He came into our garden like a ghost

the blond boy with the raven on his shoulder

He was pretty like a star

and just as distant

an imaginary friend

vanishing before anyone else could see him.

But years later, he appears at my high school

He comes out of nowhere, just like before

This time he's older, taller, the raven gone

Is he real? Was it all true?

And if he vanishes again, how will I survive it?

* A standalone novel set in the Wild Men universe *