"Hmmmmm no." I slipped the mask back up. "THEN THE WORLD SHALL NEVER NO!" I chirped, walking away. "IT WAS NICE HANGING OUT, BUT I HAVE HOMEWORK. CONTINUE THE MARATHON LATER KILLER?" The skeleton nodded, looking at Nightmare. He wanted to know their secrets, both of them. If Nightmare would just open up!

☆☆☆

I left the house. I'd already spent a lot longer than I meant to there. They were getting dangerously close to me and I think I might be getting dangerously close to them. What was I thinking anyway? Willingly telling them that my happiness was just a ruse? "What an idiot I am.."
"An idiot indeed." I tensed. A Dutch Shepherd monster stepped out of the shadows. "Marley.. it's just you.." I sighed in relief. "Can't stick around. If the alpha found out I was working with you, she'd have my mate and Pups killed. Her ears flicked back. "The alpha knows about your connection to those skeletons. Logan told her of what you did for them. Keep your friends close, Blue. You know what she can do.." I shivered and nodded. "Ok, Marley, thank you." She nodded. "Take care, little skele." I scowled, crossing my arms as she disappeared in the alley. Marley had been my only friend in the gang. She taught me how to survive that place. She had a sweet husband and two little Pups now. Yet, she couldn't leave. The Savage Hounds was her families only source of income. She was considered 'viscous' and was always denied jobs she tried get. Same went for her husband who was a Pitbull monster. I sighed. Poor things..

☆☆☆

I grabbed my school work, packed a bag with clothes and headed out. Now I was stuck with them weather I liked it or not. I couldn't let.. her.. win. That Samoyed. Why did I care so much anyway? They weren't my problem.. but.. they needed help. I knew the Hounds best. I was one of them.. the mark was still carved into my scalpula.. a reminder of mistakes made. Sometimes I could still feel the blade. I gripped my shoulder. Took a couple of breaths and knocked. "Hey.. it's Blue.. sorry about earlier. Can I come in?" Nightmare opened up. "What's this."
"I got an anonymous tip. She knows that we know each other and nobody is safe alone. Can.. I stay here awhile?"
"Only if you tell me your story."
"Only if you tell me yours."
"No. Goodbye."  He shut the door in my face. "Stubborn son of a-" I grumbled as I went into the alleyway and up the fire escape. Top story of the duplex. He was already there shooing me away through the locked window and smirking like he won. I huffed.

☆☆☆

When Nightmare came down, the last thing he was expecting was for me to be sitting in his livingroom. "What the h-"
"Dogface Blue, Silent Target Blue, the Smiling Thief, No Trace Blue. Those were nicknames of mine.. when I was a member of the Savage Hounds." I stated somberly, staring out the window. "I'd went to them to get stronger. My parents wouldn't let me take any self protection classes. I wanted to protect them.. but I made a deal with the devil. H-" I swallowed thickly. "Hollybelle.. the alpha, she killed my family, my brother, in front of me. I lost it, killed many of her members.. she just laughed. Laughed and took me to replace them. For awhile.. I didn't think I had a choice. A friend helped me out of there and we'd never crossed paths again... until now." I looked at Nightmare. "That's my story. What's yours."

☆☆☆

He stayed silent, taking it all in. I waited. I'd just trusted him with my biggest secret. I wasn't really afraid. I knew I could handle him. I knew I could handle them. I didn't want to, but I would do what I had to. "You were one of them?" I nodded. "Was. Past tense."
"Which is how you know them."
"Yes."
"Yet you came to help us.."
"Yes." Nightmare started pacing the room, deep in thought. "That is my biggest secret, Nightmare. Nobody can know."
"I know. I.." He paused in his pacing. "We've met before, Berry." Berry? The only person who'd ever called me that was.. "Dream's big brother.." Nightmare nodded. "Correct. Dream is my younger brother."
"But.. you were so shy! And less goopy! What happened?" I looked at Nightmare, startled. "I was sent to a new school because I excelled in my academics. They didn't take to kindly to me. They called me names, treated me like a monster.." He looked at his hand. "So I became one. I came here, hoping for help, but all I got was fear. The boys became my new family, they don't fear me."
"What about Dream?"
"He doesn't know, and never will. The last thing I need is to be feared by my entire family."
"If it helps.. I don't fear you." Nightmare looked at me. "Nor I, you, Berry. Your secret is safe with me."
"And yours with me." I promised. Nightmare smiled. "Thank you, Berry."