The room fell silent, Emily’s words leaving Sarah and Thomas in a state of shock. They struggled to process the enormity and vividness of what their daughter had just revealed.
Sarah blinked, her gaze shifting from Thomas to Emily, her lips parting as though to speak, but no words came. She seemed to be grasping for something—anything—that could make sense of the moment. Beside her, Thomas mirrored her confusion, his eyes darting between Emily and the ground, then back to his daughter. His jaw clenched and released, the struggle to process everything playing out clearly across his face.
Emily had been watching all of this with hesitant interest, but a sudden throb in her hand snapped her focus back to herself. A sharp, childlike yelp escaped her lips as she clutched the pain, her face twisting in discomfort. As the initial shock subsided, a torrent of near-expletives spilled out. “Goddamn motherf...reaking...son of a bit...scuit, that hurts like a...grrr!”
She quickly covered her mouth with her free hand, eyes wide with shock at her own language, a blush of embarrassment spreading across her cheeks. Quivering with pain, embarrassment, and a touch of amusement, she apologized profusely. “I’m sorry... I’m so sorry. Sometimes Daniel’s way of speaking... it just slips out when I least expect it. He had a... well, a colorful way with words, especially when he was in pain.”
“I make no apologies…cursing is poetic…” Daniel quipped, sounding like a proud tabby even in the gravity of that moment.
His voice turning gentler and softer with concern he added “Whacking your hand like that was probably not the smartest thing to do…I felt it too…that was pretty…hard”.
Meanwhile, both parents rushed to Emily, their instincts overtaking their shock at Emily’s revelations. Kneeling beside her, Thomas took her hand, switching to his clinical self in an instant. “Oh my God, Emily, let me see your hand,” he said, examining her injured appendage.
Sarah, a mix of concern and confusion, knelt beside them and held Emily’s uninjured hand as though shielding it from any change of injury “Sweetheart, what were you thinking, hitting the wall like that?”
Despite the throbbing and stinging, Emily was taken aback, gratified and relieved that her parents, even after her revelations, still seemed to care for her, or at least weren't immediately going to commit her to a mental health institute. This act of love gave her the confidence to continue her explanation.
“It’s just a bruise, really. I’ll be fine,” she said, gently pulling her hands back after a moment and shaking her injured one as the pain abated. “I need to show you something more though... something to prove I have Daniel’s knowledge and experience.”
—
Lost in thought, Emily paced back and forth, her parents exchanging worried but curious glances. The tension in the room was heavy—a mix of disbelief and intrigue. This might be the opening she needed.
“Danny, I could use some ideas…” she murmured inwardly, her uncertainty bleeding through.
Daniel was quiet for a moment, thoughtful. Then, like a spark igniting, his excitement surged, and Emily felt it ripple through her. Despite everything, she found herself smiling. “You’ve figured something out, haven’t you?” she asked knowingly.
“Heck yeah!” Daniel replied, buzzing with enthusiasm. “Let’s hit them with calculus. No one expects a kid your age to know calculus, right?”
“Calculus?” Emily frowned, skeptical.
“Hey, you asked me for advice. Trust me, most adults freak out at the mere mention of it,” Daniel insisted. “You want to make your case? Here’s an entry point.”
Emily paused, then turned to her parents. It was a gamble, but she decided to throw caution to the winds. “Mom, Dad, do you remember any calculus? Just basic derivatives?” she asked cautiously.
“Calculus? Why would you... uh...” Thomas began, clearly caught off guard. “It’s been a long time, Emily. I don’t think I remember much.”
Sarah nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s been years... since college, maybe.”
Emily considered their responses, then said, “That’s okay. Just write down a few equations—basic, complicated, whatever you can think of.”
“Emily…hon, come on…” Sarah began gently, but Emily raised a hand, her voice firm. “Trust me, Mom. You want proof? I’ll give you proof.”
Puzzled, Thomas scribbled down a few equations on a piece of paper and handed it to Emily. She took it with steady hands, her lingering uncertainty overshadowed by determination.
Grabbing a pen, Emily furrowed her brow. “Alright, let’s see...” she began. “Help me out, Danny...” she added softly. The pen moved swiftly across the paper, guided by Daniel’s knowledge and her own growing confidence. The ink flowed as derivatives were calculated with a precision that belied her age.
Her parents watched in stunned silence as Emily worked. She clicked the pen shut and presented the solutions. “Here. These are the derivatives. I admit, Daniel doesn’t remember much about integration, but derivatives? Those are still clear.”
“HEY, SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!” Daniel fired back indignantly, eliciting a small smile from Emily.
With a wink, she added, “Don’t worry, I’m sure some of it will come back. Do these look right to you?”
Sarah and Thomas examined the paper, their eyes widening as they tried to make sense of the flawless calculations. Though their own calculus knowledge was rusty, the equations were clearly correct—or at least too advanced to be improvised.
“How...?” Thomas whispered, awe and disbelief in his voice. “This... is incredible.”
Sarah stared at the paper, then back at Emily. Words seemed to fail her.
“How many children my age do you know who can do calculus?” Emily asked softly. “How many adults do you know who could do this for that matter?”
—
The room was silent. Emily and Daniel both felt the weight of the moment.
“Em, look at their expressions, they need more,” Daniel murmured. “Calculus is impressive, but they’ll look for another explanation—one that feels more conventional.”
“You’re right,” Emily replied. “What about languages? No one around me speaks French or Spanish, so that should drive it home.”
Daniel’s excitement surged. “Fancy language strike? Perfect! Let’s do it.”
Taking a deep breath, Emily said, “Mom, Dad, I get it—this seems absurd, maybe even impossible. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof, right? Okay, let’s try something else.”
She straightened, her voice gaining confidence. “I’ve inherited Daniel’s language skills. He could speak French semi-fluently, and now—so can I.” Without hesitation, she switched to French, saying, "Et je peux parler français aussi. Daniel parlait plusieurs langues."
Her parents stared, speechless.
“And Spanish,” Emily continued. “He learned it in school, thought it was beautiful, but he was always worried he sounded like a gringo.” She hesitated, then added, "Puedo hablar un poco de español..." She translated with a smile, "It means, 'I can speak some Spanish.'"
The words hung in the air as Sarah and Thomas tried to process what they’d just heard. Their daughter—trilingual? Fluent in languages she had never studied?
Emily gazed at them earnestly. “How many children do you know who can do this? Who are multilingual? Do you have another explanation? One that makes more sense for everything I’ve shown you? Can you believe me now?”
–
Sarah and Thomas stood thunderstruck, glancing at each other with unspoken words. Emily and Daniel knew that look—it was a silent conversation, saying everything and nothing all at once. Confusion at the display they had just witnessed. Fear of the implications. A hint of pride. And, unmistakably, the quiet terror of wondering if their daughter had lost her grip on reality.
“Emily…” Sarah began hesitantly, her voice trembling slightly. “We see what you’re showing us. It’s incredible, but…”
Thomas instinctively picked up where she left off. “There has to be some rational explanation, right? Maybe you picked this up somewhere - someone around you speaks these languages?”
“For the love of…” Daniel groaned from within. “Humans! They’ll believe groundhogs predict the weather, but show them clear evidence, and they’ll ‘whatabout’ it to death.”
Charged by Daniel’s irritation, Emily fired back, “Sure, Dad. Because Madison, Wisconsin, is crawling with enough French and Spanish speakers for me to pick up fluency by osmosis.”
Thomas, half-apologetically, started, “Em, I’m not saying that, it’s just—”
Emily cut him off with a dramatic sigh. “I get it, Mom, Dad. This is hard to believe. Maybe impossible to accept. Maybe it would be easier if I said I was reliving past lives or something. Would that make more sense to you?”
The room fell silent, her words hanging heavily in the air. Everyone was lost in thought, processing the implications. Then, Daniel broke the silence, his tone measured and determined. “Em, no stops. Let’s bring it home.”
“Danny, do you mean…?” Emily hesitated, unsure.
“Yes. Let’s hit them with something undeniable. Something no conventional or conceivable explanation can dismiss. Show them what we can really do together.”
Emily hesitated. She could feel Daniel’s unwavering confidence, but the stakes were high. If this failed, it could backfire spectacularly. Still, it felt right—an explanation that defied logic, one that could only work because of how extraordinary they were together.
“Okay, Danny,” she whispered inwardly, then turned to her parents. Her gaze steady, she declared, “Mom, Dad, I can show you one final proof. My mind—or, our mind—works faster than most humans. Maybe even faster than some computers.”
Sarah and Thomas blinked, clearly startled. “What?” Thomas asked, incredulous.
“I’ll explain later, but for now, throw some multiplication problems at me. Start simple, but push me—within reason,” Emily added with a wry smile.
Sarah and Thomas exchanged a bewildered look but decided to humor her. Sarah began hesitantly, “Okay, Em… uh, what’s five times five?”
Emily stared at her mother, unimpressed. “Mom. Seriously? Twenty-five. Challenge me.”
Thomas stepped in cautiously. “Alright, how about twenty-five times twenty-five?”
“Six hundred and twenty-five,” Emily replied instantly, without hesitation.
Thomas frowned, grabbing the calculator on the nearby desk. His jaw dropped as he verified the result. Sarah peered over his shoulder, her eyes widening.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Okay,” Thomas said, narrowing his eyes. “Sixty-three times eighty-seven?”
“Five thousand, four hundred and eighty-one,” Emily fired back, her tone casual.
Thomas quickly confirmed it. His wide-eyed expression mirrored Sarah’s stunned reaction.
“Next?” Emily asked, now playful, momentarily forgetting the high-stakes situation.
Sarah, still reeling, scrambled for another. “Uh… okay, one hundred twenty-nine times sixty-four?”
Emily furrowed her brow, pretending to think. Just as doubt crept into her parents’ faces, she said, “Eight thousand, two hundred and fifty-six.”
“Troll move,” Daniel remarked with pride.
Thomas, now determined, threw out a harder challenge. “One thousand three hundred and forty-seven times nine hundred and twenty-six.”
Emily huffed. “Dad, I said realistic problems. I’m not a supercomputer.” She sighed dramatically before adding, “But if you want the answer, it’s one million, two hundred and forty-seven thousand, three hundred and twenty-two.”
The room fell silent as Thomas punched the numbers into the calculator. His hand froze when the result appeared. “It’s… correct,” he said softly, passing it to Sarah, who stared at it in disbelief.
“How?” Thomas murmured, shaking his head. “No human brain can work that fast.”
Sarah, more emotional, struggled to find her voice. “Emily, how… how is this possible?”
Emily, her expression serious but calm, met her mother’s gaze. “It’s not just me, Mom. Daniel’s helping too. We split the problem between us. Two minds in one brain—it’s like two computers working together.”
She paused, letting her words sink in. “But it’s more than that. The brain is a machine we barely understand. Two consciousnesses don’t just double the processing power—it’s like we’ve unlocked parts of the brain humans don’t usually use. Daniel calls it ‘latent processing.’ I’m still figuring it out myself, but… it’s something, isn’t it?”
Thomas stared at her, mouth slightly open. “Something? Emily, this is incredible.”
Emily smiled, confidence now radiating from her. “It’s not just numbers, Dad. The calculations don’t feel like equations—they feel like shapes, patterns, colors. It’s like… we’re filling in each other’s gaps. Two voices singing in harmony, complementing each other perfectly.”
Sarah blinked, her voice wavering. “Emily… this is beyond incredible. I don’t know what to say…”
Emily’s expression softened as she looked at her parents. In a small voice, she asked, “Do you believe me now? Is this enough to prove that I have a second consciousness—a second soul, a wingman—who’s letting me push past what a regular kid, no, a regular person, can do?”
Her voice grew pleading. “What other explanation do you have, Mom and Dad? What else could explain all of this? The calculus, the languages—maybe those could be explained. But which human, young or old, could crunch numbers like these?”
—
The room fell silent again as Sarah and Thomas absorbed the full implications of what Emily had just demonstrated. Emily and Daniel could sense the weight of the moment settled heavily over them, the reality of their daughter’s extraordinary abilities undeniable. They saw the parents exchange a look—a silent understanding passing between them—as they grappled with the truth of Emily’s connection to Daniel’s knowledge.
Thomas glanced at Sarah, searching for clarity and support. The depth of Emily's knowledge was irrefutable, and despite the surreal nature of her claims, her sincerity shone through. Sarah silently acknowledged this, her eyes softening, and murmured “There’s no denying it now.”
Looking back at Emily, Sarah took a deep breath, her voice steady but heavy with emotion. “Em, we don’t fully understand how this is possible, but... I—we believe you,” she said, glancing toward Thomas for affirmation. With a slow nod, Thomas added, “It’s... incredible. Unbelievable, really. But we see the truth—even if it’s hard to accept. Yes, kid…we believe you.”
Emily and through her Daniel exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over them both. Despite her lingering nervousness, the weight she had been carrying alone for so long finally began to lift. No matter the consequences, it felt good—even just for a moment—to share this secret with the two people who mattered most to her.
Her voice broke slightly as she added, “Thank you mom and dad. I know it isn’t easy.” Momentarily pausing, she continued “I’m sure you have questions about who or what Daniel is but you know…funny thing? This stubborn bro in my head? He helped our family too. Remember when I knew the tornado was coming? That wasn’t just me—that was Daniel. He helped me understand the weather, helped me sense the danger. Without him… I don’t know if we’d still be here.”
Her voice gained strength as she continued, “And the computer? He was really good with technology—he built his first computer when he was eleven. Through him, I understand computers now… even technology that hasn’t been invented yet.” Her lips curled into a faint smile as she added, “And yesterday? That CPR training I used to help… that was me drawing on Daniel’s knowledge too.”
Sarah and Thomas exchanged another look, the pieces of the puzzle finally starting to fall into place. As extraordinary and impossible as it seemed, their experiences with Emily over the past few months suddenly made a strange kind of sense.
Thomas ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low whistle. “So… Daniel—his memories, his consciousness—he’s the reason for all of this. The math, the languages, the intuition… everything?”
Emily nodded firmly. “Yes. His memories, his experiences… they’re part of me now. In some ways, it’s like we’re two people sharing one body. But it’s more complicated than that. He’s intertwined with me—complementing me. I can access his memories and knowledge freely… most of the time, anyway. Just like you can access yours.”
Catching Sarah’s uneasy expression, Emily managed a small, wry smile. “No, Mom—it’s not like he’s some creeper in my head. Think of him more as… a conscience. A very stubborn, sometimes very opinionated conscience.”
Her parents let out a small, nervous laugh, the absurdity of the situation momentarily cutting through the tension. But as the laughter faded, the gravity of Emily’s revelation settled back over them, heavier than before.
Emily pressed on, her tone becoming more thoughtful. “Madame Zara… you remember her from the fair? She somehow knew who I am… who we are. I guess… if I can carry two consciousnesses, then maybe psychics are real too. Who even knows anymore?”
Shaking her head, she continued, “She told me I carry an old soul. That I’m both young and wise, innocent and experienced. She said these two identities are merging—creating something extraordinary.”
Emily paused, taking a moment to steady herself before delivering the final truth. “She told me to embrace who I’m becoming. That I’m not just a reflection of the past, but something entirely new.” Her voice grew stronger as she added with quiet confidence, “That’s what ‘two become one’ means. I’m Emily… but I’m more than just Emily. I’m both Emily and Daniel. Together, we’re something unique—something rare. Our two consciousnesses don’t just coexist; they complement each other, harmonize, dance together. We’re creating something… extraordinary. Two lifetimes, two universes, two timelines—coexisting, merging, living together.”
—
“They finally know,” Emily thought, a mixture of relief and trepidation swirling in her chest. “The truth is finally out.”
“You’ve carried this alone for so long,” murmured Daniel softly, his voice laced with cautious hope. “Let’s see where the cards fall. Your family is exceedingly kind, Em. It won’t be easy, but…did you see them? They came around just a moment ago.”
As Emily shared her secret, a wave of relief washed over her, momentarily easing the knot of anxiety that had grown heavy in her chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, a flicker of hope sparked within her.
“What if they understand? What if they see me for who I really am—who we really are?” she asked Daniel through their bond. The thought felt like a candle being lit, its glow growing brighter as their shared hope and excitement fed one another.
But just as quickly as it had come, doubt began to creep in, snuffing out the fragile flame. Daniel sensed it before Emily did, his instincts honed by his own years of uncertainty.
“Kid... breathe,” he urged, his voice insistent but steady, trying to calm her rising panic. He felt the ripple of her anxiety bleeding into him, amplifying his own. “They’ve come so far already, haven’t they? They listened, they heard you out… give them a chance—”
Daniel’s voice faltered as Emily’s thoughts broke through, small and fragile, trembling under the weight of her fears. “But what if they don’t, Danny? What if they can’t accept it? What if they can’t accept…us? What if—”
The doubt shattered her momentary relief, and she crumpled to her knees, the adult-like poise she’d mustered moments ago fading into the vulnerability of her younger self. Her voice, now small and quivering, carried the unmistakable tone of a frightened child, overwhelmed and afraid of losing everything she held dear.
“Mom, Dad…” she whispered through tears, her words broken by sobs. “Thank you for… understanding… but… it’s over, isn’t it? My life here with you? It’s finished. How… how can it not be?” Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. “How can you not see me as a freak…”
“Emily…” Daniel’s voice nudged her gently, his tone protective yet pleading. “You’re not a freak… you’re so much more. You’re… incredible.” He felt helpless, as though his words alone weren’t enough to reach her. His voice rose within her, filled with desperation and hope. “Em… you’ve trusted me so far, trust me now, please?”
But it wasn’t Daniel’s earnest urging that finally broke through the storm of Emily’s despair. It was the two people who mattered most to her—her parents—moving without hesitation.
As her sobs racked her small frame, Emily looked up through tear-filled eyes to see Sarah and Thomas stepping toward her. They enveloped her in a cocoon of warmth, their arms firm and unwavering. Their embrace wasn’t just comforting—it was a silent promise, a reassurance of unconditional love.
“Oh, Emily…” Sarah’s voice cracked, her eyes damp with tears. “We had no idea... We’re so sorry you’ve been carrying this alone. But we’re here now. We’re not going anywhere.”
Thomas tightened his hold, his voice heavy with emotion as he added, “We love you, kiddo. We love you so much. We’ll get through this together. You’re not alone anymore. You never have to be.”
He glanced at Sarah, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared understanding. Turning back to Emily, he said firmly, “You will always be our daughter. Your knowledge, Daniel... they’re part of you, and we will accept all of you ..always”
—
Emily’s heart skipped a beat—she couldn’t breathe for a moment as the world seemed to fall silent. Lifting her head, she looked from one parent to the other, searching their faces to make sure this wasn’t a dream. Words wouldn’t come; she struggled to say something—anything—but the overwhelming acceptance in their eyes left her speechless. Finally, the walls she’d built around her emotions crumbled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She wept deeply, releasing the burden she’d carried for so long—for Daniel and for herself.
“I’ve been so scared…” she whispered at last, her voice trembling with exhaustion. “Scared that if you knew everything, you might think I’m not really Emily. That I’m… someone else. But I’m still me. I’m just… more. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, and... does it matter anymore.”
“Oh, Emily, you are our daughter, no matter what,” Sarah interjected, her own tears flowing freely. “These memories, Daniel’s life—whatever this is—it doesn’t change how much we love you. We love every part of you, and nothing will ever change that.”
“Exactly,” Thomas added, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve been so brave, sharing this with us. Trusting us with your fears, your incredible mind—it only makes us prouder to be your parents. We’ll support you through this, learn from it, and grow together. You’re not alone.”
The room seemed to hum with a profound sense of connection as they held each other, the weight of past secrets giving way to a new closeness. The fears and isolation Emily had carried for so long—and Daniel’s own echoed struggles—began to dissolve in the warmth of their shared understanding.
“Thank you,” Emily said softly, her voice breaking with gratitude. “Thank you so much... from both of us.” She hiccuped, her tears easing into a watery smile. “I’ve been carrying these memories for so long, and I was scared to tell you.”
She sniffled, a flicker of a laugh escaping her. “Getting to know Danny… Daniel… made me realize how lucky I am. He… he was lonely, in pain, and alone by the end. He begged for a way out, for a second chance…”
Her voice grew steadier and wiped her tears as she continued. “Dummy tries to hide those memories, but I can feel it. This family, this life, this universe—it’s everything he begged for every night for years. Maybe that’s why he ended up here.”
For once, Daniel was uncharacteristically quiet, his usual witty, patented quips replaced by a sense of deep, silent gratitude .
Emily hugged her parents tighter, her voice soft but resolute. “All I know is I love this life. I love you. Both of you. And I don’t want to lose either of you.” With a deep breath, she added, “Neither of us do. Thank you for believing in me… in us. Thank you for helping me feel safe, and through me, helping Daniel too.”
Wiping away her tears and smiling, Sarah replied, “You don’t need to thank us, you silly child—we are always here, ready to listen, learn, and help you carry this. You've given us a glimpse into a world we barely imagined. Let's explore it together.”
Thomas, gently ruffling Emily’s hair, nodded and resolutely added, “We will make sure that this home, our family, is always a place of understanding and acceptance. Whatever the future holds, we face it together.”
Emily closed her eyes, finally feeling the warmth from the love of her family. As if in agreement, she visualized the intertwined threads of Daniel and herself pulsing and glowing, sending warmth from within.
In the midst of this warmth, Emily heard Daniel's voice, gentle and reassuring: “Thank you, Emily. For giving me…us.. a second chance.”
As the evening progressed, the air in the room felt lighter, the shadows of uncertainty replaced by the glow of a family united. Emily, finally feeling the full support of her family, allowed herself to fully relax, the tension of years lifting off her young shoulders. With her guard down, she spoke freely, sharing her thoughts and insights with her parents, no longer pretending to be just an ordinary child. She revealed the incredible being she was evolving into, blending her youthful enthusiasm with Daniel’s wisdom. Her parents listened, amazed and proud of their daughter’s unique brilliance.
The family continued to discuss, sometimes laugh, and speculate about the future. Emily knew her journey of self-discovery wasn’t hers to walk alone anymore; it was a path she shared with the unwavering love and support of her family. Still, she understood that while her parents had accepted her, it would take time for them to truly understand, to make peace with their new reality, and to embrace not just her but Daniel as well. She could sense challenges ahead—bridges to cross, questions that would need answers: how Daniel had come to be with her, what their bond would mean as they grew, and the secrets Daniel still kept hidden from her.
But tonight, those hurdles could wait.
“Today…” Emily thought, her heart swelling with resolve, “this isn’t the end of my story.”
“No,” Daniel responded, his voice firm but tender. “This is the beginning.”
“Our true beginning,” Emily corrected softly, a smile tugging at her lips as they both accepted this moment.
That night, as they finally said goodnight, Emily climbed into bed with her heart full and her mind at peace. She drifted off to sleep, not as a girl burdened by the past, but as a child cherished and celebrated for all she was—and all she brought to the world.