The Gift: A TAWOG Story

Chapter 8: The Second Visit

Inside the void, Nicole and Gumball simply paced. Gumball was much more comfortable now, knowing his mother was right beside him. He looked onward, yet could not see anything but pitch blackness.

"Is there really a point to all this?" Gumball asked. "This whole void? And you being able to see into our dreams?"

"Why, of course," replied Nicole. "Just a way for me to look out on you kids. Ever wonder how I know how you kids are really feeling?"

"I thought it was just what you call 'motherly instincts,'" said Gumball.

"Part of it is that, and part of it is this," said Nicole as she continued to pace. "You see, the beauty of dreams, Gumball, is that they exploit states of mind, basically how everyone is feeling on the inside. You and your siblings and father's dreams help me understand how you all are really feeling. It just all depends on if the dreams are good or bad."

"Hey, Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Nightmares are rare occurrences, aren't they?"

"Yes, they are," replied Nicole.

"Then what were the odds we'd stumble into one of Darwin's nightmares when we entered his dreamscape?"

"Not very high. Which is why I decided to introduce you to this when I realized he was having a nightmare. I was actually in here before I woke you up. In fact, when I saw he was about to have a nightmare, I knew I had to show you first-hand."

"Well, are there any nightmares going on tonight?" asked Gumball with utmost curiosity.

"Doesn't look like it," said Nicole. "But that doesn't mean we can't do a little exploring. Let's see how your sister is doing."

Instantly, a big doorway that was glowing pink appeared in front of the two blue cats. Gumball stared at it in amazement, wondering what was inside as they walked through the archway.

They walked into what appeared to be the first floor of a department store. Fragrance and makeup stands lined the central aisle Nicole and her son were standing in. Customers were at every stand trying different lipsticks and sprays. Gumball was baffled as to why his sister Anais would dream up this, but Gumball and Nicole proceeded towards the escalator in the center.

That's when Gumball realized there was another set of escalators off to the side, and then a set on the other side of the store. To him, there had to have been at least four sets all going in different directions, which did not make sense considering this was a smaller format suburban department store. Gumball looked at the directory besides one of the escalators, then the logo above it. It spelled "Anais of New York," which Gumball realized was the name.

At the top of the escalator, Gumball continued to wonder as to why he and his mother were in here, and what all this meant. Around a narrow corridor with white walls, the little blue cat noticed a door at the end. A plate next to it read "Corporate Office."

"This must be where Anais works," said Nicole, putting her paw on the door about to push it open. "Come on, let's go in."

"But I thought we weren't allowed to intervene with dreams," said Gumball as he followed his mother through the door.

"We're not," said Nicole. "We're just checking up on her, from a safe distance obviously. She must be having a very good dream tonight."

They shuffled across the new carpet that covered the office floor. Gumball was surprised nothing was lined in pink, but rather everything in white and red like Macy's. "This is her office," said Nicole very quietly.

They peered their heads around the doorframe, and Gumball could hardly believe what he saw. His sister Anais was in a business uniform at a desk, typing on a computer. He gazed at what seemed to him to be some form of Anais' bright future when all of sudden, a pink and yellow donkey walked right through the door, completely ignoring Nicole and Gumball. Gumball was not the slightest bit surprised when he saw it was Daisy, Anais' stuffed donkey, though much larger and walking on two legs.

"Here is your hot cocoa, Anais," said Daisy.

"Thanks, Daisy," replied Anais, taking a sip. "Boy do I love the cocoa they make here. So rich and creamy."

"The chocolates will be delivered soon," said Daisy as he left the office. Gumball and Nicole kept glancing at her, looking professional and sipping her cocoa.

"Man, I feel like this cocoa is a little too rich now," she said, starting to feel slightly nauseas. Gumball gasped.

"I forgot, Anais is sick!" he blurted out. Nicole quickly shushed him, then pointed to Anais to signal Gumball to keep watching.

"Wow, this cocoa is really... really..." Anais was at a loss of words. The dream cocoa seemed to hit her, as she then felt weak inside.

Suddenly, Nicole and Gumball were blasted out of the dream with a quick flash of white light, and they were thrown onto the ground back in the pitch black void.

"That's it?" Gumball exclaimed as he got up and dusted himself off. Nicole did the same.

"Looks like she just threw up again," replied Nicole. She pressed her thumb into Gumball's paw so they could exit the void. They blinked and reopened their eyes to be back in the basement. "Let's get you back to bed while I check on her."

Back upstairs, Gumball climbed into bed while Nicole found Anais lying on the floor of the bathroom, inches away from the toilet. Nicole looked around and saw the bathroom completely clean, not a single trace of vomit anywhere.

"Hey, Mom," said Anais in a very sick tone. "I made it to the toilet just like you asked."

"Oh, you poor thing," Nicole said as she knelt down and stroke Anais' bunny ears. Suddenly, Anais felt the urge to throw up again, so she leaned her head over the toilet again. This time, Nicole was there to hold onto her ears as she let it all out.

"It's okay," Nicole repeated to her daughter. "I'm right here. Just let it all out."

Meanwhile, Gumball was lying in his bed listening to all the commotion. He cringed at every sound his sister made, trying to roll over and go to sleep himself. Darwin was completely undisturbed, snoozing away in his bowl exhaling bubbles.