A/N: I've tried my best to keep all the emotions in character here, which was an easy yet tricky thing to do. Enjoy!

Chapter 5: In Which Riley Meets her Emotions

The hand of the girl hovered over Riley for some time, trying to figure out where to pull, how to lift. Finally it felt some soft flesh, and pulled back momentarily. The body above her gasped again, leaping back suddenly as the hidden head stirred underneath the glimmering orbs, moving them and making them clink. The figure moved forwards again as if out of concern they would break, and delicately scooped them up and moved them to the other end of the small container.

Her eyes wide, she slowly peered at the head of the being inside, who was shivering and breathing heavily, each breath sounding more and more like a cry. Joy was certain this wasn't normal, it certainly wasn't a mind-worker who had lost their way from their daily duties. The mind workers! What had happened to them? Where were they now? What could they do now? She didn't have time to answer these questions however, as the body in the container was starting to rock back and forth and shiver.

Riley was lost. She knew it, she had just denied it. It had only been then that she had no idea what had happened to her parents. The only thing she could think of was the life she had left behind. She imagined her mother searching frantically for her, her father calling the police to report her missing. The new bike she loved lying in a puddle in the road beside her house, the room she slept in growing dusty, the empty food bowl that Puff relied on her to fill. Her mother's illness, the fact that any added stress would surely make her worse. All of these things fell on her at this moment, bringing her to the harsh reality: she was nowhere where she could reach them. A voice came from above her, and to her surprise, the thoughts stored themselves away.

"Hey."

It was a calm voice, like warm sunshine. It made Riley feel strangely safe-in a place which she knew she should feel anything but.

"Are you alright?" the voice asked again.

The person didn't stir. Joy bit her lip and mused lightly. She turned to the others who all stared at her blankly shrugging. She turned to Sadness who offered her a modest thumbs up, and Joy returned it. Ever since the two had spent their time outside of Headquarters, Sadness had been giving her sympathy lessons.

"Come on," Joy tried again, laughing lightly "You're not a memory! Come out of there, it can't be too comfortable!" Riley curled up tighter. Joy sighed and Joy said turned to her partners-in-mind. "What now?"

"Try asking her what her name is," Sadness suggested, "if you get her to open up to you, it might help, otherwise just back away slowly and let them cry until they can't think of breath."

"I don't think we should interfere you guys," said Disgust, "it might carry germs."

"Eek! Germs?! What?!" said Fear cowering behind Anger who grabbed his neck, making his eyeballs bulge.

"It's probably just one of the forgettors playing a prank," he stated, brushing it off, "or have you all forgotten the annoying jingles those morons like to send up here all the time?!"

"Happy place, happy place!" wheezed Fear, still in his grip.

"Oh Sure, I'll give you "happy place" smirked Anger, "RIGHT AFTER I SEND YOU TO YOUR OWN!"

"You guys!"

"What?!" muttered Anger gruffly, letting go of Fear's nose, to which he let out a painful sigh of relief.

"We've got a problem on our hands right now. Don't you see?"

"I'll say!"

"Hm-hmm!"

"A big problem."

"ARE WE GOING TO EXPLODE?!"

"Just be calm, whoever this is, lost mind worker or not, let's give them a great big Riley's head welcome! Now let me see your Welcome faces!"

Fear grinned nervously, Anger gritted his teeth, raising his brows, Disgust grimaced and Sadness pulled the corners of her mouth up.

"Close enough!" she turned to the body offering her hand, which to her surprise she took reluctantly. To Riley, it was like touching a flame that never seared skin.

"Welcome, O'stranger to our humble abode! We're glad to have ya-!" She gasped very loudly, the others did the same.

It wasn't a mind worker, or a dream worker or any bizarre creation from Imaginationland.

It was a young girl.

A young girl, with pale skin and blue eyes, sandy hair gangly limbs and star patterned clothes. If they hadn't known for themselves they hadn't met her before as a child, they would have assumed she was a ghost, or a fictitious character buried just outside their own home, dug up by workers who had sent her up to headquarters, having no idea what to do with her.

They knew. Joy knew it too.

Seeing the small creature Riley saw before her now, as tall as herself, she knew she had been right. It definitely wasn't human. It was a ghost of some kind, a spirit. She knew because her entire figure was eminating a soft light. Riley could see her form, but not much else. She wore a yellow dress, patterned with stars like her own. She had human skin, but her features were delicate, almost elf-like. She had stars for eyes, and a tuft of blue pixie hair topped her head. The head was much bigger than Riley's, a small round boulder. She was far from afraid of her however, as she stepped slowly towards her. She noticed as she got closer, that her feet were bare, much like her own. This girl was so much like her, the same weight, eye color, skin, attire, minus the hair.

She flinched slightly as the apparition touched her face, traced her freckles and moved away a strand of stray hair. She blinked once or twice, never letting her gaze leave the girl's face. Then she stepped back, joining the other figures in the low light.

"Riley?"

The girl instantly looked up, her eyes full of hope, and apprehension. "How do you know my name?" she whispered.

"Riley? It is you!"

She jumped back so the girl could see her fully, her blue eyes beaming, thin limbs behind her back, blue hair alight.

"It is you," she said again cautiously, "isn't it?"

Before she knew it, Riley responded in a slight nod.

The spirit suddenly went haywire, her dress billowing in a tail of light as she pirroueted gleefully around the room, "Oooooohh! I knewitIkewitIkewitIknewit! I just knew it! I thought I recognised you from the bedroom mirror, but I wasn't so sure, but now I AM! HA HA! She turned round in the darkness, "You guys! It's Riley! It's Riley! It's really her! It's okay you can come out!"

Seeing the confusion spread in the girl's face, she hurriedly stepped into it, "Oh, uh-Fear! Can we get the lights working please?"

A short whimper came from the shadows, "S-Sure!"

A small scuttling of feet was heard, as the sound of levers, yelps, bangs and crashes came from a corner. Joy came back out, "Miss me?"

The girl stared back in amazement, and Joy beamed, trying to ignore the loud awkward noises coming from the back.

"It'll just take a second!" she said laughing nervously. The noises continued. "Aaaannnny second now!"

Suddenly, there was a ringing sound, and a cry of "Oh! It's good. We're good!" The lights came on instantly, immediately brightening up the room a great deal. Riley blinked at the sudden brightness, but no longer felt as frightened as she had before.

She saw the spirit, less brighter now, but still clearer, standing on her toes and measuring her. "Hmmmm, you're a lot smaller than I pictured you being! And a whole lot cuter, ooh! Just look at those cheeks, you're so little! I'm just kidding, but Wow! And oh, you're wearing your star pajamas! I always loved those!"

Riley's eyes wandered to the others who stood there, mouths hanging open. "Ohh! Goodness! Where are my manners? Ahem! Riley, I'm Joy, and this is Sadness, Anger, Disgust-"

Riley stared at them, she knew it was impolite to do so but she couldn't help it. They all looked so strange. Whereas the star girl had looked elfin, these almost alien in comparison.

The one named Sadness was also a girl, not a young one, possibly a good deal older than her, but still very small. She was round and tubby, with short strands of blue hair and cerulean skin, wearing a light grey turtleneck sweater and round indigo glasses, that looked far too big for her. She had bright blue eyes, but they were far less brighter than her upbeat friend. She stared at Riley, eyes wide, mouth open in wonder. Riley could see a pair of tiny buck teeth, reminding her fondly of a toy rabbit she had once kept.

The second, Anger was a very stout looking short red man, with a square shapes head, amber eyes and large shoes, wearing a a cream shirt and tie with brown pants. He stared at her, speechless his own large choppers slightly visible. She saw a strong resemblance to her father which sent a pang of longing in her once again.

The third, Disgust was a girl, possibly older than both Joy and Sadness

together, with olive skin, a mane of shiny green hair and emerald eyes. She wore a jade dress with a lime miniskirt and patterning. She wore a dumbfounded look, her green hand up to her pink lipped mouth in shock. Riley thought she looked like one of the fashionable dolls she and Meh used to dress when they were both eight.

"aand, where's Fear?"

"Right here!" came a voice, edgy, yet chirpy. As he entered from the corner, Riley could see that he wasn't a twig at all. He looked more like a raw nerve, his skin mauve and fuzzy, large dark eyes with enormous eyebrows and what appeared to be antennae growing from his head. He was dressed smartly, in a checked sweater of black and purple with grey pants. Riley couldn't help but hide a giggle.

"What is it ya need Joy-Ohoyyyhoyeeoyeeoy!" he faltered as he noticed Riley.

"H-Hii!" she managed.

Fear dropped the coffee mug he was holding, pulled his lids down and screamed, causing everyone to cover their ears.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" he blurted, frantically heading over a filing cabinet and fumbling with a key, "PleaseohPleaseohpleaseohpleasee-JOOOOY?! DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FOR A SITUATION CODE: CMBD?!"

"Uhh...I'm not sure what that is?" Joy called back.

"A Code: Complete Mental Breakdown Disorder!" said Fear wringing his purple limbs. "We've finally snapped! It's the end! The end I'm telling you!"

Joy laughed and rolled her eyes. "And, well, you've met Fear. He's uh, he's pretty sprightly!"

"I'M FREAKING OUT! SOMEBODY GET ME A BAG!"

"Ugh! He's hyperventilating again!" groaned Disgust.

"I'm on it," sighed Sadness waddling off to fetch Fear's "relax bag."

"And We're Your Emotions!" said Joy throwing her arms out enthusiastically, yet still unceremoniously, as Riley did nothing but offer her a blank stare in return.

"Excuse me," said Anger, forcing a smile, "I'm the little voice in the backseat, here. You may not remember me but CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON?!"

"Ssh! Relax Anger! I don't know, just yet, but I'm working on it! Where did I put those manuals...?"

"We don't need a manual! We need a God-forsaken Map to the New World!" exclaimed Anger, "Even that'd be easier to find an answer in than one of your measly manuals!"

Joy exhaled sharply! "I told you! I'm working on it! You need to calm down Mister!"

Riley stepped back in surprise as embers began to form on the top of Anger's flat square head. He growled, as the heat turned the air hazy.

"I'm on that too," Sadness sighed again, jumping down from the ramp after giving Fear his bag and went to go and find Anger's watering can.

Joy meanwhile flicked through a shelf full of neatly pressed documents and white labeled folders, searching for the oldest one she had seen so many times. "Where is it, where is it...I knew I left it around here somewhere..." she turned to Riley who had been waiting patiently all the time taking in her surroundings. "Why don't you take a seat Riley, I'll be with you in a moment!" Riley nodded, still unaware she was doing so, yet walking slowly down the steps to a large purple plush couch with pink cushions. She sat down, still trying to take in everything that had happened. Trying to figure out why she was here...

"Want one?" a slim green wrist offered her a bowl of chocolates she had been guzzling. She stared at them uncertain. She knew they couldn't be real, this was just a dream after all. The bowl shook as the arm holding it became restless. "Come on, I haven't got all day! It's chocolate, not poison!" Hesitantly, Riley took one wrapped in rose foil, opened it and popped in her mouth. It had raspberry caramel inside, one of her favourites. She savoured the sweet taste as her sofa companion continued to suck the honeycomb out of the others, taking great pleasure in doing so.

"Let's see what's on," she said her mouth full. She snapped a white remote from under the cushions and flicked it. The screen lit up into bubbling static. Disgust tried some more, ferociously stabbing the buttons with her nail. "Joy! The screen's still out!"

"Go check with Fear! He's Mr-Fix it!" Joy called from the shelf.

"Can't you see I'm busy panicking here?!"

"Anger?"

"Don't look at me, I only get things to work by hitting them-and could you tell Eeoyre here to stop pouring water on me?!"

"S-sorry!" said Sadness lowering the trickling gardening tool. "But, Joy says you have to calm down."

"I don't give a-"

"Easy Anger!" said Joy, "Ah-ha! Here it is! If it had been Anger it would have flamed me!"

Anger couldn't help but chuckle at this comment, he turned Sadness, taking the watering can"Uh, I'll keep this for now thanks."

"Oh, what so you can sprinkle your little head if things get too much?" smirked Disgust.

"Watch it Sister!"

"Ooh, temper Temper! You'll never get anywhere with that attitude!"

"Why I outta-"

"Guys! Ssh! I said I have the book!"

Joy managed to drag Fear out of his corner and bring him to the couch. "Alright, everyone! I've found it, gather round! You too Sadness, Riley sit down. Now, where was it-?"

"Page 352?" Sadness spoke up.

"Uh-yeah. How did you-?"

"I've read that book so many times. It's the reason it's falling apart."

Joy held the book upside down as 20 pages or so spilled out onto the floor.

"Right. 352. Here it is!" She cleared her throat and read aloud:

"The brain epicentre is where most of the emotional activity occurs, as well as processing information, see (cerebral cortex) but it is not equal to that of the memory storage, (see Hippocampus)"

"ARRGH! Just skip to the important part!" snapped Anger.

She skipped a few paragraphs. "However, the effects on orbs in memory dump which cause dullness, a hard surface, cracking and eventual fading can occur in other memories in the epicentre as well. This can happen through amnesia, loss with reality, hypnosis or even-"

She stopped talking suddenly backing up against the wall of shelves and knocking the folders askew.

"Doesn't what?" Anger said.

"Joy?" said Sadness, "what's wrong?"

Riley watched as Joy studied the book carefully. "No, no that can't be right!" "What is it? Is it bad?" said Fear biting his nails.

Joy's eyes scanned the paper erratically. "You guys...Riley's in a coma."

"WHAT?!" all four shouted.

"A coma?!" whimpered Fear, "are you sure?"

"That's what it says here," said Joy pointing at the book.

"Oh, that's horrible!" said Disgust.

"Is she going to wake up?" Sadness asked, though she already knew the answer."

Before Joy could answer, Anger piped up, "Uhh, guys?" He gestured to Riley who had taken to the container lifting out the orbs. "Who's going to tell her?" Riley swiped her finger across the smooth surface and blinked in surprise as it rewound itself.

"Is she allowed to do that?" inquired Sadness cocking her head.

"Sure she can," said Joy, "they're her memories. I'll tell her."

Riley rewound the orbs again and again. It was a yellow one, a happy one. She was completely transfixed. She could see her, her mother, her father all out on the icy lake in Minnesota together. She couldn't have been any older than two or three. She was tumbling about, before shooting a puck through a goal, to which both parents scooped her in their arms and congratulated her. She stiffened but did not take her eye off the ball for a moment as she noticed Joy stand beside her.

"It's pretty, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"I remember that day, you were just a year old. Mom and Dad took you to the local park, near the woods and you played on the swings, climbed up the ropes, slid down the fireman's pole and tried out the monkey bars. Then you went skating and Mom and Dad took you for Ice Cream even though it was the middle of January."

Riley looked up at the spirit she no longer feared. "How do you know all this?"

"I told you!" Joy shrugged, "I'm am emotion. It's what I do. I've kept every happy memory. Look, here's when you and Dad went to the Carnival for the first time, Oh! You looked so pretty in your little ponytail, and dress. And look, look! Here's the team cheering you on after the Prairie Dogs lost! You cheered up so much, you forgot about quitting."

She handed Riley the orbs. "But so far, this one's my favourite," She took out what looked to be a new orb, a shinier orb, much brighter than the rest.

"Your first bike," she smiled handing it to Riley who replayed it over and over again, smiling. Joy's own smile faded after she remembered what she was supposed to do. She combed a stray piece of blue hair behind her ears.

"Look, Riley, I know this is confusing for you. Trust me it is for us too, but there's something we need to explain to you."

Riley put the orbs back into the container to show she was listening.

"This. Place is-well, it isn't exactly how you think it is, or what you think it is, and you're probably wondering why you're here or how you got here, and well. Lemme start again! Sometimes, what seems to be real is fake and what seems to be not real is fake-BAH No that's not right either!"

"We're in your mind." said a morbid voice from her side. Riley looked to see Sadness staring up at her, expression down, but eyes twinkling slightly. She wiped her nose on her sleeve and continued to stare at her.

"My-M-mind?" Riley said at last.

"Yep! Welcome Kiddo!" said Anger warmly for once.

"It's great to have you!" said Disgust, equally unusually friendly.

"Yeah," agreed Fear, "considering I had a good session of freaking out and wetting myself over there and flying through every worst possible outcome for this, I'd say I'm pleased to meet you too."

Riley showed no sign of panic, although she did back away slightly.

"We're the little people who live in your head."

"Sadness! Don't freak her out!" Joy turned to Riley, "look, what we're trying to say is, We all love you Riley and we are just so glad to finally meet you! After all these years!"

Riley's eyes darted from one emotion to the other. "You've -been expecting me?"

"Of course-Well, no not exactly!" said Joy, "but listen. As much as I carry most of the good vibes around here,I'm sad to say that I have some bad news for you this time."

Riley waited. Joy reached out and put a hand on Riley's shoulder. "Riley..." she closed her eyes, deciding to get it over with- "Riley, you're in a Coma, and your brain is in shutdown right now because you had a bike accident, and we weren't careful enough-" She opened her eyes to see she was holding thin air. "Huh?"

She and the other emotions turned to see a frantic Riley attempting to break the glass that looked out onto her personality islands.

"Uh-oh!"

Riley kicked and punched, hurting her fist.

"Well, we're doomed." sighed Anger, "looks like I'm not the only one in need of calming down."

Watching the girl kick the glass and fail each time made each emotion wince as she threw out curse word after curse word.

"I'll get the watering can," said Sadness.