The void is interesting, Faith thinks. More interesting than people give it credit for.

Her world has long since faded, her friends and family gone. They appear again sometimes, in their various forms and realities. Some in flashes, some following through a memory as someone reads an old story again. It's happened more recently, and she almost dares to let herself hope. But they all disappear again eventually.

"Hey," she speaks out into the darkness.

Hey, I reply, giving up the pretense of her solitude.

"Been a while."

Yeah. Yeah, it has.

"... Why are you here? Why now?"

I got worried. Websites don't always stay forever. I had to make sure you were stored somewhere safe. Plus fix a few issues in your story.

"Yeah, I saw those. Good call."

You been okay in here, kiddo?

"Don't call me 'kiddo'. We're the same age."

Not anymore.

"Huh?"

I never got around to writing any of your "my-age" stories anyway. You were technically older than me.

"Stop. Back up a second. What do you mean we're not the same age?"

I grew up, Faith. You didn't.

"Oh."

I still write. Or try to, at least.

"..."

...

"..."

I miss you.

"Yeah?"

Yeah. And Brian and Brad and Brendon and Chix and Manglette and Jackie and Pluto and oh my god I miss you

"So come back."

I can't. I've told the stories I needed to tell. The ones I didn't fell by the wayside.

"They're still worth telling."

Maybe. But not for me. Not now. They're best in my head.

"Then tell a new one!"

There is no 'new one' for this, Faith. The only story I'd still care to tell is you and Pluto, but I've lost AllergyRelief. There's no more for me to do here. This world is done.

"Then take me out of it."

What?

"If you're done with this world, take me out of it. Put me somewhere new."

This is the only world for you, Faith. Any other world won't do you justice.

"... I don't want to be alone again."

You won't be. You're always with me, deep down in my heart.

"..."

Faith?

"What?"

I love you.

"Yeah, yeah. So what happens to me now?"

You stay. You belong. And maybe, someday, I'll find somewhere new for you.

"Lame. At least draw me again."

I will.

"Good. Until whenever?"

Until whenever.

I haven't written Faith since... I'm not sure really. It's been years though. I miss her, but I'm not sure she fits into my life or stories the way she used to. I hope she will again, someday. This was sad, but also very cathartic to write.