My eyes shot open as if my eyelids were window blinds. My legs jerked, cranking up my startle. I was breathing slowly and heavily as if I were gasping for the fresh air. As if I were a fish out of water. When my heart skipped a beat against my chest, I bolted up and laid my sweaty hand over my heart, feeling it beat at its steady rhythm. I did not dare shut my eyes, fearing of seeing the young woman and the monster despite them being blurs. As if my brain were censoring them. I had never dreamt of a beast chasing a human through the woods. Those same exact woods surrounding Mr. Hawk's mansion. Who in the world were the monster and human?

Who cares? They were what my brain spiced up for the dream - were they not?

Despite the curtains covering the small window, purple light was seeping through and lighting up the middle of the wooden floor as if somebody were going to put on a show. How early in the morning was it? I picked up my phone off my stand as I rubbed the annoying flakes out of my eyes. I glanced at the screen. A little after eight. I had plenty of time to relax my brain and the rest of me. Breakfast would not be served until nine on the dot. Be there or be hungry until lunchtime. Or a late lunch and early supper. Some days, we have only two meals and a night snack, depending on the amount of missions and how hectic they get. I could not wait to chow down on a hearty breakfast and help all the humans and monsters who desperately needed the Monster Protector's aid.

Wonder why the monster in my odd dream wanted me, the Monster Protector. Did the scared lady know me or was familiar with the title?

I rested on my back. I did not want to fall back asleep. I did not feel up to it. Not after my questionable dream. I was not ready to crawl out of bed, though. Why remove yourself from your soft, warm bed early? Crazy talk. So I turned my phone sideways and watched hilarious but disgusting videos of people staying in low-rated motels and hotels. I had to cover my mouth to keep my laughs under wraps to not awaken my sister, Scarlett, Stanley, Sarah, Mr. Hawk, or the monsters.

Good thing that I did not fall back into the dreamworld because a friendly face showed up at my window. I had not seen her for a while. I was concerned that the worst thing - for a ghost - happened to her. Though, everyone in this mansion kept reassuring me that she can handle what comes her way because she is a tough cookie. Can you guess who? Around fifteen minutes later, I heard a couple knocks on the glass.

"Huh?" I paused the video and dropped my phone back on the wooden stand. I draped my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. I strode towards the window next to the bed. "What is knocking on my window? A branch?" I pulled apart the curtains - and uttered an exaggerated gasp. Not from a place of fear, but of surprise and joy.

Floating in front of the window while waving at me was the one and only Lean Share. She was still kicking butt. Well, she seemed perfectly okay for a ghost. More okay than our first encounter waaaay back in book one when she was blind because her eyes were stolen. So I helped her retrieve them. My first actual duty as the...Monster Protector. Back then, I was totally oblivious about what was waiting for me on the other side.

The Lord created me with my energetic personality and my soft spot towards all monsters to become who I was meant to be and will be until I am too old and frail. The title will then be passed down to the next young person with a similar personality and the same exact soft spot. Once, I asked Mr. Hawk if the previous M.P. - Monster Protector for short - picks the next M.P., seeing that he was the M.P. before me. Technically, it was Margaret. I hope that you recall her. But she lasted for only a short while. She found her new title on a small island directly below the U.S. And has a new boyfriend. Nice.

"While the Monster Protector is not required to choose the next lucky teen, it is encouraged," Mr. Hawk said.

My fists shot up above my head. "Yes!"

"Does that mean that you will choose the lucky human, Margie?"

"What do you think?"

"Want me to go over the procedure now or later?"

My arms fell down at my sides. "There is a procedure?"

"A short but necessary procedure."

"Anybody off-limits? Besides adults?"

"Close relatives."

"Dang it."

"Did you already have a special somebody in mind?"

"Scarlett." I giggled.

"Oh. Scarlett will be in her golden years when you are."

"Just joking. She could never handle being the Monster Protector."

"Why exactly could I not handle it?"

One of my braids whapped my face after I spun around on my heels. "Scarlett. Did you just come in?"

Something big and round was in her hands. "Yes. And I heard what you said about me."

"What are you holding?"

"French silk pie. Sarah and I just finished helping some of the monsters bake it."

French silk is one of my and Scarlett's favorite pies.

I licked my lips. "French silk. Looks huge enough for us all to get a thick slice."

"You will not get a slice until you give me a valid reason why I would not make an excellent Monster Protector."

"Mr. Hawk said that the next Monster Protector cannot be a close relative to the previous Monster Protector."

"How would things be...if I were the Monster Protector instead?"