“I’m bored,” Ruddy said. “Are we going to stop soon?”

  “We haven’t been on the road all that long,” Corey said.

  “Yeah, I know. But I hate sitting and doing nothing. I wish Teri was awake. She could come up with something.”

  “Don’t wake her up,” Xeke said. “She needs sleep.”

  “I wasn’t going to! I was just saying I wish we could think of a way to pass the time.”

  “What do you have in mind?” Xeke said.

  “I dunno. I wish we had some dice or something. We could do some gaming. I bet D&D with Teri would be the best game ever.”

  Terry, Teri’s alter ego, appeared in the back seat next to Xeke.

  “Or you could talk to me,” she said. “Who could possibly be bored with me around?” She put her hand on Xeke’s thigh.

  Xeke jumped. “Wha-what..?” He glanced at the driver’s seat, but Corey hadn’t noticed the interaction.

  “Hello. Mentalist.” Terry pointed to her head. “Corey can’t see anything unless I let him. You aren’t too bright, are you?”

  “And you’re a pain in my ass,” Xeke said.

  “You sure know how to sweet talk a girl.”

  “You’re not a girl, you’re a figment of Teri’s imagination, and you’re rude and abrasive.”

  “Awww, Xeke, I had no idea you were so sensitive. Should I put on kid gloves so I don’t hurt your wittle feewings?” Long white gloves appeared on her hands, and a helmet appeared on Xeke’s head.

  Xeke clenched his fists. “Get that off me.”

  Terry laughed and the helmet disappeared. “Soooo sensitive.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “You’re acting like a two-year-old.”

  “I’m six, actually. But who’s counting? No birthday parties for me. Maybe when I turn seven I’ll imagine myself a pony.”

  “Ponies,” Xeke said. “See? Two-year-old.”

  Ruddy turned around and hung over the front seat. “I wondered where you were. I was starting to think we’d imagined you.”

  “Maybe you did,” Terry said. “Am I really here?” The theme music from the Twilight Zone filled the truck.

  “Enough with the stupid games,” Xeke said. “What do you want?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I’m bored like Ruddy. Do I have to want something? Can’t we just be friends?”

  “I don’t want an imaginary friend,” Xeke said. “I’m not six years old.”

  “Fine. Maybe Ruddy and I can be friends while you sit there and sulk.” She swiveled around to face Ruddy. “I could run a D&D game for you.”

  A miniature goblin appeared on the seat between him and Corey and grinned at them. Ruddy’s eyes widened.

  Xeke shook his head. “You know what? If you’re serious about us being friends, let’s be honest with each other. I think Teri has a right to know about you.”

  Terry frowned.

  “I had an interesting conversation with Fred about this,” Xeke said. “She thinks Teri will feel betrayed if she finds out we knew about you. I think she’s right. I think we should tell her ... since we’re all friends.”

  “Xeke.” She turned his name into a three-syllable whine. “You can’t tell her. Not yet.”

  “Oh, I can’t? You’re going to stop me?”

  “That’s not what I mean,” Terry said. “You don’t know what she’s been through. I’m not trying to scare you here … you know what, maybe I am. Actually, you should be scared.”

  “Xeke’s right,” Ruddy said. “We should be honest with Teri.”

  “Fine,” Terry said. “Tell her whatever you want, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when she goes bonkers on you. You can’t exactly get her to a nice comfy therapy couch anytime soon.”

  “Maybe you need the therapy couch,” Xeke said. He reached out to touch her and his hand passed through her. “But, oh, wait. You couldn’t even sit on one, could you?”

  Her face twitched. “You know what? I think I’d rather be bored after all.” She winked out of existence.

  She’s not telling us everything, Xeke said. I know it.

  You’re one to talk, Ruddy said.

  Wha-what?

  Were you even going to tell me you talked to Fred about Terry?

  Of course I was. I just haven’t had a chance with everything that’s going on. It isn't like we can talk about it whenever we want. He glanced at Teri.

  Well, is there anything else you haven’t told me? Like maybe what’s going on between you and Cymber? I saw you holding hands at the party.

  What!? Jesus, Ruddy, what the hell is wrong with you? I told you we were close. She’s practically my sister. She saved my life.

  Fine, Ruddy said. Whatever.

  Ruddy, come on.

  I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Ruddy turned back around and grabbed a magazine from the stack near his feet.

  Xeke sighed and closed his eyes.