-I know your mom from school. I could tell her how you’re acting.
That single shouted phrase made the Heads’ expressions shift. They trembled in the sky as if deflating, and soon the enormous balloons vanished into nothing.
The boy stood rooted, lowering his spiked bat into the lilac grass. Yuki darted over and helped him pull off the blindfold. It was soaked with tears, and Archie whispered to her:
-Thank you. I’ll never forget you, girl from my dream.
Then he threw away both bat and blindfold and rushed to hug the piñata, who had gone quiet and now eyed him with wary suspicion. He squeezed her tightly and begged forgiveness.
-All right, all right… the toy muttered, pulling back. -Let’s say we hooked pinkies and became besties. Usually I don’t reward rebellious kids who ignore their older relatives—but this is the one exception. Better we live in peace than I call the cops on you. I’ve got way too much candy and can afford a better lawyer anyway!
With a soft chime she split in half, spilling out candies, pastries, and all kinds of puffy, delicious treats in bright wrappers. At the sound, Lil C. and Pom-Pom burst out of the bushes, crickets and grasshoppers perched on their shoulders, decked out in bandanas and tiny chains. The muffin twisted his cap backward with a roguish grin.
Sniffing, he asked, -Smells tasty. Real tasty. And ignoring the mountain of sweets, he stepped up to the bat and gnawed at it like a steak.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for his verdict. Stroking his beard like a judge, he declared:
-A little bitter. Not enough salt. Needs sauce.
-What sauce?! Lil C. protested. -Look at all this candy! Hurry or I’ll eat it all before you do!
He dove headfirst into the pile—and surfaced kneeling on the pavement back in his own neighborhood. Yuki stood nearby with her arms crossed, Archie a little distance away.
The boy’s leg was frozen mid-step. For a few tense seconds he didn’t move. An unsuspecting bird hadn’t noticed him and didn’t know it might be in danger. Then Archie lowered his foot, untied and kicked off his sneakers, and ran off happily in just his socks—probably headed home.
-Oh no… Yuki worried. -Now he’ll catch cold or step on something sharp.
-What do you mean? Socks are like bulletproof vests for your heels, Lil C. argued, sounding more reasonable than before.
-My stomach’s growling. All those imaginary candies made me starving, her brother rubbed his belly. -Too bad I didn’t at least grab that lemon-drop caramel…
-You’re always about food! Yuki waved him off. -We’ve only been wandering around the subconscious for a while, but out here it’s barely been any time since breakfast.
-Feels like forever. And it’s two against one: me and my belly. He smirked.
Yuki narrowed her eyes mischievously. -Fine. I’ll cook your favorite dishes today and tomorrow—if we go find someone else to help. This time we’ll act properly, so it really makes a difference.
-For beets? Anything! Lil C. agreed. And off they went again, strolling the streets of their little town.
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Only a second had passed since they’d returned from Archie’s mind. Nothing in the real world had changed. The sun hadn’t even reached noon yet, and a hot, prickly wind brushed against their faces. They ducked into a corner shop for bottled water, then stepped outside again and spotted the fence across the street.
Next to it bustled a tiny, fiery grandma. Her broom swept as if it had a life of its own, moving so fast she still had time to pat the little dog rubbing against her leg.
As the kids drew closer, they heard her humming a beautiful tune. Her voice was high and soulful, and every time she sang she transformed into an opera diva.
But it lasted only a few lines. Then she’d hunch down, glance around nervously, and lower her eyes to the ground with guilt. It was clear that singing lifted her up, yet something quickly clipped her wings and weighed her down.
-We have to help her. That kind of talent can’t go to waste! Yuki decided. -You can’t be afraid of your real self. She’s singing from the heart, you can tell.
-Well said. Lil C. nodded. -Kinda corny, like a movie line—I can’t remember which one—but yeah, I agree.
-So, are we doing this? Yuki asked directly.
-Oh yeah.
Through the prism of their glasses, they looked at the old lady—and Yuki gave the order:
-Dive deep!
Even as the familiar gum stuck to their eyelids, Lil C. was already shouting: -No breaks! Straight ahead!
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and then Add to home screen.