though." Thoma stated

"Is it because..." Subaru started off looking down.

He looks up his face lighting up in the dark as if he is experiencing a moment in clarity.

"Does anyone have a watch?" He asked us

Ray immediately puts his right arm forward reveling his watch. We all looked at each other, thinking the exact same thing.

"Okay then, lets take a look shall we." Ray speaks.

We all hold our breaths in anticipation, as we slowly lean in to confirm our suspicions.

"Its.... Dead." Subaru whispered lightly but enough for us to hear him

The hand on Ray's watch tell a time, but it ain't moving what so ever, the watch stopped at 10.

"Oh boy, now we have absolutely no sense of time now." I whined a bit

It almost feels like our last thread of hope has suddenly snapped. Dread washes over me as a brief silence takes over the room.

"I am trying to make sense of this. We all came here after we fell asleep, but is this some sort of dream, or are we in like a different universe?" Thoma asked worryingly.

" A different universe?" I repeat the same question confusingly.

" Time is a construct. It's physically impossible to freeze time, given the laws of physics on Earth. The only way we can stop time, theoretically, would have to be in a place where the scientific laws allow it, but lack of clocks doesn't necessarily mean time has stopped. I could also mean time is still running, we just don't know how quickly." Thoma finished

Ray looked at him a bit astonished.

" That has to be the most sensible thing you have said since we woken up."

"Hey, I may not be as diligent as you, but I know my way around science." Thoma retorted Rays statement.

"I mean, you are not wrong, you're quite onto something, but..."

"We're just here." Subaru cut off Ray finishing the sentence.

"I was just gonna say that." Ray folds his arms again.

"What do you mean?" Being confused I asked them this.

Ray then answers my question.

"Traveling to a different dimension would require deliberate effort, but we didn't do anything."

"Right, we'd need to create a rift in space and go through it like you would a portal." Thoma joined in

"Well, I'm not exactly the top student in my physics class, so, tearing through space and bending time isn't my specialty." I mentioned awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck.

Thoma just laughs at my statement

"You're funny! haha, I like that."

"So, wait, are you basically saying we are on Earth, but not on earth? I am so confused. I just wanna go home!" Monica whined

"This is more likely to be a dream more than anything." Ray stated.

Sooner than later silence once again takes over the room, just when I was about to break the silence.

"eheehehehehe!"

Out of the blue, a little girl's laugh fills the room with a eeriness. Indescribable terror and fear takes over my body, freezing me in place.

"W-wh-what was that?"

"ehehehehehee!"

The sounds of the little girls laughter grows louder by the second.

"I don't like this anymore." Monica stated, obviously freaking out, clinging onto Thoma's arm for some sort of comfort.

The eerie laughter kept growing louder, I desperately resist the urge the panic, knowing it wouldn't do any of us good, especially Monica. Just as I was clenching my fist, the laughter suddenly stops, leaving it in complete horrifying silence.

Immediately, I have a sense that something was coming from the door, the only door in this room. Everyone stares motionless at the door, waiting for what ever to come. My heart racing from the sheer sense of fear, anticipation, and dread. Then suddenly, the door slowly creaks. Everyone stared a what seems to be a little girl with red hair, standing in front of the door. Things started to get even more freaky as she approaches us with a unfaltering smile.

"Oh boy, this is starting to creep me out." Thoma whispered

As the door opens slowly, the little girl's laughter grows even louder than before.

"Ehehee! Do you want to come with me?"

Its only just kid, right? At least, that's what I kept telling myself, but I can't seem to shake off the fear and anxiety.

Wh-What is going on here?

"Who are you?" Ray spoke up

"Ehehehee!"

"Maybe she wants us to follow her?" Monica stated

Monica slowly lets go of Thoma's arm, looking intently at the little girl in front of us. Monica's eyes looked somewhat vacant.

"Monica, Wait!" I yelled at her

"Hee hee!"

"Do you know where we are?" Monica asked the little girl

but she doesn't answer instead she smiles and then turns and walks away.

"No, wait!" Monica called out

Before anyone of us could stop her from going, Monica gets up and runs out the door.

"Monica!" I yelled for her

She was out of sight, and we are all at a loss on what to do.

She really shouldn't go running off like that, let alone by herself.

Just when I was about to speak.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Just like that, a shrill cry of fright was heard, making us even more freaked out than before, I gulp and spoke up quitely.

"Th-That was Monica!"

I get to my feet quickly to go after her, but Thoma catches my arm before I can.

"Lets not do anything rash. Don't be reckless."

"But-"

"We have no idea what where dealing with at the moment (Y/N). The best thing we can do right now is stick together. " Ray explains

He's right. Nothing good will come from me trying to go out alone. I need to calm and get ahold of myself before I do something I will regret.

Thoma lets go of my arm slowly as Ray explains more.

"We all came here scared and confused, so lets do what we can for each other, okay?"

My eyes widen at his sincere words for minute

I didn't think Ray knew how to be so encouraging.

"Okay... I just hope Monica is okay."

"Right, lets head out and investigate this, Take what you can to protect yourselves, or something to use as a weapon."

We cautiously make our way outside into a black empty hallway, I found myself a baseball bat inside of the room, while the guys each armed themselves with random objects.

"What am I gonna do with this book, whack someone on the head with knowledge?" Thoma whispered holding a book.

"In that case, you should use it on yourself too." Ray whispered at Thoma's complaining.

"Subaru, are you alright there?" I whispered looking behind me seeing Subaru holding a plunger,

He doesn't answer but just nods.

"Everyone stay closed." Ray stated.

We continue cautiously trudge through the darkness, before long we started to hear sounds. As approaching closer we started to hear horrendous crunching sounds. We nod silently at each other and apprehensively turn around the corner. I gasp at the sight before us, to contain any screaming I put a hand over my mouth, shaking, terrified at what is before us.

A human leg is splattered on the floor, all covered in blood, and just next to it is a terrifyingly hideous monster. It stood tall, faces coming from its body, mouth a gap with sharp fangs bloodied, a eye centered of it, standing on four arm looking limps.

"Hungry..."

"What the hell is that?!" Thoma exclaimed just as terrified as me.

"Mommy... I'm.... Hungry..." The monster mutters and moans, the voice distorted, sending chills right through my body. The dismember limp starts moving as if its being pulled by someone.

"Help me, mommy. I'm hungry."

The shadow moves, revealing Monica's bloodied limp body.

Oh my God

I still keep my hand covered, trying my best not to scream out so badly.

N-no

"That's..." Ray trailed off

I'm stunned at what I'm seeing, before me is hideous creature, its teeth sharp and bloody, Monica lies dead, but the space besides her unfolds in a bright light.

Monica's..... dead? Just a little while ago, she was happily going on and on about her boyfriend and now she's...

The sounds of the monster's teeth munching, grinding and crunching of the bones and flesh echoes through the hallway. Everyone's probably thinking the exact same thing as me, unable to accept the facts right in front of our eyes, we just stare on Monica's dead massacred body. Then suddenly, a strange mist appears next to her body, and a little girl materializes from the mist.

"Hee Hee!"

It is the same little girl that Monica ran after, she's smiling happily as she rushes into a man's arms.

"Daddy! Hee Hee!"

" Monica! How's my little girl."

"Monica? What the heck is going on?" I asked myself questioning of the sight I am seeing before me.

In confusion, I turn and look at Ray.

"Does this mean that these were Monica's childhood memories all this time?" He spoke

Monica and her dad are smiling happily, their joyful expressions are very sharp contrast to the tragedy we witnessed on the ground.

"Are we being shown her memories?" I ponder.

"Hmm...maybe, but for now..." Ray started and trailed off, him turning and glaring at the monster.

Then the monster scowls at us like we are next on it's menu.

Just as I was about to panic, Subaru spoke up more of rushed sorta way.

"We should get out of here!"

"Hey, that's my line! Let's Go" Ray complained running back to the same room we woke up in, but my legs won't stop shaking.

Oh, come on! Run (Y/N), run!

I tried my best to take a step back as the monster approaches me.

"Graaahhh!!" The monster howled a spine chilling scream.

Ray looks back at me.

"What are you doing?! We gotta get outta here!" I grit my teeth, and turned around.

What was that? Why is this happening?

Mustering as much strength as I can to not break down and cry, I followed them.

"Hurry (Y/N)!" Ray yelled at me stretching out his hand for me to grab, and I run faster as I could to catch up.

Right when I get close enough to reach out for his hand.

"AH!" I screamed, the bells ringing in my ears again, sleepiness overtaking me.

No! Wait! I can't go to sleep right now! Not here! Not Now!

The ringing get louder in my ears, I squeeze my eyes shut, the last thing I feel is the light brush of Ray's skin on my fingertips.

"And now for our local news...

I am awakened by the sounds sirens blaring.

"Hmm?" I groaned rubbing my eyes and looking around

"Did I sleep here all night last night?" I asked myself.

"... A young woman was found dead this morning..."

The news from the TV keeps playing as I try my hardest to recall what was happening last night.

"... the victim, Monica Collins, was-"

I sudden froze at the mentioned name.

Monica?

I jumped up grabbed the remote and turned the volume up so I don't miss a thing.

"... Monica Collins was found dead in her partner's bedroom earlier this morning. The circumstances regarding this mysterious case are currently being investigated by local police."

I stare hard at the television, my heart beating hard and fast.

She was... in my dream...

I stand there, mouth agape, not believe what is happening and questioning how. There is absolutely no way this is all just coincidental, but wasn't it all just a bad dream? A indescribable feeling of dread and uneasiness shudders straight through my body.

I still can't believe it, or maybe I just don't want to believe it, unable to come up with an explanation for what is happening, all I can do is stare aimlessly at the television.

"It can't be the same girl.." I said to myself

"The police are looking at the possibility of murder..."

I turn my back, my throat becoming dry.

"... They're also not ruling out an undiagnosed condition, considering the damage on her neural functions..."

"What on this ever living green earth is going on?"

Soon the noise from the TV fades as I make my way to the kitchen to get something to drink.

"Neural damage?"

I take a cup putting it under the tap turning it on, absentmindedly filling my cup. The water soon starts to overflow from my cup.

"Monica was... eaten by that monster."

But I thought it was just a really bad dream?

"Did all of that.... actually happen?"

I close my eyes tightly, trying to shake away and forget that horrifying vision I witnessed last night.

"(Y/N)?"

"There's no way it could've actually been real, right?"

How did she died in the dream and how the news said she died are completely different. Its all just a coincidence.

That is what keep on trying to tell myself.

"(Y/N)!"

I feel a hand land firmly on my shoulder startling me.

"Aaah!"

I jump out of skin, my heart pounding like a drum, I turn around finding my mother turning the tap off.

"Why are you so jumpy this morning?" She asked me worryingly.

I slowly catch my breath, putting a hand on my chest to calm my thundering heartbeat.

"Jeez, mom! You scared me!"

"I didn't mean to scare you, honey, you just have been so out of it. I've been calling you for a while, but you didn't respond. You even let the tap running. What's wrong?"

My mom's loving concern makes me want to cry, but I hold back the tears welling up my eyes, I badly want to tell her everything that happened to me last night, I really do, but...

I can't do that.

I take a steady deep breath, closing my eyes as I exhaled.

"It's nothing, I was just watching a scary movie last night."

I'm sorry, mom. Even I don't know what is going on, or what I have gotten myself into.

"That's why I keep telling you to stop watching those movies, they make you more paranoid by the minute, silly little girl."

My mother laughs, unaware of my troubled thoughts.

"Sorry, mom."

"Come on, let's get you some hot chocolate, that will help you."

Yeah, something sweet would be nice, I need to focus on something else for while. It was all just bad dream after all, I should just forget about it.

I sigh, following my mother to the dinner table, then the guys I met in that nightmare suddenly comes into mind, I wonder what happened to them. Do they even actually exist? Or just a figment of my imagination?

"Hey, Hey." Anna spoke, immediately leaning over the table just as I sit down.

"Oh, are you that enthusiastic to study?" I asked her.

"What do you mean? I'm only this eager when I have some gossip." She replied to me

Rolling my eyes subconsciously I reply back.

"Aha, So what is it about this time?" I asked propping my arm on the table resting my head on my hand.

"Didn't you hear the news? The news about Monica Collins?"

My eyes widen in surprised, sitting up straight I bring my arm down on to my lap, though Anna's tone is so casual, all I can do is lower my eyes.

"Its crazy. I've seen her a couple times before."

"Well, she is pretty relatively famous on social media"

"People look up to her as a fashion inspiration, and she and her boyfriend are really cute together." She kept on speaking while showing me Monica's profile on her phone.

The girl smiling so happily is the exact same person I met in my dream.

Poor Monica... Why would something like this happen to you?

I have only met her yesterday, but I can't help but feel torn up about it like I have known her my whole life.

"The world's so scary these days."

"Y-yeah it is."

Monica died in that place, but it was just a dream, a very bad dream.... Right?

At home, I stare at the flickering cursor on my computer screen.

"Right..."

All day long, I've been trying to shake off my worries and doubts, but in the end, I can't help but try and understand of what happened.

"Monica died in a nightmare in that dimension... and she died in the real world due to a brain damage."

Trying to search things up, I type some words into the search bar.

Could the real world and the dream world be really connected to each other? Is it possible for a nightmare to become reality?... Wait?

I'm suddenly hit with the same overpowering drowsiness from last night, I blink, trying to keep my eyelids open. The cursor flickers, I try to hit the "enter" button to search but...

No

The sounds of the bells start to reverberate in my head.

Ah! Make it stop!

I desperately resist the urge to fall asleep, but the last thing I see before passing out is my desk clock hitting 10 pm. I soon open my eyes, and sure enough. I'm back into the world of nightmares. My body suddenly stiffens at the same surroundings from last time reemerge. Who knows, maybe I might be next on that things menu.

Why? Why is this happening?!

"(Y/N)?" a voice spoke, the voice belonging to Thoma

Ah...

I quickly sit up looking at Thoma, then to both Subaru and Ray who are all looking at me.

Everyone's here as well.

Seeing them before me relieves a bit of my anxiety.

" Hey Subaru..." I spoke to him.

"What is it? Are you okay?" He asked me a bit concerned in his voice

I replied nodding my head silently, smiling at the three of them, but before I knew it the next moment, something I tried holding back finally lets loose, and feel something hot roll down my cheeks.

Huh?

"Oh my gosh, why are you crying?" Thoma asked me really concerned, rushing immediately to my side.

Ray grabs Thoma's shoulder bringing him back.

"Don't crowd her space moron."

His attention soon turns to me.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked me, worryingly.

"No, I..." I stared replying, quickly wiping my tears away.

"Monica... I don't understand what is happening here, just this is all so unnerving, but seeing all of you here makes me feel so much better." I finished saying.

As soon as my cheeks are dry from my tears, I feel the sting in my eyes once more, I bite my lip. Without saying anything Subaru pats my back softly and reassuringly.

"I am glad you're all doing okay." I grinned lightly, trying to hold back more tears before they fall down.

"I was so afraid after hearing about Monica."

"I understand what you mean. The news was so concise about things, but knowing what happened here, it makes things much more complicated." Ray said, me staring into the dark abyss right before me.

This is where Monica died. We will figure out what really happened to you Monica, I promise that.

In my heart, I offer a small prayer within me for her.

"For now, let's head back to the room we originally appeared in. " Ray spoke up

Ray is so considerate, thinking ahead of things. He must have noticed the way I was starting at the hallway earlier. He may be a bit bossy, but he is surprisingly kind. So then we headed back to the room, once we entered into the bed room Thoma spoke up.

"So I've been thinking about this over all day." He looked at us all and we turned our attention to him waiting for him to continue to speak but...

"If we die here, we die in the real world as well." Subaru continued his sentence.

I tried my best to avoid thinking about it till now, but the reality of things hits me like a tons of brinks.

"Whether this is all real or just a dream, I don't know, but from the looks of it, he probably is right. We also don't know when these nightmares are going to end. Lets just call this place the 'Nightmare world' for now." Ray said.

"Nightmare world..." I copy saying it to myself.

"Sleeping are dreaming are functions of the central nervous system, when you really think about it that way, Monica passing away due to a sever brain injury makes a lot of logical sense." Ray continued saying.

Subaru then cup his chin in thought, I looked over at him and ask.

"What's wrong Subaru?"

"This feels like some kind of game. We are up against something unknown to us. and as long we stay alive, we will win."

We are talking about the serious life and death here, and he is treating this like it some sort of game?

Is he really not scared about this? What a weird guy, I don't know whether he's too carefree or just a plain moron.

"That's a nice way to look at it, but setting is so ominous that I'm not having fun at all!" Thoma laughs at his own joke he made, making me chuckle a little with him.

"Get real guys, do you think this is all some sort of joke? We all can die here!" Ray snapped at us, snapping me back to the reality of this.

Thoma gives a expression as if he was just slapped in the face by Ray.

"We don't know anything about this world. If we're going to survive this, we need to learn everything we can about this place." Ray continued saying.

"You're right. It's a little scary, but if we don't explore outside, we won't make any progress." I nod in agreement. " We don't know what's outside of this building, so why don't we start off looking there?"

The thought of opening a door to find that monster sends cold shivers down my spine.

Besides, I'm anxious about what will actually change by us finding more about this place. As if Ray was reading my thoughts he lightly pats me on my head.

"Right. To borrow your analogy, we'll win this game. No matter what."

Thoma nods in agreement, his eyes lighting up. A slight smile even crosses on Subaru's face.

Ray really does make a good leader.

I thought this to myself, with our outlook a bit more positive, we decide to explore what we begun to call "The Nightmare." I took a little time to look around the room noticing the window, I walked up to the window looking outside, The blood moon high in the sky shines down on us. While still looking at the moon Thoma brings me back to the present.

"Are you ready, (Y/N)?"

"Yeah, let's do this thing." I nod at him grabbing the baseball bat I had last time. Then the four of us head to the door. Before leaving Ray gives us intructions.

"Okay, splitting up would help us recover some more clues faster, let's meet back in this room in half an hour."

"But we don't have any way o tell time." Thoma stated.

Sensing Thoma would say that Ray takes some things out of pockets.

"Are those stopwatches?" I asked

"That's right, I figured of watches can't tell the exact time here, at least maybe we could tell how much time has passed."

Ray expected us to appear back into the nightmare world again, so he came prepared.

While I spent my time denying the truth, Ray was already busy trying to find a solution. I have to give him some credit for that.

I gasp lightly, returning Ray's smile with my own.

"That's a genius idea Ray!"

"I replaced the batteries in these things, so I know they'll last us a while."

"Let's see if it work now." Thoma said grabbing one , we all watch intently as he presses a button to start it.

"Aha!" I let out a small victory cry as we see the numbers run, ticking up as the seconds pass on by.

It works!

We each then take a stopwatch, and while the three of us are still unsure on what exactly to do, Subaru grabs a flashlight, switching it on and walking out the room.

"Hey, Subaru, Wait!" I called out to him, he looks back at us and points eastward.

"I'll go check over there."

"Alright, just make sure to get back her in 30 minutes." Ray said, Subaru nodded and disappears down the hallway.

Is he really that fearless?

"He is a odd one, isn't he?" As if reading my thoughts Thoma spoke what I was thinking.

"You can tell buy his uniform he is still just in high school, which is impressive, he is younger than me, but will he be alright on his own?" My comment fades into the darkness.

"It's pitch black." Thoma said while walking down the hallway narrowing his eyes.

Ray turns on his flashlight, but doesn't aid us to see whats ahead of us.

"This hallway is like a long endless tunnel" I stated. " I can't believe Subaru walk out here all alone."

Then to add to my already shocked nerves, I felt a cold breath on the back of my neck. My body stiffens a bit, my mind reminding me of the sharp fangs of the monster from last night, ending my whole body in goosebumps.

What was that?

I quickly went to cover the back of my neck with my free hand turning to see Thoma smiling brightly at me.

"Are you scared?" He asked me teasingly.

"Jeez! Thoma."

Of course the hell I am scared, the real quiestion is, are YOU scared? To be honest, I feel stupid on being so scared easily, but can you really blame me.

Trying to hide my embarrassment, I gave Thoma a good slightly hard slap on his arm.

" Ow, Ow! Okay, okay, I'm sorry."

I scrowl at him as he laughs at me. I noticed from the corner of my eyes seeing Ray looking at us to see what's going on.

He didn't noticed I was about to cry, right?

"No need to be afraid, I'll let you come with me." Thoma softly spoke.

"O-oh, No, I-It's fine. "

I can't be looked after all time, I need to pull my weight around too

"I'll go the other way."

"Alright then." He responded looking concerned. "See you later."

Thoma then waves as he heads the opposite direction of me.

"Okay I need to be heading off as well." I say to myself, staring down the darkness, but as soon I go to take step in, my feel my legs freeze.

I have never been in a place this dark before.

I shake my head, trying to refocus, then I find myself turning to the direction Ray is heading.

So much for not being scared.

I suddenly inhaled as I had the sense of someone, or something moving behind me. I clutch the baseball tight, holding it close to my chest.

"You know, if your so scared, you should have said so earlier."

What the-? Its Ray, is he already back?

Feeling Ray step right beside me, I let out a big sigh of relief knowing its him and not something else.

"I-I'm not scared. I am just..."

Ray then lets out a small quite chuckle.

This is too embarrassing.

"You don't have to push yourself too hard." Ray pats my head softly. "Given the circumstances, it's perfectly normal for a human being to be afraid, however, I question the mental health of those two fearless fools."

"Normal for a human..?"

I don't really understand what he means, but maybe this is his way of trying to make me feel better? Wait, doesn't that mean Ray is scared as well.

Ray walks ahead of me, but then he stops, turns and smiles at me. Its a comforting smile, warmer than any I have seen from him so far. I get the sudden urge to rush over to his side.

"What's the matter? Are you not coming with me?" He asked me.

I shake my head and smile at him.

"I'll be fine alone, Ray. The least I can do is look around."

"Suit yourself, just be back on time."

I nod and he leaves, taking the straight path ahead of him.

Okay (Y/N), let's do this thing.

I took off, but in a while I find some stairs that take me down to the first floor.

"This door is massive." I spoke to no one in particular.

I reach for the rusty door know, and it creaks horrendously as I turn it.

Oh boy...

Opening the door, I take a step into the courtyard outside.

"This place sure needs a lot of cleaning. "

The grass is overgrown and the flowers near them are mostly dead and wilting.

Hmm? This place feels so strangely familiar.

I walked through the courtyard, looking straight ahead to find a towering gate

"This feels familiar, Have I been here before?"

For some reason, I start to feel nostalgic, as if remembering my long forgotten childhood.

Could this be connected to my missing memories?

"Then again, this is all just a dream..."

BEEP, BEEP!

Out of nowhere, the stopwatch beeps, reminding me what I was having to do.

Time to head back.

I eye the gate one last time before turning away and heading back. When I finally make it back to the room I sat next to Ray as we all sit on the floor.

"Okay, so everyone is back?" Ray spoke

"Yeah." We all nodded

We all look at each other, then looking back at Ray.

"Okay, reports."

I was the first one to raise my hand, and Ray nods at me.

"I went to the first floor and found the entrance of the building. There's a dying courtyard playground just outside and a huge gate, but..." I trailed off at the end

"But?" Subaru said urging me to continue.

"It's kind of strange, but I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."

" I feel the same way." Thoma stated.

Ray narrows his eyes at us.

"Not the courtyard, but I found a study hall in the east wing ." Thoma continued tilting his heads. "I feel like I've taken a class here or something."

"You too?"

I tried reach far back into my memories for any other clues.

"oh! I nearly forgot, I found a name on the gate. It was backwards, so I couldn't read it properly, but this place... It seem like somewhere kids have stayed. "

"maybe it is an orphanage?" Subaru said

"Why would we be at a orphanage?" Thoma questions.

"We can't be sure of that quite yet." Ray answered. "What about you, Subaru?"

"I-" He started but then suddenly stops.

"Subaru, What's wrong?" I asked him concerningly.

He still says nothing, worried, Thoma shakes him, he still doesn't answer but staring somewhere, so I follow his line of sight, freezing immediately. Thoma noticing Subaru staring he spoke up.

"What's wrong? Where are you-?" Thoma also freezes looking at what we were looking at. I hold my breath.

"That's..." Ray trailed off.

Outside the door, a little boy is standing quietly. When I think back to the events of last night, I realize they were the someone's childhood memories of this place.

Who is that?

I feel like I've seen him somewhere before, but for some reason sorrow tightly grips at my heart.

He's not doing anything?

The boy stares at us for a few seconds and then turning away leaving.

"Hey wait!" Without thinking I call out to the small boy, I immediately cover my mouth with my hands.

Why did I do that?

The boy looks over his shoulder casually looking at us, then turns back continue walking.

"It seems he wants us to follow him." Subaru stated.

Ray then stands up from the floor, stepping ahead.

"Follow him? Are you nuts, you can't be serious?" Thoma spoke to Subaru. "What if he is the monster?"

Subaru replied monotoned as ever.

"There is only one wat to find out, now is there."

Subaru get up next and follows Ray's lead and head to the door as well. Thoma turns to me grabbing my shoulders, looking at me as if he is panicking.

"(Y/N), tell me you're staying here, please?"

I don't know why, but I don't feel scared or threaten by the small boy.

Wanting to know the reason for this pitiful sorrow I am feeling, I pull myself together and stand up as well. After a while, we all end up following the small boy, we kept on following him down the stairs and leading us to a basement.

"Okay, now what?" Thoma spoke

Without a seconds notice the small boy walks straight through the door without even opening it. We all gasp a little looking at each other, jaws dropped in a horrific awe.

"What was that?!" Thoma hisses dramatically. "That was a ghost, a gosh damn ghost!"

"We have came this far, we have no choice but to follow him." Ray said annoyingly for bit. "Maybe we can find some answers behind this door." Ray walks up to the door, grabbing the door knob opening it, we were soon taken from the dusty record room filled with books through to the stark room in the back. We all gasp from what lies before us, on the bed in the room, lies a young gorgeous man.

"Is he alive?" Thoma asked.

I bite my lip, I am scared, but my feet seem so sure of every step I take towards the dark haired sleeping man.

Is he.... dead?

Despite my growing dread, it is as my feet are moving on their own accord. I get close enough to see his face .

He looks like a angel...

I can't help but feel like I have seen him before though.

But where have I?

I slowly lift my hand to touch him but as soon as I do, his eyelids slowly flutter open, reveling his beautiful purple eyes.

"Oh!"

The young man groans, finally opening his eyes fully.

"(Y/N)..." he spoke softly, smiling at me sweetly, he says my name with such gravity and care.

He knows my name?

My eyes suddenly widen.

"H-Have we met before?" I asked him confusingly.

Still in the state of shock, I feel a cold touch on my face. I am suddenly overcome with a longing nostalgia that puts me on the verge of tears, but I just can't seem to take my eyes off of him. I brush away this weird mysterious feeling of nostalgia and gently remove his hand.

"I am sorry I startled you." He spoke, trying to get up, "Ah.." He softly groaned

"Who are you? "Ray started off, asking him questions.

He groans one last time till he finally sitting up straight on the edge of his bed.

"My name is.... is Licht." the man speaks.

We all look at each other, confused. Ray turns his head to me asking.

"Do you know this guy?"

We all stay quite for a moment.

I don't think I have ever met Licht before, but somehow, there's something oddly familiar about him.

Ray then turns to Licht, a serious expression displayed on his face.

"Do you know (Y/N)?"

Licht looks up to me speaking.

"(Y/N), is that your name?"

I look at him and nodding.

"I see, I am not sure how I do know your name... I don't think we have met before."

What could all of this mean?

Despite my curiosity, I decided to avoid digging any deeper then I have to for now. Besides, he might now more about this world.

"That's okay, don't think about it too hard."

"More importantly, do you know where you are?" Subaru asked him.

Licht slowly brings his hand to his head.

"I don't really know. I don't remember anything besides my name and hers, apparently."

Is he suffering from amnesia like us too?

"What were doing before you came here?" Subaru kept asking him

Licht just shakes his head.

"I know it may be hard to believe it, but my mind is pretty hollow. Nothing comes to mind."

I look at Licht, my heart squeezing, aching with sympathy.

He doesn't have any memories, huh? I know how that feels.

"You not alone Licht. I can't recall most of my childhood memories either." I spoke softly.

Everyone looks at me, surprised.

"What do you mean? That you have like amnesia?" Thoma questions me.

"Yeah that is right, but I have never really talked about it though."

Ray and Thoma suddenly fall silent, seemingly thoughtful.

"This is going to sound weird but... I don't have any memories of my childhood either.." Subaru stated

"You too? All three of you?" Thoma said surprised.

"Actually, four. I don't remember anything from before I was 8 years old." We all look at Ray as he spoke that.

No way... We are all missing parts of our memories?

"What about you Thoma?" I ask him, everyone bring their attention to him.

He looks away sighing, refusing to answer.

"I'll take that as a yes." Ray spoke turning away from Thoma.

"It was personal okay, there was no reason to bring it up." Thoma somewhat snapped, then he looks bad down awkwardly. "Its n-not like I am hiding anything or something. I just don't believe in dwelling in the past, thats all."

Maybe he is scared to recover his memories. I can relate to him.

"Ah..." Licht sighed, smiling sadly. "We are all quite unfortunate, then."

"Still thats a another clue." Ray spoke up. "We are all have chuncks of our memories missing."

"Theres something else as well." Subaru joined in, making us all turn to him.

"I didn't have a chance to say anything, but when we were searching I found a room with a bunch of beds and toys lying around."

"Children beds? Toys?" Thoma coping what Subaru just said. "A Study room, a courtyard with a playground?"

"So it is a orphanage." I said.

"What do you mean?" Light asked us, confused on what is happening before us.

"All the memories we can't recall, and all the places that feel somewhat familiar.... Are they from our missing childhood, is that whats going on?" Ray spoke. "That would explain why this place feels so nostalgic." Finishing his sentence Ray clenches his fist.

Lost memories, a orphanage...

What possible connections can my past have with this orphanage?

Then the static noise hits my ears.

"Ah!" I screamed out in a bit of pain.

This is...

Then the noise started to turn to the sound of a bell.

No, I-

"Shit, just when we were finally getting somewhere!" Ray complained, then looking at all of us quickly. " Eveyone, Tomorrow, 10 A.M. Meet me at the fountain at Stadtbelle Plaza!"

My mind then abruptly started to blur after Ray instructed that.

"Stad-" I softly spoke to myself, but before I could make any sense on what he had said, my world goes dark.

I waited for the car to pass before I cross the street.

"I am not sure I got this right but..."

"Everyone, tomorrow, 10 a.m.! Meet me at the fountain at Stadtbelle Plaza."

Before we all woke up, I believe Ray told all of us to meet up with him today. I take a glance at my watch, saying it is just before 9:30.

"I got here a little too early." I said to myself walking to my destination.

I'm so nervous, I am meeting them in the real world for the first time .

I make my way to the fountain, it showing me being showed in fresh drops of water into the basin below as I walk over to the other side of it.

Oh.

I quickly stop in my tracks seeing someone already there, on the bench the person with silver white hair sitting by himself eyes closed.

That person looks just like Subaru.

The earbuds he has in his ears tells me he wants to shut the world out, I lick my lips to moisturize them and muster up the courage to walk over to him.

Okay, its now or never.

I take slow steady steps towards the man, but just as I get close enough to him, he opens his eyes and looks up at me.

Oh!

Looking at him, the resemblances instantly puts a image of Subaru in my mind, his two toned eyes shining brightly in the dark.

But this guy, he doesn't...

He keeps looking at me, confusion written on his face, as I stand there mystified, he tilts his head to the side, furrowing his brows together, getting the sense it may have no been him I quickly apologize.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were friend of mine, but I must have mistaken you for him." I smile awkwardly, embarrassedly scratching the back of my head. "Sorry for disturbing you sir, please carry on with your business.." I back away a bit, but he just blinks at me.

He gets up and walk towards me, almost offended.

"Do I really look that different to you?"

Recognizing his soft spoken voice I instantly realize I made a mistake.

"S-Subaru?!"

"Sit down." He requested to me nicely, going back to the bench sitting down, patting the spot next to him, urging me to take a seat.

I wonder how long has he been waiting here for. Was he anxious like me and came here early as well?

I walk over and take a seat next to him, I sigh.

"Sorry for acting so weird, I just been super anxious since this morning. I couldn't stay in one place, so I came here early. What about you?"

"I just made an excuse to go out, it feels rather uncomfortable staying at home."

"Oh, do you have problems with your parents?"

He leans back into the bench crossing his legs together.

"No it's nothing like that..."

I guess Subaru doesn't like being home, I wonder if it has anything to do with him not liking his eyes. What must have happened to him to make him so self conscious about them?

I look at him, gazing at his blue left eye, that usually is the red one that I have seen.

They're so captivating.

Noticing me staring at him, he turns to me, clearly feeling a bit unsettled.

"What?" he asked

"Oh! N-Nothing, it's just that..." I turned away

He's wearing a colored contact lens, isn't he?

"I know this is a very touchy subject for but I really do like your eyes Subaru, your real eyes are beautiful just the way they are. "

Subaru looks at me wide eyed, but he doesn't say anything but his gaze grows even more intense.

Gah! Stop looking at me like that!

"Umm..."

Just as I was about to speak to try and sooth the situation my stomach starts to rumbles.

Oh Shit! I was in such a hurry I totally forgot to eat!

I glance over at Subaru as he chuckles, covering his mouth with the back of his hand as if trying to hold back his laughter.

Dammit stupid stomach!

"Oh come on. This is not something to laugh about!" I pouted wrapping my arms around my stomach hunching over.

"Ahahaha!" Without keeping it in, instead, he lets out a bug hearty laugh.

"I've never heard a stomach growl so loudly before, it is quite interesting." His words come out with a hint of a smile.

I am really embarrassed by all of this, but Subaru is laughing at least, and its a genuine laugh as well.

I just stare at him in awe.

I have never seen him smile before, He is really cute when he smiles.

Being smitten by his smile, I can't help but giggle with him. Subaru looks as if he's surprised for a moment and quickly retracts his smile.

"What is it?"

"Oh its nothing..."

It's just nice to see you smile, but not like I can tell them that.

"Okay then, let's go." He said standing up from the bench, I then look up at him.

"Where are we going?"

Subaru jerks his chin up to the café across the street.

"I'd like to get a bite." He said looking down at me.

"Do you want to join me?" He asked me this more quite and somewhat reserved as if he is embarrassed.

I blink a few times, noting a bit of redness appearing on his cheeks.

Oh is he shy? That is adorable.

Somehow, he seems listless while having many sides to him at the same time. I wonder if I can learn more about him if I do go out with him, but thinking that the others may come soon I might as well leave it.

"Oh, umm... I don't think we would have enough time. I am sure the others will be here any minute now, I don't what to keep them waiting."

Subaru presses his lips together in a thin line thinking about it, he nods.

"Okay." and sits down next to me once more.

Was he just being nice and asked me out knowing I was hungry? That is so very thought of him.

We stayed silent for a few minutes after that, he doesn't say anything more, and I am just too shy to start any conversation. We endure this awkward silence till Ray shows up. Its is exactly 10 o'clock, and Ray shows up, There's no mistaking him, even from afar. He's wearing his signature university jacket. He quickly runs up to us.

"Is it just you two here?" He asked

"It seems so." I answered him.

He clicks his tonged and looks at his watch. He seems already irritated tapping his foot, it has only been a few minutes but he seems already impatient. Telling he likes to be punctual, I can also tell he hates being kept waiting. He doesn't even sit down anywhere, while Subaru doesn't seem to mind though.

"Seriously, which part of 10 in the morning didn't they understand?"

"Let's wait a bit long, I am sure they are on their way here."

He folds his arms, I lean a little forward, trying to get a better look at him, with so much light around his I can see him better without the dark. He seems very similar to the Ray I know in the nightmare world.

But well, of course he is, he the exact same person., but the atmosphere around him is now...

"God, We are wasting time just standing round here."

Yeah, this is definitely the Ray we know.

"Come on. lets go." He huffed about to storm off.

Just as me and Subaru stand up to follow him we hear a voice in the distance.

"Heeey!" He calls out.

"Is that Thoma?"

We see Thoma dashing towards us, his bright smile even more magnificent in the light of day. He halts as he reached us, crunched over trying to catch his breath.

"Were you really about to leave without me?" Thoma ask acting like he was hurt

"You were late." Ray snapped

"Just by 10 minutes, jeez!"

"Hey Thoma! I knew you were going to show up soon." I smile at him trying to stop things turning sour.

He laughs while standing up straight from his hunch position.

"Wow, look at you guys, I can't believe we're all here. " Thoma isn't any different than he is in the nightmare world, still as cheerful and hyper as usual. He can be kind of obnoxious, but his presence always lightens the mood but...

"What about Licht?" I asked

They all turn and look at me.

"You didn't forget, did you? We should wait for him as well."

"Hey! So you be willing to wait for Licht, but you weren't going to wait for me? Wow, (Y/N). I see how things are." He complained.

"Okay, Okay." Playing along with his sarcasm, I lightly pat him on his cheek.

We spent a hour at the park waiting for Licht, but he hasn't shown up anytime soon.

"I guess its no use waiting for someone we are not certain is coming. We only did meet him last night and we didn't get much information from him either. " Ray spoke up

"For all we know, He could be dead." Subaru mutters, My voice shaking.

"C-Come on, don't say stuff like that."

"We can't really rule that option out though."

"Hmm. If he died, we would've heard about it on the news this morning wouldn't we?" Thoma asked.

That is true.

Someway, Thoma's words offer me some sort of relief.

"Well, whatever the case maybe, we have stuff on our agenda we need to do. So if he just being lazy about coming here or not, we should just get moving without him." Ray argued suddenly walking off, we look at each other first then decided to all follow him.

As we are walking, I just help but not think about Licht. Sooner rather than later, we end up at Ray's house.

"Just wait in here." Ray said leading up to his living room, while he walked off to somewhere.

I stand there with everyone else looking around the room.

The room looks really clean. So clean in fact it is making me feel a little uneasy

Ray soon comes back, Thoma speaking first.

"Wow, You sure got a nice place here Ray. Do you live alone?"

Without answering Ray just passes us and goes across the hallway, Subaru looks around as well, but looking interested in the bookshelf.

"Oh look, he looks so cute as a kid." Thoma stated picking up a framed photo, I look at him walking over and taking a peek as well. A smiling woman who is stand next to a little boy with a very determined smirk.

"Oh you are right, look at his cute cheeks." I squealed looking at the cute boy. "Is this his mother?" I smile to myself studying the picture while Thoma's hand tremble ever so slightly.

What is wrong with him?

"We, um, we should better put this picture back." Thoma said placing the picture back to where he picked it up from.

But, for a brief second I could have sworn I saw a small sad expression displaying on his face.

Thoma?

"Yeah, I understand it already." We hear Ray voice over the hallway, him coming out with a woman dragging a suitcase behind her.

"I'll call you in the morning, alright?" the woman says

"Mm-hmm. Yeah, have a safe trip." He nods slightly, smiling gently at her.

Whoa! okay that's new, never seen that before.

The woman notices us and stops in her tracks.

It's the same woman from the picture.

"These are the people I told you about." Ray says

"Oh hello. It's not often of Ray bringing his friends over. Unfortunately, I'm on my way out the door for a business trip, but you call can make yourself feel at home, alright?"

"You better be going, or your gonna be late for the train." Ray spoke up reminding the woman. Shooing her away in a playful manner.

Aww I didn't know he can be so sweet as well...

The scene before me warms my heart nicely, reminding me how my life is like at home.

Even if we do end up like adventures in the nightmare world, we are all still kids in the end.

"Must be nice." Subaru murmured, making me glance over at him. It was barely audible, but I couldn't help but hear it clearly, but I remembered the short conversation I had with him when we were waiting for Thoma and Ray.

"Oh, do you have problems with your parents?"

"No, nothing like that..."

Subaru, I hope that one day, he'll find a place where can feel safe to just be himself.

As soon as Ray came back into the living room Thoma locks his arm around Ray's neck.

"Aww! I didn't know you were such a mama's boy."

"Hey, let go of me!" Ray yelled at Thoma trying to break free from his grasp. Instead Thoma just laughs letting go of Ray as he fixes his messed hair plopping down on the couch, us sitting down along with him.

"Alright, I believe we have things to discuss about?" Ray started off.

"Really? Why are you bring so serious again? Didn't you bring us here to celebrate the joy of being alive?"

"We will have no life to celebrate if we can't figure out a way to stop and escape these nightmares. " Ray snapped as usual.

"Your right, but your mom was in such a hurry, we didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her."

Looking away awkwardly Ray replies.

"Yeah, about that..." He started bringing his thumb to his lips, softly biting it.

"She isn't my actual mom, I don't even have a dad, by the way, she lost her husband long before I entered into the picture."

Wait, what?

"So you are basically adopted." Subaru said.

"Why are you suddenly bringing that u?" Thoma asked him confused and surprised.

"Because if my hunch is correct, that means the same goes for everyone of you as well."

Is Ray saying that we're all adopted?

The suddenness of this stupefies me

No, no ,no. There is no way I am adopted, I was raised by my real-

I stop myself before I could finish that sentence in my head. I guess I won't really know for sure unless I check my family records.

"That is not cool man. You can't just be going around and telling people they're adopted Ray. Why would you even have that thought in the first place?" Thoma spoke a little shaken

Unfazed by Thoma's reaction Ray continues and answers his question.

"Well, you yourselves admitted to not having any childhood memories."

"That still doesn't mean..."

Ray just folds his arms, looking at Subaru and back at Thoma.

"Subaru seems to agree with me on it. "

I slightly bite my lip, glancing at Subaru, who is quietly listing to the conversation.

Is that the reason he is so hesitant to talk about his parents? Because he knows they aren't his real family?

"To some extent, I makes sense. We're all without a past. Ray and I already known we've been adopted. There's the orphanage to take into consider too. There is a 50% probability it is all related to the nightmare we've been having. "

The statement he said and the revelation of it hits me hard. In an instant, the image of my parents flashes into my mind.

We're happy, aren't we? I've always wondered about my past, but I never had the thought cross my mind that I might have been adopted.

"(Y/N)?" Subaru called out to me quietly.

"I-I'm sorry, I am just very surprised by this, that's all. "

I am so overwhelmed by this but, my parents have been with me my entire life. They're the only family I known. They never even hinted or mentioned anything about me being adopted.

"I don't know if this is true or not."

Thoma just grits his teeth in hear of what I said. Thoma, knowing full well this is much of hard information to digest like for me, wanting to help I decided not know, knowing it probably make him feel worse.

This is certainly hitting him hard, that is for sure, but is there I could do?

"Okay, for the sake of debate, lets say we're all adopted, I will have to live that in my mind for the rest of my life." Thoma spoke

"You don't have to accept it right away, we don't know for sure it is true yet." Ray spoke, trying to be sincere in his words. "But if it turns out to be true, it might just be the key to solving these nightmares."

I understand now. Ray is usually abrasive with his words, but he knows when something needs a lot of time to accept it and take it in.

I then start to think of the parents who have raised me.

I probably should find out to make sure, but I just can't bring myself to ask them about this.

We spend some time trying to put the clues and pieces together of the nightmare until evening.

"Oh, time sure does fly by, it is already 8 p.m." I say looking down at my phone, yawning stretching my arms wide.

Although I know I have to stay vigilant, I just can't stop myself from yawning. Come to think of it. I'm wide awake 24/7, awake during the day and awake in the nightmare world at night, Do I ever get to genuinely rest?

"Hold on, you're sleepy already? I thought we planned to stay up all night? If you're the only one to fall asleep, won't you be pulled into the nightmare world all by yourself." Thoma said to me concerningly and warning, but his words slap me awake. I am terrified of sleeping if that would happen.

Out of no where, Ray sets four pill capsules onto the table in front of us.

"Here, maybe this might help."

"Adderall?"

"Oh, I've heard of this before, isn't it a stimulant." I spoke,

"Don't you need a prescription for one of those?" Subaru said right after me.

" I guess you can say that is one of the perks of being a med student." He smirks playfully, as we all decided to take the medication.

"I do hope it actually works." I say after swalloing it.

"Of course it will." Ray said confidently.

But at this point, it is probably impossible to stay awake forever, at some point...

He then makes his way around the table to sit right next to me, I turn and look at each of their faces.

No doubting it, they all know this, just choosing on not saying anything,

We fall into silence for quite some time till Thoma finally breaks it.

"Damn, I feel so wired right now!" Standing up acting somewhat energetic.

Ray grabbed onto Thoma's arm and dragging him down.

"Sit down." He ordered. "Why can't you just keep quite for one minute? "

Thoma just chuckles as he stands up again and leaving coming back with a glass of juice for each one of us.

"Y'know, I'm just feeling it. Didn't you say we would get high off this drug didn't you?"

"You make it sound so illicit." Subaru mutters reading a book in hand, he then looks at Ray holding it. "Do you mind if I borrow this?"

"No, Go on ahead. We all need at least something to do to keep us awake."

"I wish we had coffee though." Thoma playfully complained

"Well it's not on the menu."

"What if we get nightmares while were awake?"

"Is that even possible?" I inquiry

"Yeah, you know like with a daydream, but with the nightmare."

"That would be more like hallucinating more than anything." Ray said knocking down the possibility Thoma brought up.

Then out of no where, Thoma starts clapping, then looks at us and claps faster. It is so weird and stupid but I find myself grin wryly at him.

"Would you stop that?" Ray asked him annoyed more than his normal.

Without acknowledging Ray's words, Thoma just starts clapping even more. A few more minutes passed, and on my way back from the bathroom, I feel a cold breeze wafting to me through a open window.

This breeze feels nice.

I think to myself as I lean on the window looking out.

"This is so refreshing. "

I turn my head to the left, finding Ray standing outside by himself on his balcony.

"What is he doing there all by himself?" I ask this but to no one particular but myself.

I prop my head on my arm watching Ray intently. He looks up at the sky, looking at the stars and the moon, as he exhales his breath.

Why does he look so lonely?

I just get this weird gut feeling that if I leave him to himself like he is now, he'll go off somewhere, without any of us knowing the location, before I knew it, I was on my way to Ray. Without thinking, I grab the helm of his black shirt.

"Don't go anywhere." I whispered lightly

But, seemingly he heard me, he turned around surprised. His face glows radiantly under the moonlight.

"What are you doing out here?"

I finally realize what I was doing and pull my hand back looking away.

"Um, um, n-nothing. I just that you looked rather lonely, that's all."

"Oh where you worried about me? " He asked me this in a teasing sorta way, his face displaying the emotion.

"No! Well..." I still look away, looking anywhere then his face. "I guess it wasn't worth me worried about you, if you don't need me for anything, I'll head ack inside. You should probably do the same before you get sick. " Just as I turn around to walk back inside, he speaks up.

"Y'know, sometimes when I'm looking up at the stars like this..." He looks up at the sky, and I can't help but follow suit.

"... I feel like all of my problems are insufficient compared to the grand scale of thing. "

I somewhat understand where he is coming from.

Then he looks at me.

"Would you stay here with me, for a bit?"

My heart suddenly aches when I see the pained smile expression on his face. I wanted to say 'Of course' but before I could form the words the wind creeps over our skins once more and I shiver.

"It is pretty chilly out here Ray. I think it be wise if we headed inside, don't you think?" I advise as calm and quietly as I can, also sweetly.

He takes a sharp inhale, putting his hands in his pockets, thinking it over. He nods and turns to me.

"Yeah okay, its a shame." He states walking past me and I follow him back into the living room.

"Hey guys! Look what I found!" Thoma yelled excitedly, holding up a box from underneath the table.

"Ohhhh! is that Snakes and Ladders!" I exclaimed happily. "That's a classic!"

"Come let's play, Board games are fun and can help us from not dozing off."

I wanted to ask Subaru if he would join, but I don't want to sound desperate so I just glance at him, but he is too absorb into the book he is reading.

Would he like to join us?

Reading my thought Thoma asked him.

"Hey Subaru, come play with us!"

"I don't really know how to play that game. "He flatly said still reading his book.

"Seriously? Who doesn't know how to play Snakes and Ladders?"

Thoma gets up and grabs and pulls Subaru with him to sit down with him.

"Hey watch it!" Subaru shouted at him placing the book down beside him

"Now listen up. Lucky for you, the master is in the house."

" 'Master'?" Ray asked scoffing "This game is for little kids, it doesn't take any effort to be a master in it." Ray doesn't seem to want to budge, so I catch him by the wrist before he can do anything.

"Come on Ray. It'll be fun and at least something to do."

Relcutantly he sits down with us sighing as he picks out a player token from the box.

"Yeah! Alright!" Thoma cheered.

Before we start playing Thoma gives Subaru a quick rundown of the rules of the game. Naturally, Subaru being Subaru, he catches on pretty quickly.

"So with the ladder, the token goes up, and if it's the snake, then we have to go down, is that right?"

"Yes you got it Subaru." I said to him, him showing me a slight ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Alright, alright, let's get this started." Thoma said.

And, at that very moment both Thoma and Ray both proclaimed in unison. "I'll go first."

Oh boy...

It was going well fine, then they both look at each other competitively like two toddlers fighting over a shared toy.

"It's my game, so I get to go first." Ray claimed, reaching over for the die, but Thoma slaps the back of his hand.

"I was the one who suggested we play, so it should be me."

" Guys, that's not really-" I speak up trying to do my best possible to defuse the situation between the two but the continue on.

"Besides, you didn't even wanted to play."

"I'm playing now, aren't I?"

When I was going to speak up one more time, Subaru reaches over the board and picks up the die and starts to roll it, in the end of it, Subaru was the one to go first. After a few match Thoma oppose the results of it.

"I can't believe it. I demand a rematch! "

"Stop bothering me, I've already had enough." Subaru snarled obvious irritation in his words.

"Noooo!" Thoma playfully screamed clinging onto Subaru, pleading for another round.

Thoma was bit upset earlier, but I am glad he is back to his usual playful self at least.

"Haha! Come on, guys, He doesn't have to play if he doesn't want to anymore." I said smiling to them, then my field of vision starts to shake violently.

What?

The ringing of the bell resounds in my ears, a painful reminder that our fun has come to an end.

"No, no, n! I can't go to sleep."

I try to blink, fighting the drowsiness, but in the end of it, I finally closed my eyes.