Oh sweet Tinae, Oh sweet little innocent Tinae. I hoped it was a story as well, don't get me wrong. No one wants to live in a world, where... that thing... exists. But unfortunately, it isn't a story. It's real. And it's coming for her."

By now, Tinae had forgotten about her bloody nose as well as her exposed self. Those thoughts had disappeared altogether, and all that remained, was her on horrifying envisage of the Boy Monster. "How... how do you know this? Who told you?" Tinae glanced at Reen, the quiet boy. His face, too, was a blank mask, but she could see hints of fear cracking through. "Why don't you say anything?"

Reen didn't say anything so the other boy answered for him. "He can't. He's afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of him. The Boy Monster."

"Wh-who is he? Or it?"

"You want to know the true story behind him? How he got his name, what he looks like, what he's done?"

Tinae nodded. She had never been more curious in her life. The following tale was to be one that would remain with her until her death. A tale of monsters and evil, a tale of swords and battle, a tale that made her yelp in shock and shudder with disgust. She wasn't sure anymore, who, no, what the thing was. Truly, a monster. And to think Ally was in its sights. Her heart went out to her friend, but at the same time, she herself, wanted distance, for fear of it chasing after her. She did not know why she could think of such a horrific thought. But every man for himself. Ally had told her that on numerous occasions. And if the Beast of Hell was to come prowling, Tinae wanted to be as far away as possible. At the conclusion of his tale, Tinae could do nothing. Incapable of movement or thought and mouth, dry with angst, she simply sat on on the floor, staring at blank space. Reen moved to help her up and gave her a new set of clothes.

"We'll take those ones. Go get some sleep." Reen said. "Night's upon us. Dream sweet dreams and wash away the darkness of this night. Our thoughts are with your friend. But you can't do anything for her anymore. Best look after yourself."

Tinae nodded and thanked him for her kind words. "Goodnight." As she exited the room, and made her way towards her own room, she remembered Reen's words to dream. There would be no dreams tonight, she was sure of that, only nightmares. That was another thing she hated about these stories of monsters and death, they induced nightmares, gave rise to the most terrifying of made-up events to run through her mind, waking her in the middle of the night, screaming and screaming. This world of fear... it was a world all of them in the Homestead inhabited. She knew this, because every night, if it wasn't her screams that woke her, it was everyone else's.

Back in the small room, Reen yawned loudly.

"So what'd you think Reen?"

"Yeah, thanks Haines. They were good."

"Told you she had a nice pair. Best out of the young ones I say."

"Mmhm, I can't believe she didn't ask for a shirt the entire time you were telling her that story."

"What can I say, story-telling is my craft. That piece of shit Lee has a long way to go before he could be as good as me."

"Uh Haines, I'm just wondering, that story you told, it's not true, is it?"

"Oh, yeah that's a true story."

"What, really? Where did you hear it from?"

"Oh, Polt told me. He was the one who, you know, gave him the-" Haines gestured, tracing a finger down his left eye.

"Wow. I can't believe it."

"Well, believe it. And you know what I reckon? I reckon she was a little bit into you."

"You think?"

"Hell yeah! We're Maea's hired helpers. We're basically leaders, already. And you know Tinae, she's the type of girl to suck up to guys in command, I can tell. Watch, she'll come back to you later night, when she's screaming her head off and when that happens, well, happy hunting."

"Thanks Haines."

"Anytime buddy. Anytime."