Sam and Zero were sitting at a corner table. The coffee cup in front of Sam had gone cold, whileZero hadn't ordered anything at all. They sat side by side, but both their minds were somewherefar away, lost in a void. Sam finally spoke, "So... what do we do now, man? We don't even know where Maera lives.All
we know from what we found out… is that the 'savior' that night wasn't anyone else—it was
Maera." Zero shifted in his seat, a frown deepening on his forehead. He spoke slowly, deliberately."Wedon't know yet... but we can find out.After everything we've learned... we can't leave Sara alonelike this."
"After everything we've learned??" A sharp voice cut through. Sam and Zero both turned around in sync—and their faces instantly drained of color. "A-Alexa..." Zero stammered. Alexa had just returned from talking to her old school friend—and had caught half of their
conversation. Her tone was serious now. "What are you two talking about?"
"W-We... uh, Alexa, we were just talking about Tetris."
"Oh really? Tetris, huh?Then tell me... what does Sara have to do with Tetris?"Her tone
sharpened. "And since when do you two discuss Tetris with such serious faces?" Zero, a notoriously bad liar, now glanced at Sam pleadingly for help.Sam glared right back, mentally cursing him. "What is it that you can't tell me?" Alexa pressed. Sam answered, "It's not like we don't trust you, Alexa… it's just not the right time.We'll tell youeverything. We promise. But not now."
"Oh, okay then."Alexa calmly pulled out the chair opposite them and sat down."In that case, I'mnot leaving this spot until you do tell me. Everything."
Sam and Zero exchanged worried glances.Alexa leaned forward. "See—if this is about Sara, thenI have to know.Please. Just tell me everything." Sam looked at Zero, gave him a silent nod.Zero sighed. "Alright Alexa, you asked for it. Just
don't blame us later for what you hear."
"Okay," Alexa replied firmly. And so Zero told her everything. Alexa listened like a robot—without even breathing.And perhaps, at that moment, she hadnobreath left in her.Sara had never told her any of this. A single tear slipped down Alexa's cheek when Zero finally fell silent.She slowly came backtoherself, and both Sam and Zero studied her face, trying to read her expression. But something had already shifted. Inside Alexa, a storm had begun to rise.She clenched her fists under the table—tight withrestraint. She was on the edge of breaking—when suddenly, they heard a familiar voice. "There you are! I've been searching the entire hospital for you guys!"
It was Sara. She walked up to them, half out of breath. Sam and Zero instantly changed their expressions. Alexa lifted her head and smiled. This was Sara—the girl who had never let a single tear fall in front of them.Sara…a puzzleof aperson.Or maybe an open book… with every single page blank. Sara...How many secrets are you still hiding inside that innocent heart?
Alexa looked at Sara with pain in her eyes. She stood up slowly, examining Sara closely—fragileand pale, she looked like a wax doll barely standing. Alexa gently cupped Sara's cheek andaskedin a soft tone, "Sara, how are you feeling now?" With a light smile, Sara replied, "Honestly... feeling amazing." A pang of sadness pierced Alexa's chest. She patted Sara's cheek affectionately and walkedawaywith a forced smile. She knew that if she stayed even a moment longer, she wouldn't be abletohold back her own emotions. Her steps quickened as she left.
"What happened?" Sara asked in confusion. "Nothing," Sam replied quickly. "We were just talking about you. You know Alexa is reallypossessive when it comes to you." Sara smiled faintly. "I've troubled you all so much... but not anymore. The doctor said I'mreadyfor discharge now—I can walk properly again." Maera sat on the sofa opposite the kitchen, her laptop open on her lap, but her focus was
elsewhere. Her mind was lost, looping endlessly around Sara's words from the hospital, her
behavior at college... "Sara... what happened to you? And what's happening to me? Why can't I
think about anything else?" Frustrated, Maera shut her laptop and held her head in her hands. This had never happenedtoherbefore. She stood up abruptly and walked out to the balcony. Lighting a cigarette, she inhaleddeeply, letting the smoke fill the aching space inside her. "Maybe... maybe I need to meet her. Is she okay now? Should I reach out to those friends whowere with her that night?" She ran her fingers through her hair and ruffled it in anxiety. Just then, Sim hugged her from behind. "Smoking again...?" Sim asked softly. For the first time, Maera felt like her habit had genuinely disturbed Sim. "Sim... not now, please. I'm a little stressed because of work."
"Oh? That issue still not solved?" Sim asked innocently. "Not yet, but don't worry. Everything will be fine."
"Hmm... what time is it?" Sim suddenly remembered something. "It's 5," Maera replied. "Why?"
"Well... Layall's live show starts at 7! That's why," Sim said, grinning. "Heh. You silly fangirl," Maera teased. "Oye! Don't mock Layall. She has millions of fans on YouTube!"
"Okay okay! I take it back. Don't fight with me, you bully wife," Maera said, tugging Sim's
cheek lovingly. "Oye Maera! Just wait—I'll get you back!" Sim giggled and chased Maera all the way to thebathroom.
Sara had been discharged that day. Sam, Zero, and Alexa stood with her outside the hospital. Alexa asked, concerned, "Sara, are you sure you'll be okay going home alone?"
"Yes, absolutely! I'm not that weak now. And besides, I've troubled you all so much this past
week. None of you have slept properly because of me. Now it's your turn to rest. I promise, I'll
be fine."
"If you say so... but please call us if anything feels wrong. And don't... do anything stupid, okay?" Zero added worriedly. "I won't. I promise," Sara smiled. The four of them then parted ways. "Alexa, I'm starving!" Sam groaned. "Oi Sam, want ramen?" Alexa offered mischievously. "No way," Sam replied flatly. "Too bad. My treat," Alexa teased, raising a playful eyebrow. "Okay then! Let's go, I'm really hungry," Sam said shamelessly. They both laughed as they walked away. Sara returned home, put her phone on charge, and went for a shower. When she came out andchecked the time, it was already 6:00 PM. She got ready quickly. But when she came out dressed, she wasn't Sara anymore. She was Layall. Sara arrived again at the same coffee shop. There was a strange peace within her. Without
hesitation, she walked in. The small stage was empty, a guitar placed nearby. She walkedtowardit, set up her phone camera, and took her place on the stool. Black jeans, a black shirt, and a white fox-eye mask covering the upper half of her face—without
any announcement, she began to sing: "Memories of Us" The echoes of your laughter linger in my mind, Shadows on the wall were once your light. It shined, The empty bed is cold like the tears I cannot find. Memories of us are all that's left behind. You are my heart's own shelter through the stormy nights.
Now I wander aimless, lost in endless fights. Screams of faded pictures, we were taking flights. Now it's just a whisper in the fading lights. Waiting at the station, knowing you're not alive. Scanning every crowd, pretending you're alive. Clouds of hopeless dreams in which I contrive. Memories of us in which I can't survive. Your touch was like the summer in the freezing rain. Now every breath I take is like a jagged pain. Our secret places call me where we shed our pain. Distant now forever, linked in rusty chains. A friend who was much more than words could ever tell. Now I'm lost without you in a hollow shell. Every song we play becomes a bitter spell. Haunted by the echoes where my spirit fell... As Sara stopped singing, the entire café erupted into applause. But in a shadowed corner, oneman sat frozen, stunned. Eyes wide. He knew that voice. "Sara...? That's... Sara, right?"
It was Zero. Like always, he had come to this café casually. But tonight... what he sawstunnedhim beyond words. No YouTube video had ever made it clear. But seeing her live—her voice, her posture, her
song—there was no doubt anymore. This was Sara. Sara—Layall—stood up quietly, grabbed her guitar, and walked out silently. But Zero... Zero sat still, shaken to the core.
To be continued...