From my earliest recollections of child hood and having an imaginative friend, at the time she seemed to be so real to me; a girl with horns like a ram from her head, black wings like a raven from her back, both of us grew up together as I aged she did too, till when the time came I no longer need to have a friend and she disappeared like my parents told me would happen.

Some times I would think back, I get flashes of her all vague, I have no idea why, may be on times now lost, easier times or less complicated.

I’m in my twenties I’ve had my share of girlfriends but they all ended before anything physical would happen they seemed to end over silly little things petty thing or without explanation.

One day a new women turns up in town, I was working as normal when I first saw her she was tall and beautiful, dark hair flowing down her back, blood red slim lips, her eyes glinted purple, I took it to be that she was wearing contact lenses. her skin a smooth ebony colour, she wore almost skin tight dress that hugged her figure.

I worked a dead end job pulling in a wage that paid it’s way, she come in a couple of times to buy bits and pieces, I smiled well I would it part of the job.

One day I was sitting in the park sun shining warm weather a rare occasion were I live; and there she was taking a walk round exploring her new home town I figured, she was followed by two men chatting laughing but they were sent on their way, I watched them when they where some way away from her they seemed to changed some how I could not place it.

She saw me and walked over sat dawn “Don’t you hate it when you get hassled because of your looks,” she said. “Yeah it’s terrible ain’t it,” I replied.

She looked at me puzzled “Why say that?” she asked. “It seemed the right reply,” I said. She looked still puzzled not sure how she should take my comments, “Your the one from that shop I’ve been in.”

“i guess so.” all I wanted to do was sit here mind my own business, I had no intension making new friend with customers; right now this was my time, something was putting me on edge with her around hairs bristled on the back of my neck.

“Well i’m new around here my names Lilly what’s yours?” she asked, I sighed no peace, “Edmund.” I replied, “I’m sorry i’m imposing myself on you but it would be nice to make a friend that could show me round the place,” looking at me with big puppy dog eyes.

I gave up. “Ok lets get going then.” I started showing her round the park then I starting showing her from one side of town to the other, I took her to the library I found an up to date map photocopied it gave it to her, after that we parted company.

My working days passed, It was one sunny Sunday, I went out for a run and some where along the way I picked up a guest, Lilly; she joined me and she started chatting.

I’m not what you would call really good looking i’m not athletic, just slim built I consider myself plain but then looks are in the eye of the beholder, a white man brown hair green eyes and one ear slightly higher than the other with a round face.

On one of my days off I have off work, I was sitting in the park enjoying myself again and reading one of the stories I had on my kindle fire HD. Lilly sits by me we say hello and I go back to reading, she started talking about some of her troubles, while she was not looking I quickly slipped in some ear plugs and start reading again, I don’t know how long it had been but I got a poking in the ribs, I sighed pull out one of the ear plugs.

“Did you hear any thing I was saying Edmund?” she asks. “Sorry no i’m not interested in your troubles,” I reply.

“Oh I!” she said her voice trailed off looking a little saddened.

“troubles are all girls seem to want to talk to me about!” this was very much true because girls thought I be grateful for their attention because of not having classic good looking guy; I just happened to pick the wrong ones.

Lilly seemed a little upset by this, “don’t you like me?” she asks.

“Look your beautiful you’re the type of girl guys like me would dream of being with but don’t get a look in, but because you’re good looking does not give you the right to think I’d be grateful.” I did not trust her motives for latching on to me.

I could not under stand why I was so defensive may be because of past experiences or it was something about her that made me like this.

“You’re a cold bastard you know that.” she said with a tear in her eye “and I thought you like me.”

“Did i give that impression?” I shrugged and turned back to my kindle I felt a tap on my arm I looked up then felt a slap across my face, it hurt but I bit my tongue, she stood tears in her eyes and she turned and ran off she looked back at me as she did, I watched her unmoved and went back to my reading.

After that I was left alone for a couple of weeks she did not come into the shop or into the park, I thought back to normal, the park was my escape, for me; away from my boring life.

She turned up again.