It was far too late at night, and Emily lay in bed wishing she could fall asleep. Her thoughts and emotions swirled like a storm that refused to settle. Every time she tried to close her eyes and relax, the memory of the accident flashed before her—watching Lily run across the street, the car speeding, the screech of tires, the rush of panic, the sensation of flying through the air, and the strange quiet afterward. It was as though she had come so close to something she didn’t want to think about, yet couldn’t stop thinking about it.
She knew her physical recovery had been miraculous, and her family—visible or not—had supported her the entire way. But recently, in the last few days, the memories had resurfaced and just wouldn’t let her rest.
Emily sighed, rolling over for what felt like the hundredth time. Her eyelids felt heavy, but her mind was wide awake, seemingly stuck on its hamster wheel. She tugged the blanket tighter around herself, desperate to quiet her racing thoughts. “How am I supposed to move past this?” she wondered bitterly. “People would say, see a therapist! As if that would magically fix everything. How would I even explain my dual consciousness without getting thrown into the looney bin? What would I even say?”
“You know, Shrimp, you could start by saying it to me,” came Danny’s voice, groggy but amused.
Emily huffed, pulling her blanket up higher. “Sorry, grumpy, I didn’t mean to wake you... at least one of us was getting some rest.”
“You didn’t wake me,” he said, his voice low and amused. “I’m always here, remember? I think I know what’s going on, but you want to talk about it? I can feel you buzzing like a live wire.”
She let out another sigh, this time into her pillow, muffling her frustration. “I just… can’t sleep. My brain won’t shut off.” She squeezed her eyes shut, her body aching with exhaustion. "I just want to sleep already!"
Danny chuckled lightly. “Yeah, been there, done that. If this were my old world, I’d have probably had a shot of whiskey, maybe gone for a walk to clear my head. Or a few anti-anxiety meds. Or all of the above. But seeing how you’re basically a ten-year-old kid, I don’t think that’s an option.”
Emily rolled her eyes, though the faintest smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Not exactly. Pretty sure Mom wouldn’t be too thrilled if I started asking her for booze or meds, or randomly left the house in the middle of the night.”
“Eh—you may be surprised,” Danny quipped. “Okay, not about the booze, but don’t be afraid to ask for something to help you sleep. You’ve been through a lot, a sleeping aid wouldn’t be unheard of.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll ask them tomorrow, but how do I sleep tonight?” Emily shot back grumpily. “It’s not like I can just wake them up and go, ‘I’m not getting sleep, give me your meds, human!’”
She felt a pulse of laughter radiate from Danny, light but warm, and couldn’t help but smile herself. “Glad one of us is having a good night...” she muttered sarcastically.
“Alright, Shrimp, let’s try something else,” Danny said, slipping into a more focused tone. “Have we tried deep breathing? I can help you with that.”
Emily tried deep breathing, following Danny’s calm instructions as he guided her, patiently keeping time. They worked together, inhaling and exhaling in slow rhythm. But after a few minutes, she sighed deeply and opened her eyes, frustration gnawing at her.
“Thanks, Danny, but… it isn’t working… my brain is too wired.”
Danny was quiet for a moment, clearly thinking. “Okay, what about meditation? Think that could work?”
Emily shook her head against the pillow. “Nope. Too similar to deep breathing.”
“Progressive muscle relaxation?” Danny offered. “We could try that.”
Even with his help, the exercise didn’t make much difference. Emily felt her muscles twitch and release, but her mind remained stubbornly awake.
“Thanks, Danny,” Emily said with a sigh, her voice heavy with resignation. “But I think… tonight is just going to suck.”
There was a brief pause before Danny’s voice perked up. “Alright, plan D. Let’s head to the dreamscape. Come find me.”
Emily raised an eyebrow, sensing a flicker of excitement from him, like he was planning something. Despite her exhaustion, curiosity got the better of her. With a resigned sigh, she closed her eyes and let herself be pulled into their shared mental space.
When she arrived, Emily was surprised to find the dreamscape dramatically different. Instead of the usual bright, peaceful meadow, everything was shrouded in darkness. For a moment, she felt a spike of fear—Had something happened to Danny? But then she realized it was simply nighttime in the dreamscape.
A small campfire flickered nearby, its glow soft but welcoming. The air around her felt cool, with a gentle breeze brushing against her skin. It wasn’t the biting cold of a winter night—more like a crisp, late autumn evening, perfect for sitting by a fire. In the distance, an owl hooted softly, the only other sound besides the steady crackling of the flames.
Emily was drawn toward the fire like a moth to light, spotting Danny crouched beside it. He was squatting near the fire, thoroughly engrossed in some kind of cooking apparatus hanging over the flame with a small pot. The soft orange glow cast long shadows across his face, but he smiled instinctively when he saw her.
He waved her over, and as she approached, the warmth from the fire greeted her. The smell of burning pine filled the air, calming and familiar, as if she had stumbled into a real-life campfire scene.
With a snap of his fingers, Danny conjured up a plush sofa by the fire.
Emily blinked at it. “A sofa? Really?” she asked, giving him a sideways look.
Danny grinned. “Hey, if we’re stuck in our minds, might as well get comfy, right?” He scratched the back of his neck. “Not like it’s going to catch fire—it’s a dreamworld, after all.”
Rolling her eyes but grateful for the comfort, Emily plopped down on the sofa and leaned back, sinking into its cushions as the warmth of the fire washed over her. The sensation was almost immediate—her muscles unwinding, her mind quieting, if only a little.
Danny joined her on the sofa, though his focus was still on the apparatus over the fire. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just listening to the fire pop and crackle in the cool night air.
“Talk to me, Em,” Danny said softly after a while. “I think I already know what’s going on, but saying it out loud might help.”
Emily sighed and looked up at the sky, her eyes focusing on the stars twinkling in the distance. She had never seen the dreamscape like this, and in its serenity, she allowed herself to speak.
“It’s the accident,” she whispered. “I can’t stop thinking about it. I keep replaying it in my head—the moment Lily almost got hurt, how close we came to losing her…” She hesitated, her voice choking as she added, “How close I came to… not being here.”
Danny nodded, listening without interrupting. As she spoke, he quietly tended to the fire, adding a sweet-smelling powder and a handful of marshmallow into the small pot hanging over the flames. Emily continued, her voice thick with frustration.
“And I can’t talk to anyone. Mom and Dad are great, but... I wish I could talk about it to Lucy or Lily, or even Grandpa Ken or Grandma Joan, but how could I even explain it? ‘Hey, I nearly died, but my invisible brother saved me by transferring some of his essence to me. Oh, by the way, I’ve been living for more than a year with another consciousness merged with mine! Oh, and I have to keep pretending I’m something I’m not just so I don’t get thrown into an asylum. Or, hey, I saved my friend’s life, but I can’t tell her the truth!’”
The words tumbled out, and as they did, a few tears finally broke through, streaming down Emily’s face.
Danny smiled sadly, stirring the liquid in the pot. “Yeah, I get it. Talking to someone else about this… not exactly an option. We’re not your typical therapy case.” He added with a soft sigh, “I’m sorry, Shrimp. That’s a lot to carry.”
Emily rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “People always say talking to a therapist can help, but... the risk is just too high. And what would they even do? Even if I could tell them the truth—‘Oh hey, both you and your invisible brother need therapy! Would you like to see me on separate days?’”
She tried to laugh through the frustration, but it came out shaky. Danny chuckled along with her, the sound gentle, as he carefully pulled a mug from behind him and poured the contents of the pot into it. The aroma of the drink drifted toward Emily, rich and wholesome, instantly piquing her curiosity.
“You’re right to be cautious,” Danny said, his tone soft and understanding. “Some things are better kept between us, even though I hate that you have to carry this strain.”
With a sigh, Danny handed Emily the mug. “Here. Campfire chocolate milk—patented by yours truly. Not exactly the same as therapy, but pretty therapeutic, anyway.” With a playful wink he added “And no calories or a sugar high either.”
Emily gratefully accepted the mug, feeling the warmth in her hands—a sensation that felt like a quick, comforting hug. She sniffed the milk and took a tentative sip. The warmth of the chocolate spread through her, melting away the tightness in her chest.
“Whoa!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening. “This is really good, Danny!” She nudged him softly, a smile tugging at her lips. “Thanks… I needed this.”
“Don’t mention it,” Danny replied, pulling a marshmallow from the ether and beginning to roast it on a random stick he found lying around. For a moment, the trans-universal siblings enjoyed the quiet, the sound of the fire, and the occasional hoot of the owl that Danny had conjured. Emily didn’t understand why, but the ambience had somehow, inexplicably, helped her finally relax. As she watched the fire dance, she slowly began to feel her eyes getting heavier. The strain of the last few weeks didn’t seem quite as heavy.
However, there was something still on the edge that kept her from completely relaxing, from falling asleep.
Danny’s rhythmic back scratches were lulling her into a rare state of calm, but she could feel his energy subtly shift. His usual playful tone softened, and for the first time, she noticed something unspoken behind his comforting words.
“Look, Shrimp, I know this is hard. What happened to you was scary, beyond scary, and something that no one should have to go through,” he said, his voice quieter now. His hand slowed on her back, his tone serious but gentle. “You made the right call saving Lily. I don’t think you’d be comfortable in your own skin knowing that you didn’t do everything you could have if she got hurt.”
Emily stayed silent, sipping the hot chocolate, the fire crackling between them. She could feel a strange sense of relief washing over her with every sip. The warmth of the drink in her hands began melting away the tightness in her chest, and the warmth of the fire on her skin made her feel safe for the first time in days.
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Danny continued, and this time, his voice sounded different—more vulnerable. “I know what it’s like to keep it all in, all that emotion, to pretend you’re fine when you’re not. My disease destroyed me, Em, but in some ways, I destroyed myself, too. I pushed my feelings down. Tried powering through. I didn’t want to feel weak, didn’t want to burden anyone.”
He sighed, staring into the fire. “I thought if I put on a happy face, maybe my problems would go away. Instead, I ended up isolating myself even more. Fake it till you make it, they said—worst advice ever.”
Emily glanced at him, startled by his honesty. She had never heard him talk like this honestly and frankly about his past life, his disease, and isolation.
“I don’t want that for you,” Danny said, looking at her now. “I could see you doing the same thing, trying to pretend you’re fine when you’re not. I’m telling you—it doesn’t end well. Trust me.”
Emily nodded slowly, the warmth of the fire and Danny’s words wrapping around her like a blanket. She let his honesty settle in, feeling a wave of gratitude that he was opening up to her like this.
“I guess I’m just scared I’ll never stop feeling this way,” she whispered.
“You will,” Danny said, gently scratching her back again, his movements steady and comforting. “But you’ve got to give it time. And express it—art, music, movement, whatever you want. Let it out in your own way. People have been doing it for generations—artistic expression is so much more powerful than we realize. So, draw, sketch, write, sing—write code for all I care, but find a way to express what’s going on inside you.”
He bumped her shoulder lightly. “Until then, I’m here for you. Always.”
Emily felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. She thought about everything Danny had told her, everything he had shared, and considered how to best express what she needed to emotionally heal. Meanwhile, Danny was now assembling a delicious-looking s’more with an evidently extravagant level of precision and care. Once his masterpiece was completed, he took a sniff and then seemingly half reluctantly handed the s’more to Emily.
“Here, I can always make one next time,” he added with a wink.
Emily eagerly bit into the s’more, biting into the gooey marshmallow and rich chocolate. Her eyes went wide as the flavors hit her like a wave. “Hey, is this… Godiva chocolate?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Danny grinned. “Only the best for my little sister,” he said as he resumed his rhythmic scratching on Emily’s back. He pulled a blanket out of nowhere and gently covered Emily, pulling her in closer protectively. “Go ahead, Em, try to get some sleep,” he whispered.
The fire crackled softly as they sat there, the warmth and safety of the dreamscape finally soothing Emily’s restless mind. Slowly, her eyelids grew heavy, the rhythmic scratching on her back lulling her to sleep. The weight of the past few days slipped away with each stroke of Danny’s hand, and for the first time, she didn’t feel the strain pulling her back.
“This is beautiful, Danny, thank you,” she murmured as sleep embraced her. “But why did you conjure up that owl of all things?”
Danny laughed softly and gently poked her nose. “Because they are cute, intelligent, silly, and annoying all at the same time. Just like my little sister.”
Emily smiled sleepily at his words, and before she could say anything else, she drifted off, the warmth and comfort of the dreamscape finally carrying her into peaceful sleep.
----------------------------------------
Emily woke up the next morning, sunlight streaming through her window, instinctively smiling as the taste of chocolate milk and s’mores lingered in her mind. With a deep breath, she sat up, gazing outside the window at the peaceful morning sky, feeling more rested than she had in a long time. Her thoughts still lingered on the conversation with Danny from last night, her heart warming at the campfire evening she had spent with her invisible sibling.
“Good morning, Danny!” she cheerfully thought to her other half, wanting to check in on him.
“I’m still sleeping, Shrimp, a few more minutes,” came a tired, slightly irritated voice that made her chuckle despite herself.
As she made her way downstairs, she quickly ran into Sarah and Thomas chatting softly as they each nursed a cup of coffee. They didn’t immediately notice her, discussing the day’s agenda and an arduous list of to-do tasks.
Emily watched them for a moment, wondering how to frame her thoughts, and took a deep breath before starting to speak. “Mom? Dad?” she started hesitantly.
Both of them turned to look at her, their expressions instantly lighting up at the sight of their daughter. “What’s up, sweetie?” Sarah asked, motioning Emily to come sit beside her.
Emily fiddled with her fingers momentarily, parsing her thoughts before continuing. “I… I couldn’t sleep last night.” With a small gulp she added, “Actually, I’ve been having trouble sleeping for a while. I keep thinking about the accident, and everything that happened. I tried deep breathing and all the usual stuff, but my brain just wouldn’t get off the hamster wheel.”
Concern flashed in both her parents’ eyes. “Why didn’t you wake us up? You don’t have to go through that alone, kiddo,” Thomas quickly asked, his tone full of parental concern.
Emily shrugged lightly, feeling as if she had inadvertently put herself under a microscope. “It was late at night, I felt a bit guilty about bothering you. Besides, Danny was with me, and we ended up talking for a while. He helped me get through it.”
At the mention of Danny, a flicker of tension passed over Thomas’s face. His brow furrowed slightly, his eyes narrowing just a touch. There was always a hesitation when Emily brought up Danny—an invisible presence in their lives, one that complicated things. Thomas tilted his head, his words careful and measured. “What did you two talk about?” he asked, almost nervous about what she might say.
Emily bit her lip, sensing the shift in her father’s tone, but decided to take the honest route. “We talked about how I’ve been feeling since the accident… and how hard it’s been not being able to talk about it. I mean, it’s not exactly something I can share with my friends or a whole lot of people in general, is it?”
Her voice wavered slightly as she continued, the emotional weight pressing down on her. “Sometimes I feel so… cut off. Like, everyone around me has no idea what it’s like, and I can’t explain it without sounding like a total freak.”
She hesitated, glancing at her parents to assess their reactions, her eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and sadness. “I know we agreed to this, I know the world isn’t ready to learn about this dual consciousness business, and even though Danny’s there, it’s still… lonely sometimes”
Emily saw her parents leaning toward her, their hands inching forward to offer support, and she quickly continued, “I’m not trying to make you guys feel guilty, I know I can lean on you. It’s just… secrets are heavy, you know? And I was muddling my way through, but the accident… it just made me feel more helpless, more isolated…”
Thomas and Sarah hesitated, pulling back slightly, their understanding mingled with concern. They wanted to help but seemed unsure how.
Sensing the mood, Emily continued, hoping to lift the weight a bit. “There was something nice that happened though… last night,” she said, a small smile forming on her face as she thought back to her time with Danny. “Danny took me to the dreamscape when I couldn’t sleep.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “The dreamscape?” he asked, his curiosity piqued. Beside him, Sarah’s eyes shone with interest, though she remained quiet.
“Yeah,” Emily replied, her voice softening. “It was different this time. It was nighttime, and there was this campfire. We just sat there and talked for a while.” Her voice trembled slightly as she continued. “I told him everything I’ve been holding in… about how close I came to not being here, about Lily, and how hard it’s been pretending everything’s normal.”
Sarah and Thomas exchanged a quiet glance, their expressions showing how deeply they felt for their daughter, even if they didn’t know how to help. They listened attentively, giving her the space she needed.
“The campfire was awesome,” Emily said, her voice brightening. “And he even conjured some sofas.” She shook her head, a small laugh escaping. “He is such a boy, I swear… sofas by a campfire. But it’s a dreamworld, so whatever.”
She spoke faster now, the memories of the night flooding back, her excitement bubbling through the exhaustion. “And then… he made me chocolate milk! Not just any chocolate milk—campfire chocolate milk! I didn’t even know that was a thing! And oh my gosh, it was the best I’ve ever had. It was warm and cozy, and it made me feel so much better.”
Emily’s eyes sparkled as she continued, her mood lifting with each word. “He even made me a s’more with Godiva chocolate! He said it had to be extra good because I’m his sister, but honestly, I think it’s just because he’s a chocolate snob.”
Sarah smiled warmly, her heart swelling as she listened to the excitement in Emily’s voice. She could almost picture Danny sitting by the campfire, comforting her daughter in his protective, thoughtful way. It was so like him—always watching over Emily, even when they weren’t in the physical world.
She glanced at Thomas, and even he couldn’t help but smile, his usual discomfort about the dual consciousness momentarily forgotten. The image of Emily on a sofa by a campfire devouring chocolate milk and s’mores momentarily seemed to ease the tension he usually carried, softening the lines on his face.
“That really does sound wonderful, Em,” Sarah said, her voice filled with warmth. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes twinkling as she added with a playful smile, “Maybe one day you’ll have to show us this campfire chocolate milk… it sounds like it could be life-changing.”
Emily chuckled, feeling the lightness of the moment.
Thomas scratched his beard, still imagining the decadent s’mores. “Godiva s’mores, huh? Why didn’t we ever think of that?” He shook his head, mock disbelief in his tone. “I’m starting to think we’ve been doing s’mores wrong this whole time.”
Emily grinned as she continued, feeling more at ease. “It was just… perfect. It helped me relax, and I finally got to talk about everything. Dummy…I mean Danny…” she ‘corrected’ herself with a smirk “ He reminded me that I don’t have to hold it all in, and that I should find ways to express myself—whether it’s through art, movement, or music. He said it’ll take time, self expression is a powerful way to heal”
Thomas leaned forward, his expression gentle but thoughtful. “That’s good advice, Em. I’m… glad you’re figuring this out.” His words came with a knowing nod, a flicker of relief passing through his eyes. “Is there any way we can help?”
Emily nodded, feeling lighter with every word she shared. “Yeah I think maybe I’ll start sketching again, or maybe I’ll write, oh that sounds good! I’d love to write stories!” Her voice softened a little she asked cautiously “But… I was thinking maybe I could use a little extra help sometimes. Like, I don’t know, something to help me sleep if I’m having nights like that again. Danny suggested I ask you guys.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Sarah before looking back at Emily. “You know, I can prescribe something for you,” he said gently. “Maybe a safe, short-term sleep aid could help you?”
Emily blinked in surprise, realizing she hadn’t even considered that option. “Oh… right, of course. You’re a doctor,” she said, feeling a little silly for not thinking of it sooner. “Would that be okay?”
Thomas smiled, nodding reassuringly. “Of course it would. We’ll talk it through, and I’ll make sure it’s something gentle—nothing too strong, just enough to take the edge off when you need it.”
Sarah chimed in, her hand resting on Emily’s shoulder. “And if you ever need something more than that, we’re here for you. Don’t hesitate to come to us, even if it’s the middle of the night.”
Emily felt a wave of relief wash over her, the weight that had been pressing down on her chest finally lifting. “Thanks, guys - I just don’t want to keep having nights like that.”
Sarah reached out, pulling Emily into a warm embrace. Her arms wrapped protectively around her daughter, and Emily felt a deep sense of comfort as she leaned into her mom’s hug.
“You don’t have to,” Sarah whispered softly. “We’re going to help you through this, however we can.”
Emily smiled, resting her head against her mom’s shoulder. The warmth of the moment wrapped around her like the blanket Danny had covered her with in the dreamscape, and in that instant, she felt - truly felt that she didn’t have to carry it all alone. She let herself relax in her mother’s arms, she felt the safety and love of her family surrounding her, knowing with their help, she would be able to push through this part of her life.
Emily smiled, resting her head against her mom’s shoulder. The warmth of the moment wrapped around her like the blanket Danny had covered her with in the dreamscape. For the first time in a while, she truly felt like she didn’t have to carry the weight of her thoughts alone. With a final, contented sigh, she let herself relax in her mother’s arms, knowing that with their help, she would find her way through.
—
In the days that followed, she found herself taking Danny’s advice to heart. True to her word, she picked up a pen and started writing. Sarah, keen to support her daughter’s artistic ventures, bought her a brand-new journal—complete with a beautiful fountain pen that made each stroke feel almost fun. The gentle flow of ink across the page was soothing, helping her sketch her thoughts out and bring her story to life.
Her story was one about time-traveling entities that merged with people to help them, guiding them through challenges they couldn’t face alone. The story was a playful nod to her own life, filled with just enough adventure to make the parallels between her and Danny’s situation a secret joke.
She giggled to herself as she wrote - her main characters traveled across time and space, entering people’s lives just when they were most needed—helping them heal, rebuild, and face their fears. Much like her and Daniel, these entities became more than just companions—they became part of the person’s journey, helping them self actualize.
And as the story unfolded, Emily felt a sense of healing in herself. The more she wrote, the more she realized that her story wasn’t just a way to pass the time—it was a way to process everything she had been through. She understood what Danny had meant about art being powerful at aiding in self expression and healing. He had stayed oddly quiet, almost as if curiously observing, sometimes helping her optimize her diction, suggest phrasing and offer occasional words of encouragement when she faced a writer’s block. He knew that writing was something Emily, and only Emily, had to embrace to help her heal.
One afternoon, Sarah, encouraged by the change in her daughter, and noticing the way Emily’s face lit up as she scribbled in her journal, the subtle but noticeable ease in her shoulders. One afternoon, she peeked over Emily’s shoulder and smiled knowingly.
“Time-traveling entities, huh?” Sarah teased lightly, her eyes twinkling. “I wonder where you got that idea.”
Emily grinned, looking up at her mom with a playful glint in her eye. “I guess you could say… it’s based on a true story.”