•Y/N: Your Name

•L/N: Last Name

•M/N: Mother's Name

Thank God, the Boogeyman hasn't showed his face for the entire week, regardless of me sensing him nearby every now and again, but, sadly, his return has caused me to relapse bad. Everything started all over again: the trembling, the vomiting, and I even started biting the skin around my nails again to the point where they'd bleed, which is why all of them are currently covered with bandaids to prevent me from touching them too much. Still, there'd be times where I'd rub the covered spots with the desire to gnaw at the flesh out of anxiety. Pilvrich noticed the sudden change right away and was the only one who gave me any real comfort about it. Often times, he'd offer to stay the night knowing it helps me feel safe, and, every time he offered, I agreed without hesitation.

I fear what the beast has in store for me. He's been gone for so long, so he's had plenty of time to plan something horrible. Perhaps he finally decided to turn me into one of those dreadful monsters from that pit or will cage me like an animal. I'm scared, so very scared. I jump with a small squeal upon hearing a knock on the front door from the living room couch, where I sit. My breathing quickens as I grip my arms tight enough for my nails to sink into the bare flesh. Tears are brought to my eyes as my mother races towards the door to put an end to the persistent knocking, knowing it's frightening me.

"I'll get it!" She rips open the door before speaking in a cheerful tone. "Oh, Keith, how nice to see you again. Sorry, but Y/N isn't feeling well today. You might want to come back some other time." Upon hearing my boyfriend's name, I stand up and slowly make my way over to peek around the doorway of the living room. Sure enough, the blonde stands there with a begging look.

"P-Please, I'd like to talk to her." The boy fiddles with his fingers a bit before avoiding eye contact with my mom, like he'd often do. I kind of wondered why he always gets tense around her, since she's so nice, but, knowing it might be a personal thing, I never asked.

"Oh, well..." mom's eyes drift over to where I hide, and I send her a small nod in acceptance. Being around him might make me feel better. I've been avoiding him again because of the Boogeyman, but I haven't sensed him for the past two days, so it might be okay. I just hope Keith isn't mad at me. I do plan to explain to him why I ran off last time in a hurry. "Come on in, just be gentle. She's been in a delicate state all week." I slip away to go back to my seat, waiting for the boy to join me at any moment.

"I-I will, miss L/N." I instinctively tense when I hear footsteps approaching, but relax when I remind myself of who they belong to.

'It's just Keith. It's just Keith.' When he pops his head into the room, he greets me with a light smile before coming closer. I can't seem to muster one back for him, so I just keep my gaze down and shift in my seat, bringing my knees to my chest. He frowns upon seeing my nervous state.

"Did it come back?" He asks worriedly, but I shake my head.

"N-N-No, not yet, but I've felt him nearby," I respond in a small voice before sniffling and hiding my face in my arms. "I-I'm sorry for r-r-running away. I g-g-got scared."

"It's all right." Keith sits beside me before offering me his hand to hold. I stare at it for a moment before reaching towards it with a shaky hand. Seeing that I was taking a long time to grab it, he meets me halfway and holds it firmly. I nearly flinched, expecting a light grip like the one Pilvrich uses, but it wasn't tight out of anger or anything. It just seemed like he was trying to comfort me. "W-Well, I've g-got a surprise for you at my place, i-if you wanna come, that is. I-I know you're not feeling too good right now, but it'll be quiet, and my dad went out for a bit, so it-it'll only be us. It can be our date."

"R-Really?" My spirits nearly lifted, but, then, the fear from before creeped right back in. I'm too scared to leave the house. What if he sees me with Keith? Also, Pilvrich is supposed to come over later, not for a lesson, but to spend some time with me. My parents know I've gotten close with him, and, honestly, I think they're just relieved I'm making friends with someone. They like him too. My mom has even called him charming, which he really is. Then again, maybe I should go? I'd like to have a little more fun before the monster shows up again. This could be my only chance, and, besides, I don't want to let Keith down. He looks excited. I shakily nod my head, causing a smile to grow on his face. "O-Okay, should we go now?"

"If you'd like." A smile almost touched my lips as my mother gushes near the doorway, having watched the entire scene. I almost forgot she was standing there.

"Oh, my baby girl's going on her first date! Y/N, why don't you get dressed in something a little nicer before you leave?"

"M-Mom," I mutter in embarrassment, holding on tighter to the blonde's hand.

"I-It's fine. I don't mind waiting." I turn to him in surprise.

"Y-You sure?" He gives a small nod before releasing my hand, allowing me to stand. "Okay. G-Give me a minute." Mom ushers me upstairs to my room to find something else to wear. While looking through my closet and drawers, I can't help but feel uncertain.

I couldn't decide what'd be good enough for a first date. Keith isn't dressed fancily, but what he's wearing is a lot nicer than his usual garb. Mom comes in for the rescue after noticing my dilemma, picking a cream, knitted sweater and a black skirt. Looking through what little accessories I have, she also grabs a black scarf with white hearts all over it and a black bow to put in my hair. She leaves me to get dressed before bringing me into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my hair. When I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but look away in disgust. I look horrible. The bags under my eyes had darkened, and my features are a bit sunken in due to the excessive vomiting. Mom gives me a comforting smile before pulling out her makeup bag.

"Now, now, don't fuss. You look beautiful. I'm just gonna add some small touches, okay?"

"C-C-Can't you change m-my whole face?" I mutter, feeling really down about my looks. I never really cared until now about looking nice for myself and others. I was always more concerned with the Boogeyman, and, even when he went away for those few months, I barely cared. Mom puts some sort of powder on my face and pink lipstick on my mouth before putting mascara on my lashes. When she's finished, I look back in the mirror and instantly felt better. The makeup made me look less like a walking corpse.

"There we go, all done. You look very pretty, Y/N."

"T-Thank you." I look down nervously with heat touching my cheeks as mother smiles happily. She opens her arms.

"Come hug me, sweetie," she requests, knowing better than to outright grab me. I fall into her arms, wrapping my own around her as she holds me gently. "Have fun and be careful. If you feel too nervous, call me or come home."

"I will." She parts from me and follows me down the stairs, where Keith waits at the bottom. When he sees me, his eyes light up in a way I've never seen before, and his staring partially made me want to hide. Was the makeup not enough? He gives a crooked smile and shifts weirdly before changing the look to appear more pleasant.

"Y-you look so p-pr-pr-pretty, Y/N." The blonde starts to fidget his hands, and my mother sneaks a picture on her phone from behind me, surprising the both of us with the flash.

"Oh, you two are so cute. Would you like me to drive you?" Again, Keith's eyes avoid hers. His place is not too far away, but it is a long walk, so I wasn't surprised when he said,

"Sure."

M/N comes back home after dropping her daughter off for her date at Keith's house, smiling and feeling jittery inside. She hopes it'll turn out well. She likes Keith. He seems like such a nice boy. As she comes into the driveway, she notices Pilvrich walking towards the front door, but he stops to wave at her with a polite smile after seeing the car. The mother park's the vehicle and unbuckles her seatbelt before stepping out to greet the visitor.

"Oh, Pilvrich, I'm glad I caught you. Y/N won't be here today, she's at a friend's." She giggles before correcting herself. "Or, should I say, boyfriend." His cheerful expression changed in an instant into a look of horror.

"What do you mean?" He asks, his voice low and serious, but not enough to alarm the woman.

"Her and Keith just went on their first date. They're so cute together, don't you think? You met him before, right?" The man forces a smile upon his lips before taking a few steps back.

"A-Ah, yes. Well, I should get going, then." He turns his heel and walks quickly. Though M/N found his behavior odd, she shrugs it off before going inside.

Only then did he run.