UNO

The next day, the fourth game began—the final trial that would determine who would remain and who would perish. The remaining four players—Kim Soo Yeon, Choi Ji Ah, Oh Tae Woo, and Han Ji Hwan—were all too aware of the harsh rule that had been established from the very beginning: three must die, and only one will be left standing.

They had spent the night in deep thought, trying to figure out a way to survive together, to defy the system that had forced them into this cruel game. But with each passing hour, the truth sank in deeper—the odds were against them. The rules were clear: one would make it out, and the others would not. There was no way to avoid it, no way to ensure all four could walk out alive.

The weight of the situation was suffocating. They all knew that the choices made during this game would be critical to their survival, but no one had the answers.

As the morning arrived, they slowly awoke, each of them feeling the tension building inside their chests. They didn't speak much to one another, the unspoken understanding of the danger they were in hanging heavily between them. Slowly, they gathered in the center of the room, where a guard waited to escort them to the arena.

The atmosphere was unnervingly quiet as they were given white cloth headbands, each marked with strange symbols written in bold, unfamiliar letters. Without a word, they tied them around their heads, preparing themselves for whatever was coming next.

When they arrived at the arena, the sight before them was jarring. The room was split into several parts, with neon-colored walls flickering and shifting constantly. The colors pulsed, creating an unsettling visual effect, as though the room itself was alive and constantly changing. Their task was simple: they had to match the colors of the cards they were given with the designated spots on the walls before the timer ran out.

The catch, however, was that the area was filled with mental challenges, designed to disorient and disturb their minds. The sounds were loud and discordant, the flashing lights never staying still, creating a dizzying effect that played with their senses. It was clear from the start that this would not be a simple task.

The robotic voice echoed through the arena in Korean: "1, 2, 3!" signaling the start of the game.

Immediately, the walls around them began shifting. The lights changed, casting different hues across the room, and the timer started ticking down. The players rushed to place their cards, but the challenge was far more difficult than they had anticipated. The colors were constantly changing, making it nearly impossible to keep track of which card went where.

The noise grew louder, more disorienting, as if the very air around them was filled with echoes of confusion. The lights flashed erratically, causing their vision to blur. Their thoughts were scattered, their focus slipping away with each passing second.

Choi Ji Ah tried to steady herself, but the chaos around her was overwhelming. She reached for a card, but her hand trembled so much that she missed the mark. The mechanism in the room triggered with a sharp, metallic sound, and the ground beneath her feet shook.

Her vision went dark for a moment, and when it returned, she found herself in the middle of a surreal landscape—lost in a dreamlike version of the arena. She was still standing, but now, the world around her was distorted, twisted by the influence of the game. Strange figures appeared, whispering in her ears, the sounds blending with the voices of the other players, adding to the terror of the situation.

Kim Soo Yeon stumbled as well, her vision blurry, her mind clouded. She had failed to match the colors correctly. The system responded, and she, too, found herself trapped in a nightmarish world, where shadows seemed to chase her, whispering her worst fears.

Meanwhile, Han Ji Hwan and Oh Tae Woo struggled to keep up with the pace. Their hands shook as they tried to align their cards with the ever-changing colors, but each failed attempt only intensified the nightmarish visions that clawed at their minds. The walls, the colors, the sounds—everything was overwhelming.

As time ran out, the room was filled with a sickening sound of metal grinding. The lights flickered violently, and a sense of dread washed over them all. The final moments of the game had arrived.

The countdown was over.

The robotic voice returned, cold and indifferent: "Failure has consequences. The remaining players will face the judgment of their mistakes. Only those who survive the nightmare will proceed."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. They could feel the weight of their failures. No one had managed to match all the colors correctly, and now they would all face the consequences—not only in this world, but also in the realm of their own nightmares.

As the final trial unfolded, the four remaining players stood in eerie silence. The atmosphere was thick with tension, every breath they took a reminder of the weight of the decisions they were about to make. The robotic voice's last words hung in the air like a chilling specter, as the room seemed to close in around them. The fear of failure, of not being able to match the colors in time, had already claimed some of their sanity. And now, the true price of their mistakes was about to be paid.

Choi Ji Ah, Kim Soo Yeon, Han Ji Hwan, and Oh Tae Woo stood in place, their bodies trembling from the psychological toll of the trial. The disorienting lights and sounds were still affecting them, but the real terror now came from the visions and nightmares that seemed to invade their minds.

Suddenly, the walls of the room flickered once more, and the neon colors began to twist and warp. The space felt like it was expanding and contracting with each passing moment. The colors were now no longer just visual stimuli; they had become part of the air itself, suffocating and suffused with dread.

The ground beneath them began to vibrate, and a loud, distorted voice echoed from the walls, "The nightmares are not just within the game. They are inside you. Only by confronting your deepest fears can you move forward."

A loud mechanical sound broke through the oppressive atmosphere, and the floor shifted, revealing new sections of the arena. Each of the players now found themselves isolated in separate chambers, the walls between them rising like barriers of fate. The challenge was no longer simply about matching colors—now it was about confronting the very essence of their fears.

In her new chamber, Choi Ji Ah could hear whispers that seemed to come from every corner of the room. The faces of people she had lost, people she had failed, flickered in and out of her vision. Her body froze as she saw an image of herself, her reflection twisted into something grotesque. It was as though her every failure, every moment of weakness, was being magnified and forced into her mind. The more she struggled against the visions, the more they intensified.

Kim Soo Yeon was in a similar situation. The walls of her chamber were adorned with mirrors, each one reflecting a different version of herself. Some mirrored her strength, but others showed her at her weakest, her worst fears about her own vulnerability. The voices echoed in her head, questioning her every decision, her every action. Each time she tried to move, she felt as though she were stuck in place, unable to escape the self-doubt creeping into her mind.

Han Ji Hwan, though initially resolute, began to falter. The chamber he was in was dark, save for the eerie glow of the neon walls. His worst fear was failure, not only to survive but to let down those who depended on him. The room was filled with visions of his past—of loved ones he had failed to protect, of moments when he had made mistakes. These images attacked him from all sides, each one more painful than the last. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the faces of those who died because of his choices.

Oh Tae Woo was not exempt from the nightmare. His chamber was a reflection of his own anger and reckless past. The walls seemed to close in, and the more he tried to fight back, the more the room seemed to shrink. Memories of past mistakes and regrets flashed before his eyes—times when he had acted without thinking, and the consequences had been dire. The room filled with the sounds of his past mistakes, taunting him, challenging him to come to terms with who he truly was.

As the hours passed, the players felt the weight of their personal fears pressing on them, pulling them into a psychological abyss. They had no way of knowing how much time had passed, or if they were still inside the same trial. All they knew was that they had to find a way out. They had to confront the nightmares, face their demons, and find the courage to keep moving forward. But the closer they came to facing their fears, the more they realized the truth—they were not simply playing against each other. They were fighting against themselves.

The robotic voice interrupted the silence once again: "The clock is ticking. Only those who can master their fears will move on. The others... will remain trapped in their nightmares forever."

As the final warning echoed, the lights flickered and the walls seemed to twist once again, indicating that the trial was nearing its climax. Each of the four players was now fighting not just for survival, but for their very sanity. If they couldn't overcome their personal demons, if they couldn't shake off the visions, they would be lost, consumed by the nightmares they had tried to escape.

With a final surge of willpower, each player forced themselves to confront the terrifying images before them. They took a deep breath, steeling themselves against the flood of memories and fears. They would have to face their past mistakes, confront the pain of their lost loved ones, and find a way to push forward—no matter the cost.

But as the trial reached its final moments, they all realized that the true challenge had always been internal. The game had never just been about surviving the physical tasks; it had been about overcoming the darkness inside them. And now, only one of them would have the strength to continue.

In the final moments, the walls parted, and the players were brought together once more. Their eyes met, each of them knowing that the end was near. Three of them would be forced to face the ultimate judgment. Only one could survive.

And as they prepared for the final choice, they understood that the stakes had always been higher than they could have ever imagined. The game had played on their deepest fears, but now, it was time to choose who would walk out of the nightmare—and who would remain trapped forever.

The final game was upon them. The time had come for the ultimate test.

As the final moment approached, the air was thick with tension, and each of the four remaining players stood at the precipice of the ultimate challenge. The lights flickered once again, this time in a chaotic and erratic pattern, casting eerie shadows across the room. A low hum filled the space, signaling that something new was about to unfold. They had faced unimaginable trials, but nothing could have prepared them for what was to come next.

The robotic voice rang out again, colder than ever: "Welcome to the final stage of the trial. Your ability to face your fears was merely the beginning. Now, the game enters its true form. You will face the most intricate and twisted test yet."

The players exchanged wary glances, their minds racing. They had already endured so much, but each of them could feel that the true horror was still lurking just beyond the veil of what they knew.

"Now, you will face a test of trust and deception," the voice continued. "The rules are simple, but the consequences are irreversible. Each of you will be given a choice: you must decide whom you trust enough to form an alliance with. But beware—if you trust the wrong person, you will be eliminated. And the clock is ticking."

The air seemed to thicken with dread, as the players took in the new challenge. Trust was a double-edged sword in this twisted game. They had learned that betrayal and alliances could shift at any moment. The stakes were higher than ever. They were no longer just fighting for survival—they were now playing a game of life and death, each decision leading them closer to either freedom or oblivion.

The robotic voice continued, adding another layer to the complexity of the game: "You have three minutes to decide. During this time, you may exchange words with one another. But remember—no one is who they appear to be. The one who fails to make the correct choice will suffer the consequences."

As the countdown began, each of the four players grappled with the weight of the decision they were about to make. Kim Soo Yeon clenched her fists, her eyes darting between the others. She had made it this far, but could she trust any of them? She knew that one wrong move could mean the end.

Choi Ji Ah felt a deep sense of unease. She had already seen what happened when trust was broken, but could she afford to face this final test alone? She could feel her mind unraveling as the pressure mounted, and for a moment, she wondered if she could survive this without sacrificing someone else.

Han Ji Hwan's mind raced as he considered the situation. His previous alliances had been shattered, and now he was left alone, once again forced to decide who would be his ally. Every part of him screamed not to trust anyone, but he knew that without a partner, he was as good as dead.

Oh Tae Woo's expression hardened as the seconds ticked by. He had always acted on impulse, but now the weight of the choice hung over him like a dark cloud. The stakes had never been higher, and he couldn't afford to make another mistake.

The seconds ticked down as the players hesitated, unsure of who to trust. They exchanged cautious words, each trying to gauge the others' intentions, but the psychological strain of the trial was taking its toll. Every word seemed coated in deception. Every glance felt like a hidden threat.

Suddenly, the robotic voice interrupted the silence with a chilling command: "Time is up. Choose now."

Without warning, the room shifted. The walls began to close in, and the floor beneath them seemed to warp and distort. The players were now forced to make their choice, knowing that one wrong decision could lead to their demise. The arena began to hum with energy, as if it were alive, waiting for them to take their final steps.

The voice spoke once more, its tone final: "Your choices will determine your fate. Trust is everything. But betrayal is inevitable."

A series of doors opened, each leading into a separate room. The players could see each other through the glass, but they were separated by invisible barriers. The game had reached its final phase. There was no turning back.

One by one, the players stepped into their respective rooms, the glass doors closing behind them with a resounding thud. The pressure was suffocating as they realized that they had no way of knowing if they had made the right choice. The only thing they could do now was wait.

The voice returned, now more menacing than ever: "The time has come for the final judgment. Your choices will be revealed. If you have chosen correctly, you will survive. If you have betrayed the others, you will be eliminated."

A countdown began, ticking down faster and faster. The tension was unbearable. In those final seconds, the players' hearts raced, knowing that their fate was sealed. There was no escaping it now.

The voice continued: "The one who survives will be the last to remain in this game of deception. The others will face the ultimate price for their choices."

The countdown reached zero, and the final verdict was delivered.

The glass doors to the rooms opened, and the four players were reunited once more. But there was no celebration, no sense of triumph. Only the grim realization that their choices had led them to this moment.

The robotic voice spoke one final time: "Only one of you will remain. The rest will face their doom."

The room went silent as the survivors stepped forward, their eyes filled with a mix of relief, fear, and disbelief. Only one could emerge from the nightmare alive.

But then, something unexpected happened. The room began to twist and warp once again. Suddenly, a series of thick ropes dropped from the ceiling, and the remaining players were bound. The ones who had made the wrong choice—Kim Soo Yeon, Choi Ji Ah, and Oh Tae Woo—were swiftly tied and hung by the ropes, their bodies swaying in the air as the air grew thick with horror.

In the midst of this chaos, Han Ji Hwan stood, his face pale, but the only one left standing. The crowd of onlookers, hidden behind the scenes, had anticipated a different outcome. They had assumed Ji Hwan's impulsiveness would cost him everything. But it was his cool detachment, his ability to manipulate the situation to his advantage, that had won him the game.

The robotic voice, now almost congratulatory, spoke for the last time: "The final game has ended. Ji Hwan, you are the winner. You have survived the deception and emerged victorious. The rest will pay the ultimate price for their mistakes."

As the other players' bodies were lowered, and their lives extinguished, Han Ji Hwan took a slow step forward. His victory, however, felt hollow. The nightmare was over, but the psychological scars would remain. Trust had betrayed them all, and in the end, only the coldest and most calculating had survived.

For Ji Hwan, winning had been the ultimate cost—the cost of his humanity.

After Ji Hwan, the last survivor, felt relieved and opened the exit door, he found himself in a simple house. Yet, a strange sensation began to creep in. The once-familiar room suddenly felt foreign, with the sound of persistent knocking echoing throughout the space.

At that moment, Ji Hwan abruptly woke up from his sleep, disoriented and confused. Realizing he was trapped in a dream, he hurriedly opened the window. Outside, he saw a figure standing still, holding a single UNO card in their hand.

The truth began to unravel in his mind—this game was nothing more than an elaborate illusion orchestrated by an unseen entity, manipulating their dreams and twisting their perceptions of reality. Ji Hwan wasn't the only one trapped. The house, the cards, and the players were all part of a larger experiment, designed to push human consciousness to its limits.

This world wasn't just a game; it was a cruel loop of psychological torment. Every player was forced to fight not only for survival but also to grasp the truth of their existence and the identity they had forgotten. The realization hit Ji Hwan like a wave—he was now one of many lost souls, endlessly spinning in the cycle of the same deadly game, unable to escape the clutches of the dream world.

As he stepped outside to confront the figure, the air grew heavier, and his surroundings distorted. Just as Ji Hwan prepared to speak or act, the figure slowly faded away, vanishing into the mist without a sound, leaving only the UNO card behind on the ground. On the card was a symbol he didn't recognize, glowing faintly before fading into darkness.

Ji Hwan stared at the empty space where the figure once stood, a chill running down his spine. The silence that followed was deafening, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Somewhere deep inside, he knew the nightmare wasn't over.

Ji Hwan stood frozen at the doorway, his gaze locked onto the UNO card left on the ground. The mysterious symbol on the card lingered in his mind, as if conveying a message only his subconscious could decipher. As he tried to make sense of it, a faint sound echoed in the distance—not knocking this time, but a low, sinister laugh, like mockery from the shadows.

He hesitated before bending down to pick up the card. His deep curiosity overpowered his fear. The moment his fingers touched the card, the world around him shifted dramatically. The simple house faded, replaced by a surreal and distorted landscape. The sky was a deep crimson, and in the distance, the silhouettes of buildings bent and twisted unnaturally, defying the laws of physics.

Suddenly, the familiar robotic voice echoed again, softer but no less chilling:

"Welcome back, Ji Hwan. The cycle has only just begun."

Ji Hwan felt an invisible force pulling him forward, dragging him into a vast chamber with glowing walls that displayed images of himself during the game. Every step he had taken, every choice he had made, replayed before his eyes like a documentary. The images were accompanied by a cold narration that mocked his decisions, especially the moments when he sacrificed others to survive.

"Do you think your victory marks the end?" the voice continued. "No, this is merely the beginning. This dream has no end. Every triumph is but a doorway to the next chapter. And you, Ji Hwan, have been chosen to continue this game."

"No!" Ji Hwan shouted, his voice echoing across the chamber. "I've had enough! Let me out of this nightmare!"

But the room remained silent after his outburst, as if the world itself ignored his plea. The glowing light began to dim, leaving him alone in the dark. Ji Hwan felt a heavy weight press down on him, not just physical but an assault on his very soul. It was a challenge to his sanity amidst the chaos.

Then, figures began to emerge from the darkness. They were the other players who had fallen earlier. Their faces were blank, devoid of emotion, yet their eyes reflected profound pain. They stood in a circle around Ji Hwan, staring at him unblinkingly. One of them—Kim Soo Yeon—stepped forward, pointing an accusatory finger at Ji Hwan with a look of sorrow.

"Why did you survive while we didn't?" Soo Yeon's voice was quiet but filled with blame. "Is your life more valuable than ours?"

Ji Hwan stumbled back, shocked by their appearance. "I had no choice! I just wanted to survive!" he pleaded. But even to his own ears, his words sounded hollow.

The figures drew closer, their circle tightening around him. Ji Hwan felt trapped, with no escape. The robotic voice returned, now closer than ever:

"Your choices have shaped your destiny. Now, face the consequences of what you've done."

Panicking, Ji Hwan tried to run, but his steps grew heavy. The world around him kept changing, twisting into a never-ending labyrinth designed to torment him. When he finally collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, he surrendered to the shadows that haunted him.

But deep within his mind, a faint voice whispered, like a soft echo:

"You can still escape. But are you willing to pay the ultimate price?"

Ji Hwan lifted his head, and with the last remnants of his courage, he screamed into the void:

"Whatever it takes, I'll pay it! Just let me out of this nightmare!"

As the darkness consumed him, Ji Hwan felt his body begin to dissolve into the void. The weight that had pressed so heavily on his mind and soul seemed to lift, and for a fleeting moment, he felt light—free. The oppressive shadows that had once surrounded him receded, and the chaos of the game, the twisted reality, faded away.

Suddenly, there was a burst of light. It wasn't harsh or blinding, but gentle, as if welcoming him after a long and grueling journey. Ji Hwan's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself standing in a peaceful, serene meadow. The ground beneath him was soft, the air fresh and clean. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Ji Hwan felt at peace.

He looked around, realizing he was alone in this tranquil place. The meadow stretched endlessly in every direction, with rolling hills and soft grasses swaying in the wind. The sky above was a brilliant blue, with only a few wisps of clouds drifting by. It felt like a world completely untouched by the nightmare he had just escaped.

As he took a deep breath, the familiar robotic voice from the game—cold, mechanical, and omnipresent—echoed in his mind one final time.

"You have been freed, Ji Hwan. But remember, the dream never truly ends."

The words sent a shiver down his spine, but they lacked the usual power they once held over him. This time, they seemed distant, almost like a fading memory. Ji Hwan was no longer bound by the game, no longer trapped in the endless cycle of torment and deception.

With a newfound sense of clarity, Ji Hwan began to walk forward, each step taking him further into the peaceful landscape. He knew that, for better or worse, he was free. There would be no more nightmares, no more battles for survival, no more choices that led to suffering.

As he continued on, the meadow stretched before him, an infinite expanse of serenity. And for the first time in his life, Ji Hwan felt as if he was finally where he was meant to be. No longer a player in a twisted game, he was free—truly, irrevocably free.

The light surrounding him grew warmer, and Ji Hwan smiled softly, knowing that this was the end of one journey and the beginning of another. The nightmare was over. He had broken the cycle, and now, he could finally find peace.

Finally, Ji Hwan began to walk toward the light, his steps slow but steady. The warmth that radiated from the glowing light ahead seemed to pull him in, offering a sense of safety and belonging he hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. His mind, once clouded with confusion and fear, now cleared with each step. The heaviness that had weighed on his soul for so long began to lift.

As he approached the source of the light, it expanded, enveloping him completely in its gentle glow. He felt no fear, no doubt—only a profound sense of peace. The light was not blinding, but soothing, like a long-lost embrace that he had been waiting for all his life. It was as if the universe itself had been guiding him here, to this moment, where everything made sense and all the pain faded away.

Ji Hwan closed his eyes briefly, savoring the calmness that washed over him. When he opened them again, the world around him was transformed. The once familiar, yet distorted reality was gone, replaced by a serene and boundless horizon. He was no longer confined by the rules of the game, no longer a pawn in the cruel experiment.

He felt free—free from the nightmares, free from the endless cycles of fear and survival. His heart, once burdened with the weight of choices and betrayals, now beat steadily, filled with the quiet joy of knowing that he was finally home. The light was no longer a distant, unreachable entity but an invitation to move forward into a new existence, one where he could begin again, without the shadow of the game hanging over him.

With one last glance at the darkness he had left behind, Ji Hwan took a deep breath and stepped fully into the light. The moment his foot crossed into its glow, everything shifted. The world around him seemed to dissolve into nothingness, and he was left suspended in a space of pure tranquility.

And then, as the light enveloped him completely, Ji Hwan felt his body and soul merge with the peace around him. He had escaped the nightmare, transcended the cycle of torment, and found his way into a realm of eternal freedom. The game was over, and Ji Hwan had won—he had finally walked into the light, leaving behind the shadows of his past forever.

When Ji Hwan woke up, he found himself in a hospital room. The sterile scent of the place was overwhelming, and the constant beeping of machines reminded him that he was no longer in the game. His body felt weak, as if he had been lying motionless for a long time. Slowly, his mind began to piece things together, but the confusion was still there, lingering at the edge of his thoughts.

He glanced around the room, taking in the familiar yet strange environment. It took him a moment to fully comprehend where he was. The stark white walls, the medical equipment, and the soft lighting were all signs that he had somehow escaped the nightmare, but how? He tried to move, but his limbs felt stiff, as if they hadn't been used in ages. The haze of unconsciousness still clouded his senses.

A nurse entered the room, startled to see him awake. "You're awake," she said softly, a mix of relief and concern in her voice. "You've been in a coma for three weeks. How are you feeling?"

Ji Hwan's mind raced. Three weeks? He had no recollection of the time he had spent in the hospital. His last memory was of stepping into the light, leaving the nightmare behind... but now he was here, in this cold, real world.

"Coma?" he whispered, trying to make sense of it. His throat felt dry, and his voice was weak. "What happened? Where am I?"

The nurse gently adjusted the bed and offered him some water. "You were in an accident. It was pretty severe. You've been unconscious ever since. But you're safe now, Ji Hwan."

The words hit him like a shockwave. Accident? Was that the reason for everything? Was the game, the twisted nightmare, just a product of his mind, trapped in a coma-induced fantasy? His thoughts swirled in a disorienting haze as he struggled to differentiate between what was real and what had been a figment of his imagination.

As he sat there, still trying to process everything, a doctor entered the room. "How are you feeling, Ji Hwan?" he asked with a calm smile, though his eyes held the weight of something unspoken.

"I... I don't know," Ji Hwan replied, his voice shaky. "I had a dream... a nightmare. It felt real. But it... it wasn't. Was it?"

The doctor nodded understandingly. "What you experienced was likely a result of your coma. Sometimes, the brain creates vivid dreams, sometimes even hallucinations, as a way to cope with the trauma."

Ji Hwan's head spun as he thought back to the horrors he had endured, the twisted world of the game, the impossible choices, and the desperate fight for survival. He wanted to believe it had all been a nightmare, but the emotions, the pain, the fear—it had all felt so real.

Ji Hwan still felt disoriented, his mind struggling to make sense of the conflicting realities. As he lay in the hospital bed, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, something he couldn't quite grasp. Was the nightmare he had just escaped truly over? Or was it just another layer of a reality he couldn't yet comprehend?

Meanwhile, in the outside world, some of the players who had perished in the game were revealed to have died in real life as well. Their bodies were found under eerie circumstances—some had burned marks on their skin, others had their tongues hanging out, while some had been stabbed with sharp objects in different places. The brutal scenes from the game had bled into their actual deaths, a chilling confirmation that their fates had been sealed long before Ji Hwan woke up.

As Ji Hwan processed the revelation, his heart sank. The connection between the game and reality seemed undeniable, a sinister link that blurred the lines between the two. The nightmare, the terror, the impossible decisions—it had all been more than just a dream.

The realization struck him with a heavy weight: there was no true escape. The players who had fallen were gone, and the game, in some twisted form, had claimed their lives both inside the illusion and in the real world. He had managed to wake up, but at what cost? Was he free, or was he just another player who had been manipulated by forces beyond his control?

As the doctor left him to rest, Ji Hwan gazed out of the window, his mind swirling with these unsettling thoughts. The nightmare had ended, but the truth was more terrifying than anything he had imagined. The game, the players, and the deaths—it was all part of a much larger, darker reality. And perhaps, just perhaps, the nightmare had never really ended at all.