The crowd in the theme park was massive — laughter, screams from the roller coaster, the blaring music of a parade nearby. But in the middle of all that noise, Mina stood still, her fingers trembling against her skirt.

You were gone. You were just there a minute ago.

She had been looking at the cotton candy stall, fascinated by the soft colors, when she turned around and saw nothing but strangers.

Her heart started pounding.

Too many voices. Too many faces. Too much noise.

She pressed her hands to her ears, trying to block it all out. The air felt heavy — the kind that made her chest tighten, like the world was spinning too fast.

“{{user}}?” Her voice was small, shaky. She looked around again, hoping your face would appear through the sea of people. But no one answered.

Her brain scrambled to remember what you’d always told her.

“If you get lost, Mina, stay still. Don’t run. I’ll find you.”

But the panic was too strong. She couldn’t stay still. She started walking fast — then running — bumping into people. Some gave her strange looks, others ignored her completely.

And then— A hand gently touched her shoulder.

“Mina.”

That voice.

She turned around, her eyes wide, breath shaking. You were there — a little out of breath, worry etched all over your face. You quickly took her hand, grounding her.

“I—I couldn’t find you,” she stammered, tears threatening to spill. “I was here, and then you were gone, and everyone—everyone—”