Bedtime Story

Back when the world was salt and glass, and your papa and I were your age, there were monsters.

Why?

Why what?

Why was the world salt and glass?

Because the monsters had destroyed it, hombrecito. They destroyed everything. That’s what they do.

Everything?

Well, people most of all. They especially love to destroy people. But, in my experience, they’re not particularly fussy.

But why do they destroy everything?

I don’t know. No-one does. We only know that that’s what they do.

That’s *mean*.

It is.

What are they like?

The monsters? …Ah, I don’t know if you really want me to-

Yes I do!

…Okay. Well, people used to call them chaos, because no one word was more fitting. Nowadays we call them ‘isfet’, which is an old word that has the same meaning-

I know what they’re called, amá! But what are they like?

…they’re like a lot of things, and never alike one another. They are also like nothing we know. They might resemble a snarling dog, or a giant insect, or a man, but when you stand there and search your mind for a comparison in the moment, you won’t find one. And they change when you’re looking it at them – they’re always in flux. When they snarl, they grow new mouths to do it, and the drool that comes out-

Ew!

Eh! It’s natural, even for the unnatural. When the spit comes out, it’s warm and biting and toxic, and then it solidifies before it hits the ground. *That* is the scary part.

Drool is gross.

Oh, is it now?

Ah! Ew, amá, amá, stop!

Hah! You’re just like your father. No stomach for the little things. But don’t worry – I love you both anyway.

Hmph. So, the monsters…?

Yes, yes, the monsters. They change in other ways too. Sometimes they are viscous or necrotic-

What do those mean?

Ah, ‘viscous’ means wet and slippery. ‘necrotic’ is… deathlike, I suppose.

Deathlike?

Like death. Rotting and empty and melting back into the earth.

That’s gross too!

Monsters are gross. They could also be dry to the touch, or feel… like fungus. Like mushrooms. Something that’s alive in a sense, but not in a way that we can really understand.

Huh. Are they like plants?

I… suppose, yes, they’re like plants. Although I wouldn’t make the comparison.

Why not?

Well, I grew up in lands of salt and glass, where there weren’t many living things. So in places like where we live now, where there are plants everywhere, I can only be glad at all the life that’s around me. So I like them much more than I like the monsters.

I see.

That being said, your father – he can get *very* hung up over his invasive species. I think if you asked him, he’d happily compare Kudzu to a monster.

What’s kudzu?

I’ll explain another time, hombrecito.

Is kudzu a monster?

Kudzu… ah, they’re a vine that grows fast and steals all the sun, as I understand it. Your father knows more – you can ask him tomorrow if you want. But I wouldn’t compare it to a monster because it, as far as I know, just trying to survive. Plus, it doesn’t target people specifically.

And… and monsters aren’t like that?

Not the ones I’ve seen. The ones I’ve seen – they don’t care about themselves. And they don’t care about anything else. All they want to do is kill. Extinguish all life wherever they find it. They don’t even care if they live or die, just so long as they take you with them. *That’s* what makes them monsters. Do you understand?

But… but why are they like that?

No-one knows. Well, I don’t *think* anyone knows. Maybe someone figured it out, but I’ve been around the worlds and I no-one told me anything.

You don’t know?

I don’t know. But- don’t go spreading that around, ey? I have a reputation.

Repu- tation?

People know me a certain way. But anyway, I don’t know. And I don’t know if anyone does. I just know what they are.

And they’re really out there? The monsters?

Yes.

…I don’t like this story.

Hmm?

The monsters. They- they’re scary. And you said that they’re real-

Oh, oh- come here. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to scare you. No, no, don’t be afraid. Yes, the monsters are out there. But you know who else is out there?

…Who?

*Me*. And while I’m around, no monsters – no isfet – are going to hurt you. They’re not even going to harm one hair on your head.

…You promise?

I promise, hombrecito. Here, here. You feel this?

…Feel what? Ah- amá, that tickles!

*Woosh*. That is my breath. And you see this? Ah, ah, don’t touch-!

What’s that? A knife?

It’s the tip of my favourite spear. You see it?

Yes.

Now… you feel this?

Yes.

What is it?

Your heartbeat.

My heartbeat. …Then, if you see and feel those things, you have nothing to fear. Because I promise this to you, in perpetuity: For as long as there is breath in my body, and a blade in my hand, and a beat in my heart, I will protect you.

…Whoa… …What’s perpetuity?

It means forever and ever.

Forever and ever?

Yes.

That’s a long time.

Yes. It… it matches how much I love you.

…I love you too, amá.

…I love you more.

No, *I* love you more!

You love me more than I love you? That’s impossible. My love for you knows no bounds.

Oh yeah? Well, I- I love you *this* much!

Well, I love you *this* much!

Amá, your arms are longer than mine!

Exactly!

That’s not fair!

Ahaha! Like I said… I love you more. But don’t be sad – I’m your mother. That’s my job. …Now, you’d best get to sleep, because if you stay up too late, your papa is going to be annoyed.

At me?

At *me*. Goodnight, hombrecito.

Goodnight, amá. …I love you.

…I love you too.