“I like you, Nova,” he confessed. “I-i know this is sudden, but...” not finishing his word, Nova fled away, leaving Lucas alone. He didn’t know what to do, so he just ended up staring at her back and running away. He brushed his hair with his finger out of frustration. 

“Hey Lucas!” He turns back and sees Nadine. “We’re not yet done with the tour; where’s Nova?” she cluelessly asked. 

“I’m sorry, Nadine, but... next time, we’ll do it.” She noticed the hint of sadness in his voice. Nadine didn’t know what happened, so she just shrugged it away. 

“Okay, next time,” she smiled and left.

***

Nova was in her bed, lying on her stomach, frustrated. Not just because of Lucas’ confession, but because there’s something more. In those scenarios, everything was blurry. Her crying on someone’s grave, her argument with her father, even her being a mother.

“What did I just see?” she asked herself. Nova took a deep breath and sat. “They wouldn’t dare to drug a 12 year old right?” Astounded by her thoughts, she buried her face in the pillows and squealed. 

“Then why am I imagining those things?”

"Nova,” a knock echoed in the room. It’s Nadine. She opened the door for her and saw her holding something. “This is yours,” she said, handing Nova the painting. She accepted it and looked at it. It’s this scenario again, this is the first thing she saw ever since those paint brushes touched the canvas, and then those strange scenarios started to appear next.

“Why would you paint something like that?” Nadine asked. “Chia said we’re supposed to draw our happiest moments,” she added. Nova looked at her, then at the canva Nadine was holding. It is a painting of her on the hospital bed, smiling. 

“Mine was on my 8th birthday,” Nadine said as she noticed Nova looking at her painting. “Yours? Are you sure that’s the happiest moment of yours?” She asked. Nova doesn't know what to answer. She herself doesn’t even know a single thing about this.

“I... don’t know.” 

After that interaction, she kept thinking about the painting, looking at it on the table. She closed her eyes and tried to recall all those scenarios in her mind, but to no effect. She decided to go out and walk under the night sky. Nova went to the shore and observed the ocean. The sun was replaced by a big half moon.

“It’s beautiful, right?” She looked to her right and saw Nadine watching the moon. Nova returned her attention to the moon again.

“Am I the only one thinking that everything here is strange? How can a moon possibly be that big?” Nadine looked at her.

“‘Cause that’s not a moon, Nova,” she said. She is confused as to why Nova doesn’t know anything, is acting strange, and such. “Why?” she didn’t even have to finish her sentence when Nova dragged her into a nearby tree and ducked.

“Nova –”

“Shh, they might see us,” she whispered, and she looked to take a peek at what was happening. Nadine looked back to see what Nova was fussing about. 

“It’s just Clay with his people; what’s wrong with that?” Nadine asked.

“In the middle of the night?”

“They’re just working, Nova; no big deal,” Nadine said nonchalantly. “Look, Hi Clay!” 

“Nadine!” she warned, but it was too late; they were eyeing the place they were in and were no longer in hiding. Nadine started running towards Clay and hugging his thighs. He patted her head and looked at Nova.

“It’s already night; what were you two doing in here?” 

“I just missed watching the light, Clay; it’s still mesmerizing.” Nadine said.

“You always see it every night, Nadine,” Clay said, carrying her. “You said you still wanted to see your mom, so you shouldn’t be mesmerized by it.” Nadine just ignored everything he said and rested her head on his shoulder.

“You go first; I’ll bring them back myself,” Clay commanded, and then the people walked again towards the deep forest. Nova keeps eyeing them and notices something. Certain body parts of these people are glowing. Some are on their wrists, others are on their necks while Clay…

Clay notices it and blocks her view with his body. “There’s nothing to see there, Nova; let’s go back.” 

She notices a glint of light on his chest.

“What are you going to do in the forest?” Despite her question, he just responded in silence and looked her in the eye. A strange force was pulling Nova in; out of her own will, she just followed Clay and started walking towards her hut. While Nova was not in control of her body, Nadine was just resting in Clay’s arms, observing Nova. Their eyes meet, and her expression is uncomfortable. 

“We’re here; go get some rest, Nova.” Clay announced. After that, Nova felt so light and comfortable that she could now control her body.

“What –”

“Can I stay with her, Clay?” Nadine interrupted Nova.

“You can’t. You have your own hut.” 

“Please, Clay. I just feel so lonely there; I miss my mom. Please?” Nadine pleaded. Clay looked at her and couldn't help but feel bad.

“Okay, but just for tonight. I’ll have Kai accompany you for the following nights.” He then put Nadine down, and she hugged him one last time.

"Thanks, Clay; you’re the best.” She let go and went inside Nova’s hut. She waved goodbye and closed the door. 

“Wow, look at how kind he is to you, but not to me?” Nova scoffs. “Unbelievable.” 

“Nova, Clay is a good man; you must’ve just started on the wrong foot.”

“That’s what we call favoritism,, Nadin,.” she stated.

“Anyway, why did you look so uncomfortable earlier? You seem like you're going to poop.” she asked. “Even though it's impossible.” she muttered.

“Oh god, how many times do I have to point this out? Am I the only one thinking that this place is strange? Even the people!” she hysterically said. “Nadine, isn't it obvious? Clay is controlling me. He controls everything!” Despite everything she said, she gained no reaction from Nadine. 

“Y-you know?” Nova’s voice shook. “You know something, Nadine, tell me. Where are we? Is this an illusion? By Clay? Tell me!”

“Nova,” Nadine called. “This is not an illusion. It is true that Clay controls everything, but he doesn’t have the ability to control us.”

“Then all of this was real then? In what sense? An ocean that can be commanded, never ending maze trap forest—oh, now explain this, It’s been a week since I don’t feel hungry, I don’t get thirsty—”

“Nova, we’re already dead.”