Chapter Five: A Dream to Remember

"This is for you," the boy said, his voice light and filled with an innocence that Cara found both endearing and unsettling. He extended his hand, holding a piece of chocolate, and his eyes sparkled as if this small offering meant more than just a simple treat. "I want to give you this because you're the only one who enjoys playing with me."

Cara's heart fluttered, and she couldn't help but smile. The boy’s kindness, his pure joy in the moment, reminded her of a simpler time in her childhood. She hadn’t thought about it in years, but suddenly, she was transported back to that moment—the memory clear as day in her mind. Without thinking, her impulse was to kiss him on the cheek in return, a gesture of affection that felt as natural as breathing. She did it without hesitation, her lips brushing his skin in a soft, innocent way, her heart warming in the process. She pulled back, smiling, her cheeks flushed with warmth. He smiled back at her, his eyes alight with the same joy, and in that moment, everything felt right in the world.

But as the memory of that childhood moment washed over her, Cara’s mind was flooded with a deeper confusion. It wasn’t just the sweetness of the dream that bothered her. It felt too real. Every detail—the boy's face, the warmth of the chocolate, the laughter they shared—seemed not just imagined, but familiar. She couldn’t shake the sensation that it wasn't a dream at all. Why did it feel like something that actually happened? Her head throbbed with the intensity of the question. Why did her parents make such a big deal out of it when she threw tantrums and bullied her nanny?

She couldn't make sense of everything that had happened during her childhood. There was something in her past—something her parents and doctor had never told her—that felt important, but she couldn’t quite grasp it. Frustration gnawed at her as she pondered her childhood. What happened to me back then? Her childhood felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t fit them together.

"You said the dream I had is peculiar compared to the other cases you’ve studied. What do you mean by that?" she asked, hoping Jean could shed more light.

Jean paused, considering her words carefully. "Yes, it is. The boy in your childhood dream had a very clear, distinct image, just like the man in your recent dreams. It’s unusual because you remember the details of your dreams so vividly—the places, the faces, everything. Normally, dreams don’t have such continuity, but for you, it’s like watching a series. It feels more like a memory than just a dream."

"Then, if that's the case, do you think it's possible I actually met the boy?" Cara asked, her mind racing.

Jean was silent for a moment before answering. "I could say yes. As I’ve told you before, we tend to forget parts of our childhood memories as we grow up. But the strange part is the connection you're making. How could you meet a man in your dreams and have him claim to be the boy from your past? Your mind might just be constructing an idealized version of the boy you wish you could remember."

Cara shook her head, unwilling to accept this. "I don’t agree with that. What if I did meet the man? Let me ask you something—did my parents ever tell you about the accident I had when I was a child?"

Jean's expression shifted. "Yes, I know about the accident... But I think you don’t remember the details yet, do you?"

Cara's heart sank. She knew it. That deep scar on her left wrist had to be from an accident. Her parents had always claimed she got it from playing with her toys, but now Jean was confirming something else.

"I can’t remember it. My parents never told me what happened," Cara said, feeling a weight on her chest. "Why didn’t they tell me, Jean? What happened to me?"

Jean hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "I’m sorry, Cara. I thought you already remembered. Your parents asked me not to tell you. They thought it would be too painful for you to know. They decided to help you focus on pleasant memories to prevent you from recalling it."

Cara felt a surge of confusion and frustration. Why hadn’t they told her? What was so traumatic about the accident that they kept it from her?

“I have no idea what happened, but I need to know,” Cara whispered, mostly to herself. “These dreams, they might be connected to that accident.”

Jean looked at her, troubled. "Cara, I’m really sorry. I wish I could tell you more, but it’s not my place. You’ll have to uncover it yourself when you’re ready."

Cara knew Jean wouldn’t say more, no matter how much she pressed. Maybe it was time for her to dig into the truth herself—but she had no idea where to start. If she asked her parents, they’d only worry more.

But the dreams—the strange, vivid dreams—had to be connected to her past. They might hold the key to unlocking the answers she needed.

Later that night, she found herself drifting back into the dream, the memory of the boy clear in her mind.

"Eat the chocolate I gave you, Cara. You’ll need the energy for next time. I’ll see you soon." The familiar voice echoed in her dream. She remembered it so well. It felt more like a memory than a dream.

"I’m not crazy. This really happened. It’s not just a dream," she thought, trying to convince herself.

As she closed her eyes, she found herself back in that world again, standing face-to-face with a man's figure.

"Are you looking for me, my lady?" His voice was teasing, playful, but there was an underlying sadness in his tone.

Her face flushed at the thought of their kiss, a lingering memory. "No, I’m not looking for you. But where have you been all this time? How can I find you in the real world?"

He smiled, that same mischievous grin. "Just remember the things we used to do. You’ll find me. For now, let’s do something else to help you remember."

She followed him, trying to make sense of his words. They were walking together, hand in hand, as if they were a couple. The place around them felt like something out of a dream—beautiful, yet unfamiliar.

She didn’t know where they were, but she felt an overwhelming sense of calm as she walked beside him, lost in the mystery of it all.