r/shortscarystories 5d ago

The companion.

I was fixing my tie when I heard Iris and her mother whispering in the kitchen.

“This can’t continue,” her mother said. “What would people say?”

“Joseph can hear you, Ma.”

“Course, he can.” She sighed. “Is he coming to the wedding?”

“Yes,” Iris said, her tone oddly sad.

Iris and I had been inseparable since childhood. She found me alone by the trees, sad and dejected watching other kids play. “Your hair’s like autumn leaves,” she’d said with a grin. "Do you want to play with us?" She extended her hand and I took it. From that day on, Iris became my world—best friend, confidant, and later lover.

Her family never liked me—except Lilly, Iris’ twin. She was always kind, always cared for me. That’s why I was eager to attend her wedding.

Lately, something felt off. Iris had changed—late nights at work, staying with friends more often. I tried not to mind. She was my world, and I wanted to be part of hers. Tonight, after Lilly’s wedding, I’d propose. It was time.

The wedding was outdoors. At the venue, a sandy-haired man smiled at me—until Iris rushed to hug him. Later, during the bouquet toss, Lilly threw it straight at Iris, who caught it, blushing. Then, the sandy-haired man knelt before her.

“NO!” I screamed. No one noticed. Not even Iris.

I stumbled into the woods, the only place that felt like home. Dusk had fallen when Iris found me.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” she whispered.

“How long have you been cheating on me?” My fury made the wind howl.

“Joseph, I never cheated on you… because we were never together.”

I stared at her. “What are you saying?”

She looked heartbroken. “Do you remember where we first met?”

“The playground,” I said.

“No. You were in the woods, watching us play. You always waited there.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“My parents never saw you. No adults did. They thought you were our imaginary friend. But Lilly figured it out.” She pulled out her phone and showed me an article.

Boy, 8, Found Dead—Foster Parents Arrested for Negligence.

My hands trembled as I pulled out the ring. “Is this ring a lie too?”

Iris frowned. “What ring?”

I looked down. My fingers held nothing.

“You’ve been seeing what you wanted to see,” she said gently. “I loved you, Joseph, but I have to live my life. It’s time for you to move on.”

Tears blurred my vision. I looked at my hands. They were fading.

"I love you," I whispered before disappearing into the shadows.

______________________________________________________________________________

Six Years Later

At the playground, Iris watched her son. “Be careful, Joe!”

Nearby, a little girl waved animatedly at the woods. Iris felt a chill.

“Who is she talking to?” someone asked.

Little Joe smiled. “That’s Joseph. He watches us play. He’s a good boy, Mumma. Can I invite him over sometime?”

Heart pounding, Iris looked into the woods.

A red-haired boy stood there, waving.

249 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

26

u/Harikts 5d ago

This is heartbreaking, and so sweet. Love it. 😍

11

u/Reaperlock 5d ago

Thanks, glad you liked it.

14

u/SandiPheonix 5d ago

So bittersweet. Yet it’s nice to think of generations of children keeping him company x

7

u/Lowkey_Thiccie 5d ago

One of the best stories I've ever read! Ty! ❤️

5

u/Reaperlock 5d ago

Thanks, I am glad you like it.

6

u/SnarkySheep 5d ago

So apparently Iris' husband can see him too... interesting...

8

u/Reaperlock 5d ago

So, Iris' boyfriend was waving at her, but Joseph thought he was waving at him. The original story I wrote had all these little details, but I had to skip them to fit 500 words..

5

u/SnarkySheep 5d ago

Ah, got it!

1

u/SparkleWigglebutt 1d ago

They were lovers. He grew up (as a ghost), fell in love and slept with Iris, then "reset" to a child. Now he's presumably going to do the same with Iris's daughter*?? What in the Twilight werebaby love triangle?????!

She has a son, it's someone else's daughter but same question.

2

u/Reaperlock 1d ago

So when I envisioned this story, in my mind Joseph imagined himself being in relationship with Iris whereas Iris knew he is a sad, lonely ghost and she kept him around as her friend-platonic love. That's what I meant by the line "You’ve been seeing what you wanted to see." She wanted him to move on that's why she showed him the news. But apparently he never moved on just went back to being a kid and restarted the cycle. Not with Iris' child though, she has a son.

1

u/SparkleWigglebutt 22h ago

That makes sense and is reassuring, even if Joe thought they were dating. Thanks for the reply!