"Ms Shirley!" Scarlett cried, concerned.

The desperation in Shirley's voice echoed through the room. She gripped her hair and trembled, her eyes haunted. "It's unbearable, you know? I can remember every detail—the sights, the sounds, even the smallest bug crawling by. It's all so vivid and fresh. The way people look at me, their words... it's driving me mad!"

Scarlett recoiled for a moment, taken aback by Shirley's distress. She cautiously approached and took a seat in front of her, peering into her eyes. "How long have you been like this?"

Shirley hesitated, her trembling lips parting to speak. "Y-You believe me?"

"Yes," Scarlett replied softly. "Because I've experienced something similar."

"Pardon?" Shirley blinked, her face filled with confusion.

Scarlett nodded, her gaze steady. "Although my condition wasn't as severe as what you're going through, I also went through something similar. Memories that I had forgotten suddenly flooded back, overwhelming me."

Shirley's eyes widened, and she leaned closer to Scarlett. "Really?"

"Yes," Scarlett affirmed, her voice filled with understanding. Shirley seemed dazed as if a glimmer of hope had pierced through her madness. It was a small victory.

Realising the momentary stability, Scarlett suggested, "Let's go pick up your belongings, shall we?"

Shirley hesitated for a moment, then reached out, tugging at Scarlett's arm. As they both rose to their feet, Scarlett revealed her own shocking truth. "It's been a year since it started for me..."

"Summer?" Shirley asked.

"No, the beginning of winter."

A flicker of recognition crossed Shirley's face. "It's been this way since summer for me."

Surprised by the connection, Scarlett nodded. Shirley's strangely bobbing head indicated that she was making up her mind before speaking up again. "I was arrested."

"Arrested?" Scarlett echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Yes," Shirley explained, her voice tinged with regret. "You see, I ran off without paying at a restaurant. I got caught... and ended up being arrested for about a month."

The pieces began to fall into place for Scarlett. Understanding washed over her, and she realised that Shirley's current state might be a consequence of her traumatic experience.

"..."

"I don't remember what happened though. Then, excluding the events surrounding my arrest, all at once, I began remembering everything. Everything in the world. Clearly, too!" Shirley's voice quivered with a mixture of confusion and desperation.

Scarlett froze, her mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of Shirley's revelation. After a moment of silence, she ventured a guess. "Were you detained in the Imperial Dungeons or somewhere similar?"

Shirley hesitated before responding, uncertainty lacing her words. "I'm not very sure... Although, I did go to the Capital Guard station."

Delight and fear mingled within Scarlett. "I see."

Hope flickered in Shirley's eyes as she leaned in closer. "Do you know something?"

Scarlett hesitated, grappling with the weight of Shirley's plea. "No, well, it's not that I know something, but..."

"Anything goes, so please tell me. Please save me. I can't live like this anymore. Please, tell me!" Shirley's insistence struck Scarlett, causing her to flinch.

Summoning her courage, Scarlett opened her mouth to share her own experience. "I was held in the Imperial Dungeons, you see. But I can't remember anything that happened within seven days of that incident."

Shirley fumbled for a moment, her emotions overwhelming her. Then, she tightly embraced Scarlett, seeking solace in their shared connection. "I can't believe someone actually believes me..."

Scarlett was stunned, feeling the weight of Shirley's vulnerability in her embrace. After a few seconds of awkward silence, she moved to pat her back, offering a small gesture of comfort.

In the presence of someone who finally believed her, Shirley began to calm down, her trembling subsiding. It was as if having someone on her side provided a glimmer of hope and stability in the midst of her turmoil.

Shirley's voice trembled as she made a request. "Do you... have any alcohol by chance?"

Lost in her thoughts for a moment, Scarlett was taken by surprise when a hand suddenly extended from beside her. She turned her head and saw Andrei holding out a hip flask. Shirley wasted no time and gulped down the liquor eagerly.

Andrei, however, reprimanded Scarlett. "Didn't you say you were done causing trouble?"

Scarlett defended herself. Her frustration was evident. "That wasn't 'causing trouble,' though."

"Huh. Last time I checked, chasing after a mad person is 'causing trouble,' though," Andrei retorted, paying no heed to Scarlett's glare.

As Shirley returned the empty flask after downing its contents in one shot, she spoke with a hint of gratitude. "I think it's fine. After all, I managed to nab a drink from you."

Andrei chuckled in disbelief, his eyes fixed on the now-empty flask. He observed that despite having consumed alcohol, Shirley appeared relatively sober.

Unable to contain her relief, Shirley expressed her gratitude. "I can't thank you enough. My head feels quiet now. The constant ringing has finally stopped after such a long time."

She frowned in disgust as she noticed her dishevelled state. "I should take a shower."

Andrei chimed in with enthusiasm. "What good timing! We were boiling water so everyone in the village could have hot water."

After a brief pause, Shirley spoke again; her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Do you happen to have an address where I can send things?"

Scarlett couldn't help but quip, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Why? Are you planning to send me liquor?"

"You can't continue living like this, you know. That being said, I don't plan on it being a regular thing," Scarlett said firmly, her gaze fixed on Shirley.

Andrei looked at Scarlett in surprise, not expecting her to make such an offer. As Shirley promised to have her goods sent to Scarlett's address through the centre, Scarlett quickly jotted down her information.

As they left the place, Andrei couldn't help but comment. "I didn't expect you to offer to send liquor."

"It's just... I think I understand the feeling of wanting to come to your senses, even if just for a second," Scarlett replied, her voice filled with empathy.

Andrei nodded, silently acknowledging her perspective.

♔♔♔