[ WP ] A soldier in the heat of battle suddenly hears a voice that says `` I am your child 's imaginary friend . They have sent me to protect you in your greatest time of need . ''

`` Jeremy! Look out!'' 
 Jeremy dove backward as an explosion obliterated the building where he had just been standing. The blast threw him across the road, into the side of a house. 
 
 Jeremy opened his eyes. He was sitting in a room with blue wallpaper. A small bed, neatly made, sat on one side of the room. Shelves with books and toys covered one of the walls. A stuffed dog lounged on the bed, staring at him. 
 
 `` You're... Doggy?'' 
 
 The dog's mouth did n't open, but it still spoke. `` Children are n't very creative with names. He wanted a real dog, you know.'' 
 
 Jeremy grimaced. `` Sorry, allergies, you know.'' 
 
 `` It's alright. I became his best friend instead.'' 
 
 Jeremy pulled himself into a sitting position. He could n't stand up. 
 
 `` I'm ready. I want to see him.'' 
 
 `` No, you're not. Not now. Not yet.'' 
 
 `` I am. I really am.'' 
 
 `` No, you really are n't. He would n't want that. And you do n't either.'' 
 
 Jeremy could n't look at the stuffed animal any longer. His eyes roamed the room. 
 
 `` I ca n't believe he's... he's...'' 
 
 `` I know.'' 
 
 `` Do you know the last thing I said to him?'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 `` And you still wo n't let me see him?'' 
 
 `` No one wants that. Not you, not him.'' 
 
 Jeremy sighed. `` I thought I could fix it when I got back. I thought...'' 
 
 `` It's ok.'' 
 
 `` But it is n't. I miss him so much. And...'' Jeremy's face became contorted from pain. He struggled to stay upright. 
 
 `` You will see him again. But not today. You have to go back.'' 
 
 Jeremy gave in, sinking back to the floor. `` Tell him... tell him that I love him. I always did. Still do.'' 
 
 `` Of course, Jeremy --'' 
 
 `` Jeremy! Jeremy!'' 
 
 Jeremy opened his eyes to see a helmeted face staring at him from a few inches away. 
 
 `` Thank God you're alive! We'll get you out of here, do n't move.'' 
 
 The soldier looked down at Jeremy's legs. `` Oh... oh God.'' He looked back at Jeremy's face. `` What was that? I could n't hear you.'' 
 
 `` Not today. Not today.''
