�I know Tim� I saw them too,� Tom spoke quietly while putting on his favorite rocket ship pajamas. �He was just as close to me. Just as freak-show looking, and just as scary. His eyes, they look too dark to be real.� Tim rolled his eyes as he sat up on his bed and started searching for his favorite dinosaur pajamas.
�Don�t try and scare yourself. Lots of people have dark eyes.� Tim pulled his head through the neck of the pajama top, �He�s just some guy-�
�Yeah, yeah, you�re right.� Tom cut his brother off, not wanting to hear more explanations. �Get ready, and let�s go downstairs. Maybe Devon�ll be cool enough to let us watch Tales from the Crypt like Jamie always does!� Both boys brightened up at the thought of watching their favorite parentally forbidden television show. They raced out of their room with Tom in the lead. Partway down the stairs Tim bumped into his brother who was frozen in one place looking over the side of the banister at the scene in the living room. Tom�s mouth was wide open in astonishment, �Holy��
�Dude- why did you stop?� whined Tim. �I wanna go watch-�
�SHUT UP And LOOK at that� hissed Tom, �Devon - in the living room - look what he�s got!� Tim gasped.
�WOW! That�s a sword!�
�Actually no, it�s just a dagger,� Devon replied from the couch without looking up from his task of sharpening said dagger. �And I have a distinct feeling I am going to have to use it tonight.� He smiled, flashing a toothy grin up at the not so hidden boys, �But what�s a day without a little fun, eh guys? Come on down and get a closer look.� The twins stumbled down the carpeted stairs and stopped in front of the couch, admiring the blade their babysitter held in his hands.
�Woah,� Tom said in admiration, �That is SO cool�� Tim wrinkled his nose and added,
�Why didn�t you tell us you were this cool in the first place?� Devon laughed and put the dagger in its sheath he now wore hanging from his belt. He tossed Tim�s hair and motioned for the boys to have a seat on the rug in front of him. �But why do you have it here?� Tim asked.
�Want to hear the story? It�s a little scary, but your parents agreed I could tell you tonight since Jamie is out, and they believe you are ready for it.� Tim and Tom nodded vigorously as they chimed in
�YEAH YEAH!! Tell us a Story, Devon!� He smiled and shrugged glad his headaches had vanished while the boys changed and he got the house ready for the night.
�All right guys. You asked for it. I�m going to be blunt, first of all-� Tom interrupted
�What�s blunt, isn�t that some drug thing? Drugs are bad.� Devon sighed, not knowing if the boys were starting in again on their evil children act or if it was a legitimate question. Deciding on the latter he answered,
�Blunt means to the point, not holding back, coming right out with what you mean to say not necessarily being all nice and sugarcoating the facts.� Tom nodded.
�Ok.� They said in unison. Relieved the twins were going to listen he continued.
�As I was saying. You two boys CAN be great kids.� The twins sat on the floor beaming as children do when complemented. �Unfortunately you also can be terrible. Your parents never believed this until they started wanting to go out. Then, when the only person who would sit for you was Jamie, well, they started to look closer. They realized that you two were spoiled rotten.� The boys looked at each other, frowning knowing their act was up. �However, your antics are not the only reason people don�t want to stay here with you guys anymore.� A puzzled expression was visible on both faces. �You live out in the woods. A lot of people don�t like being this far from the rest of the world. Personally, I do not mind. Also, lots of people have disappeared in those woods. In fact, there is something unnatural out there which hunts after dark.� The boys� eyes grew wide as they absorbed everything Devon said. �Supposedly this thing really hates people who are mean, or spoiled, or greedy. That�s why lots of the people who disappear are rich, snobby hikers from the city. Keeping this in mind about The Creature, your parents try and protect you two especially well now. Jamie knows about it, but since she is special it stays away when she is over. The Creature never attacks when your parents are home either. I am not sure why. All I know is that I am not special like Jamie, your parents are not home right now, and it is getting dark. I�m ready, and since it�s part of the job I can hope you two are ready to listen and do everything I say now to stay safe.� Devon finished.
The boys remained sitting on the rug for a few moments as the story sank in. �Heyyyyy� Tim whined, �That�s not true at all! Your just trying to scare us because we were bad.� Tom cocked his head to the side then nodded in agreement with his more practical brother. �If it were true then why didn�t Mom and Dad tell us before?� Tim challenged.
�Well, I don�t know. They didn�t want to scare you guys.� Devon rolled his eyes. �Besides you were doing just fine when Jamie was here. This was unexpected, and your parents had to go to that convention tonight. They hope nothing will happen, for all I know nothing will happen. I don�t usually deal with Creatures.� He pointed at the locks on the windows and the security system, �If your parents didn�t believe, then why the strong locks on the windows and the security system. You live in the woods here.� Letting the boys think that one over, Devon stretched and turned on the TV. �Now I�m going to relax a bit and if you want, feel free to watch some of the boob tube with me.� The offer of television distracted the twins from the oncoming argument and made them forget entirely about the whole story.
At 10:00 Devon turned the TV off. The boys looked slightly miffed at the disappearance of the Crypt Keeper and Tom protested. �Aww COME ON� He whined, �One more episode? Please??? Weren�t we good?� Devon shook his head at the two angles.
�Sorry guys. It�s time for bed.� The finality in their babysitter�s voice made the two twins decide to at least appear to give in. They sighed and stomped upstairs to their room with Devon following close behind to tuck them, as well as to make sure the two boys ended up in their rooms ready to sleep. �Remember boys, be good. Give me an easy night and no matter what do as I tell you. I don�t won�t to deal with this Creature thing�� He reminded them as he left their room after tucking them in.