Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 52
“Ethan, you’re awake.”
An elderly man with graying hair and a slight hunch rose from the chair beside the bed, smiling warmly at Ethan.
“You woke up a bit later than usual today. Want something to eat first?”
Ethan recognized the voice right away; it belonged to his grandfather, Brandon.
He still felt a bit dazed, unsure of what had happened earlier, as if it had all been a dream.
Could he be caught in some kind of dream loop, he wondered.
For now, better to gather some information before deciding on the next step.
He turned his head toward Brandon and asked, “What day is it today?”
The question caught not just Ethan off guard, but Brandon too.
It wasn’t the oddness of what Ethan asked that surprised them; it was the realization that Ethan could speak normally now.
Not that he had been mute before, but his voice had always been faint, like a whisper, and everyday conversations involved Ethan mouthing words while Brandon leaned in close to hear.
This time, though, Ethan had produced a real sound, soft and weak as if recovering from a serious illness, yet clear enough to convey his words.
“Ethan, you...”
Brandon’s voice trembled with excitement. “Are you better?”
Ethan was astonished himself and quickly checked how his body felt in various places.
Soon, his initial thrill settled into calm; he still couldn’t muster strength in his limbs and remained paralyzed.
But instead of despair, he felt joy, because everything above his neck moved with far more ease than before, a clear sign of recovery.
“Not completely better yet.”
Ethan managed a smile, his face more expressive than it had been, his eyes alive with energy.
“But I think I’m on the path to healing.”
“Good, good, good.” Brandon’s face lit up with relief, his wrinkles smoothing out a little. “As long as you’re healing, that’s what matters.”
“Right, what day is it today?”
Ethan asked again.
“It’s June 20th. Did you forget?”
Brandon’s answer sent Ethan into deep thought.
Yesterday had been June 19th, the day he entered the Castle, and though he spent seven days there, only one night had passed in reality.
Did that mean last night was truly just a dream?
Or perhaps the time flow in that dream-linked world differed from this one?
Uncertain, and to be safe, he asked once more, “What year is it?”
Brandon gave him a puzzled look. “Ethan, what’s going on? You’re acting strange today.”
“Just answer me first.”
Seeing Ethan’s serious expression, Brandon, though confused, replied, “It’s 2046.”
Sure enough, the timelines matched.
To gather even more details, Ethan pushed further, casually saying, “By the way, could you contact Nurse Hayes for me?”
Since Serena had died in the Castle, he wanted to confirm if the real-world Serena was safe.
Even if she was fine, he could gauge her reaction and test if they’d shared the same dream last night.
But Brandon’s next words sent a chill down his spine.
“Nurse Hayes?” Brandon looked blank. “Which Nurse Hayes?”
From his genuine confusion, Ethan’s heart sank with a bad feeling. “You don’t know her? Serena, the nurse who takes care of me often.”
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