I’m lying on the slimy tunnel ground of this strange dream, the jetpack still on my back. My shoulder is in unbelievable pain. I can see there’s blood coming out of it from the corner of my eye. And Joy’s been taken! 

I’m just a dream, I tell myself. It’s okay if I die! 

I look behind me. I see only Charlie and Master Mind. “Where are they?” I say.

“They were shot!” Charlie says. “They disappeared! You’re bleeding! I have to save Joy! You’re bleeding!” 

My mind recalls the moment the Dreamer grabbed Joy. She made the Dreamer’s gun permanent, but she didn’t love it! How did that happen? But that thought is unimportant. 

“I must save the Little Pirate!” Master Mind runs forward. 

“I want to save her!” Charlie says. “I’m a Dreamer.” 

Master Mind turns to Charlie and says, “Young Dreamer, I measure the time of your dreams. You will wake up any minute. The Pirate has woken up and will probably not sleep again today. I do not know what country the Athletic One is in today, but she has been with us for the entire dream. She will probably not return. One of us must save the Pirate Father’s life.” 

“I can save her!” 

“You probably can, but you only have a few moments. I will succeed in my mission or die trying.” 

And with that, Master Mind leaps off the edge of the tunnel and activates his jetpack. 

Charlie looks at him, then at me. He thinks for a second, then sits on his knees in front of me. “You’re bleeding a lot, Joy’s Grandpa.” 

He takes off his T-shirt. “Tell me what to do.” 

I tell him how to tie it around my wound. He ties it tightly.

“Is this good?” 

I nod. “Thank you.” I am in pain and beginning to get woozy from the loss of blood. 

He nods back. “I think I’ll go help her now.” 

“Go,” I say.

He stands up, walks towards the edge of the tunnel and vanishes. His jetpack falls, remaining behind after he wakes up. All our jetpacks are made permanent by Joy. When he disappears, so does his shirt, my tourniquet. 

I’m bleeding again. 

I’m just a dream, I tell myself. It’s okay if I die! 

(To be continued…) 

—Told by Grampa Walt