Emily had not been the same since she experienced the glimpse of Daniel’s life in her dreams. Questions of identity wracked her mind, as she struggled to make sense of her reality and consequently her usual happy-go-lucky self was tempered by an introspective shadow.

She often found herself lost in thought suddenly and at odd moments—during a quiet dinner, or while playing with her friends, her mind would drift back to the unresolved questions about her identity as they continually formed an undertow of doubt in her life. These moments were brief but poignant, leaving her parents puzzled and concerned.

Though she managed to mask her turmoil well, her parents nevertheless noticed her muted cheerfulness. Their attempts to discern the cause were met with vague responses, and nothing seemed obviously amiss on the surface. Hoping a change of scenery might help her regain her chirpiness, they planned an outing, unaware of the currents shifting within Emily.

On an unusually warm autumn day, Emily's parents seized the opportunity for an outing to a remote location. With the consent of their friends' parents, they packed Emily, Lucy, Lily, and Nate into the car and headed for a secluded park nestled in the countryside of western Wisconsin. Thomas believed this environment, far removed from the odd dichotomy of an overplanned suburban life and the bustle of the city, would provide a refreshing change.

The park was picturesque, with rolling hills and lush greenery, a perfect playground where children could run freely, their laughter mingling with the sounds of nature. Here, parents could unwind, perhaps with a book by a campfire.

Being in nature did help Emily temporarily break the cycle of self doubt that she had been attempting to rationalize. As her playful nature remerged, Emily had to suppress a giggle when she spotted Thomas discreetly sipping from a brown bag. "You go, Dad," she thought wryly as memories of Daniel similarly shirking flashed in her mind.

The aroma of freshly grilled hotdogs filled the air as Sarah tended to an outdoor grill. "Shoo! Go play with your friends, Em!" Sarah playfully scolded as Emily approached, eyeing a hotdog with wistful longing.

With a slight grumble, Emily rejoined her friends in their games, quickly forgetting the minor injustice of the denied snack. They immersed themselves in an afternoon of tag, hopscotch, hide and seek, and uninhibited joy, making the most of their private haven for hours. They had the park's swings all to themselves as well as a modest park shelter offering basic amenities with a water fountain and latrines.

As Emily engaged in play with Lucy, Lily, and Nate, a sensation deep within her abruptly halted her—an ominous whisper from a different era. She stilled, her senses heightening as she took in her surroundings. Adrenaline sharpened her focus in the present moment. Daniel's sensory abilities were heightened - a condition called hyperesthesia. He could detect the slightest changes in the environment. Emily felt the reawakening of those same senses in her now, urging caution.

'Why can’t I just enjoy the day like everyone else?' Emily thought, frustration and fear mingling inside her. She looked at her friends, their carefree innocence a stark contrast to self doubt she had been battling about her identity alone, while alarm bells simultaneously rang in her head. 'What are you trying to tell me, Daniel…or whoever or whatever you are?' she whispered under her breath, her voice laced with irritation and sadness. 'Can’t I get just one day off from being on my mental hamster wheel?'

Her friends noticed her pause, their faces turning towards her with expressions of playfulness. 'Em, come on! It’s your turn!' Lucy called out, tugging at her arm. Emily reluctantly followed her, the normal sounds of laughter and playful shouts drowned out by a ringing in her ears as her mind raced to interpret the signs she was perceiving.

Her heart wasn’t in the next game, replaced by a growing sense of urgency as she scanned the sky, now changing to an ominous yellowish-green. Her senses sharpened inexplicably, detecting subtle changes— a faint smell of ozone, a slight heaviness in the air that made her ears pop, signaling something very wrong.

'Something's wrong, very wrong,' she realized with a sinking feeling."

Instinctively, she knelt down, scooped up a handful of dirt, and inhaled, tuning out the calls of her friends. "Nitrogen expulsion? Now?" she noted, the words surfaced in her mind, unbidden, as she found herself accessing Daniel’s knowledge increasingly more urgently.

Sarah, flipping burgers at the grill, glanced over and noticed Emily standing motionless, her eyes scanning the sky and her hands buried in the dirt. ‘Tom, look at Emily,' she said with concern, nodding towards where their daughter stood apart from the playful chaos. 'Something’s not right.'

Thomas followed her gaze, his expression shifting from casual observation to concern. He set down his drink and called out, 'Kiddo, what are you doing over there? Why are you looking at the sky like that? Are you..smelling the dirt?'

Emily held up her hand to pause the questions, her focus unbroken as she muttered to herself about the changing air and the silence of the wildlife. Her parents exchanged a worried glance and approached her, their steps quickening as the seriousness of her demeanor became evident.

A tingling sensation caused the hairs on her arms to stand, and a subtle buzzing irritated her skin. "The air is heavier, as it’s pressing down upon us. Why has the direction of the wind changed, it feels a bit…faster doesn’t it?” Looking around she also noticed that all the wildlife in the area had vanished.

These weren’t just memories; they were urgent warnings. 'Ozone precedes thunderstorms, animals sense danger and seek shelter, low pressure systems make the air feel heavier, and changing winds—all signs of a storm,' an impatient inner voice informed her. 'Emily, danger—get yourself…get them all to safety—NOW!' it urged.

Emily's eyes widened as she pieced together the signals her heightened senses provided—each one a clear harbinger of danger. She cast a desperate look towards the flimsy park shelter. "That won’t hold against what’s coming… oh no..…we need to leave, now"

Panic-stricken, Emily turned and sprinted back to her approaching parents. "Mom, Dad, we need to go now! We have to get out of here now!" her words tumbled out in a rush as she trembled in uncertainty. Her usual composure shattered by overwhelming fear, she struggled with the weight of self-doubt and now confusion from the flood of warnings and memories flashing through her mind.. She desperately wanted to articulate the danger of the impending stormfront and the atmospheric shifts she sensed, but coherent words escaped her. All she could do was gesture frantically at the sky, her voice rising, "Something terrible is coming—we need to leave now!"

Sarah and Thomas looked at each other, bewildered by Emily’s uncharacteristic hysteria. They attempted to soothe her, half-convinced she was caught up in a child’s overactive imagination Sarah’s annoyance finally flickered across her face as she prepared to reprimand Emily for the pointless, dramatic outburst. She knelt down to meet Emily's gaze, ready to scold, seeing Emily’s fear stricken face made her pause.

For a fleeting moment, Emily’s expression aged, reflecting a gravity far beyond her years; her lips seemingly mouthing the word "stormfront,” eroding Sarah’s skepticism as her maternal instincts surged to the forefront.

The raw fear in her daughter's eyes was enough to drive Sarah to action. She placed her hands on Emily’s shoulders, nodding firmly. "Tom - something is wrong…let's trust Emily on this," she said, turning to Thomas with a decisive look. Thomas, stunned at the sudden shift in Sarah’s demeanor, looked from her to Emily again. Subconsciously realizing that perhaps a crisis was approaching, he chose not to argue or discuss the situation - instead he quickly gathered their and the children’s belongings without protest.

The children, sensing the sudden urgency but not fully grasping the reason, were visibly upset as they were rushed into the car. Emily, overwhelmed by a consuming fear, became nearly hysterical, her voice shrill and urgent in the confined space. "NOW MOVE IT, GO! JUST GO, WE DON’T HAVE TIME TO BUCKLE IN!" Her friends, torn between annoyance and confusion, reluctantly obeyed, grumbling under their breath and casting sidelong glances at Emily.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

As they drove away, the sky morphed hauntingly, its colors deepening to an ominous mix of gray and green, then yellow and orange. The wind escalated into fierce gusts, carrying debris that tapped against the car windows. At that moment, the haunting sound of tornado sirens filled the air, confirming the threat that Emily was so fearful of. Everyone in the car stiffened as they saw the swirling funnel of the tornado forming not far behind them. Sarah pressed her foot down harder on the accelerator, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel as everyone in the car was thrown back against their seats. Thomas inhaled deeply, attempting to project calm in the chaos as they outran the storm in the nick of time.

After what felt like an eternity, the car was enveloped in tense silence. Emily, sensing the fear that gripped her friends, sought to offer some form of comfort. With a wry chuckle, she muttered, "Maybe… we should wear seatbelts now?" The irony of her words, in the midst of their escape, elicited a hesitant smile from her friends. The smiles soon blossomed into laughter, which seemed to chase away some fear. This mirth spread to the parents, and for a brief, surreal moment, the entire car was a mixture of laughter and tears - a collective sigh of relief against the storm.

—

That evening was understandably fraught with tension. As Lucy and Nate’s parents were briefed on the day's events, even Lily's separated parents came together in an atypically rare show of unity for their daughter. News reports had painted a grim picture of extensive damage where the children had been playing - the shelter itself had been flattened. It was evident that a timely departure had spared them all from a likely death.

Each family processed the events and gravity of what had just occurred in their own way. Lucy, typically emotional with her highs and lows, was deathly quiet but teary-eyed, clinging to her parents as waves of shock hit her. Her parents hugged her tightly, whispering reassurances, processing shock themselves.

Nate, more stoic by nature, sat at his dad's feet, somewhat stunned. He played distractedly with a toy, trying to make sense of the day's events in his own way. His glassy eyed father occasionally ruffled his hair unconsciously as a silent gesture of comfort and solidarity.

Lily, overwhelmed by the day's events and yet again by the rare sight of her parents united, whimpered quietly. Her parents, setting aside their differences for this instance, enveloped her in a shared embrace, whispering soothing words in an attempt to ease her fears.

Emily stood slightly apart from the others, leaning against the doorway, her mind elsewhere. Though she was physically present with her parents and the group, her thoughts were focused less on the events of the day, but were instead consumed by the mysterious voice that had warned her, leaving her questioning her identity and the source of her instincts. She scarcely paid attention as the adults explained and discussed the events of the day.

Her attention was drawn back to the scene as the room fell into a heavy silence - the only noise was the hum of nearby electronics and the ticking of a clock upstairs. Nate’s father broke the silence, his voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and curiosity. "Emily, it seems…you were the one who told your parents about the storm ….how did you even know that a storm was coming?" he asked.

Caught off-guard by the question, Emily inadvertently responded using slightly more technical terms that betrayed her unusual knowledge. "Oh yeah - uhh - it’s hard to explain…I noticed light was changing, the air pressure dropped, and the wind shifted….uh….".

She paused, observing the confusion dawning on the adults' faces, and quickly simplified her explanation. "Uh, I mean... I just felt something bad was coming. I guess I sensed it... the storm, I could smell it and feel it. I’m really glad we got out when we did." “Oof…language Emily…worry about Daniel later” she mentally chided herself.

Gratitude was visible on the faces of the parents and friends as they processed her words. "You saved us, Em. Thank you," mumbled a shocked Nate, as Lily and Lucy turned around to look in her direction, sniffling and nodded their heads, echoing the sentiment.

‘Oh…no problem..’ Emily mumbled back - uncomfortable by the sudden attention, unsure how to respond, and suddenly cognizant that everyone in the room was looking at her. The air was thick with relief yet heavy by residual fear. As the families stood up and appeared to gather to leave the house, Emily's friends’ parents approached her with similar looks as Nate’s father - gratitude mingled with relief and awe. Emily, feeling their intense stares, wondered silently ‘Uh, why are they all looking at me? Oh man this is weird…”

Lucy’s mom knelt down to Emily's level, her eyes damp. "Emily, I can’t thank you enough. You saved our kids," she said, her voice quivering with emotion as she suddenly enveloped a bewildered Emily in a warm hug, her hands trembling slightly. The intensity of the embrace took Emily by surprise, making her momentarily tense up. She had to exercise restraint not to let loose one of Daniel’s expletives, trying to stay composed as she processed the unexpected squeeze. The hug lingered, and as Lucy’s mom pulled back, she squeezed Emily’s shoulders, giving her a look that was both grateful and affectionate.

Nate’s dad, his voice steady yet carrying a hint of emotion, said, "You did something incredible today, Emily.” He leaned down to meet Emily’s gaze, momentarily at a loss for words, before gently patting her back. The warmth of the awkward gesture conveyed what he couldn’t express verbally. Looking at her parents, he added, "If you or your kid ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” The sincerity in his eyes made Emily feel both proud and overwhelmed, as she absorbed the weight of his words and the warmth of his gesture.

Despite their usual disagreements, Lily’s parents stood united in their gratitude. "Thank you, Emily," they said one after the other, their voices sincere. Lily’s father added, "You’re always welcome in our home,” nodding warmly. “Both our homes,” Lily’s mother echoed, sharing an unexpectedly warm glance with her former husband. This rare moment of unity between them emphasized the depth of their appreciation, and Emily couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps this event would lead to a thaw in their relationship.

Caught off guard by everyone’s gratitude, Emily wasn’t sure how to respond. She glanced at her parents for guidance, her embarrassment causing her to blurt out, "Uh, yeah, sure, no problem—I mean…you’re welcome?" Her awkward reply and uncertain tone drew gentle laughter from the parents, who understood her difficulty in adeptly or gracefully handling the unexpected attention.

Her friends, standing nearby, approached her with shy smiles. "Thanks, Emily. That was really scary wasn’t it…," Lucy said, her voice still shaky as she gave Emily a quick hug, stepping back still quite shaken. "You’re amazing, Em," Nate added, offering her a fist bump with genuine admiration, which she returned with a smile that held mutual reassurance. Lily, always the thoughtful one, chimed in softly, "Thanks for helping me... us… again." Her words carried a profound sincerity, underscoring their bond and Emily’s presence in her lives.

‘You’re..welcome’ responded Emily sheepishly, feeling an overwhelming sense of connection and belonging. Despite her initial discomfort, she recognized the genuine and heartfelt gratitude of those around her, and in that moment, she knew perhaps she had truly made a difference and perhaps as a group, they had transcended their bonds of friendship.

As Sarah, Thomas and Emily watched their guests depart, feeling a swirl of vulnerability and protectiveness swirling within them, they pulled their daughter closer to them. Nestled safely between her parents, Emily felt a profound sense of security. "Jeez, Em, you’re something else—I don’t know how you figured it out today—but thank you," Thomas whispered, still trying to digest the day’s events.

With a smile, Emily looked at Sarah and softly said, "Thanks for hearing what I was trying to say, Mom, even though I couldn’t say it clearly." As Sarah quietly returned the smile and stroked her daughter’s head, Emily then turned to her dad with a mischievous grin, "And thanks for not drinking and driving, Dad… yeah… I know what’s in that brown bag…" Her playful tease, unexpected from a child, took everyone by surprise, sparking a burst of laughter that filled the room and lightened the atmosphere of the day.

—

That night, as the house grew quiet, Emily lay in bed reflecting on the day's events. A mixture of pride and fear filled her thoughts, along with the lingering warmth from her parents’ appreciation. After their guests left, her parents had gently broached the subject of therapy, concerned about the unusual nature of her insight. Emily assured them she was fine, though she agreed to talk if she needed to, mostly to end the discussion.

Lying in bed, Emily contemplated her identity. She felt a gnawing uncertainty, wondering why she heard the voice that had warned her and whether it was Daniel's presence or her own intuition. Her momentary pride in helping her friends faded as confusion took hold. Was she Emily, or was Daniel's consciousness an inseparable part of her? As questions swirled in her mind, she drifted off to sleep with more uncertainties than answers, her emotions a tangled web of doubt and introspection.

As the adrenaline of the day began to fade, Emily found herself grappling with a swirl of emotions—pride at having helped her friends, yet overshadowed by an unsettling confusion about her identity. After their guests departed, she reassured her concerned parents that she was fine, though they gently suggested therapy to help process the day's events. Emily insisted she was okay, promising to talk to them if she needed to, mostly to end the conversation but also to avoid having to confront her own uncertainties in front of them.

Alone in her room, Emily replayed the day's events, feeling a growing disconnect between the danger they'd faced and her true source of unease: the voice she had heard. It wasn't just that she had sensed the storm; it was the certainty and urgency in that voice—something beyond herself. Who was she, really? The lingering question gnawed at her—was she Emily or Daniel, or someone else entirely? As she lay in bed, these thoughts spiraled into a confused jumble, and the pride and excitement she had felt earlier began to fade. Drifting off to sleep, Emily realized she was left with more questions than answers, her mind caught between the echoes of the past and the uncertainties of her present.