Nora froze as though struck by lightning, eyes wide in disbelief. "What?"

  The clown gave her no time to think, coldly declaring, "Therefore, our deal has entered its final stage. Someone must remain."

  Alex analyzed calmly, "None of us are willing to stay, so don't try to deceive us. You must be bound by some rule—that the person who stays must volunteer! If no one volunteers, you can't force us!"

  Caught off guard by her insight, embarrassment flashed across the clown's face. He stopped moving, and the fox ceased controlling him. Turning slowly, the fox's cunning gaze swept over everyone, smiling slyly. "Are you sure none of you want to stay?" He snapped his fingers, and the world began to spin, causing dizziness. Moments later, they found themselves in a magnificent manor, luxurious furnishings and fine decor all around. Servants moved gracefully, serving deliciously fragrant food. Jake swallowed unconsciously but maintained a facade of composure.

  Seeing no one tempted, the fox blew softly. Darkness consumed the world before brightening again. Now they stood on a lush, green meadow beneath a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. Several cows grazed lazily, and a floral swing hung invitingly from a large tree. A gentle river flowed quietly nearby, animals rested peacefully along its banks, and a soft breeze carried the sweet fragrance of flowers along with distant melodious music. Nora's heart shook. How did the fox know this was the idyllic paradise she'd always dreamed of? She had fantasized about living here someday with her mother, a place devoid of worries, exams, competition—only love and beauty.

  As Nora and Jake became momentarily captivated, Lucas suddenly spoke sharply, "Enough! Fox, I know you're cunning. You want to show us you're omnipotent in dreams, offering whatever we desire, right? But remember, all this beauty is—" He paused dramatically, then declared with emphasis, "an illusion. Everything you create is illusory!"

  Alex quickly picked up the thread, "Exactly! Lucas is right. We might not have these things yet in reality, but we have family, bread for breakfast, teachers and friends at school, and dreams to strive for! All our happiness and sorrow, even our pain, are genuine experiences. We want a tangible life we can truly hold. And you, trapped here alone without purpose or direction—who would want such eternal life? It must be even worse than death."

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  The group's clarity was immediate. The fox trembled slightly, as if struck by an arrow piercing her heart from darkness. Leaning heavily on her cane, she struck the ground sharply. Instantly, everything around them transformed into snarling, ferocious foxes charging toward them, roaring as darkness consumed the sky and earth.

  Jake shouted defiantly, "We're not afraid; this is all empty illusion!"

  As fierce winds threatened to topple them, Alex urgently commanded, "Everyone join hands, close your eyes, don't look! Quickly!"

  They quickly formed a circle and shut their eyes. Astonishingly, the world immediately fell calm again, their firm belief overcoming the illusion.

  Seemingly weary, the fox rasped, "Nora, you're fortunate to have such good friends, but they still can't save you." She paused, her smile becoming crueler. "Since none of you volunteer, I've decided—Nora stays as my hostage."

  The air froze instantly.

  Lucas, Alex, and Jake stared wide-eyed in shock.

  "What?!" Alex cried out. "You can't do that!"

  "Of course I can." The clown appeared again cheerfully, spreading his arms. "Unless you bring back what the fox desires, or else…" he paused deliberately, his gaze playfully sweeping over them, "you'll all return to reality with erased memories, gradually becoming entirely different people." As he spoke, visions replayed in the dark sky, scenes of each suffering memory loss. The clown, seizing the moment, mocked further, "Or—" he made an exaggerated face, "end up labeled as insane in reality," deliberately eyeing Jake, who clutched his head painfully, fighting distress.

  The replay ended, silence engulfing the space.

  Nora's fingers went cold, teeth clenched tightly, heart pounding painfully.

  "I only need one volunteer," the clown said lightly, as though discussing a simple transaction. "Nora, surely you wouldn't want your friends to lose their memories?"

  The atmosphere thickened unbearably; their hearts felt seized by invisible hands.

  Nora's breath quickened, her gaze darting anxiously between Lucas, Alex, and Jake. Her heart sank heavily; she knew she had to bear the consequences. She couldn't let her friends suffer again—it wasn't their fault; she was the cause of the trouble. At this critical juncture, a voice in her heart whispered clearly: Don't drag your friends into this; let them go. I can stay.

  Thank you for reading. The Dream of the Night Fox is now available in full on Amazon—both as paperback and ebook.