“Again, sorry for the mess—I know I said it was my apartment, but really it’s a… Barely considered a zoo exhibit—”

Calypso was with Melissa, as she moved heaps of files, books, and papers onto her small coffee table. Away from the couch cushion she had them on, patting the space chipperly. Calypso sat in the space, right next to the vampire monster girl.

Glancing about, her apartment was in the same state of mess. Not outright a pig pen, just a really unorganized library. Notes scattered on her furniture, more books resting near the base of them. And all cramped up in a rather tiny space.

“Tell me if you start running out of oxygen, I have a pump in the kitchen,” Melissa smiled then the expression pensive. “Can we die to a lack of oxygen-?”

“It’s something I want to know, but not find out, being honest—” Calypso blinked, before leaning in. “Doing better…?”

“Much better,” Melissa wore a sad smile. “So much better… I can’t… Even begin to thank you all.”

“There’s no need…” Calypso looked down. “Anyone would’ve—”

“Trust me. As a med student: no, not everyone does the thing that we often think is common sense…” there was a grim chuckle at that, as she scratched her head, letting her messy curls move about. “If anything, you should’ve done the sensible thing: kill me along with her. Let me go, in the sense of ending unneeded and clearly prolonged suffering… I’m a walkin’ miracle case: maybe I can use that if I do ever become a doctor…”

Melissa then laughed again, turning to Calypso. “B-but you we’re not here to talk about that… You wanna make sure if she’s truly gone, right?”

“I don’t want to make this needlessly cruel—” Calypso fumbled out her words. “As you said. It’s just…”

“No, no… It’s okay. You’re right to check…”

Melissa took off her robe, to reveal her simple tee and shorts combo, as she tilted her head upward… Her neck looks fine, but with curious eyes can see the scarring that was literally under the surface.

“I have my stone and all, but I still transform all American Werewolf style…” then Melissa remembered that the pose was uncomfortable, lowering her head and then gasping slightly. “But… Other than that…”

Melissa shook her head lightly, “No voices, no weird personality takeovers, no… Nothing. I’m your typical monster person~”

“That’s good…” Calypso smiled softly. “I’m just glad that you’re… Well…”

“Not on the verge of death and happy?” Melissa giggled. “Same here--!”

Calypso laughed. And she watched as Melissa put her hand on Calypso’s balled fist, causing the latter to look at her.

“Make no mistake though. I’m giving you explicit permission for you to end me, if the worse happens.”

Calypso felt her face go pale. Felt herself shake at the fact she arrived to the same conclusion.

“You don’t have to promise me—I-I-I understand that it’s heavy but… Please. I can’t go through that ever again. I… I wouldn’t be able to take it anyways, even if you do find a way again. W-we’re not close or anything but—”

“Okay,” Calypso tried to swallow but was lacking any saliva. “You have my word.”

“Thank you…” Melissa sputtered out an exhale. “My guardian angel… Of darkness—”

Calypso huffed through her nose, forming a pained smile. “The offer still stands… Could always come with us…”

“Sorry, but I’m pretty sure my scholarship instantly voids itself once I join a team of monster girl butt kickers—” Melissa cut herself off with an awkward laugh. “—Nah, just… Not only that, my obligations, but… I need space from all of that. I-I’m not as strong as you are. I can’t face stuff like her every single night, and I know she’s—was… The extreme but. It’s okay, I can take care of myself…”

“Still, we’ll be happy to help—show you the ropes…” Calypso protested, softly at least.

“When I have a major issue, I’ll call, yeah~?” Melissa flashed her worn smile. “I’ve been doing pretty great so far… I just have to let the ol’ girl out when she wants out… That and eating medium rare meat and sneaking blood bags out of the hospital now—"

“Never hesitate to call, Melissa…” Calypso moved into hug her, hearing the girl make a cute “eep!” “And it’s okay to struggle or feel like you’re lost… No need to wear a mask around me. Y’know?”

Melissa giggled again, returning the hug.

“Being in the position I was… You just sort of realize… Most of what we get mad over, scared of—it’s kinda bullshit? I just… Don’t sweat about that stuff anymore. It’s probably the sole good thing that came out of this…”

Melissa ended the hug, holding Calypso’s shoulders with a closed-eyed smile. “Plus, it made me quit smoking—If I can conquer that, I can conquer this!”

***

Calypso waded past the flocks of grievers. Giving them space and working towards the monument people gathered around to mourn for.

At her college, Stanton University, a movable wall was made for the students that got caught in the crossfire. Not as informal as posting a list of names on a notice board, but not erecting a stone wall with engravings, though people are in talks for it.

It was covered in pictures of the fallen. 15 kids—people like Calypso—died that night. And she felt wrong to skip town, before paying proper respects…

She finally got near the wall, searching for Hanna’s picture. Sure that it was going to be covered in mournful messages, decoration, everything.

…

Calypso scanned again and again. She couldn’t believe that she couldn’t find it.

“Caaaaaaaal~!”

Calypso was so utterly confused, as Hanna hugged her from behind, nearly hoisting her in delight.

But she remembered that she had to act human, so she switched gears quickly.

“Oh my word, Hanna-!” Calypso broke from the girl’s hold, then “stumbled” to look at her. “You’re alive—” she had to make herself whisper.

Hanna was in a pink, full-body tracksuit. The bombshell jerked her head to her right. Calypso taking the hint…

The two girls managed to get out of the crowd, finding a place on the main campus to finally talk.

“I could say the same for you!” Hanna rose her arms up in the air. “How did you even escape--?!”

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Hanna then winced, grabbing her side. Calypso was studying every single detail that she could pry from her.

The cheerleader held up a finger, using her other hand to slowly drag down her zipper—Calypso kicking herself for being such a pig when she felt her cheeks flush.

“I barely got outta there in one piece…” Hanna showcased her upper torso—her shoulders wrapped up, and her sides covered in twin, massive patches. Only wearing a black modest bra to cover herself, before quickly putting her jacket back on.

Calypso really. Really hated the fact that she took in the fact that she’s super well-endowed.

But shaking the lust away… She saw red stains. Meaning red blood. While not completely confirming she’s in the clear, but at the very least, Calypso deemed Hanna on the level of Sal.

“Man, not only you’re alive, but you’re definitely into boobs—” Hanna cooed softly with a smirk. “Defo the best day of my life, so far—”

“Time and place, Hanna…” Calypso huffed out her real feelings, before “reading” the script again. “Just… I ran. I ran as fast as I could… I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

Now this was the real test. If she was clueless citizen or in the know.

Or something more, if she lied right here.

“Cal, Cal, relax…” Hanna scratched the back of her head. “I’m here, aren’t I? I just got ruffed up real bad. I’m more happy that YOU got out—me being into you aside. Especially since I knew some of the people that weren’t lucky…”

With a heavy sigh, Hanna looked at the crowd. “I’m just a lucky one. Per usual, I guess.”

Then with a second past, she moved into Calypso’s space with a grin, “Offer’s still on the table when the stitches come out~”

Calypso could only blush, laughing meekly as she closed her eyes. “W-we’ll see…”

With a final, brisk hug, Hanna rose two fingers to her forehead and waved Calypso off, as she waved at with her a meek expression on her face.

Hiding behind the façade allowed her to recount what she heard.

Stitching. Not burns or anything.

Seems like Hanna Robinson knew more than she let on.

***

Calypso quickly drank her bottle of water, getting a nice swig before belting out the most dumbest, confusing gibberish to what was playing on the radio.

Along with the others.

It took a while for Natalie to get into the groove, but Calypso and Sal managed to get their way, and spread their small tradition of ruining top singles on car rides. From singing in high-pitched voices to simply stating the song lyric’s in a monotone.

They were complete children. But it was nice to be something other than miserable for once.

Once they made it to their destination, they properly simpered down. Out of respect and dread, mainly.

“Pearson Cove…” Sal grumbled as she continued to drive her way about town. “Ya’ best be lucky Cal, being family—otherwise I’d hang ya’ by one toe—”

“I know, I know…” Calypso pulled the bag she had stashed by her feet up to her lap. “Small town blood feuds, being here is an affront to your existence—”

“It’s just an example of small-town living in general, Cal—” Natalie quipped. “You’re gonna learn to hate and make fun of this place too, don’t worry—”

“Don’t be so mean, guys…” Gale spoke up. Before adding after a few moments, “But it does explain the way she is—if she came from here—”

The light statement brought Calypso back to reality. The fact that she’s even coming here, she constantly questioned why she had to do this when she knew full well that bitch wouldn’t have thought twice about going after her family had she died…

It really did suck, being a monster with a “soul”.

The crew pulled up to the curb. A white house that was merged with several others. Calypso felt a twinge of nostalgia…

Before she knew it, Calypso knocked at the door. Patiently waiting until she heard the locks swiftly undone.

“Hello…?” a tired woman that had a graying mop of hair, large glasses, and a portly build. The woman immediately smiled. “Well! What’s a proper young lady doing here in a place like this~?”

Calypso felt like a Messager out of a war film. She just stood there, with a grim but never more sorrowful expression as the woman that Calypso was Cassie Morgan’s mother slowly grew confused. Then worried. Then finally, covered her mouth as the skeletal monster girl pulled out the many things they found in Cassie’s compound.

The recovered piece of Cassie’s trademark scarf.

“… I’m sorry…” Calypso simply said.

***

Denise Morgan’s wailing calmed to still tragic bouts of tears. Ronald Morgan came out as soon as the bloodcurdling scream broke out, and is now trying his back to console his with, sporting a thousand-yard stare that was framed nicely with his perma-stubble and long face.

“I… I was a co-worker of hers. Always making fun of me, be it insults or practical jokes. Almost never referred to my actual name, quickly switching up between heartfelt and utterly depraved at points. I-I want to be nice, say that I was a friend but… She always had this. Chip on her shoulder. Something to prove—this mean streak about her. I tried everything, be conversational—I even bought a book about it, because admittedly, I am rather… Meek when it comes to socialization. But regardless, we had this… Strange relationship. I think she treasured it, in her own way. The only part of the world that made sense to her… And maybe, deep down, a person that wouldn’t just leave her by herself.”

Calypso had her balled fists in her lap, look up to the parents with tears in her eyes. Letting them roll down her flushed face.

“I, um… I’d advise not to look at the news for a few days. It’s been nothing but coverage and… I… Don’t want to make this about that. I-I d-don’t forgive her, for both the actions against me and this entire thing… But. I just came to say sorry. I’m so sorry that it ended like this. I’m so-sorry that there’s nothing for you to bury. I’m just sorry that I could do more--!”

“No…” Ronald just said morosely. “No. Don’t blame yourself. Please don’t, if you really wanna help us cope…”

Calypso sniffled, before sputtering out a painful exhale. She looked at Denise, still gripping the scarf close to herself, as Ronald got up, causing Calypso to follow with her eyes.

“She needs a bit to be alone…” the man gestured toward the door. “I’ll see ya’ out…”

With a nod and a quick cleaning with her tissues, Calypso followed the lanky man across the house. Still adorn with photos and memorabilia of them still being a family. Them still capable of having happy memories. Calypso even walked passed a 5th grade talent show picture. Cassie apparently being “the best comedian” with a massive, goofy smile on her face.

She hated this.

Ronald opened the door. Clearly trying his best to hold it together, as he was opposite Calypso. Looking directly at her.

“Thanks for being there for her. Even we couldn’t, when she finally ran away… I say ‘ran’ away, but she always found her way back here—we yell at each other—rinse and repeat. You did better than anybody else did here.”

Calypso looked down, before Ronald continued. Now looking pass the threshold of the door. Not at the car that housed Calypso’s loved ones, nothing in particular.

“I just think once you’re made, that’s it. That’s why childhood’s so important to people… You can’t take any of that shit for granted. Not one bit, or else you’re on the path. Be it destruction or poverty or whatever negative. Building blocks that just makes a road you can’t every stray from ever again. It’s why I worry about you kids, this fucked up world of ours. All it takes is someone giving their terribleness to someone who clearly needs kindness… And that’s it. Keep that kindness with ya’, kid. Never let someone steal it.”

Calypso simply nodded. The father kept the door open as the skeletal monster got away with her crime.

***

“I know we all agreed to do it, but man… That’s scary. How you’re able to turn it on like that. Legit scary.”

Calypso couldn’t disprove what Natalie was saying. She found herself emotionless once more, staring ahead at the road.

“All the more reason to use it only with just cause…” Calypso said with doubt in her voice. “Something to keep in mind… When I discover everything again.”

“…You guys really think we’ll meet each other again before then…?” Gale asked, innocently.

Calypso simply laughed softly.

“I can’t believe that this happened in the first place… I never thought I’d get this again…”

She felt Sal wrap her arm around. Calypso held back her tears, but still smiled none the less.

The road before her didn’t seem so endless anymore. If anything, it was one with an endpoint. A goal. A destination.

And no matter what lied before it, she was determined to get there. She shall never surrender.

***

Sometime in the future, but not so far, a short-haired young woman walked the streets of a sleepy town alone. Holding a massive book in her hands, as she sucked her teeth in slight frustration.

“Typical… Can tell me anything but the thing I currently want to know. People would deem this anti-social behavior, y’know.”

The leather hide of the tome flexed in response, which made Calypso Grimes chuckle curtly. Properly dressed for the night—a black long coat, crimson stockings, matching black boots…And a custom, self-made red scarf she was rather dear to. Only a few people know that only part of it was patchwork, a section that was sewn in.

Calypso paused. She felt something staring at her, as she looked into the alleyway that was too dark.

A small smirk crept against her face, as she let the Tome teleport away from her. Putting her hands into her coat pockets as the worn-faced woman simply walked towards the alley.

Maybe it was a curse. Maybe she was merely taking control of the final, pitiful days she has left.

But it really didn’t matter to her.

As she walked past a reflective surface of a building, there were two faces. The one that everyone sees.

And the monster. Always laying in wait, always with people in the night. Ready to fight, to hunt, to kill, to live, to die. Regardless of anything, ready to protect.

Calypso Elise Grimes. A Monster’s Greatest Fear.