When I was a kid, I had imaginary friends like every other kid. Except my friends werent like the others.

When I was a kid we moved around a lot. My dad had difficulties finding a job that paid well enough to afford a house big enough for us to live in, so we usually had to live in apartments. The first and only time I met the kids across the road from me, I was 10 years old. We had just moved into a new apartment and my mom and dad were busy with papers and unpacking. I was an adventurous kid so I wandered around the apartment complex. I didn’t see anyone else my age for the first few hours but once it got dark I saw two kids sitting on the stoop of the building opposite ours. One was slightly older than me, he couldn’t have been older than 13. The other one was about my age. They were sitting on the steps doing God knows what. <br><br>They noticed my staring at them and waved at me. I waved politely back and ran inside to tell my parents that kids my age lived there too. By the time I came outside again they had crossed the road and were walking up the path to our building. The little one was fidgeting a little bit, probably scared. The other kid had a serious face on and was just staring at the ground. <br><br>I went up to them, they didn’t say anything. I asked them how they were doing, they shrugged. I thought they were probably shy so I decided to break the ice with a nice gesture. I invited them inside so we could share some food. My parents always made a little bit extra just in case guests came over. The little one raised an eyebrow and a small smile but the other kid looked like he’d just been punched in the face. It wouldn’t be the first time I saw that expression. <br><br>“His name is Tim, mine is Tom. Nice to meet you.” The older one said. He still looked a bit in shock. <br><br>“I’m Sarah, nice to meet you too. Come on in.” I said, trying to hide my confusion. <br><br>We walked inside and my mom greeted us. I told her that these were the kids from across the road. She smiled and asked me to get them some food. I went into the fridge and got out some leftovers and gave them each a bowl. They ate in silence. <br><br>Once we’d finished I asked if they wanted to play a game and they agreed. We played Monopoly and some other games for the rest of the night. At around 10 Tim said it was time for them to get back home. <br><br>“I had a great time.” I said as I walked them to the door. <br><br>“Yeah, same here.” Tim added. Tom still had that face on him. <br><br>My mom called out from the living room. “Sarah, don’t forget to turn off the lights.” <br><br>We went inside and turned off the lights. My parents were in their room at this point. I closed the door to the living room and the kitchen/dining room. I had just turned off the lights in the hallway when I heard the noise. A faint whisper in my ear, “I like your hair, it’s very pretty.”<br><br> I turned around to see who had said it but the hall was empty. <br><br>“Who said that?” <br><br>“That was me. What’s wrong with my voice?” Tim asked. <br><br>“No nothing. I just didn’t hear you.” <br><br>“Yeah, you did, because you answered.” Tom said. <br><br>“I know but-” <br><br>“Then what’s the problem?” <br><br>“I just thought I was talking to myself.” <br><br>“Well you weren’t.” <br><br>“Okay then.” <br><br>“Okay then what?” Tim asked. <br><br>“Nothing.” <br><br>“Then why did you say that?” <br><br>“Then why did I say what?” <br><br>“What do you mean what? You said okay then. But okay what then?” Tom asked. <br><br>“I said okay then and you asked me what and I said what. I don’t get what you mean.” I said. <br><br>“Do you not get it Sarah? Why did you say okay then?” <br><br>“I don’t know. I was just agreeing.” <br><br>“Okay then what?” <br><br>“Tim, stop. You’re scaring the poor girl.” <br><br>“I’m not poor! I’m not scared either!” <br><br>“Well then stop arguing.” <br><br>“I’m not arguing either.” <br><br>“Then why are you shouting?” <br><br>“I’M NOT SHOUTING!” <br><br>“SARAH, STOP SHOUTING!” <br><br>I had just about had enough by this point so I slammed the front door open and ran down the stairs. As I reached the bottom I slipped on the last step and landed on my face. Tim and Tom ran after me. <br><br>“Sarah? Oh my God, are you okay?” <br><br>“I think she broke her face.” <br><br>I stood up and wiped some blood that was trickling down from my nose. <br><br>“Are you okay?” Tim asked. <br><br>“Yeah no, I’m not okay. You two won’t leave me alone. I don’t even know why I let you into my house in the first place.” I shouted at them. <br><br>“Let us into your house? You invited us in. We’re your friends aren’t we Sarah?” <br><br>“How did this even happen? I was at the steps and saw you two and thought ‘hey, maybe those kids are friendly, why don’t I just invite them over?’ And then you guys come here and play games and eat my food and then you follow me around the house and argue with me and then I slip down the stairs and almost break my neck. What’s wrong with you people?” I shouted at them. <br><br>“I don’t know dear.” A voice said. <br><br>I turned and saw a woman standing in the doorway of the apartment next to the stairs. <br><br>“Hi.” I said. <br><br>“Hi dear. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I am the lady who lives here.” <br><br>“Nice to meet you, my name is Sarah.” <br><br>“Nice to meet you too Sarah. These two aren’t your friends are they?”<br><br>“No, I don’t even know them. I met them today but they came inside and then started following me around. They wouldn’t leave me alone and they kept arguing. They scared me so I ran and then I fell. I don’t know what to do. Please help me.” <br><br>“Don’t worry, it’s fine.” She said. <br><br>“They’re scaring me and you’re acting like it’s nothing. They’re creepy and they keep following me around and arguing. What should I do?” <br><br>“I’ll let you inside if you want.” The lady said. <br><br>“Yeah please. I don’t want to be out here right now.” <br><br>She smiled and waved me inside. I walked in. <br><br>“You can sleep on the couch if you want. It’s around 1 o’clock, you can just go to sleep and then go back to your parents in the morning if you want.” <br><br>“I would like that very much, thank you.” I said. <br><br>“Do you want something to eat? There’s some food left over from dinner.” She asked. <br><br>“Yes please.” I said. <br><br>She gave me a bowl of soup and sat next to me. <br><br>“My name is Mrs Sheila Jenkins, but you may call me Sheila if you’d like.” <br><br>“Nice to meet you Sheila, my name is Sarah.” <br><br>“Nice to meet you too Sarah. I must warn you, it’s not safe outside at this time. There’s not many people living here and there’s only one street light. The park nearby is closed after dark too. If you’re out after dark it’s best to stick inside.” <br><br>“Okay, I’ll be careful.” I said. <br><br>She smiled and turned on the telly. We watched for a while until I fell asleep. I didn’t see Tim and Tom again that night, but I knew that I would tomorrow. The next morning I woke up around 7 am and got out of bed. I took the bowl from last night and washed it and put it back in Sheila’s cabinet. <br><br>Sheila was still sleeping so I took her keys and locked the door when I stepped outside. <br><br>The street was empty of course, it was 7:30 when I got back to my apartment. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. My mom woke up a little bit after that and we had breakfast and then she went to work.