“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.”

“Stories were wild, wild animals and went off in directions you couldn't expect.”

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

“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.”

“Stories are the wildest things of all, the monster rumbled. Stories chase and bite and hunt.”

“I knew it,” Conor grumbled. “These kinds of stories always have stupid princes falling in love.” He started walking back to the house. “I thought this was going to be good.”With one swift movement, the monster grabbed Conor’s ankles in a long, strong hand and flipped him upside down, holding him in mid-air so his T-shirt rucked up and his heartbeat thudded in his head.As I was saying, said the monster.”

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