Lunacrest

The Wake

She couldn’t remember how she got here. Stiff sheets and the sharp smell of disinfectant. White walls surrounding her - too clean, too empty. Wires tugged at her skin, and the machine beside her beeped, piercing her ears. “She’s awake!” the nurse shouted before rushing out of the room. To her right, a table overflowed with flowers and teddy bears. Large cards read “Get well soon” or “Happy Birthday.” How long had she been out? Hours? Days? She had no idea, it was a blur. Suddenly, the door flew open, and a man burst in. "Thank God," he said in a single breath. He rushed toward her pulling her into a tight hug. "You don’t know how much I’ve missed you, Emily." Emily - that was her name. But who was this man? She couldn’t bring herself to speak. She didn’t know him. The man had short blonde hair and dark blue eyes, but his face was unfamiliar, like a stranger in a dream. She stared at him blankly, unable to form a word. The doctor stepped in behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It appears your wife may have suffered some memory loss." His what? She screamed silently in her mind. “She’ll need time to readjust to her life, but she’s free to go home with you later today." The doctor spoke as though she weren’t there, like she was a ghost lingering beside them. The man - Eric - nodded, his face drawn with tension. The doctor and nurse slipped out of the room without a word. Wife? She wasn’t anyone’s wife. She didn’t know this man at all. He pulled up a chair and sat beside her. “Do you really not remember?” he asked softly. She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. “No,” she replied. Eric looked down, a smile spreading across his face. “Well, this should be fun,” he said, his tone oddly light. Emily almost smiled with him. This man was her husband, the doctor had said so. But to her, he was still just a stranger. “What happened to me?” Emily asked. His face grew stiff, as if the question were choking him. “There’s no easy way to say this, love.” Emily braced herself. “You’ve been in a coma for five years.” The statement hit her like a blow. “Five years?” she echoed, her voice trembling. That explained the birthday cards. “You were in a terrible accident… A drunk driver.” His words made her stomach churn. “I see,” she managed to utter through gritted teeth. She glanced at the birthday cards again, noting the number “29” on the most recent one. “Happy birthday sweetheart,” Eric said smiling, he pulled out a velvet box and opened it in front of her. Inside was a pearl necklace, gleaming from every angle. Emily marveled at its beauty. “You can wear it next time we go out for dinner,” he added. “Oh yes,” she remembered the doctor saying she could go home. She wondered what awaited her there - home. Her memory was completely gone. Adjusting would take time, but for now, she’d go home with her husband - just the two of them.

The House

The ride home was swift. One moment, they were in the quiet side of the city; the next, they were surrounded by open fields. Emily looked out the window and saw a sign, Havenridge. “This is us,” Eric said, steering into a vast driveway. The property was enormous. He leaned out of the car and pressed a button on a black post.“Password, please,” a mechanical voice prompted. “Sterling House,” Eric replied. The button flashed green, and two wide gates swung open. Eric drove in smoothly and parked in front of a stunning glass door. Emily peered out and gasped at the sight. The house was enormous and modern, with sleek lines and huge glass windows that caught the light beautifully. She never imagined coming home to something like this. But here it was. “Welcome home darling,” Eric said, suddenly at her side and opening the car door. He was so quick she hadn’t noticed him get out of the car. She stepped out and took in the grandeur of the house. “We live here?” she asked Eric, incredulous. “Yes, my dear,” he replied, “though if you’d prefer something cosier for your recovery, we can go to our place in the Hamptons.” Her mouth dropped open, but she closed it quickly. “No, no, this is fine.” He smiled and took her hand gently, guiding her inside. It was even more beautiful. The house was immaculate, every detail perfect. She couldn’t see a single flaw. “Are you ready to see the kids?” Eric asked, his smile full of warmth. Kids? She had children? The thought was almost unbelievable. She could hardly grasp that she was married, let alone that she had kids. Despite her confusion, a part of her felt a spark of excitement. Footsteps approached, and her heart quickened. Were her children about to come into sight? She was eager to meet them. The footsteps rounded the corner, but instead of children, a short, stubby bald man in a black suit appeared. “Good day, Mrs. Sterling,” he said with a formal nod. “I’m glad to see you’re in better health.” Emily’s lips twitched into a half-smile, she wasn’t expecting him. “Henry,” Eric said in a stern tone, “where are the children?” Henry bowed his head slightly. “Forgive me, sir. The children are currently completing their studies but will be finished within the hour.” Eric’s irritation wasn’t hidden. “The children were supposed to start their studies at 11. It’s 2 o’clock - how did the schedule get so off balance?” He scolded Henry, his tone sharp. “You know how we run things here. Don’t let it happen again.” Emily quickly interjected, “It’s no worry, really. I’d like to settle in first anyway.” Eric’s expression softened. “Very well. Henry, please escort Emily to the bedroom. Make sure she has everything she needs and is acquainted with her surroundings.” “Yes, sir,” Henry replied, extending his elbow towards Emily. She took it, and together they made their way up the spiralled staircase.

Henry

“Here is your room,” Henry said, opening the door for her. The room was immaculate, everything in its place. The bed was grand, with four towering pillars at each corner. To the left was a balcony that overlooked the gardens. Emily was struck by their beauty - perfectly manicured bushes in lush green and vibrant red roses everywhere. It was the most stunning view she had ever seen. “Your en-suite bathroom is down this hall,” Henry gestured with his hand. “And if you need anything, just ring this bell.” He handed her a small silver bell engraved with the initials ‘E.S.’ “Thank you,” Emily replied softly, taking the bell with a nod. “Breakfast is at 7 every morning,” Henry instructed. “Don’t be late. Dinner is at 7 every evening.” He bowed slightly and started to leave, but Emily quickly called out, “Wait.” Henry paused and turned back, his expression attentive. “Yes, ma’am?” he asked. She fell silent for a moment, gathering her words - her thoughts. “Tell me Henry, what are their names?” Henry smiled. “Charles is the oldest, then Cody, and Carmen.” The fact that she had three children was daunting. She had never envisioned herself as a mother, but the idea filled her with an unexpected joy. She hesitated before asking her next question. “How can we afford all of this?” Her voice was direct, almost flat. Henry’s smile widened. “What do you mean?” Emily sighed, unsure why she even had to explain. “This house is enormous - white walls stretching up, windows so tall you can’t even see the tops, and gardens like something out of a fairy tale. How is this all ours?” Henry’s expression brightened. “Don’t be so modest, ma’am. You’re a bestselling author, see?” He gestured toward the back of the room. Emily turned and saw a massive bookshelf filled with hundreds of books, each one bearing her name, Emily Sterling. That wasn’t there before, she thought. Or maybe it had just blended into the room’s vastness. She must have missed it. The realisation was startling, she was a writer. “What about my husband, Eric?” she asked. “What does he do?” Henry paused, for a moment. “Don’t worry about that, ma’am.” Emily squinted, something about his tone felt wrong. “And don’t forget,” Henry added, his voice unnervingly smooth, “dinner is at seven sharp. The children will be joining. Wear something...nice.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked out.

The children 

It was time to see her children, though it felt like she was meeting them for the first time. She approached her closet. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought it stretched for miles, overflowing with stunning clothes. She wanted to make a good impression, especially since her children hadn’t seen her in five years. She shuffled through a sea of garments and found a white cuffed dress labeled "Odd Muse." It seemed perfect for the occasion. She slipped it on and zipped it up in the back. It fit her like a glove, a reminder that, despite the time lost, some things remained the same. She made her way down the spiral staircase, her hand skimming the bannister. She could already see everyone seated at the table - Eric at the head and her children at the edges. Two boys and a… wait, a girl? She tried to remember the names Henry had given her; Charles, Cody, and Carmen. They all sounded boyish. But she figured that Carmen must be the girl. She descended slowly, taking in the scene. The food was set out but untouched, they all wore white just like her. Eric stood when she reached the bottom. “Darling,” he said, hurrying to embrace and kiss her. “You look perfect.” One word for it. Everything had been just that since she woke from her coma. She took her seat, and Eric smoothly pushed it in for her. “Mother,” the children said in unison, standing to greet her. They all looked… well, perfect. Their clothes were neat, their hair tidy, and their manners impeccable. “We’ve missed you,” Charles said before sitting back down. The others nodded before taking their own seats. Emily smiled, though the words felt hollow. “I’ve missed all of you so dearly,” she added. It wasn’t true, no matter how much she wished it were. “Shall we pray?” Eric asked, placing his hands together. Carmen stood up, she was so young. “Father, thank you for this day and for this food. I pray you continue to bless our family and my mother’s health. Amen.” She sat down, and the word “Amen” echoed through the room as everyone repeated it in turn. “Let’s eat!” Cody said eagerly. They dug into the food - steak with mashed potatoes. It was delicious; Emily couldn’t remember food ever tasting so perfect. “How was school today, Charles?” she asked. She blinked, and suddenly Henry was at his side. “The boy excels in all his classes, particularly in math, physics, and literature,” Henry announced. Emily was taken aback, confused by the sudden appearance and detailed praise. Charles merely continued eating his steak, ignoring Henry altogether. “Carmen, Cody, what about you?” she asked. They eagerly chattered about their day, much livelier than Charles. The conversation went on for what felt like a lifetime, and Emily felt like she was getting to know her children a bit better. “Darling,” Eric began, “tomorrow Tabitha will pick you up at 8 o’clock sharp. I’ll have Henry help you pack.” Emily paused, her confusion evident. “Pack for what, and who’s Tabitha?” “Oh yes,” Eric said, as if just recalling her memory loss. “Tabitha is your best friend. You and she will be flying out tomorrow afternoon for London Fashion Week.” Emily’s mouth was on the floor. She had a best friend who was a supermodel? It all felt so surreal. She couldn’t picture herself being friends with anyone like that. “Get some rest now,” Eric said, pulling her from her thoughts. A moment later, Henry appeared by her side, his elbow extended. She took it, and he guided her back upstairs.

The phone

Emily paced around the massive room, feeling like a queen in her castle. She flopped onto the bed, sinking into its softness. Then she noticed it - a phone on the bedside table, sitting there as if waiting for her. Her heart skipped a beat. Her fingers reached for it. E.S was engraved onto the back, it belonged to her. Great. She would call Tabitha and talk before seeing her in the morning. It would make things a lot easier. She opened the phone and scrolled through the contact list. Only two names appeared. Eric and one labeled "Unknown." Confusion washed over her. Surely she had a life before the accident - friends, family - yet no one was there. Why was her phone so empty? And who was "Unknown"? She would find out. Her finger hovered over the number, but before she could call, three sharp knocks echoed at the door. It was Eric, peeking in with a smile that revealed his top set of teeth. “Just checking on you, darling. I’m off to bed now.” Emily felt the hairs on her arms stand. “Eric” she began, “can I ask you something” he nodded and took a full step into her room. He stood close, his air mingling with hers, his skin brushing against hers. He must've thought it an invitation, because his hand gripped her waist and traced the curve of her hip. Emily pulled back, holding the phone up to him. “Who is 'Unknown'?” she asked, trying to mask her unease. Eric stared at the phone, pausing as silence hung between them, his breath the only sound. “That number?” he finally asked. “Yes,” Emily replied, lifting the phone slightly. “This number.” He turned around sharply. “Ignore it, call it only in times of deep confusion.” Confusion? What the hell was he talking about. Eric tried to leave but she caught him by his shoulder, she tried to make him face her. “I am confused.” Emphasis on each word. She waited for him to say something - anything, but the air felt cold. “Goodnight” he said sternly and left the room. 

Tabitha 

The next morning, Emily descended the spiralled staircase, she caught sight of Henry setting the breakfast table. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. “Morning, Henry. Where are the children?” she asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Your husband took them to school,” he replied, not looking up. “He said you weren’t feeling well and wanted to make sure you had a proper breakfast before starting your day.” Odd. She hadn’t mentioned feeling unwell. The clock struck 8. “I believe your guest has arrived,” Henry said matter-of-factly. Emily had almost forgotten - Tabitha. She could hear her approaching, the sound of red-bottomed Louboutins clinking against the marble, each step echoing sharply, almost painfully. Tabitha looked different from what Emily had imagined. Somewhere in her mind, she had pictured her shorter, scrawnier. But she was a vision - definitely not what Emily expected. Her short blonde hair framed her face perfectly, and her bold red lipstick could turn any man’s head. “Emma!” Tabitha called, arms raised for a hug. Emily didn’t know how to react. But before she could think, Tabitha had wrapped her in a tight hold. “I’ve missed you,” she said, though it would’ve meant more if Emily recognised her. “Tell me you’re excited!” Her eyes were sparkling like two stars. Emily forced a smile, trying to match her energy. “Don’t worry, once we’re on the PJ, you’ll be practically oozing excitement.” “PJ?” Emily raised an eyebrow, She surely couldn’t mean- “The private jet, silly,” Tabitha grinned. Oh, she did mean that. Tabitha sat down at the table, picked up a sausage, and took a nasty bite, laughing. “If my manager could see me now!” Emily felt a wave of discomfort but managed an awkward chuckle. “You’re not wearing that, are you?” Tabitha asked, chewing on the greasy meat. Emily glanced down at her clothes - still in her nightwear, white and blue stripes. “Pink is not your color; blue would suit you more,” Tabitha said. Emily blinked in confusion. Pink? She looked at her clothes again. They were pink. Impossible. She must be imagining things. Not enough sleep perhaps? “Don’t worry, you have time to change. We don’t leave until around 10.”

Emily 

It was time to go. Tabitha had suggested she wear blue today, so Emily slipped into a baby blue knee-length dress. It felt perfect, but finding the right bag was another story. "What goes with blue?" she mumbled, rifling through her wardrobe, tossing scarves and shoes aside. A voice called from the other side of the door. "Emily, the driver’s here!" Shit. Time had slipped away. She grabbed a white clutch purse on her way out and hurried down the spiral staircase, hoping she looked put together enough. Tabitha had changed too. She now wore a sleek black mini dress with a daring slit on the side, and somehow, her red lips seemed even brighter, her hair even fluffier than before. "Ready?" she asked, flashing a confident smile. Emily nodded, a grin spreading across her face. More than ready. She’d never been to London before, she was excited. The only thing was, everything felt slightly rushed. Just yesterday, she had been in a hospital bed, and now she was about to fly across the world. Not that she was complaining - she couldn’t have dreamed up a better life. As they stepped outside, a jet black SUV waited in the driveway. “What are you waiting for, Em? Get in,” Emily hadn’t realised she’d been standing there, staring into space. The inside of the SUV was gorgeous, sleek leather seats, a TV in the back, and a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for them. It felt more like luxury than travel. The ride to the airport was long, about three hours, but it didn’t feel that way. Tabitha had this effortless charm that made Emily feel at ease, like they really had known each other their whole lives. They laughed, and talked about anything that came to mind. It was fun - surprisingly fun. But in the back of her mind, Emily was still shaken. She had been talking to Tabitha for hours, laughing and bonding, but she couldn’t remember a single thing about their past. It gnawed at her. “Tabitha, I don’t want to scare you,” Emily started nervously. “But I- ” “You don’t remember anything, do you?” Tabitha cut in, finishing her sentence. Emily blinked in surprise. How did she know exactly what she was going to say? “It’s fine,” Tabitha said, unfazed. “I have a scrapbook full of pictures from when we were kids. I’ll show it to you when we get back.” She took another gulp of champagne like it was nothing. Emily sat there in silence. She could feel tears prickling at the back of her eyes, what was this feeling? “Thank you,” she whispered, barely able to hold it together. More than anything, she wanted to see that scrapbook. Just a picture or two of her old life, her younger self, anything to prove that the life everyone claimed she had lived really existed. That she really existed. “Actually, I think I might have a picture from that time we went to Paris,” Tabitha said, scrolling through her phone like it was no big deal. Paris? Emily thought. “You were wearing that cute black dress, the one with the frills and white stripes,” Tabitha added, focused on her screen. After a few more swipes, she stopped. “Got it!” She turned the phone toward Emily. But then they jerked - a violent crash. The girls flew from their seats, weightless for a moment before being slammed back down. The SUV spun wildly, bodies crashing against windows, glass shattering and slicing their skin. Chaos. Emily gasped for air - nothing. Everything stopped. Silence enveloped them as they remained suspended, caught in a moment that felt eternal. The air was thick with the scent of metal and shattered glass. It was over. They were trapped, caught in the aftermath of a collision that had shattered their lives in an instant.

The Rift

Emily blinked her eyes open, the taste of iron heavy in her mouth and its smell thick in the air. Her gaze darted around, trying to piece together the chaos. She coughed, spitting out blood, and finally cleared her vision. In the dim light, it became horrifyingly clear. Tabitha sat across from her and a small tree trunk from outside had crashed through the window, impaling her body. Her eyes were lifeless, her form twisted and still. Emily couldn't find her voice, the scene was too horrific. Blood splattered the interior like a macabre painting. She realised the driver must be dead as well, silence surrounded her. She needed to call someone - an ambulance. She reached for her phone and swiped through the screen, trying to find the keypad. What? No keypad? This was a disaster. What kind of phone doesn’t let you dial numbers? What the fuck is going on. Don’t panic, she told herself but then she coughed up more blood. Crap. She remembered her saved contacts and called Eric’s number. The ringing felt like eternity; she had never wanted to hear anyone’s voice so badly. He didn’t answer. No, this can’t be happening. She had just gotten her life back. Outside the car, everything was dead silent, she couldn’t hear anything or anyone. It felt as if the outside world had just vanished. She was out of options. She would join them soon enough. Alone and dying, what about the kids she barely recognised, her giant house, her perfect life? She had just gotten back to good health; she couldn’t die now. No. She wasn’t dead yet. There was one more number she could call. ‘Unknown.’ Eric had told her to call it only in times of deep confusion. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but it was her only option now. She pressed the number, and it rang twice before someone answered. Thank god. “Hello” Emily said, her voice shaky. The man on the other end paused. “Hello,” he finally replied, his voice was calm, detached. “I need help. There’s been an accident. I’m dying, and I think my friend is already dead.” Silence stretched, the man barely responding. “Hello?” Emily said again. “I don’t think I’m going to make it.” The man spoke slowly, his tone unsettlingly calm. “Just relax. You won’t die. You’re asleep.” Emily frowned, confusion filling her mind. “What did you just say?” He repeated, “You’re asleep.” Emily’s heart raced as blood pooled around her, thick and suffocating. “What I’m about to tell you might sound strange, but it’s the cold, hard truth.” She strained to listen, dread creeping in. “You’re in Drunic,” the man said flatly. “A dreamlike state induced by the drug Lunacrest.” Panic surged through her. Drug? “Outside of Drunic is the real world - a grim place. Humanity stands on the brink - plagued by inequality, ravaged by wars, and crumbling in physical decline. There’s been a worldwide economic collapse.” He paused, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. “The government created Lunacrest, a drug that provides a perfect, imagined life while your body ages and deteriorates. Its advanced technology was meant to help the less fortunate escape the brutal reality of their existence.” A chill ran down her spine, and she felt her heart drop. “The real world? So what is this place? What the hell is Drunic?” The man’s voice was steady. “You were one of the first hundred people to take Lunacrest. It’s an ongoing experiment, and you were the guinea pig.” Her chest sank. Was this why she couldn’t remember anything? Did her life - Eric, Charles, Cody, Carmen - none of it really exist? Impossible. A part of her wished she never called the unknown, another part knew that this man was infact not lying. The walls of her reality were starting to crumble, crashing down hard and fast around her. She dared to ask a question. “Hello?” she said quietly. “I’m still here,” the man replied. “Who am I in the real world?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue. “Just a moment while I pull up the file.” A file? They had a file on her? “Ah yes,” he continued. “Name: Bethany Wright. Age: 67. Marital status: unmarried. Offspring: none.” The words cut deeper than any knife. Sixty-seven years old? Her days were gone. Anger bubbled within her. The man’s tone was robotic, casual - as if he were merely reading a grocery list rather than delivering the most devastating news of her life. He cleared his throat. “That’s not all,” he said. What more could there possibly be? She was at the end of her life in both worlds. “You’re dying of breast cancer.” Silence fell. The first part was unbearable, but nothing could prepare her for this. Cancer. She finally understood why she volunteered for the drug trial - nothing to lose. “If you die in drunic, you will awaken in your real body. There is a chance you could take the drug again, but there’s no guarantee it would work twice.” She couldn’t take it anymore. Listening to the man was pain, pure pain, a torment that felt endless. In her mind, she was already dead. “Goodbye” she said. The line cut.