A buzzing sound forced Addai’s eyes open. His head throbbed, but he ignored it.

His body felt heavy, so he slowly pushed himself upright. When he looked around, everything was blurred as if seen through fogged glass, but, strangely enough, his senses weren’t sharpened.

He rubbed his eyes and yawned—

Why did he yawn?

He blinked. Once. Twice.

He looked at his hands—clean. The blood and dirt he’d felt a moment ago were gone.

Something wasn’t right.

He tried to remember what he’d been doing, but his thoughts scattered like ash in the wind.

“Home,” Addai echoed, his heart throbbed faster.

But his head couldn’t cooperate with his mind.

No matter how many times he tried to remember the way home, his thoughts hit a wall. It all ended in a blank.

Frustration churned in him, boundless and restless. His heart pounded, his skin prickled, and every part of him wanted to scream and cry. That agony was excruciating.

No matter how far he ran, all he ever found was more of the same pain.

Defeated, he slumped on the floor. His eyes burned, and his throat ached as a dry, broken sob rose and tore its way out of him.

He was so humiliated he didn’t notice the slow steps approaching him among the vast nothingness.

“Hey! Can I help you?”

That voice was gentle and vivid, like splashing your cold feet in a warm puddle of clean water. Addai, with his face damp, slowly lifted his head to the sound’s source.

His vision was still foggy, but he could sense that someone was standing in front of him. It was impossible to discern what that entity was or who it could be, but one thing was sure: it was bright and warm.

“What’s your name?” the foreign being asked, touching Addai’s hand.

Oddly enough, Addai didn’t back away and accepted the touch. “A-addai,” he answered, gulping down a sob. “And you?” he asked, almost in a childish way.

“I’m your best friend, duh,” the being chuckled.

Its appearance started sharpening, as if the fog clouding Addai’s vision was slowly lifting—though not completely. Still, he could see that the “it” was a kid, a boy. His hair was soft and short, but its color was impossible to define; the boy wasn’t made of flesh and blood, but of light. His facial features weren't visible, yet his eyes and smile stood out.

Addai wrinkled his nose and rubbed it. Then, glancing down at his arms, he gasped.

He was wearing different clothing. He was wearing a uniform. It was black, with a tall collar and long sleeves. A tag with an institution’s name was attached to his arm—it was from that infamous institution he once lived in.

His shoes… where were they? It didn’t matter anymore.

He patted his cheeks and felt them covered in band-aids. Some spots stung.

What was going on?

His hands shot up to his hair. It was still fluffy, of course, but it was longer, and the sides weren’t shaved anymore.

It can’t be… Addai’s head spun, his hands trembling as he stared down at them.

He was a kid.

“Hey!” the other kid called, startling Addai. “Why were you crying? Are you upset?” he asked.

Addai bit his lower lips slightly.

His mind was still his, and so were his memories from his adult self, but his brain refused to act like an adult.

His heart thudded and rattled in his chest every time anxiety crept in.

He thought he’d outgrown that, but his body now told otherwise.

From his speech patterns to the way his thoughts connected, everything was scrambled—just like it had been when he was a child. Addai couldn’t help but feel helpless, and his eyes burned once again. Hot tears welled up and streamed down his cheeks.

“I… I’m lost,” Addai muttered.

“Hm…” the other kid hummed, then snapped his finger. “Let’s look for your home then!” he beamed and grabbed Addai’s hand.

Addai barely had time to protest, and the kid pulled him to an unknown road, path, whatever.

Their surroundings were a mystery, but it was pleasant and surprisingly bright.

Addai squinted his eyes, and he could see that a few shadows gained clearer outlines.

There were butterflies, flowers, and trees, also, there was a small pond they passed by at the beginning of their walk. Ahead, nothing seemed clear for Addai to see. Everything was blurry, and all he could see perfectly was the kid's hand and body, once it was closer. Still, he could feel the warm breeze and the ruffling of the leaves, as well as the mysterious kid's joy, translated into giggles and shouts of happiness as they now ran on that path.

Addai couldn’t avoid the puddles and the crunchy leaves that stepped on. Somehow, it was good. Also, the kid encouraged him to do more and enjoy that contagious joy while they were following that odd path.

Then, the kid released his hand.

The kid was joyful as always and seemed happy at the view, but Addai couldn't see it clearly, so he squinted his eyes once again, and maybe that was the trick.

"Ah! I remember where your home is!" the kid beamed.

“W-Where?!” Addai asked, confused.

“It’s here, dummy,” the kid said, taking Addai’s hand and pressing it gently against his chest. “Close your eyes. I’ll guide you,” he added with a soft chuckle.

Addai nodded and closed his eyes, his voice quiet. “How will it work?”

“Hm… I always know what to do. I’m the Great _______ after all!” the kid giggled, joy bursting out of him like sunlight.

Addai’s heart jolted.

His eyes flew open. “Mine?!”

The world snapped into focus.

Everything around him was clear.

And then, he saw Mine right in front of him.

Addai’s breath caught in his throat when their eyes met.