"I… I thought you were Halen…" Laura's voice trembled. She took a step back, her eyes fixed, unblinking, on the woman standing before her. "Who are you, really? Why are you invading my dreams?"
The woman didn't answer. Her gentle smile remained, her gaze on Laura filled with a warmth almost like a mother's love for her child.
"Please…" Laura's voice cracked, desperation pouring through her plea. "Tell me… who are you?"
"Laura…" The woman's voice was soft, soothing, as if it caressed the soul. Her fingers brushed Laura's cheek — a touch so warm, so… familiar. "You are a good girl…"
Laura let out a small, hollow laugh — one that teetered on the edge of sobs.
"Good? You have no idea what I've done…"
"Oh, I do, Laura." The woman nodded with unwavering certainty. She took Laura's hand gently, guiding her toward the great tree towering in the heart of the forest. "Come. Touch this tree."
"What for?" Laura eyed the tree warily. "Why do I have to touch it?"
"Don't be afraid," the woman replied gently. "Trust me."
Laura fell silent. Her chest rose and fell with uncertainty.
Every instinct in her screamed for her to run.
Yet… every time she met the woman's eyes, her resolve weakened. It felt as though she was staring at a reflection of herself — older… and flawless.
"Will I die if I touch it?" she whispered, attempting humor but failing to hide her fear.
The woman smiled. "Of course not."
Laura drew in a long breath. "Even if I do… why should I care," she muttered, forcing a bravery she didn't possess.
At last… she reached out.
The moment her palm met the rough surface of the tree—
"Ah!"
Her body froze. Her eyes flew wide open.
She could feel her soul being ripped away — pulled into a swirling vortex of pitch-black darkness.
Everything spun, rang, and trembled as if the world itself was about to shatter.
But suddenly, the world around Laura twisted — spinning and shattering like pieces of glass reflecting fragments of the past. Her breath caught when she realized… she was inside someone's memory.
"Whose… memory is this?" she whispered, panic rising.
Scenes of life whirled around her — vivid, alive, moving on their own.
"Laura! Hurry up!"
A girl waved excitedly at her while laughing, flanked by two other friends.
Laura's eyes widened as she tried to recognize their faces.
"Sandra? Cass?… Rachel?" Her voice quivered.
In a blink, the scene shifted again.
"Laura, don't forget today, okay? We're hanging out at Cass's place. You better come…"
"I love you, Laura."
Rachel smiled warmly at her within that memory.
"I've heard… that line before…" Laura pressed a hand to her chest, breath tightening.
Suddenly — a park scene.
They were running, joking around, chasing each other with laughter echoing in the air.
"Hey Laura!!!" That playful shout drew Laura's attention.
Tears streamed down her face as she saw Sandra — glowing, beautiful, unharmed by anything.
"Don't get too close to Steve. He's mine."
A blonde girl stormed toward her with a scowl. Laura watched her younger self arguing back — and as always…
Cassidy, Sandra, and Rachel stood firmly by her side.
"How did Halen even know you wanted that dress?"
Cassidy asked, hands planted on her hips.
"There are plenty of other clothes, Laura…" Rachel coaxed gently.
"Be patient, okay? We'll help you find another one later," Sandra said, giving her shoulder a comforting pat.
The scenes flickered rapidly —
at school, on the street, in a restaurant, by the beach…
Everywhere they went, the four of them were always together.
Laughter.
Playful teasing.
Affection she could no longer remember.
And all Laura could do was stand there, frozen —
watching those moments of happiness return to her in the most painful way.
"…I was… happy? With them?"
Laura's voice trembled, disbelief cracking every word.
Her heart shattered — because those memories were no longer truly hers.
Only scattered fragments, resurfacing at last.
This time, the scene around her shifted once more — a grand hall appeared, bathed in dazzling lights. Upbeat music echoed through the room, moving the bodies of sharply dressed students as they danced joyously across the floor.
But in an instant, the atmosphere darkened.
"Laura! No, Laura!"
Cassidy appeared right in front of her — panic-stricken, hands flailing as if trying to snatch something out of Laura's grasp. Beside her, Sandra and Rachel looked just as terrified.
"Are you out of your mind, Laura!?" Cassidy screamed, her voice choked with fear.
Laura froze. She tried to see what she was holding, but her hands were blurry — veiled beneath the haze of memory.
Suddenly—
Cassidy, Sandra, and Rachel looked down, faces drained of color.
At their feet… a small metal canister lay on its side, liquid spilling out in a wide slick across the floor. Before Laura could take another breath—
A lit cigarette dropped.
The liquid ignited.
🔥 WHOOSH!
"AAAARGHH!!!"
Cassidy shrieked in agony as flames erupted across her clothes.
Sandra and Rachel desperately swatted at the fire with their bare hands — only to catch fire themselves. Panic. Sobs. Screams. Students scattered in terror — some of them caught by the merciless flames spreading wildly.
Laura remained rooted. Breath shattered.
Tears streamed uncontrollably as she watched it all — the nightmare she herself had caused.
Then — the most heart-rending scream tore through the hall.
"Help me!! Please, help me!!"
A girl was running, engulfed in fire. Her hair burned away, her skin blistering and peeling.
Halen.
Laura gasped, forcing her body to move— to run toward the burning girl—
But the memory tore apart like a film reel shredding violently.
"No…?"
Laura slowly opened her eyes — only to be greeted by the darkness of her room and the sound of her own ragged breathing. She attempted to sit up, but froze when she felt an arm wrapped around her waist from behind. She turned her head.
"Mama?" she whispered.
Her mother was still fast asleep, holding her tightly as though afraid to let her go. Carefully, Laura eased the arm away. She rose from the bed, mindful not to wake her.
She sat for a moment on the edge of the mattress. Her hair fell over her face, and she brushed it aside, her breaths still unsteady.
"Halen?" she murmured, confused.
Yet strangely… her heart now felt calm.
She stood and made her way to the bathroom. The dried tears on her cheeks were washed away until her face was clean once more. Returning to the room, a loud growl from her stomach pulled her back to reality.
The watch on her wrist read nine o'clock at night.
Laura glanced at her mother, still peacefully asleep… then quietly slipped out of the room.
Laura descended the stairs slowly. Every step felt heavy, her expression still shadowed with gloom. Her mind was now cluttered with fragments of memory — Cassidy… Rachel… friendships that had once never existed, yet now felt painfully real.
And buried deepest, the name that unsettled her the most: Halen.
What happened to her after that night?
Reaching the bottom floor, Laura let out a long breath. She was just beginning to calm herself when Sandra's image flashed through her mind — and instantly, her appetite vanished.
She headed for the kitchen without a second thought.
Pulling open the refrigerator door, she grabbed a cold bottle of drink. Her eyes drifted around for a glass — and once she found one, she poured herself a drink and sat at the dining table.
Laura took a slow sip.
Her face remained blank, yet confusion was written clearly within those eyes.
Her thoughts refused to stop spinning.
"Laura!" Patricia's voice echoed from upstairs.
"I'm in the kitchen!" Laura called back.
Footsteps hurried down the stairs. Patricia appeared at the kitchen doorway, her face lined with concern.
"I thought you went out," she said, pulling out a chair and sitting across from Laura.
Laura offered a faint smile.
"Are you okay, Laura?" Patricia asked softly — but the worry on her face was unmistakable.
Laura gave a slow nod.
"I called your grandmother earlier. She asked how you were doing," Patricia continued.
"Why did you call Grandma?" Laura frowned a little.
"Who else can I complain to if not your grandmother?" Patricia teased lightly.
Laura nodded in understanding.
"During the next break, your grandmother wants you to visit her," Patricia added.
"Why?" Laura asked, puzzled.
"Because she misses you, of course."
"We'll see… but no promises," Laura replied, her gaze drifting — mind wandering back to the woman in her dream.
"Ma," she said suddenly.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"In your family… was there ever a woman with hair like mine?"
Patricia studied her daughter's hair for a moment before nodding.
"Yes. But that was our first ancestor. Her name was… if I'm not mistaken… Lady Andarea. And her daughter, Lady Atalia. They were the only two with hair the same color as yours."
Laura fell silent for a moment.
"Do you know the forest called Forêt de Brocéliande?" she asked carefully.
Patricia flinched slightly, as if the name was the last thing she expected to hear.
"Where did you hear that?"
"In a dream," Laura answered casually.
Patricia drew a slow breath.
"That's an ancient forest in Brittany, France."
"Brittany…" Laura repeated under her breath.
"You know the story of Morgana?"
"Arthur's half-sister, right?"
Patricia nodded.
"According to myth, after Morgana lost to Merlin… she fled to France and hid within that forest. Your grandmother once told me… that our family descends from Morgana."
"Isn't Morgana just a myth?" Laura asked, trying to suppress the growing curiosity coiling inside her.
"I don't know, sweetheart…" Patricia gently stroked her daughter's arm. "I'm not sure if it's a legend — or if Morgana truly existed. But if you really want answers… you'll have to ask your grandmother."
"Grandma…?" Laura lifted her gaze, confused and uncertain.
"Your grandmother knows more about our lineage than anyone, Laura.
Just ask her when you see her."
Laura fell silent once more.
-------
That night, for the first time in nearly a month… Laura slept soundly.
No tormenting dreams, no terrifying faces haunting her mind.
Only calming darkness.
But as soon as the sun was about to rise… Laura had already made up her mind.
She needed to see Halen with her own eyes — without her mother knowing.
The alarm rang sharply at 6 a.m.
Laura jolted awake, still half-conscious. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, drawing in a long, steadying breath.
"Columbus…" she whispered to herself.
Halen's address was in the Columbus area, near the Alabama border.
It would take around five hours to get there… but her determination did not falter.
Whatever awaited her there…
she needed the truth.
Laura headed to the bathroom. Cold water splashed against her face, snapping her fully awake. After almost half an hour of getting ready, she stood before the mirror — a thick sweater thrown on, her hair hastily fixed.
There was no time to look perfect.
She grabbed her sling bag and the keys to her scooter from the table. Her heart thumped a little faster.
Quietly, she stepped out of her room — careful not to wake her mother.
But just as Laura's foot touched the first step, she heard someone moving in the kitchen.
She hesitated — then continued down.
"Up early for school?" Patricia asked, turning toward her.
Laura gave a faint smile, trying to act casual.
"I thought I'd have breakfast with Sandra. Did you cook, Mama?"
Patricia shook her head apologetically.
"Not yet… I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Mama. In that case, I'll just go."
"All right… be careful with the scooter, okay?"
Laura nodded and jogged toward the door, but paused to add,
"Oh, and Mama… I might be home late today."
Patricia raised a brow.
"Why?"
"There's an activity at school. It'll probably end late afternoon."
Patricia let out a small sigh.
"That's fine… I don't mind. But Laura — don't go anywhere else."
Laura swallowed hard.
"Yes… okay."
The guilt twisted in her chest the moment she turned away.
But her feet didn't stop.
Today… she had to see Halen.
No matter what awaited her.
------------
The sun had yet to rise, but the town of Little Britain was already alive under the glow of streetlights. The crisp morning air made Laura draw in a deep breath as she rode her scooter toward the interstate bus station.
Upon arrival, she parked it in the designated two-wheel area. Laura double-checked the steering lock — she couldn't afford anything to jeopardize her mission today.
Without wasting a second, she rushed inside the station. It was surprisingly busy for such an early hour. The ticket counter attendant glanced at her briefly as she approached.
"One ticket to Columbus — round trip, please," Laura said, slightly breathless.
"The bus leaves in fifteen minutes," the attendant informed her while handing over the ticket.
"Thank you!" Laura hurried off toward the exit leading to the platforms.
Outside, the rumble of engines readying for departure made her heart pound faster. She quickened her pace — her sling bag bouncing against her side. The baggage compartment was just about to close when she arrived.
"Wait! I'm on this bus!" she shouted.
The driver simply nodded, allowing her to board.
Before stepping inside, Laura turned back — toward the station entrance.
For some reason… she felt eyes on her.
Watching.
Following her movements.
But she pushed the thought aside and climbed into the bus, without giving herself time to overthink.
Laura's eyes darted around, searching for the seat number printed on her ticket.
"Twenty-three… there it is."
She pulled her backpack into her lap and settled into the window seat. A quiet breath slipped past her lips. At least the hardest part — slipping out without Mama noticing — was done.
But the relief didn't last long.
Her eyes widened when she spotted someone approaching her row.
"Justin?"
The blond-haired boy gave a faint smile, like he'd been expecting exactly that reaction.
"Good morning, Laura."
"What are you doing here?" she asked, caught between surprise and disbelief.
"Heading to Columbus," Justin replied casually.
"You're… not going to school today?"
"You're asking me? When you're the one skipping?" he countered, taking the seat beside her.
Laura pressed her lips together at the comeback — a direct hit.
"Before you sit, maybe check your seat number first."
"Twenty-four." Justin lifted his ticket slightly, that thin smile still in place.
Laura blinked, then shook her head slowly. "What are you really doing here?" Her voice was flat, but the shock was impossible to hide.
"Accompanying a friend."
"And who would that be?"
Justin raised a brow. "You, obviously."
Laura turned sharply toward the window. "I don't need a babysitter. Thanks anyway."
Justin didn't respond right away — he lowered himself properly into his seat. "Cass and I… we've visited Halen a few times. So… I can take you to his place."
"I can find it myself." Laura's tone was guarded — but the slight tremor at the end betrayed her nerves.
Justin studied her profile. "It's dangerous for a girl to wander alone around that neighborhood. I just… worry about you."
Laura narrowed her eyes at him. "What I don't get is — how did you know I was going there today?"
"A hunch." Too short. Too prepared.
Laura rolled her eyes lightly. "Your instincts must be amazing then."
Justin gave a weak smile, but his gaze drifted — distant, troubled.
"Why'd you suddenly go quiet?" Laura pressed.
"It's nothing… just remembered something. From before," he murmured.
Laura watched him a little longer than she meant to. He looked older than eighteen — like he'd lived more than he should have. Something about his eyes made her chest feel unsettled.
"I didn't know Cass complained about me to you."
Justin let out a soft laugh. "Every day. She worries a lot. Last night she even forced me to keep an eye on you. Want to know something? I've been waiting for you since five this morning."
Laura froze. Her heartbeat skipped. "You… waited for me?"
He nodded once.
Laura inhaled slowly — guilt creeping into her expression. "Thank you," she said, genuinely.
That alone made Justin's smile bloom — no longer polite, but warm. Real.
"Cass doesn't allow me to see Halen," Laura admitted quietly. "But… I need to know how he is."
Justin swallowed hard. He knew something. And he wasn't sure Laura was ready.
"You'll see for yourself."
"How? I can't even meet him."
"I'll handle it. Just trust me… a little."
Laura bit her lip — she hated depending on others. But today… she had no choice.
"You've met him, right?" she asked.
Justin nodded. "Yeah. But… it's better if you see with your own eyes. That's why you're going, isn't it?"
Laura finally nodded.
And right then, the bus lurched forward — leaving Little Britain behind as it made its way toward Columbus.
Toward answers…
or something far more terrifying than the truth.