Monsterhearts:Take What You Desire

Monday August 18th, 6:35 PM
Wildomar, Inland Valley Medical Center
**The hospital is bustling with the sound of the intercom paging doctors and nurses and the light tapping of shoes against the floor as people hurry to different destinations. The waiting room that they've been sitting in for the passed half-hour has a sterile, plastic, smell, and it's cold. The air conditioning is on even though it's raining outside. Shane is sitting in the waiting area of the Emergency Room a few chairs away from Liam. Shane told to the doctors that a tree knocked down a powerline and Chris and Odie got in its path as they all tried to run. The doctors bought it, but they did so hesitantly.**

**There's a woman with blonde hair in her mid-thirties, wearing a blue dress and blouse with a brown leather rain coat over it. Her hair is damp. She seems to be Odie's mother, and since arriving she hasn't stopped pacing around the room, with her came a young boy, probably about fourteen, likely Odie's little brother, who is sitting in the corner, his expression is blank and he's playing a gameboy, from the sounds of it he's playing Pokemon like Odie was earlier today. About ten minutes ago Shane's mother, Bonnie, arrived with his younger brother, Coty. Shane's mother agreed to wait around a little while so that Shane could see if Chris and Odie were alright before taking him home. She's been sitting across from Shane quietly, grading papers. Coty is sitting a two seats left of her, and seems to be less than thrilled at being stuck in a hospital waiting room for the afternoon. He continually rolls a quarter back and forth over his knuckles as he switches from staring at Shane, Liam, and other points in the hospital.**

**Liam**: **Each time Coty stares at him he looks away, trying to keep from looking him in the eyes. He called his parents but they either weren't home, or didn't care enough to pick up the phone, both of which happens frequently. The pain he experienced earlier seems to have vanished, and he feels fine, at least physically**

**Shane**: **He looks at Coty as he stares at Liam, and then looks to his mother, who is too distracted by her paperwork to notice Coty being menacing. As Liam's eyes wander to keep from looking at Coty he meets Shane's gaze.** I'm right here. **He turns in his seat to look at Liam.**

**Liam**: ...Huh? **He looks back and forth for a moment unsure of what Shane means. Coty is making him feel uncomfortable.**

**Shane**: **He turns all the way to face Liam, and begins crawling over the armrests and chairs towards him.** So close... **He moves almost cat-like towards Liam.**

**Liam**: ...Uhh... What? **He looks back and forth at Shane's mom. He leans away from Shane as he crawls towards him.**

**Everyone else in the hospital doesn't seem to notice anything unusual, Shane's mom continues grading papers, and Coty stares at Liam, still rolling the quarter over his knuckles.**

**Shane**: **He crawls over onto Liam's chair and then up onto Liam, his face less than and inch from his.** ...Why won't you just... Take me. **He presses up against Liam and he moves his head to the side, and his lips meet Liam's neck.**

**Coty**: **He smirks as he watches his brother press himself against the smaller boy.**

**Liam**: **He breaths out, quivering.** ...Sh... Shane?

**Shane**: **He runs a hand down Liam's chest, and then pushes it up under Liam's shirt. He pulls his mouth from mouth from Liam's neck and moves his face to look directly into Liam's eyes.** You can do whatever you want... With me...

**Shane's voice suddenly cuts through the air, but it seems to be coming from somewhere else.**

**Shane**: Hey Liam. **He's no longer on top of Liam, but is standing over him, with his hands in his pockets.** Want to go find a vending machine or something?

**Liam**: **He blinks a few times and looks around before looking up at Shane.** ...Uhh, yeah. **He pauses, unsure if he fell asleep or something.** I could use a snack.

**Bonnie**: Get me a Snickers if they have them, will you Shane? **She doesn't look up from her grading papers as she runs a highlighter across the page of one.**

**Shane**: Sure. **He walks towards the hall, looking back to make sure Liam is coming.**

**Liam**: **He quickly follows after Shane, pulling his pack over his shoulder.** Think Chris and Odie are gonna be alright? **He positions his pack at the front of his pants.**

**Coty**: **He watches the two of them leave together, leaning back in his chair and then flipping the coin up into the air, causing it to release a quiet ring before it falls and he catches it.**

**Shane**: **He doesn't pay any attention to his brother, and starts walking down a short hallway, spotting a pair of vending machines at the other end.** I think Chris will be ok. His arm might be bandaged up for a while, which sucks because he won't be able to swim. **He pauses for a moment.** I don't know about Odie... He was hurt pretty bad... **As they reach the vending machines he starts to look around for food.** What about you?

**Liam**: Huh? What do you mean? **He reaches into his pack to find some money. He still has a lot of cash from the bet on Chris last week.**

**Shane**: After your guardian protected Odie and beamed off Leo's arm, you looked like you were in a lot of pain. You could barely move. **He puts in a dollar and presses a few buttons, a snickers bar falls down into the door.**

**Liam**: Oh... Umm, yeah. I think I'm fine. **He pulls out a few dollars.**

**Shane**: So what happened? **He presses two more buttons and a bag of peanuts falls down. He bends down and pushes open the door, grabbing his candy bar and the peanuts before standing up and backing away from the machine.**

**Liam**: I think... I was just getting stomach cramps... From seeing what happened to Odie and Chris... **He walks up to the vending machine and puts in a dollar, then presses a few buttons. A Kit-Kat falls down and he reaches in a grabs it.** It hurt pretty bad. **He stands up and turns to look at Shane.**

**Shane**: **He suddenly slams into Liam, pressing him up against the vending machine.** I want to do so many things to you. **He moves his mouth close to Liam's.**

**Liam**: **He looks at Shane.** I... We can't...

**Shane**: Can't what? **He's a few feet from Liam, opening the wrapper on his peanuts. He looks up at Liam as he's fallen back against the vending machine. He furrows his brow.** You alright?

**Liam**: **He looks back and forth, confused by what's happening.** Yeah... I... Slipped... **He nods really quickly.**

**Shane**: Oh. **He looks away awkwardly and then starts walking down the hall.**

**Liam**: **He breaths out a sigh of relief and looks around for a moment before he walks after Shane, keeping his pack hiding the front of his pants.**

**As the two of them walk back into the waiting room, Chris is being wheeled out in a wheel chair by a nurse. The nurse quickly takes her leave as Agatha grabs the back of the wheel chair. Chris is in a hospital gown and his arm is in a sling.**

**Liam**: **His eyes light up when he sees Chris.** Chris! **He runs over to him.**

**Shane**: **He walks up next to Liam.** You alright? **He looks at Agatha and then back to Chris.** What'd the doctors say?

**Chris**: **He looks happy for a guy that was nearly whipped to death by a demonic wizard.** Said I could go home. My mother's going to have a doctor and nurse come by the house so I don't have to stay here. Wasn't as bad as it looked I guess. **He shrugs.** To be honest I don't remember how it looked... So that's probably just the morphine talk'n. You guys ever had morphine?

**Liam**: I don't think so... **He looks at Shane.**

**Shane**: **He just shakes his head.**

**Chris**: **He lets out a quiet whistle.** Feels real good. Might have to become a drug addict.

**Agatha**: We should be going, Master Chris. **She looks at Liam and Shane.**

**Shane**: Ohh... So you're like, his maid? **He looks at Chris.** Thought she was your mom for a second.

**Chris**: She's more like our butler. Right Agatha? **He bends his head back and looks up at her.**

**Agatha**: I live to serve. **She starts pushing Chris towards the door.**

**Chris**: Hey-hey, wait! **He grabs the brake on one of the wheels and pulls on it, forcing the chair to stop.** I wanna wait until there's news on Odie.

**Agatha**: **She looks down at him and grumbles ever so slightly.** When will that be?

**Shane**: He's been in surgery since we got here... Might be a while.

**Chris**: You can drive me home, right Shane? **He undoes the brake and does his best to turn his wheelchair with one arm to face Shane.**

**Shane**: Uhh... Maybe? I'd have to ask my mom.

**Chris**: Just borrow my car. You drove it here right? **He looks at Agatha.** Go tell mom I'm good. I'll be home later.

**Agatha**: As you wish... **She shakes her head and turns, walking towards the door.**

**Chris**: So where's your mom? **He looks around.**

**Shane**: Sittin over there. **He turns and motions towards her. She's looking at the three of them.**

**Chris**: Wheel me over there.

**Shane**: **He looks at Liam, thinking Chris is acting strange, but grabs the back of his wheelchair and pushes him towards his mom and his brother. As he wheels him over there he whispers quietly to Chris.** I told them it was a downed powerline that caused this...

**Chris**: **He murmurs back.** Good cover.

**Liam**: **He trails behind the two of them, looking around to Odie's mother still pacing back and forth.**

**Bonnie**: You must be one of Shane's friends that got hurt. **She looks from Chris to Shane, and then back to Chris.**

**Chris**: Yeah, he saved my life. Doctor said I might've died of dehydration or gotten a real bad infection if I didn't get here fast enough. **He smiles and looks at Shane.** He drove us here after I passed out.

**Coty**: **He rolls his eyes and leans back in his chair, once again rolling the quarter over his knuckles.**

**Bonnie**: Huh. **She looks at Shane.** You didn't tell me that.

**Shane**: Umm... Yeah, it went something like that. **He looks at his mom nervously.**

**Chris**: Might not be here if it wasn't for him and Liam. Just wanted you to know. Those two were the only ones smart enough to keep from that powerline. **He nods slowly.** Whole thing was my fault really...

**Bonnie**: Well I'm proud of you, Shane. **She smiles slightly and then looks to Chris.** I hope you've learned your lesson. **She gathers her papers and stands up.** Young boys always think they're invincible.

**Chris**: Yes ma'am I have. **He looks down at his arm, it itches, and even with the morphine it actually still hurts a little.**

**Shane**: I was wondering if I could actually wait here, with Chris and Liam, until we hear news about Odie. Chris said I could borrow his car.

**Bonnie**: **She looks hesitant.** ...I guess since you did something heroic, I'll allow it. Try not to be home too late. C'mon Coty, we'll pick something up on the way home for dinner. **She puts her things into her bag and hugs Shane tightly.** See you soon. **He hugs her back, and after a short moment she walks away.**

**Coty**: About time... **He rolls the coin into his hand and stands up.** Hope the three of you had fun playing with electricity in the middle of the road... **He pushes passed Shane and Liam, practically knocking Liam over.** Idiots. **He follows his mom out.**

**Chris**: **He watches Coty leave.** Who was that?

**Shane**: My little brother. He's an ass. Hangs out with Blake and the football team.

**Liam**: **He looks back to Chris as he stands up straight.** He's just a mean as Blake...

**Claudia**: I'm sorry but I overheard the two of you talking, you were with my son, Brend-Odie? Right? You brought him in? **She looks really frazzled, like she's about to just crack under pressure.**

**Liam**: ...Yeah... **He looks at Chris and Shane.** We did.

**Chris**: Yeah, I got hurt too... But, not as bad as Odie did... **He looks to the side.**

**Claudia**: Thank you, for bringing him here. **She looks like she's on the verging of crying.** I can't lose him.

**Chris**: I'm sure he'll be alright Miss... **He trails off not knowing her name.** Shane got us here only a few minutes after it happened.

**Liam**: Yeah.

**Claudia**: **She looks down and then just sits in a nearby chair.** Excuse me I... I just wanted to thank you. **She pulls out a small napkin and dabs her eyes, looking down. She doesn't look like she'll be saying much else.**

**Chris**: **He feels really bad, and turns to look at Shane.** Can you wheel me back to my room... So we can talk.

**Shane**: Sure... **He looks back to Odie's mom for a moment, unsure if he should comfort her or something, he then immediately turns to Liam and grabs him, pulling him tightly against him. He speaks in a whispered voice, breathing hot air onto Liam's neck.** I want you to touch me... **He grabs Liam's hand and forces it down the front of his pants roughly.** Right... Here... **He presses Liam's hand against himself hard.** And grip me as *hard* as you can.

**Chris**: Liam? **He raises an eyebrow at him.**

**Shane**: **He's stopped pushing Chris, they're about ten feet away, near to a hall that leads to the rooms.** You coming?

**Liam**: **He shivers slightly, looking around.** ...Ye-yeah. **He quickly moves his pack to partially cover the front of his pants again and then follows after them.**

**Shane**: **He turns and pushes Chris.** Thought you said they were sending you home.

**Chris**: I'm sure I could still get my room. If they don't let me have it, I'll just buy the hospital. **Normally he wouldn't flout his wealth, but the morphine is making him a bit dingy. He also says it in a way that makes them unsure of if he's joking or not.**

**Liam**: **He raises an eyebrow at what Chris says. He keeps from looking at Shane, these hallucinations making him feel uneasy, though he's doing his best not to show it.**

**Shane**: So how rich are you? **He looks at Liam, unsure if it's rude to ask, but since he saved Chris's life earlier, he thought he might as well go for it.**

**Chris**: If you want to know you can pick up one of those Forbes magazines... My mom's picture is usually in one of them, glaring at the reader. **He sighs and then points down the hall.** There it is, that one at the end was my room.

**Shane**: **He wheels him over to it.** Get the door for me Liam.

**Liam**: Alright. **He runs over and opens it, going inside and holding it open.**

**Shane**: **He pushes Chris in and up next to the bed, it doesn't look like it's been made yet. He turns Chris's wheel chair.**

**Liam**: **He closes the door behind them, but seems to keep his distance.**

**Shane**: **He walks around to the front of Chris.** You need help getting into bed?

**Chris**: Nah, I'm fine sitting here. I'd stand but I think I'd end up just falling over. The morphine is pretty strong. Have I mentioned how great it feels though? **He nods slowly.**

**Liam**: You have. **He walks over and looks around the small room.**

**Chris**: **He looks down.** Just wanted to say I'm sorry... You know. **He's looking at his wrapped up arm, it's throbbing with slight pain.** ...This was my fault. **He looks up at Liam and Shane. His eyes are watering slightly.** Odie might die because of me.

**Shane**: **He looks away.**

**Liam**: I think Odie knew what he was getting into... **He's not sure how he can comfort Chris.**

**Shane**: Odie'll live. He was hurt pretty bad but I don't think it was enough to kill him. He's probably been through a lot worst. He was possessed and stuff. **He looks at Liam for a moment.** Right?

**Liam**: **He nods.**

**Chris**: It was still my fault. We should've just went to see his boss, like he said. **He bites the inside of his lip.**

**Omniance**: **(Rolling to** ***Persuade Chris*** **into thinking it wasn't his fault 5 + 3** **+ 1** **Hot** **is 9.)** **Marking Experience.**

**Shane**: What's done is done, Chris. You couldn't have known what the hell Leo was capable of. **He sits down in one of the chairs and looks to the side.** We're still new to all this... Shit. It's like we're late to a party we didn't even know about...

**Liam**: And the party is full of demons and warlocks. **He nods slowly.**

**Chris**: So what was that thing you summoned Liam? I don't even give a shit if it's a demon. **He shrugs and lets out half of an awkward laugh.** You saved our asses with it.

**Liam**: It's like a guardian angel I think. It... Takes care of me. And you guys too, when I ask it to. **He nods.**

**Shane**: It's how he saved us from Leo the first time. **He looks at Liam and then back to Chris.** I didn't want to say anything because... Well it's been a rough week and I wasn't sure if he wanted anyone to know.

**Chris**: I understand... **He takes a deep breath.** I guess, since we're all in this... Together... **He lets out a long sigh.** I should probably tell you guys that uhh... Or I guess... Show you... That I'm... Well. **He bites the inside of his lip again and looks down.**

**Liam**: ...What? **He backs up against the wall.**

**Chris**: There shouldn't be any secrets between us. We've been through a lot, even though we haven't known each other very long... And you guys saved my life so... You're probably the only real friends I've ever really had and... **He sighs again.**

**If you want Chris to show them his true form, he has to** **Hold Steady** **first.**

**Taylor**: **(Rolling to** ***Hold Steady*** **4 + 3** **+2 Cold** **is 9.** **Choosing to keep his cool.)** **Marking Experience.**

**Chris**: **He shakily stands up.** Promise you won't be weirded out and run out of the room screaming or something... **He looks at them hopefully.**

**Shane**: **He narrows his blue eyes.** Sure...

**Liam**: **He nods.**

**Chris**: **He closes his eyes and green scales flow out from his skin, quickly forming over his entire body. There's a quiet cracking sound as his face shifts to be more monstrous and spined. He opens his eyes, which look the same, they're just a brighter green.** I'm a snake monster... Or something.

**Shane**: **He just lets out a long sigh that causes his cheeks to bulge out.** Well that's just typical isn't it?

**Liam**: **He takes a step back from Chris.** You're not gonna eat us or something, are you?

**Shane and Liam** **Mark Experience** **and each of them gains 1 String on Chris.**

**Chris**: **He carefully sits back down in his wheel chair and shakes his head.** Nope.

**Shane**: **He looks Chris over.** So you're not... You know, human then?

**Chris**: I think I'm... Half human or somethin... I'm not really sure. This is pretty new to me, I just found out two days ago... Seeing that... Zombie-thing triggered it apparently... My mother said it's kind of like a survival mechanism. **He doesn't have much facial expression, but it's obvious he feels uncomfortable.**

**Liam**: That's pretty cool... **He nods.**

**Chris**: Huh? Really? You think so? **He looks at Liam.**

**Liam**: It's like we're becoming a group of superheroes. **He looks at Shane.** What's your power?

**Shane**: **He leans back in his chair and puts a hand to his forehead.** Facial hair and being absolutely mundane.

**Chris**: **He rubs his neck and the scales slide back under his skin and his face shifts back to the way it looks normally.**

**Taylor**: **(Rolling to** **Shed Skin** **4 + 5** **- 1** **Constitution** **is 8.** **Marking Experience**

**Half of 1** **Aggravated Harm** **removed with** **Shed Skin**

**Chris**: So that didn't freak you guys out at all? Cause I was pretty freaked when I found out about it... **He looks back and forth between the two boys.**

**Liam**: I think I'm ok. What about you? **He looks at Shane.**

**Shane**: **He leaps out of his chair and tackles Liam to the ground, pinning him there with his weight. He grabs Liam's shirt and tears it down the front.** I'm better now. **He presses his lips against Liam's bare chest in a succession of sucking kisses that keep moving lower.**

**Shane**: **He's suddenly grabbing Liam's shoulder and trying to help him up.** You sure you're ok? Looks like you almost fainted...

**Chris**: **He looks down, thinking he caused it by transforming.**

**Liam**: **He trembles.** Uh y-yeah. I just... Got dizzy. Low blood sugar I guess. **He nods as Shane helps pull him up.** D-didn't eat that kit-kat... Heh... Heh...

**Shane**: **He pulls Liam up and then throws him onto the hospital bed. He immediately leaps onto him and grabs the front of Liam's pants and rips them open, causing the button to pop off and the zipper to break.** Better keep you off your feet then...

**Liam**: **He just lets out a trembling breath. He's not sure what's happening, but it's getting him so worked up his judgement is losing ground to his hormones.**

**Chris**: That better? **He wheels up next to the bed and looks over at Liam.** Been a rough day, so you're probably just tired.

**Shane**: I'm definitely beat. **He pats Liam on the shoulder and walks back over to the chair in the corner.**

**Liam**: Y-yeah... I probably just need some rest. **He nods slowly, turning on his side away from Chris, laying his head against the pillow. He lets out a long shuddering sigh.**

**Chris**: This medicine is making me a bit sleepy... Maybe we could all just take a short nap, then go check up on Odie... Might be a while before we hear anything... **He leans back in his wheelchair.**

**Shane**: Might not be a bad idea... Just promise you won't murder me in my sleep and then eat me... **He closes his eyes.**

**Chris**: Guess it would only be partial cannibalism if you think about it... **He closes his eyes and tries to get comfortable.**

**Shane**: That's not funny... **He opens one eye, looking at Chris.**

***Sometime later...***

**A quiet humming wakes Liam. He's laying on the hospital bed. It's dark, and the room smells strange and feels cold. Shane and Chris seem to be gone.**

**Liam**: **He sits up and rubs his eye, looking around the room.** Chris? ...Shane? **He stretches slightly.**

**The humming grows louder, and the structure of the hospital seems to shift slightly as the walls and ceiling creak. There's a heavy thud outside the room.**

**Liam**: **He jumps at the sound.** ...Guys? **He speaks quieter.** Where'd you go? **He's starting to sound worried.**

**Avarada**: **His familiar monotone hums through the air.** ***The boy...*** **A shadow appears over the wall, and he slowly glides out of it. He appears the same as Liam, but with black skin and off-red clothing. His eyes seem to shimmer like polished gold, and wisps of darkness rise from his head.**

**Liam**: ...Where are they? **He feels a bit unnerved by the dark spirit, backing up against the headboard for the bed.** What's going on?

**Avarada**: ***You want him. Want him to be inside of you. I see it.*** **He glides forward until he's at the foot of the bed.**

**Liam**: Shane? **He looks to the side.** Are you doing that? That... Whatever... Those hallucinations.

**Avarada**: ***You see what you wish to see.*** **He grabs the bottom bed post in his talons.** ***You have all you need to get what you want. Yet you delay...***

**Liam**: **He looks back and forth a few times.** Are you saying you want me to have... **He says the word quietly and awkwardly.** "Sex" ...with him?

**Avarada**: ***I am saying you want to have sex with him.*** **He breaths out darkness onto the bed, and it seems to mold into a humanoid form that crawls towards Liam. As it nears him it looks up and it's face is a dark doppelganger of Shane's.** ***I exist to give you what you want. What you need, Liam.*** **The doppelganger moves to sit back on his calves, even though he's barely more than a shadow, Liam can see that he's obviously not wearing any clothing.** ***Part of our agreement is that I grant you what you want. You are hindering my purpose by not indulging your greatest want. To give you more agency, I will bestow upon you a small boon should you indulge in your desire.***

**Avarada is offering a String on Liam to get him to do what he wants. If Liam follows through he will** **Mark Experience.**

**Liam**: **He just looks down. The hallucinations are making him really want to just toss caution to the wind and tell Shane how he really feels, but all the strange things that have happened the passed few days have made him hesitant to try anything.** ...He's out of my league.

**Avarada**: **The silhouette of Shane rushes away and Avarada is suddenly in its place.** ***He is a mere human. You have become so much more. Everything you want is within your reach, Liam. Nothing exceeds your grasp.*** **His voice rumbles and becomes deep.** ***SO TAKE IT. Take it all. You saved his life. What more could he require?***

**Liam**: **He nods slowly.** You're right... I'll never have a chance with him if I don't try. **He nods again and pulls his knees up to his chest.**

**Avarada**: **He slowly fades away, his glimmering eyes remaining for a moment before they vanish.**

**Shane**: Huh? **He opens his eyes and stretches.** You say something Liam? **He looks around, the room seems darker than is should be.**

**Liam**: Huh, oh... Um... Was just mumbling to myself. I think I woke myself up with my sleep talking... **He looks around, he doesn't actually talk in his sleep, but he figures it's a good enough excuse.**

**Chris**: **He yawns and says groggily.** You talk in your sleep?

**Liam**: ...Yeah... Sometimes. **He looks back at Shane.** I think we slept a lot longer than we should've.

**Shane**: Damn, you're probably right. **He stands up. He notices that, in addition to the room being dark, the hospital is strangely quiet too.**

**Chris**: Wheel me out there, let's go see if there's any news on Odie. **He scratches at his arm a little and looks up at his IV, it looks like there's still a good amount of medicine in it.**

**Shane**: **He walks over and grabs the back of Chris's wheelchair.** Let's roll. **He pushes him towards the door.**

**Liam**: **He hops out of bed and follows Shane closely.**

**As Shane opens the door and pushes Chris out into it something seems off. This is definitely not the hall they walked through earlier. In fact, it's not a hall at all, it's a small room. The floor is made of solid stone, and the walls are lined with empty shelves. Ahead of them is a very short wooden counter, above it hangs a cloth sign that says: "Back to School Sale!" scrawled in black paint.**

**Chris**: **He reaches down the side of the chair and touches the stone on the floor with his right hand, to make sure it's real.** ...What is this? Did someone move us while we were sleeping?

**Liam**: **He looks back and forth at the shelves.** This doesn't feel right.

**As Liam says that there's a quiet pattering at the back of the shop. When they all look to the counter there's three strange items sitting on top of small pedestals, each pedestal has a number on it, along with a price tag and a piece of paper. Behind it stands a young boy, who looks a year or two younger than them, he's a bit shorter than Liam, and also very skinny. He has pale grey skin and dark rings around his unnaturally deep blue eyes that almost look black. His head is topped with messy black hair. He wears a black pin-stripped suit and pants, both of which hang loosely on his frame.**

**Keeper**: Welcome. **His voice is youthful, and he smiles a wide smile that seems to show all of his teeth.**

**Chris**: What the hell is this place? **He looks around again.** Where's the hospital?

**Keeper**: **He tilts his head, still smiling as he speaks through his teeth.** Whatever do you mean?

**Liam**: Where the hell are we?

**Keeper**: My shop. **He looks around, as if he has to make sure they're actually in his shop.** Feel free to browse. **He motions to the empty shelves.**

**Shane**: **He looks around the empty shop.** Let me guess, you're some kind of demon too? **His eyes fall to the Keeper.**

**Keeper**: Afraid not. I'm the Keeper. Were you looking for demons? Perhaps I could fetch you one? **He grabs a dusty top hat and coat from a coat hanger from behind the counter.** I have to warn you, I charge a a fee.

**Liam**: N-no! We're just trying to figure out what's happened, how'd we get here? **He inches towards the counter. Intrigued by this place.**

**Keeper**: **He stops and puts his top hat and coat back on the hanger.** Well you walked in through the front door.

**Chris**: **He sighs and turns his head and upper boady, looking at the door.** So if we walk back through, we'll be back in the hospital?

**Keeper**: **His smile fades.** I would think so. **He drums the tips of his very long fingers together, he seems perplexed by their confusion.**

**Chris**: Let's go then.

**Shane**: **He grabs the back of Chris's wheel chair and turns him to leave.**

**Keeper**: Wait! **He slides into place in front of the door suddenly.** Please have a look around before you leave! I promise to have something you want at reasonable prices!

**Liam**: **He walks up to the counter and looks at the three items.**

**On each pedestal is a completely different item with a number below it. #02 is a large red human heart, it hovers above the pedestal and is still beating. Center is #03, a ball of what looks like a black cloud of energy. To the right is #25, a large bottle of liquid that seems to be shifting in color. Each item has a slip of paper in front of it that details what it does and there's a tag with the price.**

**Liam**: **He reads the paper over on the center item.** This is pretty cool... Hey guys, c'mere look at this stuff.

**Shane**: **He looks down at Chris.**

**Chris**: **He looks up at Shane, then to the Keeper.** ...Alright.

**Keeper**: Splendid. **He slides away and suddenly slides back into view behind the counter.**

**Shane**: **He wheels Chris over to the counter and looks at the three items scrupulously.** You actually gonna buy one of these things Liam?

**Liam**: I think I will. **He's staring at the Dark Matter.**

**Keeper**: Ahh, the Dark Matter. That's a keen choice, especially for someone of your complexion. Shall I have it boxed for you or would you like to take it now? **He leans over the counter, grabbing the base of the pedestal with his long fingers.**

**Liam**: I think I'll just take it now. **He smirks slightly.**

**Keeper**: **He's suddenly ringing up at an old fashion cash register and pulls a receipt off of it, he quickly darts back behind the counter and slides the receipt across towards Liam with a large smile.** It's yours my friend.

**Liam spends** **2 Experience** **to purchase** **Dark Matter.**

**Liam**: Awesome. **He smiles and grabs onto the Dark Matter.**

**The cloud rushes out into Liam's chest. For a moment his whole body darkens, but then returns to normal. The his whole body is tingly for a few seconds.**

**Liam**: **He trembles slightly and then looks around for a second before looking to Shane and Chris with a smile.** That was weird.

**Shane**: **He raises and eyebrow at Liam.** I can't *believe* you just did that.

**Chris**: **He's leaning over the counter, reading item twenty-five's description.** I think I'll take this one.

**Shane**: What, *seriously*? **He turns and looks at Chris.**

**Keeper**: A brilliant choice for a man of your stature. Do you wish to drink it now or save it for later? I Could even gift wrap it for you if you should wish. **He smiles a wide smile.**

**Chris**: Might are well just drink the thing here. I'm not entirely sure I understand the cost... What are we paying with exactly? **He looks from the object to the Keeper.**

**Keeper**: **He's frozen mid-way through ringing up Chris's purchase.** ...Whatever do you mean? It's detailed right there on the slip.

**Chris**: Yes, but what does it mean? I'm not selling my soul am I?

**Keeper**: I'm not a demon, I have no interest in souls. **He smiles again and then looks back and forth, still frozen mid-way through pulling the lever on the cash register.**

**Chris**: Cool. **He reaches across the counter and grabs the large bottle of shifting liquid.**

**Keeper**: **There's a cha-ching sound and he's suddenly sliding Chris's receipt across the counter towards him.** I hope you enjoy your purchase.

**Chris spends** **5 Experience** **to purchase Life Vessel.**

**Chris**: **He pulls the lid off of the bottle.** Well... Bottoms up. **He shrugs and then lifts the large bottle to his lips. gulping down the strange liquid.**

**The liquid goes down smooth, like a strange combination of strawberry chocolate milk and apple cider. As he finishes drinking it though, there's a heavily metallic aftertaste, like he just drank a jug of monopoly pewter pieces. Despite this, he immediately feels better. Revitalised.**

**Chris**: **He coughs and wipes his mouth.** That's some weird tasting hooch. **He looks at the Keeper as he feels the effects flow through his body.** Feels good though...

**Keeper**: Satisfaction guarenteed. Satisfactionrestrictedonsomeitemspleaseconsultyourdoctorbeforeuse. **He smiles a wide grin.**

**Shane**: You two can't be serious. We've been here five minutes and the two of you just cave and buy whatever the hell these things are, for some bizarre cost, that we don't fully understand I might add.

**Liam**: Why don't you buy the throbbing heart thing Shane? **He leans forward, reading the paper.** ...Goor... Gooar? Goricaha's... Heart?

**Keeper**: It's pronounced Guar-r-r-icana. **He trills the "r" perfectly, like someone from spain or mexico. He smiles afterwards.**

**Shane**: **He looks at the beating heart.** ...I think I'll pass. Let's get the hell outta here. **He grabs the back of Chris's wheel chair and pushes him towards the door.**

**Liam**: **He follows after Shane.** Thanks for the stuff.

**Keeper**: We restock every Sunday and Wednesday! Hope to see you again soon! **He waves and smiles a big smile.**

**As each of them walks through the door they suddenly wake up, sitting in the hospital room once again.**

**Shane**: **He sighs as he rubs the back of his neck, he's a bit sore from sleeping in a chair.** ...I just had the dumbest ass dream...

**Liam**: I had a cool one. **He sits up in bed and stretches.**

**Chris**: **He smacks his tongue around his mouth, remembering that weird taste.** I had a dream I bought some jug of rainbow liquid and drank it.

**Shane**: **He looks over at Chris and narrows his eyes.** ...Please tell me this isn't the part where we all realize we had the same dream about that stupid shop.

**Liam**: The one with the tim burton-looking boy? I bought the Dark Matter. **He holds up his hands and acts like he's holding something between them.** ...Wait does that mean that actually happened?

**Chris**: **He looks back and forth at them.** ...So we really dreamed the same thing? **He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the receipt.**

**Shane**: Now I'm extra glad I didn't buy that beating heart. **He lets out a long sigh.**

**Chris**: Wait, did I actually drink a giant jug of liquid?! I thought it was just some weird dream! What the hell!? **He looks at Liam.**

**Liam**: **He shrugs. Pulling the receipt out of his coat pocket.** That's pretty cool though.

**Shane**: **He let's out another long sigh.** ...This is just great. Things just keep getting more and more retarded. Next we'll be running through video game dungeons fighting giant floating cats that breath lightning. **He shakes his head in annoyance.**