Almost a month had passed since Laura left the hospital, and everything still felt new to her—like walking through a city built overnight, familiar in shape but empty of memory. Each day was filled with first experiences, even though a quiet part of her felt they had happened before. She helped Kristina and Lukas at the Obsidian bar, working calmly and efficiently, her hands often moving as if guided by instincts she couldn't explain.
From time to time, she met with Dr. Michael. Over the weeks, they had become good friends. He helped her ease back into life—into routines, conversations, choices—when she had no past to lean on, only the present moment.
Yet inside, Laura felt a constant absence. Something was missing. She smiled more often now, but she knew many of those smiles were practiced. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Tomas. Where was he now? What kind of life was he living? And why did the thought of him carry so much weight?
Trying to rediscover herself, Laura learned small things first. She loved the smell of freshly ground coffee beans and warm pastries in the morning. She preferred quiet places, spaces without crowds—despite working in a bar that was often loud and full of people. Still, Obsidian felt safe. Lukas and Kristina treated her with genuine care, always helping, always patient. She was deeply grateful to them.
That evening, Laura had a day off. She didn't need to work and decided to walk to a nearby shop to buy snacks for the night. She dressed warmly and stepped outside. The air was cold, the sky clear, a large moon hanging high above the streets.
Suddenly, she heard a girl's voice shouting for help in the distance.
Laura moved closer and saw several men standing nearby, with a young woman lying on the ground. Without hesitation, Laura pulled out her phone, ran toward them, and shouted,
"What are you doing? I'm recording this and calling the police if you don't leave her alone!"
The men turned toward her. One of them looked ready to step forward, but another noticed the phone and quickly stopped him.
"We were just trying to help her stand up," he said tensely. "Fine, we're leaving."
He turned to the others. "Let's go. Not worth the trouble."
They walked away.
Laura rushed to the girl on the ground.
"Are you okay? Do you need me to call for help?" she asked.
As Laura looked at the girl's face, a sharp pain exploded in her head. Her vision blurred, the world dissolving—
Cold pavement beneath her body. Pain in her legs. Bruises.
A man approaching.
A low, calm voice: "How are you? Are you alright?"
The face came into focus.
Tomas.
Then everything vanished.
Laura blinked, suddenly back in the present, staring at the frightened girl sitting on the ground.
"Are you okay?" the girl asked, concern in her voice.
Laura steadied herself.
"Yes… I'm fine. How about you?"
The girl stood up slowly.
"Thanks to you, yes. If you hadn't come, it could've been worse. I'll call a taxi and go home."
Laura nodded.
"Take care. Be safe."
She watched the girl leave, then continued toward the shop. Her thoughts raced. The image of herself lying injured on the ground, Tomas helping her—was that a memory?
Inside the store, another wave of pain hit her head. New images surfaced: she and Tomas walking through aisles together, a shopping cart full of snacks, laughing softly. A warmth spread through her chest.
Then it was gone.
Laura stood alone by the snack shelf, holding a basket.
She paid for her things and headed back home, her head still aching.
I have to find Tomas, she thought. No matter who he is, or what he's done. If I want my memories back, I need to find him.
Back in her room above the bar, laughter and music echoed from below. Her head throbbed. On the table lay a bank card.
Did Tomas leave this for me?
Tomorrow, I'll go to the bank. Maybe I'll finally learn something.
She lay down, but the noise downstairs made it hard to sleep. She wished, desperately, for a quiet place of her own. Eventually, the bar grew silent, and Laura drifted into sleep.
Early morning came. Laura woke up, showered, dressed, and went downstairs. Lukas and Kristina were cleaning up after the previous night's chaos.
Kristina spotted her first.
"Good morning! Come here, I'll make you coffee and sandwiches for breakfast."
Lukas smiled.
"Morning. Last night got pretty loud—someone was celebrating a birthday. You probably didn't rest much."
Laura sat at the bar and smiled.
"It's okay. I'm getting used to it."
Kristina handed her coffee and food.
"I know this isn't the best place to live. You always liked peace after work—that's why you used to rent your own apartment."
Laura shook her head gently.
"I still don't remember any of that. I don't even know what I want to do next. And everything costs money."
Lukas leaned closer.
"Did you check how much money is on the bank card he left you?"
Laura shook her head again.
"Not yet. And those aren't my money. But today I'll go check—see how much is there and where it came from."
Kristina nodded thoughtfully.
"I think you should use it. Find a place you like. I believe that's what he wanted for you."
Laura's expression hardened.
"If he really wanted that, he would show up himself and explain everything."
She finished her breakfast and left.
She took a bus into the city and stopped near BlueVeil Bank. Inside, a staff member greeted her.
"Hello, how can we help you?"
Laura took out the card.
"I want to check the balance—and where the money came from."
She was led to a desk. After a moment, the employee looked up.
"There is $500,000 on this account. Funds are transferred periodically from an account belonging to Atlas Core Industries."
Laura went silent.
"Thank you," she said finally, took the card, and left.
Atlas Core Industries?
Half a million dollars…
I finally have a starting point.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Michael:
Hi, how are you doing? Want to grab lunch together?
Laura thought for a moment, then replied:
Sure. I'm in the city right now.
Michael answered:
Perfect. Where are you? I'll come pick you up.
Near BlueVeil Bank, she wrote.
On my way.
Michael arrived shortly after, and Laura got into the car.
"What do you feel like eating?" he asked.
Laura smiled faintly.
"Anything is fine."
"I know a good place nearby," he said, starting the engine.
At the restaurant, they ordered and sat quietly for a moment. Then Michael smiled.
"So, how are you really doing? Any progress—anything coming back?"
Laura hesitated. She didn't tell him about the memory of Tomas helping her.
"I'm just trying to live," she said. "But I wanted to ask you something. You said you and Tomas studied together. Which university was it?"
Michael's smile faded.
"You're still trying to find him?"
Laura nodded.
"I think he knows more about me than anyone else. I just want to talk to him—once. So I can stop looking back and move forward."
Michael sighed.
"I think it would be better if you forgot him. But… he studied at the Central University of Clinical Medicine."
"Thank you," Laura said quietly.
"I know you think it's better not to know. But my instincts tell me—I have to meet him."
They finished eating. Michael drove her back to the bar. Before she got out, he asked,
"When you have time, maybe we could go out? Watch a movie or something?"
Laura smiled.
"Sure. When I have time."
She stepped out of the car and went back inside—carrying answers, questions, and the growing certainty that her past was closer than she thought.