A powerful force yanked her out of the doctor’s body and everything went black.

Darlynn: Alex? Honey? Are you finally awake?

Her mother’s voice echoed like it was underwater. Alexis’s eyelids were heavy, but she managed to pry them open.

Darlynn: There you are. Just in time for dinner, sleepyhead.

Her vision sharpened. She was back home. Back in her wheelchair. Her whole body numb.

Alexis: M-mom?

Looking around her, she was definitely back home. She was back in her wheelchair, and every part of her body was numb.

Darlynn: You’re pale as a ghost. Come on, time to replenish your soul with food!

Alexis: Oh… okay. Yeah. Dinner time…

Still reeling from what she’d seen, Alexis barely registered being wheeled into the dining room, where the rest of her family waited.

Alexis: Why would I dream of something so awful? Was that really a dream…? It felt way too real…

Her train of thoughts was interrupted when her brother who was sitting next to her at the table snapped his fingers at her face. Snap snap!

Zachary: Helloooo? Earth to Alexis~

Alexis: Huh? What? What’s with the finger snapping?

Zachary: Dad was talking to you, silly.

Alexis: Oh! Sorry, Dad! What were you saying?

Her father, Philip, peered over his newspaper.

Philip: How was your check-up today?

Alexis: Same old, same old. Nothing much.

Her father nodded nonchalantly in return and continued reading his newspaper.

Zachary: Wow. Riveting stuff. Soooo, was Doctor Hanson still insanely gorgeous or what?

Alexis: Yes, but can you not have a crush on my doctor??

Zachary: The real question is, why shouldn’t I?

Alexis: Because she’s my doctor. And you don’t know anything about her. /monologue/ Doctor Hanson… Was any of that real? Or just a nightmare…

Darlynn, picking up on the shift in tone, interjected.

Darlynn: Zach, where’s the pizza? He’s not usually this late.

Zachary: Right. Let me give him a call.

Just as he lifted his phone— DING DONG.

Zachary: And that would be him!

He rushed to the front door, opening it with a grin. Devin, their usual pizza guy, stood there with a familiar easy smile, as wavy-haired and lanky as ever.

Devin: Sorry for the delay!

Zachary: You’re good, Dev. No worries.

Darlynn: Hey Devin dear. It’s been a while.

Devin: Heya, Darlynn! I figured you guys were eating healthy since it’s been a month?

Darlynn: Caught us. But we both know how that ends.

She joked, eyeing the pizza.

Devin: Haha! Well, at least I get to see you again!

He peeked past the entryway.

Devin: Hey Philip, looking sharp as always!

Philip: Not too shabby yourself, young man.

Devin: And Alexis, hope you’ve been feeling okay!

She smiled at him, still a little distant.

Alexis: Thanks, Dev. That means a lot. Take care of yourself, yeah? Don’t work too hard!

That made Devin’s smile flicker. Though just for a moment, before he covered it with a laugh.

Devin: No promises, but I’ll try.

As he chatted with Darlynn and Zachary at the door, Alexis’s mind was elsewhere.

Alexis: Something feels… off. Is he okay? I wonder…

Then came the headache. Sharp. Familiar.

Alexis: Ugh, my head again… This feeling… I’ve felt this before?

The world began to blur again. Her hearing dulled. Eyelids heavy. Her body limp. And just like that, she was gone. Until her senses returned. 

Except… she wasn’t in her own body anymore. 

She wasn’t in Doctor Hanson’s either. This time, she was someone else entirely. And that someone was standing right there at the front door, talking to her mother and brother.

Darlynn: Take care, Devin dear.

Zachary: Thanks for the pizza!

Devin: No probs! Enjoy your meal!

Waving goodbye to the family, Devin stepped away from the front door and returned to his motorcycle. As he adjusted the side mirrors and sat on the seat, he mumbled to himself.

Devin: I’m late! I hope the food stall is still open.

Alexis gasped when she caught his reflection in the mirror.

Alexis: I’m in Devin’s body???

Starting the engine, Devin quickly rode back to the local pizza parlor. He parked at his usual spot and handed the keys to the manager.

Manager: Good work, Smith. I’ll need you early tomorrow.

Devin: Tomorrow? Uh, okay… sure.

Leaving the pizza parlor, he picked up his pace, glancing repeatedly at the worn-out watch on his wrist. After a short jog, he reached a quiet, run-down part of town. Dark, full of rodents scuttling around. Breathless, he finally arrived at a nearly-closed food stall.

Devin: Paulie! Hold up!

Paulie, the gumbo stall owner, turned around at Devin’s voice.

Paulie: Already cleaned up, Devin. Come back tomorrow.

Devin doubled over, hands on his knees, gasping.

Devin: Come on, Paulie. Please? I’m starving here.

He said, supported by the growl in his belly. Paulie sighed, giving him a long look.

Paulie: Hahh... Fine. Only this time.

Devin: You’re a lifesaver. The usual, please! Four sets!

After thanking and paying Paulie, Devin beamed and made his way to a shabby apartment just a couple minutes away. He greeted the building owner and entered his tiny rented room.

Alexis: This is… his home?

Gail & Riley: Devvie, you’re home!

Two little girls ran to him, throwing their arms around him. Devin hugged them back tightly.

Devin: Ahhh, my stress just melts away when I see you two~

He kissed them on the head before adjusting his almost-falling backpack.

Cameron: Welcome home, Dev. I’ll help you with that.

Devin: Hey, Cam. Thanks

Cameron, his teenage brother, took the food and started preparing it.

Devin: You guys go eat, alright? I’ve already had mine!

His family cheered, excitedly preparing themselves for dinner.

Alexis: Liar… you said you were starving…

Alexis could feel Devin’s hunger, and her heart ached. Despite being exhausted and famished, he was giving it all to his family. The room was cramped, barely big enough for five people to live in.

Alexis: This place is way too small for them… I can’t believe this is Devin’s life…

The three younger siblings sat on the floor to eat together. Cameron saved a portion of gumbo for their sick mother, who lay resting on a thin mattress.

Devin: Hey ma, how are you feeling…?

Helping their mother sit up, Devin propped a pillow behind her as Cameron brought the bowl over.

Ma: I’m good, Devin. How’re your studies? Is your job wearing you out?

Devin: Nah, nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry about me, Ma.

Devin smiled weakly at his worrisome mother. Alexis watched, stunned.

Alexis: She looks so unwell… Has she received any treatment?

 Trying to ease the tension in the room, Cameron blew on a spoonful and offered it to their mother.

Cameron: H-how’s the food, Ma? Is it alright?

Catching Cameron’s subtle glance, Devin picked up the cue.

Devin: Y-yeah! Is it good? Paulie prepared it especially for us, even.

Ma: Really? That’s sweet of him… It tastes amazing, as expected.

Dinner passed quickly. Even though they were just kids, Gail and Riley helped clean up and set up for study time. Devin sat on the floor, tutoring the girls at a small table. Cameron did his homework by their mother’s bedside. She was already asleep.

Devin: They’re so resourceful… and kind to one another despite their living conditions. I’ve taken so much in my life for granted…

Near ten, they folded up the study table and brought out the queen-sized mattress for the kids. Devin tucked in the little ones and went to freshen up. Later as he was done, he stood by the bathroom door, towel over his head.

Devin: Hahh… Guess it’s another all-nighter for this paper.

He sighed and moved to grab his assignments, unaware that Cameron was still awake.

Cameron: You can’t keep this up forever, Dev.

Startled, Devin looked down at his brother, who had a worried frown. Avoiding his gaze, Devin grabbed his books and sat on the floor.

Devin: I can and I will. I have to.

Cameron clenched his book, eyes trembling. He opened his mouth to speak, but said nothing when he saw Devin already working, eyes heavy but focused. Silently, he walked over and placed something by Devin’s books—a bowl of gumbo.

Cameron: Eat.

That’s all he said before turning away to join the kids on the mattress.

Devin: Cam…

Devin froze. He looked at the bowl, then at his brother. His eyes welled up.

Devin: You dummy…

He sniffled and quietly ate the food his brother saved for him. Lying on the mattress, Cameron smiled to himself, hearing the spoon clink gently against the bowl.

Alexis: See, Devin. You don’t have to go through everything alone…

Tears gathered in Alexis’s eyes. She thought of her own family; supportive, loving, and present despite everything she couldn’t physically do. A soft smile touched her lips.

Eventually, Devin dozed off mid-paper, cheek pressed to a book. Alexis, still inside his body, fell asleep too.

Devin: Huh? What?

Alexis: What’s going on? Morning already? Ugh, still so sleepy. 5 more minutes please…

Devin brings raises his head, blinking his still sleepy eyes.

Gail: Devvie, it’s almost seven.

Riley: Don’t you have early classes on Wednesdays?

Still groggy, Devin blinked again but this time at his three siblings lined up in front of him, and even his mom, sitting up on bed, staring gently at him. He blinked again… and then it hit him. Eyes wide, he leapt up and frantically grabbed his bag.

Devin: Oh crap! I’m gonna miss the bus!

Gail and Riley giggled at the sight of their brother panicking as they munched on crackers for breakfast. Their mother chuckled softly, while Cameron shook his head, sipping his morning coffee. Devin rushed to the bathroom to get ready for class, reappearing minutes later in a hilariously mismatched outfit.

Cameron: Really? A hoodie with formal slacks and sandals?

Ma: Are you seriously going out like that?

Devin: Is it that bad?

Gail & riley: VERY!

Devin: Ughhh! Fine, sneakers it is.

He kicked off his sandals and slipped into the same sneakers he wore yesterday.

Devin: Better?

The kids gave him a big thumbs-up, mouths full of crackers, while Cameron sipped his coffee nodding. Their mom just smiled, quietly taking in the joyful chaos of her morning.

Devin: THANK YOU.

He rolled his eyes at them playfully. Grabbing his backpack after double-checking its contents, he was just about to leave when Cameron called out.

Cameron: Devin! I packed lunch for you, it’s in your bag. Don’t forget to eat.

Devin’s stressed expression softened into a warm smile.

Devin: Thanks, Cam. You’re the best.

Cameron: Heh, I know. Now off you go, old boy.

Saluting his family, Devin dashed out the door, sprinting toward the nearest bus stop.

Devin: C’mon, c’mon!

He retraced the same path he’d taken the night before, barely making it in time to hop on before the bus pulled away. Swiping his card, he collapsed into an empty seat.

Devin: Thank the heavens.

As his breath evened out, he pulled out a book and his half-finished papers, setting them on his lap to continue working on his assignment.

Alexis: What a morning. This guy really makes every second count.

While Devin focused, passengers came and went. Soon it was his stop. He held onto the papers of assignment, and thanking the driver as he stepped off and walked toward campus, weaving through clusters of students. But something felt off. Alexis could sense it too, a quiet tension.

Devin: Are they here? Haven’t seen them yet. Please, God, help me avoid them today.

Though he secretly thought that to himself, of course, Alexis knew what he was thinking.

Alexis: Them? Who—oh no—!

Before she could finish her thought, Devin tripped, papers and books flying. He slammed hard against the pavement, his forehead making contact with the cold cement.

Devin: Oww…

He groaned, one hand instinctively reaching for the throbbing spot on his head. Just as he started to gather his scattered things, a group of three boys approached, one of them stomping directly on his papers.

Lawrence: Well, well, well. If it isn’t Devin Smith, the walking skeleton.

Laughter erupted from nearby students. Lawrence McKinney, his regular tormentor, loomed over him. Devin froze, panic seizing him.

Devin: L-Lawrence, please… I just want to get to class.

He pleaded nervously to the boy staring down on him.

Lawrence: Here’s a tip, Smith. Hit the gym sometime—you look like a twig.

Alexis: Seriously?! Leave him alone!

Embarrassed and trembling, Devin kept his head down, fists clenched at his sides.

Lawrence: Not even gonna beg today? Boring. Let’s go find someone else.

He ruffled Devin’s hair with mock affection before walking off with his crew, still laughing. Devin let out a shaky breath and began gathering what was left of his notes, many smudged or torn.

Devin: It’s fine… I can redo them. I’ve still got time…

Everyone who had witnessed the scene simply looked away and moved on. Alone, he reached into his backpack, accidentally brushing against something.

Devin: Huh? Is it the lunch box cameron mentioned?

Just touching the brown paper bag eased the ache in his chest. Then he noticed a sticky note stuck to the front. Curious, he peeled it off and read:

‘Make sure you finish up your lunch, Devin! It was a team effort. – Cam
We hope you like the toast~ Sorry it’s a bit burnt, we tried T-T - Gail & Riley
Keep that bright smile on your face, dear. We love you. – Ma’

His throat tightened. A smile tugged at his lips as tears welled in his eyes.

Devin: Thanks, you guys…

He reread the note a couple more times before tucking it carefully into the bag, then zipped his backpack shut with newfound strength.

Devin: I’ve got this. This is nothing. I’ll get through it.

Alexis smiled softly.

Alexis: You have my utmost respect, Devin. You’re a gem. Your family is lucky to have you… and you’re lucky to have them…

But just as the warmth of that thought settled in her chest, that all-too-familiar sensation hit her.

Tight chest. Blurring vision. The pull.

Darkness again.