After all the revelations and general hub-bub of the last post, I really thought things were going to start happening around here, but it's as dull as ever. Addie's even more in the dumps than she was back in the city, spending most of her time in bed. You'd think all that rest would do her good. However, when I wandered into her room yesterday, she looked like death warmed over 'onna stick. I guess she woke up that morning with the start of a fever and cold sweats, so I watched her get progessively worse for a bit before eventually losing interest. To my surprise, something wonderful happened as I turned to leave. There, standing in the doorway was my old friend, Goopy Muck. I hadn't seen him since school! Well, not forgetting my manners, I immediately turned to introduce him to Addie, who just looked slightly more ill at the site of his oozing presence.

Suffice it to say, they didn't hit it off. She wouldn't even shake the poor little guy's hand. I thought it was shockingly rude of Addie to treat my buddy that way, so I returned the favor my leading Goopy out to the living room and slamming the door on her, giving her some time alone to think about what she'd done.

Anyways, Goopy and I had a lot of catching up to do. Turns out he took a job in the medical industry after school, and was in town on business. He wouldn't elaborate much past that. Guess he thought I wouldn't understand. That was just like him, actually... I mean, he was a total nerd in school, really. Always excelling in his studies, and making those of us who were just towing the line look like the lazy monsters we were. And that's fine. I don't have a problem with him working so hard and all, but he wouldn't even really acknowledge the rest of us or hang out with us after class. Like he was better than us or something. And I never saw the guy crack a smile. Never. In fact, he was looking pretty dour as I was sitting there talking to him, even though I was being my usual witty self. It was almost like he hadn't come to talk to me at all.

I confronted him about that and he just gave me the silent treatment, just staring off to at the stupid bedroom door like it was the only thing worth paying attentoin to in the whole place. Now, I'd had enough of that silence crap from Addie on her deathbed, so i just let him have it. The little creep never could take confrontation, though. He just squirmed around the place as I berated him, leaving a little trail of slime everywhere he went. Eventually, he didn't have any slime left, and he just sort of dried up and crumbled away into dust.

Eh... I guess outside of some coerced answers for my homework, he never was much of a friend, anyways.

Dammit, Pest, why didn't you tell me Addie was so sick?! Things are worse than I thought -- I'm almost sure "your buddy" was another manifestation either induced or caused by Addie's condition. Ironically, your selfish actions may have just saved Addie's skin when you destroyed the sorry thing...

Huh. Really? I guess that's why Addie only looked mostly dead when I popped into the bedroom this morning. And by noon, she was back out here giving me grief again.

The rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated, but not by much... I can't believe how bad I felt yesterday. I've never been that sick in my life.

The fact that Pest still seems healthy as an ox only makes it worse.

Well, Sylvie, it looks like matters have slipped beyond your control once again. Your naive notions of compassion are leading you back into the dangerous waters that nearly drowned us all years ago. Need I remind you of the monster, Rancid, and the chaos he wrought?

The parallels in this case are frighteningly similar. The beast is sucking the life from the host for his own dark means, which for now are merely frivolous. Soon, he'll expend her and move on to new prey, growing stronger and more ambitious.

I've stayed my hand long enough, but I find it impossible to do so any longer. I will end this affront to God by my own hands.

Diego? If you're going to threaten me, why don't you at least have the decency to identify yourself? This is nothing like the last time, and you damn well know it. That case was already beyond our control when we got there, and I tried my best to salvage what little we could. The girl died because of your pig-headed provocation of the monster, not because of some inevitable progression of events. You never could see past the easy answers.

If you're serious about ending this safely, we need to talk...

Diego?!

Aw, hell. If I know him he's on his way there with a sword in hand. You kids sit tight and wait for me.

So, that guy killed my brother, Rancid? I mean don't get me wrong, there's no love lost, but he was a monster's monster. I couldn't stand the pretentiously perfect bastard, but he was a media darling up until he was mysteriously vanquished a few years ago. Everyone was in shock that a guy that tough could get taken down by mere prey... I don't stand a chance if Diego's coming for me, then...

Wait, so his name was "Rancid Pendelton?" That sounds like bad cheese...

Well, I'm glad you can still crack jokes at a time like this, Addie. Hold that thought.

And Pest, he didn't kill your brother by himself. Although he won't admit it, he couldn't have done that without me. I halfway think he's doing this to somehow prove something to me. He always was a show-off.

He's right about one thing, though... this will all end soon, one way or another. I'll be there to play my part as soon as I get some things out of storage...