Nigel was not head over heels - partly because he does not wear heels - over the fact that my cousin and I were practically making him go into the night and locate the king of the Nerians. It was easy to tell that he was not thrilled or at least accepting of the idea because he had been still recovering from the events way back in book two.

Nigel explained to me, Margaret, Hansel, and Gretel that he vowed to never mess with the Nerians ever again unless his life or the lives of his friends were in danger. He just wanted the past to be the past and protect us, especially his best friend Damian and his girlfriend Maxine.

Knowing how she was, Margaret pointed out a loophole in his short speech and confessed to him that one of his close friends was indeed in danger. That is why she needed his assistance.

"Who needs my help?" he asked. "It had better not be the pizza guy. He still owes me fresh mushrooms to replace the ones that he ate right off my pizza!"

Hansel chuckled softly, and Margaret had to keep herself from doing the same. Hansel said, "I am dying to hear how that story came about."

"This pizza guy was irresponsible and forgot to bring his lunch. What did he do? He ate all of the mushrooms off my mom's and my pizza! He actually thought that we would not notice."

I laughed. "Thank you for the laughs, Nigel," I thanked. "I needed a good one after all the crub that I have been through."

Margaret told my nightmare to him and the twins and did not leave out anything that I told her. When she was finished, he and the twins glanced at one another before looking at me.

"Monster Protectors?" Gretel spoke up. "You mean Monster Protector. I know that Mr. Hawk was a Monster Protector, but that is the thing. He was one. He retired and made you the next in line."

I faked my giggles. "Margaret did not make a spelling mistake. There are...Monster Protectors like me."

My friends were a bit taken aback at what I claimed and had a ton of questions to ask me, which was good because I was ready for anything - almost anything - that came my way now that I had my new heart.

I answered each and every one of their questions. I explained how I was hearing the first Monster Protector's voice and that I was the only person who heard it because I was the current Monster Protector. I mentioned Spirita, Dribbles, and the blue orb that allows you to see what you want and definitely did not leave out the parts when I was in the spirit realm and the eyeballs belonging to the Monster Protectors who were once dead.

I sighed happily. "I was so stubborn towards the beginning of this book," I said. "The first Monster Protector just would not leave me alone. He would not let me sleep. He would not even let me eat in peace. At one point, I actually considered that I was flying off my rocker."
——————————————————————————
I ran up to my window, pushed it open, and poked my head out. I was furious at this guy.

"Leave me alone!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, my voice echoing throughout. "Say my name one more time, and I will hunt you down and make you bleed!"

Scarlett pulled me away from the open window. "Margie, relax. The whole town will hear you."

"Do not tell me to relax, sis. Instead, tell whoever is doing it to knock it off!"
——————————————————————————
I continued. "Heh. Good times. Besides my cousin, no one else would believe me, not even my own sister. She believed that I was losing touch with Forlot and thought that therapy would be best. However, I knew something that she did not. I knew that I was not losing my mind. The first Monster Protector, as well as the other Monster Protectors, wanted me and me only."
——————————————————————————
"It is for your own good," Scarlett said. "You will be thanking us later."

"No!" I leaped up and scooted from them. "You are supposed to be my family. Yet you do not trust me."

Scarlett took a step towards me. "We only want to help you."

"If you want to help, you support me and trust me."

"We do support you," Mom and Dad said in unison.

"That is a bunch of bull!"
——————————————————————————
"Have you and your sister made up?" Gretel asked.

"Yes. Before my surgery."

"Good. I am glad to hear that."

"Friends come and go..." Hansel started as he wrapped an arm around his twin sister's shoulders. "...but siblings are forever."

"Unfortunately," Nigel joked. "My adopted sister, Karla, keeps coming into my bedroom without my permission."

Hansel raised a hand. "Same here."

Gretel nudged her elbow against her twin brother's side playfully. "Stop lying."

"What do you say, Nigel?" Margaret said. "Are you willing to deal with the Nerians to help Margie out?"

His lips curved into a smile. "Okay, okay. I will help. However, I cannot do this alone."

"Who is implying that you will be doing this mission alone?" She grinned. "I am coming with you."

"So am I," Hansel and Gretel volunteered in unison.

"I would come..." I began. "...but I have to stay in this bed and finish recovering for the next couple of days."

Margaret scooped up Tamara and Rene. "We know that, Margie. Hey, would it be a problem if I had your sister babysit the babies during my absence?"

"Not at all. Like me, she loves babies."

"Good to know."

My cousin and friends wished a speedy recovery for me and went on their merry way, and it was not before long that I had another visitor. But this visitor was wearing a gray cloak...and gave me the creeps.

"Ah. Margie Morgan. We meet at last."