#monster!harry

The moment you fall in love with someone you never really think about how it’ll feel when it all comes falling down like the leaves of a tree in a late autumn breeze, forming piles of unwanted emotions and painful memories all around you. You never think that the man you saw your whole future with could end up being the same man that breaks your heart with such an ease it’s as if you never really meant anything to him at all. But that’s exactly what happened, Niall ended your two year relationship with a few simple sentences and then walked away leaving you to pick up the pieces of what’s left of your heart and find a way to move on. That’s how you found yourself in your little white rowboat pushing away from the rickety dock seeking refuge in the Styles Town Swamp, needing to get away from all the snickering and sideways glances of the people in your small town that have already heard and formed their own opinions about why your relationship really ended.

“I’m bored.” The casual tone of Niall’s voice as he delivered the first heartbreaking line of his departing speech bounces around in your head as you try to fight back the emotions that are starting to build up in your chest, forming a lump in your throat. “I need to see what else is out there for me-what does that even really mean? God I’m such an idiot.” You mumble as you continue to row out into the middle of the swamp, Niall’s last words to you on repeat in your head.

“He probably never even loved me.” You whisper with a sniffle as you allow the tears to start to fall freely down your face once you’re far enough from the dock and any sort of land that anyone could possibly hear or see you from. “He wouldn’t even hold my hand in public.” Your voice is a low painful teary murmur as you pull in your oars allowing the murky water to take you deeper into the swamp that has been the source of many unfortunate deaths in your small town around this time of year.

But you don’t feel afraid or uneasy, you never have when near the water or even while in it on the few occasions you found yourself submerged when your little rowboat tipped over after you ran into a random tree stump that was barely poking out of the water or when your fishing line got stuck on one of the long vines of a willow tree resulting in you falling overboard while trying to untangle it. The cool water and the buzzing of insects in the trees mixed with the birds flying overhead have always been comforting to you because the swamp is a place where you feel safe to say your deepest darkest thoughts out loud and let your true feelings out because the swamp doesn’t judge. It doesn’t even truly notice or care that you’re there, always flowing with a slow and steady current that takes all your secrets and worries away with it.

“How did I not see the signs that he was unhappy? I really thought we were perfect for each other.” Your voice cracks as you rest your chin in your hands as you lean over and place your elbows on the tops of your thighs. “I just want to be loved….” You whisper to yourself as a few tears roll down your cheeks and drip off your chin, you let out a few soft cries as you finally let yourself feel all the sadness that has wrapped itself around you like a blanket. You cup your face with your hands as your whole body starts to shake with your quiet sobs, feeling like with each tear that falls from your puffy eyes it’s a little bit of the love you had for your now ex boyfriend leaving your body.

After a few minutes you sit up and wipe at your watery eyes with a sad sigh and look down at the water, you watch as the moon’s reflection is disturbed by the ripples caused by a willow vine dipping past the surface making the once lovely picture of the dimly lit moon slowly disappear as each ripple grows bigger pushing it further and further away until it no longer resembles the image it once was. It reminds you of your life in a way, the beautiful picture you created in your mind ruined by one simple act that turned it into something unrecognizable as it drifted further away from you with each word that fell from Niall’s lips.

But as you sit there in your boat, surrounded by the comfort of the swamp you come to the understanding that the life you pictured with Niall is never going to be the life you end up with because he chose to remove himself from it. You can’t change it and at the moment you’re not sure you would want to even if you could because something in the deepest part of your soul feels like it’s pulling you somewhere far away from him.

There’s something unusual mixed in with the familiar dampness on the evening breeze as it tickles Harry’s ankles as he sits at the end of his dock with his eyes closed while his feet are submerged in the murky water. His fingers are mindlessly moving as if he’s playing an instrument that only he can see that’s causing the vines of the willows to bend and sway to the rhythm of the music he’s creating in his mind. His suddenly opens his eyes that are an unnatural bright yellow shade before he blinks making them return to their usual emerald, his fingers go still making the trees stop their dancing as he tilts his head making his long hair fall to one side. With a snap of his fingers the swamp goes silent, all the chirping of crickets and fluttering of leaves come to a sudden halt letting him listen to the sound that’s being carried almost directly to him on the wind, his brows furrow in confusion when he hears what he thinks is someone crying.

“That sound-” he whispers as he closes his eyes and tries to pinpoint where in his swamp the soft whimpers and sobs are coming from. “Is beautiful.” He mumbles as he slowly lowers himself into the water that only comes up to his waist, his eyes are still closed while his hands rest just above the surface. Harry starts walking further away from his dock, the water rising more and more with each step he takes, he stops in his tracks when he sees a blurry image of a woman sitting in a rowboat with her head in her hands appears in his mind for only a moment before it floats away.

“So pretty.” He says softly as he opens his eyes just as the wind delivers him another sad melody of cries. Harry snaps his fingers allowing the swamp to come back to life as he stands there with a smile on his face, an idea already beginning to take shape in his mind. “I need to hear more.” He whispers into the air as he dips the tip of his index finger into the water, twirling it around and around until a light fog is forming right above the surface.

“Bring her to me.” He commands softly before lifting his hand up to his lips and blowing a strong gust of air from his lungs causing the fog to start moving in his desired direction, towards the rowboat he saw in his mind that’s carrying the girl who is making such pretty noises.

You let out a heavy sigh as you reach for your oars just as the moon gets hidden behind a scattering of clouds causing the swamp to be swallowed by darkness. Deciding that you’ve spent more than enough time sitting in your own self pity, it’s time to head back to town and start creating a new life. But just as your hands grip the wood of your oars the squawking of the birds and the soothing sounds of the vines rustling against the surface of the inky water turn nearly silent as the clouds part ever so slightly letting you see a thick fog coming around the bend. You lean forward as your eyes adjust to the dim lighting, you watch in almost disbelief as the cloudy mass acts as if it’s heading straight towards you, not bothering to float down any of the small side canals on the way to surrounding you.

“Don’t go.” Your eyes go wide and you fall back onto the bench when you hear the faint sound of someone whispering in your ear as a sudden breeze blows, urging the fog forward so it’s now circling your small vessel. You look around as the moon gives you just enough light to see a brief yellow glow of what you swear is a pair of eyes in the distance just beyond where the sudden fog came from but they dip under the water before you can get another glimpse.

“Come to me.” You look around as you hear the same whisper on the breeze but this time it’s not as hushed, you look down and watch with curious eyes as the fog starts to gently begin pushing your boat deeper into the swap. “Don’t be afraid.” You feel your heart start to pound in your chest as the voice blows effortlessly on the breeze sending a shiver down your spine.

“Th-this is insane.” You mumble to yourself as your head turns in the direction of a quiet splash, you squint your eyes and feel your tummy do a weird flip when the yellow eyes once again appear just above the surface of the water at the edge of the fog. Their subtle glow has you unable to look away and to your surprise they don’t disappear the moment you catch their stare, they just look back at you unblinking for a few moments before releasing you from their hold and dipping under the surface into the deep murky water below.

“I won’t hurt you.” Those whispered words of comfort in your ear have you letting go of your oars, finding something soothing in the way the wind that helps carry the soft voice blows around your shoulders and then goes twirling around your ankles just above the skirt of your dress as if it’s wrapping its self around you. You aren’t overcome with any sense of panic or dread, no instead you feel an odd comforting sort of warmth make its way up your body from the dull embers of a desire for something you don’t fully understand that’s starting to crackle and ignite deep down in your soul. While letting out a deep sigh you place your hands in your lap, surrendering yourself to whoever the voice belongs to as you drift even deeper into the thick of the swamp.

You don’t know how long your little rowboat has been steadily pushed through the water, only assuming it’s been a while when you notice a change in the air as you enter into part of the swamp you’ve never seen before. There’s a thick dampness to the air that causes a heaviness to be felt as you come up on two giant willow trees with curtains of vines that completely block the way, you feel a small uneasiness wash over you as you prepare to duck down so their vines don’t hit you as you pass through. But to your surprise just as the front of your boat touches a small bundle of vines they slowly begin to pull back like a set of curtains allowing you through unscathed. You turn in your spot on the bench to watch the vines fall back into place creating a thick wall of greenery blocking anyone from being able to see your boat from the other side.

The boat coming to a sudden stop has you moving once more so you’re facing the front and you feel your eyes go wide as you’re met with a dock that leads up to what appears to be a run down fishing cabin that has one singular light flickering above the door. You grab your rope and securely tie up your boat, looking over the old wooden structure to make sure it looks stable enough for you to stand on before even attempting to climb out onto it. Once you’re on the dock you look around and it’s then that you notice the fog has all but vanished letting you see the swirls of green algae floating atop the inky blackness of the water as you watch it flow under the dock. As you stand at the end of the surprisingly sturdy structure you feel as if someone or something is watching you, there’s an unnerving quiet that comes over the swamp that has your eyes bouncing around until they land on the same pair of yellow eyes you’ve seen twice before.

You stand there frozen in place as the eyes stare into yours, your mouth falls open when out from the darkness the owner of the eyes steps into a stream of moonlight. You watch as a tall manlike figure slowly makes his way towards you, there’s bits of moss and dead leaves tangled in with his dark curls that fall just a bit past his broad shoulders, his tan skin has a green tinge to it as the moon shines down on him like a spotlight, your eyes skim downward taking in the swirls of black vine like markings that adorn his arms all the way down to his fingertips. You spot small clusters of dark brown and green scales on his arms as well as his chest as your eyes continue their journey downward, you swallow thickly when you roam down his well defined abs that house more swirls of ink that seem to go below the surface of the water.

You take a small step backwards as you watch the man inch closer and closer to the edge of the dock. When your eyes find their way back up to his face your brows pinch together as his eyes turn from their ominous glowing yellow to a calming emerald green after just a simple blink. Once he reaches the edge you can’t help but look at him with a sense of bewilderment as he places his palms flat against the wood of the dock and with little to no effort at all pulls himself up and out of the water. You blink a few times as you look down at his feet and then up his muscular thighs that have the same vine like swirls wrapped around them but when your eyes dare to travel upward just a bit you feel your face get hot and you turn your head to look away when you notice the only piece of clothing the man is wearing is a cloth tied around his waist by a thin braided rope leaving very little to the imagination.

“So small.” You feel a chill run down your spine as the same voice you heard carried on the breeze slips out of the man’s mouth. Before you can even turn your head you feel a warm hand on your cheek, he gently turns your face and tucks his pinky under your chin to tilt your head all the way back so you’re able to look up at him and it’s not until then that you realize just how big he is as he towers over you while his eyes roam over your features.

“I-I’m not small you’re j-just huge.” Your voice is shaky and barely above a whisper as you attempt to defend your average size but it goes unnoticed as he continues to look you over as if he’s committing your face to memory.

“I heard you making noises in your little boat.” He tells you softly as if he doesn’t want to disturb the tranquil silence that’s come over the swamp by being unnecessarily loud. He maintains his hold on your face as his eyes travel down your neck to the top of your black dress but when he gets to your pin that’s in the shape of a pumpkin with heart shaped sunglasses that’s attached right above your left breast he quirks a brow and brings his eyes back up to yours as if asking a silent question that has your cheeks turning pink letting him feel the sudden warmth of your skin under his palm.

“It was a gift.” You explain shyly, he doesn’t say anything in response but you swear you see the corners of his mouth twitch.

“Interesting.”

“Th-thank you.” You don’t mean for your words to come out like a question but they do and it has you internally cringing at how unsure you sound, but the man once again doesn’t seem to notice or care as he brings his other massive hand up to hold the other side of your face.

“Why were you making those pretty noises?” He asks with a tilt of his head as his thumbs run over your cheekbones before delicately running over your eyebrows. His warm hands cupping your cheeks and his fingers tracing the features of your face has your mind struggling to form any sentences, and as if he can sense this he slides one hand down to the side of your neck making a small gasp leave your parted lips at how his hand can nearly wrap all the way around it.

“You were crying.” He states as his thumb wipes under your eye feeling the dried evidence of all the tears you had shed earlier. “Why?” He asks while his hand on your neck slides down to the top of your shoulder and then your arm giving you light squeezes as he goes as if he’s seeing how sturdy you are.

“I uh-uhm got broke-broken up with.” You explain trying not to let your emotions get the best of you, not wanting to give any more of your tears to someone who isn’t worthy of them. Your words have the man’s eyes narrowing and you swear you see his eyes flash red before fading back to green.

“Those sounds were because you were sad?” He asks it as if the very idea of you being sad offends him, you do your best to nod with his hold on your face and that’s when he drops his hands from you and you hope he doesn’t see the small frown your mouth forms at the loss of his warm touch. You quietly clear your throat and look down at your feet suddenly feeling embarrassed and extremely small compared to the man standing directly in front of you.

“I-I’m sorry I’ll just-” before you can even try to motion to your rowboat you feel his hand slide to the back of your head giving your hair a tug so you’re once again looking up at him.

“You sound so pretty when you’re sad.” You swallow down your nerves as his grip tightens ever so slightly as he leans down while the corner of his mouth tugs upward into a sideways smirk. “I bet you sound beautiful when you’re crying out in pleasure.” The effortless way the words roll of his tongue fan the flames of desire you felt earlier deep down inside you, his eyes never leave yours as he leans down further until his lips are just an inch away from yours.

“Let’s find out.” His breath fans across your face and before you can even blink his lips are on yours in a bruising kiss that has you letting out a small noise of surprise when his free hand grabs at your hip pulling you flush against him, your hands reach out and rest on the surprisingly smooth skin right below his pecs.

His lips move hungrily against yours as if he can’t get enough, your eyes close and your lips part letting him slip his tongue into your mouth making a low growl come from deep in his chest. You immediately give him full control of the kiss, not caring at all how rough his hold on you is as he licks into your mouth smoothing his tongue over yours in a way that has you craving more. His hand slowly goes up your side and you can’t help the little moan you let out when you feel his warm hand cup your breast over the material of your dress, giving it a good squeeze before moving back down to your hip.

“Want to hear you say my name just like that.” He mumbles against the skin of your jaw, his hand sliding out of your hair and down to the side of your neck. You let out a soft sigh as your hands roam over his strong chest, feeling the roughness of his scales against your palms but then his words hit you and you feel a wave of embarrassment crash over you as you realize you don’t even know the name of the man that has his hands on you.

“Wh-what is your name?” You ask making the man smile against your neck before placing a warm kiss just below your ear.

“Harry.” He answers as he kisses his way down your neck only pausing when he hears you let out a small giggle. His eyes find yours when he pulls away just enough so he can stare at you with a look of pure confusion on his face that has you instantly regretting not being able to control yourself, even in moments like this.

“I love it-I just thought it w-would be something more uhm-uh scarier since you’re a uh whatever you are.” You want to slap your hand over your face at how silly you sound but Harry just quirks a brow and continues to stare at you.

“Do I scare you?” There’s a softness to his voice as he looks at you like he’s not sure what to make of you quite yet.

“No.” Your answer has a smile spreading across his face and you find yourself thankful his big strong hands are on you just in case your knees give out at how perfect his face looks while there’s a smile on it.

“Do I get to know your name?” You nod and watch his smile turn into a full blown grin as you tell him your name. “How terrifying.” Harry’s voice is borderline playful and you let out the beginning of a laugh but it gets cut off by his lips crashing into yours for a deep and desperate kiss.

Harry bends his knees and in one smooth motion his hands are on your hips and he’s lifting you off the ground making you have no other choice but to wrap your legs around his middle and your arms around his neck, not that you think he’d drop you with how strong you can already tell he is. He doesn’t break the kiss as he starts walking towards the cabin, his tongue licks your bottom lip before slipping into your mouth serving as a pleasant distraction from the fact he’s walking with his eyes closed. It’s not until you hear the sound of a door getting slammed shut that your eyes snap open, Harry doesn’t mind when you pull away from him his lips just move to your neck as he adjusts his hold on you so his hands are gripping the backs of your thighs.

“You’re so soft.” He says as he nips at the side of your jaw as he takes a few steps into the cabin, your eyes barely have time to adjust to the dim lighting of a few candles he has lit on random surfaces before you feel yourself falling backwards landing on something velvety and plush. “What do you call this?” You sit up onto your elbows and look down at Harry’s hand that’s grabbing at the skirt of your dress that’s bunched up at the middle of your thighs from how your legs were wrapped around him.

“A dress.” Your answer has him narrowing his eyes as he inspects the garment, running his thumb and index finger over the soft material.

“Does it come off?” You rub your lips together to hold back a small chuckle at how serious he looks as his eyes roam over your body seeing how much the dress covers you and clearly not liking it.

“Yes it-” the sound of fabric being ripped has your eyes going wide and your mouth falling open as Harry wastes no time in ripping the front part of the skirt, tearing it all the way up near where it hits your hips not stopping until you hold your hands out. “Wait I can-can just take it off.” Harry nearly pouts at the fact he can’t just rip your dress off your body but he listens and removes his hands.

He doesn’t move from the edge of the pile of blankets and pillows that form a makeshift sort of nest he dropped you on that sits in the corner of the cabin. You sit up on your knees, Harry’s eyes lock with yours and the way you watch him lick his lips in a hungry sort of anticipation has all your nerves melting away making way for a surge of confidence to radiate through you. His stare is intense but holds a softness to it as he watches you grab the fabric at the bottom of your dress and carefully lift it over your head but before you can drop it on the floor Harry reaches over and grabs it, your cheeks get hot as he brings it up to his face and gives it a smell as he rubs the soft material against his cheek.

“Can I keep this?” His question has you nearly choking on air as you take in a deep breath, he just stares at you as he continues to run the material against his cheek.

“Uhm no I need it to-to wear home.” You answer softly not wanting to upset him because you can tell he is enjoying how soft the fabric is against the smooth skin of his face and neck.

“Fine.” He says with a sigh as he drops the dress down near his feet, his eyes take in the new bits of flesh and when they find your black bra his eyes continue to travel downward as he reaches a hand out with furrowed brows and plucks at the thin material of the waistband of your matching panties. “Why do you hide yourself?” You look down at his hand that looks extra massive when it’s gripping the outside of your thigh, his thumb slipping under the hem and before you can answer his question his eyes find yours and you feel a small tug and hear a quiet ripping noise that’s followed by a shiver that runs through you as the cool air hits your newly exposed skin.

“I don’t like it.” He explains as he tosses your now ruined panties to the side not caring where they land, and before you can blink he’s ripping off your bra like it’s nothing and tossing it behind him. “You’re too pretty to hide under such ugly things.” You open your mouth to argue with him about how your lingerie is far from ugly he just isn’t used to it but before you can even mutter a single syllable his hand grips the side of your neck, tilting your face upwards with his thumb as he bends down and captures your lips in a kiss that’s different than the others you’ve shared. It’s slow and full of something that has your heart pounding against your chest as if it wants to break free and let Harry keep it, already knowing it would be safer in his hands than anyone else’s.

“I want to feel you.” His voice is deep as he pulls away and urges you onto your back. “I want to taste you.” He tells you between kisses down your neck, you feel his hands gently spread your legs enough for him to fit between before placing them on either side of your head. “I want to ruin you.” You feel as if your whole body is buzzing as Harry continues to kiss his way down your neck to your chest. His eyes find yours as he takes one of your nipples into his mouth, you let out a breathy sigh as his warm tongue circles it a few times and your hands reach out and grab at his arms when he gives it a gentle nip with his teeth before moving on to the other one.

“Will you let me do that?” Your mind is a fuzzy mess as he hovers over you with a desperate yet hopeful look in his eyes that makes you want to laugh, because you don’t understand how he could possibly think you would ever tell him no.

“Yes.” A grin spreads across his face that shows off his dimples and you have to hold back an awe at how adorable he looks but the moment is short lived because soon he’s lowering himself down to his knees and grabbing at your hips to pull you closer to the edge so he can toss your legs over his shoulders. He grabs onto the soft flesh of your hips with a firm hold but in a moment of softness you watch him turn his head and place little kisses to the inside of both thighs nuzzling his nose against the soft skin and taking in a deep inhale.

“You smell just as pretty as you sound.” You bring your hands up to cover your face but Harry doesn’t allow it for even a moment. “Don’t.” His voice isn’t commanding or even loud but still, something in the way he says it has you instantly dropping your hands to your sides letting his eyes find yours. “Need to see you while I taste you.” Before you can respond he sticks out his tongue and teasingly flicks at your clit with the tip of it making your hips want to jerk upward but Harry’s strong hands keep them in place.

His eyes never leave yours as he leans forward and lets his warm tongue explore your slick folds, his hold on your hips tightens as he pulls you even closer to the end of the blankets and you let out a loud moan when his tongue dives into your soaked center. Harry makes a noise that sounds like a satisfied hum mixed with a soft growl as he licks into you, his hands moving down to grab at the outside of your knees to spread your legs a little wider allowing him to wiggle closer to the edge of the pallet and swirl his tongue deeper into your wetness. You don’t know what to do with your hands as you feel a wave of pleasure roll through you as Harry’s tongue dives in and out of you with such skill it has you wondering how many times he’s done this but those thoughts are washed away when he reaches up with one of his hands and grabs yours and brings it to rest on the top his head.

“Oh god.” You say with a moan as your hand slips into Harry’s surprisingly soft hair as he gives your clit a few flicks. You let out a small whine and drop your hand from his hair when Harry’s mouth moves away from your needy cunt.

“That’s not my name.” His voice is rough as his eyes stare into yours, you let out gasp when he gives the inside of your thigh a small but noticeable bite that you know is going to leave a mark. He places sloppy kisses on his way back to where you desperately need him most, you watch a smile take over his face as he tilts his head to the right and then to the left as if he’s admiring a profound piece of artwork.

“So pretty.” Is all you hear him whisper before he dives his tongue back into you with a new found determination, your hand goes back into Harry’s long locks and gives his roots a harsh pull when you feel his hands tug you further down until the backs of your thighs are pressed against his chest and the backs of your knees rest on top of his strong shoulders.

“H-Harry oh fuck.” You say with a loud moan as your eye snap closed, the roughness of the scales on his chest brushing against the soft skin of your thighs mixed with the way he’s licking and sucking at your center as if he’s trying to devour you has you feeling overwhelmed but in the best possible way.

When you open your eyes and look down at Harry’s head between your thighs it doesn’t shock you to see he’s already looking at you, but what does surprise you is the way he’s looking at you. His eyes are a dark green almost black but with a softness and warmth to them that you swear you’ve seen and felt before, his stare is intense but in a way that makes your pulse quicken and your heart feel like it’s on fire. It’s the intensity of his stare and the swirl of his tongue as he pushes it deep inside you that has you spiraling off the edge and falling face first into a pool of pleasure. He holds your thighs open when you try to close them as you let out a cry of his name as you come undone, Harry lets out a throaty growl as he catches all your release on his tongue, the slurping sounds he makes as he swallows it all down being the only noise in the room apart from your heavy breathing.

“H-holy shit.” You pant as your hands fall to your sides as you try to catch your breath. “How’d you-why are you so good at that?” You ask as your brain tries to un muddle itself allowing you to think just a little more clearly. Harry lets out an almost sad noise when he pulls away from your center, his hands running up and down the outside of your thighs.

“Good at what?” He asks innocently as if he has no clue what he just did to you with only his mouth. “I just wanted to taste you.” He tells you casually as he licks his lips, you stare at him with a dumbfounded expression that has him quirking an eyebrow at you.

“I just-you are uh really talented with your uhm-uh tongue.” Harry smiles at your words of praise as he stands up making you let out a small shriek when he wraps his hands around your ankles keeping them near the tops of his shoulders making it to where your center is pressed against his very prominent bulge that’s only being restrained by a piece of cloth.

“Can I feel you now?” You swallow down your nerves as you watch one of Harry’s hands reach down to untie the thin belt keeping his one piece of clothing up, you already could tell he was going to be big but what you see when he lets the cloth fall to his feet has you suddenly unsure if you’ll even be able to take him with how thick and long he is.

“I-I don’t know if-” as if Harry can sense the reason behind your hesitation he quickly moves one of your legs so it’s bent at the knee and your foot is resting flat on top of the soft blankets, he leans over just enough so your other ankle is resting on top of his shoulder while he places a hand near your hip to hold himself up, you feel your worries get lost somewhere in the back of your mind as two of Harry’s thick digits slide inside you.

“You’ll be okay.” He reassures you as he slowly pumps his fingers in and out of you letting your body adjust to their size before he adds a third. “I won’t hurt you remember?” You can only manage to nod in response as you feel him stretch you open bit by bit with each thrust of his fingers that are thicker than anything else you’ve experienced before.

He lets out a small laugh when you whine loudly as he slides his fingers from your wetness, licking them clean with a pleased hum. Then he leans over even further placing his hands on either side of your head making your knee find its place on his shoulder, your thigh practically touching your chest as his face hovers over yours. You can’t help yourself as you reach up and cup his face in your hands, his hair falls to the sides acting as a curtain around the two of you as he leans down to press his lips against yours.

“Eyes on me.” He instructs softly but with a hint of something more serious, you just nod as your eyes find his. “Take a deep breath.” You do as he says making him smile. “Now let it out slowly.” As you feel the air slowly leaving your lungs you also feel the tip of Harry’s cock slip past your entrance making you instantly tense up. “No no don’t do that.” Harry’s voice is gentle but you can tell by the way his jaw is clenching that he’s having to hold himself back. “Another deep breath in and then let it out nice and slow.” He pushes in just a bit more as you exhale slowly, his eyes search yours for any signs of discomfort and when he finds none he pushes in a little more letting you feel every inch and every ridge of his thick shaft.

“You’re-you’re so big Harry I don’t-” your words get cut off by Harry placing his lips on yours in a quick kiss.

“You can.” He tells you and it’s the way he sounds so confident as if he’s seen the two of you in this position before in his mind and knows you can take him just fine that has you letting out another deep breath and nodding your head before moving your hands to your sides.

“Okay.” Harry smiles down at you and gives your lips one last kiss before he stands up, your leg still bent and the other still resting on his shoulder. His eyes glance down at where the two of you are connected and you feel yourself loosening up a bit as a wave of confidence and desire washes over you as you watch him lick his lips and hear him let out a deep gravely sounding groan as he pushes himself deeper into your tight center.

“Everything about you is so nice and pretty.” He tells you as he finds your eyes. “You taste so nice.” You let out a moan and grip the blanket at your sides when he pulls out just a bit and then slides back in with a quick thrust. “The way you sound is beautiful.” His eyes darken as he looks at you while pushing all the way in until he’s fully tucked inside you, deeper than anyone else has ever been able to get. “You’re just the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” His sweet words have a smile spreading across your face as he stills his hips letting you adjust to his size.

“You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen too.” Harry grins at your words as he turns and lowers his head so he can place a few kisses to the inside of your ankle that his hand is wrapped around keeping it in place near his shoulder.

As your body accommodates Harry’s size and girth you feel a sense of fullness that has a warming sensation flowing through you, a comforting sort of heaviness inside of you that you know you’re going to be aching for before too long. But then you remember how Harry said he was going to ruin you and you think this is what he meant, supplying you with a feeling he knows no one else will be able to give you. Before you can get too wrapped up in your thoughts Harry starts moving his hips, slow at first to test how you feel but when he sees your lips part and your head lean back as his name tumbles out of your mouth he begins to quicken his pace.

“Want to keep you.” His voice is deep and filled with need as his thrusts turn harsher, finally letting himself handle you the way he’s been wanting to. “Want to have you all the time.” He says as he leans over planting his hand next to your hip letting him hit even deeper with the new angle, your eyes roll back and your back arches as he pounds into you at a relentless pace that has you meeting your release harder and quicker than you’ve ever done before.

His name falls out of your mouth over and over as you pulse and squeeze him, he lets out a loud moan as he watches his cock slick with your arousal slip in and out of you while you soak him. He doesn’t slow down or give you time to catch your breath before he’s moving your leg off his shoulder and roughly grabbing your sides so in one quick and smooth motion he has you in his lap as he sits at the edge of the mass of blankets and pillows. You grab onto his shoulders as he fucks his thick cock up into you while you struggle to meet his pace, still feeling floaty and tingly from your orgasm.

“Feel this.” Harry grabs one of your hands and places it on your lower tummy letting you feel the bulge of the tip of his cock against your palm as he thrusts deep inside you. “We are one.” His lips find your neck as he keeps your hand pressed against your tummy. “You’re what I’ve been missing.” He whispers in your ear as he gives you a harsh thrust of his hips, you feel yourself dangerously close to coming undone as his hand slips lower until his thumb is pressing against your clit.

“I’m so-it’s too-oh fuck.” Your words are a mumbled mess as you try to grasp onto any self control you have left but when Harry grabs at the side of your neck with his free hand and forces your head to tilt back so your eyes can lock with his you find yourself losing the battle inside yourself and coming undone with a loud cry of his name.

“So wet and warm.” He says with a moan as he gives the side of your neck a small squeeze. “So perfect.” He growls as he bucks his hips into you with a hungry determination that has you bouncing on his lap, your hands clawing at his shoulders to keep you steady.

“Want to make you mine.” His words flutter through your fuzzy mind, barely making any sense to you when suddenly you’re being picked up and placed on your back with your head at the top of the blankets and Harry hovering over you, his pupils are blown out and there’s a deep sense of need radiating off of him. “Say you’re mine.” You try to catch your breath and make sense of the situation that you’re currently in, clawing at what little shreds of your sanity you can but Harry is too much, he’s too overwhelming in all the ways that make your heart flutter and have you being washed away in a wave of pleasure and completion so you can’t even stop yourself before you just nod and bring your hands up to grab his face.

“Yours-I’m all yours.” And you mean it, you fully belong to the man that’s staring at you with such intensity you think you might explode, your heart leaps and the deepest darkest parts of you feel bathed in a warmth you’ve never felt before as he leans in and places his lips on yours in a kiss that has you grinning when he pulls away.

“All mine.” He mumbles against your jaw as your hands tangle into his hair, he gives you a few harsh thrusts that have you scooting up the blankets until the top of your head meets the wall. He lets out a loud groan followed by your name just as you feel a surge of warmth as Harry finally gets hit with his release, he gives the side of your neck a little bite as he gently fucks you through his orgasm, wanting to give you every last drop he has to offer.

“I knew it.” Is all he says with a smile on his face as he plops down next to you on the blankets. You just turn your head to look at him, too exhausted and a little sore to do much else.

“Knew what?”

“You sound even prettier when you cry out of pleasure.” His voice isn’t teasing or mocking, he says it as if stating a simple fact and it has your face heating up but before you can try to hide in the comfort of your hands Harry is rolling over to his side and sitting up on his elbow so he can grab your hip and pull you closer to him. “Don’t do that.” He gently warns as he runs a finger down the side of your face. “I like to see you.” He says with a smile when he feels your cheek get hot under his touch.

“Can-can I ask you something?” Harry just nods as he continues tracing the soft features of your face. “How long have you uh lived here?”

“Forever.” He answers honestly as his eyes roam over your face and then down your body. “I’ve always been the keeper of this place-the swamp I think is what you call it? I make sure the creatures and things are well looked after and-”

“Do you know why so many people uhm d-die here?” This question makes Harry pause his movements and look at you with an almost pained expression on his face. “I’m sorry I don’t know why I asked you-”

“I know the name and remember the face of every single person that’s died in my water.” You rub your lips together and reach a hand up to trace one of the black vines that flow down his neck to his chest. “It has to be done sometimes.”

“What do you mean?”

“The water needs a soul every few years so it takes one or sometimes I offer it one but it’s to keep the people safe.” Harry explains as he rolls over to his back, not even looking at you as he grabs your arm and helps pull you over to him so your head is resting against his chest. “It would be chaos if it didn’t get its soul-floods that would bring nothing but death so it’s just easier to sacrifice one to save hundreds.” You feel your heart drop at the idea of Harry having to be apart of every single death that happens in his swap, the amount of pain and guilt he must carry around with him that he somehow hides exceptionally well with dimples and lopsided grins.

“How long has it been since the last uhm death?”

“Five years.” His hold on you tightens as he lets out a deep sigh. “It’s been calling for a soul I just haven’t found one yet.”

“Oh.” Is all you say and as he’s proven a few times already it’s as if he already knows you and can tell what you need to hear from him to keep you from diving into the deep end of your never ending thoughts.

“I won’t hurt you remember?” He places his lips to the top of your head making you smile. “I mean it. I won’t let anything or anyone else hurt you either.” You believe every word that comes out of his mouth, finding a sense of comfort in them that has your eyes closing and your breathing evening out enough for you to fall into a peaceful sleep in the arms of a man you don’t even know that well but already feel connected to in ways you can’t explain.

Harry feels a weird pang in his chest as his sits and watches you try to get your dress back on without letting the rips show too much of your most intimate parts that now have to go uncovered due to his roughness with your undergarments. His eyes roam over every inch of you, already missing the way your soft and delicate body feels pressed against his. When you let out a huff and turn to face him he can’t help himself as he reaches out and grabs your hips to pull you so you’re standing between his legs, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips when he hears the soft little squeak you let out.

“You’ll be back tomorrow?” He asks for the fifth time in the span of ten minutes making you let out a laugh as you nod your head yes. “And the day after that?” He questions as he reaches up and cups the side of your face in his hand letting him feel the warmth that rises to your cheeks when you catch him staring at you.

“Yes I’ll come back tomorrow and the day after that.” Your answer has Harry smiling as he leans forward and rests his forehead on your chest letting you run your hands through his hair doing your best to avoid the random leaves and moss he has tangled in it. “I uhm won’t be able to come until tomorrow night because I have to go get my uh-uhm things from Niall’s house.” Harry’s hands find their way to your backside giving your ass a firm squeeze as you talk, only pausing when you mention a name he hasn’t heard before.

“What things? From who?” He asks as he lifts his head off your chest, he can tell from the way you’re biting your bottom lip that answering his questions is going to cause you pain and it has his hands sliding back up to your hips so he can give them soft squeezes. “Is he the one? The one who made you come here and cry in your little boat?”

“Yes.” You answer truthfully and Harry pushes down his rage and anger towards the individual that hurt you, not wanting you to think he’s at all upset with you. “I have to go.” You whisper sadly as you see the start of the sunrise through the dirty window of Harry’s cabin.

“I want you to have something.” You raise an eyebrow as Harry lifts his hands up and closes his eyes, you watch in amazement as he twirls two fingers around in the air making vines suddenly appear from a small hole in the ground form where one of the planks in the floor gave way and fell into the dark water below. He keeps his eyes closed and twists his fingers a few more times until the vines create a small bracelet, he opens his eyes once he hears it fall to the floor.

“So you’ll always have a piece of me with you wherever you go.” He explains as he slips the bracelet onto your wrist, you run your fingers over it and feel surprised by how soft and sturdy it feels.

“It’s so pretty.”

“Just like you.” He states with no hint of playfulness evident in his voice as he stands up and places a hand on the side of your neck. “You’re all mine right?” You feel as if your whole body is tingling as he tilts your head up so you can look him right in the eyes.

“I am.” You don’t know why that answer falls out of your mouth with such ease, but you also don’t question it because Harry makes you feel wanted and cherished in a way that has you willing to tell him anything if it means he’ll keep looking at you and touching you the way he is right now.

“Good.” Is all he says before he captures your lips in a goodbye kiss that has you gasping for air by the time he pulls away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye Harry.” You stumble a little bit as you turn to walk out his door, leaving him standing there with a smile on his face as you wave bye to him.

Part 1: Here

Part 2: Here

Part 3: Here (holiday check in)

It’s been five days since the night you met Harry and since then he’s all you can seem to think about. Like the way he looks at you like you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, the way he isn’t afraid to touch you and grab you to pull you as close to him as possible as if being even an inch apart kills him, the way he says things to you that you’ve only ever heard in movies or read about in the cheesy romance novels you keep tucked away in your nightstand but mostly you think about how he makes you feel as if you’ve finally found the person your soul has been pulling you towards because when you’re with Harry you feel whole, you feel complete in ways only he can understand because he feels it too. It’s all of those things combined that have you more than willing to climb into your little rowboat every evening so you can row out into the thick of the swamp where Harry sends a gentle gust of wind and an even blanket of fog to escort you to his cabin. You’d do it every day for the rest of your life if it meant being as happy as you are when you finally see him waiting for you at the end of his dock with a grin on his face and a hungry kind of love in his eyes that makes your heart flutter and your tummy to erupt in butterflies.

And tonight is no different, you have a smile on your face as you place your duffle bag on the bench across from you before pushing off from the rickety little dock at the entrance of the swamp. You grab your oars and begin rowing, the sounds of the leaves rustling in the wind and the soft chirping of crickets serve as the soundtrack for your voyage. You look around at the long strings of moss dangling from branches of old cypress trees, watching how when the moonlight gets hidden behind a swirl of clouds it turns the peaceful scenery into an eerie landscape where the strands of moss turn lifelike as they blow in the breeze making them look like hands trying to reach out and touch you as you row by. It sends a small shiver down your spine and a sudden bundle of nerves to form in the pit of your stomach as you pull in your oars, having paddled out deep enough into the swamp on your own that now the slow current can drift you to the spot where Harry’s fog usually appears to take you the rest of the way.

You reach your hand over to pull up the sleeve of your purple sweatshirt that has a bedazzled witches’ hat on the front of it, you feel your nerves start to calm down as your fingers run over the smooth almost leather like bracelet Harry made you before you had to leave him the very first time. You let out a small sigh of relief when the swamp starts to turn back to its more tranquil atmosphere as the moon slowly gets uncovered by a smattering of clouds, bit by bit revealing the swamp’s true nature as it bathes the trees and the algae covered water in its silvery glow letting you once again feel the usual peace that comes with being in one of your favorite places.

That moment is short lived because only a few seconds later you hear a splash, the sudden noise making you flinch as the ripples made by whatever came in contact with the water causes your boat to rock. You don’t look around, not wanting to investigate a noise that was probably just a branch or a bundle of leaves falling off a tree nearby, deciding that your mind is just in a playful mood this evening and is turning everything that you normally find relaxing and soothing about the swamp into something that makes you feel uneasy and has a slow chill crawling up your spine. You figure it has something to do with the fact it’s October and Halloween is just a few days away so everything seems more spooky and creepier than normal. For a moment you close your eyes and place your hands in your lap, gripping the soft material of your skirt as you try to act as if you don’t hear the sound of bubbles popping on the surface of the water.

“If you don’t look at it then it c-can’t hurt you.” Are the words of wisdom you whisper to yourself as you keep your eyes closed, waiting to feel the gentle tug of your boat to let you know you’re only a few minutes away from being in the arms of the man that makes you feel safe. But as you wait you get an odd sort of feeling as if there’s eyes on you, watching you struggle to keep calm and it has you swallowing down your fear and opening your eyes to show whoever it is that you’re braver than you appear even if it’s not entirely true in this very moment.

“Holy sh-oh my god what-why are you out here?” Your words come out in a rushed mumbled mess as a hand flies up to your chest, you can feel your heart pounding underneath your palm as you find yourself staring right into a pair of glowing yellow eyes that happen to belong to the very man you’re on your way to see.

“I live here.” Is all Harry says as he stands up and walks the short distance to your boat from where he was at in the water and if you weren’t busy trying to calm down your racing heart you would’ve rolled your eyes at his very Harry like response. Before you can even open your mouth to ask him how he knew where to find you Harry is gripping the edge of your boat, eyeing the inside of it briefly before he reaches over and places a hand flat on each bench and pulls himself into your suddenly extremely small rowboat.

You blink a few times as your eyes look him over while he grabs your duffle bag with one hand and tosses it out of his way so he can sit on the bench across from you. Your eyes follow a drop of water as it rolls down his bare chest, over a patch of his scales before its journey ends when it meets the thin rope around his waist that’s holding up his only piece of clothing. By the time your eyes make their way back up to his face you find his eyes are already locked on you, fading back to their emerald color as he stares at you with a look you haven’t seen before. Harry doesn’t let a minute go by before he’s leaning over and reaching out to grab at your sides, effortlessly moving you off your bench and into his lap.

“Missed you.” Is all you hear before his lips are crashing into yours as you snake your arms around his neck while your legs wrap around his middle. The kiss is hungry and frantic as Harry slips his tongue into your mouth and his hands slide under the hem of your skirt, you hear a low growl come from deep in his throat as his hands grab at the soft flesh of your bare ass having learned your lesson on wearing cute lingerie or any type of undergarments around him since they only end up being shredded piles of fabric on his floor.

“Need you.” Harry’s voice is rough as his lips travel down your jaw, you feel his hands spread your legs a little wider letting him pull you even closer. It’s not until his hips jerk upward that you feel how worked up he is, you tilt your head letting his lips have more access to your neck as one of his hands makes quick work of moving the only barrier that’s keeping him from properly feeling you out of the way.

“Need you right now.” He groans as his hands grab your hips, you let out a little noise of surprise when he lifts you up just enough so he can ease you down onto his hard cock. You let out a whine as you feel the now very familiar stretch that comes with Harry’s thick shaft pushing its way inside you, his eyes darken into a deep mossy green as one of his hands pushes your skirt up so he can watch your tight cunt take him inch by inch.

“Been thinking of this all day.” Your hands grab onto his shoulders while he lets out a low moan as he lowers you all the way down onto his lap, his lips lick and suck at the spot right below your ear earning him a soft moan. “You’re so warm and perfect.” His hands squeeze your hips before one slides up your side, you feel him pull away making your eyes find his and you have to hold back a giggle as he tugs at the hem of your sweatshirt. “Is this a punishment? Are you upset with me?” He asks as his brows furrow as he reaches a hand out so he can feel the shiny sequins of the witch’s hat, you watch as a small pout forms on his face at the idea that you could possibly be unhappy with him for some reason.

“It’s just a sweatshirt-I get cold easy and it’s uhm well- I think it’s cute.” You explain as you try to focus on his face and how perplexed he looks as he eyes the purple festive sweatshirt, and not on the slight twitch of his cock that you swear you can feel all the way in your tummy.

“Always hiding from me.” He mumbles with a hint of annoyance as he slides his hand down so he can slip it under your shirt until he’s cupping your breast in his large hand. “The only reason I’m not ripping this ugly purple thing in half is because I can’t risk anyone else getting to see what’s mine.” He tells you with a buck of his hips making the tip of his cock hit the spot that has your head leaning back and your nails digging into the skin of his shoulders. “You’re still mine right?” He asks as his hips find a brutal pace that you struggle to meet as the boat starts to rock causing sloshing noises to be heard throughout the otherwise quiet swamp.

“Yes-yes I’m yours Harry.” You say with a moan as your eyes snap shut and you feel yourself getting closer and closer to the edge with every rough jerk of Harry’s hips, thrusting his thick shaft in and out of your wetness with a singular goal in mind, to have you fall apart for him.

“You take me so well and feel so good I can’t even use my hand anymore when you’re not around. I need you all the time.” He tells you as his hand slides from under your shirt so he can grip the side of your neck forcing you to look at him when you open your eyes. “That’s what you’ve done to me.” You let out a loud moan as his pace quickens making your grip on his shoulders tighten as you start to bounce on him making the boat creak under the weight of the two of you.

“Lost all my patience the moment I heard your oars hit the water. I had to come to you. I couldn’t wait any longer needed to have you bouncing on me just like this or I was going to go mad.” You try to take in the words that are coming out of Harry’s mouth but then his hand gives your neck a squeeze and you lose your ability to focus on anything other than the pressure building up in your lower tummy that has you letting out a moan of his name.

“D-don’t stop pl-please don’t stop.” Harry smiles as your voice turns desperate, enjoying hearing you sound almost as needy for him as he is for you. He lets out a choked moan when your hands tangle into the back of his hair giving it a tug before you crash your lips into his for a kiss that’s all tongue and teeth as he uses his grip on your neck to pull your face closer to him letting him lick into your mouth as he gives you a few harsh thrusts.

“When we get home I’m gonna have my way with you.” He says it like a promise, with his mouth right next to your ear after pulling away from your kiss swollen lips. You let out a soft moan as his words have you squeezing and pulsing around him. “I’ll bend you over and take you on the edge of the bed.” He tells you between kisses down your jaw. “Have you up against the wall near the front door.” You let out a gasp when his hand slides between the two of you and starts rubbing your clit with his thumb. “I’ll taste you and let you feel my fingers right there on the dock.” You close your eyes as Harry nips at your jaw, your whole body feels tingly as he adds more pressure to your clit.

“Want that-want it all.” You tell him as you try to lean your head back so you can look up at the sky, the moon shying away from the two of you and hiding behind a cluster of clouds almost as if it doesn’t want to interfere in the intensity of the moment so it only allows a small sliver of its light to shine down on your little boat, but Harry doesn’t want your eyes on anything else but him so he’s quick to use his grip on your neck to force you to look at him.

“You have to give me what I need first.” There’s a gentle dominance to his voice as he stares at you with an intensity that has your heart wanting to leap out of your chest. “Give me what I need and I’ll make you feel nice and full just how you like it.” His words mixed with the way his eyes are locked with yours has you toppling over the edge and coming undone with a cry of his name. Harry grins as he watches you fall apart, your mouth falls open and your hands tighten their grip in his hair while you make the most beautiful mess all over his throbbing cock.

“You’re so perfect.” He groans as he tries his hardest not to be too rough with you as he nears his own release, but as soon as he glances down and sees his shaft glistening with your arousal in the dim moonlight he loses all his control making you let out a yelp when his thrusts turn frantic causing you to slide your hands from his hair and dig into his shoulders for some form of support. Harry lets out a loud growl as his eyes snap back up to lock with yours as his hips give you one last harsh thrust before your name tumbles out of his mouth over and over as you feel the comforting warmth that comes with his release coating your walls as he comes deep inside you.

“I’ll never get enough of you.” He says as he tries to catch his breath, he moves his hands to cup your face so he can pull you in for a quick kiss. “You’ve completely ruined me.” You smile as you place your hands over his, enjoying the warmth of his palms on your skin.

“Good.” Harry lets out a laugh as you lean in to steal a kiss from him before your hands fall to your sides and you let out a sleepy sigh. “How did you know where I was?” You ask as Harry moves a hand to the back of your head urging you to rest your head on his shoulder while his other hand runs up and down your back.

“The trees told me.” He says casually as you turn your head so your cheek is resting on top of his strong shoulder.

“The trees? Can-can they talk? Like you hear their voices or-”

“No they don’t have voices but they’re always talking you just have to know how to listen.” He answers as he lifts his hand off your back so he can lean over just enough to dip his index and middle finger into the water and give them a swirl that suddenly causes the boat to start drifting forward with the help of a steady current.

“Will you teach me?” You ask with a small yawn that has Harry smiling as his hand runs up and down your arm while his other continues its soothing motions on your back, not bothering to move you off his lap because he knows you like feeling of him being tucked deep inside you just as much as he does.

“If you want me to.” He says between little kisses to the side of your head, you smile and nod as you bring your hands up and tuck them between the two of you as you snuggle into Harry as much as you can with how strong and solid he feels compared to you.

“I’d like that.” You mumble as you feel your eyelids start to get heavy, Harry’s hand rests on your lower back pulling you closer to him as he feels you starting to fall asleep by the evening out of your breaths and the steady rhythm of your heart beat.

“Rest now my sweet girl.” His voice is like a soft breeze in your ear that has your eyes finally shutting, Harry smiles when you let out a soft sigh and nuzzle your face into the crook of his neck.

“Can I ask you a weird question?” Your voice is quiet as Harry’s hands run up and down your back under your pink pumpkin and black cat patterned nightshirt as you lay on top of him near the edge of the dock, your cheek pressed against his chest as you use him as a body pillow so you can watch the sunrise and he can just enjoy the feeling of your weight on top of him.

“No I can’t talk to animals.” He tells you with a hint of teasing laced in his voice as he closes his eyes and listens to the wind that carries a soft melody of birds singing and the buzzing of insets with the gentle ripples of the water, letting him hear the usual comforting sounds of the swamp slowly waking up.

“Oh that’s a bummer but that uhm wasn’t my question I was just uh w-wondering how-how old are you?” Your voice holds a hint of hesitation that Harry picks up on instantly, one of his hands slides out from under your shirt and into your hair gently running his fingers through it.

“Are you worried that I’m going to tell you I’m thousands of years old?”

“No not thousands but uhm hundreds maybe?”

“I’m only a hundred and twenty five.” You feel your eyes go wide as you sit up so you’re straddling him, he opens his eyes as his hands grab your hips helping to keep you steady so you don’t make a wrong move and end up falling into the water. “Is that okay?” He asks as you stare down at him with a look of pure shock on your face.

“You-a hundred and-I don’t get it.” Harry just lets you take a moment to gather your thoughts as you run your hands over your face. “I just turned thirty and-and I feel old but y-you’re over a hundred years old and look-look like you’re not even in your thirties.”

“I age slow so I can take care of the swamp for as long as I can or for as long as it’s around.” His explanation has you quirking a brow as his hands give your hips a soft squeeze.

“You’ve been here longer than the towns been here?”

“Yes. I’ve been here ever since the swamp was formed.”

“Oh wow.” You say in amazement as you place your hands on his chest, he smiles as he watches you take in the new information. “Does it bother you? You know uh d-dating someone so young?” Your question has Harry’s brows pinching together in confusion.

“Dating? What’s dating?” He asks with a sense of genuine curiosity that has your heart wanting to swell at how adorable the giant man underneath you who can command trees to bend at his will and create clouds of fog to form whenever he desires looks when he’s confused.

“It’s what we’re doing.” You explain as you lean over so your face is hovering over his. “It’s when you spend a lot of time with someone you like and then maybe if it gets serious you’ll become official like boyfriend and girlfriend and after that the next thing is marriage but that’s only if you’re into that sort of thing.” Harry stares at you like you’re speaking a completely different language and it makes a little giggle escape you as you place a hand on the side of his face that he doesn’t hesitate to lean into, loving the warmth of your palm on his cheek.

“I don’t understand all of that.” You just nod and open your mouth to say something but Harry reaches a hand up and places it at the back of your head pulling your face down until your lips are a breath away from his. “I just know you’re mine and I’m never letting you go.” If anyone else had ever dared to utter those words to you it would’ve sent a shiver of fear down your spine at how possessive they sound but hearing Harry whisper them to you like a promise as the sun starts to peak through the trees has a soothing sort of relief washing over you at the idea that for as long as Harry’s around he will always want you.

“Does that mean you’re mine too?” You ask softly with a shy smile as Harry’s grip on your hip tightens.

“Yes.” Is all he says before his lips are on yours in a slow and passionate kiss, you smile against his lips before you pull away just enough to catch your breath.

“You never answered my question.” You tell him with an embarrassed flush rushing to your cheeks, Harry lets out a laugh as the hand at the back of your head slides down to the side of your neck.

“No it doesn’t bother me.” He says reassuringly before he pulls you back down for another kiss. This one is slow but still holds a hint of hunger as Harry’s hand on your hip slides to your lower back and in a quick movement Harry is rolling you over so he’s now the one hovering over you. “Are you okay with how old I am?” He asks with a knowing smile on his face as your hands cup his cheeks.

“Oh yeah I love older men so this is great for me.” You try your best to sound teasing and playful but you can tell by the way Harry’s jaw clenches and his eyes narrow as they stare into yours that he didn’t find it the least bit funny. “I’m sorry I did-didn’t mean that but uh no I don’t mind you being so uhm old.”

“How many others were there before me?” His question takes you by surprise and has your hands dropping from his face as he leans down so his lips are next to your ear. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” He says softly as if he can feel the nervousness that’s starting to creep up into your chest.

“Three.” You answer truthfully making Harry just nod as he places a kiss to the side of your neck before pulling back just enough so he can stare into your eyes with his. “What about you? H-how many others were there before-”

“None.” You feel your eyes widen as Harry just stares down at you with a small smile on his face. “There’s been no one before you and there’s not going to be anyone after you.” Harry tilts his head a bit as he watches your eyes go glassy and your bottom lip to start to tremble ever so slightly. “There’s just you.” He explains before placing his lips to your forehead, you let out a shaky breath and bring your hands up to rest on his chest as you try to get control over your emotions but as soon as he looks at you with those soothing emerald colored eyes it’s over and you feel the first tear roll down the side of your face.

“You can’t say things like that.” Your voice comes out pouty and watery as you lightly give his chest a swat that you know he more than likely didn’t even feel given how sturdy he is.

“You’re crying.” His voice is a mixture of confused and worried as he watches a few more tears fall from your eyes making a tiny dark spot form on the wood of the dock from the wetness of your tears as they slide off your face. “Why?” He asks gently as you do your best to blink away the remaining tears before they can spill over your waterline.

“Because that was just I don’t know-no one’s ever wanted me the way you do. It’s nice.” Your words have an odd mixture of emotions hitting Harry right in the chest, a part of him likes knowing he’s the only person that’s ever made you feel like this but then there’s the part of him that’s angry at all the others who came before him and never managed to give you what you deserve.

It’s in this moment as he hovers over you and watches you struggle to get yourself back under control that he realizes just how truly fragile you are, and in more ways than just the obvious. He already knows he has to be careful with you, he can’t use most of his strength when grabbing at you or he’ll leave dark purple marks on your soft skin that make him upset with himself anytime he sees them. But now he knows he has to also be mindful of how he speaks and acts so he doesn’t hurt you emotionally, because he doesn’t ever want you to sit in your little rowboat and cry into your hands over something he said or did that hurt you.

“So these are nice tears?” He asks wanting to really make sure he didn’t accidentally upset you. You just nod and give him a reassuring smile as you run a hand through his hair.

“Yes.” You answer as your hand rests on the side of his face and it’s as if Harry already knows what you want so he doesn’t waste anytime before he’s leaning down and placing his lips on yours.

Your hands grab at his arms, letting out the smallest little moan when you feel the strong muscles of Harry’s biceps under your fingers making his eyes darken as the noise hits his ears. You close your eyes and let out a sigh of content as Harry’s lips travel down the side of your face, kissing away all the evidence of your tears while one of his hands goes to the outside of your thigh so he can slide it under the hem of your tiny sleep shorts. Harry lets out a quiet growl as you jerk your hips up when his lips make contact with your neck, giving it a gentle nip with his teeth.

“Harry.” His name comes out of your mouth like a breathy moan that goes straight to Harry’s cock as you jerk your hips again trying to get some much needed friction.

“I know.” His voice is deep and soothing and it has you letting out a deep sigh of relief when he starts to kiss his way down your chest over your shirt, until his lips are at the waistband of your shorts. “You know I’m always going to take care of you right?” His words hold more than one meaning but the answer is the same either way.

“Yes I know.” And you do, you know Harry is always going to give you what you need and try his hardest to give you what you want even in moments like this when he knows he shouldn’t because your body is still sore and recovering from the night before but you’re his one and only weakness and any opportunity to be close to you he will take because he can’t get enough.

“Look at me.” Your eyes find his as he leans back so he’s sitting on his knees between your legs. “Tell me if it’s too much. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.” His voice is gentle but still has enough of an edge that lets you know he’s serious.

“You won’t hurt me remember?” The corners of Harry’s mouth twitch as a playful smile spreads across your face, before you even realize what he’s doing Harry is hovering over you with his weight on one arm while his other hand is sliding under the waistband of your shorts.

“You’re awfully playful for someone who was just crying.” He says with a tease to his voice, his eyes stare into yours and just as you open your mouth to say something he slides two fingers into your soaked center making your eyes close and your hands to clench into fists at your sides. “So wet for me already.” He whispers as he leans down so he can kiss the spot below your ear. “How’s this feel?” He asks as he slowly pumps his thick digits in and out of you making your lips part and a soft moan to fall from them.

“S-so good oh.” Harry smiles as your back arches when he adds a third finger, already knowing what your body needs from him in order to make you feel good. When he moves the pad of his thumb up to rub on your clit you let out a low hiss and it has him immediately drop his thumb from your puffy bundle of nerves.

“Too much?” He asks as he kisses his way to your jaw, you just nod as he continues to slowly thrusts his fingers deep inside your wetness. “I’m sorry I know your perfect little pussy got handled a little rough last night.” He says between kisses down your jaw, hearing Harry’s deep voice say such vulgar words has your head spinning as he quickens the pace of his fingers. “I’ll be gentle.” He assures you before he leans back onto his knees, he holds off a smirk when you let out a loud whiney cry when he removes his fingers from your achy center so he can slide your shorts off and toss them near the door of the cabin.

“Don’t pout I’m right here.” He tells you as his hands grab your legs so he can bend them at the knee, his eyes travel down from your face to the glistening mess between your legs and it makes him let out a quiet groan as he unties his rope belt not caring about where it falls. “I’m going to give you what you want okay?” Your eyes lock with his as he leans over you once he’s settled between your legs that are spread nice and wide for him, you give him a frantic nod as your hands grab at his shoulders as the anticipation of the delicious feeling of Harry stretching you open starts to stir deep in your tummy.

“I’m ready-pl-please Harry I need it so bad.” Your sweet voice begging him for his cock makes Harry let out a low moan as he teases you just a bit, sliding the tip of his hard cock through your slick folds and poking at your entrance a few times before finally pushing it in earring him a loud cry of pure pleasure.

“Your needy little cunt takes me so well.” His eyes look down so he can watch his thick shaft disappear inside you. “Like it knows who it belongs to and just wants to have my big cock stuffed inside it all the time.” Your nails claw into the sides of his shoulders as Harry’s hips move at a torturously slow pace as he pushes all the way in until you feel that comforting fullness that has you letting out a soft sigh, finally starting to get some real relief from the deep ache you’ve been feeling all morning.

Harry watches with a pleased smile as your lips part and a few soft moans escape you while he keeps a slow and gentle pace allowing you to feel every inch of him as he pulls out to the tip and pushes back in. He bites down on his bottom lip as he holds himself back from quickening the thrusts of his hips, wanting to give you what he knows you so desperately want but without being rough. You reach your hands up and grab his face and he quickly lets you pull him down so your lips can find his, your hips move to match the almost painfully slow thrusts of Harry’s as your tongue slips into his mouth making him let out a low moan that you just swallow down as you deepen the kiss.

Your hands slide into his hair while Harry continues his languid thrusts that have your insides feeling as if they are burning with the intense need for more. As your tongue licks into Harry’s mouth you move one of your legs and place it over his hip letting him get deeper with each controlled movement of his hips. While enjoying how deep he’s able to reach with your leg over his hip he still doesn’t quicken or change the intensity of his thrusts earning him an almost annoyed whiney sounding huff as you pull away from him.

“What’s got you so pouty?” He teases as he kisses the tip of your nose. “Am I not giving you what you want? Because it sure feels like you’re enjoying it with the way you’re pulsing and squeezing me right now.” You want to roll your eyes because of course your body is reacting that way, having Harry like this is always something you enjoy but you just want a little more roughness than what he’s giving you right now.

“Just-just want you to g-go harder.” You explain between sweet little moans as the tip of Harry’s cock hits the spot inside you that has your toes wanting to curl.

“I know you like it when I fuck you rough and hard.” His words have your hands tightening their hold in his hair making him smile as he continues to thrust into you at a slow but determined pace. “But if I do that now then you’ll be too sore and sensitive for me to pound into the blankets tonight.” Your eyes close as Harry quickens his pace just slightly making you let out a moan of his name. “So be my sweet girl and just take what I’m giving you.” He says softly as he stares down at you while you fall deeper into a blissful pool of pleasure with every rock of Harry’s hips.

Harry feels the muscles in his stomach tighten as you come undone with the softest cry of his name, your hands fall out of his hair and grab at your breasts making him have to close his eyes so he doesn’t burst inside you right then and there. He gently moves his hips so his cock is slowly pumping in and out of your warm wet center and the moment he opens his eyes and finds you already looking right at him he loses all his control and gives you a few more thrusts before he’s coating your walls with his release. The sound of him fucking the mixture of his and your release back into you nearly has him ready to pick you up and make you bounce on him the way he loves but he doesn’t, he just enjoys the feeling of you wrapped around him tightly trying to squeeze every last drop out of him.

“Done pouting?” He asks with a smile as you reach out and trace one of the vines going down his chest.

“Yes I’m done.” You answer with a laugh as your other hand runs over a patch of his scales on his upper chest. “What are the trees saying right now?” You ask quietly as Harry looks down at you with a fondness that has his heart feeling all floaty. He lifts his head and closes his eyes as the breeze softly begins to blow through his long hair and he smiles as it twirls around his upper body like it’s giving him a hug.

“Nothing really just that they’re happy.” He answers as he keeps his eyes closed and the breeze slowly travels down to your ankles making you giggle at how ticklish it is. “And they like you.” He adds with a grin as he opens his eyes and looks down at you, a smile spreads across your face as he leans down and gives your lips a quick kiss.

Harry’s eyes fly open as he hears a strange noise blowing in with the wind as it comes through the open window of his cabin, he looks down at you as you sleep peacefully tucked into his side under a blanket, your face pressed into the pillow you brought on the third night you came to see him because you claimed his bed needed more than just blankets. He tilts his head and listens closely as the wind blows around his small house and what he hears has his brows pinching together because it sounds like someone saying your name. Harry carefully and quietly slides out of the comfort of the blankets so he can walk to the door and slowly open it just enough so he can poke his head out. The vines on the willows are moving erratically in the wind and the water is sloshing against the side of your small rowboat as if both the trees and the water are trying to tell him something and it has the hairs on the back of his neck standing up as he hears your name once again being called out from a distance.

Harry looks over his shoulder to check you’re still asleep before he slips out of the front door, softly closing it behind him before walking to the end of his dock. He blinks a few times making the green of his eyes change to the bright glowing yellow that allows him to see his surroundings better at night, he looks around and notices that the moon is even hiding behind a giant cluster of clouds blanketing the whole swamp in darkness. He closes his eyes and snaps his fingers so the noises of the trees blowing in the wind and the water sloshing against your boat go silent letting him focus on the one sound that matters most, the voice calling your name. Once he has an idea of where the voice is coming from he opens his eyes and gives another snap of his fingers letting the trees and water go back to their normal volume as they get blown around in the breeze. He takes in a deep breath and dives into the water, not thinking about anything else other than the fact someone is in his swamp is saying your name and how much he doesn’t like it.

When Harry’s head breaks the surface he is near the entrance to the swamp, by the dock where your little rowboat is usually tied up. His eyes scan the area and he is confused when he finds a blonde man with bright blue eyes sitting on the edge with his feet dangerously close to the water and a bottle in his hands. He stays hidden in the shadows near the bank by the dock, sitting on one of the stumps of a fallen cypress tree so he can observe the man for a bit.

“I know you’re out there-your stupid boat is gone.” Harry quirks an eyebrow as the man shouts out into the darkness before bringing the bottle up to his lips and taking a hefty swig before placing it down between his slightly spread legs. “Just come back…please? M’sorry for what I said it was dumb and-and I’m not bored I’m just-an idiot. Pl-please come back an be with me.” This confession that’s not much more than a mumbled whisper has Harry’s hands clenching into fists and his eyes shining a bright red as he comes to understand who this man is and why he’s shouting for you.

He’s Niall.

Harry silently slips back into the water and slowly swims just beneath Niall’s feet and then he does it, he grabs his ankle pulling him under just as Niall looks down and see his red eyes staring up at him through the blackness of the water making his mouth open up to let out a startled shriek that gets muffled by the water. Harry stands up, his feet firmly planted in the soft mud on the bottom of the swamp and lets Niall come up for a breath, their eyes lock and he sees the usual look of terror on Niall’s face that he sees every time he finds himself having to do this but unlike every other time Harry feels a small tinge of pleasure surge through him because this is the first time he’s done this to someone he felt actually deserves it.

“She’s not yours anymore.” Harry all but growls as he reaches a hand out and grabs Niall’s shirt lifting him up so just his lower half is submerged in the water.

“Wh-who the fuck-what are you?” Niall’s voice is frantic and full of fear as he looks down at Harry with wide eyes.

“She’s mine.” Is the last thing Harry says before he body slams Niall down into the water until his back hits the muddy bottom. He watches as Niall’s face disappears into the inky black and then he feels the man’s hands clawing at his wrist and forearm trying desperately to fight him off so he can come back up the the surface for some much needed air, bubbles rapidly coming up and popping at the surface as he kicks his feet. Harry watches as the bubbles slowly stop coming and the hands that were clawing and trying to fight him off stop moving, but it’s not until Harry no longer feels a heartbeat under his palm that’s securely pressing against Niall’s chest keeping him pinned under the water that Harry removes his hand and turns around.

“You have what you need now let the water rest.” He whispers to the ripples that were caused by the rapid movement of Niall’s feet thrashing around under the water, Harry dips his index finger into the water and swirls it around making a thick fog appear that moves so it’s covering Niall’s now floating body, dragging it deep into the swamp while Harry watches. When the fog slowly vanishes a peaceful ease comes over the swamp, the moon reappears from behind the clouds and the breeze blows softly in the trees along with the low buzzing of the insects and it makes Harry let out a sigh and run a hand through his hair before starting his journey back home to his cabin, back to where you’re still peacefully asleep in his bed with no clue of the awful thing he just did in order to keep you and your town safe.

Harry can sense you before he can actually see you, the vines of the willows near his small house slap the surface of the water causing angry ripples to radiate outward until they reach his feet that are submerged in the water from where he’s sitting at the end of his dock. The wind howls against the window of his cabin causing the small shutters to bang against the outside and Harry just nods his head in understanding at what his surrounding are trying to tell him, you’re angry with him and he knows exactly why.

So Harry just sits and waits, he knows you well enough now after spending a full weekend with you as well as several nights together that it’s better to let you get all your talking out of the way before he tries to explain himself. And even though he knows you’re not happy with him he can’t help but smile when he sees your little white rowboat appear through the wall of vines that keep his home hidden.

“Harry did you do this.” Your voice is full of anger and pain as you move so you’re sat on the bench furthest away from him, you put your oars in the water making Harry’s gentle current stop moving your boat closer to his dock so you’re still a decent distance away from him. Harry slides off the dock as you hold out a newspaper that has the headline about a missing man named Niall Horan who was last seen near the Styles Town Swamp three days ago.

“Do not come any closer ju-just an-answer the question.” You snap at him as he takes a few steps closer to you, Harry feels the beginnings of a crack start to form in his heart as the moon works against him and shines down on your face letting him see the streaks of tears rolling down your cheeks.

“Yes I did it.” He answers truthfully making you let out a shaky breath as you toss the paper down into the water. “It was either one or hundreds so I picked one and he was it.” He explains as you bring a hand up to cover your mouth as a wave of guilt comes crashing over you at Harry’s confession.

“You-you killed him be-because of me.” The guilt and pain in your voice has Harry taking another step towards you as your hands start to shake when you drop them to your lap. “He died because of me.” You whisper to yourself as your chest starts to feel tight and your heart begins to pound so hard you can hear it in your ears.

“Look at me.” Harry’s hands are reaching over and grabbing yours from his spot right next to your boat and even though you’re upset and angry with him you can’t help but do what he says. “This isn’t your fault.” He tells you as he stares into your bloodshot eyes, he gives your hands a gentle squeeze when he feels them start to tremble. “I did it. Just me. Not you.” He adds with his usual gentle but still assertive voice that normally has you just nodding and believing everything that he says but this time you can’t because you know it’s not true.

“You wouldn’t have known who he was if it wasn’t for me so it is my fault Harry.”

“I told you that I wouldn’t let anyone or anything hurt you remember?” You give him a small nod as he gives your hands another squeeze. “He was at the dock calling out for you and I knew he would hurt you again with his cruel words and I couldn’t let that happen so I gave him to the water but I made sure it was painless and as quick as possible.” Harry’s words have a new wave of tears spilling from your eyes and he feels another crack form in his heart when you pull your hands away from his.

“You don’t get to do that.” You tell him with a watery voice as you grab the handles of your oars. “You don’t get to twist that promise around so it gives you a reason to do horrible things to people-you killed him because you wanted to didn’t you? You wanted him gone because he hurt me right?”

“Yes.” Harry doesn’t hesitate to answer you and it has you rubbing your lips together to stop them from quivering as you start paddling away from him.

“Well now you’re the one hurting me Harry so I’m-I’m leaving and-” your words get cut off by Harry grabbing your oar, his large hand wrapping around it so he can use it to pull your boat closer to him.

“I’m sorry.” Your eyes go wide when suddenly Harry is pulling himself into your boat, dropping to his knees in front of where you’re sitting as his hands grab yours and press them to his bare chest. “I’m so sorry I don’t want to hurt you. I never want to hurt you. I haven’t ever felt this way and knowing he caused you pain made me want to hurt him so I did.” Harry’s voice is frantic and desperate as he looks at you with his bright emerald colored eyes. “I picked him because it made me feel good getting to kill the man that made you cry and I know that’s horrible of me and you didn’t ask me to do it and I should just let you row away and forget all about me.” Harry lets out a shaky breath and swallows down his nerves before opening his mouth and telling you something that shocks you.

“But I can’t let you do that because I love you.” He confesses as he brings your hands up to his lips, placing little kisses to your knuckles. “You don’t understand how badly I need you and how much I crave and miss you when you’re gone.” His eyes have a sheen to them as they get hit by the soft light of the moon and it makes your mouth fall open when you realize Harry actually has tears in his eyes.

“I’ve always been able to feel you. Every single time you got in this little boat and paddled off and told the water and the trees your darkest fears and most treasured secrets.” You watch as a tear rolls down his cheek as he talks. “I could feel how much joy and peace my waters brought you but I could never figure out where it was coming from or where you were but then that night I was finally able to hear your voice and not just a hushed whisper or a floating laugh on the wind but your actual voice and it was beautiful and it brought you to me.” His eyes lock with yours as he gives your knuckles a few more kisses. “So no I’m sorry I can’t let you go because I just found you.”

You stare at Harry for what feels like hours but is really just a few minutes as you take in all the words he just said. He doesn’t move, doesn’t reach out and grab you to pull you closer, he just stays on his knees in front of you with your hands tightly wrapped in his and waits for you to say something. You look around at the trees and then down at the water, the moon’s perfect reflection staring back at you and it’s that subtle sign from the beautiful and peaceful nature that’s surrounding your little boat that has you looking back at Harry with a smile.

“I love you too.” Your voice is low and rough from crying but Harry hears you just fine, he lets your hands go and is reach out to grab your face in his large hands.

“Please don’t leave me.” He begs as he leans in so the tip of his nose is bumping yours. “I’m so sorry please just stay with me forever and I’ll never do anything to hurt you again I swear.” You wrap your hands around his wrists as he rests his forehead against yours.

“I’m not leaving you Harry.” You tell him in a hushed tone not wanting to ruin the peacefulness of the atmosphere. “But if you do something like this again I’ll-”

“I won’t. Never again.” Is all he says before he’s pressing his lips against yours in a kiss that is full of nothing but love and the smallest hint of desire because Harry can’t help it, he always wants you. “You’re still mine?” He asks between soft kisses to your lips as your hands tangle into his hair while his drop to your hips.

“Yes.” Harry smiles against your lips but then his thumbs rub against a fabric he hasn’t ever felt before on your hips and it has his brows furrowing as he looks down and sees your legs covered in some thick blue material all the way down to your ankles. “They’re called jeans and yes I wore them because I was mad at you.” You explain making him let out a huff as he goes to pinch the material on the top of your thigh not liking how tight it is making it hard for him to get a good grip of.

“Do they come off?” You can’t help but laugh as the question rolls off his tongue reminding you of the first night you met.

“Yes but don’t even think about ripping them these are my favorite pair of jeans.” You warn him with a glare that has him grinning as he leans over so he can put his hand in the water and on one strong push against the surface your little rowboat is bobbing towards the dock and with a flick of his wrist is being tied off.

“Fine.” You let out a small yelp when Harry stands up and grabs you so he can toss you over his shoulder before stepping onto the dock. He gently places you on his pile of blankets making sure your head lands on your pillow before he puts his hands on either side of your head letting him hover over you, not caring in the slightest that he’s dripping water all over the place.

“Welcome home.” You smile as he looks down at you, he leans back so he’s on his knees between your legs and lifts a hand up and just as he flicks his wrist you look out the open door of the cabin and watch your little rowboat start to drift away from the dock. “You’re all mine all the time now.” He tells you as he leans back down so his face is hovering above yours, you reach up and place a hand on Harry’s cheek, his eyes glance over and see the bracelet he made you still securely wrapped around your wrist making him smile as he turns his head to place a kiss to the skin right above it.

I take two steps at a time up the walkway and then on the stairs to the porch, the porch swing in front of the window swaying slightly in the wind. It suddenly stops as I approach, but I don't give it another thought as I pick up the heavy orange potted plant next to the door to find the plate it sits on. The plain silver key sits there catching the sun's light, where I left it yesterday, because my copy has been missing for months. I only wonder who could have done that. Grabbing it, I stick it into the door and give a twist before placing the key back under the pot, like any other day.

The house is silent and dark when I step inside. I flick on the light and the living room is awash in light as I toe off my shoes, warm sunlight pouring in from the open door until it slams shut suddenly. My head flies up and I look around quickly, taking a deep breath and after a minute, I decide it was just the wind. Dropping my heavy backpack at the end of the stairway around the corner, I walk through the living room and into the kitchen against the back of the house.

/

I push open my ajar bedroom door with my foot, leaving my backpack at the door. The sun peeks into my room from the left, coming in through the hastily pulled drapes above my desk. I choose my steps carefully amidst the mess of clothes flung haphazardly across the floor, and others falling out of the open duffle bag sitting by my desk. Falling onto my bed, I click on the TV and bring my crustless PB&J to my lips. Crumbs litter my lap and covers as I watch the rest of an episode of Bones, a rerun but a good one nonetheless.

After awhile with crumbs clinging to my shirt sleeves and sticky peanut butter fingers, I drag my feet over to my desk and get started on my homework. Music trickles from the bluetooth speaker sat at the corner of my desk. I scribble answers in the blanks on the worksheet, turning it over and groaning at all of the questions waiting for me on the back. Peeling my eyes away from the history worksheet, my eyes lift to the gently open blinds. There’s the sliver of outside visible through them, and what really catches my eye - the sun setting on the horizon. My heart does a jump at the sight of it, and I look over my shoulder before I can stop myself. I automatically look to my bed, and the emptiness and scuffed wooden floor underneath it.

With an impatient sigh, I back to my homework with a sullen face. Skipping the next song, I flip the page of my textbook and move on to the next question. I just want to get this shit done already. Who knew it could take so long to find the answers to questions about The Constitution. Yet, more than anything, I try to stay busy. After awhile and two Vampire Weekend albums later, I stuff every single textbook and mechanical pencil away in my backpack.

"Josie, did you hear me? Dinner's ready, come on!" Dad calls up the stairs to me, and I zip one last zipper before yelling 'coming!' and getting to my feet. Opening the door, I step a foot into the hallway and search for my bedroom light with a wandering hand. Something out of the corner of my eye moves, and I look around until I notice the comforter hanging over my bed flutters upwards again. I flick off the light and the room is sent into darkness, before I head downstairs.

/

Wiping the dot of fudge from my lip, I take my time walking up the stairs. The murmur of my parents voices melts together into a background noise as a soft darkness covers the staircase. When I look up to the top of the landing, something stands out from the dark, and my heart does a somersault. A bar of light peeks out from the bottom of my closed bedroom door, and I hear sounds trickling from my bedroom. When I set my foot down on the next stair, a long creeeeeak peels out and the noises cease. The light flickers off and it's silent once again. I lift my foot off the creaky step and walk up another stair, wanting to take them two at a time, but I don't. I try to slow down, no matter how fast I want to go right now, forgetting the fact that I want to run in there right now.

I push open the door slowly, hearing it's long creak before its little clunk when it hits the wall. My hand runs over the wall until I find the light switch and flip it upwards, bathing the room in light. My backpack still sits open by my desk. My laptop is open, but the screen is dark next to my dormant desk lamp. My bed is a mess of wrinkly covers, albeit a dip in my pillows where I sat earlier. Oddly enough, there's another dip at the head of my bed that pulls my eyebrows down into a question. It also yanks my lips up to pinch my cheeks with a smile.

A scuffle pricks my ears, and I look around, confused. First, to underneath my bed where it sounds like it had come from, but the sound is gone as quick as it had happened. My lips set into a frown as I turn and take another look, and when I'm facing my door a loud 'boo!' almost scares me off my feet. I jump back and feel myself start to fall, and luckily, my bed catches me.

"Ugh! You don't have to do that just because you're a monster!" I huff, sitting up and laying my eyes upon the giggling guy in front of me.

"Wha', why not? 's me favorite, it gets ya every time!" he squeals in excitement, and I have to hold myself back from rolling my eyes. That becomes the least of my worries when everything blurs and I'm pushed onto my back. "Hiiiiiiiya, goose! I thought it was you I heard on da stairs, but had t' make sure. Smelled ya when ya walked in, y’know. I knew it was you cuz ya smell like berries and cream," he says as he lies dead weight on top of me. I laugh and hear his silly one in return.

"You'd think you'd be lighter for being- you know, nonhuman, but you definitely aren't."

"Tha's no way t' greet me afta not seein’ eachuther for days. That was rude, goose. Think ya need t' be shown a lesson, you do,” he scoffs and I watch his lips fall into an exaggerrated pout.

"No no no, please don’t!"

"Oh, yes!" he laughs evilly, and I feel it start. It doesn't look like it, but he's strong. Dammit, is he. "Waitin' up here fer tha last half hour for you, thought I was two sweet seconds from gettin' caught fer tha first time in . . ever, and ya call me fat. Tsk tsk, think ya needa lesson taught t' ya," he says, clucking his tongue in the middle of my shrieks and laughs.

"NOOOOOO, WAIT! YOU’RE GONNA!" I shriek in between laughs and desperate pleas for him to stop. His long and quick fingers continue to poke and prod at my ribs, dancing along my stomach and wandering to my armpits, every now and then. Sweat builds on my brow as I flail and squirm, trying to kick him and hit him, but he's expecting that. He knows.

"Josie! What's going on up there?" the loud voice of my dad booms up the stairs, and his movements come to an abrupt stop. His crazy green irises framed by yellow tinged scleras grow wide and alert before darting around.

"Fuck, no. Not yer parents," he whispers fast, and in a blink, his weight from on top of me is gone. My lungs are spewing tiny thank you's, but when I look around, he's gone. There's that same scuffle again and my bed lifts to fall back down a second later.

The old bead necklaces around my door handle slide back and forth when the door opens. My dad's towering figure stands in the doorway and quickly, his hands fall onto his hips in a question while he looks around my room. "I heard yelling up here, what's going on? Are you okay?" the words fall from his thin lips fast, his brown eyes staring back at me while his frown is hard to see through his thick beard. I swing my legs over the bed and face him with a nervous gulp.

"I'm fine, Dad. I was just uh, watching something on TV and the volume was really loud.I'm sorry."

"Hmmm, I could've sworn . . . ," he begins but he waves his hand, his old gold watch falling down his hand along with his wedding ring catching the light. "You just um, try to keep it down up here, sound good?" he finishes with a little smile.

"Yeah, Dad, of course," I reply, and his gelled back ashy blonde hair moves as he nods. I feel a tug on the bottom of my jeans, and I reply with a kick of my foot.

"Okay, well . . ," my dad trails off with a shrug of his shoulders. He then forces an awkward smile before turning around to leave. There's a sharp pinch on my ankle and I wince before giving another kick, and hearing an 'ouch!' I cough quickly to cover it up, sighing when my dad doesn't turn around and walks down the stairs.

"You idiot!" I exclaim under my breath, jumping off my bed and hurrying across my room to close the door.

"How come 'm tha idiot here? I don' remember bein' tha one screamin' her bloody lungs out, now was I?" I scoff as the door meets the hinges and I turn to watch him sliding out from beneath my bed. His sickly pale hand the lightest shade of blue hangs onto the edge of my bed that’s propped up in the air.

He gets to his feet and it falls back to the floor slowly and without a sound, just like every other time. Only a scuffle. He just smirks, his yellow but perfect teeth showing behind his sly smile. My hair moves with my shaking head as I sit back down on the bed, his tall figure moving towards me out of the corner of my eye.

"I dunno why ya don' enjoy me tickles, they're fun. 'm good at it. Y’know 'm quite givin’, could be loads worse, Jose," he comments matter of factly. His  shoulder knocks against mine, and he pushes me over to make room to sit down next tome. I bump shoulders back, but he hardly moves. Figures. "Jus' be lucky ya don' have tha tickle monster under yer bed 'stead, love."

"Sureee," I say, falling back to lie on my bed. There's a little poof and the mattress bounces when he lands next to me.

"Rememba when ya first put up those stupid plastic stars. Thought ya were a bloody genius, you were," he smirks beside me, our elbows knocking against each others. I feel his right shoe nudge against my foot and I kick it off the bed. "Hell, babe! Wha's yer problemo t’night? Wha', ya not miss me, Jose?" My eyes remain on the ceiling, and on the chipped, peeling glow in the dark stars stuck there in an array of sizes and arrangement. Their opaque white color has turned a slight yellow during their age, but his hand pops right in front of my face to block my view of them. It goes back and forth, and finally, I catch it and push it away.

"C'mon, goose, talk t' me. Hate it when yer quiet, makes this no fun."

"That's just it, Harry!" I retort, sitting up and looking to my right to find him lying there on his side looking up at me, confused. His mussy brown curls are crazy once again and swept over his forehead. A few of his sky blue, oblong freckles that cover his body poke out from his fringe of dark hair.

"Wha's just it? 'm not one o’ them monsters who can read minds, Jose, not some jinn or those bloody bogus fortune tellers you lot put so much worth in," he mutters curtly, tsking quietly, thinking I can't hear it, but he's one of the loudest monsters I know. Possibly the only one, but still.

" . . You didn't come last night."

He remains quiet, and when his neon green irises dart away from me, I know that something is up. 

He may be a monster, but I can read him better than any human I know. His long pale fingers dotted with those blue freckles picks at a hole in my comforter, head bowed and two little mustard colored horns poking out from his mess of hair with one on the left, and one on the right. "I didn't think ya'd be home from yer gram's 'till like, this mornin', like ya said," he reveals with a heavy huff holding a hint of an animal-like sound to it, catching me off guard and tearing away any kind of response I had ready. "But, I popped in 'round quarter afta four, afta gettin' done at Ronny Snooker's house, and found ya all curled up like a toasty lil' burrito. Wanted t’ wake ya, trust me I did, but I knew I shouldn't cuz ya'd get all angry at me fer wakin' you an' I hate it when yer mad at me. Can' handle it."

". . I shouldn't even be talking then," I speak up, and his head of curls lifts, letting me find those magical eyes past those long-ass eyelashes. If every monster has eyelashes those long, I fricken swear.

"No, 's not yer fault, Jose. Jus' a teenie tiny misunderstandin’, 's all."

"I did miss you, though. I mean, I guess."

"Ha! I knew it, just had tha feelin’," Harry smirks, his ghostly lips spreading high and wide, and almost up to his eyes. Dark dimples fall into his chiseled cheeks as he whispers an 'aha!' and then, all of a sudden, his wiry stony arms are around me. "Ya miss me, ya miss me, now ya gotta kiss me!"

"I don't think that's how it goes," I get out in between the middle of tight hugs enclosed in his stiff arms, as his familiar musty smell comes over me. It’s like an old basement.

My favorite smell.

"Sure, it does. I know what 'm talkin' 'bout, gotta respect yer elder, goose," he insists, and when I look up at him, he's still grinning. Soon, it falls into a pensive line, and the nostrils of his big pointy nose flare. And sure enough, he sniffs me. "Wha's that I smell on ya?"

"What the hell, Harry?"

"Ya smell like . . Smell like peanut butter, love. Thought you lot ran out last week, like ya said," he says quickly, the words leaving his devilish lips at light speed.

Oh no.

His thick eyebrows hike up his forehead as he sniffs around me fervently, only making me giggle and giving me a tickle. "Oh, ya think 's so funny, do ya? Don' like it when ya tell me lies, goose, an' you know jus’ how much peanut butta 's me favorite. You silly goose, you." He raises a finger and wiggles it at me, giving me a glimpse of his short dirty nails.

"Okay, Okay, I'm sorry! Mom brought home some the other night, like a big tub from Costco. But, Harry, you can't eat it all this time!"

"An' why bloody not?" he replies, annoyed. His dark unruly eyebrows come together and down in a furrow.

"Because! I got blamed for it the last time, like you always seem to do!" 

"Dunno wha' yer talkin' 'bout. 'd never be such a big meanie an' blame sumthin' on ya like that," he smirks, and I push him off of me, getting up and walking over to the black dresser sat against the wall by my door. "What, 'm I s'posed t' do, Josie? Y’know I got this love for peanut butta I can' control."

"You can say that again," I mutter, opening one of the drawers of my dresser and rifling through my clothes

I hear him tsk tsk from behind me, and a squeak from the mattress follows in suit. When I glance over my shoulder at him, he's lying on the left side with his hands behind his head, getting all comfy. Rolling my eyes, I grab a t-shirt and pajama bottoms at random to change into for the night.

"But, I don't know, Harry. Don't they have peanut butter down there?"

"No, I’ve already told you this how many bloody times?! Ni's allergic or summat, tha bloody weirdo, so he neva let's me within like, a mile radius of it. He’s afraid 'm gonn' kill him or summat, even though tha's impossible. Dunno how he can be allergic t' sumthin' so bleedin' delicious. 's rubbish, 's what it 's," Harry says, shaking his head which I laugh at. His eyes drag over to me and he leers at me before shaking it again with his lips pressed into a disapproving line. "Talk it up, Jose. You try bein' a monster for a day."

"I would, if you'd let me," I say quietly. Walking across the room, I slip into my closet,shutting the door behind me.

"Don' even ge'mme started, you li’l shit. Ya think I dunno what yer gettin' at, d’ya?"

"Hey! Be nice to me, and what ever happened to trying not swearing around me? I thought you said it was 'unbecomin’ o’ me t’ swear ‘round you’ and all that," I yell through the door, turning my back as I slip off my clothes to change into the others sitting at my feet.

"Ya, that lasted 'til you were 'bout I dunno, ten, goosie. 's like me vocabulary, I can' help it. I mean, God, ya should hear Ly’ swear - he curses like a friggin' fairy. But, don't tell him that cuz he'd kick me in tha jewels if he heard me compare him t’ a fairy. I mean, ya wouldn' think they're capable o' cursin' - those fairies with that teeny tiny body o' theirs, but boy, oh boy. do they. ‘m quite envious of his swearin’, tho’, if I do say meself."

"I know, I remember. You taught me my first swear words, my parents were horrified when I said 'shit' for the first time. When was it again? Oh yeah, that day in fourth grade when I fell learning how to roller blade," I giggle in return, sliding on the pair of plaid pajama pants, tying the strings at the waist. "And, how would I tell Ly’ anyways when you won't let me meet him?"

"They should be lucky I didn' start ya sooner, but ya, one o' tha proudest moments o’ me damned life," he sighs happily as I walk out of the closet splaying my caramel blonde hair over my shoulders. I try to ignore that he dodged the second part of my sentence. Now, I'm rolling my eyes as I walk to the door and flick off the light, soon joining him and his fake crying on my bed.

Curling up under the covers, my bedside lamp lights his features as he stares up at the ceiling, thinking. Thinking about what, I don't know, but I'm curious. "What do monsters think about, Harry?"

"Y’know . . I rememba tha first time ya asked me that when ya were- what, five? Jus' came home from yer second or third week o’ school an' asked me it. Suddenly, yer in Kindiegarten and ya think yer such a hoot."

"Well, I don't remember what you said then, considering it was almost thirteen years ago, so please, do enlighten me," I joke, and the single dimple in the middle of each of his cheeks falls down when a smile bends his lips upwards. Who knew a monster could have dimples, or be so cute.

"Okie dokie, smartass, well 's not real different from you humans. Y’know, think 'bout food and things we wanna do," he answers me, turning his head and looking me in the eyes. Yellow smile falling and dimples slowly disappearing. He raises his eyebrows at me, only to wiggle them a second later, making me giggle.

He almost scoffs, biting his tongue as his head of curls goes from side to side. I murmur a dumbfounded 'what,’ earning me a shrug of his bony shoulders in return. "Dunno, missed yer laugh, I guess. Don' hear 'em often when yer not 'round. Well, not happy ones, that is," he tells me, giving me a cheesy smile showing no teeth. I sigh and move closer to him, my forehead just missing his shoulder by a centimeter. His calming musty smell walks up my nose, and I close my eyes with a happy smile.

"What did you do while I was gone?" 

"A whole lotta nothin'," Harry hums in reply, and I feel the hard tips of his fingers on my scalp stroking at my hair. "Jus' went 'round me business scarin' tha other kiddies in town. Ronny, Daisy, the redhead, and the new little tot on Willow Street. They're pretty easy, 'cept Ronny, he's such a li’l shit, ugh. Did I tell ya I took all tha air outta his bike tires, and drank his chocolate milk that was s'posed t' be for lunch tha next day?"

"No," I giggle, moving closer to him and finding his shoulder and the soft holey fabric of his pitch black t-shirt.

"Ah damn, it was a hoot. Wish I coulda been there tha next mornin' t' see his face. Tha li’l devil deserved it, he gave me a right bruise on me shin kickin' me when I popped in tha other night," he huffs, making a funny sound with his lips. “That kid can't grow up soon enough. Hell, 'm almost tempted t; make it seem like 'm a ghost hauntin’ their house, so they'd move tha fook out an' I don' hafta deal with him anymo'."

A chuckle falls from my lips as my eyes remain closed and I breathe in his smell. Oh, how I missed you. "Ya fallin' 'sleep on me already, Jose? 's hardly nine o'clock, 'm disappointed in you."

"I'm tired, and I have school tomorrow," I whine, hiking the covers up my shoulders with a groan when they don't come easily. The bed moves and the comforter goes up smoothly, making me open my eyes to find his nimble, pale hands draping it over me. He gives me a smile before lying back down and replacing his hand in my hair, going back to lulling me to sleep playing with it.

"Oh ya, yer a big ol' senior now, hmph," he clucks, ending it with a final sigh. "Fine, I guess ya can go t' bed. But, we gotta catch up one o' these nights 'bout yer trip t’ yer gram's. Ya betta have saved me some o' her butterscotch cookies, or 'm not gonna be too happy with you, goosie. And, I was searchin' real hard for where I hid yer house key, almost thought 'd found it, but I dunno." I hum a sleepy 'okay' as I close my eyes again, grunting in frustration as I try to find his shoulder again. His lovely giggle touches my ears and I find him not long after with a huff.

"Funny li’l thing, you are. Now go t' bed, ya sleepy bones. An' try not t' snore, will ya? I mean, 's awfully cute, but it interrupts me readin'. Gotta see what you lot are readin' this year an' catch up t' ya," he jests, and I shove him with a small groan.

The moving trucks were pulling away from the house. Finally. No longer was the front curb crowded by their orangeneness and height. At last, the few big guys walking in and out of the trucks holding all of our stuff were too. I didn't want to move, and I didn't like the new house. It smelled weird and the staircase was like a mountain that I had to climb every day with my short five year old legs. All of my toys were in boxes that were stacked in my room. Nothing but my new big girl bed, a lamp and Mr. Snuggles, the stuffed duck, took up my scary big room that was all mine. But, boy, were there boxes. There were ones labeled in Mom's scribble, 'Josie's clothes,' and ‘Josie's toys' and 'Josie's books.’ Blah blah blah. 

All of this moving business seemed pretty stupid to me. I liked our old backyard better, and that we didn’t have a staircase I had to struggle to climb too many times a day. Lastly, I moved away from Betsy who lived across the street, and Mollie who lived on the corner. I had nobody to play House with or have tea parties with. I think that was the worst part of moving to this stinky, new house. I had to leave my old friends, which meant that I had no friends at all. Maybe Mr. Snuggles was the only one but he couldn't talk, and tea with only two people is boring. I had a new scary bed and bedroom. A new, big house to get used to. Painting the new, cracked sidewalk with chalk didn't sound like fun. 

I had no friends, and I felt so alone.

/

Dad closes my door behind him and Mom, mumbling one last 'sweet dreams' and a kiss before the creaky door closes. The room is cloaked in darkness, making new sounds I don't like and that scare me. The Scooby Doo night light next to my bed is the only light there is, except for the faint streetlight out the left window. Otherwise, it's pitch black, so much so I can't even see my own hand in front of me, and that's when I know it's bad. Lying there under the new, cold, and scratchy sheets, I stare into the dark trying to fall asleep. Mr. Snuggles' fuzzy yellow head is tucked under my chin, and my pink blankey;s clutched to my chest. The sound of cars outside is a small hum through the window, and I can hear the muffled noise of my parents talking downstairs.

It feels like I've been lying here for hours, making me wonder why Mom said that 'I should be out like a light after how tiring today was’ when I just can't fall asleep. But, I don't know, because I didn’t do much else besides sitting on the rickety swing outside. I sat there with Mr. Snuggles watching Mom, Dad, and the moving men bring stuff into the house. Bug Juice after Bug Juice and a mini bag of Oreos was for lunch. 

After a while, I hear the lights flick off and the bar of yellow light under my door turns to black, their work done for the night. My parents' voices get closer as their steps creak on the stairs and disappear down the hall, and then it's quiet. Too quiet. Shutting my eyes, I take a breath as I hold Mr. Snuggles closer and breathe in his familiar scent. But then there's a small click and when I open my eyes, the nightlight is out. Not soon after that, there's a scuffle and my bed lifts on the one side only to fall back down to the floor with a thud.

My heart is thumping in my chest fast and I'm sinking down into my Hello Kitty covers, pulling them over my head as my nervous breaths leave my mouth loudly. I suddenly hear somebody else breathing and the sound of footsteps. Quickly, I'm pretty sure I'm going to die and Mr. Snuggles is going to die with me. No, not Mr. Snuggles. A pair of hands rips the covers down off of my face, but I keep my eyes squeezed shut.

"Are ya serious, ya think bloody bed covers are gonna keep ya safe now?" a thick slow voice says, one that sounds . . weird. It sounds like a boy, an older one than me, and he says his words all weird. "C'mon now, open yer eyes already."

I shake my head, not knowing why I'm doing it but I do. Mom always says I'm stubborn and don't like to do what I'm asked of, whatever that word means. "Oh my god, just open yer eyes," they groan, and I don't know why, but I do. I hear a loud 'boo!' and a pair of hands shake my shoulders, making me scream but a hand comes over my mouth to stop it. A strong musty smell surrounds me. "Bloody hell, ya gotta pair of lungs on you! Keep it down, will ya? Don' wanna wake yer parents an' have 'em come in here. 'd lose me bloody job an' 'd only make yer life mo’ of a living hell if that happened, I swear t’ it," they mutter, voice high with alarm, and ending in a creepy laugh. His tongue makes a weird sound, but I can't see him. I can only hear him. For a second in the dark, I see two hovering green circles above me that don't go anywhere, and then tiny little blue dots appear out of nowhere.

Breathing hard and fast and trying to protect Mr. Snuggles, I open my mouth and bite down hard on what I think is his hand. It tastes gross, and it's cold. He mutters a loud 'ouch!' and then there's creaky steps, his musty smell going away, but only a litte. "I can' believe ya fuckin’ bit me, ya li'l brat!"

"Who are you?" I nearly shout, words feeling weird as my voice shakes.

"Be quiet, will ya? You'll wake yer parents- how many times do I gotta say it?!"

"T-tell me who you are, now!" I bite back, slowly sitting up and hearing sounds from across my dark room. "A-And what did you do with my nightlight?"

"Ya want it so bad, then here, have it," he says, something scuffing against the ground before suddenly it's back in the wall and it's all lit up. "Yer sumthin', arentcha? God, never knew why you goddamn kids liked some stupid dog that talked, anyways. I bloody hate nightlights, they don't really do anythin', do they?"

"I said, who are you?!"

"Calm down, ya big baby! I came from under yer bed an' I scared ya. Now, what does that big brain ol’ brain of yers tell ya I am?" he replies, and it takes a few seconds before the answer pops into my head. I hug Mr. Snuggles tighter to my body and breathe him in, my eyes growing hot and watery.

"Oh my bloody god, dontchu cry. No, no, no, dontchu fuckin’ cry on me," they say really fast, letting out a loud breath at the end. The tears fall down my cheeks long and hot, Mr. Snuggles taking the brunt of them as I hold onto him for dear life. "Please, I hate it when you lot cry, 's bloomin' annoyin’ an' it hurts me ears . . Yer not s’posed t’ do it ‘til afta I leave, ugh. Please stop yer cryin' already, Josie."

I sniffle and lift my head after a second, trying to find him in the dark, whoever he is. But, I still can't see a thing. I think he's across the room towards my closet, but I don't really know. "H-how do you know my name- who are you? Tell me already!"

"Okay, okay. Will ya ever shut that bloody mouth of yers? 'm uh, well 'm a monsta, if ya hadn't figured that out already. Yer a bright little five year old, figured you'd know that by now," they reply, and then there's footsteps. They're getting louder and, so I think, closer.

"How do you know all this stuff about me?"

"That's not even that much, ya brat. I know loads 'bout ya. Know yer birthday, even what time you were born down t' tha second. Know ya hate spiders and frogs, think they're gross 'cuz they're all slimy an' squishy. Know ya jus' moved from yer old house t' this one t’day, an' that ya think tha basement's reaaaaal scary. Also know that yer scared of unda ya bed, as ya should be, an' that tha biggest thing yer scared of 's tha dark," he replies, and even though I can't see it, I know that my jaw is hanging down. Who is this person- well, monster, and why does he know so much about me? How?

"How d-do you know all that, and why do you know it?"

"'s me job t' know that stuff 'bout you, Josie. I only get sum stuff, y’know, tha stuff that matters t' me an' I need t' know. Now, why would I need t' know what yer scared of if 'm a big scary monsta? I bet ya can answer me that one, Josie Posie," he says, and I gulp loudly. Thinking about it for a second, I peek a look over to my door, or in the direction I think it would be in.

"No, no, dontchu even think 'bout screamin' or yer really not gonn' like me, Josie," he warns as I sniffle. I can taste the strawberry chapstick on my lips as they open and I yell the two words.

"Mommy, Daddy!"

"Ugh, ya've really done it now, Jose. I thought ya'd learn yer lesson, but guess not. Thanks a fuckin' lot," the boy mutters quietly. There's a tickle on my ankle before a scuffle, and my bed rises and dips again. 

The lights click on outside my room. I hear fast pitter--patter before my door flies open, and the light turns on. My mom comes in first in her pink bathrobe, pulling it around herself as she rushes over. Dad’s hot on her tail in a Packers shirt and checkered pajama bottoms.

"What is it, sweetie?" Mom hums as she stops in front of me, her face looking sad as her brown hair is all a mess.

"There was a monster in my room! He came from under my bed, and he was all mean and scary!"

They look at each other before pulling me in for a hug, playing with my hair and giving me kisses on the head.

"Honey, you probably just heard something. It's an old house and it makes noises sometimes, but it's nothing to worry about. You're just fine, there's no monsters under your bed because there's no such things as monsters," my dad says, sitting beside me and putting an arm around me.

Mom wipes my tears away and smoothes back my hair as they shush my worries and calm my mind before helping me back under the covers. There's about five 'no's when I ask if I can sleep with them, Dad looking more upset than Mom about it until they leave my bedroom with another 'goodnight' and a 'sweet dreams.’ The room is silent and still, except for the hovering Scooby Doo head lighting up the floor around it next to me. My eyes stay there as the warm blankets hug me. With Mr. Snuggles and blankey close, I shut my eyes and try to get some sleep, like Mom had said.

They fly open when I hear a sound, and I whimper when my bed moves again.

"Ya think yer a smart one, d’ya, Josie? Ya can’t get ridd’a me that fast, love," the boy murmurs, his footsteps creaking on the wooden floor. "They didn't believe ya, did they?"

A small 'no' comes from me as the blankets surround me in a warm cocoon, but I suddenly don't want to be lying here anymore. I want to sit up and see him, but that thought scares the bejeezus out of me the second I think about it.

"Didn' do a lotta good cryin' fer mummy an' daddy, now did it? Maybe ya should think 'bout that tha next time, an' see how good of an idea it seems."

"What do you want?!" I say, my lips bending into a frown as I pull myself up to face my closet, wishing I could see his face. But again, all that's there are the little blue random dots that seem to be in the shape of a rectangles or something, and the bright green dots.

"'m a monsta, love. Already told ya that, what d’ya think I want?"

"Are you really a monster?" I whine in question, feeling like there's a circus happening in my chest.

"Yeah, sure I am."

"You're not telling me a fib?"

"Nope, promise me black li'l monsta heart," they say, and I take a shaky breath as my heart thumps in my ears. Holding Mr. Snuggles as tight as I can, I swipe my tongue across my dry lips and stare into the darkness. The ceiling fan overheard whirs softly, the only sound in the room besides my loud breathing. "'m not tellin' ya a fib, Josie. Promise ya that. How d’ya think I came out from unda yer bed, anyways?"

"How am I supposed to believe you? I don't know you, and I can't even see what you look like when you're talking to me. Danget, I don't even know your name o-or if ya have one!"

"God, yer a feisty li'l one, arentcha, doll? Take a breath, would ya? I dunno, ya don' hafta believe me I s'pose, 's upta you on that one," he replies, and I only grow more confused, heaving a big breath. "Don' get so bent outta shape over it, 'm just yer monsta an' I scare ya. Yer not s'posed t' know me name, 's jus' how it 's, I reckon. Tha's all t' it, really. Now, if I did me job an' yer all scared outta yer socks an' everythin', 'll be off. Got other li'l tots I gott' scare besides yerself, y’know."

"But-," I chance, learning I was two seconds too late. There's a flick of something moving past the space the Scooby lights up, and my bed moves. e's gone. "No fair!" I shout, falling back onto my pillows with a plop. Tugginig my blankets back up, I mutter annoyances to Mr. Snuggles, picturing him replying and agreeing with me.

Then there's that sound again. Like a shoe against carpet, or something like that because Mom never lets me wear my shoes in the house, so I can't be sure. "Sweet dreams, Josie Posie! Oh, and sleep tight! I hope all the beddy bugs bite. 'll see ya later, ya li'l brat!" the squeaky scary voice says again before there's another scruff and I hear him leave, wherever in the world he came from.

Turning over with a whimper, I pull the covers over my head and shut my eyes, trying to think of happy things like sugar plums and fairies. I try to forget about what just happened, and the fact that I have a monster under my bed- my own scary monster.

/

The next day was unpack this and unpack that. Move this and move that. To make it plain and simple, it was boring, it was hot out, and I didn't want to ‘fill up my new bedroom,’ like Mom and Dad kept saying to try and make it sound fun. But it wasn't. Because I couldn't stop thinking about the night before when that thing came out from under my bed. After awhile it just melted down into a bad dream or something I had imagined, because I'm a kid and that's what kids do, right? I must have dreamt it or made it up. 

"It's looking nice so far, isn't it, Josie?" Mom says, looking around at my room staring to well, look like a bedroom. There's my dresser, and my little table for tea parties with my favorite stuffies sitting on the chairs. Clothes are beginning to get hung up in my closet, the bookcase against the wall just needs some books to make it look better and not so sad, and a nice pink rug sits by my door.

"Yeah, I guess," I say sadly, taking a seat on the purple beanbag in the corner, watching Mom turn towards the door when Dad comes in holding another box. He pushes his combed back blonde hair off of his sweaty forehead, wet patches showing under his armpits as he turns to walk away after setting down another box.

"Hmm, I wonder where we should put this," Mom says quietly to herself, holding an old shoebox of something or other. Taking a few steps, she crouches down to push aside my pink Hello Kitty comforter.

"No, don't!" I say, standing up fast and running over to her.

"Why noyt" she replies, looking at me quickly. I glance to the empty space under my bed, now that she's pushed the fabric to the side. When I see nothing but the dark wooden floor, I no longer worry, but now I'm confused. "You don't still think there's a monster under there, do you?"

"No, but maybe a really scary dust bunny," I joke and she smiles before pushing the stray box under there and standing back up to get working on things, because she'll never believe me, anyways. Dad and her didn't the first time, because who would believe me when I tell them there's a monster under my bed? I don't even know if it was real myself.

After a while, we take a break and all sit under the shade of the tall oak tree in the front yard. A pitcher of lemonade and hot dogs with potato chips is for lunch as we sit at our new picnic table. The hot June sun beats down on us as Mom and Dad quietly talk about where to put the couches and which would look better in different spots. I nibble on a crinkly yellow chip, looking around at the new neighborhood. And I wonder if I'll ever get past the cold fear settling in my stomach about this new house.

/

Mom kisses the top of my head, smoothing my hair back with her hand before disappearing into the hallway where Dad talks to somebody on the phone loudly. The door closes with a squeak and I turn over with a huff. I hold Mr. Snuggles and blankey as close as I can before closing my eyes, willing him to not come back. Please, please, please. Please don't come back, please don't come back. I fall asleep mumbling it under my breath, the Scooby light protecting me from the darkness, like Mom said. But I don't know how much I believe that anymore.

/

"Wake up!" a voice shouts, and I jolt awake to find somebody bouncing on my bed. "Bloody hell, get yer arse up already!" they say again, and as I rub my sleepy crusted eyes, I recognize the voice and how the words sound funny. It's the boy again, and he's back. It's the monster.

"I was sleeping."

"I can see that, but ya aren't anymo' so wake up. Did ya know ya snore? 's bloody annoyin', if ya ask me," he mutters, something hard like his leg not far away when I stretch my own out and touch him. They recoil from the cold sensation and I hug them back to my body.

Taking his words carefully, I reach over slowly to find the smooth metal chain and yank it hard to bathe the room in light. A scream leaves my lips when I lay my eyes on him, and as if things are moving in slow motion, I see his yellow tinged eyes with bright green circles roll into the back of his head. Next thing I know, he's practically lying on top of me with his cold gross hand over my mouth. My hurried words leave my mouth in muffled murmurs as his bad breath fans over me.

"Dontcha know how t' keep quiet, ya brat?" he spits, shaking his head of dirty brown curls, making them move and dislodging hair from around the two small yellow horns poking out of his head. One on each side, but that's just the first of it. "Scared ya, did I? Good tha's me job, ya li'l bugger. Now, if I take me hand off yer mouth are ya gonna promise not t' scream? Told ya last night what'll happen if ya do it again."

I nod my head slowly, taking in every part of him. His round head slowly nods too before he removes his hand from my mouth and sits back, letting me get up too. Crossing my legs, my eyes stay glued to him as he turns his head to I guess look around my room. "Looks like a bloody pink pixie threw up all over yer room, 's a bit much, innit?" he says, playing with his bottom lip as he scans my bedroom. A few boxes still sit there waiting to be unpacked, but for the most part my room is all made up. I swallow, and he looks over at me, his eyes going over me. "Ya forgot how t' speak or summat?"

"Y-You're really a monster . . I'm not just imagining it," I whisper, my words going all kinds of places.

"Sure am, Josie Posie. No point in really lyin' 'bout it, now 's there?" he says, breaking eye contact as he stands up. And I find out quickly that he's tall. Another twelfth thing I've learned about him in the last minute.

He waltzes over to the corner of my room where the tea table sits along with a shelf holding pull out baskets with different toys in each. His long pale fingers wrap around one of the handles and tugs on it, picking a red headed Barbie out and making a disgusted sound before stuffing it back in. "Yer such a girl, arentchu?" he complains, his blue tinted skin not bothering to push the basket back in before moving onto my bookshelf, picking up a light blue and purple book. "How ironic 's it that ya have this book, huh?" Turning to me and flashing the cover at me, I see that it's Monsters Inc. I want nothing more than to go back to sleep, I think.

"What does that word mean?" I say nervously, his movements slow and careful as he flips through the book and tosses it onto the floor carelessly, ending right side up on an open page. Looking back to me, his crazy brown eyebrows go up as he looks at me with his bright green eyes. I realize that's what I saw last night glowing in the dark, his neon eyes. "The word starting with an 'I'."

"'ironic'?" he asks, and I nod as he takes his time walking around inspecting my stuff, picking up Beary Jones and petting his soft brown fur. "It uh, I dunno how t' describe it, really. Means that sumthin's funny in a weird way, I guess."

"Whatever," I say, my head falling onto my pillow as I get back under the toasty warm covers.

"Ya can't go back t' bed yet."

"And how come?"

"Cuz, I haven't scared ya all good yet. I can't go yet 'til I have," he replies, running his hand over Beary Jones' ears before pulling at his red overalls. In a blink he rips his head off and white cotton is falling down onto the floor like snow.

"No, not Beary! Why'd you do that?"

"Would ya shutup already, ya nosy li'l brat? 's just a fake stuffed bear, get over it!" he snarls, flinging it onto the red table. Beary's head sits on the floor sadly, getting squished by his grimy black sneakers as he walks back over to me. I shrink into the covers as he approaches. "I scare ya all good yet, Josie Posie?"

I reply with a soft 'no' but as he gets closer I move back, reaching the other side of my bed until I'm almost falling over the edge. His pale face, a shade of light blue, gets closer and closer to mine. The little blue dots like freckles covering his ghostly skin look like little flattened balls of playdoh before they're gone, shouting a 'boo! My back hits the hard floor. A whimper leaves my lips and I hold my achy elbow as tears well in my eyes and my bottom lip quivers, turning away when he walks around the corner with a laugh.

"Go away!" I yell at him, my voice small and weak and the crying isn't helping.

"Yer such a li'l baby, ya know that?" he smiles, crouching down. A holey black t-shirt clings to his sides amongst his muscly arms covered with black pictures and words. Pants the same color and just as old and beat up are on his legs, but they're tighter.

"I said go away, I don't like you!" I repeat, smushing my face into the fuzzy white rug next to me. Hot tears spill from my eyes and wet my hot face. My heart thuds loudly as I sniffle with each sob, no matter how quiet I try to make them. He begins to say something I think, but I stop him, "No! You're mean and I never asked for a monster, I hate this new house and you're making it worse! I hate you I hate you, go away and never come back!"

"Josie," he says softly, whatever his stupid monster name is. "Hey, look at me."

"Why should I?"

"Cuz I said so, now look at me, you li'l shit," he says angrily, and I pull away my sweaty teary face to look up at his. It's blurry, but it's blue and weird and dirty. Reaching his hand out for a reason I don't know, I look between it and his face before opening my mouth and biting his finger.

"You li’l fucker, ow! Why d’ya keep doin' that, ugh?!" he swears. I get up from the floor and dash out of the room and down the hallway. "Yer really gonn' get it now, Josie! Thought you weren't gonna be too bad, but now, I dunno anymo'." I hear lastly as I turn left down the hallway, and I stop in front of Mommy and Daddy's door. I take one last peek down the hall to my bedroom where the light flows out into the dark hall, hiccups leaving my lips as thoughts bubble around inside of my head.

Wiping my tears away, I change my mind and when I step back into my room, I find his dark, dusty figure with his back to me, picking up something off my dresser. He must have heard me because he turns around and looks me in the eyes only for a second, and then his crazy green eyes fall to the Disney snowglobe in his hand. Little balls of snow fall down onto the castle from in the Magical Kingdom.

"Please don't break it, that's my favorite. I got it from Disney at Christmas time," I cry.

"Won't if ya promise not t' bloody bite me again," he shrugs, looking to me for an answer and when I nod he puts it back. He runs the tip of his finger over Tinker Bell's glittery wing, walking over to my bed and pushing the cover back off of the floor.

"Where are you going?"

"Told ya last night I got other kiddies t' scare, an' if 'm bein' honest, 'm quite sick of you fer tha day, so 'm off," he answers, sticking his long legs under my bed. When I take a step closer, I notice that they've disappeared and it's just the tops of his legs and the rest of him still there. But that doesn't make sense, so much of this doesn't. "Breathe, Josie, 's jus'- 'll be back tomorra, try not t' bite anybody else while 'm gone, sound good?"

"O-Okay," I say slowly, playing with the sleeve of my princess nightgown.

"God, you are such a girl, 's bloody terrifyin'," he says, shaking his head. I open my mouth to say something. "Whatd’ ya want now?"

"You never told m-me your name."

"Well tha's for me t' know an' fer you t' never find out, innit now, Josie Posie?" he smiles, winking one of his green eyes at me. I sigh and throw my hands up, feeling the soreness when my elbow moves and I wince, whining a 'that's not fair, you're never fair!'

"Tone it down, will you?! 's jus' a name, dunno why ya wanna know so bad!"

"Well, if you're gonna be scaring me every night, I want to know."

"My goodness, 'm in fer a load of trouble with you, aren't I?" he shakes his head, looking away and to under my bed where it's just brown wood and the beginning of dust bunnies. Rubbing his big, pointy nose, he lets out a loud breath and I see his wacky eyes once more. "Tha name's Harry. Now, I really best be off. Sweet dreams an' ya betta not hope tha bed bugs bite!" 

There's nothing left but a whisper of his words and a whoosh after he slid under my bed, making me wonder ten new things that I don't know what to think of or what the answer could even be.

With a huff, I wander to the door and find the lightswitch. With a last look to the empty space under my bed, I flick the light off and dash to my bed quickly, even though I know there aren't any monsters under my bed to get me. Well, I can't say that anymore, I think, as I bring Mr. Snuggles back into my arms. And I don't know what to think of that really, and how it should make me feel.

But all I know is that I'm kind of looking forward to bedtime now, and getting to see my monster, Harry. He’s kind of . . what’s the word? 

Every night, he popped out from underneath my bed without fail, and scared the bejeezus out of me. He left me crying into my butterfly pillow from an impossibly horrible face he made, an insult he made that I took to heart, or because he wrecked one of my stuffed animals. I didn’t know how to get him to stay away, even if he was kind of cute I’d never tell him that, and when he screws up his blue face to look like a goblin, it’s not very cute. 

I dreaded him coming tonight, just like any other night for the last two weeks. He never missed a night, and I had gotten used to staying up past my bedtime until he arrived, sure that that would save me some pain instead of getting woken up to frogs in my bed and gum stuck in my hair. He had told me about doing that to Polly down the street last week, and the last thing I wanted to do was explain that to my parents in the morning. So, I stayed awake even though it was so hard on so many nights. Tonight, it was hard, but in a different way, because I wanted more than anything to be asleep after my third horrible day of school. I had no choice in the matter, and it worked out that Harry showed up right at nine-thirty. 

“Wakey wakey, bratty!” a voice booms, and I jump awake. 

“I’m awake, I’m awake,” I moan, unsure of who or why I announce myself. 

“Shiiiiiiit, I was hopin’ ya wouldn’t be. ‘s much mo’ fun t’ scare ya awake, ya hardly made a peep jus’ then,” the voice tuts with a clicking of their tongue. A puff leaves my lips when the light flicks on and his menacing figure appears before my eyes. “Welcome back t’ tha world o’ yer nightmares, Josie, loud and proud. Afraid ‘m back fer anotha night t’ scare yer socks off.” 

The My Little Pony covers slide off of me, and I fix the sleeve of my flowery night gown that rode up my shoulder. Ignoring him, I’m met with relief when my fingers grasp the cold familiarity sitting on my nightstand. 

“What tha hell, are ya givin’ me tha cold shoulder now?” he retorts with a volume in his voice, but I kn- I hope that he won’t talk loud enough to wake up Mommy and Daddy. “Since bloody when d’ya do that, Josie?”

“I’m reading, shhh,” I tell him, turning past the first few pages of a Clifford the Big Red Dog book until I find the first page with a picture of him and his owner, Emily Elizabeth. 

“Oh my days, I can’t believe tha nerve you have, girl,” the monster spits back at me, but with shaking fingers, I try to shove his voice away. I have an even harder time finding happiness in the pictures when it’s so hard to forget that he’s standing right there, ready to attack. “Ya think ya can talk t’ me like that, a full-on monster? Tsk, tsk, you dunno who yer talkin’ t’ here, ya li’l-.” 

“Eh-eh-v . . ugh . . Eh-eh-v-r-e-e . . ,” I try to sound out the word at the bottom of the page, but it’s so long and I don’t know this one. “Eh-ev-ree . . won loves Clifford, b-b-b-bee-c-c-cah-ssssss-e he has good m-m-m-a-a-a-n-n-er-r-r-r-s. You don’t have good manners, Harry, that’s something you need to work on.” 

“‘Scuse me, Josie Stephens? I reckon ya don’t even know what tha hell manners are, now d’ya, ya li’l shit?”

Gulping, I tear my eyes away from his angry green pair. Looking back to the book, I try to focus on reading the next part. I get the first two words, but then I’m stuck again, sounding it out like a dummy. I don’t understand how so many of my classmates already know how to read, and I don’t! 

Creeeeeeeeeak!

My eyes shoot up and find Harry is closer, he must have taken a step towards me. As soon as I had looked up, his feet inch away from me, and I wish I hadn’t. Rubbing at my eyes sleepily, I take a deep breath and try again. 

“M-m-m-m-y-s-s-s-eh-l-l-.” 

“Myself,” Harry pipes up, and when I forget the book to look at him, we’re both shocked. “Tha word ‘s ‘myself’. ‘I taught him myself,’ it says,” he tells me slowly. Maybe, just maybe, he sounds normal and like me. Who would have thought that could be? “Duh, ‘s an easy word, even a Kindie like you shoulda known that, stupid.” 

Shaking my head, I move the hair out of my eyes and continue to read, quieter than before, and yet I feel his eyes on me like a hot pair of sun rays. 

“Clifford says p-p-p-l-eeeeee-s w-w-he-n he a-a-s-s-. Why are you laughing at me? I’m only five, we don’t know how to read yet,” I say, pointing my eyes at him. A sound flies from his lips that I’ve never heard before in that way. I think it might be a laugh, a happy one. 

“Sounds like I jus’ heard a five year old swear right there. Looks like me job ‘s done, ruining you by teachin’ you yer first curse. Ass,” he titters, walking away and towards the end of my bed. 

My throat begs for a glass of water and the words that didn’t make sense anyways become blurry in front of me. Swiping under my eyes, I get rid of the tears the second they warm my cheeks. 

“W-What’s this word?” I ask nervously, keeping my head down and refusing to look at him. I know that he likes to see my tears, and I don’t want him to, because then he only becomes meaner. Sniffling, I listen as his steps creak along my floor and his musty smell tickles at my nose. 

“Which one?” he groans as if I had asked the most stupid question in the entire world. I don’t answer out loud, and instead, I point to the one that starts with an ‘s,’ but my tired brain doesn’t want to figure it out. 

“Sumthin’,” he responds, and it pulls my eyes up and over to him. The light catches in the caramel colored streaks in his hair, and the gold bits in his eyes. Shocks of pink around my room from posters, stuffed animals, books, and my Hello Kitty clock look funny behind him. “Something,” he repeats clearly, yanking the book from my hand to point at a word. “D’ya know this one at least?”

“P-p-p-puh-l-,” I begin, but he interrupts me with a whine of ‘you jus’ read it, c’mon now,’ and I continue until he nods when I say ‘please.’

“And this one?” he continues, pointing to one that starts with a ‘t’ that takes me a few tries until I get it. “What comes afta ‘thank’ usually?”

“You,” I tell him, and he nods, at some point perching himself on the side of my bed like a bird. I almost think I hear him say ‘good,’ but it’s gone before I can decide if I did or not. 

The books lining my shelf across the room under the window itch for me to go and grab them, and sound out the words with him that look like nonsense to me. I hold back, and ask Harry to repeat what he said. 

“Yer fallin’ ‘sleep,” he notes, bumping shoulders with me. I shake my head and blink hard, knowing that he’s right. “He says ‘thank you’ when he gets sumthin’. And he writes a thank-you note when someone gives him a present . . ,” and before I know it, the words from the pages are dropping from his lips, slowly, telling the story. 

I don’t remember my head falling onto his shoulder or him letting it stay there. I definitely didn’t know that when I let my eyes rest for one second that I was going to fall asleep, and that the next time it would all feel like a dream, a far away dream that could never be true. 

Because there’s a monster under my bed who’s really gross and mean to me, and he just read me a bedtime story and was maybe nice to me. 

That couldn’t be, could it? 

* *

The ripe smell of mothballs and wet dogs welcomes me back, ripping away the sweet relief of berries and cream that graced my senses for the last however-long-it-was. My feet land with a loud clap! onto the shambles of wooden decking below. I kick the forgotten remnants of a Scooby Doo stuffy away with the torn toe of my Converse. Loud, raucous laughter echoes around me and is followed by a spit and whizz of a bottle rocket nearby. It paints the ink black sky with shocks of gold and white for a few moments, suddenly making me miss the light. The next thought makes me stumble over a lost pink ukulele with broken strings. I think I miss the smell and the warmth, no matter if I never get cold.

How the fuck can I miss that obnoxiously sweet smell of ripe red strawberries, and decadent cream that they’re drowned in? 

Would you shut the fuck up, Harry? What, are you finally going nuts here, on your four hundred and eighth year? 

“Oi!” somebody shouts, yanking me from my thoughts much to my gratitude. “Wait up, would ya?!” they continue in their familiar lilt. Stuffing my hands away in my pockets, met with the typical cool temperature of my own body, my feet kick up sand clouds when they stop suddenly. 

“What d’ya want, Ni?” I spit back, not bothering to turn my head. His cackle accompanies my boring slide down the Hill of Doom Jr. that he rides like a wave. 

“Who put a stick up yer arse, ‘arry?” he gripes, almost losing his footing once we reach the end. “Not a good night with yer kiddies or summat?”

“Sure,” I answer stubbornly, my eyes flitting past the weathered signs slapped onto the pole, pointing every which way with words scrawled onto them. Minneapolis. Chicago. Detroit. Los Angeles. Washington D.C. 

“I found some peanut butta at one o’ mine. I s’pose I could be a good mate and give ya some, but y’know what ‘s gonna cost ya. Figure I should get even mo’ than that seein’ as how ‘m deathly allergic.” 

“Don’t want any,” I retort, walking around the scuffed Spongebob skateboard and Kim Possible figurine lying beside it, missing her signature head of red hair. But it’s forgotten when my foot steps on something, and I lift it to find a plush Hello Kitty with its head torn off, the white more like a light brown now from all of the shoe prints muddling it. A little stuffy that I know all too well, and had forgotten my handy work with until now.

Somehow, it bothers me more than it should, and tips me over the edge. 

“What d’ya mean ya don’t-.” 

“I said I don’t want any fuckin’ peanut butter, Ni, and I never said I wanted yer company, now fuckin’ did I?”!” I explode, whirling around and scaring him to the point that he almost runs into me. His unruly eyebrows sink and the neon purple in his eyes shrinks, the scaring of a monster quite comical in the thought. 

“Fuck you, ‘arry. Dunno who shit in yer bed, yer always high as a kite afta gettin’ done with that Stephens girl. Jus’ cuz ya couldn’t scare tha lights outta her dis time doesn’t mean ya hafta jump down me throat cuzza it,” he says curtly, shaking his head of silver hair that sticks up at all ends. Muttered words float past me as he walks away with the pep out of his step. 

“‘s not that I couldn’t . . ‘s that I didn’t wanna . . fer tha first time,” I curse under my breath, kicking a pink stone riddled with holes off the edge, not waiting to hear its plink! at the bottom of Ghastly Gorge.

Clenching my jaw to stop me from saying all of the words that ricochet inside of my skull, I take a few turns until I step onto a rickety lift. Ignoring the two vampires who cling to each other’s necks with loud suckling noises, I tip my head back and close my eyes against the yellow light of the naked bulb above me. I don’t even lose my footing as the contraption whips from side to side and up and down with the loudest of screeches, lastly halting with a piercing ding! 

Sulking my way off and back to unsolid ground, the giggles from the ghoulish pair continue behind me, suddenly making me wish Liza was here. Biting my tongue, I try to forget about her, and the other her. Yanking open the door, it falls off its top hinge and I leave it there hanging, not giving a shit clearly. The squeals of the fireworks are almost out of earshot, but now, the shouting from some kind of game trickles past. 

“Can’t even get peace and quiet here o’ all places?” I mutter with a long sigh, pushing harshly at the metal gate. It hits the fence with a deafening clang! of metal on metal. 

“Heya, Harry!” somebody shouts and I nod and wave. More ‘hellos’ follow between the gravestones as I kick my feet along the black dirt path. “Oh, on your way to The Rotting River, I see . . Let’s leave him be, lads, he doesn’t look too terrible, the poor bloke,” Henry the Horrid whispers ever so loudly and I toss a hand up in the smallest of thanks, only bringing the memory back bigger and brighter.

Since when do I have fucking manners?

Their transparent white bodies float away with their silent steps, and from the corner of my eye, I see Marcus speed away like a flash of moonlight. 

“Why? Why? Why in tha fuck why?!” I scream, pitching the hundred pound rock into the black water, far and away. “What tha absolute fuck am I doin’? ‘m gonna ruin it all, everythin’ ‘ve ever built!” the red rock crashes into the water and under the green cast of the orb hung in the sky, it smatters onyx droplets across the green. I pluck another one from the ground at random, in between shards of bones, glass, and lost lovers necklaces, propelling them into the lazy waves of the river, wishing it was crashing tonight like the throes of my heart. Something I thought I hadn’t had for the last few centuries, but here I am, low and behold, seeming to have one.

That doesn’t happen, it’s not supposed to be. My kind . . we’re not supposed to use them, or even have a working one. 

How is it that when I saw the glassy tears in Josie’s eyes tonight, it felt like it was being squeezed in my chest? I can’t explain away the warmth I felt in it when her head fell onto my shoulder, and then when I pulled the covers over her tiny, sleeping body. 

I broke a hundred dozen rules tonight, enough to get me sent to the headstones just over the hill, and I can’t decide whether I care or not. 

* *

The tater tot casserole sitting in my stomach tried to lull me into an early sleep that next night, but with determination, I ignored it. I sat in bed with my school books in my lap, flipping through the pictures and trying to find familiar words. I knew that I wouldn’t find many, if any, but it didn’t stop me from trying. 

I didn’t know how long I had been sitting there after dinner looking through the books and making up my own stories, until my tired eyes glanced to the window. There I sat, watching the last few rays of sun be sucked back into the ground, or that’s how it looked. 

Smack!

“Arentcha a li’l old t’ be havin’ shit like this?” a voice pipes up, and before I see him, I smile. I really wish that I hadn’t, because when he turns around, that dark glint in his eye has returned. I don’t know why I thought his voice sounded- what did it sound like, like it had last night? When the words from the Clifford The Big Red Dog book fell from his chapped lips? 

All of my questions are answered when there’s a loud crash! and my Hello Kitty pink clock smashes into a puddle of glass at his feet. “Whoops,” he giggles as I suck in air loudly, the dirty bottoms of his shoes crunching through the glass that I’m sure I’ll never get out of my carpet now.

“What, ya think ‘m gonna bloody read t’ you again or sumthin’, brat?” Harry says, nodding to the pile of books that I tighten my grip on now. “Not gonna speak t’ me, are you? Y’know that’s never a good bet, Josie Stephens,” he continues, each word laced with disgust from his lips. He licks them with his chalky pink tongue as the floor creaks with his nearing. 

“Don’t!” I squeal when he reaches for the books, but I put up a fight. 

“It never does any good fightin’ me, li’l shit, ya should know this by now,” he retorts, giving one last yank with his hands and painfully ripping the books from my grasp. “Ooooo, what d’we got here, huh? More stupid Clifford, Scooby Fucking Doo, Pussy Tom and that minx Jerry, and Peter Bloody Pan. Hmmm, looks like a good lot ya got here, Josie. I reckon they won’t be very easy t’ read if they’re in shreds.” 

“Harry, no! Please, those are from school, they’re not mine! I’ll get in trouble with my teacher,” I beg, getting on all fours and crawling across my bed towards him. One look is all he needs to get me to stop, because I know if I took one more step towards him he’d pull out one of those faces that’d make me wet the bed . . again. 

“Even better then, love,” he smiles that mischievous smile with his yellow teeth that he swipes his tongue across. I feel a lurch in my chest when the first book begins to look like rainbow snow falling from his fingers, then the next, and the others while he laughs loudly. My pleas for him to stop don’t make any difference, and I fear that they only make his devilish smile brighter and wider across his blue tinted cheeks. 

“Why’d you do that?!” I almost scream, and one of his unruly eyebrows raises in answer. 

“How many times do I gotta bloody tell ya t’ shut yer mouth?” he lips back in return, tossing the last handful of papery snow behind him. 

“No, I won’t! Why’d you read to me last night if you were just gonna do that?” I sob, angry words flying with the tears. It’s only a second, but I think that I surprised him. “I thought you could be nice!” 

“Ya well, ‘m not nice, Josie. ‘m a bloody monster, I dunno why you expected that I could ever be nice. Me job ‘snt t’ be nice, ya brat, and that was a fluke - a one time thing that’s never gonna happen ‘gain, ya hear? Stop cryin’ ‘bout yer bloody books and fuckin’ go t’ bed, ya cry baby,” Harry hisses, tightening the frayed red and black flannel tied around his body covered in holey black clothes. 

“But you can be nice, I saw it! You are nice, Harry, if you just try!” 

“What’d I say, li’l girl, huh? Go t’ bed befo’ I make ya, and ya don’t wanna see that happen, I can promise ya that,” he answers with a stern finger pointed at me. The lights flick off with no warning and I fall back when he pushes me onto my covers. I don’t remember when he left, because I was too wrapped up in the tears flowing down my cheeks, and the fear leaking through them. 

He’s right, I am stupid for thinking that the monster who lives under my bed could ever be nice. 

*  *

Even after I slipped under the bed, and back into my world, her sobs still wrench at my heart and fill my head. It doesn’t matter how far I get away from her door that looks like a pixie threw up on it, pink as can be, I still hear them. If anything, they get louder and swarm around in my head. I shake it a bajillion times, wishing they would leave, and that when I pass other monsters who pat me on the back for the sound of her wails, I wish all the more for them to be gone. Suddenly, I’m not proud of them, and I had thought that the few tears she shed the other night bothered me, but this is anything but that. It rips apart my insides how they dig into the crevices of my mind, and how they pull me back to her. 

With every step past the cracked headstones weathered of names and dates of life, my feet become heavier, like cement blocks. With each step, they grow a pound in weight, and the stones and boulders I chuck into the blackness can’t even compare. The shrieks and requital of the pissed off mermaids and slimy grindylows below don’t throw a damper on my exaggerated rock skipping. 

“We’re tryna sleep here, ye fool!” one of the pinched faced mermaids bellows at me, propelling the sharp edged stone back at me. 

“Does it look like I fuckin’ care what yer doin’?” I scream back, chucking a bigger stone in her direction. She yelps before her muddled neon pink hair disappears below the murky surface. “Fuckin’ mermaids, bloody lot still hate me afta I broke tha heart of yer beloved Hera last century,” I mutter under my breath, at last falling to sit on a smooth, red boulder. Prying the minuscule shards of glass from the soles of my shoes, my dormant lungs beg for air, something that stuck with me past my days as a human.

I don’t need to breathe or let alone be gasping for air, but it never escaped me, although most other mortal things certainly did. 

It feels as if a stone stronger and wider than those beneath my feet sits lodged in my throat when I try to swallow, her face stuck behind my eyes. My throat soon feels akin to Darkly Desert a few miles away and the emerald reflected on the toiling waves grows messed up in front of me. 

“What tha bloody hell?” I curse, swiping a finger across my cheek and feeling wetness greet my chalky skin. “Christ Almighty,” I breathe, feeling the cool tears scatter my cheeks as my nose sniffles accordingly. “I can’t remember tha last time I had a bleedin’ cry, certainly not since ‘ve been a monster. Tha fuck ‘s happenin’ t’ me?” I croak, my head collapsing into my hands. 

“Gotcha heart broken by another girl, Harry?” a slinky voice asks, waves lapping against the rocks at my feet. I don’t need to peek my eyes open to know who it is, their revolting voice and squeaky, wicked laugh tells me the whole story. 

“Would ya fuck off, Freya? N’body asked you,” I crack, toeing my shoe through a puddle of rotten weeds that I fling at her. She scoffs loudly and it’s unbeknownst to me whether she scurries away or lingers. 

“Me’s hopin’ she did good work on it, if ya even have anythin’ left in there. Guessin’ ‘s a shriveled ol’ black thing by this time,” Freya bites back, making a loud exit and whipping her tail to spray me with the water that reeks of rotted corpses and fish. 

“Like you’ve ever had one, Frey, it takes one t’ know one!” I shout, standing to my feet and tossing one more stone in her direction. “N’body likes yer kind anyways, jus’ glorified fish with boobs, you are,” I groan with a shake of my head, my feet crunching with every step over the tiny bones that her and her posse toss to the shore like it’s their own garbage bin. 

Questions swim through my mind as I hike up the hill muddied by last night’s boiling hot rain showers, wondering how I can fix this. I jumped right past the wondering and decision making, and have landed right at the ‘how.’

I really do have a problem here, but the one that concerns me isn’t the existential one of sorts. 

“Open alfucking ready!” I shout, pounding my fist on the chipped wooden door, streaked with red. I’m not sure if I want to ask the question of what made it red. “Zekey, c’mon open up , you git!” I continue, lifting my fist for another blow right when the door swings open. 

“Da fuck d’yeh want, ‘arry?” he sighs in return, rubbing at his eyes and only further smearing the black makeup surrounding them. “Shouldn’t yeh be out on yer route, and not buggin’ me?”

“‘m uh, in between kiddies right now, Z. Ya busy, mate?” I explain softly, biting at my nails but there’s not much left to bite. 

“Apparently not, and would it even matta if I was? ‘m sure yeh’d still barge right in, wouldntcha?” he tuts, turning around and leaving the door open for me. “By tha way, did yeh fookin’ tell Ly’ that I revoked his invitation? Told yeh not t’, I found him snoggin’ me girl and that’s reason enuff t’ banish him from here, I reckon.” 

“Nah, that wasn’t me. Maybe it was Ni, I dunno. Can we get on with this, ‘s important,” I rush, tip toeing a careful trail through his doorway littered with empty beer bottles, cardboard pizza boxes, and cigarette butts. “D’y’know how t’ bloody pick up fer once, Z? Yer not even a monster, so ya can’t fall back on tha ‘messy monster’ cliche, mate.” 

“I dont’ rememba askin’ yeh, ‘arry. Now, what tha fook d’ya want that I had t’ wake up fer?” Zeke responds with disdain laced in his voice, collapsing onto his maroon sofa that’s by far seen better days, perhaps last century even. 

“‘m takin’ up that favor o’ mine ya owe me, and don’t even say sumthin’ like, ‘oh, what favor?’ Cuz ya bloody well know what favor, need I remind you?” 

“No, no. My bloody God, ‘arry, jus’ name it already. ‘m not gettin’ any younger sittin’ here waitin’ fer yeh t’ explain yerself away, am I now?” he sighs, raking a hand through his spiked, electric green hair. I nod and with an unnecessary breath, I steady myself, and prepare the sentence that I’ve rehearsed over and over. 

“I need some o’ yer Fix-It Dust,” I say slowly, waiting for his reply.

“That’s all? God, yeh scared me, thinkin’ I needed t’ hex somebody, bring a lover back from tha dead, or wipe a memory,” Z chuckles, springing up from the sofa and across the room to his bookshelf that’s never changed in appearance since that day I met him at the Wobbly Waterfall and came back here. “There, easy ‘nough,” he announces a moment later, tossing a small, dark bottle at me. The bookshelf behind him slides closed, and the fluorescent bottles coloring the rainbow disappear behind the moving novels. 

“Thanks, Z.” 

“Don’t mention it, Hare. I dunno why yeh think that warrants a favor,” he replies with a soft laugh and shrug of his shoulders. 

“What d’ya mean?” 

“‘s bloody dust, mate, not a bleedin’ spell, jinx, or body swap. Tell anybody I did this fer you, and yer screwed, but tha favor still stands. Good luck with whateva tha fuck it ‘s, I don’t care and don’t wanna,” he insists, waving a hand at me. 

“I appreciate it, mate, thank you.” 

“Since when d’yeh have fricken manners, Hare? Yeh gettin’ soft on me, or sumthin’?” he giggles, crossing his pale arms riddled with black ink, one or two of them my own handiwork. 

“Oh, would ya learn when t’ shut yer fuckin’ mouth, Zeke?” I scoff with a tut of my head, turning around and kicking a few beer bottles out of my path. 

“Hare, a softie? It really mus’ be tha end o’ days a comin’,” he titters from behind me, soon the sound of his TerroVision roaring to life. 

“Mention that t’ anyb’dy and ‘ll knock a few mo’ o’ yer teeth out, mate!” I counter, hearing the last few licks of his laugh before the door slams behind me. 

“This shite better magic me way back onto her good side,” I sigh, turning the dark bottle over in my hands, watching the flecks of fluorescent orange trickle around, and wondering just what the hell I’m doing. “I need t’ fix me fuck up befo’ ‘s too late,” I say, shoving it into my pocket hurriedly and padding down a flight of chipped steps, my heart thumping harder with every step that nears her. 

* 

Her decadent smell of berries and cream welcomes me back first, and then the sound of her slow snores. Her Scooby Doo night light smiles at me ironically, shedding light on the piles of torn paper on the cream carpet. Never, did I feel so guilty. The dried tears staining her cheeks and the heart wrenching sniffling in her sleep only make matters worse. Her mattress sags under my weight and I watch how her chest rises and falls with every breath, a sensation I can’t remember experiencing, but then again, I’ve never tried to remember it. I thumb away the strands of golden hair cast over her face, her smell wafting over me when I brush my thumb against her warm skin. Toasty breaths against my hand remind me that they feel like icicles, and that somehow long ago, they used to feel like her. They used to feel human, and so did I. 

“‘m so sorry, Josie, for ruinin’ yer books and clock. Pinky promise ‘ll fix ‘em. Right here and now,” I whisper softly, placing the wild strand of hair behind her ear adorned with an earring of a little, pink ice cream cone. Standing up, I look over my shoulder to make sure I didn’t wake her. 

She’s not really a heavy sleeper or a light one, I’ve found, somewhere in the middle instead. With my back to her, my grimey shoes come to freeze before the flurry of colored paper below me. Nibbling at the inside of my cheek, fretting, I fish the bottle from my pocket. The brown cork slides from the opening easily with a pop! before I turn it around in my hands, finding Zekey’s chicken scratch on the other side. 

After sprinkling on your screw up, chant these words and it’ll magic your mistake away, like it never happened. Three times is a charm. 

Fixus Motalus 

“Easy enuff,” I mutter, stuffing the cork away into a pocket. Tipping the bottle to the side, I tap my finger against it to watch the glowing dust fall to the floor. “Fixus Motalus. Fixus Motalus. Fixus Motalus,” I recite and within a blink, the pile of torn books sparkles before an imaginary wind kicks them up into a tornado of sorts, mending themselves back together before my smiling eyes. 

My steps leave creaks along her carpeted floor, something I’ve always hated, because it gives me away. I just hope it won’t do that very thing now, when I need to remain in secrecy more than ever before. 

“C’mon, Posie, where’s yer markers? They’ve gotta be here sumwhere, bein’ a little kiddie and all,” I sigh, my eyes searching her desk that, of course, is a baby pink. Only when I pull open a drawer do I find a stack of plain paper, and a plastic box chalk full of markers. 

Plucking one of the papers from the stack and a blue marker, I quickly scrawl a note on it before the cap clicks! back onto the marker. I’m careful to shut the drawer quietly and to not move a thing from its place, besides the Aladdin water bottle on her bed stand. Beside it, I find room to place the shiny pile of books with her teacher’s name written on the front, and with my note sat on top. 

She continues to snooze away, unknowing of my presence, and ignoring the crackling of glass below my feet at the end of her bed. As silence trickles through the house, I watch until every last sparkling fleck has fallen from the bottle to the floor, leaving it empty. A small tornado of sharp glass whirls into the air above the floor, and like a puzzle, they fit themselves back into the pink frame of the clock. With a whooooooosh!, it flies itself back up the wall and to the nail that it hung from, a shiny glint on its glass. 

“I dunno what yer doin’ t’ me, Josephine May Stephens,” I cluck softly, hands stuffed in my pockets as I trudge over to her bed and find a seat in front of her. “But I know ‘s no good, that’s fo’sure . . cuz I think I may be gettin’ a soft spot for you . . and monsters don’t get soft spots for kiddies, we hate you lot typically. Yet, here I am, thinkin’ I might be likin’ a kiddie. ‘m in fer real trouble with you, aren’t I, lovie?” 

* *

Sun stretches through my blinds the next morning, trying to reach me. Groaning, I turn over in my bed and call back to my mom when she knocks on my door, asking if I’m awake. Flying up to sit, my eyes race around the room, hoping she won’t walk in. 

“Alright, honey. Breakfast is ready, come and eat before it’s cold.” 

“Okay, Mom!” I reply, swinging my legs over the side of the bed as I lift the covers, accidentally hitting my bedside table. Something falls to the floor with a slap! and my tired eyes follow curiously.

“What was that? I didn’t have anything on the table last night,” I yawn, my feet falling onto the carpet. “Huh?” I exclaim with wonder, falling to my knees and picking up the pile of books, the very same stack that Harry shredded to pieces last night. Questions roll through my head and no answers come as I flip through the pages that are just like before, not even a page tear in sight. “This is really weird . . Am I still dreaming?” I mumble. Something tells me to lift my head and when I look at the wall, there sits my Hello Kitty clock with her arms telling me the time, ticking along just fine. 

Huffing, I glance back to the books but they’re forgotten when I see a piece of paper on the floor. Wait, that wasn’t there before, was it? I never wrote a note or colored last night before bed. Reaching a hand out, I pick it up and find that this morning can only get weirder, and weirder.