•E/C: Eye Color

•H/L: Hair Length

•Y/N: Your Name

•H/C: Hair Color

My eyes remain wide in shock, while I remain unsure of whether or not I should be really afraid right now of the monster's disappearance. The E/C orbs dart around the bedroom nervously as I search for any sign of the Boogeyman, but there's nothing. He really is gone. Some of my tensions fade away, which is nice, but I know better than to fully let my guard down. I jump with a small squeal escaping my lips when a gentle hand is set on my shoulder. Shakily, I turn my head, but thankfully, it's only Pilvrich.

"I'll have a look around just to make sure. Why don't you have a seat on the bed while you wait?"

Biting the inside of my cheek, I lightly nod my head before walking over to the bed and sitting on the plush mattress. I bring my knees up to my chest and wrap my trembling arms around them to steady myself. I can't help but wonder if he left because of our deal or because he knew Pilvrich has come to kill him. Either way, he's gone right now, which somewhat relieves me. I watch closely as the dark-haired man wanders around my room while conducting a thorough search for the terrifying creature. He checked the closet and the space beneath my bed, even the drawers in my dresser, but turned up empty, just as I predicted. While he's busy with that, my eyes wander over to the black notebook on top of my nightstand. It's my dream journal. I haven't written in it today, but maybe he could find some use out of it.

"Nothing." Pilvrich sighs in frustration as he has a seat on the edge of the mattress before pushing back his black hair with his hand. I reach over to the notebook and grab it before holding it out to my tutor. His silver eyes stare at it for a moment before meeting my E/C orbs. I find myself looking away, though, and shuffle nervously. "What's this?" He asks while gently taking the book from my hands, which drop onto my lap as I unfold my legs.

"I-I've b-been keeping a d-dream journal," I explain in a soft voice while fiddling with my fingers. Pilvrich hums and opens the notebook to the first page. His eyes skim the words as he talks.

"Do you ever look them over?"

My E/C orbs widen, and I frantically shake my head in response.

"N-no. I don't want to relive any of them. T-they were all t-t-terrible." I gulp and lower my head, allowing my H/L hair to fall in front of my face to hide it. A film of tears coat my eyes, but I manage to hold in the urge to cry. All those nightmares left bad memories. I never want to go back to any of them.

"I can see that. He's put you through a lot."

"Last night, I made a deal with him," I mutter, nearly inaudibly, gaining his interest. I continue a bit louder so that he can hear me better. "H-he said if I beat him, I g-get two days without him p-pestering me. I didn't t-think he'd keep his word, especially s-since he looked so...angry."

I gulp, remembering the expression on the monster's face when I won his game. He certainly was not pleased. He probably didn't think I'd escape the maze so easily. I flinch when a hand pushes my hair away to reveal my features. Pilvrich offers me a kind smile that makes my heart pound rapidly, though, not in fear. I can feel a touch of heat on my cheeks as I look down again.

"He won't hurt you, Y/N. I'll make sure of it."

I gulp, my pale cheeks turning a brighter shade of pink as the man goes back to reading my journal entries. A question comes to mind, however, when I recall something the Boogeyman said last night to me. He claimed to have never done anything to physically harm me, which I'm still skeptical about, but why? Is he powerless outside the mind or perhaps weaker? It wouldn't hurt to ask if Pilvrich knows anything about it. After all, he's been so kind to me. Besides, if my hypothesis is correct, attacking him physically might be an advantage for us.

"H-hey, Pilvrich?"

"Yes, little one?" The black-haired male lifts his gaze to meet my eyes, but, finding myself unable to meet his gaze without feeling a little flustered, I stare down at my trembling hands. I don't know what this warm feeling inside me is, but I think I like it.

"C-can he do anything outside of dreams?"

Pilvrich is silent for a good minute, filling me with dread. A soft sigh escapes him as he fills me in on his knowledge of the beast.

"Sadly, yes." He closes the notebook and sets it aside before turning his body towards me. I look up at him in fear upon seeing the serious look on his face. "He is just as dangerous in the real world as in the dreamscape. He's a very strong monster with the ability to shape-shift."

I fall silent, my heart seemingly stopping for a few moments as a lump forms in my throat. My stomach churns as awful thoughts fill my head.

'A shapeshifter...that changes things. All this time, he could've been masquerading as anybody without my knowledge. He could've pretended to be mom or dad, Keith, even...' my E/C orbs widen as I stare into Pilvrich's silver orbs in fear.

'He can even be Pilvrich.' Upon coming to that realization, my face pales, and I stand abruptly, catching the man off guard. I back away from him with trembling legs that seemed like they would fail at any moment.

'I'm stupid...so very stupid!' Tears fill my eyes as Pilvrich stands.

"Y/N?"

I shake my head and cover my ears to block out his voice.

'The monster has never been around when he's near me!' Whimpers escape my lips as tears stream down my cheeks.

'No! How could I be so stupid?!'

"Y-you..." I couldn't even accuse him of being the monster; instead I turned and ran towards the bedroom door to get away from my shocked tutor. In an instant, a his hands snatch my upper arms, causing me to scream loudly and hysterically. I twist and turn my body to escape his hold, falling to my knees in the process, but he won't let go! Pilvrich kneels down while softly shushing me in attempts to calm me.

"Shhh. Y/N, what has gotten into you?" He asks softly, sounding genuinely concerned.

"Let me go, you monster!" I struggle violently in his grasp, but his grip doesn't loosen, nor does it tighten.

"Y/N, listen to me. Listen!"

I flinch when he shouts at me and freeze in place when he firmly holds my face in his hands, so I can forcefully meet his gaze. Tears stream down my cheeks, wetting his soft hands.

"I am not the monster."

"W-Why s-s-should I b-believe you?"

He hums softly and loosens his hold slightly.

"The Boogeyman can only change into what you fear. Do you fear me, Y/N? Well, before all this, I mean." He chuckles softly, strangely easing my tension. I stay silent and slightly shake my head. No, I didn't feel afraid of him. If anything, he made me feel safe. Pilvrich releases my face, allowing me to look down. "Do you find me pleasant to be around, little one?"

"A-a bit," I mutter with a light dust of pink on my cheeks. If fades away quickly, though. He smiles almost victoriously at my response.

"Ah, but even a little bit of positivity can affect what he can change into. You see, I cannot be him because you find me to be even the tiniest bit pleasant to be around. I am not your monster, Y/N. I am me." Lightly, he takes my hands in his larger ones and gives them a soft squeeze. I remain silent, just staring at him. I've come to know the monster quite well. He's never once behaved as the man in front of me, but I wouldn't put it past him to try to trick me with something like this. For now, I'll take his word, but I won't give him my full trust until I know for sure. I nod my head, so he stands up with my hands in his warm ones. I pull them away and tightly grip my arms while staring at the floor, causing Pilvrich to sigh.

"I'm not here to harm you, little one. I can protect you."

"How?" I mutter with a light sniffle following soon after.

"I told you, I wish to hunt him. We have a bit of history, I guess you can say. I can get rid of him for you, but you have to be willing to do as I say. Can you do that for me?"

I stare up at him with hope in my eyes, but there's still a hint of suspicion in the E/C orbs. I want to believe him. He's my only ticket out of this nightmare. Am I just being paranoid again or is my fear justified this time?

"You swear you can stop him?" I ask just to make sure, my walls crumbling a bit. I really hope this isn't one of the monster's tricks because I really want to be able to trust someone again. A confident smile appears on Pilvrich's lips.

"Absolutely." Surprise fills his silver orbs when I break into tears. He makes a motion to step forward, but I act first, engulfing his lanky body in a tight hug after charging at him. He loses his footing and falls backwards onto the bed with a small gasp escaping his lips after I knock the air out of his lungs. I don't dare to meet his gaze and burry my face against his silk shirt.

'He's so warm.'

Pilvrich remains stunned for a moment before relaxing his arms around my body, keeping me close to his thin frame. Nimble fingers rake through my H/C locks in a soothing motion, and I close my eyes, reveling in the sensation.

'I've never felt like this before...what is this?' A small smile twitches into place on my lips as he holds me tighter, like he's never been hugged in his life and didn't want it to end.

"I'll keep you safe, little one."