"In conclusion," Mr. Verdi read out loud, "Mary Johnson's book, Nitemare, is a delightful read. Her creative view of monsters and children gives a unique perspective on the world below our mattresses. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the beginning of a long and prosperous career for Miss Mary Johnson. Rating: 10 out of 10."

Oh god, Mary could feel her face lit up like a Christmas tree. She didn't dare to look at anybody else. A few of her closer classmates leaned over to give her a pat on the back. Others, who cared very little, frowned in jealousy.

Mr. Verdi held up the newspaper and with a grin said, "It's a hit."

The class burst into cheers, congratulating the very red cheeked Mary. The poor girl wished a hole would suddenly open up beneath her and swallow her. As embarrassing as it was, she couldn't help but smile in self happiness. Her book became an overnight sensation. How many sixteen year olds could say that?

Through the mist of shaking hands, greeting smiles, and crowding bodies, Mary looked on over to Mr. Verdi. In this celebrated atmosphere, one would expect him to be smiling or laughing.

Instead, he looked sullen. Sad, almost.

How very strange.

At that moment she didn't have time to think about his attitude. She was too busy answering questions and shaking hands. The bell rang and anybody who already gotten an autograph, ran out.

Mary gathered her things, and still in the company of friends, was escorted out of the classroom. When she looked back to Mr. Verdi, he had his back to her.

()

There was a rule Mike Wazowski made for himself when he was ten: Never feel guilty.

The original rule was, Don't regret your decisions and over the years mutated into the obscene one. Despite that, the little green monster followed his self imposed rule. He often regretted a lot of his decisions, but never felt guilty about them.

Until today.

He wasn't a very perceptive creature, Mike admits that. But he can tell when his closest love ones were hurting. For the past few days, Sully wasn't acting like his usual self. He didn't smile as often, laughed as loud, and his coffee breaks with Mike basically stopped altogether.

In the beginning, Mike told himself that it was nothing and that he should ignore it. Everything will go back to normal in a few days. You'll see.

But he saw quite easily that Sully wasn't getting better. He was getting worse.

The large multi-colored monster was standing quite solemn by the coffee machine, pouring himself a cup. A few monsters walked past and gave him cheerful greetings which Sully returned with less enthusiasm. Mike watched all of this unfold and frowned.

Something needed to be done.

Mike stomped on over, slapped his clipboard down on the break table and said, "Hey Sully, got a minute?"

Sully blinked and then smiled. The usual warmth of his eyes weren't there. "Sure Mikey. Is something wrong?"

"You tell me. You haven't been yourself for the past few days buddy. What's up?"

He looked so tired. Dark bags radiated underneath the monster's eyes. "Nothing is up. I… I just haven't been sleeping well for the past few days."

Suddenly that obscure midnight call came to Mike's mind. "Are you still dreaming about Boo?"

Sully blinked into his sludge and then nodded. "I think something is wrong Mikey. I think something bad is happening to her."

"You don't know that," Mike patted his arm. "Besides, Boo is a strong girl. She can handle anything that comes her way. Are you sure it's not something else? Like, did you change your diet?"

Sully raised a claw hand to his head, rubbing his horned temples. It was true, he had no idea if Boo was in trouble or not. A dream doesn't prove that. But now he is having the dream so often he wasn't sure what it meant. What it could mean. "I don't know," He said. "Maybe. I just feel…like something bad is going to happen. Y'know?"

Mike smirked at him. "Like what?"

"Can Mike Wazowski and Sully Sullivan please come to the main office immediately?"

Both monsters stared up wide eyed at the announcement that came over the speakers. Nobody should summon them to their own office. After all, they owned the place.

"Something like that," Sully breathed.

()

Both walked cautiously towards the head office. They weren't sure what to expect. If someone meant them harm, who would be dumb enough to announce it over the P.A?

"Are you sure this isn't a prank?" Sully whispered.

"Why are you whispering for?" Mike huffed. "And if it is, it's a pretty dumb prank. It's probably one of the newbies and we're going to find the office filled with balloons or something like that."

They stopped briefly at their door. The lettering on the glass frame spelled out, Presidents Mike Wazowski and Sully Sullivan. Sully raised a hand to knock and Mike batted his hand away. "What are you doing?" He hissed. "You don't knock on your own door!"

Sully blushed.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Mike twisted the handle and swung the door open. Both of them gasped.

"Roz?"

()

A/N: All will be revealed in the next chapter when it starts hitting the fan.