Dearest

Dearest is a short science fiction story by H. Beam Piper, published in 1951. The narrative follows Colonel Ashley Hampton, who grapples with pressures from his family to be committed to a mental institution while forming a bond with an invisible entity he calls 'Dearest.' This relationship explores themes of isolation, companionship, and the fine line between sanity and madness, culminating in a blend of the fantastical and the real as Dearest intervenes during a violent family conflict. The story is notable for its exploration of mental health and human relationships within a supernatural context.