ImAgInArY fRiEnD

How am I supposed to think? How am I supposed to breathe? There had to be some exit door out of this dark tube? A tassel I needed to pull?

I looked out of the tube windows, seeing the other thousands of slide-like tubes intertwining with one another.

My body tingled as tears glistened down my face and splashed onto my neck. I wanted to scream, but only a timid whisper came out. At that moment, the tunnel took an abrupt turn, thrusting my head back violently.

I hugged my arms to my body as the tube ended, and I was flung out like a cannonball. I landed in the Checking Room, the checking room of death because I had died.

I think I stepped on someone’s tail. Or was that a tentacle? This couldn’t be death, could it?

There were others here, but they were all different- as if they came from other worlds or dimensions.

As I wandered around I noticed I had a choice to make. There were three lines, Chance, Rest, and Justice.

All of the dark, evil souls were being shepherded into the Justice line. I don’t think I belonged there. Did I want to Rest or did I want to give myself a Chance? There was no time. The mass of souls behind me was pushing me forward, and I bolted to the Chance line. I wanted a chance to go back.

The line eventually led to a boat, a boat overcrowded with shivering souls waiting to depart. It was chilly, but there was also something else. I could feel an invisible weight, I could see visions.

Visions of all the things I have done wrong. I felt the weight of when I cheated on that test in fourth grade, pushed my brother down the stairs, or yelled at people. Some of the other souls were on their hands and knees, crushed from the weight.

Others were barely affected, looking mildly discomforted. The captain of the boat shouted, “all aboard to the Evaluation Room.”

The boat ride was slow yet smooth, gliding along the soundless murky water. Our only company, the pain of our actions.

The boat slowed down to a stop in front of a velvety building. The shape and color of it were ever-changing. The group of us warily entered the building and were confronted with a dull courtroom.

“First in line come up to the chair for evaluation,” the judge stated calmly. No one walked up. The judge repeated the words, and I unconsciously stepped forward. My body being controlled to walk up and forced to sit in the chair. Slowly closing their eyes, the judge whispered, “clever, kind, patient- a perfect imaginary friend. Thank you please walk out the door to complete your assignment.” 

“But ... but ... I want to live my old life, with my family, and friends, and my dog, and my bed, and chairs, and kitchen table. Please!” I pleaded. 

“You have been dismissed. You are not valuable enough to go back to the world but are not wicked enough to be punished. You will go back to another world and accompany a child as an imaginary friend,” the judge explained, peeking at the next soul in line. Their next victim. And, I was pushed through the door into an unlit room. 

 Asleep in the middle of the room was a small child. Their breathing even and shallow, until slowly it grew hitched and heavy. 

“Uh,” they woke up with a gasp. They scanned the room shakily until they spotted me.

“AAAHH,” they shrieked, snatching the covers to their chest. A disheveled figure instantly appeared in the doorframe. 

“What’s wrong,” the adult said. 

“There’s a person in my room over there,” the child said nervously. My eyes were blinded as the lights were turned on. 

“There,” the child squeaked, pointing directly at me. 

“There’s nothing there sweetie,” said the parent. The child looked utterly confused over at me. 

“I’m your imaginary friend,” I whispered a little dazed myself. 

“It talked, it talked,” the child cried out. 

“I didn’t hear anything, good night,” the parent said with a sleepy yawn. As the footsteps receded down the corridor, the child shifted back under the covers.

“So, are you really my imaginary friend,” the child said amazed. 

“Yes, goodnight,” I said, finally realizing my task.

“Good night,” said the child drowsily. I smiled, happy. 

I was only seen and heard by the child. Over the years, I gave advice, sang silly songs, and told fairytales.

My friend was my world. When they grew up, they couldn’t see me anymore, but they never forgot about me.

I walked through life with them as their imaginary friend, the most important job in the world.