Chapter 2
They lied there, stunned from the effort they had exerted and from the realization of what had just happened, which didn't quite sink in yet. Victor lay sprawled on the floor, with Rebecca beside him. When they raised their heads, the spectacle that greeted them was less than savory. But if they were shocked, it didn't compare to how their audience felt upon seeing them.
They had made it to the monster world, against all odds. It was hard to believe, even as they felt the proof in their aching limbs, but the proof stood right in front of them in the form of a very stunned crowd. Monsters of all shapes and sizes were crowded around the door they had come through, gaping, staring, speechless.
Victor tried to recover himself. "It's alright," he said in a voice that betrayed his fear. "It's alright, I'm a monster." He blushed at the idiocy of the statement, and made placating gestures. In the midst of his bewilderment, he couldn't help but notice that the crowd of monsters surrounding them looked...well...funny. In fact, they all looked liked escapees from a circus caravan. Streamers and balloons were in the hands of some, honking horns in others, and confetti, bazookas, and all sorts of other oddments could be seen in the clutches of just about everyone.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded a voice. A shape emerged from the crowd, revealing a medium-sized red monster with 7 eyes, long limbs, and clawed feet. He held a clipboard in one hand, and a yellow construction helmet on his head. Rebecca gawked at him, but Victor said:
"Sir, I'm sorry to have caused a disturbance. My friend and I just came through the door. I'm a monster, I'm from Monstropolis!" He said it as if it were all the explanation needed.
The red monster, however, frowned and pointed his pen at Rebecca. Through his facade, even she could tell that he seemed apprehensive, and reluctant to approach her. "A human. And an adult, at that." He straightened his helmet and looked back at Victor. "The Boss is gonna have somethin' to say about this." He motioned for them to follow. They had no choice either way, as several large monsters - apparently some kind of security - followed close behind to make sure there was no "funny business."
The crowd of scarers and other employees murmured behind them. They all stood, watching as human and monster were led away. Rebecca felt very self-conscious about her human appearance. She was even beginning to doubt whether or not it had been a good idea to come. After all, the "welcome committee" hadn't been what she expected. But then, both she and Victor knew they were taking a big risk. Being surrounded by unfriendly, inhuman-looking creatures caused a sudden longing for home to swell up inside her. 'Here I am, and I'm already wanting to leave, after all the trouble Victor and I went through. What kind of fool are you, Bec?' she thought.
They passed door after door, through countless hallways. Wherever they went, monsters stared. Rebecca noticed that some of them even drew back a little as they passed by, as if they were afraid.
Victor was in a trance beside her. The fact that they were being forced to confront the "Boss," whoever that was, did little to phase him. He seemed genuinely glad to be back, and looked around eagerly at his surroundings and at all the monsters they passed by. His heart was thumping in his chest. 'I did it,' he thought. 'I can't believe I'm actually back...'
Finally, they stopped at a large door with a bronze plaque mounted on it. It read: James P. Sullivan. CEO, Monsters Inc.
The name meant nothing to Rebecca of course. But Victor was fairly bursting with fear and enthusiasm. Being a relatively calm guy by nature, he stood stock-still, eyes and mouth gaping wide. "Sullivan," he breathed. "The famous Sullivan...I don't believe it." Then he frowned. "Last I heard, Henry Waternoose was the CEO of this company."
Several of the escorts, having overheard him, exchanged glances.
The red monster stepped up, knocked on the door, and stood back. It was answered by a large, bulky, blue-furred monster. His face belied his features, though. It was kinder than any of the other faces Rebecca had seen so far, but it didn't ease her nerves any. He wore a tie and carried a briefcase that looked too small for someone his size.
His initial reaction was to offer a genuine smile in greeting, but it vanished the second he saw Rebecca. He half stepped out of his office. "What - what's going on?" he asked in a bewildered voice.
The red monster folded his arms and explained the situation as best he could, though he couldn't stop Victor from correcting him and trying to jump in at every opportunity. In mid-sentence, Sulley held up his hand, signing them to stop. "I'd better talk to these two alone, Jeff." He rubbed a hand over his face. "Listen, why don't you take a 10. I'll get back to you in a bit, but first I need to sort this out."
Jeff's seven eyes grew slightly wide, as if his boss was making a crazy suggestion. But he said, "Alright, sir," then couldn't resist adding, "If you should happen to need any assistance -"
"That's alright, Jeff," Sulley interrupted.
Jeff motioned for the security escorts to follow, leaving Victor, Rebecca, and Sulley alone.
Sulley looked tired. He turned toward them and stepped aside, indicating his office. "Why don't you two come on in."
x
Victor and Rebecca had done their best to explain to Sulley why they were there. Victor went so far as to relate to him the story of why he had been banished from the monster world in the first place. From there, they included their first meeting, Rebecca's desire to see Monstropolis, Victor's newfound desire to get back, their attempts at formulating a plan, and so on.
Sulley listened with patience, and not a little astonishment. The odds of such an audacious attempt from a banished monster were slim - not to mention dragging a human along with him (even if it had been her idea.)
They ended with the skirmish in Justin's room.
All the time they had talked, Rebecca had to own that she felt foolish in front of Sulley, realizing by now that she had caused a stir - and possibly a lot of trouble - just because she wanted to satisfy a curiosity.
Sulley placed his hands on the desk and regarded the two "intruders."
"This isn't gonna be easy to explain," he said. "But listen - Victor, things have changed since you were last here. I don't even know where to start..."
The orange monster leaned forward a little in his seat. "Does any of it explain why everyone on the scare floor looked like clowns?"
Sulley's mouth twitched in a smile. "I guess it's my turn to start explaining things. We don't scare children anymore. We make them laugh!"
Victor's face was uncomprehending. Rebecca, too, was confused.
"But...monsters have always scared children," he argued. "It's how we've always gotten our energy! If monsters don't bother scaring children, then...then what are we?!"
"Let me finish," Sulley said. "We made a discovery a while ago. It turns out that children aren't toxic like we thought. We..." here, he paused, and tried to compose himself. "We had a visitor here from the human world, and she kinda changed things for us." His eyes went to Rebecca. A deep sadness clouded them as he regarded the human for a moment, remembering another dark-haired girl in pink pajamas.
Victor shook his head. He couldn't believe all that had happened since he had been away.
"There's more," Sulley said. "You'll never believe this, but laughter is actually more powerful than screams." He told his guests about that discovery as well. It made more sense to Victor than it did to Rebecca, though he still had trouble taking it all in.
"So I've been afraid of children all this time for nothing, and..." he looked at Rebecca.
"Look Victor, I'm sorry about you having been banished. I don't think you deserved it, but, maybe I can help reintegrate you back into society. Humans aren't toxic anymore, so...maybe everyone will forgive you for the past."
The orange monster swallowed. "I'd appreciate it, you don't know what it was like being in the human world for so long."
"You'd be surprised. As for you," he said, looking at Rebecca. "I hate to say it, ma'am, but we can't keep you here. I'm sorry."
She shook her head. "I don't want to stay here. I never did. I just wanted to see it. And now that I have, I think I'm ready to go back."
Sulley nodded. "Right. I'll arrange to...uh..." he trailed off, realization suddenly dawning on his face. "You both said you got here through a kid's door?"
They nodded. "Yes," she said.
"It was a neighbor kid's door," Victor put in.
Sulley's eyes went wide, but then he sighed. "Then she can't go back through the same door," he said it more to himself than to them. He redirected his attention and sat straight in his chair. "This may be more difficult than I thought."
"What do you mean?" she asked, panic rising in her chest.
"We don't make doors for grown humans. We only make them for children. We can't send you back through the same door, not after what happened. It's against regulations."
"Then how will I get back?" her voice rose.
"I'll think of something, don't worry. I'll discuss the situation with our door manufacturers, maybe they can come up with a solution."
Rebecca was speechless.
"Hey, don't worry," Sulley was sympathetic. "We'll figure something out, we have the best of the best here at Monsters Inc. If the monsters I know here can't find a way, no one can."
"That's what worries me," she said in a hollow voice, and slumped back in the chair.
x
Temporary accommodations had been arranged for Victor and Rebecca.
Sulley understood that reintegrating Victor back into monster society would have its challenges, and situating Rebecca in the monster world would be even more difficult. In spite of the newfound knowledge that human children were not toxic, old habits died hard, and many monsters still had qualms about approaching human children too closely, much less an adult human. All monsters had been taught from an early age the danger of human children and exposing one's self to the human world. Such fears were rooted deep in their mindset, and in spite of the change in their view of human children, it would take time for the old fears and beliefs to be completely banished.
Sulley had arranged for a place close to the company, in case anything should happen and they needed to get a hold of him. He was aware of how delicate the situation was, mostly because of Rebecca. It was hard enough explaining to his colleagues the reason for her being there. And in a weird way, her presence actually benefited Victor: it took the attention off of him and his record. Indeed, no one seemed to notice or care much that he was back in Monstropolis, not with a human in their midst. It would be like worrying about a kitten when a lion was in the room.
Still, Sulley managed it somehow, and not a little because he was greatly respected and admired by his peers and fellow workers. Though it could be said that his popularity was put to the test upon trying to convince everyone that Rebecca posed no danger, and that she and Victor would be put into a temporary residence until a solution could be worked out for the both of them. At this point, everyone's distrust of Rebecca came mostly out of fear that she would expose their world to other humans when she got back - not so much that they believed she was toxic to the touch.
As for Victor, while he sympathized greatly with her plight, there was little he could do to help, other than provide moral support. He also had his own problems to worry about, such as where he would live now that he was back in his own world, and how he would be able to provide for himself and start his life anew. Sulley had promised him that he would try and get him a job. Now that monsters didn't have to be terrifying anymore, it was easier to recruit new members onto the floor, as it required much less talent to be funny than to be scary.
x
In the meantime, Victor and Rebecca were sizing up their abode.
It was a small apartment with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a nice kitchen, living room, and a small outside porch. Being that neither of them had any possessions, there was no unpacking involved. Naturally, it was more uncomfortable for her than it was for him. She never imagined that she could feel so alien and alone, even if Victor was her friend, and even if Sulley had shown her kindness.
She sat on the couch in the small living room and took in her surroundings. It wasn't much different than a human apartment, aside from the more austere decor - but it was that decor that suddenly seemed threatening to her. The fang-like pattern on the sofa, the spikes on the rim of the floor rug - they stood out to her like a sore thumb and felt ugly, threatening.
Victor emerged from his room and noticed her sitting there.
"You ok?" he asked.
Her attention snapped to him. She gave a nervous laugh. "I'm ok, I guess. It's just different being here, when you're the one who's different."
He walked over and sat down on the loveseat opposite her. "Do you regret coming here?"
It took a while for her to answer, and all she could come up with was, "I don't know."
Victor nodded. "You probably feel the same as how I felt, when I had been banished and was the only one of my kind in a strange world."
She looked at him, a sudden strong, sympathetic realization dawning on her. "Victor…Gosh, I never knew...not until now, how you must have felt."
"It's alright. You couldn't have known. And…" he went over to her and placed a hand on her arm. It was the first time he had ever dared to touch her. "You were a good friend. You were the only friend I had, and if I hadn't had you around, I don't know what I would have done." She smiled. "I'll try to be as good a friend to you now as you were to me then. Mr. Sullivan and the others will find a way to get you back to your right place."
She nodded. "I know. I think they will, too. I'm just...going through a period of adjustment, I guess."
He sighed. "You're not the only one. Well, I guess I ought to go out and get some food for us, um…" he looked at her, "I hope you'll find something in this world you can eat."
She shrugged. "I don't think I have a choice; I don't know how long I'll be here, so I'll have to survive somehow."
He nodded. "Well, I hate to leave you alone -"
"It's alright, Victor - go to the store or something, I'll just rest here. I think I need it."
With that, he left for the store, and she lied on the couch, trying not to let fear creep in. Sulley had lent Victor some money with which to buy necessities with. He was reluctant to accept it, but Sulley had insisted, telling him not to worry about it. Victor, after all, was more than aware of his plight. He had absolutely no money, no job, no home. He wouldn't get by without accepting help.
The two friends had a quiet meal that night.
Rebecca was relieved to find some things that were palatable enough for her to eat, and it didn't turn out as bad as she thought. After dinner, they talked about their situation.
"There isn't much we can do to help them figure out a way to send you back. You already told them your address."
"I know, and I feel helpless sitting here waiting for them to figure it out." She folded her hands, leaning back on the sofa.
"Why don't I try and show you around the city tomorrow? It might take your mind off your predicament, and besides, you wanted to see it anyway."
She gave a wry smile. "That was before I thought I'd get trapped here - but sure, I think that's a good idea. I'll...try to enjoy this place while I can, if I can. By the way, how exactly will you be able to show me around? Do you think bringing a human out in broad daylight will cause a stir?" She chuckled to show she was not really alarmed, but didn't hide it that well.
"Of course!" he smacked his forehead. "I forgot to show you. Look," he pulled a piece of paper out of his shirt pocket (the shirt having been given to him by Sulley, as part of the uniform attire at the factory.) He handed it to her.
"Wow," she said after reading it. "It's like a permission slip."
"Yes. Mr. Sullivan gave it to me before we left the building, I just forgot to mention it to you. It's got his signature on it, as you can see. I think that'll guarantee us safety wherever we go...even from the CDA."
"CDA?"
"Child Detection Agency."
"Oh, yeah. But I'm not a child, I hope we won't have any trouble with them."
"I don't think we will. I'm sure word has leaked out by now that a human is taking residence in Monstropolis."
Her eyes went wide. "You think so?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Maybe. Word gets out pretty quick around here."
She stared at the paper. "Well...I guess it's worth trying...I don't want to stay cooped up in here during my entire visit, however long or short it may be."
He nodded. "That's the spirit. And, unlike the way things were when I was trapped in the human world, we won't have to parade you around with a blanket over your head."
She laughed. "Thank Heaven for that."
x
Sulley idly tapped a pen on his desk. He was slumped over in his chair, unable to focus on his work. At least he didn't have a huge stack of paperwork to complete; only a measly foot-high pile that sat, neglected, near the picture frame that held Boo's smiling face. He mirrored the smile and took the frame in hand, remembering when he had gone to visit her some months ago to take the picture. He always missed that little girl, but was grateful that he could visit her at all.
He hadn't heard of any progress that morning concerning obtaining a door that would lead Rebecca back to her own home. It was one thing to make doors that led to any child's bedroom, but quite another to make one that led to a specific adult's room. It had previously been unneeded and unheard of in the monster world. He was basically asking the door designers and manufacturers to come up with a revolutionary invention in a short span of time. Sulley never could get a handle on door portal science, and marveled at how any of them did it.
A knock on the door broke his thoughts, and he called the person in.
It was Otis, one of Sulley's favorite specialists and friend, a good problem-solver and keen worker. He was a medium-sized monster with red scales, lean physique, two arms, and six legs that crawled along the floor like a caterpillar.
"Sir," Otis addressed him, "we may have just had a stroke of luck. I spoke to the CEO of Fear Corporation on the phone, and he thinks his company may be able to help."
"Fear Corporation?" Sulley repeated doubtfully.
"I know, I know. We're not exactly palsy-walsy with them, but I heard it from his own mouth. He said to bring the girl over and they'd try and figure something out."
Sulley seemed hesitant to embrace this unexpected helping hand. "Why would Fear Co. offer to help us?" he wondered out loud.
Otis shrugged. "Maybe they see it as helping the human - not us. Or maybe they want the publicity."
"Why am I not surprised," he muttered and got out of his chair. "Alright. We have to try, for Rebecca's sake. The poor kid's gotta be uncomfortable in a place like this."
x
"TAG! You're it!"
The little yellow monster screeched in delight as Rebecca ran after him.
Victor stood nearby, half nervous and half bemused at the spectacle his friend was displaying. He had never seen her so playful and carefree before. Even so, he couldn't keep from glancing around the park they had walked to. At first, he had thought that a walk to the park would be a nice, calm thing for Rebecca to do on her first day in Monstropolis - but the fearful and disapproving glares they were receiving from the young monster's parents gave him second thoughts. All he wanted to do now was yank Rebecca out of there and disappear. He wondered how she hadn't yet managed to notice the stares they were receiving.
Though, she did seem to be having a great time playing with the little ones. "Human and Monster" was a popular game amongst kids - and being that they had a real human to play with, it made it that much more fun.
He stared as Rebecca jumped out from behind a tree and tagged one of the kids in the back. The monsterling squealed and took off, and Victor couldn't help but laugh, too. He failed to notice a very angry mother approaching the group.
"Hector! Come along, it's time to go home!"
The kid named Hector whined, but his mother took him by the fist, with a parting glare at Victor and Rebecca, who instantly sobered from the fun. The other kids parents came and gathered their children as well, much to the children's chagrin. Grumbles of "I don't know why they let a human here. What will they think of next?" could be heard audibly from the disgruntled mothers.
Rebecca felt terrible.
Victor walked over to her and said tentatively, "Don't take it too hard, Becca. They're just...afraid. Remember what I said about humans in Monstropolis."
She breathed out, not meeting his eyes. "I know. But nothing brings it home like having it shoved in your face."
"Do you want to go back...er...home?"
"I think that's a good idea."
Rebecca was inclined to feel depressed for a while after that, and wanting nothing more than to leave this world and go back to her own. She felt, too, the bitter irony that she and Victor had, in theory, switched places.
Victor did what he could to lift her spirits, but he had distractions of his own. He often visited Monsters Inc. to see about getting employment. Sulley had set up several tests for him to take in order to see where his strengths and weaknesses were, and where he might best fit in, if anywhere. Rebecca was hesitant to go out after her rejection at the park, and she seemed to sink into a blacker mood by the day.
One day, Victor arrived at the apartment after having spent a handful of hours taking tests and getting acquainted with things at Monsters Inc. He saw her lying on the bed in her room, and decided to try and put an end to her seclusion.
He stood in the door and knocked on the frame. "Are you awake?"
She leaned up on an elbow. "What is it?" Her voice was low and dispirited.
"We're going to the museum."
She sat up. "What museum?"
"The Museum of Scarers."
"What for?"
He turned to face her. "Because you can't lie in here all day."
She said nothing.
"I realize it's been hard for you being stuck here, especially after what happened with those uptight mothers. But you can't blame them. They're ignorant and they don't know any better. Don't hold it against all monsters for the behavior of a few. We need to get you out of the house."
She swung her legs to the floor and looked at him. "You saw what happened at a park. What do you think will happen at a sophisticated museum?"
"You'll be safe, trust me. If anything untoward happens, it won't be us who starts it - in which case the law will be on our side."
She shook her head. "I don't know if I'm ready."
"If you keep staying in here all day, you'll never be ready. Come on Rebecca. Let me repay what you did for me when I was in need."
Without another word, she stood up and faced him. "Alright. Let's go."
They did end up having a good time at the museum. Victor tried not to show his surprise at how taken his friend was with the environment. Visitors did gawk, and security pestered them with questions periodically. One of them even threatened to call the CDA, until Victor explained the situation to them and pulled out Sulley's authorization of Rebecca's presence as proof. That seemed to calm them down, though they weren't about to let her out of their sight. Even so, she was able to somewhat ignore the ominous presence of the security guards, and let Victor give her a personal tour of one of his favorite attractions in Monstropolis. He said that he used to come here all the time in the days before his banishment. He still remembered every room, every display, even the sweet-musty smell of the place.
They visited room after room, saw countless busts and old painted portraits of legendary scarers. He related to her the history behind scaring, which greatly amused her to hear tell of how monsters needed scream energy in order to keep their civilization thriving, so to speak.
"And to think, all that time, that the sound of a child's laughter produced more energy than their screams did." He shook his head.
"I still don't see where you monsters got the toxicity idea from," she remarked as she gazed at the bust of a particularly grotesque-looking monster. "Jeez. Nevermind children, I know adults who would scream if they saw this guy in person."
He grinned. "It is impressive. We monsters have quite the history."
"So I see."
The Hall of Horror concluded their visit, and they went home. They didn't use a car or even public transportation, for obvious reasons. It was no short walk to the museum from the place they were staying at, but it was doable enough to make them tired by the time they got home.
She flopped down on the couch. She was silent for so long that he thought she had fallen asleep, but she said, "Thanks for getting me out of the house. You were right to do it."
"You're welcome," he said. She drifted off to sleep shortly after that, and he covered her with a blanket.
x
A week had gone by before Sulley broke the news to his charges. He informed them of Fear Co.'s willingness to look into the matter. Victor knew a little about Fear Co., but Rebecca, naturally, was clueless. Both he and Sulley explained to her that Fear Co. served the same function as Monsters Inc.
"Problem is, it's also who we're competing with. But luckily that won't matter in this case," Sulley said.
That sounded alright to Rebecca. Victor was a little suspicious, as was Sulley, but they didn't dwell on it for long.
"Fear Co. has never volunteered to help Monsters Inc. before, as far as I know. I wonder why they'd start now," Victor wondered.
Sulley tried to remain positive. "Otis thinks they're doing it for the publicity. Wouldn't be unlike them to do so."
"I guess…"
"When are we supposed to go there?" She asked.
"Tomorrow," He said. "The CEO will need to get a little information on where you live, and from there they might take a little while to find a way back for you."
"What does Fear Co. have that your company doesn't?"
"Some of their technology is different. That includes the way their portal scientists work. It's one of the reasons they're competing with us."
"Ironic."
"You're telling me. Anyway, you're set to appear tomorrow at 11:30 AM. Hope it works out."
"Mr. Sullivan -" Victor started.
He held up his hand with a smile. "Call me Sulley."
"Sulley...I want to thank you for what you've done for Rebecca and I. I don't know where we would have been without you, so...thanks."
She nodded. "Thank you, sir. We really appreciate it."
He answered with his trademark grin. "Not a problem. I'm happy to help. Cheer up you guys, things'll work out."
They chatted on the way home, duly ignoring the stares she received from passersby.
"How long have Monsters Inc. and Fear Co. been competing with each other?"
"A long time. I can't say specifically."
"Which one is better?"
He snorted. "Whichever one people say is better. Ask someone who works at Fear Co., and they'll say Fear Co. is the best. Same with Monsters Inc., though they have been around longer."
She shook her head. "Strange world...I still can't believe I made it here."
"Mm, I know what you mean. In my case, I'm glad to be back. I'm glad things have changed since I've been here, otherwise I might not have a fighting chance."
They were silent for a time. The sun was setting over the city, casting dusky shadows and bright streaks of fading light cutting through trees and buildings. The distant shouting of children, rumble of cars, and various other city noises were so like home, that had it not been for the inhuman inhabitants, Rebecca might have believed she was back home.
Charming as the evening setting was, she kept her eyes averted away from the monsters within proximity. Victor kept his head up, meeting all manner of stares with neither contempt nor friendliness. Some of the monsters held nothing more than curiosity and fascination in their eyes, as if he had nothing more than an exotic pet in his care. Others held a less friendly composure, burning holes in the little monster's neck and shying away from them as they passed by. Monster mothers were among the worst, and by contrast, their children were the most unprejudiced. The very youngest, of course, weren't even aware that Rebecca was not a monster, and the older ones pointed and jumped with eagerness.
Victor must have felt his friend's tenseness, because he said, "They can't keep it up forever. The buzz'll die down before we know it. People always gossip." He kicked a small stone into the street and they trudged the rest of the way in silence.
When they got home, he prepared a little dinner for them. Rebecca told him that she was fond of cooking, but had way less experience using monster-world ingredients than he did. She thought his cooking was good, as far as the cuisine of that world went. Some of the things he prepared for her were not at all to her liking, but others, she was pleased to say, were quite tasty.
"It's too bad we don't have some of this in our world," she remarked as she took a bite off her plate.
"Glad I could make something that agrees with you."
There were a few minutes of silence, then she asked, "What was your life like when you lived here, years ago? I mean outside of your job, and being curious about the human world, and all."
He set down his napkin and swallowed. "I was a quiet sorta guy. Still am, I guess. But I still had a social life. I lived in a small apartment then, too, nicer than this one, of course. I even had a girl - Tracey was her name."
She raised her eyebrows and took a sip of water.
He nodded. "She was great, always listening to what I had to say, not putting me down. She had a lot of patience with me, more than anyone else ever did, and...I guess I took it for granted."
He said no more, and although she was dying to know more about it, she said nothing. It was clear the pain was still fresh in his mind. She wondered what this Tracey looked like. Since arriving in Monstropolis, she marveled at how distinct the monsters were from each other. Victor had never exaggerated when he said they were a diverse group. For all she knew, Tracey could have been a six-legged, one-eyed, polka-dotted octopus-like creature.
She laughed quietly. "We humans must seem pretty boring in appearance compared to you monsters."
He lightly shrugged. "I don't think most monsters give much thought to human appearance. Too focused on their toxicity - or were." He paused. "It's one of the things I always found kinda odd about us, I guess. That human beings could be such an essential part of our life - without actually being in our life - and yet we gave so little thought to them outside of what they could do for us. The energy and all that."
She didn't know how to respond. "I guess it's understandable, I mean...if your people thought that human children were so dangerous, it would obviously make it hard for there to be any kind of connection between worlds. From what you've told me, the scarers are supposed to go in and out of the human world as quickly as possible, while still doing their job well."
He nodded. "It'd have been too dangerous to linger."
"What about now? Things ought to be changing, but I can see the news hasn't completely sunk in."
He glanced at her and pushed back his plate. "I don't know. Despite having lived here years ago, I arrived in the middle of a new era, it seems, so I know about as much as you. Big changes always take time to sink in." He took their plates to the kitchen, and they cleared up.
That night, Rebecca lied in bed for some time, wondering how tomorrow would play out, and whether the next night would see her falling asleep peacefully or not. She realized that these monsters at Fear Co. would need time to solve the problem - if they could solve it at all - but the anticipation welled up in her regardless. She wondered if it would ever wear off. She wondered, too, what her mother was doing at that moment, and shuddered deeply to think of the distress she no doubt was causing with her disappearance.
'I should have left a note,' she thought, though knowing as well that it wouldn't have helped much. A daughter couldn't just disappear without a goodbye and not cause worry, and the fact that it happened at night didn't help either.
She hoped she wouldn't hate herself as much in the morning, and eventually drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep.
x
In another part of the city, in an office within Fear Co.'s building, there sat a large, hunched figure pouring over several sheets of paper.
"This may work, Mr. Worthington," he rumbled in a rich, silky voice.
"Never doubted this company for a minute, sir."
The figure swiveled in his chair to face his top scarer. "They'll be arriving tomorrow. I need us all to be at our best when they come."
He smirked. "We always are."
"That's the kind of attitude I'm looking for," he smiled.
He raised an eyebrow and folded his arms. "You sure you want the human brought here?"
The man sighed. "It's necessary if we're to see this through properly. I know what our regulations say, what our company code stands for. But things are changing, Mr. Worthington. Our world is not the one we knew several years ago."
"So long as you don't think this will hurt the company's reputation."
"If anything, son, it'll revive it." He slid the papers in a drawer and they exited the office.
"See you bright and early tomorrow, Worthington."
The monster waved his hand and headed toward his convertible, but not without giving a last glance at the illuminated insignia that was the trademark of his corporation. It presided over the building like a monarch ready to govern, and he was immensely proud of it. Tomorrow, he vowed to be at his boss's side and ensure that everything went according to plan. What took place might even go down in history books some day, and he knew the significance of it.
He started the engine and pulled out of the company lot toward home.