Y/N sat on her bed, looking exhausted and feeling a headache that was worsening due to her constant thoughts. Her eyes had dark circles under them, and she felt pain in her body from her recent encounter with the phantom. She had a sheet draped over her shoulder, trying to cover herself slightly. Despite this, she still felt very tired. She knew she needed to treat her pain, so she decided to take a pain reliever pill. The pill was in the bathroom cabinet, which was not far from her room.

She unsteadily walked in that direction, holding onto the rail that connected the downstairs to upstairs. The door to the cabinet was slightly open, so she pushed it the rest of the way open. As she reached for the cabinet, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and looked disheveled. She sighed, ignored her appearance, and grabbed a small white container of pain relievers. Since she didn't have any water to swallow the pill with, she decided to just swallow it dry. She placed the pill in her mouth and swallowed it down with her saliva.

After taking the pill, it will take a few minutes for it to start working, so she decided to wait it out. She placed her hands on the sink and looked at herself in the mirror for a moment before slowly kneeling down, still holding onto the sink. She rested her head on her hand as she sat there, motionless and lost in thought while waiting for the pill to take effect. At that moment, she heard footsteps getting closer. As she looked up, she noticed her dad standing in the doorway, looking surprised to see her on the ground like that. Worried about her, he knelt down and gently placed a hand on her back.

"Hun, are you okay?" He seemed really concerned.

Y/N didn't respond to his question, instead she found herself staring into space with a drained expression. "You wouldn't understand," thought the girl.

"Why are you on the floor? Is it... Is it that time of the month?"

"No." Y/N replied blankly, turning her head back to its original position. She tried to focus on finding peace in her mind. They had just achieved their goal, so she was puzzled as to why she was feeling uneasy.

Was it because of her encounter with the phantom?

The thought of almost dying after making promises to herself to survive, see her family, make her mom proud, and make him proud.

"Are you sure you want to go to school looking like that? You appear pale." He placed his hand on her forehead and then on his own to check if she was sick. "Well, it doesn't seem like you have a fever."

She thought about school and sighed as she looked at her dad. "I'm okay to go, I just felt a little pain. I just need to drink some water and I'll be fine."

"Sure, I can get you some water. I'll be right back!" He promptly went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water for her.

That night, she realized there was a concept she had forgotten to mention - the voice. It had appeared after some time, and she wondered why it was helping her, warning her, and doing all these things for her without any apparent reason to tell others. Maybe it was best to keep this to herself for now, as she wasn't even sure how to approach it. She doesn't know who this person claiming to be her savior is. They act like they know her, but she has no idea who they are. There's no need for them to be so mysterious when it's just the two of them. It's clear to her that they are hiding something, especially since they were nervous when she asked them questions on the first night they met in Savannah.

After some time, her dad's footsteps echoed up the stairs as he returned with a bottle of water. He knelt down and offered her the water, but she didn't take it, so he placed it on the ground near her.

He asked, "Hun, tell me, what's wrong?" showing more concern than before. He had noticed that her mental state seemed to be declining, and when he tried to talk to her about it, she seemed to shut down. It seemed like bringing it up only made things worse for her, as she didn't seem ready or willing to share.

"Is it bullying or school work causing stress? It doesn't matter what it is. I just want you to be honest with me. I'm your father, and I won't force you to talk about anything you don't want to. I just want to make sure you're okay and maybe for you to open up a bit more." He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "You're my daughter, and I only want what's best for you. I know being your age can be stressful, but please share with me what's bothering you. I may not fully understand, but I'm willing to listen and try to help." He smiled sincerely, hoping she would open up to him.

At that moment, Y/N felt the urge to tell him everything that was weighing on her mind, but the fear of being judged, especially by her own father, held her back. She was afraid that if she shared the truth about what had been happening to her since she arrived in Savannah, he might think she was crazy. The thought of being misunderstood and possibly even sent to a psychiatric ward terrified her. She wondered if her father would believe her if she told him the truth. It was difficult for her to even explain the strange experiences she was having, like traveling to a parallel dimension while her physical body remained in the real world.

The idea that they could die in that other world and it would affect their real lives was overwhelming. She was consumed by conflicting thoughts and couldn't focus on the present moment. Despite their achievements, she felt like something bad was looming on the horizon. She knew she couldn't change her fate or go back in time to avoid the risks she had taken. Every day in that other world brought new challenges and dangers. She wondered how many more risks they would have to take before things became even more serious. Her mind raced with thoughts about the present and the uncertain future.

The fear was overwhelming her, causing her to overthink. She knew she needed to be logical and careful with her words, even though she was unsure of what to say. She felt a tension building up inside her and knew she had to find a way to ease it.

"Dad, there's so much I want to share with you. I want to be honest about how I'm truly feeling, what I'm going through," Y/N said softly, her voice filled with pain. "I'm experiencing things that are beyond belief. I'm not sure if you'll understand or think I'm crazy. But…but…"

Tears began to flow down her face unexpectedly as she turned her head, not realizing it at first. The man looked surprised by her sudden display of emotion. He couldn't determine if it was relief or pain that caused her tears. Since her mom passed away, this was the first time he had seen her cry like this. Usually, when she feels like crying, she goes to her room to be alone. But this time, she cried in front of him. It was painful for him to see his daughter in pain, but all he could do was listen to her and try to help carry her burdens.

It took Y/N a while to recognize the emotions she had been suppressing, which caught her off guard. The intensity of her feelings overwhelmed her, causing her to burst into tears. She struggled to understand her own emotions.

"How much longer will I continue to make things difficult for myself? The risk of telling him how I feel is high, and I'm not sure if he will believe me. Even though I want to trust his words, I have to consider the potential outcome. Am I truly ready to take that risk?"

"I would never judge you for anything, Y/N."

She hesitated upon hearing this, unable to jump to conclusions. The likelihood of him believing her was low, but she felt a sense of obligation, despite knowing the consequences.

"Even though you say that, would you believe me if I told you something absurd? Lately, I've been seeing things that are far from ordinary. Ever since my trip to Savannah, I feel like you can tell that I haven't been myself. Since that day, I've been experiencing extreme pain, both mentally and physically, and I just want it all to stop. I want to tell you everything, but..."

She hesitated once more, debating whether to keep sharing the truth. The choice of whether to reveal or conceal it was a heavy burden on her mind. The tears streaming down her face showed him how challenging it must have been for her. It seemed like something too much for her to handle on her own.

"What am I even doing? I shouldn't, but I..." It was really difficult for her to decide. Although she couldn't keep him waiting in uncertainty, she needed to provide him with a clear answer.

In a situation like this, she would naturally try to explain it simply, but it was not easy to do so. Maybe her racing heart was making it difficult, or perhaps she was afraid of the reaction she might get, thinking he might see her as unwell. She knew it was expected, but she was really scared – she couldn't deny that.

Her fear was consuming her, especially after all the time she spent with the group, promising not to tell their families. She knew she wasn't supposed to, but she wasn't sure if she could handle the pressure. The consequences were unknown at this point, and she wasn't sure how he would respond once she told him the truth. It felt like a long time of silence as she was lost in her thoughts of doubt and conflict, her tears slowly fading away.

"Just take a moment to breathe and relax, Y/N. Come on, think... brain, think. Is this really happening right now? Why is my heart racing? Just breathe, breathe... I'm scared. Say something-" Her concerns, worries, and doubts were all jumbled together as she thought of the many things on her mind at once. Her mouth hung open, desperate to find the right words to explain her situation. Just as she was about to speak, her father finally acknowledged her state and hugged her tightly.

"Hun... It's okay."

He never thought he would see her in such a confused and conflicted state. She was his little girl again, and he wasn't sure how to explain it, but for a brief moment, he saw her childlike self before his eyes – a reminder of when she acted this way when her mom died. A single tear almost fell down his face, but his expression showed sadness. He couldn't imagine the pain she was feeling. Even though he wanted to understand her concerns, he couldn't focus on that now while watching her struggle to convey her words.

"I'm sorry..." The girl whispered softly into his shirt.

"There is no need to apologize. You haven't done anything wrong." He gently grabbed her cheeks, turning her face towards him and softly squished them together in his palm.

Y/N cried as she buried her face in her dad's shirt, tears staining the fabric as she clung to him tightly, wishing all her problems would disappear. Even though he couldn't fully grasp her struggles, he remained by her side, embracing her as if she were the most valuable reminder of his late wife. Gradually, the girl's tears subsided, leaving just her and her dad locked in a comforting hug.

"If you're not feeling well, you can stay home today."

She shook her head and said, "No, but I appreciate it." Y/N then began to pull away from the hug and placed her hands on her lap.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Alright. Please don't force yourself to dwell on what's bothering you. I'll drive you to school since you missed the bus earlier." The man slowly got up from the floor and grabbed his phone. "Your grandparents are out running errands, and I have some business up the road. I'll let you get ready and make you breakfast. Love you, Hun." He finished with a quick and gentle smile before walking away. Y/N was left sitting on her knees, alone with her thoughts.

Y/N muttered to herself, "I don't think I can do it, Dad. It's impossible when my mind is not at peace."

The man walking down the second-floor hallway slowed his pace as he approached the stairs. Pictures of various events hung on the wall beside the stairs. One showed him and his parents at his high school graduation, with his parents kissing his cheeks as he smiled at the camera. Another picture displayed him and his wife with a beautiful background. In this photo, the sky was a mix of pink, purple, and orange colors, with their daughter smiling happily in the foreground.

As he walked, he noticed a particular picture frame. It showed him, his wife, their daughter, and another man - tall, handsome, with tan skin, black hair, and hazel eyes. This man appeared to be in his thirties or younger, dressed nicely. In the photo, the man stood behind their daughter, holding the father's shoulder and smiling softly at the camera. The man felt a wave of sadness as he looked at this picture, as the man in the photo held a special place in his heart, just as he did for his late wife. He placed a hand on the glass of the frame, as if trying to reach out to them. After gazing at the picture for a while, he sighed and let go, heading to the kitchen to make breakfast for his daughter.



At the school drop-off, Y/N stood outside the passenger seat, about to close the door but hesitated. She gazed at her dad sitting in the driver's seat, holding the steering wheel and looking at her with a warm smile. The girl briefly looked away, appearing to have a frown, which neither her dad nor her mom liked to see. They couldn't make her feel a certain way, but they didn't want to see her looking so sad.

He called out to her, and she returned his gaze. "Don't be sad, be proud," he said. That's my motto for today, okay? He smiled slightly, hoping to make her smile or at least chuckle at his little joke. It worked, as the girl formed a small smile before closing the door. Since she hadn't gone far yet, he rolled down the car window and spoke with love in his tone. "Hope you have an amazing day at school today. Love you!"

Y/N felt embarrassed as her cheeks turned red and she gritted her teeth slightly. She was glad no one else was around to witness it, but she couldn't help but chuckle at his childish behavior on such a beautiful day. As she walked away, he smiled, feeling hopeful that everything would be okay. He then drove off to his destination.

★—

[TW: This part of the story discusses mental disorders and illnesses. If you are familiar with them, please refrain from sharing any personal information in the comments. Your personal information is private and should not be disclosed.]

Their car was parked in front of a mostly white building with multiple glass frame windows on each floor, indicating it was a three-story building. The outside was decorated with small bushes lining the walls and front walkway. The girl's father was going inside to speak with Ms. Tirana Smith, the person Y/N had a session with a month ago to discuss her diagnosis. He waited in the lobby until he was called into her office for a private conversation.

Ms. Tirana, a tan-skinned woman with a cornrow ponytail, was wearing light-colored slightly baggy jeans and a white long-sleeve blouse with small silver earrings. They sat on a couch in her office, with Tirana balancing one leg on the other. She seemed to be preparing notes from their previous session to provide context for their discussion about his daughter's progress.

"Hello, Mr. L/N. I wanted to talk to you about your daughter's test results. It's actually quite rare, very rare in fact. Despite her seeming fine physically, based on my research and her diagnosis, she may be suffering from a mental disorder. Have you noticed any strange behavior from her before her field trip? She mentioned it started around that time."

"She didn't seem abnormal, but can you tell me what she has been diagnosed with?"

"I think she may be experiencing a rare psychotic disorder called folie à duex. It involves two or more people in close relationships sharing the same delusions."

[A/N: Yes, I tried researching…]

"What? Are you saying that she is really mentally unwell? Is there something, like a cure?" Naturally, he would feel alarmed at this discovery, especially when someone is calling her daughter potentially dangerous and a threat to others because of her disorder. "What led you to make this statement?"

"A cure may not be available for the issue she is facing. She cannot simply take a pill and make it all go away. However, she can continue therapy sessions to help reduce the impact of these thoughts on her."

"What if it doesn't work?"

"She had to undergo pharmacological treatment. If that doesn't work," she stayed silent, not wanting to upset him by potentially saying something wrong.

"As for my statement…" Tirana mentioned that a shared delusional diagnosis is not something that happens every day, but Y/N claims to experience it every night. "Her and their group see tall beings with strange features, such as a wide, scary smile, white eyes like polka dots, and sharp claws. These beings are called, "Phantoms." Tirana couldn't provide personal details but wanted to describe what the patient sees to help him understand the situation.

While listening to Tirana's description, the man couldn't help but remember seeing the same thing she was talking about. He recounted every detail he saw and compared it to what she described. As Tirana disclosed the appearance of the creature, his eyes widened in recognition.

★—

At the airport, a man with a tan complexion and dressed in luxurious clothing confidently walked in a black suit. He had a stylish aura and seemed at ease as he navigated through the airport. Stepping outside the air-conditioned building, he felt the pleasant warmth of the sun on his skin, which brought a small smile to his face. Some people passing by looked at him with admiration and curiosity. He took off his black sunglasses, still smiling with contentment after a long flight.

"It feels great to be back." He took out his phone and saw a picture on his lock screen of D/N, M/N, and Y/N. The parents were in the water at the beach, kissing lovingly. They were all in their beach attire, having fun. The clear waters were beautiful, crystal clear with the sun shining on the light blue waters. Y/N seemed to be walking towards the camera, with the person taking the photo in the shade under tree leaves. The little girl was holding a couple of shells in her hands, smiling happily.

"I'll see you soon, Y/N."