Chapter 15

"What the heck did we get ourselves into this time?" asked Garret to Gannon on the way home to their apartment. They were to gather necessities for their post close to Tyrone's place to begin their duties. Their Sword Warrior duties.

"To protect two kids from an unknown stalker. Comes with the job little brother." said Gannon.

"Doesn't all this disturb you?" asked Garret.

"What?" asked Gannon as he pulled out his keys and opened the door to their apartment.

"The Bogey Man. Who is he and what does he want with them? Isn't it disturbing?" asked Garret.

"I've been thinking about that too. Honestly, I don't care much. The Bogey Men have always been creepers. Stalking kids in the middle of the night is what they do. They simply eat up the nightmares the kids have and they use it to make potions and stuff." said Gannon.

"But this person doesn't want to make potions and the like. He wants to kidnap them! In person! Not spiritually or dream like; no. He wants them both alive. This is something that the royal brigade should look into. I'm surprised his grace, the Mothman, gave us this heavy assignment." said Garret.

Gannon breathed in deeply and placed Bubbles in his little habitat. The hermit crab slowly crawled out of its shell and walked slowly towards the small swimming pool the boys put for Bubble's entertainment.

"I don't want to make assumptions or think outside the box. But all I care about right now is guarding our new friends, and making sure they are safe. The Mothman said he's got it covered. And you worry too much. You remember why we are Sword Warriors? It's because we are stronger than the average human and we have quote on quote magic. Sort of. Our swords will guide us to whatever we need to do." said Gannon.

"When this is all over, what will happen to Tyrone and Matt? They seem to know too much about the world they didn't know existed." said Garret.

"What of it? They could be allies to our world." said Gannon.

"They are allies today, but what if someday they decide to expose us? It's happened before with other humans." said Garret.

"Again, you are worried and your head is going all over the place. You need to relax and chill. Don't let your worries ruin your day for you. You got that?" said Gannon.

Garret nodded silently and Gannon softly punched him in the arm. "We got this." he winked.

Meanwhile, at Tyrone's house, the boys were cleaning up for their guests.

"Where are they going to be sleeping?" asked Matt to Tyrone as they were cleaning up the house.

"Perhaps the living room. I feel much safer if they are here." said Tyrone. Both boys were still on edge and they looked outside the window many times, hoping not to catch a glimpse of the Bogey Man.

"The salt will protect us right?" asked Matt.

"It better. If it does not; I'm going to sue the company that makes gnomes." said Tyrone. Matt chuckled and so did Tyrone.

"Matt, can I ask you something?" asked Tyrone.

"Uh huh?" replied Matt, giving him permission.

"How are you feeling right now?" asked Tyrone.

"I feel fine. Sad, but fine." said Matt.

"I know. It's gotta get better. You'll see." said Tyrone.

"I hope so." said Matt.

"Anyway, the Mothman hasn't arrived to tell us anything. That's a good thing." said Tyrone.

"Is it?" asked Matt.

"You get to stay here longer." said Tyrone.

"Yeah. But I bet you're waiting to get rid of me so you can get on with your life huh?" said Matt.

Tyrone was surprised to hear Matt say that and he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Heck no. I don't think that at all. Ever since you lived here, things have been a bit cheerful. Sort of." said Tyrone.

"Sort of?" said Matt annoyed.

"I mean, if we don't count the Bogeyman's intrusions, we've been having good days so far." said Tyrone.

"Except that one time at the beach." said Matt.

"Oh, well that's different." said Tyrone.

"Do you want to watch a movie? You choose." said Matt.

"I get to choose?" asked Tyrone.

"Yeah. You're my big brother now, so technically, older siblings get the remote. But just this once." said Matt.

Matt walked over to the couch and grabbed the remote. "You got Netflix?"

Tyrone and Matt had their first movie night. They both watched a Terminator movie. The boys laughed, gasped and even applauded when things were going great for the hero. After the movie ended, Matt fell fast asleep on the couch. Tyrone looked over at him and silently moved his head to the side so he wouldn't be uncomfortable. He grabbed a blanket from the other couch and placed it on Matt as he slept soundly.

After Tyrone did that, he silently walked outside to the front porch. He sat on the bench and drank a soda.

"What am I doing?" he thought to himself. Was he really warming up to the boy just now? Tyrone never thought of himself as a protector or even a father figure. Not yet. He's a teenager, yet he had the instinct to place a blanket over Matt. Why? Why did he do it? Was he feeling something inside?

Yes he was. Tyrone knew that it was love. Ever since Matt came into his life, he's seen how the boy warmed up to him. Despite all the problems they faced, they got much closer together and they were getting stronger.

Just then, Tyrone heard a heavy landing and he smiled. He looked on ahead to see two large red eyes coming into view and walking towards the house.

"Welcome back." said Tyrone with familiarity. He wasn't afraid of the Mothman anymore. He now saw him as a friend of the family.

"My work here is done; young Tyrone. It seems that Mateo has found a new home at last." said the Mothman.

"Oh? Really?" asked Tyrone, feeling a rush of panic growing inside him.

"Yes. The home I've chosen for him is a very comforting place to be. He will have all the love and support he will need, for the person who will protect him is very warm, pleasing and very sincere of heart." said the Mothman.

Tyrone felt nothing but pain in his chest and fear. "You mean…. Matt will leave tonight?" asked Tyrone, almost in a panic.

"What's this? Tyrone, my dear boy, you don't understand." said the Mothman.

"I do understand. I'll wake Matt up and have him ready." said Tyrone sadly. He then wiped some tears from his face as he was beginning to feel strong emotions rising.

"Tyrone, allow me to explain. You have it all wrong." the Mothman was beginning to say, until he screamed.

Tyrone gasped and walked back as the Mothman screamed out in pain, holding his chest. "Damn you! Damn you!" he cried, turning around to face whoever attacked him. Behind the Mothman's wings was a large sword with a black blade. Tyrone screamed as the Mothman fell and standing in front of them both was the BogeyMan.