[Mom's POV]

'Ava. Where're you going? 'I asked her as I got out of the car.

'I'm going for a walk with my friend, Austin. 'She replied pointing beside her but there was nobody there.

'Oh. Well have fun. 'I said before taking my phone out to take a picture of her.

'Bye. 'She said before going off.

I went back into the house with the groceries and kept them in the kitchen.

'Honey. You need to look at this. 'I said passing my husband my phone as I went into the living room.

'What is it? It's just Ava. '

'And that's the problem. Ava said that she has a friend named Austin but when I took a look, there was nobody there. 'I explained.

'Maybe it's her imagination. She just broke up with her boyfriend. She's under a lot of stress. Give it some time. She'll be back to normal after tonight. 'He replied, pulling me into a hug before kissing my forehead.

'And what if she doesn't? '

'Well then... We'll call a doctor over. 'He suggested and I nodded.

My husband and I watched TV together while Ava was on a walk and Jay was at his friend's house. Suddenly, we heard the front door opened and Jay came inside.

'Why did I just saw Ava talking to herself? 'Jay asked.

'Let's just call a doctor now and see what he can do. 'My husband said and I nodded before calling a doctor.

So for the next fifteen minutes, I ended up telling my son what happened earlier and showed him the photo while we waited for the doctor to arrive.

'I'm afraid your daughter has an imaginary friend. You see, imaginary friends are a psychological and social phenomenon where a friendship or other interpersonal relationship takes place in the imagination rather than external physical reality. 'the doctor explained.

'Is she new to this place? Is she ever lonely? 'The doctor asked.

'No. We've been in this house for almost 20 years. And she's never lonely. She always plays with her brother and her friends. 'I explained.

Our conversation continued as we told the doctor everything. Suddenly, Ava grabbed the paper off the doctor's hand. I didn't even notice she was there.

'What's this, mom? 'She asked.

'Well...' I replied passing her my phone with the picture that I took just now.

'You see, your friend isn't real. He's just your imagination. 'my husband said wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

'No. He's right here! I'm not crazy! 'Ava said.

I took the paper off her hand and gave it back to the doctor with my husband behind me. I turned my back and saw nothing. Ava just disappeared. She was right behind me.

'Ava! Ava! 'I panicked as the doctor called for the police.

We searched around the neighbourhood but there was no
sign of them. We went up the hill top and we found Ava's basket on the grass next to the fence. The police took a wire cutter and cut the fence. We went through the fence and followed the snapped bear traps. A police officer walked in front of us as he held a stick so that we wouldn't get caught in the bear traps.

'Okay? 'another officer came in front of us and gave us a thumbs up.

She then smiled at us before walking in front of us. We continued to walk deeper into the forest as the officers called Ava's name out.

'Ava! Ava! '

Suddenly, we all stopped at a slope. The officer pointed their flashlight at a tree below and spotted Ava. Her head was bleeding but she had a sweet smile on her face.

[Officer's POV]

I pointed my flashlight to where Ava was; sitting underneath a tree in the open. I torched the light beside her and saw a dead body. The body was covered with worms and rotten flesh. The body looked like a boy wearing a black hoodie with a scream mask on and he was holding a piece of paper in his hands.

I took my notebook out and searched for the same boy.

{Photo of Austin}
•Missing•
Name : Austin Matthews
Age : 18
Last seen : w/ family (31/10/2015)

I called for backup as we headed down. After a few seconds later, a couple of paramedics came and checked on Ava.

I slowly searched the place and accidentally stepped on a something. It was a wooden basket with a smiley face on it. I turned and saw a carving at the back of it. 'Property of Austin ~'

After the backup had arrived, we sorted out the mess and took the body back for some test.