Myra clung to the last vestiges of hope. Felicia returned to the room where Dexter lay on the bed, his limbs bound with ropes. Myra had tied him up; ever since his mind had unraveled, he wandered and tore at his wounds. It was a desperate measure to prevent further harm.

Felicia sterilized needles and began inserting them into Dexter's acupoints. Her fingers pinched the needle ends, gently twisting as she inserted each one. Midway through, Dexter roared, struggling violently. His hoarse voice was like a trapped beast's.

Myra's heart leaped; the sound sent shivers down her spine. She stepped forward. "He's reacting because it hurts, right? Did you do something wrong? Should we stop, or try a different method?"

Felicia found it unusual. It wasn't a flaw in her technique, but Dexter's condition didn't seem to stem from mental shock, as she'd suspected. It felt more like a nightmare. During the treatment, she sensed a resisting force. If so, Dexter needed to wake himself.

Felicia removed the needles. Myra listened, grasping only the essence of Felicia's words. "So, Dad's trapped in a nightmare? And he can only wake himself?"

Felicia ignored the familial term. "Correct."

Myra was bewildered. "Doesn't that mean he's lost his mind?"

"You could say that, but it's nothing to worry about," Felicia replied. "He should return to normal within two weeks, perhaps sooner. In the meantime, try stimulating him."

"How?" Myra asked, perplexed.

"Talk to him, show him something meaningful, bring someone he knows. Anything evoking a strong reaction might help," Felicia hummed.

Myra sighed. That seemed unlikely. She'd tried countless times over the past two weeks, even recalling their younger days, but Dexter remained unresponsive.

"That's all," Felicia said coolly, wiping her hands. "The consultation's over. Since I can't cure him, there's no fee. You may leave."

Kerry appeared, gesturing towards the door, silencing any protest. Myra hesitated, then remained silent, watching Felicia leave in a daze. She wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light, but for a moment, Felicia's retreating figure blurred and overlapped with the black-clad figure who had saved them that fateful night—a young woman in a hat. There had been fighting, thugs...

Myra strained to recall the details. Then, it clicked. The young woman had likely used a paralyzing powder during the fight, then checked Dexter's pulse before performing acupuncture—the only reason he'd reached the hospital.