Charlie

"Charlie, can you hear me?" I sat in dismayed silence. Charlie had walked past me and hadn't seemed to see me. "Charlie, can you see me?" There came no response. I went and stood in front of the door as he got dressed. He would have to pass through me to go downstairs. He tugged on his shirt and opened the door. He walked right through me and didn't even pause for a moment. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had known this day was coming. Things had been getting more foggy over time, and he could hear and see me less and less. But it hit me hard not being able to talk to him. I needed him as much as I think he had needed me. It just so happened that he no longer needed me.

I followed Charlie through his day. He ate breakfast, went to school, did his homework, and played video games that evening. The only thing different about today was that I wasn't a part of it.

I didn't know what to do. He couldn't see me, and I couldn't seem to be able to leave him. I was stuck in some sort of limbo. I tried one more time before he fell asleep that night.

"Charlie, please. I don't think I can go on without you. I... I need you." Charlie could neither hear nor see me. He fell into a peaceful slumber. I just stood there.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked nobody in particular.

"You have to come with me." A person appeared next to me. I almost jumped out of my skin.

"Who are you?" I queried.

"I am just a courier. But you have wasted to much time here. Another child needs you." "Another child? What child?"

"I'll explain on the way." He grabbed my arm and we disappeared forever from Charlie's room.