Imaginary Fiends

Everyone has heard of imaginary friends, those make believe people or things that hang around when no one else is around. The figments of our imaginations that keep us company when we are feeling lonely. Some experts will claim that they are normal and an expected part of childhood. Others will say it’s a sign of a troubled child and should be addressed. Me, well I’m not here to debate that question I’m simply here to talk about the topic.

I have read stories about people’s make-believe buddies and some describe them as human and just like you and me. Others describe their invisible pal as a certain favorite animal. I have even read a few that were other worldly creatures that don’t exist in nature. My imaginary friend, if you can call him that, was a silhouette of a young man. No face, no voice, just a black humanoid form. I would never talk to him, in fact I never spoke a word to him or so much as gave him a name. He would come along on every road trip, but my parents were never the wiser. His speedy fast legs allowed him to run along with the car. He would run and run hoping over trees and buildings, narrowly missing vehicles and birds. Every second of the drive was a high speed, adrenaline-induced race that always ended in victory. He was an endless source of entertainment fueled by my imagination. Even as an adult, from time to time, I see him bouncing along with me. Forever young, forever close, my imaginary friend. I really ought to give the little guy a name after all the years. George, yep, I will call him George.

Did you have an imaginary friend? If so, what did they look like? Did they talk? Can you still see them? If not, do you find it strange that people do have invisible companions?