I have a similar thing except it's just Alternates that are "dysfunctional". As in, what if a child who's making an imaginary friend is actually successful in making this "imaginary friend" their closest "honest to God" friend where it just eradicates all ill or malicious intent that an Alternate usually has. Stanley did say "You just have to think really hard!".

But sadly, these Alternates could be targeted by Gabriel and could either be "killed" or just hidden off somewhere since they're technically mistakes.