Something was slamming itself against my window, like that it wanted to get in. I say something because I was unsure of what it was at the time.

I will describe it as best as I can. It was neither a human nor monster, but definitely a living being and made of pink and purple sparkles. As you might have expected, I was taken aback by the essence and suddenly on full alert.

What was I supposed to do? Should I let in the strange essence? Or flee and tell the others?

As if it could read my every thought, the purple and pink essence formed into something else. It was now a group of words, and the words formed a sentence.

I slowly made my way towards the window and read the sentence out loud. "'Please let me in.'"

I was skeptical. A part of me desired to let it in and learn more about it. The other part kept reminding me of Dr. O'Connor. How he betrayed me when he tricked me into trusting his lies.

Making absolute sure that I was not allowing evil inside, I crossed my arms and frowned, letting it know that I was one to not be messed with, and asked it a question.

"Depends. Will you try to hurt or even kill me if I do?"

The essence shaped into a new set of words, and I read it. "'I would never harm the Monster Protector and those close to her.'"

"You know that I am the Monster Protector?"

Another new sentence. "'Yes. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Spirita. I am the spirit that keeps the living and the dead connected.'"

"What are you doing here, uh, Spirita?"

"'I am here to help you on your quest to locate the key that binds all the Monster Protectors together.'"

"Are you talking about the first Monster Protector? He has been calling for me."

"'You are correct. That is exactly why he wants you. Since that you are the current Monster Protector, you have to be the one to discover the secret of the Monster Protectors.'"

"This is the first time that I have heard of a Monster Protector secret. Mr. Hawk never mentioned that."

"'I will happily tell you - or in this case, spell out - more if you allow me to come into your room. Believe it or not, it is cold outside."

I believed Spirita and yearned to know more. About the secret. Why I had not received the call until now. If the Monster Protectors were like me. I opened my window, and the essence flew in and rested on my bed. I could not help but giggle and sat next to it. I petted it, and it rubbed itself against my palm.

I laughed. "You like when I touch you, huh?"

Again, the spirit talked to me using its body. I read each message.

"'I am a male spirit.'"

"That is nice to know. Thanks."

"I adore your warmth. You are truly the Monster Protector.'"

"I hope so. I have been at it for weeks."

"'The first Monster Protector and the others have been watching you since your arrival to Forlot. Their spirits did not want you to know of them until they were certain of who they were dealing with.'"

"So that is why I am receiving the call just now?"

"'Correct.'"

We suddenly overheard footsteps, and Spirita hid under my pillow. My sister walked on in and looked at me.

"Margie? Why are you talking to yourself?" Scarlett asked.

My eyes darted all around the room. I absolutely had no clue how to answer that question and felt awkward. Plus, it was pretty clear that Spirita did not want to be known by other people. So I came up with the only explanation that I could think of.

"Is it illegal in Forlot to be talking to yourself? No, it is not. Even our writer talks to herself from time to time."

Scarlett's face twisted in concern. "I am worried about you, sis. You are hearing voices and talking to no one but—"

I interrupted her and leaped to my feet.

"Do you really believe that your only sister is crazy? 'Cause I am not."

"Did I say that you are going crazy?"

"You are implying it. And what did I say about worrying when I helped you deal with your fear?"

She forced herself to smile. "I remember. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that Jorgie is here with Margaret."

"Excellent. I will be down in a minute."

She left, and Spirita got out from under my pillow. He floated in front of me and formed a sentence.

"'Margaret? Margaret Morgan?'"

"Yes, Spirita. She was the Monster Protector before she ran away and is my cousin."

"'No need to explain who she is. I know her.'"

"You do? Cool. That means that she must have gotten the call when she was the Monster Protector."

"'Come on, Margie. We need to go.'"

"Right now? But—"

I was cut off by Spirita circling me and my stuff that I had planned on bringing. He packed all of it in my bag and lifted me off the floor.

"Wait! What about my family and friends?"

Spirita did not stop what he was doing, pulled me and my bag out the window, and took me to a section of Forlot that I never had been to or even heard of.

He set me and my bag on earthly grounds, and I picked up the bag and put it on. He formed a sentence.

"'I bet that you are wondering where we are.'"

"Yes. Where are we? And why are we here?"

"'Stay where you are. I figure that you would be uncomfortable standing on dead bodies.'"

My palms immediately went cold. My eyes bulged. "D-dead bodies?"

"'The dead bodies of each and every Monster Protector. And you will be next if you are not careful.'"