romthelibrarysbathroommirrorstaredapersondividedintwo,halfofmyfacepale,theotherhalfcrimsoingpasttheyounglibrarian,Itriedtokeepmyprofiletwo-dimensional.

    Mydreamreturnedinfulldetailthatnight.TessandIspokequietlyonthedeckofalocalpool.Afewotherpeoplemilledaboutinthebackground,sunningthemselvesordivingintothecoolwater.Aswallflowers:JimmyCummings,OscarLove,UncleCharlie,BrianUngerland.Allthelibrariansinbikinis.

    "Howhaveyoubeen,mylove?"sheteased."Stillchasedbymonsters?"

    "Tess,itsnotfunny."

    "Imsorry,butnooneelseseethem,sweetheart.Onlyyou."

    "Buttheyreasrealasyouandme.WhatiftheyeforEdward?"

    "TheydontwantEddie.Theywantyou."Shestoodup,tuggedatthebottomofhersuit,andjumpedinthepool.Iplungedinafterher,shockedbyhowcoldthewaterfelt,andfrog-kickedmywaytothemiddle.Tessswamtome,herbodybeingmorestreamlinedandgraceful,ahetopofherheadbrokethesurface,herhairlasteredagainstherscalp.Asshestoppedandstood,thefilmofwaterranoffherface,partinglikeacurtaintorevealnotherfaceatall,butahobgoblinsface,horridandfrightening.Iblanchedandholleredinvoluntarily;thenshegedrightbackagaintoherfamiliarself."Whatsthematter,love?DontyouknowIknowwhoyouare?Tellme."

    Iwentbacktothelibrary,huntedforafewofmytitles,andsatdownataertable.Theresearch,especiallyonhobgoblins,waswronginvirtuallyeveryparticularanderthanmythorfi.Nobodywroteaccuratelyabouttheirhabitsands,howtheylivedindarkness,spyingonhumanchildren,looking