An Epilogue for the novel, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness 

(A School Project)

When the Ground Shake, a Monster Returns

18 years into the future

Conor could hear his daughter's aggressive coughs fill the whole house. It shook the little house filled with quiet and very concerned members of the family. His six-year-old son, Evan, looked at Conor in search for answers. All Conor could give him was a sad smile.

"Dad, why is Katlyn still sick? Shouldn't she be better by now?" the boy asked, eyebrows bunched up in concern. Conor sighed and got up from the couch he was reading a book on. He sat beside his son on the floor of their living room, careful as to not step on the Legos Evan was playing with.

"Champ-"

"Dad, I told you not to call me that."

Conor sighed but a tiny, reminiscing smile graced his lips. "Sorry, my dad kept calling me that when he visited. Must have picked up on it." Evan nodded. "Evan, give your sister some time. The weather has been harsh on us these past few weeks. Aren't the kids at school sick too?"

That got Evan thinking, and then he nodded. But he had more to say. "Yeah but their colds only lasted for a couple of days. Katlyn has been sick for 2 weeks already." Conor is surprised. He didn't expect Evan to be so observant for his age.

"Yeah, but she'll get better soon, don't you think so?"

Evan is silent. He turns his head to the ground, something he does when he's ashamed. Slowly but surely, he shakes his head no.

Conor's whole face falls. Their home turns silent save for the aggressive coughs shaking their whole world.

---

Conor wakes up to an empty bed. Looks like Lily went down to make breakfast. He smiles at the thought.

He and Lily worked things out in the end. When his mom died, he had to live with his grandma and attend a different school. Of course, Lily was beyond upset. They had just made up but the universe was pulling them apart again. Conor was extremely upset too, even if he didn't admit it. Luckily Lily's mother allowed her to visit Conor every weekend and after a few visits, Conor's grandma let her stay over for a couple of school-less nights. Things began to blossom from there and before they knew it, Lily confessed (because Conor was too much of a stubborn coward to do so) and they became a thing. Of course, no one was surprised. They all saw it coming from the start.

After hours (which, in reality, were only a couple of minutes) of lying there with his thoughts being the only company he had, Conor decided to head downstairs.

As he expected, the quaint house was filled with breakfast smells. He could hear the bacon from where he stood on top of the staircase, sizzling away on the pan. Conor headed down with a little bounce in his step, visibly more awake.

Evan and Katlyn were already there before him, seated at the wooden table situated beside the counter dividing the kitchen from the dining area. Evan was bouncing around in his seat, gazing hungrily at the breakfast being prepared. Katlyn seemed happier too, less sick. Conor smiled. He's glad his kids could enjoy breakfast like this.

Conor greeted his family good morning and sat down with the kids at the table. They all played a quick round of rock paper scissors to decide who would get the longest strip of bacon. Katlyn won and bore the brightest smile. Conor was glad he lost. Though Evan was a bit stubborn and grumbled until Katlyn gave in and told him they could share. Evan grinned triumphantly.

A few more little games later, breakfast was served. "Took you long enough," Conor teased. Lily visibly rolled her eyes.

"You try making a gourmet dish in the morning, you ungrateful twit."

Conor gasped and put a hand to his heart, feigning hurt. "Me? Ungrateful? How dare you accuse me of the such!" Katlyn and Evan sniggered beside them, faces stuffed with savory bacon. Lily made a 'pfft' sound and shook her head, amused.

"Just eat your bacon, goof." Conor smiled at her cheekily and proceeded to follow his children in stuffing his face with bacon. Lily sat down and joined in, also scarfing down the bacon. This was one hungry family.

After they ate, plates clear of any trace of food, Lily asked Katelyn to help her with the dishes. Evan cheered (because he didn't have to do the dishes) and went off to the living room to play with his Legos. Katlyn scoffed but smiled nonetheless. She picked up the four already somewhat cleaned plates and carried them to the sink, coughing a bit on the way. Lily thanked her daughter and proceeded to rinse the spotless, but not really, silverware. 

Katlyn made her way back to the table to take the remaining utensils to her mom. Suddenly she burst into a coughing fit on her way to the sink, alarming Lily and Conor who was sitting with Evan on the floor. Lily took away the utensils in Katlyn's hand and placed them on the kitchen counter. Conor rushed to his daughter's side and gently rubbed her back. 

Katlyn was slowly sinking to the floor, her coughs aggressive and loud. It felt like the house was shaking with every cough. She was barking helplessly on the floor. Conor sat beside her trying to help her by rubbing her back but he knew it was no help at all. Lily handed Katlyn a glass of water but she couldn't even lift her head. She was practically crying on the floor, her disruptive coughs tearing up her throat. All Conor and Lily could do was watch.  

Suddenly, Katlyn stopped. They thought it was over. They thought they would go through another day just fine. They were used to the coughs, they would get better. They thought. They really thought.

Until Katlyn coughed up heaps of blood, letting those thoughts go down the drain.

---

Evan sat there, eyes wide. It seemed as if everything was in slow motion. Katlyn was wheezing on the ground, coughing out more and more blood. He could hear his dad yell at his mom to get the car. His mom hurriedly got the keys, fumbling with them for a moment before practically slamming the door open and dashing towards their car.

Connor carefully scooped up Katlyn into his arms, making sure to lean her head forward. He screamed at Evan to grab a bowl from the kitchen but Evan just stared. He couldn't move. Everything was happening so fast. He knew his sister wouldn't be okay anytime soon but he didn't think it would be like this. His whole body went cold. He couldn't move. He can't move. He can't-

"Evan! Get in the car, now!"

But he can't. He can't move. 

He could hear hurrying footsteps make their way towards him and two hands hoisting him up into their arms. Lily carried Evan to the car and placed him in the front seat, fastening his seatbelt quickly. She got in the driver's side and backed out of their driveway. She stepped on the gas and went as fast as she could, glancing at the rearview mirror to check on Katlyn. Evan could hear Katlyn's coughs and Conor's words of comfort. 

Evan felt so tired. So very tired. He slumped in his seat and glanced out the window. A single Yew Tree stood tall on a hill near their house. Evan doesn't entirely trust his senses right now, but he's positive that the tree grew a face. He's positive that the ground shook.

---

The family burst through the hospital's front doors and immediately caught the attention of the staff members present. They placed Katlyn on a wheelchair and rushed her off to somewhere. The little family could only hope and pray that their child would be okay. 

Conor held onto Evan's hand with a grip so tight, Evan gained the strength to lift his head. His dad looked so scared. He's never seen him like this. 

"Dad?" he asked. Conor couldn't answer. He couldn't hear his son. All that was running through his head at this very moment was,

Please let her be okay. Please. Please don't let her go too.

---

The doctor let them in Katlyn's room when they made sure she was stable. The doctor told them that they took samples of her blood and took them to the lab for examination.

"We'll let you know if we find anything. She's stable for now but if she experiences any pain or shortness of breath, press the button next to her bed and we'll come right away. She can talk but it would be better if you let her rest for a while. We'll get back to you as soon as we can." Conor nodded and thanked the doctor. He smiled politely then walked down the blinding white halls of the hospital.

Lily went into the room, Evan closely following behind her. Conor frowned. He hates being here but hates the reason they're here in the first place even more. He sighed and shook his head. There's nothing he could do now. 

He took a step towards the door of the room and right as he was reaching for the doorknob, the ground shook. It was hard enough to make Conor stumble back and land on his butt. It only took a second for him to realize what happened and soon he was back on his feet again, opening the door to Katlyn's room as quickly as he can. His eyes scanned the room for any signs that any of them were hurt, especially Katlyn. 

Weirdly enough, they seemed perfectly fine. Lily raised her eyebrow at Conor, to which Conor replied with a perplexed expression. He's confused. It was as if they hadn't felt it at all. As if nothing had happened. Conor was relieved, of course he was relieved. But that didn't eliminate this feeling in his stomach that something was wrong. His eyes scanned the room once again.

Something was wrong.

Something was very wrong.

In the corner of the room, a figure stood. Its leafy head was pressed against the ceiling. The clean white floor looked as if it was going to give in to its weight but it didn't. Its whole body filled up a corner of the room, berries falling from its branches and roots stringing all across the floor. 

Conor has never ever been scared of the monster. It was like a friend to him. But the reason it was here is what made Conor's blood run cold. He opened his mouth to say something but upon further realization, the monster wasn't looking at him.

He was looking at Evan.

And Evan was staring right back at the monster.

I have come walking for you, Evan O'Malley.