Akio walked down the street, his vision a haze of indistinct shapes. A man’s scream pierced through the blur, but the words were lost to him. The man stood motionless, his face obscured, shouting silently. Then, without warning, he lunged at Akio, his pursuit relentless. Akio sprinted, his heart pounding with a familiar dread. He darted into a nearby building and slammed the door behind him.

The bathroom was cold and clinical, with the harsh glare of fluorescent lights casting stark shadows across the white tiles. The sterile scent of antiseptic stung Akio’s nose as he splashed cold water on his face, trying to dispel the remnants of the nightmare. The relentless hum of the lights seemed to magnify his sense of unease, and the icy chill of the room made his breath visible in the air. As he gazed into the mirror, the reflection warped, morphing into the man from his dream. Terror gripped him, his body paralyzed. The man’s cold fingers reached through the glass, pulling Akio into the mirror’s depths. Helpless, Akio struggled to move or scream. The man’s voice thundered in his ears: “REMEMBER, REMEMBER AKIO!” The pain was unbearable.

With a start, Akio awoke, gasping for breath. “Oh, it was just a dream,” he muttered, trying to shake off the lingering fear.

He found himself in his room, the walls seeming to close in, amplifying his claustrophobic anxiety. A pounding headache accompanied the familiar aches that plagued him each morning. The walls were stark white, and the air was still, thick with the smell of disinfectant. The room was devoid of comfort, the only sound being the distant murmur of the facility’s machinery. Dismissing the dream as a mere figment of his imagination, he resolved to gather information about his surroundings.

The next day, during mealtime, Akio scanned the dining area. The clattering of trays and the murmur of conversations created a background noise that felt oddly comforting amidst the facility’s oppressive atmosphere. Spotting the young man from the previous day, he moved swiftly to the table. Sliding into the seat beside him, he observed the young man’s reaction—a flicker of surprise swiftly masked by a cautious smile. The young man had bright yellow hair and vivid blue eyes, with jaw-length bangs framing his face. His presence contrasted with the otherwise mundane setting, creating an air of intrigue.

The dining area buzzed with an unusual cheerfulness; children ran about, their laughter ringing out like echoes of innocence, while adults engaged in lively conversation. The new maid, who moved with a robotic efficiency, carried a tray of food with an absent gaze. Her uniform was immaculate, but her demeanor was cold, a stark contrast to the warm interactions of the rest of the staff, who managed forced smiles as they attended to the children.

“Hey, buddy, didn’t expect to see you here,” the young man said, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?” Akio asked, trying to mask his curiosity.

The young man took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room as if ensuring they were not overheard. “After yesterday, when the voice promised freedom, people started to calm down and believe blindly. I thought you might be one of them.”

Akio nodded. “I felt something strange, too, but couldn’t pinpoint it. Since you seem to know more about this place, could you fill me in?”

The young man smiled, but there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. “Sure, but first, we should introduce ourselves. Let’s see... I’ll go by Jiyu, which means freedom. I’m determined to find a way out. And you?”

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Recalling the name from his dream, Akio replied, “Call me Akio.”

Jiyu raised an eyebrow. “Akio? That’s an interesting choice. Why that name?”

“No particular reason,” Akio responded, trying to sound nonchalant.

Jiyu’s expression grew serious, the corners of his mouth tightening. “Alright, let me tell you more about this place. From what I’ve gathered from others who’ve been here longer, this isn’t a hospital. We’ve been kidnapped and had our memories erased.”

Akio’s eyes widened in shock. He dropped his cup, causing one of the guards to glance their way. Jiyu noticed and smiled reassuringly.

“Akio, smile,” Jiyu whispered through clenched teeth. “You’re quite the clumsy one.” He chuckled softly, and Akio followed suit, forcing a laugh. The guard turned away, seemingly satisfied.

Jiyu leaned in, his tone urgent, his eyes flicking around to ensure they were not being overheard. “From now on, don’t react to anything unusual. There are CCTV cameras everywhere, and guards at every corner. Any sign of suspicion could mean our end. Do you understand?”

Akio nodded, his face set with determination. He concealed his hands under the table, trying to steady his nerves.

Jiyu continued, “As I said, we’ve been kidnapped and had our memories erased. But some have managed to escape.”

“Really?” Akio asked, astonished.

“Yes,” Jiyu confirmed. “They focus on these individuals for about a week, running various tests. Then, a man with yellow hair leads them outside, and they’re never heard from again.”

Akio’s face turned pale. “Do you think those who go out are killed?”

“Most likely,” Jiyu said. “This place doesn’t want us leaving, so I believe they’re eliminated.”

“Have there been any successful escape attempts?” Akio inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, but none succeeded. Three people planned meticulously, bypassed security, and even acquired guns. They made it outside, navigating what they described as a giant maze. However, when they returned, they were changed—lifeless, their eyes wide, and they eventually died under strange circumstances. One man repeatedly smashed his head on the floor until he died laughing. Another strangled himself. The only woman’s death is still unknown; her body was found mutilated, and the CCTV footage mysteriously resumed only after her death.”

Jiyu’s calm demeanor contrasted with the horror of his tale. His eyes were somber, reflecting the gravity of the situation. “Some say it’s what they saw outside that drove them mad, while others believe the organization did something to them. Others dismiss it as a myth.”

Akio’s face reflected his terror, but he quickly regained control. “This is horrifying. But what if they’re protecting us? We don’t remember the outside world.”

Jiyu shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. But one thing’s clear: they’re hiding something. The food seems addictive, we’re drugged while we sleep, and they lie about letting us out once we’re healed. If they were genuinely helping us, they wouldn’t deceive us. I’m planning to escape and uncover the truth. Will you join me?”

Akio whispered back, his voice laced with disbelief, “Are you insane? You’ve just detailed what happened to those who tried to escape, and now you want me to join you?”

Jiyu’s eyes were earnest, his resolve unwavering. “Do you really believe they’re helping us? You felt something strange, didn’t you?”

“Even if I did,” Akio said, “there’s no way out. There are too many guards, and we don’t have a map. But if you can prove they’re deceiving us, I’ll consider joining you.”

Jiyu nodded, determination etched in his features. “I’ll prove it when we meet next. We should rendezvous in two days at a different table. Just sit anywhere, and I’ll act like I bumped into you.”

“Why?” Akio asked, puzzled.

“I don’t want them to think we’re too close. Also, be cautious of whom you talk to. There might be spies among us.”

As they conversed, a stranger in a green hood sat at a distant table, his face concealed. His eyes, dark and unreadable, followed their every move. The faintest of smirks played at the corners of his lips, hinting at a deeper, more sinister understanding.