"Tasha, honey...." Mom pushed me back and knelt to look into my eyes. "What's gotten into you? What's wrong?"
"Mom." I sniveled, trying to find my voice, until my sobs finally became hiccups. "I'm going to tell you something and you're going to think I'm crazy, but—"
"Tasha, honey," Mom cooed, looking at me with kindness. "I'd never think you were crazy." Then she looked toward the window again. "Did someone hurt you?"
"No, Mom! But you have to listen to me," I said, sounding much older than my eight years.
"Don't do it," Stellan warned from behind me.
"Stellan, stay out of this!" I yelled without thinking.
Mom pulled back, panicked. "Stellan? Who's Stellan?"
Stellan gave me a self-satisfied smirk, folding his arms across his chest. "Yeah. Who is Stellan, Tasha?"
"Stellan is my... imaginary friend."
"Gee! Thanks!" He rolled his eyes, laughing.
But I ignored him, turning my attention toward my mom. "But that's not important—"
