Harmonies Unveiled

Chapter 8: Memory Unraveled

On the 20th birthday, as the day came to an end, Yuka, Hank, and Woods gathered in the mall's lobby. The street outside was busy with cars, some stores closing while others remained open. They were about to say their goodbyes when something unexpected happened.

Just as they were about to part ways, their cheerful atmosphere shattered by an unexpected turn of events. Yuka's purse was forcefully taken by a person dressed in all black, a thief. Without hesitating or taking a moment to think, Joel immediately reacted. 

They swiftly moved into action, running after the thief who was now making their escape through the mall. The sounds of their pounding footsteps echoed through the surrounding, drawing the attention of startled people who were walking on the street.

Just as Joel was about to catch up to the thief, an unexpected obstacle emerged in their path. A group of shoppers, unaware of the chase taking place, crossed their trajectory. In a split second, Joel had to make a decision. They veered sharply to the side, narrowly avoiding a collision with the unsuspecting crowd.

The thief, seizing the opportunity, took advantage of the momentary diversion and increased their speed. Joel's heart pounded in their chest as they desperately tried to regain lost ground. Their mind raced, calculating the best route to cut off the thief's escape.

The chase spilled out onto the busy street, they saw the thief who just crossed the street to the other side of the road. In the heat of the moment, Joel didn't take the time to check for oncoming vehicles before crossing.

They failed to notice the oncoming danger. In a split second, a loud screech pierced in the air as a truck emerged from the corner, its headlights illuminating the night. 

The driver of the truck slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. The force of the impact sent Joel's body sprawling onto the pavement. Time seemed to slow down as the world around them faded into a haze of pain and confusion.

Yuka, Hank, and Woods, who had been following closely behind, gasped in horror as they witnessed the accident unfold before their eyes. Panic surged through their veins as they rushed to Joel's side, their voices a blur of concern and anguish.

They can see the wet and sticky asphalt beneath Joel's motionless body, evidence of the impact. The scent of burnt rubber lingers in the air as the truck comes to a screeching halt, its presence a haunting reminder of the tragic turn of events. They're getting light headed as they're trying to process the event that occurs.

Yuka's hands tremble as they kneel down beside Joel, tears streaming down their face. "Joel! Can you hear me? Please, wake up!" they cry out, their voice filled with desperation. Hank and Woods, their expressions a mix of fear and disbelief, join Yuka's side, their hearts heavy with worry.

Then it was a black out.

Returning to the present day, Joel connected the dots and explained to Yuka—the memory that they've lost. 

 "Well, is it true?" Joel typed the question on their tablet's memo app, handing it over to Yuka, who was still overcome with worry and tears. 

The words on the screen conveyed Joel's longing for confirmation.

Yuka's trembling hands reached for the tablet, their eyes scanning the words. Their tears blurred their vision for a moment, but they quickly blinked them away, focusing on the message before them. Their heart raced as they realized the significance of Joel's question.

With a mixture of hope and anxiety, Yuka looked up at Joel, their voice choked with emotion. "Yes, Joel," they said, their voice quivering. "It's true. We were all there. We witnessed the accident, the fear, and the pain. You... didn't survive it"

Joel's heart sank as Yuka's words pierced through their being. The weight of the revelation crashed down on them, shattering their hopes and leaving them speechless. 

The environment fell into a heavy silence, only the sound of nature and the busy city can be heard.

Hank and Woods exchanged sorrowful glances, their expressions mirroring the grief that filled. It was a truth they had carried silently, unable to share the pain of losing their dear friend.

"What happened to me? How am I still alive?", Joel asked another question using their memo.

 It was a question that had haunted them all, one for which they had no easy answers.

Yuka took a deep breath, their voice weighted down with fear, "The truth is... there are some connection with your dad. And this involves us too."

Joel tilted their head as they're trying to understand as they listen to the truth.

"Your dad interrogates us about that incident, and it is the worst experience we've had."