The next morning Levi woke to the sound of pans banging as Sinatra sang in the background. Why was Mom playing Sinatra? She’d never play Sinatra. As he opened his eyes, the room came into focus. The faded lace trimmed drapes and pale blue walls were nothing like his room, where was he?

Phil muttered in his sleep as he lay on the folding cot across the room. And then Levi remembered. The ogre, the missing road, everything. He closed his eyes with a groan.

"Did all that really happen?" he wondered aloud.

"You bet it happened," said Paul, swinging himself down from the top bunk, causing Levi to jump. "That was the craziest day of my life, even crazier than when my aunt got drunk at our last New Year's party. I recorded a message just in case. See.” He showed Levi his phone.

“Paul. This is you from yesterday. It wasn't a dream. All that crazy messed up stuff is real so don't think it isn't.

P.S. I’m not drunk but I probably should be.

Levi looked from the phone to Paul, "seriously?"

"Yeah, no way someone as sane as I am would ever believe all this was real. Not without some kind of proof."

"You're weird Paul."

"Thanks," he said, straightening his clothes. "Now how about we get that tire and get out of here. I've got school Wednesday, and I’m really done with Kansas."

They shook Phil awake and the three of them made their way downstairs, where they were met with the aroma of bacon and eggs.

"Hello there," Agnes called from in the kitchen, "Make sure to wake the others, breakfast's almost ready."

The meal was good and Agnes was a wonderful host; managing to keep plates and cups full, while carrying a conversation with everyone in the room.

"You're pretty good at this, were you a waitress or something?" Phil asked as she loaded his plate up for the third time.

Cara kicked him from under the table.

"Ouch, what was that for?"

"She's our hostess, not some waitress."

"Yeah, but there's nothing wrong with being a waitress, my mom's one. And that hurt." He rubbed his leg and gave her a cross look.

"Oh kids, don't worry about it. I was a waitress for years, and a mom to some of the loudest, most troublesome kids you've ever seen besides. So I certainly don't mind being complemented for any type of good work."

"See Cara, nothing wrong with it." Phil smiled a satisfied smile, helping himself to the food.

"So, Agnes" Paul said, "Last night you and Hal were talking about, you know, monsters and crazy stuff like that. Are we safe with all that going on?"

Levi pricked up his ears. He didn’t want to bring it up, but it had been on his mind too.

Agnes laughed. "You mean are you going to get eaten by your landlord if you don’t pay the rent? That sort of thing?”

“Well, yeah, I guess.”

“Paul, you're as safe as you've ever been, maybe safer cause now you know. But really, it's like the news. You turn on that box on the wall and it'll tell you ten horrible things that happened this week: shootings, burglaries, gang wars, drunk drivers, and more right?"

They nodded.

"Well the news people make it seem like these crimes are happening all around us, all the time, but honey, how often have you been shot at? How bout the rest of you?"

No one volunteered. Levi shrugged. He'd been hit by a bb from his brother's gun once or twice, but figured that's not what she meant.

"I get it," said Paul, "so, like you’re saying this stuff happens sometimes, but most people aren’t affected, right?"

"That's about the size of it. Mostly the same things that keep you safe from regular human monsters work just as well with our monsters too."

"Like not following a stranger out into the woods?" Alice spoke up for the first time that morning.

Agnes gave her a smile. "That might not be considered wise in some circles, no. So, you just act smart like your parents taught you. You do that and you can live a whole long life without hearing so much as a peep from ogre or kelpie."

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"But we know now." Levi said quietly.

Agnes looked back at him, nodding solemnly. "Yes, now you know. And, just like Hal and I learned long ago, you have a choice. You can accept you don't know everything and live the best you can, you can bury your head and pretend it was all a dream, or..."

"Or?" Levi asked.

"Or you embrace it like we did, knowing you'll never be content now you've seen beyond the ordinary."

"Oh." Levi sat back, struck by the enormity of what she’d said.

Levi sat quiet as the conversation turned to the Christmas break. How could you just accept all this? Any of this? Just thinking about it scared him, it scared him so bad he didn't want to go outside ever again.

He thought about how uncertain life had seemed a few days ago. He’d really thought his life was over when he missed that plane. It made him want to laugh. Or it would have if it had been someone else, now it just made him want to go back to bed and never get up.

"Levi. Hey Levi," it was Phil.

"Huh, yeah, what?"

"Dude, where you been? You've been staring off for like five minutes."

"Oh, sorry, just tired. I didn't sleep too well last night."

"Really, I can't imagine why."

They all laughed, but to Levi the laughs seemed forced, like he wasn’t the only one with bad dreams. Thankfully Hal came in then, through the kitchen door, and with him a blast of cold air. He was bundled up with his nose and cheeks shining red.

"Everyone done? I can go with you into town to get that tire if you want."

"Oh, don't worry about it Hal," said Paul, "we can manage that."

"I know, but how do you know they won't rip you off? I've known Mike a long time and he's the type to gouge you if he can. No, I'll go with you. Besides, I don't want you having any more adventures on this trip at least."

"Alright then," said Paul, "Levi, you want to come too?"

"Uh, yeah, sure." Levi didn't know why Paul'd asked him along, but he was happy that Hal was coming. Something about this lean old farmer made him feel safe.

"Great, then let's go."

###

It's cold, Levi thought, dancing from foot to foot, I wish I'd gone with Paul. He was waiting by the car with Hal, as Paul went in to pay for the tire. But Levi had other things on his mind and this would likely be his only chance with just him and Hal.

Levi approached Hal, who was leaning against the car sipping on a cup of the complimentary coffee from the waiting room; the steam rising lazily to vanish in the cold air.

"Hey,"

The older man looked at him and nodded.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot kid."

"Well, er," he hesitated, not really sure how to say what he desperately wanted to say. He took a breath and tried again. "What I mean to say is, now that we know what's out there, what's to keep us from going crazy from not knowing who's normal and who's..." he trailed off, not sure he wanted to finish that thought.

"A monster?"

"Huh?"

"You were going to say and who is a monster right?"

"Yeah I guess. Doesn't it get to you?"

"Well, like I told you, I've been doing this long enough I can see through pretty much all their disguises. I don't worry so much about not knowing, but yeah, it still wears on me sometimes. There are times I lay there at night, wondering what new nightmare’ll cross my path. Those times I wish I never knew what was out there. No good trying to put that genie back in the bottle though. Still, I can see you're the type to worry. I think I might have something that can help."

He fished a plain looking stone from his pocket. It was grey, flat, about the size of a half dollar, and the only thing remarkable about it was the hole worn through the middle.

"Here," he said, tossing the trinket to Levi. "This was what the lady gave to us that night. That one was Rip's, and he's got no close kin, so maybe you might find some use for it. You keep that close and it'll help you see through the strongest of trickery."

"Thanks," Levi stammered, "how does it work?"

"No trick, just have to look through it, I'd say put it on your key ring if it helps. Just keep it on you and you won't be caught off guard again. Not that you're likely to run into so many monsters in New York."

"You're kidding right? I've never seen so many strange things and strange people in my life."

Hal laughed. "Strange don’t necessarily mean magic or monsters, but I suppose some creatures are drawn to the cities too. We just don't see that type around here much."

"Well, thanks, I hope I don't ever need it, but thanks."

"You know they're not all monsters though."

"What do you mean?"

"We've talked about the monsters, but there are all types of creatures over there. And while some will snap you in half, others are... " he faded off, a peculiar look in his eye. "Well, let's just say the creatures you'll find in this new world, and the people, they're as different from each other as can be. I'm just sorry all you've seen of it is that thing last night. Who knows, the things you see through that there stone may change your life for the best, and in ways you can’t even dream of."

Levi shook his head. “I’m sorry, I just can’t see that happening.”

They fell into silence till Paul returned with the keys. rubbing his arms for warmth. "Hey, we're good to go. Man it's cold out here, I can't believe you guys are just hanging around."

"Well," said Hal, "I guess it is a bit cold, we might as well head home. If I know Agnes, she's bound to have something waiting. She won't want to send you off without a lunch at least."

###

On the ride back Levi didn’t say much. He didn't know why, but he wanted to keep what had passed between him and Hal to himself, at least for now. The others were waiting when they got back, along with Agnes and a basket full of sandwiches, cookies, and fresh fruit.

"It's for the road. I saw what you had in your car and I can't in good conscience send you away with only chips and jerky to keep you going."

They all thanked her and Hal, for the food, and for everything.

"You've got the directions then?" asked Hal. "It's a long detour, but I hear the roads further south are still there. You should be able to follow em round to the other side."

“Don’t worry,” said Paul, “It’s all in my phone.”

They said their final goodbyes and then they were off.

The rest of the trip back was a quiet one. Levi figured they'd all want to talk about what had happened, but it turned out no one, Levi included, really wanted to. As it got dark, they voted to keep driving. No one wanted to stop in another unfamiliar town, at least not for longer than it took to fill up the tank. They took turns sleeping and, by the next day, they were back. Tired, stiff, and ready for a shower, but back.

"So, uh, we should all get together later to talk about this," said Paul, as they neared their destination. He got a few noncommittal grunts and shrugs, but no one really was thinking about much but getting out of the car.

Stiff and sore, Levi staggered up the stairs to his place, fumbling for his key. The door opened as he reached for it. A young, dark haired man almost ran into him.

"Oh wow, sorry. Wait, you must be Levi right? I'm Mohammed, your new roommate. How was the break?"