13 october 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2524: Arch Fr/iend

This post was inspired by today's 5-minute writing prompt in the Freewriters Community - Arch Friend

Enjoy !

Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio

"Mummy, mummy, Beth's got a new friend !"

"Really Sam", the childrens' mother answered in an annoyed tone.

"Beth, I've told you before about imaginary friends."

"He's real !" said Beth, in the tone of absolute indignation that only a nine year old can muster.

"It's true, mummy," Sam piped up, "we were going through the tunnel under the railway arch and the Jones boys jumped us. They wanted all our pocket money. Beth's new friend popped up out of nowhere and made the Jones boys just disappear."

The Joneses were the local troublemakers, their boys on the cusp of turning from vicious teenagers into adult petty criminals.

"Well," said Beth's mother, "You know what I said about wanting to meet your friends to make sure they are okay"

Beth nodded. "I bought him back to meet you. He's outside. Come on in !" she called out cheerfully through the open door.

A massive figure stepped into the doorway, bending down and folding it's wings to fit.

"Hello, Beth's mother," it said in a voice so deep and gravelly it made the walls shake. "You could say I'm her Arch Friend. Or Arch Fiend. Whatever. Just know that no one will ever trouble Beth again. Fiends need friends too."