•E/C: Eye Color

•Y/N: Your Name

•H/C: Hair Color

•H/L: Hair Length

My E/C eyes full of fear look ahead of me at the figure across the waiting room of my therapist's office, who sits calmly in one of the many chairs while staring back at me tauntingly with those white eyes and dastardly grin. No, I'm not dreaming. I had awoken earlier to the disappointing news that the creature never showed his face. Pilvrich had left me a note on my nightstand, and, though I thankfully had no nightmares last night, one eagerly awaited me when I woke up, standing creepily in the corner of my bedroom, just staring at me. I don't like this. Usually he hides better, not standing out in the open, though, obviously, he has no reason to. No one else can see him anyways. Still, I'd rather he keep himself hidden from view than this. It tells me I'm in deep s*** the moment he lays his hands on me. It was hard to break away from his stare, but I just couldn't look at him anymore. The longer I did, the sicker I felt.

"Y/N, What is it?" Keith, who sits beside me asks worriedly. I had nearly forgotten that I was talking to him before meeting the creature's gaze. To him, it must've looked like I zoned out. I slowly turn my head to look at my blonde friend and find him staring in the direction of the monster, likely trying to figure out what I've been watching. He will find nothing, though, other than an empty chair.

"Y-you p-pr-probably wouldn't believe me," I claim, fumbling over my words and speaking so much quieter than I usually do. I gaze down at my joined hands, which hold each other tightly in a shaky grip. I bite my bottom lip with tears forming in my eyes, for I can feel the creature's gaze burning into my soul. I thought for sure that beast would be dead by now, and without Pilvrich by my side to protect me, I'm majorly screwed. Hesitantly, I look at the Boogeyman from the corner of my eye. Upon meeting his white orbs, he grins wider and wiggles his fingers as if to say hello. The action makes my face pale and causes a shiver to run down my spine. What a sickening gesture coming from him.

'I'm dead! This is the day he kills me! I know it is!' A sob catches in my throat as some tears slide down my cheeks. Keith looks at me in surprise and concern before looking back and forth between me and the Boogeyman.

"T-try me," he says softly with a watery smile on his lips in order to make me feel better. It helps, but only a little bit. He doesn't seem very confident either, but he's much braver than me to question about such a horrible creature.

"T-there's a m-monster that follows me," I mutter without meeting the boy's gaze. I don't want to see his reaction, however, he surprises me by asking,

"W-well, what does it look like?"

I gulp thickly and close my eyes while breathing heavily to keep my composure. I really hate describing that thing. Isn't it bad enough that he's practically etched into my brain? Still, I don't want to disappoint Keith. He's my friend, after all, like Pilvrich. Pilvrich... Just the thought of my new tutor keeps me calm. I really hope he can help me. I open my eyes, but keep them away from meeting the blonde teen's.

"H-he's tall with...with big, c-c-curly horns. His b-body looks like a...w-well like a..." I take a deep breath, closing my eyes again as I force the rest out, "sk-sk-skeleton covered in t-tar." A soft hum escapes the male's lips as I peer up at him. I find that his gaze is not on me, but my terrorizer who watches with calculative eyes. I don't know if he can hear me from this far away, but it sure seems like he grinned wider after the explanation of his physical appearance.

"And, it's over there?" Keith asks while pointing over to the monster, who, in turn, glares at the boy with his smile wiping clear from his dripping face. I nod slightly, but my heart beats faster in fear. He doesn't look too happy being pointed out like that.

"I-In the last chair," I mutter, my voice wavering. I flinch back when the blonde abruptly stands with his fists clenched and his eyes narrowed at the seat in hate. On his face is a brave expression that tells me he's about to confront the beast. No, he can't be! No one can be that stupid!

"W-wait, where are you g-going?" I snatch his hand and grip it tightly while looking into his hazel eyes pleadingly. He mustn't go. He'll be hurt, or worse, tormented like me. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, especially not my friend. He rips it out of my shaky grip, though, and gives me a confident smile. Seems his mind is set.

"Mrs. Williams says, 'to make the monsters go away, you gotta be brave and show 'em who's boss'," his tone wasn't light, but full of bravery and a hint of anger. Maybe he's upset that someone's messing with me? The next thing I know, he marches towards the creature, making my eyes grow wide in fear. I couldn't grab him in time to pull him back.

'Oh no! What have I done? I shouldn't have said anything!' The Boogeyman releases an irritated growl when the blonde comes closer while glaring sharply. My body trembles violently in anticipation.

'What will he do?' That question applies to both of them. What will Keith say? What will the Boogeyman do?

"Stay away from her! You're not wanted!" Kieth states firmly, his quiet voice now loud and bold. In that moment, my stomach flipped, for the beast stood from his seat and stares down at the teenager in front of him.

'I can't let him hurt Keith!' I stand against the will of my wobbly legs and race towards the male, breaking my parents out of their concentration for their crossword puzzle and magazine. I wrap my arms around Keith's midsection and forcefully rip him back away from the creature, making him yelp and stumble backwards into me. All the while, I maintain eye contact with the beast with tears in the E/C orbs. I hug the blonde tightly from behind as I try to distance us more, but-

"Y/N, stop it this instant!" My mother demands while tearing me away from my friend and practically dragging me back to my seat. I struggle in her hold as the monster smirks and sits back down. Keith watches me be pulled away with worry as I'm forcefully seated by my parents. I'm too weak to push them off, so I give up on trying. My father keeps me still by tightly holding my arm, while mom goes back to her seat, for extra measure. I hang my head, allowing my H/L, H/C hair to cover my features.

"Sit back down, Keith," orders the firm voice of a man sitting in the next seat over to me while patting the cushion of the chair the teen had sat in previously. The older male holds a strong resemblance to the boy, having light blonde hair and green eyes. He has a thin beard that covers the entire lower half of his face and is dressed in a realistic camouflage jacket, dark brown pants, and a black shirt with brown boots. Keith instinctively flinches upon hearing his father's voice before lowering his head and begrudgingly returning to his seat beside me. I feel bad. He had only wanted to help. I didn't mean for this to happen. Now we're both in trouble. The two of us sit silently for awhile until Keith turns to me with a soft look in his hazel eyes.

"H-hey, it's okay. I'm n-not mad at you f-for doing that."

"D-Don't do that e-ever again, p-please." I sniffle and grip my arms tightly while crying harder. "H-he isn't a hallucination like M-M-Mrs. Williams says. He'll hurt you. I d-don't want him to hurt you."

"S-sorry. I just wanted to help," Keith apologizes sincerely. I gulp and look up at the Boogeyman, who stares back at me with a flat expression on his scary face. That's definitely not a good sign.

"You've upset him," I mutter while looking away. I'm so dead when he comes to me tonight.

"Keith Briggs." The therapist shouts as her last patient leaves her office. The loud sound makes me jump in my seat, causing my father to hold my arm a little tighter to keep me put. His grip doesn't hurt, but it's uncomfortable, so I can't help but shift.

"Oh, I guess it's my turn. It was nice talking again."

I shakily nod my head to Keith to let him know I acknowledge his parting words. I can't bring myself to speak anymore, though, so I remain silent. My E/C orbs lift to watch the boy stand before glancing over to the creature once more. The Boogeyman growls threateningly at the blonde as the teen walks past him to get into the office. He then turns his head to lock eyes with me.

"If you know what's good for that boy, you'll keep him far away from me. Do you understand, little mouse?" The monster asks in a low, dead serious tone that sends a shiver down my spine. I gulp loudly and tightly hold my trembling hands before nodding slightly in response. The Boogeyman rarely ever speaks to me during the day, so he must be in an extra foul mood. I blink, and, in that moment, he disappears from sight, leaving that thick, black goo all over the chair. I don't sense him either, so he's definitely gone from the room.

This is not good, not good at all.