The fact that he received a call at such an hour was not truly peculiar, given that they had been bosom friends for long years;

  yet the timing of the call was somewhat strange.

  Or perhaps one could say that being the closest of confidants allowed Elian to comprehend Cairn’s nature far better than most people.

  Perhaps the act of calling is a commonplace habit among friends, but not entirely so when it pertains to Cairn.

  ' Usually, him calling me now means he’s outside or needs something. '

  Naturally, these thoughts drifted through Elian’s mind for a few seconds, and he soon answered the phone to learn that Cairn did indeed wish to meet him, just as he had surmised.

  " Fine, but where should we meet? "

  " I’m at the university. Let’s meet in front of the College of Science; I’m close to there anyway. "

  " Wait, you’re at the university? Usually, you don’t come two days in a row. "

  Elian expressed his suspicion to his friend, only to be met by a lapse of sound for a few seconds as the other party fell silent before returning to the conversation.

  " Yes, I know. Even I find it bothersome, but it couldn’t be helped. There was something I had to attend to, so I came out again today, and I thought I’d meet you.

  Anyway, meet me in front of the College of Science. "

  Cairn abruptly terminated the call; it seemed he was occupied with something.

  ' I wonder what he was doing today. Perhaps he has extra lectures? But even if he did, knowing him, he’d usually just skip them.

  Maybe he’s finally taking his studies seriously. I hope so. '

  After thinking to himself for a moment, Elian soon changed his course to head toward the meeting spot.

  The place was not far from his location; he arrived there in less than five minutes.

  He didn't truly need to search to find Cairn.

  Despite the university being swarmed with students who filled the campus grounds,

  Cairn, as usual, appeared with a unique aura.

  He was wearing ice-blue jeans with white shoes and a simple green T-shirt.

  Despite this calm blend of colors,

  Elian didn't know why, but he could already feel that the other party was vital and energetic.

  ' Maybe Cairn’s body language is what suggests that? '

  Elian thought to himself as he approached Cairn, who was happily eating ice cream.

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  Previously, he couldn't notice the ice cream since he was standing far away, but now that he had drawn closer, the vision became clear enough to see that Cairn was actually holding two.

  One was chocolate-colored, and the other strawberry.

  " Oh, you’re here. Hold this for me. "

  Cairn said this while offering the chocolate-flavored ice cream to Elian.

  " No, I don't want it. I don't have an appetite. "

  " Man, stop the nonsense. I’m not asking if you want it or not; I’m giving it to you. "

  " But I haven’t eaten yet and I don’t want to. "

  " Just eat it. It’s just ice cream and it only costs fifteen pounds.

  That’s no price between us. "

  After persistent pressure from Cairn, Elian was finally convinced and took the confection reluctantly,

  enjoying the taste of his favorite flavor slightly and the way it made the summer heat more bearable.

  The two spent some time walking.

  Cairn had somehow already finished half the ice cream he was holding, while Elian was still licking his from the top, feeling anxious about a few melting drops falling to the ground.

  But as soon as he composed himself and gained control over the melting treat,

  he posed the question that was on his mind:

  " So, why did you come to the university today? Was it extra lectures? "

  Elian waited for Cairn to swallow the ice cream in his mouth before he replied.

  " Yes, some lectures I didn’t attend yesterday, I attended today.

  Anyway, the reason I called you today is that I dreamed of you. "

  " Really?!

  What did you dream about? Tell me. "

  " Well, I don't remember the details of the dream very well. All I know is that I was busy hunting another demon from my dreams when I suddenly found myself in your house.

  While I was trying to figure out what I was doing there, I saw you calling my phone.

  When I answered, there was no response.

  No matter how much I called out to you, there was only a very distinct silence with some noise in the background.

  Eventually, I found that you had sent me a message on the phone: [ SOS ].

  Since you wouldn’t answer me over the phone, I started searching your house.

  I asked Ella, but she said she didn't know your whereabouts.

  So I thought for a moment after asking your sister, then I realized this was a dream.

  So I woke up and sent you several messages in the morning to check on you, but you didn't reply.

  In the end, I sent a message to your mother, and she told me you were sleeping.

  Later, she informed me that you headed straight to the university, so I thought I’d meet you since I was heading there anyway. "

  " Oh, thank you truly for your concern. "

  " Well, if someone would just answer his phone directly instead of sleeping like a frog in summer estivation, it would be quite a relief.

  Anyway, did you dream of anything special or did something special happen today? "

  " Hmm, I don't know. I think I had a nightmare today— "

  " Another nightmare, huh... what was the substance of it? "

  Cairn asked curiously while eating his ice cream.

  A hidden excitement or pure, undeniable pleasure appeared in his eyes.

  It was not clear whether it was due to the sweetness of the ice cream or the nature of the metaphysical occurrences, or simply because the word "nightmare" had been mentioned, making his friend eager to listen.

  But this didn't stop Elian from narrating, after spending a few moments recalling the dream he had already pondered carefully.

  " I don't truly remember the dream clearly. I only remember being trapped in a dark labyrinth full of locked rooms, unable to open any door or escape the maze.

  I vaguely remember my family being there, as I heard their voices as well.

  But I couldn't look for them because there was someone chasing me in the dream, trying to strike me, and I was running from him fast. "

  " Who was chasing you? "

  " Hmm, I'm not really sure.

  I think my father. He was chasing me with a hammer to hit me. "

  " Your father? Man, regardless of your father’s narcissistic nature and toxic traits, he isn’t truly harmful to that degree.

  It’s truly strange to dream of him hitting you or the like.

  Usually, you’d dream of your family quarreling with you, but it’s truly rare to imagine them striking you. "

  " You’re right. Even I was surprised. In fact, if you hadn't reminded me to tell the story, I wouldn't have remembered. I don't think I recalled all those details clearly before meeting you. "

  Cairn pulled his hair upward as if a gesture to say, "I'm great, aren't I?"

  just so the two could laugh lightly at their shared joke, before Cairn followed up with a question that piqued his curiosity.

  " So, after your father chased you, what did he do? Did he hit you or hit your family? "

  " I don't know. I'm not sure. I think he hit me because when I woke up, I actually felt some pain. "

  For the first time, Cairn stopped eating the ice cream while staring at Elian, muttering:

  " It is truly strange to flee from someone and have them manage to catch you. "

  " Well, it’s just a nightmare. It doesn’t have to be logical. "

  " Yes, you’re right. "

  Cairn said while messing with his hair to bring it forward so as not to ruin his appearance, then posed another question as they were on their way back home.

  " So, what about the Eye? Is there anything new? "

  Elian was slightly surprised and then replied:

  " What on earth are you talking about, Cairn? "

  Here, Cairn stopped in his tracks, while Elian continued walking for several steps, unheeding of his companion’s halt.

  Then, when he noticed that Cairn was not beside him,

  a few steps already separated them.

  Elian turned back only to find Cairn silent, staring at the ground.

  Elian felt a bit anxious that he might have said something wrong; so, out of kindness and a desire to reassure his friend, he asked hesitantly:

  " What Eye are you talking about, Cairn? "