"Oh Mr. Optim!" I sobbed and threw my arms around his neck. “It was the scary man, he came back.”

“Oh there, there turtledove,” he soothed me. “I’m so sorry. I would have come sooner, but something was blocking my entrance.”

“It was horrible,” I wailed, “I could actually see him this time.”

“I know dear, I know. It’s alright I’m here now.”

Optim was trying to sound calm for my sake, but I knew he was worried. This was the first time he hadn’t been able to immediately enter our world when I called him. After a long while I finally began to calm down.

Optim gently pulled me away from him and I stared at the tear stains I had left on his blue and yellow striped blazer.

“I’m sorry,” I sniffed. “I got your jacket all wet.”

“Don’t fret turtledove,” he said and with a snap of his fingers the stains were gone. There was a soft Meow that came from the far corner of my room and we both turned towards the sound. It was Sphinx, my imaginary lynx, who was the size of a normal cat. He looked up at me with such concern in his eyes, it made me want to cry again.

“Oh Sphinx,” I cried, reaching out for him. Sphinx gave a more insistent Meow! and leapt up onto the bed. When he settled himself on my lap, I hugged him tightly, burying my face into his soft blue and purple fur.

Sphinx shared a knowing look with Optim and gave a deep throated growl.

Optim chuckled.

“It seems Sphinx is just as irritated at our delayed entrance as I am,” he said while giving the lynx’s head a scratch. I smoothed my hand over the yellow tufts at the end of Sphinx’s ears and sniffed pitifully again.

Normal, seven year old children dreamed while they were sleeping, but I wasn’t a normal seven year old. Whenever I was visited by these imaginary dream people, I was wide awake. I was five years old when Sphinx first appeared and, being five, I thought it was a perfectly natural occurrence. It was only until Optim began to appear and I tried to introduce him to my mother, that I knew I was different. My mother couldn’t see Sphinx or Optim and she, of course, thought I had a harmless imaginary friend. But Optim and Sphinx weren’t just imaginary, they were tangible.

“Why does the scary man keep showing up?” I asked, looking helplessly at Optim. “What does he want from me?”

Optim sighed and his eyes changed to blue.

“I don’t think he wants anything from you.”

He paused for a moment then continued, “In fact, I’m quite certain you’re not his intended target at all.”

I furrowed my brow in confusion.

“What do you mean, Mr. Optim?”

Optim stared past me for a few moments, deep in thought, then shook himself slightly.

“Don’t worry Ducky,” he said and patted my hand, “Nothing to concern yourself over.”

“But what if the scary man keeps coming back?” I cried, “What if I can see all of him next time? And what if you can’t get through again?”

Optim shushed me softly, while trying to tuck me into bed again. Sphinx hopped off my lap and over the sheets, meandering his way to the foot of my bed. After turning in a few circles, he curled himself up and stared at me with his soothing green eyes.

“I will always find a way to get back to you turtledove,” Optim said with a gentle smile, “Don’t you worry. And I’m sure Sphinx would say the same, wouldn’t you boy?”

Sphinx gave a determined, Meow.

My frown stayed firmly in place, but after looking at Optim and Sphinx’s encouraging faces, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Promise?” I prompted.

Optim held up his right hand.

“I promise.”

“Cross the ol’ ticker?” I said with a giggle.

Optim laughed with me.

“Cross the ol’ ticker,” he said in a grand voice whilst crossing his heart with a finger.

“Sphinx you too!” I said, pointing a finger at the lynx,. “Cross it!”

Optim took one of Sphinx’s purple paws and crossed his heart for him.

“I swear,” Optim said in a high pitched voice.

I giggled delightfully at this display and Optim’s eyes turned back to their typical golden color. As I laid back down, my mind began to slowly ease at Optim’s words. He always knew just how to make me feel better. Optim pulled on the lamp’s string, turning out the lights again.

“Mr. Optim?” I asked, “Will I ever be able to go to your world?”

“Well,” Optim replied, “Anything is possible in Gladtopia. I don’t see why anything couldn’t be possible here in your world too.”

I smiled happily.

“I want to go there someday,” I replied determined. “And I want to see all the wizards just like you. And I want to see the Cirque with all their pretty colored tents and the acrobats. And the cowboys in the desert.”

My eyes drooped, heavy with sleep.

“And the diamond castle where the King lives,” I yawned.

“I’m sure you’ll see it all someday ducky,” Optim murmured, “But now it’s time for sleep.”

“Mmmm,” I mumbled sleepily. I felt Optim smooth back my hair and felt Sphinx purring happily near my feet. I then felt Optim’s weight shift on my bed and I began to worry that he might leave.

My eyes shot open.

“Mr. Optim?” I said.

“Yes Mia dear?” he asked kindly.

“Will you tell me a story until I fall asleep?”

“Of course turtledove. I’ll tell you about the Sorcerers from the Cirque Clan. Which coincidentally is the Clan I’m from.”

I gave a small grin and closed my eyes again.

“The Sorcerers are unlike any other people from Gladtopia. They are a noble and wondrous people who dedicate their lives to the study of magic. It is said that one must possess magical blood to become a Sorcerer, but I don’t believe that to be true. I believe it is possible for anyone to become a great wielder of magic if they work hard enough and read the spellbooks studiously.

“A Sorcerer's duty is to protect and serve the people. That is why many Sorcerers turn to the monarchy and aristocracy for employment. They can help people better that way. But only one can hold the title of Royal Sorcerer ...”

It wasn’t long before I fell fast asleep, resting easy knowing I was protected by my two favorite people in the entire world.