Two Worlds, One Mind

Chapter 1

Elliot's body curled up as he held the lifeless hamster formerly known as Sausage. A pair of firm hands grasped his shoulders.

"It's alright, child. All things have to die," reassured Klondike. Her grasp loosened as Elliot began to shake.

"I loved him, though," he could barely manage to speak audibly anymore.

"I did too!" 43 called from inside the walls of Elliot's wardrobe. "I couldn't bear to watch something I love that much pass on!"

"43, get your ass out of there," Klondike said tiredly, "Ellie needs some support right now."

43 excitedly whipped open the doors. "Fine," he said, "I will come out of the closet if it pleases you." He sashayed out of the wardrobe, plopped down Indian-style, and nestled his head into Elliot's neck. "Are you happy yet, sweetcheeks?"

"No, I will never be happy again," Elliot said as he scooted away from the uncomfortable contact that 43 had made.

"You can't think like that, honey. Everything will be okay," Klondike knelt next to Elliot and rubbed his back. This made him feel inexplicably better.

"Yeah," 43 chimed in, "death isn't such a bad thing. I mean, now Sausage gets to explore life after death rather than be stuck in his little cage!"

"In a way, this is a good thing," Klondike said.

Elliot nodded thoughtfully. "Yes," he said, "maybe death is a better alternative for Sausage than life inside of his cage." He hugged Sausage one last time, tight as ever.

An aggressive knocking on Elliot's bedroom door erupted and a tidal wave of worried grunts rushed into his ears, ruining the last moment he had with Sausage.

"Elliot?? What's going on!?"

His dad burst through the door, face contorted in a way Elliot had not thought possible. He looked inconcievably distraught. "Is everything okay?" He shouted, "I heard squealing!"

"Everything is okay," Elliot peacefully replied as he held out the resting hamster. His dad didn't show any signs of relief. In fact, he looked even more concerned. He carefully made his way towards his confused son.

"Why is Sausage's neck twisted like that?" He asked as he stepped into the space that Klondike and 43 would've filled, had they been tangible in his reality.