William's eyelids fluttered as he slept, his breathing uneven, caught somewhere between dreams and reality. The world around him shifted, strange and unfamiliar, yet oddly familiar, like a memory he had never lived.
He found himself standing on a vast cliffside, wind whipping around him, the sky painted with swirling colors that seemed alive. He couldn't place the place—but it felt like it had always belonged to him.
A blurry figure appeared in the distance. A girl, small but commanding, wielding something in her hands. Was it a stick? A drumstick? No… it shifted—now a sword. Her movements were fluid, precise, almost as if she was performing a dance.
Then the ground trembled beneath him. A dragon appeared, massive and majestic, its scales shimmering in hues he didn't have names for. On its back, a hooded figure rode with an eerie grace, the wind tugging at their cloak.
William's heart raced, though the dream had the strange calm of something meant to be remembered. He wanted to reach out, to step closer—but the scene swirled, the edges of reality bending like water.
The girl stepped forward suddenly, her hand pressing on his shoulder. He felt it—the warmth, the weight, the pressure.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," she said, her voice firm but teasing.
And then, just as suddenly, the world snapped into focus. William's eyes shot open.
It wasn't a dream anymore—it was the soft, familiar voice of his dad.
"Dad?" William muttered, blinking against the morning light streaming through the window.
"Morning, kiddo," his father said, a small smile on his face. "Sleep well?"
William nodded slowly, though the images of the dream lingered, hazy and intangible. He tried to grasp them, to replay the moment of the dragon, the sword, the hooded figure—but the memory slipped through his fingers like smoke.
Breakfast was quiet, the clinking of cutlery and sips of tea filling the air. William tried to bring up the dream, words hovering on the edge of his tongue.
"Dad… I… I had a weird dream last night," he finally said.
His father glanced up, eyebrows raised. "Oh yeah? What kind of dream?"
William hesitated. "I… I don't know. I can't remember clearly. Just… it felt important."
His father chuckled lightly. "Sounds like your subconscious is having fun. Don't worry too much about it, kiddo."
William nodded, though a faint unease tugged at him. It had felt so real… too real.
He finished his breakfast, brushed his teeth, took a quick shower, and dressed in his school uniform. By habit, he left the house before his dad.
"Heading out!" he called from the front door.
His dad looked up from his notes. "See you later, William! Have a good day at school."
William smiled, closing the door behind him. "Bye, Dad… I'm going, Mom."
His voice carried softly into the empty house, a quiet ritual he still performed every morning, even though his mother had been gone since he was twelve. A mixture of longing and habit, a way to keep her memory close as he stepped into the world.
As he walked toward the street, the morning sun warming his back, he couldn't shake the feeling that the dream—though now forgotten—was nudging him, quietly reminding him that something was waiting. Something he couldn't yet understand.
The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as students settled into their seats. William, however, was lost in his own world. On his desk, partially hidden beneath notebooks and textbooks, lay the intricate mechanism he'd been tinkering with for weeks: his prototype for an instant-freezing gun. Tiny wires snaked around the compact device, and small metallic plates jutted out like the arms of some futuristic insect.
He adjusted a dial, muttering under his breath, and watched as a small cube of water froze instantly within the test chamber. A small smile tugged at his lips. Almost there… just a few more tweaks, he thought.
The hum of the classroom faded into the background as he focused on his invention. The bell for the first period seemed like a distant echo. He scribbled down a few calculations, adjusted a wire, and tested the chamber again. A soft click and a faint hiss signaled success. He scribbled another note: Adjust condenser angle for faster freezing.
From the corner of the room, he noticed Leo striding past the window, heading to the football field. William's mind wandered. He could imagine Leo out there, effortlessly controlling the ball, running drills, teammates following his every command. He could almost see the crowd of girls on the bench, cheering, waving, some blushing, some giggling.
And then there was Alliah. Leaning against the fence, arms crossed, her violet hair bouncing slightly in the wind. She wasn't cheering. She wasn't laughing. Her expression was sharp, almost annoyed, as if she were watching Leo out of sheer obligation or boredom. William smiled faintly at the thought. That was Alliah—couldn't care less about sports, but somehow, always there, observing everything.
Meanwhile, Brie was encircled by a group of classmates near the bleachers, questions and compliments flying toward her. People asking about her band, her singing, her style. She answered politely, graciously, laughing gently at their jokes. The attention clearly didn't bother her; she thrived on it, but only for the right reasons. Around her, everyone gravitated naturally—her charm was effortless, yet genuine.
William shook his head slightly, refocusing on the freezing gun. The hum of the classroom returned, the teacher's voice slicing through the quiet. He listened half-heartedly, jotting down notes while his mind still mapped out modifications to the device. If I adjust the pressure here… maybe I can freeze a full can of soda in under five seconds…
Time passed in a blur of calculations, testing, and scribbled formulas. By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of classes, William snapped back to reality. He carefully packed away his invention, tucking it safely in his bag. The classroom emptied, laughter and chatter spilling into the hallways.
He grabbed his things and headed toward their usual hang-out spot. Unfortunately, it was already occupied. William frowned slightly, scanning the area. Students lounged lazily on the benches, scattered around the familiar tables. Not wanting to waste time, he headed toward their second spot: the third floor of Building B, a quiet area they often claimed for themselves when the first spot was taken.
He arrived and settled into the floor, placing his bag beside him. He pulled out his notebook again, not to work this time, but to jot down the fragments of a memory that lingered in his mind. The dream.
It was the first time he'd experienced anything like it—a place unknown but familiar, he tried to remember but nothing.
As he waited, he traced the outline of the crest he'd picked up on a scrap of paper, trying to make sense of the strange sensation that had shot through his body.
Soon, familiar footsteps echoed on the third-floor landing. One by one, his friends arrived. Leo leaned against the railing first, smirking as always. "Finally. I thought you'd camp here all day with your gadgets," he teased.
"Alliah came in next, sighing softly, dropping her bag onto the floor. She scanned the area with that usual sharp gaze. "So… we're here. Great. Tell me why I'm wasting my afternoon again."
Brie floated in last, smiling warmly at them, carrying her usual charm effortlessly. "Hey, everyone. Sorry I'm late—people were… well, people. You know how it is." She winked, giving William a small nod.
Once everyone settled, William leaned forward, the weight of his thoughts pressing on him. "I… had a dream last night," he began, voice low but steady. "It was weird, and I can't explain it fully. But I think… I think it might be connected to the artifact I touched in Dad's lab."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Dreams and artifacts? Sounds like you've been reading too many stories again, tech boy."
Alliah crossed her arms. "Yeah, and I'm guessing it wasn't a boring dream about math or physics either, right?" Her sharp tone hid a hint of curiosity.
William shook his head. "No… it was more than that. It felt real but somehow, I can't remember it. Did you guys have crazy dreams last night too?"
Brie's eyes widened slightly. "That… sounds intense. Did anyone else have anything like that?"
The group exchanged glances. Leo shook his head. "Nothing here, man. You're the only one on a fantasy adventure apparently."
Alliah sighed, though the corners of her lips twitched. "Great… you get the weird dreams, and the rest of us get… reality."
William leaned back, a mix of frustration and wonder on his face. "I don't know what it means… but it has to be connected. I've never had a dream like that before. And the crest… when I touched it, I felt something—like an electric shock, but… more."
Leo leaned forward, interest piqued despite himself. "Electric shock from the crest yesterday?"
"It could be nothing, but you never know." Brie added.
Alliah rolled her eyes, but her voice was softer now. "I'm sure It's as Brie said Wil you probably pinched a nerve or something."
The four of them sat there, the late afternoon sun spilling through the windows. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside, the weight of curiosity lingering in the air. William's mind raced, replaying the dream, the crest, and the possibilities of what it might mean. For the first time in a long while, he felt a pull toward something bigger, something he couldn't yet explain—but that he knew, deep down, was just the beginning.
The late afternoon sunlight streamed into the third-floor hangout spot, the four friends sitting in comfortable silence for a moment. William's mind was still buzzing from the dream and the artifact—the crest. The pull to investigate was irresistible.
"Guys," he began, voice a little urgent, "I think we should go back to the lab. Today's Friday, Dad won't be there, and… we might find something."
Leo shook his head immediately, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Nah-ah man. We already explored that place. You might want to think of some new territory to conquer."
Alliah, arms crossed, raised a brow. "Besides, if your theory is correct, I don't think investigating is the right choice here. We have no idea what we're dealing with."
"I agree," Brie added, a hint of nervous amusement in her voice. "Don't you watch movies? That's exactly how people die in movies—going back to places you're not supposed to."
Leo laughed, waving his hands dramatically. "Exactly! William, unless you want to star in a horror flick called Kid Meets Lab and Gets Shocked Again, I'd reconsider."
Brie giggled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "They're right, though. Besides, you wouldn't know unless your dad actually tells you he isn't there. Maybe it's a bad idea to go. It may be Friday, but he wasn't there yesterday, so he could be making up for it today."
William's fists clenched slightly as frustration bubbled up. "Alright," he said through gritted teeth, standing abruptly. "I'm going by myself. You guys enjoy sitting there."
The three exchanged glances, surprise flashing across their faces.
"All right, are you serious?" Leo said, standing as well, a mix of concern and exasperation in his tone.
Alliah opened her mouth, about to protest, but William was already grabbing his bag, moving toward the door.
"Wait—" Brie started, but he didn't stop.
Before any of them could protest further, William was gone, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
The three friends remained seated, exchanging looks.
"Of course he'd do that," Leo muttered, shaking his head.
Alliah sighed, covering her face with her hands for a brief moment before muttering, "Let him go. We'll just… hope he knows what he's doing."
Brie, still smiling faintly despite the worry, said softly, "That's Liam alright. He always has to do things his own way."
Leo's expression shifted. He ran a hand through his hair, then made a decision. "You know what? Nah. I'm not letting him go alone."
He grabbed his backpack and stood tall. "Tech-savvy or not, but he might need someone strong and cool enough to back him up." He smirked at the thought, muttering under his breath, "And that's where I come in."
Alliah groaned, but quickly stood up, grabbing her bag. "Ugh… fine. I'm coming too. Someone has to keep you idiots in check."
Brie hesitated for a moment, biting her lip. Yesterday she'd gotten home late, and the thought of being out again at this hour made her heart beat faster. But… it was her friends. Her group. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and followed them. "I'll come too," she said softly, stepping down the stairs with them.
The three of them descended behind Leo, each carrying a mix of concern, curiosity, and quiet determination. William had gone ahead, but now they would make sure he didn't face whatever was waiting in the lab alone.
+Leo caught up to William first, grabbing the strap of his bag and pulling him to a halt.
"So… adventure remastered?" Leo asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"What?" William asked, clearly confused.
"You know what they do with games nowadays. Remastering things up… You want to get shocked again?" Leo joked, giving a small playful shove.
William laughed, the memory of frustration earlier melting instantly in the warmth of Leo's humor. Somehow, all the annoyance vanished like magic. "Where are the girls?" he asked, turning his head.
Just behind them, keeping the perfect distance—not too close, not too far—were Alliah and Brie.
"You guys can run now; I think I tamed him!" Leo said, smirking. The girls hurried to catch up, laughter bubbling from Brie, while Alliah's expression remained more serious but her pace was quick.
"If something happens later, I will blame you for the rest of my life," Alliah warned William, her tone a mix of mock annoyance and genuine concern.
"I said I'd go alone," William replied sheepishly.
"Alright, fair enough," Alliah said with a small smile.
Leo glanced at the sun dipping lower in the sky. "It's almost late, though, Brie."
Brie nodded, falling into step beside William. "Yeah… are you sure you're okay to come with?" William asked, concern in his voice.
"Honestly," Brie replied, a wistful smile on her face, "I really want to relax and enjoy this while rehearsal hasn't started yet. Once it starts, I won't be hanging out with you guys as often. And I hate that so much."
William smiled softly, realizing how much Brie valued these small moments together. "Don't worry. We'll make today worth it."
Leo snorted. "Yeah, as long as nobody gets zapped by ancient artifacts again, I'm game."
Alliah rolled her eyes, but the corner of her lips twitched into a small smirk. "Yeah, sure. Just stay behind me, tech boy. You might need a shield."
The group laughed as they walked toward the bus stop. The city streets were alive with the late afternoon bustle, but the four of them moved like their own little unit, heads bent in conversation.
"So," Leo said, nudging William, "what exactly do you think that crest is? Some ancient, dangerous secret? Didn't you researched about it?"
William shook his head. "I tried looking at the web but no luck. But the dream… it was too real to ignore. And that shock when I touched it—it wasn't just static. Something about it reacted to me."
Alliah frowned. "Don't tell me you plan on touching that thing again, I forbid you to touch anything this time Liam we are just looking just like you said."
"I know," William admitted, "but I have to understand it. I can't shake the feeling that it's connected to the dream somehow."
Brie slowed slightly to glance at him, concern softening her features. "Just… promise me you'll be careful? I don't want anything happening to you."
William smiled gently. "I promise. And besides… I have all of you coming with me, so I'll be fine."
Leo elbowed him playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get too confident just yet, smart guy. I'm the strong and cool backup, remember?"
Alliah rolled her eyes again. "Strong and cool, sure… until he touches something and blows us all up."
Brie laughed softly, shaking her head. "Just… let's focus on today. I want it to be fun. No disasters, please."
By the time they reached the bus stop, the afternoon had started melting into evening. They hopped onto the bus, finding seats together in the back, still joking and teasing, the hum of conversation around them fading into the background.
The bus rumbled forward, carrying them closer to the lab, the glow of the setting sun painting the city in warm orange hues. None of them knew exactly what awaited, but the thrill of discovery—and the bond they shared—was more than enough to carry them forward.
The black sedan of the evening light cast long shadows as William and the group approached the lab. The air felt heavier than usual, a strange stillness settling around the building.
They stopped in front of the door, a silent understanding passing between them. Each exchanged a nod.
"Ready?" William whispered.
"Ready," Leo replied, adjusting his backpack, though a smirk played on his lips despite the tension.
"All set," Alliah said, her arms crossed, face serious.
Brie simply nodded, her hand tightening lightly around the strap of her bag.
William took a deep breath, inserted the keys into the old lock, and turned. Click. The key rotated 90 degrees, and the heavy door slowly swung open.
The lab greeted them with an eerie silence. The monitors were dark, computers powered down. The usual hum of machines that signaled his father's constant work was gone, leaving a strange void in the air.
"Wow… this is… weird," Brie murmured. Her voice sounded unusually small in the quiet.
"Yeah," Alliah said softly. "Everything's… too quiet."
Leo, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, it's just… the haunted lab looks. Very spooky, very dramatic. Someone grab a flashlight for effect?" He chuckled, but it was half-hearted, and everyone else's unamused glances quickly shut him up.
William led the group further inside, careful as they stepped over scattered notebooks and tools left around. The hum of fluorescent lights above flickered, echoing in the emptiness.
Minutes passed as they explored the familiar corridors, scanning the shelves and displays. Finally, William reached the emblem crest—the same one that had shocked him earlier.
He picked it up cautiously "William…" Alliah warned him, He looked at her and nodded. He expected the usual jolt… but there was nothing. No shock, no energy, nothing.
The group exhaled audibly, laughter escaped from Leo.
"Ha! Total bull," Leo said, tossing the crest lightly from hand to hand.
"Finally," Alliah muttered, shaking her head with a grin. "I was worried for a second."
Brie giggled softly, brushing her hair back. "I was half-expecting fireworks, honestly. Nothing at all."
William, however, felt a pang of disappointment. He had been hoping for… something. But he kept the emblem carefully in his hands as they continued to explore.
It wasn't long before he noticed a large wall behind his father's desk. Massive, covered in carvings and symbols, but in the center, there was a perfectly circular missing piece.
William's eyes widened as realization hit him. The missing piece… it's the emblem!
He rotated it carefully to match the carvings. Click. It slid into place perfectly.
He stepped back, waiting for something to happen. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Nothing.
"Uh… guys? Come check this out," William finally called, a mix of excitement and frustration in his voice.
The group gathered behind him, their eyes widening as they took in the wall with the emblem now perfectly fitted.
"What are we looking at?'" Alliah asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and admiration.
"It's a wall with a missing piece in the middle and guess what was missing?" William teasingly asks them.
His three friends were dumbfounded they had no clue.
"It was the crest that shocked me!" William revealed the answer as if they won a lottery.
"Whoa… that's actually… impressive," Leo said, genuinely awed.
"All those carvings… and it just fits," Brie added, touching the wall carefully.
For a moment, they laughed and joked about it, speculating wildly.
"Maybe it's one of your dad's traps," Leo teased. "Or maybe a secret compartment for more snacks?"
"Very funny," Alliah muttered, rolling her eyes.
But before they could continue, a soft hum started to emanate from the wall. The blue light from the carvings flickered, then slowly shifted to a vibrant yellow glow.
"Uh… William?" Brie's voice faltered.
Before he could respond, the group felt an invisible force tug at their feet. Their attempts to step back became futile—they couldn't move.
"What the—my feet!" Leo shouted. "I can't move! What is happening?!"
"Mine too!" William tried to yell, but even his voice felt strained, swallowed by the force.
The artifacts, papers, and objects around them lifted into the air, spinning slowly before being drawn toward the glowing yellow light.
"WILLIAM! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Alliah screamed, panic dripping from her words.
"I… I don't know!" William shouted back, struggling to maintain his balance.
"I DON'T THINK THIS IS SHOCK I FEEL! I CAN'T FEEL GRAVITY!" Leo yelled, his voice cracking as he reached for a nearby table, which promptly lifted into the glow.
Brie screamed, trying to grab William's arm. "Somebody stop it! I can't hold on!"
The force intensified, pulling them all toward the center. Their voices scrambled into a chaotic chorus of fear and panic.
One by one, the gang was sucked toward the radiant light. Artifacts and papers spun in a whirlwind around them; everything being drawn simultaneously into the glowing yellow portal.
William tried to resist, reaching for Leo and Alliah, but the pull was too strong.
The last thing he saw before the swirling energy engulfed him was Brie's hand, reaching out, her terrified eyes meeting his. Then, in an instant, they were all pulled inside.
The lab was left in eerie silence. Papers fluttered to the floor, scattered. Artifacts clattered to the ground, lifeless once more. Only the glowing yellow portal remained in the center of the room, humming softly, waiting.