"NO!" a shout echoed through the halls of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, followed by a scream of pain. A young boy was running out of Mr. Harriman's office out of fear.
"Sir Wingsalot! Control yourself!" Mr. Harriman shouted.
Sir Wingsalot had his sword drawn. There was a little blood on the tip. He looked down at the man in front of him, who was kneeling over in pain, clutching his shoulder. His wife was beside him, holding him up.
"What the hell!?" the man swore, "He attacked me!"
"I am not leaving this place with ANYONE!" Sir Wingsalot shouted, "Not unless it's her!"
"Sir Wingsalot, what is the meaning of all of this!?" Mr. Harriman demanded an answer as Frankie guided the couple out of the room.
A mother and father had come to Foster's that day intending to adopt Sir Wingsalot for their son. Their son was a fan of medieval ages, and they thought a winged knight would be the perfect for him. However, Sir Wingsalot refused to be adopted.
"I shall not let my dearest be replaced!" Sir Wingsalot answered, "I don't leave for anyone but her!"
"Sir Wingsalot, this is preposterous!" Mr. Harriman exclaimed, "This is the third time you have done this! This has gone too far!"
This all happened about three years ago. Since that day, Sir Wingsalot had been labeled as "unadoptable" and has been residing within to higher floors of Foster's. Almost no one goes there, and most of those who do would get lost. Food was sent up there from time to time, but other than that he had almost no interaction with anyone else. All the imaginary friends that WERE up there hid from him for some reason.
He had never felt so alone in years. Not since the very day that his creator Laura Finch left him there.
One day, as he was traveling the vast hallways of the upper floors, he found a balcony. Funny, how did he not notice this before? He opened the balcony to find himself outside. It felt like ages since he first breathed in fresh air. He took off the helmet he wore, letting the wind flow through his bright blue hair. It felt good.
He looked at the wings on his back. It's been quite some time since he last went out for a flight; maybe he should stretch out his wings for a bit. He put his helmet back on, and with a flap of his wings, he was airborne. He flew around the busy town, enjoying the feeling of freedom he had. Strangely, not too many of the townsfolk seemed to notice or care that there was a winged medieval knight flying around town.
However, as he went a little ways out of town, he noticed someone walking alone on a dirt path away from the high school. Knowing the dangers of walking alone, he decided to fly down to get a closer look. The figure he saw there seemed eerily familiar to him. Then, once he was on the ground, it came to him in a flash of light; the wavy locks of brown hair, the blue eyes… it was Laura.
Sir Wingsalot almost couldn't believe how the little girl he once knew so long ago could have grown into a beautiful young lady. He felt his feelings for her resurfacing after so long as his face turned red under his mask. He continued to follow her for a little bit, until she suddenly stopped. Part of him wanted to run up to her and hug her and promise to never leave her again. But another part of her figured she'd be rather shocked at seeing him again after so long. His wings seemed to act on their own as he rocketed back up into the sky. Laura turned around, and after scanning the area and seeing no one there, got back to walking down the path. Sir Wingsalot landed back on the ground and decided to follow her on foot, until she turned around again and he went back up into the sky to avoid her gaze.
Sir Wingsalot could tell Laura was getting anxious about something, and continued to follow her, this time by air. Eventually he watched as Laura's pace changed from a fast walk to a sprint. He followed her all the way back to her grandparent's house. Knowing he couldn't get in, he went over to the back of the house and waited for either her to come out, or for someone to arrive.
And not before long, someone did arrive. A boy around Laura's age with blonde hair and tan skin with a slight muscular build and in red walked up to the house, knocking on the door. Sir Wingsalot hid, watching him. Laura greeted him with a smile and let him in.
"Who is this man?" Sir Wingsalot asked, "And why does Laura seem so trusting of him?"
He watched as the boy and Laura cuddled together on the couch. They appeared to be talking about something, but he couldn't hear what. Secretly, a flame lit in his heart looking at the boy. He seemed to remind him of back when he was still with Laura, but not in a good way. When the couple seemed to go in for a kiss, Sir Wingsalot took off and flew back in the direction of Foster's with tears in his eyes.
"Why?" he cried to himself, "Why is she treating that boy like that!? Why did they kiss like that!?"
He couldn't accept the thought of Laura being in love with another boy aside himself. Jealousy leached at him and denial followed:
"Maybe… what if the boy's DONE something to Laura!?" he said, his tears fading, "Perhaps it's some sort of curse or charm he's using on her! He's made her forget me!"
That HAD to be it! He must have some sort of spell over Laura!
"I must save her!" he announced to no one in particular, "But… but how?"
That was when he ran into an old building in the forest. He had gone far from Foster's, but he could still see it from his point in the sky. He lowered himself to the ground to get a closer look at this building.
"It's completely secluded," he commented, "it doesn't look like it's been occupied in YEARS."
A smile came across his face; perhaps he could use this place.
With the idea buzzing in his head, he flew back to Foster's. He landed gracefully on the balcony and entered back into the house. Thankfully no one there seemed to notice he was gone.
'Dinner can wait,' he thought, 'I have something to work on.'