“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”

“Stories don't always have happy endings."This stopped him. Because they didn't, did they? That's one thing the monster had definitely taught him. Stories were wild, wild animals and went off in directions you couldn't expect.”

“What did he say?” Conor asked.He said enough to bring me walking, the monster said. I know injustice when I see it.”

“It is a true story, the monster said. Many things that are true feel like a cheat.”

“Stories are important, the monster said. They can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth.”

“Conor shook his head. "That's a terrible story. And a cheat." "It is a true story," the monster said. "Many things that are true feel like a cheat.”

“You know that is not true, the monster said. You know that your truth, the one that you hide, Conor O’Malley, is the thing you are most afraid of.”