After the excitement, and the fear, of facing the Karcon, Dan tried to settle into a normal pattern of life in Westtown, Pennsylvania. Dan and Raj had ample opportunity to talk about their adventure. One night, out of the blue, Raj apologized to Dan in an attempt to clear his conscience and ease his feelings of guilt. “Dan, I’m so sorry that I placed you in a life threatening situation. It was stupid and selfish of me, and I was clearly rusty, ill equipped, and out of my league.”
Dan looked at Raj sheepishly, as he knew Raj was right.
Raj continued, “I just want you to know, that you would never have come to any harm, I wouldn’t have allowed it, because I had a plan. You wouldn't like the plan, but I had one.” Raj stared at Dan with a serious face.
Dan shook his head, “We were very lucky that the Sheriff saved us. I don't think any plan would’ve worked.”
Raj moved closer to the boy, “Listen to me. If either of us gets killed while we are on an adventure, then the bond with the Dream Cane is broken, and we immediately return to our realm. My final plan was to submit my life to the beast. I wouldn’t have let him harm you. I would’ve made him go through me first.”
“You mean kill you?”
“Yes. I would’ve done everything to protect you, you have to know that.” Raj looked distraught.
“You did protect me, you always stood in front of me, and shielded me from the Karcon. I’m just glad the Sheriff showed up when he did. Raj, it was scary as hell, I’m not going to lie, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It’s changed my life, and I’m a better person for it. We’re shaped by our experiences you know.”
Raj smiled, knowing that Dan was quoting him. Dan continued to see Raj, but the Dream Cane remained silent for now, unwilling to give them another assignment until they were ready. Dan focused on his school and tried to fit in. The Smith brothers never bothered Dan again, and he managed to stay out of Mrs. Oakley’s office. Dan enjoyed his teacher and seemed to be getting good grades with Ms. Claridge. John Hollins Public School turned out to be a decent place, and he was happy there. Over time he grew to like it, and made some good friends. Ally Tucker was never too far away, and Ally and Dan became an item after the Smith brother’s fight. Prior to Dan’s Dream Cane adventure he had the personality and demeanor of a timid field mouse, but like a young soldier returning from the horrors of war, this experience had changed him indelibly. He was not afraid of anything - now he’d survived a Karcon. His newly acquired skills had boosted his confidence where he walked tall, spoke calmly, and conducted his affairs with an assured confidence. He respected Raj, and never judged anyone by, his or her appearance. For all of its dangers the Dream Cane had changed his life and he was finally enjoying his childhood.
Ally and Dan grew close where Dan had found a true friend at his intellectual level with shared interests. Dan knew Ally was the one and that their life together, even though they were just kids, would be like an adventure.
He hoped the Dream Cane would activate soon, when it was the right time for their next adventure. Perhaps the next time they would not be placed in so much danger, but who knows. Only the Dream Cane knows what each person needs, and it matches the adventures with the right people. Raj and Dan had not killed the beast, but that was not their destiny, they were sent to help and from that experience they had both grown.
After walking Ally home one day, Dan skipped up the stairs to his apartment, to be greeted by his Mother. She watched him go about his daily routine, until he stopped dead in his tracks, “You OK Mum?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because you’re watching everything I do.” Dan turned to face his Mother.
“Something’s different about you kiddo, I don't know if it's the new school, Ms. Claridge, Raj,” she moved closer, “or Ally,” she teased him, poking him in the ribs, “but I like it. What’s happened to you Dan? Is it the effect that a good woman has on a man, you’re a different boy, more confident and happy; yeah that’s what it is. You’re happy aren't you?”
Dan thought about it for a second, he hadn’t stopped to think about his situation but he knew how relaxed he’d been lately and how easy it felt living above the restaurant. Having faced death for the first time had changed his perspective on everything; he did appreciate the little things that occur each day a lot more. He liked his school, his newly found friends, his life, his teacher and of course his relationship with Raj. If he was brutally honest, he really liked Ally! “Yeah, I’m happy Mum, and the one thing that makes me happiest, is that fact that you’re happy too.” Ally had grown into Dan’s best friend, confidant, and biggest supporter. She’d ditched the pretentious in-crowd and was hanging around with Dan and his new friends. Ally was besotted with Dan, and loved his calm, confident ways. She was bright, witty, intelligent, organized, driven, and fun loving. Dan hadn’t realized it yet, but Ally wasn't about to let him go. She knew he was equally driven to succeed, and she’d figured out that they would be good together.
Liz loved her job at the restaurant; she was saving a bit of money for a vacation, and she’d started to date the nice customer from the restaurant. She was visibly happy, as she ruffled Dan’s hair, smiled, and turned to make his dinner.
Dan and Raj continued to grow as friends. They had many conversations reminiscing about the Village of Autumn, the Karcon, the Sheriff, Annie, the Indian Chief, the mine guys, Kaan, and the White Spirit Wolf. They talked about the different realms, and the ongoing fight between light and darkness, good and evil. They both realized that despite that danger that the adventure presented an unbreakable bond had formed. Neither would have changed the outcome for both benefited immensely. Raj felt useful and experienced being young and strong again. Dan gained the skills and confidence to transform his entire outlook on life. Neither could wait to go on another adventure but both knew it was out of their hands. Occasionally an eager Raj would instruct Dan to hold the Dream Cane with him, but they both knew it was the Dream Cane who would decide when the time was right for the two of them to embark upon their next adventure.
One night after another failed attempt to ignite the Dream Cane, Raj looked deeply into Dan’s eyes and said, “I’m an old man Dan, I hope we can do another adventure before I die. That’s my plea to the Cane, don't lose faith with me and stay tuned for our next adventure, as they say in the movies…..”
The End …
"The moment you stop believing in fanciful things, the world stops being fanciful."
- Phil Armstrong
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