A small, six year old girl sits in a room, playing with her new friend, Amber.

Amber has curly red hair, pale skin, and green eyes. She is nice. She is friendly. The girl she plays with has brown hair reaching past her shoulders, nearly to her waist. The girl likes Amber. Amber likes her.

After a while, the girl looks up, her eyes meeting her new friend's. "I wish you were real, Amber." She says, her voice falling a little.

And Amber fades.

***Four years later***

The girl runs into her room, tears blurring her vision. Amber waits for her on the bed, and the girl flops down, crying.

"Are they mad again?" Amber asks.

The girl nods, and Amber reaches out a hand to gently rub her back. The girl keeps crying. Why is it her fault? Why don't her parents like her anymore?

Looking up, tears still in her eyes, the girl speaks. "I wish you were real, Amber."

And Amber fades.

***Three years later***

The girl puts down her phone. It's far past midnight, and she's been awake the whole time. She tried to help, but what use was she?

But Amber is there. Amber can help her, even if she can't help anyone else.

The girl talks to Amber for a while. She tells her the story. Amber nods, saying a few reassurances.

The girl relaxes after a bit, but not entirely. Turning around, she sighs. "I wish you were real, Amber."

And Amber fades.

*Four years later***

The girl stands over the water, on her bridge. A full moon shines above her. This is it, and Amber is nowhere to be seen

She doesn't cry. She's done enough of that already. She's done enough already. Taking in a breath, she closes her eyes.

But suddenly, she hears a voice. Looking up, she sees the girl with red hair and green eyes, reaching out a hand. "Come with me." Amber says. "Follow me, and I can be real."

The girl takes her hand, and feels peaceful. Peace she hasn't felt in a long, long time.

And Amber and the girl fade.