Dedicated to my fellow Wattpad writer @penpatron and a huge shoutout to all her works.(PS, you know who the masked man is *wink**wink*)

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Coco was totally stunned and dumbfounded. She could not believe her eyes. In all the time that Coco spent in this world she read the stories and heard the rumors of these so called monsters. There was even a mention of them in that general history book in the princess's room that Coco read. But Coco never truly believed it. She supposed that they were mostly exaggerated. However, seeing one in real life is much different than reading or hearing about them or it.

All of a sudden the monster started to cackle and jumped straight at Coco. Coco immediately moved out of the way and started running. The monster instantaneously started to run after Coco. Coco was terrified but all she could think about was running back to the crowded part of the market. Maybe this thing will stop chasing her when it sees a huge crowd.

Coco was running and running for her life without a single moment of pause. The sneers and snarls of the petrifying monster made it hard to think properly. Coco was starting to run out of her breath. She did not understand why she was not able to see any crowd or gathering of people. With dreadful shock she realized that she must have taken a wrong turn while she was running.

Coco tripped and feel down on the cold solid ground. The monster was running towards her at full speed while roaring and snarling. Coco could not keep running and she did not see any weapons she could use to defend herself. The monster jumped up to attack Coco while giving a scary snarl. Coco could only stare with horror this time as well. She could again do nothing while her death approached her.

Abruptly, the monster stopped moving. It was completely motionless. Coco could clearly see its ugly face and the rows of sharp teeth. The monster suddenly started to give a bloodcurdling and spine-chilling scream. Coco watched with horror and repulsion as the monster started to turn to dust.

Within a few moments the monster completely turned into dust. Coco could not believe her eyes. When she saw the pile of dust lying on the floor, she could not believe that it was a terrifying monster less than a minute ago. From a slight distance she could see a figure standing. Coco started to get scared when the figure started to walk towards her. She was not in the condition to be able to handle another monster attack.

But as this figure started to approach Coco she could not help but feel relieved to see that it was just a person. Coco hoped that it was a person but the figure was dressed in a very unusual way. The person seemed like a male and his entire body was covered by a black and ebony cloak. The man crouched down and closely observed the pile of sand lying on the floor. Coco saw that the man was wearing a featureless black mask and had a sword strapped to his belt. The hood of the cloak covered most of his head but Coco could see the dark pitch-black hair underneath. The mask entirely covered the man's face. He was also wearing black gloves and black leather boots. The only thing Coco could see about the man was his focused dark gray eyes.

After a while the man got up and starting walking back towards the direction he came from. Coco was taken aback. She was certain that whoever this man was, he probably used some form of magic and saved her life from that horrendous monster but now it seems like he did not even acknowledge her existence. Coco supposed that she should feel insulted to be avoided like that, especially after her life was in danger less than three minutes ago. But she thought the least she could do was say thanks and then be on her own way. After all, he was the reason why Coco's head didn't get chewed off and she was still standing in one piece.

"Hey, wait!" shouted Coco and then she quickly stood in front of the man.

"Stop" she said. The man stopped walking but he did not say anything although he seemed a little bit annoyed and irritated to be stopped.

"What is it?" said the masked man in a smooth emotionless voice.

Coco took a deep breath and started saying in quiet and even tone, "It's not a very good manner to avoid a person in distress like the way you just did. But all things considered, I believe you were the one who saved me from that monster and the least I can do is express my gratitude. So, thank you."

"Don't mention it" said the man quickly in reply and then started walking again.

Coco thought that whoever this person was he must be very quiet and reserved in nature. He seemed like a very odd and eccentric person. It was clear from this man's clothing and his way of speaking that he was not an ordinary resident of this town, maybe he was not even from this kingdom. Coco started to walk back but realized she had no idea where she was. The road she was currently standing at seems to be very long and she had no idea which turns she took while she was running from the monster. She did not want to get lost and get attacked by another monster.

Coco could see the man's figure slowly disappearing at a distance and thought asking for directions would not be a very bad idea. She started to run towards him at full speed.

"Excuse me" said Coco as she started to catch up with him. The man gave a little jump as Coco started talking. He seemed flabbergasted. It almost seemed like Coco just interrupted his peaceful walk and broke his deep and abstract thoughts.

Coco was starting to feel very embarrassed. She did not want to bother this man so she said in a very quick pace, "I am sorry to bother you again but can you please tell with which way I can find the town library"

The man narrowed his eyes at Coco. Then he sighed deeply and said, "Follow me."

The man started walking again and Coco started to walk behind him. He took multiple turns and corners and after what felt like an eternity they finally reached the library. Coco took a deep and relieved breath. The walk back was too awkward and silent. She was glad this walk was over and she never had to see this strange man again.

"Thank you, I know the way from here", said Coco.

The man gave a small nod and started going back towards the alley. Coco watched as his figure disappeared in the darkness and the shadows of the narrow alley. 'This was one eventful night', thought Coco as she started to walk back towards the tunnel and the palace.