#14 Pure Imagination

Pure Imagination

The small bedroom quickly went from pitch black to a blinding light as the phone on nightstand started to ring. James let out a small hiss of anger as he sprung to his feet and in one long stride he reached the phone, having to restrain himself from throwing the expensive rectangle out the window. He tapped the decline button and sat on the edge of the queen sized bed, careful to not disturb the figure who slept soundly in it. With a sigh he put his head in his palms and mumbled, “Gosh Susan, I thought I taught you that you deserved better than that scum bag.” He was, of course, referring to the caller. What kind of idiot calls his girlfriend at four in the morning, especially when she's got a huge exam in a few hours, he mentally scolded, though he could have shouted the words from the rooftops and Susan would still not listen. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but more like she couldn't even if she tried. No, she was too old now to understand, too old to comprehend James’ existence anymore, too old to remember the dear friend she had created at the age of five to help her cope with all of the changes that were affecting her life.

James knew it would happen ever since he was given to her; after all, the life of an imaginary friend was never meant to be an easy one, he just wished those years wouldn't have gone by so fast. He remembered them all clear as day, helping her ride her bike, making macaroni art, and even playing pirates vs ninjas with her, but they were all just memories. He sighed as he looked to the sleeping girl. “Susan, do you remember Jimmy, the little boy who beat you up?” He laughed a little, “Do you remember how the next day I helped you get even with him and he didn't dare be in the same room as you for a whole year? … No, no of course you don't, but I do…”

He went back to looking at the floor. Why are you even sticking around anymore? He asked himself, You're not meant to stay forever. You've done your job, just move on! He cringed slightly at his own thoughts for they spoke a harsh truth. Heck, Susan was even scared of him at this point. She could see him out of the corner of her eye and in reflections from time to time. He had laughed when her friends tried to convince her that she had a ghost in her home, but sadness had overtaken when he realized she probably thought this the truth over the actual fact of the matter.

James shook himself slightly, trying to pull himself from the past, which was the only place he seemed to find comfort in now a days. He knew it would be hard; after all, most imaginary friends move on through dying, to save a child from one little mistake, like a ball going in the road or climbing a tree, but unfortunately for James, this never happened. He sighed and forced himself to his feet. This little internal debate of his had been at the forefront of his mind for years, but tonight his decision was finally clear. He took off a small necklace and held it fondly as glitter fell off of the little pieces of pasta. He allowed himself to be swallowed up by one last memory, but it didn't hurt this time. He smiled and placed the macaroni necklace on Susan’s nightstand, he couldn't take it where he was going, but she could…

And with that, years of joy and loneliness alike were almost ended as James climbed to the roof of the three story home. He decided to look at the stars as he did it to reassure himself. No matter where he went those would always stay the same. “Heh, maybe the view ‘ll be better there,” he chuckled before taking a step. He still stared at the stars as his body seemed to move in slow motion through the air. “I'm so happy I've had you James,” Susan's small, younger voice peeped up from the back of his head, “Thank you, I'll miss you.” And with a sickening crunch as his body hit the ground he whispered out, “And I you.”

James sat up in a daze. Nothing on him hurt, it wasn't meant to for his kind. Death was just a gateway to new opportunity. He cautiously stood up, taking in the wooded forest that now engulfed him. He smiled at the sounds of birds singing and water trickling from a nearby stream, but another sound soon caught his attention. He followed the soft muffled sounds of sobs until he reached a small crying boy who was far too young to be out in the woods alone. James knelt down beside him and smiled reassuringly. “Hello there,” he said quietly as to not scare the boy, “My name is James, what's yours?”