The Fractured Mirror
The next day was cloudy and heavy, as if the sky itself weighed down on the city. Yang Wei and Chen Yong stood in front of a plain door in a narrow alley, the entrance to the secretive world they intended to explore. Yang's heart raced with tension.
“You ready for this?” Chen asked quietly, his usual confidence fading.
Yang took a deep breath and adjusted his messenger bag. “As ready as I can be,” he replied. He had spent the night mentally preparing for this dive into someone else’s memories and emotions.
“Let’s go,” Chen said, steadying himself. He hesitated before pushing the door open.
Inside, the dimly lit room was lined with dusty bookshelves. The air smelled of old paper and something electric—a library filled with secrets.
Cautiously, they stepped in, the door creaking behind them. A man sat at a heavy wooden desk, his back turned as he scribbled notes. He had white hair and round glasses that enlarged his eyes.
“Welcome,” he said, still not turning around. “I was expecting you.”
“Do we know you?” Chen asked, confused.
“Not yet, but you will. I’m Liu Kai,” the man said, turning to face them with a serious expression and eyes that sparkled with a mix of wisdom and mischief. “You’re here about the missing students, I believe.”
“More than that,” Yang Wei stepped forward. “We want to know what you’re doing with memories. We’re worried it isn’t good.”
Liu Kai smiled knowingly. “Memories are who we are, but they’re also fragile. We help people rewrite their pasts, confront fears, or erase regrets. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”
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“Not everyone,” Yang Wei replied fiercely. “Some memories are painful, but they make us human. Changing them risks losing that humanity.”
“Ah, but you misunderstand,” Liu Kai leaned back in his chair. “We don’t play with memories; we offer a service to those who seek it. You both have a rare gift—why not join us? Together, we could achieve amazing things.”
Chen shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Yang Wei. “At what cost? People think they can change their pasts, but what happens when those changes come back to haunt them?”
“Consequences are part of life, just like memories,” Liu Kai answered smoothly. “But some painful consequences can be avoided. Just look around.” He gestured to the shelves. “Countless stories of love and loss are here. People need hope, and new memories can give them that.”
Yang Wei felt uneasy. “But you’re manipulating hope. You’re playing God.”
Liu Kai’s expression hardened. “And what’s your plan? To ignore the pain of others? The world is filled with suffering, and we can change that.”
Chen stepped forward, “You can’t play with who we are! We won’t let you exploit memories. Sometimes people need their pain to grow.”
Liu Kai studied them for a moment. “Then you understand the stakes. But know this: opposing us will draw you into a battle you can’t imagine. The search for memories can be dangerous.”
“And we’re not afraid,” Yang Wei replied defiantly, meeting Liu Kai's gaze.
Liu Kai chuckled softly. “Ah, fearlessness. A double-edged sword. If you wish to confront this organization, you must embrace your abilities.”
“What do you mean?” Chen asked, stepping back cautiously.
“You must dive into their memories,” Liu Kai said, leaning closer. “To uncover the truth, you need to see both the beauty and the horror you’re facing. I can help, but you must be ready for what you’ll find.”
Yang Wei clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the decision ahead. “We’ll do it,” Chen said firmly. “But we have to be careful. If we get lost in this, we may never return.”
Liu Kai nodded, approvingly. “Very well. I will guide you, but be warned: the path you choose may reveal truths you’re not ready for.”
As Yang Wei and Chen exchanged determined looks, they took their first steps into a complicated maze of memories, ready to uncover the dark thread in their city’s history. The echoes of those lost would soon guide their struggle, and their choices would determine not only their fates but the fate of many others trapped in forgotten pasts.