"Can't believe we just left her..." Brook looked away "Tess, there's nothing we could've done-" Tess met his gaze irate "THEN WE SHOULD'VE STAYED! THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND!! WE COULD'VE BEEN-" A wail met his ears causing him to wince "I KNOW OKAY!!" 

Brook yelled back rolling down his window to spit in disgust "Brook-" Tess broke down and started sobbing "I'm sorry. I-" Brook grabbed Tess' hand squeezing it tight, lifting it up, he kissed the back of it gently hoping to comfort and reassure her "It's fine now. I'm here." Tess leaned over to rest on Brook's shoulder and closed both eyes 

"I'm here" 

"Look Mommy! A hypnotist" a child pointed  walking d by  "A keen observation young lad" the street performer  flashed his diamond yellow teeth "Does it really work?" the child asked, staring up in awe "Well, with your mother's permission why don't you see for yourself!" 

Looking back up to his mother doe-eyed and pleading his mother relented "Fine, go on ahead sir with your 'demonstration'" the boy jumped up and down hand clapping "Yay! Yay!! Yay!" the man waited for him to settle down a bit for giving him instructions. 

"Alright young lad, are you ready now?" the man looked down and smiled "Yeah!" this caused the man to laugh "Such youthful exuberance "Alright then, watch this pendulum swing back and forth forth and back...on the count of three...you'll sleep" the young man's eyes were glued "One" he started counting "Two!" before he could get to three snoring could be heard coming from the young child. 

"Milton!! Milton!!" his mother was concerned "Wake Up!" shaking him a few times for good measure Milton was one again alert "Woah!!" his mother let out a sigh of relief "Silly boy! Why would you play along so well!! I was scared!!" his mother scolded "Why play along like that?" 

"I wasn't Mom I swear! He's the real thing!!" his mother giggled "Maybe so, sir thanks for your time, it's not often people take interest in things he's interested in-you're a nice man" taking off his hat the man took a boy "Pleasure's all mine madam" as they walked off his smile twisted into an evil grin "Of course this hypnotist's trick is that it's all in the eyes!" 

Deciding to have a little bit more fun, he waited until both were a safe distance away before forcing the both into a state of unconscious no one through normal means could shake. 

"You're here again" Jamie walked in to see a Mayuri in bed and a transparent version starting out the window, having stabilized yesterday she was no longer being kept in ICU and Jamie took special interest in overseeing her as a patient til' she rose out of coma. 

"Where else would I be?" Mayuri was sharp in returning Jamie's question with on of her own "Something tells me not a ghost, but right now you don't seem alive either" Mayuri shrugged both shoulders "Perhaps I live in a realm in between" Jamie started checking Mayuri's vitals while conversing "Well, physical condition's improved-" Jamie charted "Still this far from normal, but what would I even tell the doctors?" 

Mayuri turned around in hospital gown and all, clothes changing right before Jamie's eyes into a black catsuit with matching boots, to Jamie's shock Mayuri was able to reach out and hold hands "What!?" heart skipping several beats, she jumped back in shock "But you're here!!" Mayuri inched close to Jamie's face til' they were nose to nose. 

"How my powers works and manifests itself there, it seems I have access to it somewhat and by some sort of miracle I still have conscious control of what lies in my subconscious mean-don't why it's reaching out to you, but here we are" Mayuri attempted to explain while Jamie was dumbfounded 

"Huh?" Jamie looked at Mayuri drawing blanks 

"Think of me as a ghost outside of shell that only you can see" Mayuri broke it down further "Okay!" Jamie's expression was now cheery "I think I get it! Your spirit's reaching out to me and now we're friends!" This time it was Mayuri's turn to be dumbfounded "I wouldn't say all tha-"

"Hi honey!" an elder woman interrupted by coming and  waving -she bore a striking resemblance to Jamie "Hey baby girl!" a man who bore resemblance to Jamie came in and started waving  as well "Mom!! Dad!!"  Jamie's caramel skin flushed, rushing over all three crashed together into a group hug. 

 Mayuri noticed yesterday Jamie's black hair was in braids but today it was done in curls "Ah, That makes sense..." she hummed "Oh I'm sorry! We didn't finish our conversation!" Jamie apologized as both looked on concerned "Uh Honey" Jamie's mother place a hand on her daughter's forehead "Are you hallucinating dear? Who're you talking to?" the older woman inquired. 

"My patient's in a coma so we're trained to talk as if they can hear!" Jamie explained "I guess I get to into sometimes...yeah" Jamie flashed a grin, and twirled a curl trying to explain "Ah" Jamie's father nodded "Now I understand, well Jamie finish chatting with this young lady, it's been awhile since you've visited...we really shouldn't be up hear" taking his wife by hand, they made their exit "Bye dear" they waved in unison before taking leave. 

"Bye Mom. Bye Dad" Jamie waved "Been awhile? Do you spend that much time here?" Mayuri asked "Yeah" Jamie frowned "I really do" Mayuri wheels were spinning and threads were forming, but seeing Jamie's current state stirred something within. 

"Parents are a blessing, whenever possible always make time for them, I hope I wasn't the reason you decided to work today" Mayuri's eyes narrowed and suspicions were confirmed as Jamie looked away "What!?" Mayuri's tone was incredulous "For a person who may not even be real!!" Mayuri shouted. 

"No" Jamie responded "I know you're real, it's a feeling I get sometimes, I know I can see you cause what called out to me was-the soul" Mayuri was at a loss for words, doing the only thing she did know to it was at that moment the image of her disappeared "Wait!" Jamie searched around to see where Mayuri vanished. 

"I'm in no mood to visit, I need your help, but it's important you spend time with your parents first, I overheard earlier it's the end of your shift-" Jamie could hear Mayuri's voice coming from all around "But-" Jamie tried to protest "Go home" Mayuri replied.

"No sight, sound, or trace of Mayuri's presence could be felt, knowing it was hidden away and not wanting to cause someone who was a patient further stress, Jamie took Mayuri's cue to leave, but not before having one finally say "Next time I'm not gonna leave til' I know your name!" Jamie yelled, breath bated she awaited a response. 

"Oh well.." Jamie's head shook in disappointment deciding to leave, halfway down hall barely above a whisper, Mayuri's reply was faint and Jamie was sure it was something her mind conjured up for her to hear

"Foolish girl, My name's.....Yuri.." 

Jamie's face lit up "Yuri" she whispered to herself stopping in her tracks "That's a pretty name. Thank you. I know how hard it is to share." Jamie hoped Mayuri heard her as she continued walked down hall and her shift came to an end. 

 Mayuri looked outside spirit once again separate from body, catching a pair of birds in flight "Silly girl, wasting time talking to hallucinations; if real time can be spent with those you love then treasure it.....if not for yours...then for my sake-" a tear rolled down Mayuri's cheek as the window displayed in front of her a clear reflection

"Please"

"Gano! Gano! Gano!!" Douglas tried to wake up his sleeping friend who was once again comatose on another's couch "Not again!!" he scratched his head in confusion, slamming him with a pillow for good measure "So what!? Gonna sleep everything away again!" he screamed in frustration almost out of breath. 

 "Not a new habit for him I hate to say" Yoshino had a chef hat on and was fixing brunch "Where'd Isla and Musera go again? If they're not gonna kill the guy how's he supposed to be disposed off?" Douglas grumbled "That doesn't make any sense."  

Yoshino smirked "Let's just say where there's a will there's a way" he got back to stirring mix when all of a sudden Isla and Musera burst through the door "Never going shopping with you again! Damn purple haired pixie!!" Isla's power was being put to use, shopping bags and items floating in circles.

 Musera flipped her hair, pony tail swaying about "Not my fault one of is drab and another is fab, I'm all the rage and unfortunately you're-" Musera looked Isla up and down in disgust"Well really it's more of an out-rage"  Douglas jaw dropped to floor "YOU WENT SHOPPING!!?" his tone was accusatory as his voice rose several octaves. 

Musera stop arguing with Isla to acknowledge his presence smiling and waving "Hey Douglas how are you today?"  Isla turned around "Oh. Hey."  she said as if it were an afterthought "Guess last night wasn't just a dream-so that's why that dead body was disposed of." Douglas almost blacked out "Kidding!" Musera rushed over to help him "We-didn't do that..though we probably should've.." 

Douglas dusted himself off "So where did you guys go? And is that sick bastard gonna face any punishment for what he did to my friend??" Isla could be heard grunting as she closed the door "Strings have been pulled to keep him 'alive' but trust that he'd be better off dead and we'll leave it like that" Douglas looked to Yoshino for confirmation 

"What they say is true, we can't outright kill without justification and while his intentions were ill until Akurasa is taken care of our hands are tied on what we can do; if we go around acting like Gano, then that many of us rebelling means that much more force." 

Douglas made a face with his tongue sticking out in disgust "Good to know even multiverse politics are subject to meaningless litigation, then again when's someone's breaking rules it's not bad as a cover to have someone following them" Yoshino started putting waffles and omelette's on plate. 

"Time for breakfast, Isla can you get Gano to wake?" cracking knuckles Isla lifted Gano up from under his covers and slammed on the floor "Ouch" Douglas winced in pain feeling for his friend who to his surprise looked up not that annoyed "What?" Gano didn't even bother getting up of the floor "What did I do now?" Isla "Stop sulking like some house-trained cat and stuff your yap', not gonna tolerate pity parties from you while I'm around.." 

Douglas walked over offering a hand "Gano I just lost Brook and Tess bro, right we all we got...I've never had an actual sibling man...who knows maybe this is my chance..." Mulling it over didn't take long, and before Douglas knew it Gano took his hand "When one storybook closes-" Douglas started "Another one can open and begin" Gano finished to Douglas' surprise. 

"Yeah" Douglas gave Gano a curious glance "That's what Dad always says. Where'd you hear that before?" Gano's tone was wistful "Just one of those expressions I guess. I do come from a whole 'nother world" Gano seemed to be looking past Douglas and not at him "Right. Probably a coincidence"  he raised his eyebrow feeling unease "So breakfast is on the table you say?" Gano cracked "Just get over here." 

Coming home to a house no longer a home, Tess felt the emptiness of her and Brook's nest as soon as one foot stepped past door "Was gonna' call out for them" Brook reminded himself "Almost forgot. Hey Te-" he made to speak, however his girlfriend ignored him,  heading straight to take a shower "Hey-" He thought to reach out and call feeling stooped, stupefied, and feeling straight up stupid all over again. 

 
"Guess it's best to give someone space..." he flopped on their couch and flipped through channels "Not gonna lie, might have to talk to a therapist or something" he ran his fingers through his curls and zoned, not even ten minutes in heard a scream and ran to Tess' aide fast as he could. 

"Tess! Tess!! What's going on?!" Bursting in, he found his girlfriend kicking, screaming, and slapping away  "! Calm down! Calm down!! PLEASE!!!" grabbing Tess' by her wrists, he willed his voice to reach her "No!No! Noooo" Tess' cries grew faint and weak, before passing out in Brook's arms.

Brook checked Tess' pulse and sure his girlfriend was breathing before washing and drying her off, picking out Tess' favorite robe he bridal carried her over to their bed and laid her down flat "What he did to you-" Brook clenched his fists "I wish that Professor the worst.." A moment laser Tess came to.  

"Brook, what happened? Did I-" Placing a finger on Tess' lips, Brook took a deep breath, hoping she'd mimmic "Okay." Mirroring her boyfriend she followed Brook's lead "Brook...I'm sorry....me...Douglas...getting dragged into our mess....I wouldn't blame you for walking away from all this..." 

Brook couldn't help himself from snorting and chuckling "What's funny about that?" Tess was perplexed "OH MAN!!" he roared with laughter, holding his stomach as he cramped and hitting his knees "Brook are you...okay?" Brook wiped a tear from his eyes "Yeah babe. Just you and Doug..even that green-haired idiot...say some pretty crazy things..." 

Confusion was written on Tess' face only able to reply with a stare "Babe-" Brook took Tess' hand into both his, still bedside on both knees "You're my girlfriend, Douglas is like your brother, Gano is his friend-in a way that makes them my friends and family-I'm not abandoning you guys cause of tough times. Yeah, bad stuff has happened, but no one's died, no matter how fractured and split apart things may be, if we mean as much to each other as I believe it'll come back together again." 

"Brook-" Tess was at a loss for words "You looks so beautiful" Brook admired the glow Tess' was basking in from the moonlight  shone through the open door  "My bad for thinking even for a second, some weird creep could ruin that-inside out-it's still there" Brook got up and offered his Tess his hand "Brook?" 

Tess gave him a curious glance "Kind of night where we might not sleep, so why not head up rooftop and watch the moon share a dance" he smirked "With the stars?" Tess offered a smirk of her own "With the stars"Tess' eyes rolled, for the first time in a long time starting to settle into a jovial mood "Those two might be angry we went without" Tess teased "Nah, they'll be fine." 

Brook and Tess touched noses "We'll invite them and Anessa next time..." Tess eyes closed "Yeah, next time they're going to join us for sure.." having shared a moment and feeling a lot better than before, they both got dressed in jog suites and sweatpants and went upstairs to stargaze on the roof.

"I'm baccccckkkkkkkkkkkkk!" Jamie sung twirling and spinning entering Mayuri's room "I wa s just thinking while out with the parents-paling around with a ghost is  pretty cool!!" Mayuri was lounging outside of her body, a sour expression on her face soon as Jamie entered "Why are you back here!" Mayuri yelled "Didn't I tell you to go!!" 

Mayuri grumbled "Jeez, you must have a screw loose being  all creams and marshmallows all the time!" voicing complaint, Jamie didn't mind "Nope!! In life I've found out that's the best way to be!" Jamie retorted with a kick and a cheer. 

"Not to mention this extra shift means spending more time bonding and becoming gal pals with my new favorite patttieennnnttttttt!" Mayuri tried to frown, but Jamie noticed something strange"Does my eye spy and detect....." Jamie caught a glimpse of Mayuri's face before she could about face "Is that a smile!?"

Jamie started giggling, when all of a sudden the head nurse walked in "Hey Jamie! It's time!! That patient they turfed in from a city over's arrived! What's her name...Anessa.." Jamie gave Mayuri a sheepish look waving goodbye "Sorry 'Yuri! I'll be right back!" Mayuri scoffed 'Apologizing..as if I care..." 

After Anessa was brought in and situated, Jamie came back, Mayuri could tell something was off, Jamie didn't greet her and wasn't her bright and cheery self "What's wrong?" Mayuri went over to Jamie, and caught herself by surprise by sling an arm over Jamie's shoulders in an attempt to comfort and keep warm. 

"It's a dispute going between staff, they wanted to bring in the girls parents and have her undergo thorough psychiatric evaluation" Mayuri gave Jamie's hand a gentle squeeze "Go on" she encouraged with a tender look in her eyes "Anessa was reportedly kidnapped...and fondled by an older man, but since no evidence could be found-" 

"I see, so they think it's all in her head" Mayuri eyes narrowed, face flushed in anger 'That bastard!! Akurasa you'd  cross a line like that!?' Mayuri flared with rage, thoughts clouded with anger "So cause those sad sacks can't find proof, they think she's mentally ill?" Jamie's mouth formed a thin line "As you know, existence of proof does not equal proof of existence. What our minds perceive as real can damage our hearts in ways much worse than things only perceived by our five senses can." 

Mayuri's expression softened "Jamie-" Forming a heart with her hands, Jamie refused to let her finish "Some say cause it's linked to New Arcadia's University-a school of prestige- all of this is an attempt to delay and find a way to cover things up so this'll go away"  Mayuri snarled "Human can be so fickle and disgusting! How do you work and slave to save them day in and out..not like they deserve it anyway..." 

"Not true" Jamie disagreed pulling away "Even those who are evil deserve to be loved, even if good never finds them or they can never find it themselves, the least I can do to give them a second chance is to remind them" Mayuri's fury turned to concern "Jamie-" walking over Jamie checked Mayuri's vitals and made sure to go down the checklist for giving her body its proper care. 

"That's why I won't quit fighting-" Jamie declared "For her and you...I'm going to get reaching out my hand until someone grabs back-and pull out that coma!" Mayuri could do nothing but offer Jamie a pat on the back, deciding that whatever plans she had for her could til' tomorrow "Looking forward to that day...we can meet each other...for real.." 

"Gano wake up" Doulgas whispered "I know you're not sleep" After dinner earlier, everyone just lounged around the rest of the day, Musera and the others welcomed Douglas and Gano to stay as long as they can, but it was clear from his tossing and turning he wouldn't be at peace if that's how things were allowed to end. 

"Gano c'mon please, seriously, are you gonna leave me to crawl back home to fix things by myself?" a sigh could be heard before Gano sat up "Ah ha!" Doulgas pointed an accusatory finger "You were faking!!" Gano rubbed sleep from his eye "Doesn't matter does it? So that's the plan huh? Head out?" 

Douglas nodded "Yeah. Tess and Brook put a lot on the line for me so I gotta have their back, know you got a big mission and things that you and your people need to do here, but meeting you's allowed me to live out dreams I've had since I was eight. Before I met you life was dull, listless, and I was drifting from family and friends, even it's been life and death I'm much closer to everyone now...It was glass I couldn't see, but now I realize life always had meaning." 

A hint of a smile formed before Gano forced it down "That tugs at my heartstrings, but that speech wasn't needed, I owe you a lot to  Douglas, not sure I can pay back what I owe, but don't forget that ability of yours has saved my life too-no matter what awaits down what road-I hope it's together" Fist bumping they gathered up clothes and toiletries getting ready to leave. 

"Douglas something irked me about what you said" Gano lifted he and Douglas' bags so they wouldn't be heard as they opened the door "What?" Douglas whispered "That strength, courage, and kindness, it's always been inside you-don't put so much of that faith in me and doubt yourself-remember it's my faith in you that's turned situations around. That's why I'm having your back now-you've always had mine too" Douglas nodded and smiled "Gano...thanks..." 

Door opened and closed, as they stepped outside it turned out it was no need to be quiet as possible-Musera, Isla, and Yoshino stood front and center in front of forest to greet them "Leaving so soon?"  Musera asked as the trio caught Gano and Douglas pants down red-handed.

 "Isla, Musera, Yoshino" Gano looked at each of his old friends , it was dusk before dawn, birds were chirping and trees and bush started to rustle "Bad enough you've made it harder to sleep Gano" Isla yawned in pajamas "Not you've got nerve to wake me up-that's a new level of trash for you."  

"Isla, Muse, Yosh-" before his mouth could form words Musera cut him off "Don't worry, we understand, when you decided to undertake this it left you all alone, Douglas and his friend, in way, they're your new family" Musera teased with a smile and wink. 

"Yeah" Gano felt a sensation familiar and warm rising in his chest "In a way they have, not as many adventures as perilous as ours but-" Isla took that moment to chuck a rock at him "Ow!" Gano yelped "Well don't just stand by moping, it's time to return to form....cause next time we end up on opposite sides I won't hold back" Isla made to pick up another pebble before experiencing a light zap.

"I understand" Gano and Isla made eye contact "Good to see you've still got some fight" Isla nodded and walked back "Get in too tight of a spot and need trouble taken of your hands....Douglas just give a call in case there's a need for actual help" sticking out his tongue Gano flipped Isla off. 

"Saw that" Isla stopped in her tracks right at the doorway before responding with a gesture in return "Whatever you do...don't die on me yet...I want that match" parting words said and unsaid Isla walked in and went back to bed. 

No hesitating for a moment, Yoshino pulled Gano in a crushing hug "Yosh, I'm sorry again man...my bad.." Gano apologized, voice shaking as he spoke "Tis' fine old friend. Tis' fine. Once a friendship develops our hearts are tied by a thread, no matter where we go or where we've been as long as our hearts carry those affections that bond won't break even to the very end" Gano leaned in holding on to Yoshino for dear life. 

"Went over my head again Yosh. But the same man. I feel the same" Yosh pulled away sporting a uncharacteristic grin "Fool me once but not twice again..safe travels Gano-" Walking over he gave Douglas a handshake and quick embrace as well "and to you Douglas, it's a pleasure to make such acquaintance-I pray we meet again" Dogulas blush was only hidden by his chocolate brown skin. 

"Yosh, it's more my dream come true to meet you, saying that-I hope so too I guess" both men shook hands  "A parting gift" Yoshino pulled out a small book from his pocket "A journal detailing you guys quests!" Douglas' eyes grew in size "No  way!" Yoshino shrugged his shoulders "What can I say? With a mind like mine, everything is recored up here" he tapped his head with his fist "It's fine" it was Douglas' turn to pull into a crushing hug. 

Time seemed slowed, moments and memories passed as Musera stood face to face with Gano- only one left. "Hey" a sudden shyness struck Musera, it was nothing to make her voice loud, but all of a sudden she felt  quiet as a mouse. "Yeah" Gano attempted to fill in the gap, unsure what to say "Muse I'm sorry for treating you the way I have, when pressure mounts I don't handle it the right way, I shouldn't of left" Gano hung his head down in shame. 

"Gano I hate you left0" Musera's words cut him deep "However a joy I never knew was missing until it came back filled my heart once again" Gano looked up to a broken dam "So..." Musera sniffled "I know there can be no promises not to leave.....but if there's a part..deep in your heart....that wants to stay...leave it with me and I'll keep it safe..okay?" Yoshino went over to comfort Musera who was now a blubbering mess. 

Gano used his powers to drag Muser over into his open arms "Okay, I forgot it's when we're in each others arms that we feel warm and safe" Douglas and Yoshino stood by and watched as they shared a moment and embraced "I'm telling Sayoko" Musera pulled away dry-eyed, unable to look up at him "Just add to my tab-" Gano cracked "Seriously though guys, this isn't goodbye, we will see each other again" swapping places with Yoshino, he and Douglas stood forest edge. 

"Gano you're such a liar!" Musera's smile was full of mirth and mischief "Indeed we know now words to mean nothing" Yoshino chimed in "So if push comes to shove!" Isla shouted opening the bedroom window "Don't kick and scream when we drag you back ourselves!" 

Overwhelmed with emotion Gano could feel wind tickle his back, gravity push down on him lighter, and every noise that echoed through the forest was music to his ears "Bye guys" Gano threw up his hands in the air making sure a shocking sensation could be felt by friend new and old as took one step into his future after being gifted the present of making peace with his past "Douglas! Let's go!!" 

Feeling a new spark in his heart Gano and Douglas were off "Here I go again. Dragigng along " Douglas muttered under his breath "What you asked for!" he heard Gano laugh several steps "...Slapped....Monkey's Paw.... "  Douglas grumbled, lagging behind "Heard that! Now c'mon!! Catch up!" 

Douglas broke into a light jog, it didn't take much for both of them to understand every minute and second was a grain of sand "Monkey's Paw" Gano shot Douglas a look of feigned hurt "Dougie!! I'm way more than that!" Gano whined "Thought we were brothers, eternal lovers, friends!" he quipped "No!! No!! No!" Douglas stomped ground as they continued to walk "Oh man!"

Gano groaned and complained "And don't start calling me Douglas again!!" Gano snickered "I'll start calling you Green!" "Don't you dare!" "I will!!" "Watch it man!!" "Whatever!!" "Go ahead" "Green!" "Stop" "Green!" "Stop" "Green" "Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!! Did you just shock me!?" "Gah! That better be a spider that bit me jut now!" "Dougllassssssssssss!!" 

"GANNOOOOOOOOOOO!!" 

https://youtu.be/Da3JfD4CDnY