Nora drew a sharp breath, staggering back unsteadily.

  This wasn't merely "losing a few minor memories"—Jake's memories had been completely altered.

  Her mind spun chaotically, her premonition from the night before now a stark reality. They were running out of time.

  Forcing calm, she locked eyes with Alex, her voice trembling slightly, "We... we have to find him immediately."

  Alex nodded vigorously, a determined look flashing across her face. "Yes, we can't wait any longer."

  Memory loss was no joke. It was slowly devouring their lives, and their time was almost up.

  Lost Between Reality and Dreams

  The park was alive with summer laughter and bustling crowds; children chased each other across lawns, families and tourists gathered by the fountain, everything vibrant and joyful. Yet Nora and Alex stood anxiously under the shade, constantly scanning the distance.

  Soon, Lucas and Jake approached, Lucas striding swiftly with clear anxiety, Jake trailing behind, head bowed, steps heavy, his face pale and eyes vacant—as though waking from one nightmare only to be trapped in another.

  Lucas stopped in front of them, gesturing uneasily toward Jake. "His parents just bailed him out from the police station. They nearly sent him to a psychiatric hospital. I convinced them it was just a prank we pulled."

  "Really?" Alex furrowed her brow, turning toward Nora.

  Nora's gaze rested on Jake, her voice gentle with concern. "Are you okay? We've all been worried."

  Jake slowly lifted his head, a complicated expression crossing his features. His lips trembled slightly, and after a hesitant pause, he whispered, "If I join you... can you help me find my real parents?"

  Nora hesitated briefly before nodding firmly. "We'll do our best."

  Without further explanation, she decisively continued, "We can't do this in the park—too many people. If something happens, it could spiral out of control."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Lucas nodded thoughtfully. "I know a place nearby. An abandoned warehouse—my friends and I used to play hide-and-seek there as kids. It should be empty now."

  "Then what are we waiting for?" Nora said resolutely. The four quickly set off toward the abandoned district on the outskirts of town.

  Choosing the Old Warehouse

  They traversed bustling streets and reached an empty, desolate lot. A dilapidated building stood hidden in the shadow of tall skyscrapers, forgotten by time. Its cracked walls were covered in graffiti, its main entrance sealed with cement, leaving only a shattered window as entry.

  "We'll have to climb through here," Lucas said, eyeing the window. He climbed up first, reaching down to help Nora, then Alex, and finally Jake.

  Inside, the warehouse was dark and damp, the air thick with the scent of metal and dust. Thin beams of sunlight slipped through broken roof panels, illuminating scattered metal sheets, sacks, and piles of debris.

  "This should work—it feels safe enough," Nora observed, scanning the surroundings to ensure they wouldn't be easily disturbed.

  Alex nodded. "Good. Let's start."

  Lucas spread some flattened cardboard boxes on the ground. The four of them sat in a circle, breathing deeply, holding hands, and prepared once again to enter the dream.

  Stepping Into Another Space

  As the book opened, bright light erupted from the pages. This time, the glow was blindingly intense, nearly impossible to face. Even with their eyes closed, they felt the overwhelming radiance surging from the book, an invisible force trying to consume them.

  A peculiar energy began to flow around them, and the surrounding temperature rose abruptly, as though something was approaching.

  "Whoosh—"

  Wind stirred.

  Even within the closed confines of the warehouse, an invisible breeze lifted their hair, gently rustling their clothes. A faint tingling sensation like static electricity danced at their fingertips.

  "Snap!"

  A sharp noise echoed, reminiscent of an electrical short circuit. Suddenly, the warehouse plunged into absolute darkness, engulfed by silence.

  It felt as if time had ceased.

  No light, no wind, no sound.

  They couldn't hear anything, not even each other's breathing.

  Frozen in place, the four of them felt forgotten by time itself.

  —Until Jake couldn't endure it any longer.

  Slowly opening his eyes, he glanced around in confusion. "Did we fail...?"

  His voice seemed to awaken the others; nearly simultaneously, they opened their eyes.

  Everything appeared unchanged.

  Alex frowned deeply. "Someone must not have fallen asleep."

  Lucas sighed heavily. "We could try again—"

  "No," Nora abruptly interrupted.

  Her pupils contracted in shock, her trembling hand pointing toward something. "Look..."

  Following her gaze, the others turned their heads.

  On the once-dilapidated wall of the warehouse, an enormous fox mural had suddenly appeared.

  Its eyes stared directly at them.

  The Boundary Blurs

  Only now did they begin to truly observe their surroundings. The air had grown thick with moisture, as though they were submerged underwater, yet their feet still touched solid ground. The strange sense of floating filled them with unease, blurring the boundary between reality and dreams.