The truth of the horror, no lies were told, brutally honest, honest to a vault, where dreams are kept and terror lives, the sleeping slept.

The beast waits, watching from the opposite side of the living room doorway for Nev to return, which he does with a vodka bottle in hand.

There is no need to dull the senses Nev, this won't hurt.

Nev, in a cold sweat, his hand rattling as he lifts the bottle to his mouth, takes two swigs and gasps in desperation.

Physically it won't hurt, said Nev before wiping at his mouth with the sleeve of his hoodie.

Is there something you wish me to do to put you at ease? Something you want to do before you go?

Nev stares into the black void of the creatures torso, his mind racing on all the possibilities and the only thing he keeps coming back to again and again. He looks up to its dead two tone eyes with desperate uncertainty.

My Mum? Can I call her?

Of course, it replied. Take all the time you need.

Nev fumbles in his pockets searching for his phone and wipes the sweat off the screen with the edge of his hoodie. It's ringing. Nev puts the call on speaker.

Maybe it's too late and she's gone to bed, said Nev as he is about to hang up.

Hello?

Nev's eyes crack like a pair of eggs.

Mum?

Why are you calling? I hope you're OK?

You're always asking me to call and now that I do....

That's why I'm asking is something wro-ng because you never call! The most I get out of you is a few words in a text.

I'm fine Mum, how are you?

I'm doing OK, thanks for asking. There's nothing on TV though.

Yeah.

You sure you're OK?

Nev, looking at the beast as if for advice, unsure of what to say.

I love you Mum. I know I never say it but I really do. I can't even remember the last time I said I love you. You have done everything for me.

I love you too Nev. I know you struggle within yourself and don't like to talk about it, or anything really, but you were such a happy little boy. I hope you can find that again. That's all I want from you. Just you being happy.

I'm trying.

Do you need me to do anything for you, go shopping or something? I know you only eat crap microwave meals. Maybe I can cook something and bring it round to you?

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I'm fine Mum, but thank you, for everything.

They sit in silence for a few seconds that seem like minutes.

I can't think of anything else to say, said Nev.

It's OK. I know you're not one for talking much.

His Mother's voice begins to crack.

I just appreciate the call and talking to you. Thank you for thinking of me Nev.

Nev taps the edge of his phone against his head. Taps of doubt, regret and guilt.

I have to go.

I know. It's OK. I love you so much.

Love you too Mum.

Nev ends the call and drops his phone, slipping from his hand and hits the floor.

The beast, unable to look at Nev, palms the stone in its out stretched arm towards him. Nev, with his head curled to his chest, shoulders shaking as he tries to contain his sobbing, doesn't see or acknowledge the beast or its offer and yet it doesn't withdraw or pull its arm away. The moment lasts an uncomfortably long time until Nev eventually looks up and sees the stone shoved in his face. The beast, still avoiding eye contact, has the stone snatched by Nev.

What happens now?

With the stone in your hand, think of your ideal world and I will build it.

And my tongue?

I will take it when you are there.

Nev closes his eyes and imagines all the things he wants in the world and speaks them out.

I am happy when I'm alone. I don't need to be great at anything in particular or powerful or interesting or popular. Most of what I want is right here. I don't want any bullshit or to work. Everything I want is here. I want my Mum.

And as he speaks these words the beast reaches through his mouth and pulls out his tongue and the room falls silent.

The stone drops from his grip and is caught by the beast as it falls from above the coffee table where Nev hangs. The empty bottles and cans are knocked over by the beasts gangly forearm much to its surprise. The deal is done.

The beast holds out its arms, feeling the cool air enter from the open window. It breathes long deep breaths and feels the fabric of the sofa, pressing its palms into the seat cushions. However, like a caged animal suddenly let loose, its hesitant to run and indulge in all its wants as something is holding it back, the invisible wall of uncertainty, fear, guilt.

It sits on the sofa, sitting where Nev sat, sinking into the folds left behind, watching as Nev hangs from the ceiling.

Thank you for your tongue Neville. I can finally speak. I finally have what I wanted and I feel an empty shame, disappointed to a point, a hollow achievement. The guilt I have not only for what I did to you Nev but many others. Those dark thoughts you had, those wicked whispers coming from the corner of the room, it was all me pushing and nudging you towards self harm, pulling you deeper into the well until the incurable sickness took over and then it was just a matter of waiting.

A creak from the ceiling light where Nev hangs replies.

I've done terrible things to get here, pushing people to the edge in the hope that they jump just to another way out. So many others came and went before you that going back and stopping would be a terrible disservice to those I've tricked and bullied for every ounce of flesh or bone, every organ offered with a vague promise. This one hurts, an uneasy feeling in my chest. Is this what I bargained for? To live and feel things I felt I was missing out on.

A thumping at the door startles the beast. He stands up and goes to the door, looking through the eye hole as the letter box opens and grazes its thigh.

Hello? Nev? It's Mum.

The beast steps back. The forgotten possibilities of the physical realm have quickly been reminded to it. Nev's mother looks through the letter box to see long black legs walking away from the door.

Nev? I can see you in there. It's OK. I'm here now. Open the door and we can help you.

The beast rushes to the open window and climbs out in morning sky just as the sun rises. It takes a moment, feeling the slight warmth and wind against its skin before dropping from the window at an ungodly height.

And so a tremendous evil was unleashed into our physical realm, a spirit trapped by his own kind for the sake of humanity, an immortal being, no flesh of man, no ounce of sympathy for those never met or ever helped, a desire to feel death, the pain of others, their warmth and their cold, a murderous kind with a millennium worth of built up rage and frustration, set free to walk among us. Stalking victims, watching, acting on instinct and desire, a darkness in the light, the shadow of death follows us all. No longer hiding on the edge of society but walking amongst us, in plain sight, sheltered in an unsuspecting crowd.