I felt my energy fade away, as I got closer to the stairs outside my bedroom door. Peering through the balusters, I was desperately trying to piece together the puzzle of my parents' conversations, knowing it all revolved around me. Right at that moment, between the tension and whispers, a distinct sound caught my attention – the unmistakable crinkle of a lollipop wrapper.

"Adults are difficult to understand." A voice chimed in unexpectedly.

Startled, I turned to see a girl standing beside me. She was dressed in an unusual white outfit, and her sudden appearance was as surprising as it was mysterious. She unwrapped a lollipop, took a lick, and then wrapped it back up. "Don't you agree?"

Her voice was soothing, and there was a comforting warmth about her presence as if she were someone, I'd known all my life. It was oddly reassuring in a situation filled with so much uncertainty and fear.

"Don't look at me like that." She said as she appeared to have a rhythmic routine of unwrapping, licking, and rewrapping. "We should get going, or you're going to be caught."

"I'm not doing anything wrong."

"Eavesdropping...remember the last time you did that?"

The memory of that previous incident, when my mother caught me eavesdropping, flashed through my mind. Reflecting on it for a moment, I decided to heed the advice of the mysterious girl and retreat to my room.

For a brief moment, in the distraction of her presence and our interaction, I momentarily lost sight of my own frailty. Emboldened, I tried to rise, aiming to make my way back to my bed. However, it wasn't long before the harsh reality dawned on me—my strength was not sufficient, and I found myself grappling with my limitations once again.

"I think you need some help." The strange girl said, offering me her lollipop.

"Please hold this for me."

With surprising ease, the girl took hold of my waist and lifted me. Her strength was unexpected, carrying me back to my room as if I were as light as a pillow. Gently, she placed me on my bed and tucked me in with care.

"Be a good boy." She took the lollipop off my hand and unwrapped it. "Be good to your parents, they are a rare breed."

My eyes were drawn to a shiny brooch adorning her hair. It featured an angel playing a trumpet, beautifully crafted in gold.

"I like your angel."

She responded with a wide smile.

Suddenly, the distinctive squeal of the wooden stairs caught my attention. That sound was unmistakable – even with the door closed, I could always tell when someone was coming up the stairs.

"Your mom is coming. Act normal."

As my mother entered the room, the mysterious girl with the lollipop took a seat in the chair by the window. She continued to enjoy her candy, seemingly unnoticed by my mother who was focused on adjusting my blankets.

"Hey, Sammy." My mother said softly, assuming I was asleep. She moved around the bed, still completely oblivious to the girl's presence.

I lay there, pretending to be asleep. A part of me desperately wanted to open my eyes and introduce my mother to this intriguing new friend, but I couldn't. It was as if I was under a spell, captivated by the enigmatic girl with golden hair.

"Sweet dreams. We have a lot to do tomorrow. Try to get some rest," my mother whispered, taking a seat in the far corner of my bed.

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Shortly thereafter, my father made his way into the room, treading softly under the assumption that I was asleep. Upon entering, he observed my mother, who was quietly shedding tears in the corner of my bed.

"Oh, Martha."

My mother wiped the tears from her eyes and lowered her head. My father embraced her, noticing her voice was laced with despair. "I don't know what to do, Ray. I've reached out to everyone I can think of, even that strange lady, hoping for a glimmer of hope. But everything I try seems to end the same way."

My father sat down beside my mother, wrapping his arms around her in a continuous comforting embrace. "You're an incredible mother, Martha. There's no doubt about that. We will never give up on Sammy. We'll find the answer we're praying for; I promise."

After placing a gentle kiss on my mother's forehead, my dad solidified their shared resolve. He gently helped her to her feet, and together they cast one last glance in my direction before quietly exiting the room, closing the door behind them.

In the newfound silence, the strange girl stood up from the chair. "I told you; they are a rare breed. You won't find people as caring as them."

"I know. My dad has always been very caring and understanding. I used to play basketball right outside that window. But now, I can't anymore. My energy just fades away in a matter of minutes. My dad always tries to be positive, saying that sports don't have to be physical. He's been encouraging me to find a different hobby, something less demanding. Like chess, for example. It's his favorite game, but it's not really for me."

"I can help with you that."

At first, I was puzzled by her comment. "Help me with what?"

"Your game. Didn't you want to play basketball one more time?"

"I wish I could, but it's just not possible right now. I can hardly get out of bed, and there's clearly something seriously wrong with me. My parents are trying to get medical help, but until then, we're all in the dark. Or maybe they just not telling me everything."

"I can help you fulfill your wish, at least for a short while. I'll make it happen if it brings you happiness."

With Excitement in my voice, I agreed to her offer. "Yes! What do I have to do?"

Her response was unexpected and bizarre. "Well, you'll have to let me eat one of your arms."

The strange girl burst out laughing. " I am joking!" she said.

Her unusual request had taken me by surprise, as any twelve-year-old would naturally take such a bizarre proposition seriously. But her laughter following the joke lightened the mood.

The girl unwraps her lollipop. She took a lick of it and passed it to me.

"One lick will be enough for ten minutes of super energy!"

As she extended her hand offering me the lollipop, I raised my head for a closer look. It appeared quite ordinary, similar to the ones you'd find in any store, adorned with a spiral of green and gold. Yet, I hesitated for a moment. When I took the candy into my hand, it unexpectedly began to radiate a soft light.

"Come on! Do you want to play basketball or not? I promise I will take it easy on you."

I considered her offer carefully, aware of the growing fatigue in my hand just from holding the round candy. This reminder of my limited strength made me realize I didn't have time to waste on indecision. With a sense of cautious anticipation, I slowly extended my tongue and gave the lollipop a tentative lick.

"Nothing is happening," I said.

Just as I voiced my doubt, an unexpected surge of energy burst through me. It was like an electric current invigorating every muscle in my body. The sensation was astonishing; my feet, which had felt so weak and unreliable, suddenly seemed healthy and strong.

" Oh my God! What was that!" I said in astonishment.

"Care to play a basketball game with me?"

Without a second thought, I responded enthusiastically, "Definitely!"

She grabbed my hand and helped me stand up.

"How does it feel?"

I found myself at a loss for words. The sensation of vitality and strength was overwhelming, leaving me speechless. Instead of trying to articulate my feelings, I chose not to waste a single second of this miraculous gift. The strange girl climbed over the chair, opening the window.

She led me to the open window, extending her hand invitingly. "Come with me, nothing is going to happen to you."

Eagerly, I followed her, still marveling at the surge of energy within me. I took her hand, perhaps a bit too firmly, still adjusting to this unexpected strength.

"Ouch, that hurt! Not really, but you're stronger than you think. Well, I wouldn't be able to tell anyway." The strange girl laughed. "Jump with me, Sammy!"

The whole experience felt surreal. Just minutes ago, I was frail and weak, barely able to move around in my room. Now, here I was, leaping from the second floor of my house and dashing towards the basketball court with a vigor I hadn't felt in ages.

I grabbed the basketball dribbling and running around the court. In those moments, I forgot about everything else – my illness, the limitations it imposed, the constant fatigue. It was my time to revel in what I loved most, unhampered by my physical condition. I shot from the three-point line, leaping with a vigor that could rival any basketball player. I was living a dream, a reality I had only imagined in my wildest fantasies.