My head hurts when the revelation of my identity comes to light.

  Even though they seemed to think differently at first, Don keeps saying that it's okay and that it's normal.

  But it really isn't.

  I'm not real.

  I'm not real.

  I'm not real!

  But there is no denying the words of the revenant.

  If she can see me...

  I'm...

  I'm... supposed to be some sort of...

  No! I can't say it.

  I just can't.

  I saw their face when the lady mentioned me being a 'digital ghost', Don looked betrayed.

  I felt like a monster.

  No I still do.

  Am I somehow like those flesh-eating monsters?

  No...

  I can walk through walls and don't eat.

  I truly am a ghost, aren't I?

  But then who's ghost am I supposed to be?

  Who was I before I died?

  How did I die?

  And what is the reason that I awoke when Don touched the book?

  "I told you I was right." Don says with a smirk on their face.

  "But I just simply can't be!"

  "Give it up, you are a ghost haunting this book."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Everything is going so fast and I can't seem to follow anything at all.

  We get sent to an upstairs room, I believe it's a room for Don to stay in.

  Since the church counsel probably still doesn't know what to do with us.

  As the church people finally leave us alone, I'm still looking down: "So... will you get rid of me now?"

  They probably should. Won't they?

  To my surprise Don shakes their head: "You might not be imaginary, but I still see you as a friend. We've been through a lot together already."

  Are they trying to make me feel better?

  It's not really helping, but I won't tell them.

  They keep talking to me for a while, but nothing sticks.

  I just can't forget the look on their face when they heard.

  It hurts.

  Pure hatred.

  Yet somehow shortly after also shock, possibly of their own outburst.

  And these people... if they are... they seemed not shocked about anything at all.

  Perhaps it's their age, but something about it all leaves me with a bad taste.

  It gets dark fast and Don talks to me some more before going to bed. Still nothing sticks.

  As I see them lie down and fall asleep so quickly, I finally find my rest as well.

  It's strange.

  Normally I don't dream at all.

  But tonight is different.

  In the warm embrace of a sudden sleepiness I fall asleep.

  When I open my eyes I see many colors and shapes.

  It takes me a little while to realize that I'm standing just before a make-shift town.

  A human settlement brimming with life.

  A man-made town made to stay alive during these dark times.

  How is it possible for me to dream about something like that?

  I don't remember ever seeing something like this before.

  I know for a fact that this is a dream, it's autumn after all and here sunflowers grow next to the path I'm wandering.

  I'm wandering without really feeling as if I have control over it, but somehow I'm just too tired for it.

  When did I ever get so tired?

  I'm not supposed to feel that, right?

  Because I'm imaginary.

  I've been created by Don's mind in order to protect their psych.

  Human memories should be impossible for me.

  No, that isn't right anymore...

  Because I'm... dead...

  Someone appears between the flowers and stops to look at me.

  Then they start running towards me, calling me by an inaudible name I'm unfamiliar with.

  I fall to my knees and try to clasp myself onto the other person.

  They try to keep me on my feet, but unable to hold my entire body weight end up dropping me.

  Embraced again by the darkness I feel a sudden warmth enter my body.

  It feels familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.

  But I eventually recognize it as a campfire.

  I open my eyes and am blinded by the soft orange light entering my darkness craving eyes.

  "Are you alright?" Someone asks from the shadows of the bright.

  I can't answer them and instead nod.

  "That's good."

  Flashes flicker before my eyes, like many fireworks in many different colors.

  I'm floating.

  I'm away from the fire.

  I have become unfeeling again.

  The voice from before speaks again in a clear voice throughout all the chaos.

  "You may call me your teacher."

  My eyes flicker open, this time for real.

  I had been floating just above the floor, so I sit up to look around.

  I don't feel tired anymore.

  I look around to find Don again, only feeling at peace when I see them to be deep asleep and the blankets are slowly rising up and down.

  Even though I don't need to, I take a seat somewhere close to them, but also at a spot letting me oversee everything around me.

  Can I learn about what happened to me and protect Don?

  Somehow a little voice in the very back of my mind tells me 'no', tells me that I should make a choice instead.

  Whatever happens, I know what my answer will be if there really will be a decision in the future.