*Note: Events in this story don’t reflect my actual life (for the most part). This is an experimental story.

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I. The Beginning
Months after I was brought into existence, I met my stuffed companion. In my crib, I witnessed my mother placing an Arctic fox plush beside me. As a baby, I could not perceive the stuffed animal as a companion, but instinctively, I cuddled it as a friend. In the first few years of life, I hugged the Arctic fox wherever I went. But, when my companion was taken away for a day or two to wash, I would cry and dip my head until it was back in my hands. My parents would view me as a noisy toddler on each occasion, finally understanding that the stuffed companion and I were inseparable.

II. Childhood
Eventually, I got around to name my stuffed Arctic fox, Snowflake. In my imagination, Snowflake was alive and trotted alongside me everywhere I went. She would wag her tail, wiggle her pointy ears, and let out shrills of delight every time I stroked her fur. To me, she was like a pet in my imaginary spaces. At night, I would nuzzle her fluffy belly and curl up with her, relishing in the snuggles with my stuffed companion under the blankets.

When the school days began for me, I took Snowflake to show my classmates. Most would pet her like how I would at home. However, a particular classmate snatched her away from me, tossing it to another classmate and back. Both presented themselves to me with grotesque faces, sticking their tongues out to tease me, a dash out of the classroom with my stuffed companion. I collapsed onto my knees and bawled my eyes out, attracting the attention of my entire class and my teacher. Immediately, my teacher stepped out and brought the two mischievous classmates back after a few minutes. She returned my stuffed companion to me, advising me not to bring it to school the next day.

I went home after school to tell my mother about the incident and what the teacher said to me. She, too, agreed with my teacher’s advice. “School’s for you to learn, dear, not for Snowflake,” she said, giving me a kiss on my forehead. I pouted and thought about it. If I brought my stuffed companion to school, I risked getting Snowflake stolen again. The next morning, I left Snowflake on my bed, slightly disappointed I had to part with her. But gradually, I had grown used to not having her by my side all the time. Soon, Snowflake’s existence in my memories faded with the passage of time, stashed into a box under the bed.

III. College Years
Seasons passed quickly like the breeze blowing through my bedroom window. I was looking through my belongings, preparing to move into my college dormitory when I stumbled across my old Arctic fox plushie again. Snowflake was sitting in one of my boxes, looking as pristine as how I saw her years ago. Raising her to my eye level, I considered whether I should bring Snowflake along to my dorm. Staring intently at her permanently stitched smile and orange glass bead eyes, she was charming me with her cuteness and I decided I would take her.

Arriving at my dorm, it was just spacious enough for me to reside in throughout my college years - a table, chair and a bed. I placed Snowflake on the table where I would do my projects, embracing her tightly from time to time whenever I felt stressed or needed comfort from college problems. Only during dormitory visits or inspections, I would hide her away from the prying eyes of other adolescent students. With Snowflake around, my college years went by smoothly despite how difficult the days were to pass.

IV. Adult Life
The next stage of life, however, was more difficult to have my stuffed companion around me. When I moved out of my parents’ home, there was no way to carry Snowflake in my arms without attracting unwanted attention from passersby on the street. No one in society would accept an adult with a plushie in public to be a normal citizen, so I left her at home on my bed. During my lowest points, in times of failure or breakups, I would burst into tears when I reached the privacy of home. Snowflake was there for me, sitting and waiting on my bed like an obedient pet. Dropping onto my bed, the mere touch and hug of my stuffed companion gave me comfort. The Arctic fox plushie followed me through the highs and lows, life’s trials and tribulations, but age soon caught up to me.

V. The Epilogue
Decades later, during my last few days on Earth, I was in a hospital gown. As I await the day of due and tremble in bed, I had a final request - to be together with Snowflake until my due. The Arctic fox had been passed down to my granddaughter from my own daughter, but she was willing to let me spend my last moments with the original stuffed companion who accompanied me through life. I held Snowflake inches from my wrinkled face and stared at her vulpine body. Her white artificial fur had turned gray from the years she existed with me. There were worn patches of fur and some stitches ran along her sides. I wished I had more time with her, placing my forehead against her fur-covered vulpine one and closing my eyes. With tears running down my cheeks, my body finally released its grasp as the heart monitor emitted a blaring continuous beep.

Upon opening my eyes again, I was in the hospital ward, but the walls, ceiling and floor were all white void. Snowflake was tilting her head in curiosity at me, reminiscent of the times we played in our imaginary space during my childhood. She looked like she had been freshly made, just like the first time I met her. I gave her a hug and she was as warm as always, if not warmer now. Releasing my embrace, she leaped up and down on my lap, requesting in a shrill feminine voice, “Follow me!” Stepping off the bed in only my hospital gown, my bare feet were touching what I could only describe as a solid light floor. My stuffed companion stopped in front of a radiant doorway, pointing her snout toward it. I hesitated and stared blankly. “Don’t worry. Remember that Snowflake’s always here with you. Even if you don’t see me, I’m in your heart, your memories. Let’s step in… Together… One last time…” She turned to me and encouraged me with a foxy grin, her pristine white tail swaying energetically behind. Walking alongside my stuffed companion, we headed into the light where my story ends - The Epilogue.