So much for thinking he would have replaced that clock.

It had been some time since I sat across from Dr. Elbrook. Perhaps long overdue, given the amount of work that has gone into ensuring the others were comfortable with their new lives. "So," Dr. Elbrook began, opening up his notebook, pen at the ready, "Tell me about Daniel, Devin and...are we really referring to him as Wide Dio?"

"If you prefer Wade Dio," I replied, "That will also suffice. It is his cover for the time being, anyway."

"Very well," Elbrook accepted, jotting a few notes down. "Fill me in on what has been going on with Daniel, Devin and Wade."

I took a deep breath and went into the nitty-gritty details about each person. Daniel's acceptance of his new reality and attempting to find his place in it, along with accepting who the rest of us are to him. Wide Dio's fixation to eat as it feels comfortable to him, and finally leveling with him about how his habits are unhealthy. The most recent developments with Devin, seemingly knowing more than he leads you to believe, yet somehow keeping a happy-go-lucky outlook on the fact that he was basically willed into existence. As I spoke, Elbrook dictated as much as he could, asking unimportant clarifications to help build a profile for each clone. It was something that Elbrook and I had discussed over the phone, in order to track their own mental progress. Who knew if there would be any additional dangers hidden within the wish I had made.

"...And he finished by asking about the laughter," I finally finished, recounting the morning's conversation.

"The laughter?" Elbrook asked. "Seems oddly vague...yet he made it seem like a specific phenomenon."

"I thought so too," I admitted. "At first, I thought he was simply hearing voices. A side effect of the wish. But I kept thinking back to the days since they came into being...and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the laughter has been there. Quiet and subtle, but still present. And not just laughter either; sometimes it would be an 'ooo' or the sound of distant applause. It would only be noticeable if you were really listening for it. Otherwise it was as if...it was seamlessly blending in with the ambient sounds around us."

Elbrook let out a long "hmmmmm" as he wrote in his notebook. "And are the others experiencing the same phenomena?"

I shook my head. "I haven't thought to ask. I didn't even think it was happening to the others until Devin mentioned the laughter. And since they're a part of me, I am guessing they can also hear this laughter."

"I see," Elbrook concluded, closing his notebook. "I think I may know what this could be. Are you familiar with The Truman Show?"

"You mean the Jim Carrey film? The one where he thinks he is part of a show?"

"The very same," Elbrook confirmed. "The phenomenon you are describing is commonly referred to as 'The Truman Show Effect,' or 'Truman Syndrome.' While there is not an official 'Truman Syndrome' diagnosis, the delusion does exist within hundreds of reported cases. People feeling as though there are people watching them like they are a sideshow attraction. They truly take heart of the Shakespearean quote, 'All the world is a stage.' For them, the world is a stage, or a film set, where some outside presence is watching them for their own entertainment, and everyone in their lives are simply actors playing a role; their co-workers, their friends, even their family. Many go to extreme lengths to escape the delusion."

"Great," I said with exaggerated relief, "We're only delusional."

And that's when I caught it.

Finally.

The laughter was clear. Not even the ticking noise of the obnoxious clock could drown it out. I couldn't count how many sources of laughter there were, only that it seemed like a small chorus. 

"I assume you just heard something?" Elbrook inquired.

It seemed that my expression gave away that my mind was elsewhere in the moment. "...Yes," I slowly answered. "Only for a brief moment. It sounded like...a group of people laughing."

There it was again, this time a gasp.

I stopped trying to focus on the voices and returned my attention to Elbrook. "...Sorry. This is new for me. Now that I can hear it, I can't help but not hear it."

"That is common with any unknown aural phenomena," Elbrook informed. "The fixation on a noise unknown and new. I imagine you are trying to pinpoint where exactly this noise is coming from, yes?"

"But is this really as simple as being a delusion?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation on track.

Elbrook shrugged. "Certainly," he stated matter-of-factly. "Truman Syndrome is one such delusion that could have manifested from the wish." My expression soured. Noticing this, Elbrook's own face softened, saying "This is not necessarily bad or unhealthy for you, Dionysus. It could very easily be a byproduct of what happened in Cairo. You were unaware of any other risks when the deal was struck, and if this is the worst that is to come, then I would say keeping your sanity is a fair price to pay for the occasional extra sound effect."

I stared back at him, still frustrated but understanding of his response. Since he was unable to hear these voices, at least to my knowledge, he would only have second-hand experience with what I am going through. However, now that I have a better idea of what this is, I couldn't help but feel concerned. "Is there any way this can be reversed or cured?"

"Given that a fixation has formed from listening for these voices," Elbrook began to speak clinically, "My first recommendation would be to learn how to tune it out. Much like tinnitus, the excess noise may still be present, but with conditioning you will no longer need to worry about hearing them. Anything beyond this recommendation would require further investigation. I believe it would be best to schedule our next session two months from now. In the meantime, I would like for you to document any instance you feel the effects of Truman Syndrome. Indicate the date, time and what you hear as best you can." Seeing my concern still on my face, he walked over to the couch I was sitting on. In an act that took me by surprise, he unexpectedly put a consoling hand on my shoulder. "Most importantly, I want you to remember that you are still within your full mental faculties. You have had an once-in-a-lifetime experience that is far beyond what anyone would be able to understand. You are still you. You are still within your own mind. Do not let my speaking of this as a delusion change your own behavior. It is simply something we will work through together. The others will look to you for guidance as they realize this syndrome as well. Show strength."

I absorbed what Elbrook had told me, then slowly nodded. "I can do that, doc," I said weakly, taking in a short breath and wiping the tears forming. "Just...give me a second, okay?"

Elbrook chuckled. "Why the mighty Dionysus showing some vulnerability for a change!"

"Yeah yeah," I fired back, having felt better for speaking with him. I would have continued, but as I started to speak, the door quickly flew open. I stood up quickly, surprised and confused by what I was seeing. Standing in the doorway, dressed in a comfortable-looking sundress and sandals...

...was Elli.

"...Oh. Uhh...I didn't think-" Elli started, but stopped herself realizing the mistake she had made. "I'll just...wait outside..." she awkwardly continued, slowly closing the door.

Elbrook sighed loudly, shaking her head. "Sometimes I wonder where that girl's head is. You would think the number of times to give me a call before barging in on a session of mine...but alas," he said, annoyed by the situation.

"Wait a minute...you two know each other?!" I asked incredulously.

"Well sure I do," He replied nonchalantly. "I have a break in my morning sessions and she knows that I often forget to eat a good breakfast, so we usually grab a cup of coffee at least once a week."

"So wait, how does she know you that well?" I followed up. "Is she a patient of yours?"

"Oh no," he said. "She's my niece."

What he said took me completely by surprised...and sure enough, I heard yet another gasp...