The boy named his grotesque friend “Fred.” Fred moved silently, never speaking, only emanating the stench of decay. The boy didn’t feel fear; instead, he felt an odd sense of comfort. Fred was the perfect companion for his solitude.

One day, however, Fred’s insides began to glow faintly. The light expanded slowly, like a nightmare unfurling, until it engulfed Fred’s enormous head in flames. The quiet room was suddenly filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh and smoke. The boy stood frozen. In the fire, Fred looked strangely content. And just before he was completely consumed, a faint whisper reached the boy.

“Thank you.”

The boy had no idea what Fred was thankful for. Left alone in the stillness of the scorched room, he stared at the charred remains. Only the blackened outline of Fred remained—a strange testament to an inexplicable friendship.