Adrian didn't tell anyone about the new memory that came that night.
It wasn't like the others.
There was no garden.
No sunlight.
No laughter.
Just a room.
Small.
Dark.
And cold.
—
He woke up before sunrise, sitting up too fast, his breathing uneven. It took him a few seconds to realize where he was. The soft bed. The quiet room. The faint light coming through the curtains.
"…It's not there anymore," he said under his breath, pressing his hand against his chest.
But the feeling didn't leave.
He got out of bed and went to the bathroom, turning on the tap just to hear something. The silence made it worse.
When he looked up at the mirror, he froze for a second.
Not because of what he saw now.
But because of what he remembered.
A younger version of himself.
Standing in front of a different mirror.
With someone behind him.
Adrian quickly looked away.
"…I don't need to remember that," he muttered, gripping the edge of the sink.
But the problem was—
He already had.
—
At breakfast, Adrian was quieter than usual.
Not distant.
Just… careful.
He sat next to Alessio like he had been doing lately, but he didn't start any conversation.
Alessio noticed after a few minutes.
"You didn't sleep well?" he asked, keeping his tone normal.
Adrian shook his head slightly. "I slept."
"That's not what I asked."
Adrian didn't answer right away. He picked at his food before finally saying, "…I had another memory."
That got everyone's attention, even if they didn't show it openly.
Alessio leaned a bit closer. "What kind?"
Adrian hesitated.
"…Not a good one."
Alessio's expression changed, just slightly. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Adrian shook his head immediately. "No."
The answer came too fast.
Alessio didn't push.
"Okay," he said simply.
Marco glanced at Adrian for a moment but didn't interrupt. Whatever it was, Adrian would speak when he was ready.
Or not.
—
The ride to school was quiet.
Adrian didn't look out the window this time. He just sat there, his hands resting in his lap, his mind going back to the same image.
The mirror.
The figure behind him.
The feeling of not being able to move.
"…Stop," he muttered quietly.
Alessio heard him. "What?"
Adrian shook his head. "Nothing."
Alessio didn't believe that, but he let it go for now.
—
At school, Adrian tried to focus.
He really did.
But during reading, the words blurred together more than once.
He caught himself staring at the same line for too long.
"Adrian?" the teacher called gently.
He blinked and looked up. "Sorry."
"Do you want to step outside for a moment?" she asked.
Adrian hesitated.
Then nodded. "…Yeah."
He stood up and walked out of the classroom, closing the door behind him.
The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
He leaned against the wall and let out a slow breath.
"…It's just a memory," he said to himself. "It's over."
But his body didn't react like it was over.
His shoulders were tense.
His hands slightly shaking.
After a minute, he straightened up and went back inside.
He didn't say anything.
Just sat down and continued.
—
At lunch, Adrian didn't eat much.
Alessio noticed again.
"You're not hungry?" he asked.
Adrian shrugged. "I am."
"Then eat."
Adrian picked up his fork, forced himself to take a few bites, then stopped again.
"…Do you remember everything from when we were little?" he asked suddenly.
Alessio frowned slightly. "Not everything. Why?"
Adrian looked down at his tray.
"…Do you remember anything bad?"
The question felt heavier than it sounded.
Alessio paused.
"…Some things," he said carefully. "Why?"
Adrian shook his head. "Just asking."
Alessio didn't like that answer.
But again, he didn't push.
—
When they got home, Adrian didn't go to his room.
He didn't go to the living room either.
He just stood in the hallway for a moment, unsure where to go.
That was new.
Before, he always had a place to retreat to.
Now… he didn't feel like being alone.
Alessio noticed and walked over.
"You okay?"
Adrian nodded, but didn't move.
"…Can I stay with you?" he asked after a second.
Alessio blinked. "You don't have to ask."
Adrian shrugged slightly. "I still want to."
Alessio nodded. "Yeah. Come on."
—
They went to Alessio's room.
Adrian sat on the edge of the bed while Alessio leaned against the desk.
Neither of them spoke at first.
Then Adrian said, "…I remembered something bad."
Alessio didn't react too strongly. He just listened.
Adrian continued, slower now. "It wasn't like the others."
"What was different?" Alessio asked.
Adrian stared at the floor.
"…I wasn't alone."
Alessio's jaw tightened slightly.
"Someone was there," Adrian added. "Behind me."
He didn't say more than that.
He didn't need to.
Alessio understood enough.
"…Did they hurt you?" he asked, keeping his voice steady.
Adrian didn't answer right away.
Then he said quietly, "…I think so."
The room went silent.
Not uncomfortable.
Just heavy.
Alessio pushed himself off the desk and sat beside him.
He didn't touch him.
Just sat there.
"You don't have to talk about it all at once," he said.
Adrian nodded.
"…I don't want to remember it."
"I know."
"But I think I will anyway."
Alessio looked at him.
"Then you won't go through it alone this time."
Adrian didn't respond.
But he didn't move away either.
—
Later that evening, Adrian stayed in the living room with the others.
Not saying much.
Just being there.
At one point, Nico tossed him a small snack.
"Eat," he said.
Adrian caught it, a bit surprised. "…Thanks."
"Don't overthink it," Nico added, leaning back.
Adrian nodded and opened it.
It was a small thing.
But it mattered.
—
That night, Adrian didn't feel like going to sleep.
He sat on his bed, staring at the wall, thinking about the memory again.
The room.
The mirror.
The presence behind him.
His chest tightened slightly.
"…It's over," he repeated quietly.
But then another thought came.
Not about the past.
About now.
About the house.
The people.
His brothers.
Adrian stood up suddenly and walked to the door.
He opened it, stepped into the hallway, and hesitated for a second before walking down it.
He stopped in front of another door.
Alessio's.
He knocked once.
There was a pause, then—
"Yeah?"
Adrian opened the door slightly.
"…Can I stay here tonight?"
Alessio looked up from his bed.
He didn't ask why.
Didn't question it.
"Yeah," he said simply.
Adrian nodded and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
He sat on the edge of the bed, not saying anything.
Alessio shifted slightly to make space.
"Just sleep," he said.
Adrian lay down, still a bit stiff at first.
But after a few minutes, his shoulders relaxed.
The silence didn't feel heavy anymore.
It felt… safe.
And even though the memory was still there—
It didn't feel as close.
For the first time since it came back, Adrian felt like he could breathe without thinking about it every second.
And that was enough for tonight.