The Deadly Three

We all had Imaginary friends as a kid. Some of us remember them, others don't remember them at all. Whether it was a fluffy unicorn, or maybe even a cyclops of some sort- we all had them. Well- accept me. Mine were far from friends, nor were they imaginary. Just thinking about them sends shivers down my spine. Let's call them... The Deadly Three.

I still remember the first time I saw one of them. I was about four and was at a playground. My mom was simply sitting on the bench, messing around on her phone. I remember me sitting on the top of the monkey bars. Being able to do that as a kid was enough to make you feel like a god. "Mama! Mama look!" I called out, my feet dangling off the edge of the bars.

She glanced up, then looked back down at her phone. "That's nice sweetie," she replied.

I groaned. "You didn't even look!" I nagged.

She looked at me. "Okay, I looked! Good job sweetie," she sighed and went back to scrolling through Facebook or whatever.

I sighed and crawled over to where the ladder was. You see, it was always fun getting up, but it was always so scary trying to get back down. I reached my little foot down and touched the tip of my toe on the ladder. I was still holding on for dear life, hoping to god I wouldn't fall. I started to panic though when my arms started to slip. I looked at my mom. I don't need her... I can figure this out by myself... I thought.

Boy was I wrong. I started to slip more and more, and my little heart beat so fast I felt like it was gonna pop out of my chest. This is the end for me, I thought to myself. Now that I think about it- I was so over-dramatic then, and for no good reason. Right before I slipped though- I felt two hands grab my waist and set me down on the ground. I turned around to see a tall creature of some sort. He had white eyes, horns, sharp teeth, and a huge bloody gash on his cheek. He was extremely tall as well. He also had stitches all over his face. "Woah! You look cool mister!" I giggled, my eyes sparkling.

He smiled a bit. "And who may you be?" he asked with a chuckle.

I smiled a bit. "I'm Ashley!" I gushed.

"Oh, that's a pretty name. I'm Michael."

To be honest- I don't see why I wasn't at least frightened by this- thing. I mean- I guess I was a child but still! Now that I think about it- he scares me. Anyways- back to the story. I blushed and hugged him. "Thank you for helping me, Michael!" I babbled.

He snickered. "No problem. Maybe I'll see you again some time."

I felt all fuzzy inside hearing those words. I liked this Michael guy, he was nice to me. He pat my head and vanished. I blinked, somewhat confused. "Mister? Where'd you go?"

Before I had the chance to look around, my mom picked me up and taking me to the car. I remember throwing a temper tantrum, and whining that I had to find the guy who had saved me. But- now that I think about it, she was probably just concerned, and to be quite frank, I feel bad for her.

I didn't really see this Michael guy again until I was about seven. My dad had tucked me into bed hours ago, but- I couldn't sleep for some reason. I remember how quiet it was. I always hated the silence- it was always so.. so boring, and dull. And at times, it could even be scary. I looked at my little hello kitty alarm clock and groaned. It was almost twelve in the morning. I decided that I would do something fun- maybe play with toys. It's not like I was going to bed any time soon.

I hopped out of bed and tip-toed over to the little purple toy box my dad had made me a couple of years back. It had these little fake drawers on them- and for some reason, I would always try to open them, even though it wasn't possible. I guess I was just kind of dumb as a kid. I opened the toy box and looked through it, eventually finding the perfect little stuffed rabbit to play with.

I took it out of the toy box and smiled a little. I liked to make the little rabbit talk for some reason. Once I got older though that just got boring. I made the little rabbit dance and such, giggling quietly. I nearly fell over though when I heard a loud pounding on my window. Shaking a bit, I hugged the rabbit. I was too scared to even move. Yeah, I know it was only a knock on the window, but I was seven! I was still afraid of monsters under my bed.

I jumped as I heard more pounding on the window. I whimpered a bit and hugged the rabbit tighter. I closed my eyes and tensed up as the pounding continued. Eventually though- I heard a familiar voice. "Ashley!" It called out.

The voice was so calm and soothing for some reason. I glanced at the window, to see no other than Michael. I still remembered him. I thought of him as, 'The cool looking monster dude that saved me at the park!'

I smiled and ran over to the window. "I remember you!" I giggled.

He put his fingers to his lips and smiled. "Can I come in?" he asked, putting his hand on the window.

I thought about it for a moment. My parents probably wouldn't be happy if they saw a monster in my room, that I let in no less. "Well- I'm not allowed to let people inside at night- but you were nice to me, so I'll let you in!" I whispered.

He smirked, and I opened the window. He stepped inside, and pat my head. "You're so tall now kid!" he chuckled.

I giggled and plopped down on my bed. "Michael?"

He sat down next to me and smiled a bit. "Hmm?"

I looked down at the floor and started fidgeting a bit. "Can you be my friend?" I queried.

His eyes widened a bit. "We aren't already friends?" he grinned.

I looked at him, suddenly feeling all happy inside. I hugged him. "Thank you, mister!" I blushed.

He smiled, and pat my head. "Now- tell me a bit about yourself, Ash."

"Ash?" I gasped, "Is that my nickname?"

He nodded. I squealed a bit. I didn't have friends really- therefore, nobody could really give me a nickname. "What do you wanna know?"

He smiled. "Everything."