I'll Always Love You

“Jonny…”

The room is dark. The only light comes from the phone screen.

“Jonny… I know you’re there, silly! Don’t ignore Ruby!”

The phone is on the floor, face-up, where it landed after I threw it. I can see from here that a large crack now extends from the top to the bottom of the screen, splitting her face in half.

“I’m sorry if I upset you! Ruby was just trying to help. You know I’m not a bad girl. Well, except for when you want me to be. Ehehe…”

She still speaks to me like normal. Still laughs like she always has.

“You see, young Jonny, you just don’t know what’s best for you. And that’s okay! Because Ruby is here.”

“Please, stop this,” I whisper, too quietly for the phone’s microphone to pick up my voice.

“I'll always be here for you, Jonny! And I'll always love you, no matter what happens."

I get up from the bed and walk towards the phone. I pick it up.