Days passed in recovery. To say that Emily’s injuries had been severe would be an understatement, but the doctors could barely believe the speed at which her body was healing and mending.

Her pain subsided and consequently, they began weaning her off painkillers far earlier than projected (much to Thomas’s relief - even in this universe pain-meds were addictive). Where once they had predicted months of slow recuperation, the medical team watched in awe and almost reverence as Emily regained her strength in weeks. She slept far too soundly than anyone expected, her body recovering as if charged by an unseen force, and much to the alarm (and subsequent irritation) of the nurses, she even attempted to hop out of bed on more than one occasion —IVs and all. Well before they were ready to release her of course....

Suffice to say that the medical staff was baffled. Tests were ordered, one after another, with no obvious or medical explanation to account for it. Some of the doctors remarked that they’d seen strange recoveries before—patients with near death experiences bouncing back unexpectedly, coma patients suddenly waking up, individuals with terminal diseases persisting for years. But Emily’s case felt different.

“Kid you’re going to become a medical case study” one doctor laughed as he looked at her ever improving bloodwork. “She’s a fighter, that’s for sure,” another one had quipped as he discussed her recovery with Thomas and Sarah. Another, more religious by nature, commented that Emily must be blessed—protected for having saved her friend’s life in the accident.

Sarah sat quietly beside her daughter, hearing the murmurs but knowing better. Her eyes held a knowing look, a softness as she watched Emily, her heart swelling with gratitude, understanding and oddly enough - pride.

“I still can’t wrap my head around it,” Thomas muttered, his voice low as he stood at the foot of Emily’s bed, arms crossed. “She should be struggling to sit up, fighting for every breath... but look at her. She’s practically bouncing back already.”

There was still an edge to his tone—confusion mingled with a quiet disbelief and fear. A hint of worry hung in his voice, as waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Sarah, however, smiled knowingly, leaning into his side with a deeper, albeit quieter understanding. She had come to terms with the strange and the miraculous nature of her daughter’s existence, though she knew how hard it was for Thomas to make that leap. “He is an analytical man - a man of science, of facts and figures—of things that made sense” she thought to herself with a quiet nod “Frankly this is beyond any medical explanation he gets and I bet that it is short circuiting his mind.”

She took a deep breath, exhaled and tried to gently coax him towards the truth she now understood. “I know it’s hard for you to accept, Tom...” she began slow. She placed a hand on his arm and gently squeezed in a gesture of reassurance. “Emily is better because her brother, Danny - has been helping, supporting her. That’s why she is bouncing back the way she is.” With a grateful smile, she glanced at her daughter and added “And she is far, far too stubborn to give up - just like her father”.

Thomas grimaced slightly.

Sarah knew that the idea of Daniel as a family member still felt foreign, even unsettling at times. Despite her reassurances, she knew that the thought of an invisible entity was hard to grasp, no matter how many times she told him Daniel was real. “How...” he began, his voice trailing off. “How was it possible? How could someone invisible be doing this? How did a dual consciousness even exist in someone’s mind” he murmured, shaking his head.

“I know it’s hard for you to understand and accept,” Sarah added gently. “It was hard for me to wrap my head around this for a while. But when I accepted it, this strange reality, it is almost as if a bond got established between Emily, Danny and me. And then I got to meet him in the dreamscape I understood - really understood, he is real. He’s as much a part of our family as Emily is. And right now-he’s holding her up.”

With a small smile she added “We have met him before remember? When he was our ‘visiting’ child? When he first came into this universe? He is real, even if we can’t talk to him directly.”

Thomas didn’t respond, though his brow furrowed in quiet contemplation, the war inside him continuing. His eyes said it all however - the truth was in front of him as Emily lay recovering, defying every expectation, every prognosis. Even if he found it hard to accept.

–

Emily was thrilled when physical therapy finally began.

After days of being confined to a hospital bed, the chance to sit up, stand, and move (with permission) - even if it was merely physical therapy, was exhilarating. The lingering effects of medication and strain on her body had left her unable to access the dreamscape and she was bored out of her wits.

As such, these small physical exercises felt like a new kind of freedom even though they left her exhausted. Her youth and the absence of any real skeletal damage helped her bounce back faster than expected, turning her recovery into an occasional adventure instead of a boring, repetitive ordeal.

However, not every day was easy or enjoyable. Some days, the exercises seemed unusually insurmountable, and the pain was more than she could bear. Such days made her fear that her progress had stalled and left her feeling vulnerable and fearful. It was during these moments that Daniel would step in—reminding her that she wasn’t alone.

“You’re doing good, Shrimp,” he said softly, as she struggled through a particularly difficult exercise. “Want me to take over for a bit? Give you a break? You can go on autopilot…”

“Nah, old man... I got this…” she thought back, even as the pain radiated through her body. She was determined to push through.

Sarah had been right, Emily had after all inherited her father’s stubbornness and her mother’s willpower.

That being said, there were times when the pain was beyond her capacity to bear, and on those days, she reluctantly let Daniel help - sometimes without a choice. One particularly challenging afternoon, Emily had inadvertently pushed herself too hard. Her body ached from the strain, and she lay in her hospital bed, waiting for the pain medication to kick in, tears beginning to well in her eyes as she groaned in pain.

“Em, this isn’t right,” Daniel murmured gently. “We’re in this together, remember? Why don’t you let me take some of the load?”

“Danny, same body, you’re already feeling this. You’ve already been through enough pain for two lifetimes. I can’t put more on you,” she thought, sobbing quietly.

“I didn’t have a choice before,” Daniel replied, his voice steady yet compassionate. “But this time, I’m offering. We’re a team, Em. I can transfer more of the paint to me for a bit, just to give you a break. Just sharing the load for a bit. We should fall asleep soon anyway.”

Emily hesitated, guilt gnawing at her. But Daniel, sensing this, played his big brother card, and didn’t leave her room to argue. “Oh to heck with this - I ain’t dealing with no pointless martyr business - get ready, I’m taking over”

Emily gasped as a wave of warmth flooded through her - her pain and muscular tension dramatically reducing. But at the same time, she felt Daniel growl angrily from his side of their shared consciousness as he absorbed the brunt of her pain.

“Danny!” she gasped, momentarily startling the nurses nearby.

“Ow- no wonder you were crabby!. Well, this ain’t nothing, Shrimp,” he hissed, though she could sense the strain in his voice. “I’ve got this... you rest up. Fall asleep or something, I’ll be right behind, when we wake up this pain should be gone.”

“Don’t be so macho, you overly saucy interdimensional helicopter brother,” she thought back, her heart swelling with gratitude. Even in pain, her sometimes grumpy invisible sibling found a way to lighten the moment.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

—

As the days passed, Thomas returned to his private practice, though he kept close tabs on Emily. He frequently called Sarah to check in and would sneak in small treats for both mother and daughter during his visits.

Sarah had taken time off from work to stay at the hospital, with her employers being more than sympathetic to the situation.

Emily’s maternal grandparents, Ken and Joan, flew in from New York to visit, their presence doing wonders for her spirits. While they held it together during their time with her, Emily could see how shaken they were by the sight of their granddaughter in a hospital bed.

Ken was effusive in his praise for Emily’s actions “Em I’m so proud of you..” he mumbled once, his eyes teary. “What you did, how you helped your friend - most of us live our entire lives without helping someone like that.” Joan meanwhile sat by her side, clasping her hand, gazing at her granddaughter with adoration, and whispering a quiet prayer, thanking the heavens for her swift recovery.

“Ah, the best thing that can happen to a kid are grandparents…” Emily felt Danny sigh happily as a pulse of warmth radiated through her again.

"Don’t get too full of yourself, grump," Emily thought to Danny, half-joking. "I’m grateful you’re helping, but those prayers they’re for someone or something else."

Danny’s voice came back dry and nonchalant. "Eh... wasn’t the religious sort anyway. Could you imagine telling them? 'Oh, hey, Grandma! So, FYI - I’m merged with a soul or whatever from another universe. He lives inside me like a weird, invisible roommate. So yeah, congrats you’ve got an extra grandson — and he likes your lasagna!”

Emily nearly snorted her chocolate milk, stifling a laugh as she sensed Danny’s playful pulses. The absurdity of explaining her situation to her grandparents felt comically impossible, and yet, here she was—stuck between prayers and a sarcastic sense of humor from her very own interdimensional guardian.

–

When Lucy and Lily finally came to visit, Emily’s spirits soared at the sight of her closest friends. Lucy, ever the extrovert, nearly knocked into the IV stand in her excitement as she rushed to give Emily one of her signature, bone-crushing hugs. “Lucy!” Emily grunted as the redheaded whirlwind launched herself at the bed, earning a preemptive scolding from her parents. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Emily couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle. Lucy’s lively energy was exactly what she needed after days of enduring the drab, monotonous and frankly morose atmosphere of the hospital.

Lucy’s chatter filled the room in no time, her words weaving through a range of topics with ease: complaints about homework, crushes on the playground, favorite TV shows, and the so-called unfairness of parental rules. It was a welcome piece of normalcy in Emily’s otherwise unusual life, and for a moment, it felt like they were back in their regular life, free of worries.

In contrast, Lily remained quiet and hesitant, standing at the foot of the bed with unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "I know that look," Danny murmured quietly from the back of Emily’s mind. "She’s blaming herself. She needs reassurance."

“Thanks Danny” Emily thought internally - her heart aching as she looked at her friend. Lily seemed so small, tired and weighed down by guilt and self-blame. She motioned gently with one arm, signaling for Lily to come closer.

Lily hesitated, her lip trembling before she rushed to Emily’s side hugging her. As soon as her face pressed into Emily’s shoulder, the dam broke. “I’m so sorry, Em. I’m sorry I got you hurt. I’m sorry it’s all my fault,” she sobbed, the words spilling out in a torrent.

“Lily, stop,” Emily murmured softly, wrapping her good arm around Lily in an awkward but affectionate approximation of a ‘bro-hug’. “It’s okay. This wasn’t your fault. I promise.”

“But you got hit because of me!” Lily cried, her voice rising in pitch and cracking with emotion.

Emily tightened the hug, resting her chin on Lily’s head. “No,” she said firmly, leaving minimal room for discussion. “I got hit because the driver wasn’t paying attention. It wasn’t your fault—not even a little bit.”

Lily pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face hoping for absolution. “But I ran across the street...” she whispered her voice heavy with guilt.

“You were just being a kid, Lily,” Emily soothed, rubbing Lily’s back in the same soothing way her mother often did for her. “The driver was distracted. He blew right through the stop sign. This isn’t on you. It never was.”

Emily paused, giving Lily a moment to catch her breath, before adding with a wink, “Hey, if I were the one about to get hit, wouldn’t you have done the same for me?”

Lily blinked, still sniffling but clearly caught off guard. “Of course I would,” she replied in a confused voice.

“Exactly,” Emily said, her voice soft. “That’s what friends do. We look out for each other.”

Lily’s lower lip trembled, but a faint smile began to form as the shadow that had clung to her since the accident finally started to fade. They were just kids, caught in circumstances beyond their control, and Emily’s words allowed Lily to begin letting go of the guilt she had carried.

Emily leaned back with a satisfied sigh, casting a glance toward the window where sunlight streamed in, warming the room. “And besides,” she thought to Danny, “I’m never really alone. I’ve got my own guardian angel.”

Danny’s presence pulsed warmly in response. “I dunno, Em. You saved me first. Maybe we’re each other’s guardians. I’m just returning the favor,” he said with a quiet gratitude.

As Lily wiped the last of her tears, Lucy hopped over, nudging both her friends playfully. “Girls, I love your little heart-to-heart, but can we promise no more life-threatening accidents, okay? Seriously, I think we’ve had enough drama for, like, a lifetime.”

Emily and Lily shared a look, and both smiled weakly. “Deal,” they said simultaneously, their voices now more playful.

–

As Emily’s recovery progressed, it bordered on the miraculous. Even Thomas, ever the skeptic, had grudgingly accepted that the "Daniel" side of Emily had played a significant role in her healing—no matter how unscientific or unorthodox it seemed to him.

The day of her discharge finally arrived. After weeks of confinement, Emily couldn’t wait to leave the sterile walls of the hospital behind. She was wheeled out by an orderly, who moved at what she considered a painfully slow pace. Brimming with energy, she couldn’t contain herself any longer. Much to the alarm of the orderly and her parents, she jumped out of the wheelchair and practically bounded out the hospital doors, her arms wide open, embracing the fresh air and warm sunshine.

As she stood there, eyes closed, feeling the sun on her face, a comforting warmth filled her. She knew it wasn’t just her own joy—Daniel was right there enjoying nature with her. As they both reveled in the freedom, and Emily smiled, knowing that while her recovery wasn’t entirely over, the worst was behind them.

Emily was to remain at home for a few more weeks, under the watchful eyes of her parents, with frequent follow-ups and checkups. However, between her natural childhood resilience and Danny’s life force quietly supporting her, it didn’t take long before she was walking around the house without assistance. Her energy and vitality returned rapidly, her mood lifting with every step she took. Her appetite followed suit, and she eagerly devoured the home-cooked meals prepared by her grandparents, who had graciously volunteered to stay and help the family during her recovery.

For Sarah, this extra help meant she could return to work part-time, reassured that Emily was in good hands. For Emily, it was like an extended vacation, surrounded by Ken and Joan’s doting attention. She spent her days listening to their stories, enjoying the warmth only grandparents could provide. Of course, in true Emily fashion, she couldn’t resist being a little mischievous at times—pestering her grandparents, staying up too late, or being fussy about her meals. But they indulged her, grateful for the chance to shower her with love and care.

As Emily began to act more like her old self, Thomas couldn’t shake his worry that she might be pushing herself too hard. He constantly felt the need to remind her to rest, though he couldn’t deny his amazement at how quickly she was returning to normal.

“Dad…” Emily began one day, sensing his unease. “I know you’re having a hard time understanding all this, but the reason I’m feeling better isn’t because I’m overdoing it. It’s because I’m not doing it alone—I’m part of a two-person team.”

Thomas shifted uncomfortably. “I know, Em, but… I can’t see him. It’s hard to believe in something I can’t—"

“We can’t see energy, or black holes either, but we know they exist,” Emily interrupted, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. Then, more softly, she added, “Look, I get it. It doesn’t make perfect sense. But Danny is real, Dad. I can feel him. We are working together - as a team, moving forward every day.”

She gave him a playful wink. “So trust me, okay? I’m not planning on ending up in the hospital again.”

Thomas hesitated for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh. His daughter had clearly backed him into a corner. “Like mother, like daughter,” he muttered with a wry grin. “I still have my concerns, but I know when to keep my mouth shut.”

With that, he walked away, shaking his head, though his heart felt just a little lighter.

—

In the weeks that followed, Emily's recovery continued to astonish her doctors. Despite her rapid healing, there were still hurdles to overcome. A gradual return to school—part-time at first—was necessary, along with regular check-ups and occasional physical therapy sessions. Medical clearances were given sooner than expected, though her parents remained cautious.

Through it all, Emily faced these challenges with determination for she knew wasn’t facing this journey alone; she and Daniel moved forward together, guiding her through the lingering effects of the accident, both physical and emotional. Before long, she was slipping back into her old routines—school, friends, and family life—yet with an unspoken understanding that life had subtly shifted.

Together, they were healing, stronger and more connected than ever.