I
met Jimmy maybe one month ago. I can't remember that far back, but I think one
month is pretty accurate give or take. By 'met' I mean that roughly one month
ago I became aware of Jimmy's existence. We've never actually spoken, you see.
I haven't really seen him either, but I know that he sees me. He might even be
watching as I write this.
Due
to my excessive loneliness I call Jimmy my friend. We're allies, him and me,
and with growing tension between the two of us and the Curtain People, I'm
lucky to have someone like him around.
In
the beginning (roughly two months ago), there was only me and the one Curtain
Person, a female, who lived behind the curtain covering the largest window in
my room. The same window I like to watch the moon through each night, and I,
being rather observant, noticed her pretty early on. This might have upset her,
but I can't know. I've never spoken with the Curtain People either.
In
any case, I was moving the curtain around one night, very carefully, not
wanting to disturb her but of course, I did, and she was boiling with rage.
That night the second Curtain Person was born. I watched it grow and grow until
it towered over the first.
We've
lived in this house for nearly seven years now, and never having ever seen the
Curtain People up until that point, I was terrified. I began sleeping with the
lights on, spent full nights watching their shadows. Especially looking out for
the second one who likes to poke its head out from behind the curtain now and
again and smile impishly at me. In comparison to her partner, the first one
appears rather benign, but its important to note that she spawns the others.
It's possible they're her clones.
Then
came Jimmy. As I said, I have never seen him, but this is what I know: he's not
scrawny but not so big either. He bumps around late at night, and analyzing the
noise I can say for sure that he doesn't weigh more than 150. Judging from our
fast friendship, I'm guessing he's close to my age. He wears a red hat.
Background wise, Jimmy is a recovering alcoholic. This is why he bumps around
in the kitchen so much, and now and then I check to make sure the vodka hasn't
been touched. So far, his sponsor must be proud.
But
these are all trivial things compared to Jimmy's real significance. He has a
background with the Curtain People, and dislikes them more than I do. He hates
them, actually, and he's the only person they're really afraid of. I can only
speculate as to why. My guesses so far are that he has super strength, a lazar
gun, lazar vision, or that he eats them. Whatever it is, it really works. Everything
has been under control for the past week.
I'm
thinking Jimmy really likes me too. Maybe he's just lonely like I am and
doesn't want to see me hurt. When they're aggressive, he's always watching from
my bedroom door, and he walks me downstairs just in case I need him. We're like
a team now, him and me. Though I don't do much, I think he likes the company.
But
as we evolve so do the curtain people. After taking a significant break, they
came back in a set of three. A third one who also likes to peek out from behind
the curtain. This upsets Jimmy more than you could imagine, and I only hold on
now with the knowledge that he's here. So much time is spent in my room, he's
hardly ever in the kitchen anymore. Tonight is the first I've heard him down
there for a while. Even with the curtains now gone from my room, there's an
unsettling feeling in the house. I told my mom to leave them up, knowing how
upset the Curtain People would be, but she took them out to the dumpster, and it's
impossible to guess what will happen next.
But
here's the catch. Here's the secret as to why Jimmy and I have never
'officially' met. The one time I'll see him is the time of the Final Battle. We
both know the Curtain People are planning their attack as I write this. When I
fully see them, I will fully see Jimmy. His lacking appearance assures me we're
safe for now, but anything could happen after tonight. Maybe they're out on the
curb with Mom's handmade curtains, but my suspicion is that they've moved into
the closet or another part of the house. Only Jimmy knows, but he's not
telling.