Torment

Chapter Four

The following day I had decided to spend some more time with my new friend, Katy, despite yesterday's events. We had some tea and she continued to talk about her bears and how they discard their manners too quickly and oftenly. Winona would pass by the room every now and then to check in on Katy, and all she got was a 6 year old talking to her imaginary friend; me.

I never spoke a word to Katy in all our time spent together that day.

It was later on in the day that Matt finally came home. He shouted out a 'hey' to Winona and hid himself in his room again. I followed.

I loved watching Matt and being around him when he didn't know I was there. Something about this sad, depressed teenager reminded me about myself. Everytime I looked down on him seated at his desk sketching away, my mind ran wild and it was as if I was brought back to life and I could physically feel again. Something about Matt reminded me of why I lived as long as I did and didn't try to escape sooner.

His eye was healing, it was barely even showing now, he must've found a way to cover it up with some of his mom's old cosmetics hidden in some of the still-packed boxes.

He drew a tree this time. It spiraled out of control, liquid black and danced around every corner of the page. Beautiful. He didn't crumble it up, he filed it, something new.

Suddenly his door opened. "Hey Matt." Winona entered, "Oh, um, hey." He said, pushing his file under the desk. "So, I noticed you don't spend time with your sister anymore." She continued, approaching him at the desk. I distanced myself. "What do you mean?" He asked, "I mean, you and Katy, you two used to play all the time-" "I was 15 mom, I'm 17 years old." He quickly debated. "Well I get that, I just don't want it to be that way. I don't want you to outgrow your sister. She misses spending time with her cool, older brother." Winona said, with plea in her eyes. "So, I would love it if you could spend some time with her." She continued. "Are you serious?!" Matt revolted, "Matt, your sister has an imaginary friend!" Winona yelled. "Everybody her age had one!" He yelled back, "You didn't!" She continued.

Silence.

Matt let out a sigh before finally giving in, "fine." He lowered. "Thank you kiddo." Winona hugged him and left the room. Shortly after, Matt made his way over to Katy's room. My body quivered. Hilarious…I followed behind him. I decided to hide in the walls of her room, that way she wouldn't see me and wouldn't mention me… Hopefully.

"Hey Katy… " He said, tiredly entering her room. "Matt!" She cheered, running over to him and bringing him into a tight bear hug. It was adorably annoying. "Woahhh, woah." He snorted, trying to drag her off him. "What are you doing over here?" He managed to say as she made her way over to the tea table. "Having a tea party." Katy smiled, a teapot in hand. "Would you like to join us? I've saved a seat for you." Katy pleaded, pointing towards a plastic chair. "Um, sure, why not?" "Everybody say hello to Sir Matt of the fantasy world." Katy managed to blurt out. Her vocabulary amazed me sometimes. "It is an honor to be here today, Princess Katy of the fantasy world." Matt giggled.

The two sat side by side, empty tea cups in each hand. Winona passed the room and smiled in relief. I was relieved too, I wasn't the topic of the discussion at the tea party.

"So, mom tells me you made a new friend?" Matt says right on par. No… "Uh-ha." Katy nodded, her focus aloof. "And… Are you going to tell me about them?" He added, the persistence was clawing into my last nerve. "Well," Katy began, "her name is Bell. She didn't have a name, so I gave her one." Katy said, not meeting Matt's eyes. "Bell. And what's she like?" Matt continued. "She doesn't talk. She always has tea with me and she's like you." Katy added. "Like me?" He raised an eyebrow. "She looks like she is your age." Katy continued. "My age, ha?" He added. "Is she here now?" He asked, his eyes scanning the room. "Nope. She's hiding." Katy responded. Shut up, Katy! "Hiding, how come?" He asked, "Well, she's afraid." Katy said, "Afraid? Afraid of what?" He continued, setting down his cup. "She's afraid you might be scared of her, or, you might not like her." Katy stole the words right out of my soul. "Mmm. Well, could you please tell Bell she has nothing to be afraid of. And I'd love to meet her someday." Matt patted Katy on the shoulder. Katy instantly stood up and began, "Bellll! You can come out now, Matt says he's not afraid of you!" She yelled.

He did say so, with his own mouth, in his own words. I was tempted. I came out of hiding, and I stood before Katy, proud and nervous. "See, Matt?" Katy smiled back at him, "this is Bell." She added, gesturing at me. "Well," he got up and made his way over to me. "It's lovely to meet you, Bell." He smiled. I was amazed, confused, and flabbergasted. He's not afraid of me? No. He couldn't see me. His eyes were not staring at me, they were elsewhere in the room fixed on nothingness, like he must've thought I was… nothingness.

"Matt, Bell's over here." Katy pointed right at me. "Oh, right. I couldn't stare her directly in the face, staring is rude, remember?" He lied. Katy smiled as he finally turned to me. "It's wonderful to meet you, Bell." He stared into my eyes unknowingly. He couldn't see me, but I could see him and just for that moment, the moment when our iris's aligned and our souls connected, I felt real. I felt free. I felt alive.

Katy giggled. She noticed I was completely frozen to the spot, and could probably sense how awkwardly nervous I was. "What?" Matt asked, "I think she likes you." Katy smiled, "Good. Because I think I like her too." He smiled back at Katy.

That night I was in my room; the walls. My mind was adrift and my hands too nervous to touch the artwork on my walls. They were Matt's, they were beautiful. Everything Matt created was beautiful.

What is this feeling I feel whenever I'm around Matt? Why does it feel like he's the only one who truly knows me, or could ever truly understand me even though we've never met. And why do I get so nervous around him now…

I was in trouble and I was soon to realise it.