Chapter 7

Matt ate his food very fast. So fast in fact that he almost choked. He drank his water and let out a big burp.

Matt quickly closed his mouth, and looked at Tyrone frightened. However, Tyrone started to laugh. Matt felt relief and he too laughed along with him.

"Where did that come from?" asked Tyrone.

"I don't know. From outer space maybe?" said Matt, still laughing.

Their laughter was echoing in the house and Tyrone noticed for the first time how much noise there was. It almost spooked him.

"I'm glad you're having a good time." said Tyrone.

"So… what's going to happen to me now?" asked Matt, changing subject instantly.

"I have no idea. A lot of things happened while you were out. And even I don't know what the heck is going on. It seems you and I are on the same boat." said Tyrone.

"The same what now?" asked Matt.

"The same boat. It's an expression." said Tyrone.

Matt looked at his plate gloomily and Tyrone stood up.

"You know, while you're here, feel free to use the TV," said Tyrone.

"That sounds great." said Matt looking up.

"What do you like to watch?" asked Tyrone.

"Anything funny I guess," said Matt.

Tyrone washed the dishes and Matt helped him clean the table. And Tyrone was impressed. Where he worked, kids didn't pick up after themselves at all. But this one did. Matt cleaned where he was at.

"You know, that was nice of you. Thank you." said Tyrone.

"What did I do?" asked Matt.

"You cleaned the table," said Tyrone.

"Oh. You're welcome." said Matt nervously.

"So tell me more about yourself Matt. Where did you come from?" asked Tyrone.

"Mexico. I was born in Mexico, but I was brought to the country when I was about 2 years old." said Matt.

"Where in Oregon did you live?" asked Tyrone.

"Is this some sort of interview? You want to deport me all of a sudden." teased Matt.

Tyrone chuckled. "No silly. I'm just trying to get to know you. I'm not calling the FBI or anything."

"How should I know? You're a white dude." said Matt with his arms crossed, making a funny face.

Tyrone smiled. "You can trust me."

"Okay. I lived in Hillsboro." said Matt.

"Hillsboro? That's a long way off." said Tyrone.

"Where am I exactly?" asked Matt.

"Right, I didn't tell you. You are in Garibaldi. You know where that is?" asked Tyrone.

"The beach town close to Tillamook?" asked Matt with his eyes widening in surprise.

"Yes. We are close to the cheese factory." said Tyrone.

"Wow. Is that how far I am?" asked Matt.

Tyrone noticed Matt's ease and he decided to ask him more questions regarding his family.

"So, you got a Mom or a Dad?" he asked.

Matt didn't answer right away. He hesitated, but he spoke. "I never met my Dad."

Tyrone bit his lip. He felt like he didn't have to ask him that question. But Matt continued.

"I was born in Hillsboro. Mom didn't care about me. She hung out with her friends in town and she would come home with different guys. She would lock me and Marcos in a room whenever she brought them over." said Matt.

"Geez." said Tyrone.

"Then she met this really mean guy and she hooked up with him and he then lived with us at the apartment. I didn't know what Mom saw in that guy. Maybe it was because of his muscles. I don't know." said Matt. He then stopped speaking and softly spoke.

"Marcos died."

He sat down and Tyrone sat next to him a moment later.

"The guy my Mom was with hit me all the time. Marcos protected me from that jerk. One day, they got into a very big fight. He-. " Matt stopped as his voice was breaking.

"Jesus." Tyrone was saying with a low voice.

"My Mom didn't care about us. She let that man hit me and my brother. When the police took her away, they took the guy with her. I ran away from home the minute the cops arrested them. They were going to take me someplace and I got SCARED! I Just ran away! And that was when I went to the max station and then I…."

Matt then started to cry.

In that instant, Tyrone got up, grabbed some tissues and handed them to Matt. He then placed his hand on his shoulder, massaging him softly.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that Matt. I didn't know this happened to you! What about your grandparents? Are they still around?" said Tyrone.

"My grandparents? I don't even know them. My mom took me when I was a baby." said Matt.

"I'll ask the Mothman. He might know something." said Tyrone.

"Who?" asked Matt.

"A friend. He told me about you and… it's a long story. But for now, take a nice long rest Matt. You need it." said Tyrone.

Matt smiled weakly, and he looked around Tyrone's small kitchen.

"You live alone?" he asked.

Tyrone nodded. "My parents are gone too. They died about two years ago."

"How did they die?" asked Matt.

This was never an easy subject to talk about, but Tyrone found the strength to talk about it, and this time to somebody who lost so much in a small amount of time. "They were both shopping at a supermarket. And then there was a shooting. My parents were caught in the crossfire, along with so many other innocent people." said Tyrone.

Matt didn't say a word and Tyrone continued.

"I've been living alone in secret for a long time. To maintain this house, I work after school at a small restaurant." said Tyrone.

"What the what?" asked Matt.

Tyrone smiled and gently pulled Matt's cheek. "Don't get funny ideas. I won't give you free food from the Corn Dog place."

"At least one corn dog?" said Matt softly, yet sweetly.

Tyrone patted Matt's head and smiled warmly. "Okay. One corn dog. Now that you're here, you might as well make yourself comfortable, at least until the Mothman figures something out." said Tyrone.

"You mean, the police won't know I'm here?" asked Matt.

"I'm not calling them. The Mothman said you needed to be here with me. Besides, we've got the Bogey Man watching our every move. Last time, he came here to my house uninvited and I hope he won't come back." said Tyrone.

Matt's eyes widened. "He's been here before?! Then what do you have to protect yourself?" cried Matt.

Tyrone fell silent. "Good question. I should have asked the Mothman for help on that matter." said Tyrone.

"You mean he could come any second and do something?" asked Matt nervously.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. The boys jumped but Tyrone quickly stood up.

"If it's the Bogeyman, run to the back door and run towards town! Don't stop." whispered Tyrone fiercely. Matt nodded his face up and down as Tyrone got up quickly. He then walked up to the door, held a fork in his hand and slowly opened it.

"Hello?" asked Tyrone.

"Hello! Are you Tyrone Oaks?!" said a voice. A very squeaky voice.

Tyrone did not see anyone there at all. "What the.." he said.

"Down here stupid." said the voice.

Tyrone looked down and saw what appeared to a little man wearing a pointy red hat and he had a long beard.

"Top of the evening to you. I am Mr. Grinsworth. The Mothman instructed me to come here and put salt around your house. I just did, to let you know." said what appeared to be a gnome.

Matt looked from behind and his eyes widened. "What is that?" asked Matt.

"A gnome." replied Tyrone, almost in disbelief.

"Yes, I'm a gnome. And a very classy one at that. I'm a good gnome, so don't worry. I'm not as mischievous as my friends. I'm an ally for the forces of good in Rood Bridge Park." said Mr. Grinsworth.

"What did you say you put around the house?" asked Tyrone.

"Salt. Special Unicorn salt with Unicorn candies found on cupcakes! Plus, most of them came from the now extinct Unicorn Frapucchino from Starbucks. You're welcome." said Mr. Grinsworth.

Tyrone and Matt looked at eachother, and then at Grinsworth. The gnome laughed. "I know. You two humans have never seen a small talking garden gnome like me walk about minding my own business. Don't worry. Your neighbors have no idea that I helped you guys out. I used an invisibility cloak!" said Grinsworth.

"Those exist?" asked Matt in wonder.

"They do! But they are only used for emergencies, not for fun! Only people from Rood Bridge Park can use them." said Grinsworth.

"Rood Bridge Park? You mean Oregon?" asked Tyrone.

"Right, you guys have no idea about our world. Don't worry, I'm sure the Mothman will fill you all in about what the hell is going on, so in the meantime, stay cozy in your homes. The Bogeyman won't come and hurt you guys. Even if you guys leave, the power of the salt will still go with you to work and to school. To put it bluntly, you guys have been given VIP stuff by the Mothman. So cool." said Grinsworth.

Matt whispered to Tyrone's ear. "What were in those Pizzas?"

"As far as I know, only pepperoni," said Tyrone.

"Are you guys listening to me?" asked Grinsworth.

"We hear you and thank you little man!" cried Tyrone.

"Grinsworth! Mr. Grinsworth! Seriously. Teenagers. Oi!" said Grinswroth as he turned around to leave.

"I guess that solves our Bogey Man problem." said Matt.

"At what cost I wonder," said Tyrone.

"So what is really going on? Why was there a gnome standing there, and who is the Mothman?" asked Matt.

"You should probably sit down for that one. I'll tell you what little I know." said Tyrone.