In the neon-lit district of New Haven, Jenna held a small, flickering memory crystal in her hand, contemplating her next move. She had spent everything she had to obtain this crystal, hoping it contained a piece of her past she couldn’t recall. ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ asked Samira, her old friend, her brow furrowing with concern. ‘What if it’s bad? What if it shatters your illusions?’ ‘I need to know, Samira. I can’t live in the dark anymore,’ Jenna replied, confidence wavering slightly. They stepped into the dimly lit memory shop, the air thick with the scent of aged paper and electronic residue. ‘This way,’ the shopkeeper croaked, leading them to a booth lined with shimmering crystals of every size. ‘Select what speaks to you,’ he muttered, pulling Jenna’s attention. As she placed the crystal in the viewer, images flickered to life—her younger self, a soft smile on her face, laughing alongside a boy. ‘Who is that?’ Jenna asked, a mix of excitement and trepidation in her voice. ‘I don’t know,’ Samira said, looking closely at the boy’s face. ‘But he seems familiar.’ The crystal pulsed, memories rushing back in waves, blurring the line between past and present. Jenna gasped, ‘It’s Lucas! I used to be in love with him!’ ‘But you never mentioned him before,’ said Samira, her curiosity piqued. ‘I thought I lost everything connected to him. It was too painful,’ Jenna admitted. Suddenly, the lights in the shop flickered dangerously, and the shopkeeper shouted, ‘Get out!’ as a surge of energy disrupted the atmosphere. Jenna clutched the crystal, barely escaping out onto the rain-soaked streets. ‘Did we lose it?’ Samira frantically checked her pockets. ‘No, it’s safe,’ Jenna said, catching her breath. ‘But it felt like… it felt like someone was watching us.’ They turned a corner, only to come face to face with a figure cloaked in shadows. ‘You shouldn’t have taken that memory,’ he warned, his voice dripping with malice. ‘It belongs to a debt collector—a very dangerous one.’ ‘We don’t want any trouble!’ Jenna exclaimed, her heart racing. The figure nodded slowly before disappearing into the night, leaving them shaken. ‘What now?’ Samira asked, glancing nervously around. ‘We have to find Lucas. He’ll know what to do. He’s the only one that could have answers,’ Jenna resolved. They navigated through the bustling streets, guided only by the flickering memory of love. Hours passed, and they stood outside an old, worn café that Jenna recognized from her past. ‘Is this it?’ Samira inquired, eyeing the weathered sign. ‘It might be our only hope,’ Jenna sighed, pushing open the door. As the bell tinkled overhead, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Their eyes locked with a familiar face behind the counter. ‘Jenna? Is that really you?’ Lucas exclaimed, dropping a coffee cup in surprise. Tears filled Jenna’s eyes, ‘I need your help. I found something… and it led me back to you.’