My mom finally finished tying my shoes before patting me on the back, "Alright sweetie, go play, and be back by dinnertime."

Before she could finish talking, I raced my way down the stairs. Bolting through the screen door, I was welcomed by trees as tall as skyscrapers and grass as green as Green Lantern's ring. Leaping off the porch, I dashed for the open field not far from the cabin. A big smile broke across my face and my laughs began filling the air. I was now surrounded by tall grass, so tall it was taller than me. 

I continued to run deeper into the tall grass with no destination in mind. I just wanted to run free into the wild like a dinosaur stomping around the earth. Eventually, the sea of grass turned into a line of oak giants. They towered over me casting a shadow. 

Lurking in the shadows of the forest, I saw a glimpse of something as white as snow lurking next to the base of one of the trees. I never knew when I was going to see her. She would always just magically appear. I didn't even know her name, nor did I care. I was just happy to have a friend.

"Hey!" I called out to her.

There was some rustling of leaves before her head peeked around the tree. Her face had a wide smile plastered on it, and I could see her unusually sharp canines.

She gave me a small wave. "Hey. What's up?"

"Nothing. What's up with you?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Waiting on you, slowpoke."

"Ugh, I'm sorry, okay. My mom wouldn't let me skip breakfast." I said with a pout.

She stepped out from behind the tree, her hair falling around her shoulders like a pile of snow. "Did you tell her about the monsters coming to attack our fort?"

"Pfft, of course. We can't let them overrun us." I replied matter-of-factly, "But she said the monsters can wait till after breakfast."

She waved me over, "Well, come on then! They are at the wall, and we need you to take the lead."

I ran over to her and placed my small hand in hers before we took off deeper into the forest. We turned the forest into our own fantasy land. We built a fort and battled monsters from a distant land. All day we ran around playing and climbing the tall oak trees. On my third time going up, I reached out to grab a limb, and it snapped. I was already halfway up, but I slipped and began to fall. I could feel myself getting closer to the ground, so I shut my eyes and screamed all the way down. Just as quickly as it began, it was over. 

When I opened my eyes, I found her holding me in her arms. It amazed me not just because she caught me, but because we were still mid-air. She landed gracefully on her feet and set me down. I looked at her, my eyes wide.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I didn’t respond because I was still mesmerized by what she had done.

she reached out and gently knocked on my head with her small fist, “Hello is anyone home, or did you hit your head when you fell?”

I blinked and came back to reality. “How did you do that!?”

The excitement came bursting out of me, “Did you jump!? Did you climb!? I got to know!”

She tilted her head to the side and smiled. “I jumped silly.”

I looked up from where we were standing. “There’s no way you jumped that high. That’s impossible.”

“But you just watched me do it. Why don’t you believe me?” She muttered under her breath.

I placed my hand on my chin and thought for a moment, then spoke, “Hmm, do it again and I’ll believe you.” 

She rolled her eyes at me and huffed before crouching down, then propelling herself off the ground into the air. I watched her rise into the air, my mouth wide open. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She really could jump that high, with ease.

"No way. No way you can do that. That is so awesome. You're like a superhero or something. Wait, are you secretly a superhero?" the words flew out of my mouth as my imagination began to run wild. 

She scrunched her face up for a moment then burst into a fit of girlish giggles.

"Hey, what's so funny?" I asked her, becoming slightly annoyed.

She didn't answer. She just continued in girlish glee.

"Stop laughing, it's a serious question," I said with more anger than I intended.

She finally stopped and looked at me. Brushing a few tears away from her cheeks, she stood up straight.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She cleared her throat, "As a matter of fact, I am not a superhero…"

"Ugh, lame," I interjected.

She huffed, "You're the lame one."

"Ooh, great come back," I retorted, before sticking my tongue out at her.

"Oh, I've had it with you!"

When I opened my eyes, I found her charging toward me. She rammed full force into me, knocking me down to the forest floor. I landed on my back with a soft thud, and before I could get back up she sat on top of me.

I tried to push her off to no avail, "Hey, let me up."

"No," she replied.

"Please," I begged.

"Nope. Not until you learn to be nice to me," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

I took a deep breath, "Fine, I'm sorry."

She looked down at me, "Mmm, I forgive you."

She stood up and offered to help me up. I took her hand and with no effort on my part, she pulled me to my feet.

"Okay, seriously how can you do all the stuff you do?" I questioned.

She smiled widely revealing her sharp incisors, "Because I'm a vampire."

***

The bell rang bringing me back to life. My mind was still focused on the dream, unwilling to leave. I remembered that year so intensely, and every day she would always visit me in my dreams. It was like she was haunting me, or maybe it was her way of keeping her promise. Then again, I never saw her again after that year so she could've been made up. At least that's what my parents think, but I know she is real. She has to be.

"Earth to Cyrus." a voice pulled me out of the fog.

"Huh, what?" I asked sitting up straight to find my best friend, Tyler, standing over me with his girlfriend.

He raised his eyebrow in confusion, "You good bro?"

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, "Uh, yeah just another one of those dreams I told you about."

"You should really see a doctor about that. I don't think it's normal to dream about imaginary people, and not to mention the dreams seem to be happening more frequently," he said.

I shook my head because he knew how I felt about the matter. Everyone keeps telling me I made her up, but I know I didn't. However, I wasn't up for arguing.

"Yeah, sure, I'll do that,"

Tyler patted my shoulder, "Good to hear. Now are you going with us to senior night or what?"

I looked at him with an apologetic look, "I'm sorry I completely forgot about senior night."

He made a disgruntled noise and leaned in to speak in my ear, "Come on bro. It'll be a fun time, and you might have a chance to make a move on Allison."

I sighed, "I can't man. I'm sorry I have other obligations tonight. Also how many times do I have to tell you I'm not interested in dating right now?"

That was a complete and total lie, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. I had an interest, but Allison was not the one.

"Alright man. Just for the record though, she may help your weird obsession. Anyways, enjoy your evening and go to the doctor this weekend."

"Thanks, I will and it's not an obsession," I replied.

"Call it what you want," he shot back as they made their way to the door.

With that Tyler and Kate left the classroom, leaving me alone in the now empty space. Standing, I gathered up my belongings and headed for the exit. As I made my way through the crowded hallways, people left and right began calling out to me. I returned their gestures with small waves and fake smiles. 

The truth was, I really hated the popularity that surrounded me. It was more annoying than anything, and the worst part about it was the reason. 

Originally, when people found out about my enhanced speed, strength, and my weird sixth sense they thought I was a freak. However, when I reached high school and involved myself in football, track, and wrestling, that all changed. People looked at me differently and treated me more like a human. Along with that came an increase in popularity amongst colleges. Ivy league schools began scouting me as a freshman.

That, however, is the worst part about it all. All anyone wants me for is their own personal gain. Colleges are so desperate they keep offering me deals that are so outlandish it makes me sick to my stomach. Each offer is larger than the previous. They want my quote-on-quote gift, but it's really a curse. As for my so called friends, they just wanted a ride on my tail coat, so they could taste victory.

I knew deep down I didn't deserve the praise because I am a freak of nature. If they only knew the truth of my abilities. However, it was better to be annoyed than treated like an animal.

I eventually made it through the horde and out to the front of Cheshire High School. When I got in my car, I paused to look at the large brick structure. In this moment I took in every memory I've made. It was all coming to an end in a few weeks, and I'd be starting a new chapter in my life. Like everything else in my life, I'd face it alone.

Cyrus, come to me.

I looked around in confusion. It felt like someone had called my name, and someone was speaking directly into my thoughts all at the same time. Near the woods I caught a glimpse of something black and white, but only for a second. The object vanished so quickly, I couldn't help but feel I imagined it. The constant dreams of her were probably causing me to hallucinate.

Returning my focus to my car, I turned it on.

Cyrus, I'll always be with you. I always have been, just reach out and find me.

I shivered as the weird sensation came over me again. To add to the eerie feeling, my sixth sense was going off like an alarm. However, it wasn't a warning of danger, but of comfort. It felt as if a guardian angel was looking down upon me. Taking a deep breath, I peered back over the tree line not far from where I sat. Still nothing.

"I really am going crazy because of her," I muttered as I leaned forward to rest my head on my steering wheel.

I closed my eyes, and I could see her clear as day. The images of us spending all summer together, including the nights played in my mind. She had truly been my only real friend, even after breaking her promise.

I could hear her voice now, "Now we're connected, and we will always be able to find each other. I promise to always be by your side, Cyrus."

My phone buzzed pulling me out of my slump. Slipping the device from my pocket, I checked the notification. It was a text from my mom.

Hey, are you on your way home? 

I rolled my eyes and responded with a quick 'yes' before putting my car in drive and heading home.