Snippets

Short Story-Forgotten Promises

The two boys sped past Billie, breathlessly giggling. Billie's frown deepened as he caught the mischievous twinkle in Edwin's eyes; the same twinkle that once only emerged when the two would get up to all kinds of trouble together. Now though, it seemed as if Timothy was the saviour. Billie had become the ragdoll; the aged, meaningless, attic worthy ragdoll.

Billie's heart hit the floor as Timothy celebrated his victory, while Edwin gaped at the dancing fool with a look that voiced his admiration. He promised me we'd be best friends 'til the end of time Billie reminisced. His watery eyes followed the excitedly conversing boys as they continued marching through the drenched greenery.

Resisting the stubborn tears, Billie numbly dragged himself towards the decaying swing set. He unconsciously settled on the left swing; the right one was always Edwin's. Billie indulged in reminisce, shuffling through the best and worst memories of his best friend and himself; the very best friend that had shunned him.

Abruptly, Billie clutched his hand as an agonising irritation washed throughout the entirety of his right arm. He cautiously inspected the affected area, terrified of what he would perceive. Billie's face contorted into one of complete and utter horror. His hand had paled immensely; and when he squinted, he could see the limb turn ever so slightly translucent. Billie lunged to his feet, as if the rubber swing seat had suddenly caught fire.

It was all too much for Billie's mental stability. He couldn't handle the pain of both the burning sensation in his arm and losing Edwin. He bolted towards the flooded lake nearby, desperate to find a remedy for the smouldering pain.

Billie thrashed his entire arm in the water without a care in the world. The sensation cooled almost immediately, only to return ten times more vigorous. This time, Billie's arm turned crystal clear as a cry of pain that could be heard for miles escaped his lips. The pain overpowered all of Billie's senses, in turn making him reach forward to grasp his arm.

A slight slip of the foot was all it took for Billie to plummet into the murky lake, drenching his whole body in the filth that floated in the unkempt rainwater. He took short, sharp breaths, struggling to remove the water that filled up in his lungs, all the while keeping his head above the rough waters. Billie's arms and legs flailed wildly in an attempt to stay afloat. He was desperate; desperate to stay alive, desperate to earn a second chance, desperate to show Edwin that he could be more than just a figure of his imagination.

'I want to be more than just a forgotten imaginary friend.' Billie whispered with his remaining breath.