Lucas was currently in disbelief, his expression carried a sense of confusion. He muttered, "Is it just a lucid dream or...?"
He was definitely not high on substance or something, but he really felt like he was transported to another place—Bluejohn Canyon—and the memory was still fresh in his mind.
Usually, even in lucid dreams, he wouldn't be able to remember so clearly.
So basically, the original owner of this current body of his, "Lucas Knight," was actually in the deep recesses of his consciousness. After that, the real "Lucas Knight" finally bid farewell for good.
Lucas looked at his clothes that were drenched in sweat. His forehead also had sweat flowing down naturally, and his breathing, initially heavy when he woke up, was now becoming stable.
Lucas went to take a shower, and afterward, he examined himself in the bathroom mirror.
His upper body was exposed, revealing some muscles, although not as developed as those of someone who exercises regularly.
Then, Lucas vividly recalled "Lucas Knight" disappearing from his consciousness.
Although Lucas felt remorse for the real "Lucas Knight" departing to the afterworld, he also experienced a sense of relief. He didn't want someone from his consciousness peeping at his current activities, as it would strip away any sense of privacy and make him uncomfortable. However, Lucas needed to confirm if what happened was real or just a dream. That's why he stood in front of the mirror again, looked at his face, closed his eyes, and immersed himself in the character of Aron Ralston, following the character description in the paper.
After ten minutes, Lucas still didn't feel anything like he had experienced before.
"That can't be right. My instincts tell me that I really possess abilities similar to those characters in the movie 'Inception.'"
There's no way such a vivid experience could be just a lucid dream. Lucas is quite certain it was not just a dream; what he experienced was undeniably real.
His instincts, his memory, his body—all bear witness to such an experience.
This means that his ability to enter the deep recesses of his consciousness can assist him in his acting career!
"Maybe I still don't fully understand this ability of mine, and perhaps I can instinctively activate it or just randomly activate it... But whatever it is, I'll have to try to activate that ability!"
Lucas feels his heartbeat quicken. He is excited.
Lucas knew that if he could awaken such an ability, it would tremendously improve his acting skills!
"For now, maybe I'll rest. I'll try activating it again tomorrow."
Lucas went to bed, and due to his exhaustion, he fell asleep without realizing it.
Early in the morning at 8:00 AM, Lucas visited Liza's restaurant as usual. He worked until around 11:00 AM before informing Liza that his flight was approaching.
"Sigh! I'll miss you, Lucas. Just do your best in the audition."
Lucas smiled at Liza's encouraging words.
"My man, I wish you all the best."
Lucas nodded to Leonard, and as he was about to leave the restaurant, he heard Liza calling out.
"Wait, Lucas! We heard from Samantha that you can sing! And until now, we still haven't seen you perform at all. Before you go, can you sing us a song?"
Lucas turned his head towards Liza, smiled, and said, "Of course."
Liza has been treating him quite well so far, and Lucas thought that Liza deserved to listen to one of his favorite songs.
"He doesn't have the guitar, Cousin," Leonard reminded, and Liza also realized it, saying, "Oops. I forgot about that—"
"It's okay. I'll perform the song without the guitar."
Leonard and Liza were a bit surprised.
"How could that be? Won't it affect your performance?"
"No. It's okay, Liza." Lucas didn't really need the guitar; he believed that his voice alone could do the work.
Lucas hummed the tone of the song he had in mind, and Liza and Leonard heard that even with just humming, the sound felt beautiful.
"I'm going under, and this time I fear there's no one to save me."
Lucas sang in a low, breathy whisper, almost inaudible at first, yet the tone of his voice conveyed despair, loss, and a sinking feeling with each word.
"This all-or-nothing really has a way of driving me crazy," Lucas sang in a breathy whisper. Liza and Leonard listened attentively as Lucas continued, "I need somebody to heal, somebody to know, somebody to have, somebody to hold, it's easy to say." The tone in Lucas's voice had a glimmer of hope fighting through the pain, reaching out desperately.
Liza and Leonard felt goosebumps as they listened, especially when Lucas sang in a more rhythmic manner, seemingly building momentum with each repetition of "Somebody." They listened as it got slightly louder and dropped back down to despair.
"But it's never the same. I guess I kinda liked the way you helped me escape," Lucas sang, and his voice raised slightly. Then, without warning, Lucas revealed the bubbling anger beneath the surface. He raised his voice, "Now the day bleeds into nightfall, and you're not here to get me through it all, and then you pulled the rug~" It was louder and more insistent, mirroring the emotional struggle.
"I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved," Lucas sang with full and powerful emotion before delivering the bridge once more with a tone of vulnerability, admitting to naivety and longing for comfort that's now gone.
"I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved," Lucas sang the line once more in a booming voice, before delivering it with a final desperate cry, as if clinging to memories fading away, "And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes. I fall into your arms; I'll be safe in your sound 'til I come back around."
Then Lucas sang the chorus with deeper despair and acceptance creeping in but fighting back, "For now the day bleeds into nightfall, and you're not here to get me through it all. I let my guard down, and then you pulled the rug. I was getting used to being someone you loved. But now the day bleeds into nightfall..." Lucas sang with a trembling voice, cracking on "bleeds," "nightfall," and "guard down." He emphasized the final "loved" with lingering pain.
Lucas finished performing and looked at Liza and Leonard.
"What do you think, guys?" Lucas asked, but he noticed that Liza and Leonard seemed to be in disbelief.
"Hello?" Lucas waved his hands in front of their vision, feeling a bit worried. The moment Liza and Leonard snapped out of their deep thoughts, they praised him like never before.
"That's amazing, Lucas! You should definitely become a singer!" Liza grasped Lucas's hands in excitement.
"I agree!" Leonard nodded and said, "Seriously, dude! I have never heard such a song before!" As he spoke, he could still feel goosebumps from hearing Lucas sing the song just now.
Lucas felt somewhat helpless as he looked at the two excited people. He excused himself since his flight was near.
Liza and Leonard didn't stop Lucas, accompanying him to the exit.
Watching Lucas depart, Leonard remarked, "That song he just performed... It's a heartbreak song, right?"
"It's obvious," Liza nodded. "Samantha also told me that Lucas performed a heartbreak song in the bar. Maybe it was the same song... It seems like Lucas experienced a deep, wrenching heartbreak to be able to compose such a song."
Leonard nodded and sighed, "Poor guy."
Lucas was unaware that he was being misunderstood by the people close to him. He just felt fortunate enough that he performed the song in Liza's office. If he had performed it near a few customers, he would likely have been insisted on singing more, just like in the bar.
Lucas performed the song exclusively for Liza. His rendition, particularly singing his favorite song, served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards her.
(Song - "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi)
[Unlike the Chapter where Lucas sang "Wonderwall," I reduced the people's thoughts about the song and wrote the song lyrics more smoothly with flow. This is in consideration of the readers, and there aren't many people listening to Lucas sing, which is why I didn't delve deeper into the listeners' feelings and emotions. Please share your thoughts on this format.]