(TW: slight panic attack, child neglect/abuse)

*Some Time Ago*
*??? POV*

???: NO! DON'T HURT THEM! I'LL DO ANYTHING JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE!

The women in front of me stops for a second.

?: Hmm... Interesting, what do you propose?

I will protect them.

???: My life for theirs.

I'd trade my life for theirs anyday. Without hesitation.

?: How do you know I won't kill them once you're gone?

She takes another step towards them, her hand glowing a deep red.

???: You may be evil, but you're always loyal to you're deals.

She thinks for a bit.

?: Alright, fair enough. We have a deal.

She walks towards me with her hand now glowing blue and reaches out. I can hear them yelling, but I will protect them.

???: Deal.

We shake hands.

I immediately start screaming and fall to my knees. I use my last bit of strength to glance over at them. They're gone. That means they're safe and back home. I smile lightly as I black out.

*?? POV*

??: Such a selfless act that deserves to rewarded. I'll see you soon my boy.

*15 years ago*
*No One's POV*

A baby boy lay in a cradle some night in March. The boy had red eyes, not devil-like, they were beautiful. He had natural black hair that faded to red as if it was dyed.

The boy was born with a gift. He didn't know it yet, but he will.

The parents had just left, believing the child was asleep, when he started crying. The sleep deprived parents didn't notice, they were already out like a light.
So the boy continued to cry.

A young boy, looking around age 16 or so, appeared above the baby. He circled around the cradle, the baby stopped crying and started following him with his eyes.
The boy stopped and made a face at the baby, causing him to giggle.

The boy wore a black hoodie with patches of purple flannel scattered across it. He had pale skin and black eyeshadow under his eyes. His hair was black with purple in the bangs, which were slightly covering his purple eyes.

???: You're not too bad kid. Other would cry when they see me. You're different.
The boy sighed.
???: Too bad you'll forget me. Only you babies can see us. When you grow up, you'll forget.

The boy frowned slightly and the baby started to cry again, waking up the parents.

???: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. Calm down, please.

The parents came in and the boy disappeared, making the baby cry harder.

Mother: Oh Roman, it's ok you were probably having a bad dream. Shh, it's ok.

The parents couldn't figure out how to make Roman calm down.

*5 years later*

Roman was now 5 years old and was playing in a cardboard castle.

Roman: I am King Roman!

He placed a toy crown on his head.

Roman: I dub you to be my Knight!
He hovered a cardboard sword over a boy's shoulders who was sitting in front of him. The same boy who visited him as a baby.

Roman: Now rise my Knight!

???: Dude, how can you still see me?

Roman: We are friends.

???: Yes, but-

Roman: Friends!

He tried to hit him lightly on the head his sword only to find it went straight through.

Roman: Hey! Why does it go through you?

???: Ghost.

Roman: Spooky!

Roman's mother came into the room.

Mother: Want a snack Ro?

Roman: Yeah! Can my friend have one too?

The mother looked around the room confused.

Mother: Huh? Friend?

Roman: Yeah!
He pointed to the boy in front of him.

Mother: Oh... Honey?

Roman's father came into the room.

Father: Yes dear?

Mother: I believe Ro has an imaginary friend.

Father: I'm sure it will pass. He'll make real friends when he starts school.

Roman: What's and imaginary friend?

His father walked over and picked him up.

Father: It's a friend you have that we can't see.

Roman: But he said he was a ghost.

Father: Oh, can you tell us more?

The 3 went into the kitchen leaving the boy behind.

???: Great, now they think he has an imaginary friend. At least I have someone to talk to.

*2 Years Later*

Roman was now 7 and writing on a paper at a small desk in his room.

???: What are you doing?

Roman: Homework, they started giving it to us.

???: What's homework?

Roman: Its schoolwork that you do at home. I don't like it.

???: Then don't do it.

Roman: But Mother said I had to.

???: Do you ever see her do homework?
Roman laid down his pencil slowly.

Roman: No...

???: Then why should you?

Roman: That makes sense.

Roman got up from his desk and started building with big Legos.

Roman: What are ghost like? Are they all like you?

The boy floated next to him, watching him build.

???: I don't know. I've never met another ghost. Then again I haven't really looked.

Roman: Why not?

The boy shrugged and started to say something else when Roman's mother walked in.

Mother: Roman! What are you doing?

Roman: Building.
He put down his blocks to look at his mother.

Mother: Did you finish your homework?
Roman shook his head.

Mother: Why not?
She crossed her arms.

Roman: My friend said I didn't have to.
The mother sighed.

Mother: Not this again, honey, he's not real. You have real friends at school. Why do you need this one?

Roman: He is real.

Mother: Then why can't I see him?

Roman: He's a ghost.

Roman's mother threw her hands up in the air.

Mother: That's just an excuse so you don't get in trouble! Go do your homework and if I hear you speak to, or bring up that imaginary friend into discussion again you're grounded!

Roman: But-

Mother: No, homework now!
Roman reluctantly put his blocks down and sulked over to his desk.

Mother: I'll be back to check on you and you better have most of that done and not talking to air!
She left, slamming the door behind her.

???: Roman?
He didn't respond just focused on his work.

???: Ro?
As much as he wanted to, he didn't respond in fear of getting in trouble.

???: Dude, come on. Fine.
The boy floated over to Roman's bed and waited for him to finish.

*3 Years Later*

Roman was now 10 and in a drama studio his parents sent him to.
They were doing script readings but they were doing them solo, without a partner like they normally would.

Drama Instructor: Roman, it's your turn.

Unlike all the others, Roman had a secret weapon. In front of him stood the boy he's known his whole life.

Drama Instructor: Whenever you're ready.

???: Good luck Princey.
Roman cleared his throat and got into character.

Roman: My dear princess, I shall save you!

???: Ew, I'm a princess? Oh wait, I mean please save me.
Roman mentally face-palmed at his ghost friend's bad acting.

Roman: I will save you from this... Dragon Witch...

???: Dragon Witch? Ok... oh please save me I sound so hopeless.

Roman: How dare you hurt my princess Dragon Witch!

???: We're running with that now? Uh ok, so now I'm the Dragon Witch? You'll never get the princess, blah blah blah.
Roman almost laughed but managed to stay in character.

Roman: I will stab you in the spleen and save her! And after I shall marry her!

???: Dude, you're 10.
The people in the studio clapped.
???: Wha- How-?
The ghost looked around at the clapping people, confused, as Roman talked to the instructor.

Drama Instructor: That was very well done, but may I ask why you paused so many times?

Roman: The gh- I mean the other character was talking.
The instructor nodded and called job the next person.

???: Liar.
Roman sat down and the ghost floated next to him.

Roman (whispering): They can't see you.

???: So I don't get credit?

Roman (whispering): No, you get credit just not in front of people.

???: Boo!
The boy pouted as they watched the others.

-------

When Roman got home he went upstairs to do his homework.

???: That again?

Roman: Its called homework. You should try it.
He pushed one of the worksheets towards the ghost.

???: You realise I phase through everything so I can't write stuff.

Roman: Fine, I'll ask the questions and you answer ok?
The boy nodded.

Roman: Ok, what's 5 times 6?

???: What does times mean?

Roman: Oh umm, I don't know how to explain it watch me.

Roman's mother was walking down the hallway when she heard a voice coming from her son's room and decided to listen.

Roman: You get it? No, that's not it. Try it this way.

She opened the door to find her son showing paper to air.

Mother: ROMAN!
Roman jumped and turned to her.

Roman: I-I umm...

Mother: Honey!
Roman's father walked into the room.

Father: Roman! He's not real! You are 10 years old! Stop with this nonsense!

Roman: But-

Father: No! That's enough! You are going outside and hanging out with REAL people!

Roman: He-

Father: No he's not!
Romans father dragged him down the hall and into the living room the ghost and mother following.

Father: Roman. Look at me.
Roman reluctantly looked up at his angry father.

Father: You see this?
He poked a finger to his chest.
Father: Real.
He poked a finger to Roman's chest.
Father: Real. I can see it. You can see it. Your mother can see it. Whatever this thing is, it isn't real! We can't see it and neither can anyone else!

He grabbed Roman's arm and started pulling him towards a closet.

Roman: Dad?
He kept dragging him closer and Roman struggled to get away.

Roman: Dad! No! Please!
His mother came over and picked him up.

Roman: Mother? Don't let dad do it. Please.

Mother: I won't.
She looked back at the father for a second, he nodded and walked away. The ghost looked at them suspiciously.

Mother: Close your eyes dear, it's ok. I got you.
Roman hugged his mom tighter and started sobbing.

???: ROMAN!
By the time he opened his eyes, it was too late.

Roman: No! Mother!
The ghost quickly slipped into the closet with him.

Roman tried to escape but his father came back and held him back while his mother closed the door.

Roman: Please! No! Let me out!

Mother: Its for the best sweetie. Just admit he isn't real then you can come out.

Roman: O-

???: Don't you dare!

Roman: Please let me, I don't wanna be in here.

Mother: Stop talking to yourself Ro, just tell the truth.

Roman: Ok! He's not real! He's not real!
He banged on the door and continued to yell to be let out.

Mother: Sorry sweetie, let's give it a day.

--------

The day went by but it felt like forever to Roman. He had his knees draw up to his chest and was rocking back and forth while looking at the ground.

Roman: He's not real.

???: Will you stop saying that?

Roman: I don't wanna be in here.

???: Neither do I. But I also don't wanna be called not real.
Roman looked up at the boy but continued to rock.

Roman: I don't mean it. Why are you even in here? You can go through the door and save yourself.
The boy smiled softly at Roman.

???: If you have to be trapped in here then so do I.

The mother was outside the door listening to a one-sided conversation.

Mother: You're still talking to yourself. Another day.
Roman started shaking even more and tears streamed down his face again. The ghost tried to comfort him but without being able to hug him there wasn't much he could do. So he did the best he could and sat next to Roman and cried with him.

---------

Everyday his mother would come by, hear Roman say as much as one word and say he was talking to himself.

People at the school eventually got worried and called the authorities.

Roman's parents were given a 5-year jail sentence and a restraining order against them ever seeing Roman again.

*1 Year Later*

Roman was now 11 years old and had a new family. He now had two moms and they didn't gate him for taking to his ghost friend.

A woman walked into Roman's room.

??: Morning RoRo.
Roman rolled over in bed to look the women in the face.

Roman: Good morning Ma.
She had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore light lip stick and pink eyeshadow. She was still in PJs and had a bright smile on her face.

Roman: Is it time for school?

Ma: Nope! It's Saturday!
Roman quickly sat up.

Roman: Pancakes?!

???: Yum!

Roman: Hey you can't eat them.
To Roman's Ma he was talking to air, but she didn't care. She loved him anyway. She laughed lightly at Roman.

Roman: Sorry! I-

Ma: Don't worry you're safe here.
She gave him a hug.
Ma: What did he say?

Roman: Yum

Ma: Does he want pancakes too?

???: Man, I wish I could have some.

Roman: You can't eat.

???: That's why I said wish!
Roman rolled his eyes at him.

Ma: Why can't he eat?

Roman: He's a ghost.

Ma: So it would be mean to make him a plate?

???: Yeah...

Roman: Nope!

???: Hey!
Roman laughed and his Ma picked him up out of bed.

Ma: Come on, we don't wanna keep Mom waiting do we?

Roman: No way!
Roman and his ghost friend ran downstairs into the kitchen.

R and ?: PANCAKES!

??: You seem excited sweetie.

A woman with short pixie cut brown hair with red tips turned around from the stove and smiled at Roman.

Roman: Of course I am Mom.

???: I don't know why I was acting excited. I can't even eat them.
Roman shrugged.

Ma: He ran right out of his room as soon as I told him.
Roman's Ma walked up to his Mom and kissed her.

R and ?: Eww, romance.
Romans mom stuck her tounge out at him and picked up a plate.

Mom: How many?

Roman: Two. How many do you want?
He turned to his ghost friend.

???: Honest answer I want two. Realistic answer I can't have any so none.

Roman: He'll take two as well.

???: Jerk.
Roman laughed.

Mom: Ok, two for Roman and two for the...

Roman: Ghost.

Mom: And two for the ghost.

Roman took the plates and poured syrup on them.

???: Why are you torturing me with this?

Roman: Because I can.

???: Rude.

--------

After they all finished eating Roman helped his Mom with the dishes while his Ma folded laundry.

Mom: Are you ready for your first day at a new school on Monday?
Roman shrugged as he tried a plate.

Roman: I don't know. I didn't really have friends at my last school so I guess it will be like that.

Mom: Well, you never know.

Once they were done Roman went back upstairs to play with Legos. He had recently updated to the regular sized ones.

???: I like them they're nice.

Roman: Ya, I like them too and they like you so I can talk to you when ever I want.

???: Except at school. They tell you to be quiet even if you're talking to another human.

Roman: I hope I make at least one friend this year.

???: You will.

Roman: How do you know.

???: I don't know. I just know!

Roman: But what if they make fun of my red eyes like at the last school.

???: I'll beat them up.
Roman laughed.

Roman: You physically can't but ok.

Heyyyy!
This first chapter is based on the original idea of the book by Doomkitten2004. The original book was discontinued so now I'm writing it.
Special thanks to Mericc for being my editor.
Hope you liked this chapter, the next one will be out soon.