David stood up. His body and face were covered in sweat. Quickly glancing around, he saw Emma and Lucy still asleep.
What kind of dream was that… David thought to himself.
But a moment later, he had already forgotten the dream. That troubled him even more.
David had always had a sharp memory since birth — how could he forget something so easily? A trace of unease flickered in his eyes.
He didn't understand what was happening to him or his companions. Looking around and seeing them all nearby, he let out a relieved sigh and lay back down to sleep.
A few hours later, they woke up. David no longer remembered anything that had happened during the night — it was as if his memory had been erased.
He looked at Lucy, smiled, and went over to wake her.
"Lucy, Lucy, wake up," he said gently.
At last, Lucy stirred and blinked at David with sleepy eyes.
"What is it, David?" she asked.
"Nothing. Come on, let's take a walk," David replied.
Lucy didn't really want to, but because it was her friend asking, she couldn't say no.
They got up and went outside. The fresh, cool air brushed softly against their faces.
Still half-asleep, Lucy quickly came to her senses when the crisp air touched her skin.
David glanced at the two of them and said with a smile,
"How about we take a little stroll?"
Lucy immediately brightened and replied,
"Yes, let's!"
But Emma seemed distant, almost as if she didn't belong to this reality. She was cold, and from time to time her gaze wandered off into the distance.
Lucy didn't notice, but David did — though he kept forgetting about it almost instantly. He thought it was strange… forgetting things like this.
Yet, before he could dwell on it, the thoughts would simply vanish.
As they walked, Lucy and David enjoyed themselves, but David's sword reacted oddly from time to time, twitching.
It was as if the blade was warning him: You're in danger. But David ignored it, doing nothing and taking no precautions.
Night fell. They gathered inside the hollow of a tree. Sitting in a circle, David suddenly said:
"Should I sing a song for you?"
Lucy blinked in surprise.
"You can sing?"
"Of course," he answered.
"Then let's hear it," Lucy said with excitement.
And David began to sing:
When the stars shine in the sky
I hear the whisper of your voice
It calls me forward
Bringing warmth and light into the dark
If I fall — I'll rise again
If I lose myself — I'll remember you
The world may vanish in an instant
But as long as you're here — I'll live on
I can't stop this feeling
It guides me like a flame
Through the night, through the cold and fear
I'll still stay by your side
I can't stop this feeling
Even if the world disappears tomorrow
I'll still sing for you
Silence hung in the air after the final line.
"So? What did you think?" David asked.
Lucy's eyes widened with wonder, and she smiled brightly.
"Wow… what an amazing song. You're incredible… I've always loved songs like that."
David frowned slightly, but gave her a soft smile.
"Thank you."
Emma looked at him coldly and asked,
"Where did you hear that song?"
"I once heard it in the house of a rich man… while I was stealing food," David answered.
Both girls were stunned.
"Wow," they said at the same time.
For a moment, silence fell again.
Then, in David's mind, a troubling thought sparked: But wait… that wasn't the song I just sang. Why did they hear it differently?
He wanted to say it out loud, but the words caught in his throat. The thought itself dimmed, as if era
sed directly from his memory.
All that remained was emptiness… and a faint unease in his heart.