I Believe in the Boogeyman

Companions

Slight spoilers for Guardians of Childhood books, but only if you squint really hard.

The Guardians stared at the globe in shock.

"Is...is that her?" Tooth asked, looking towards you.

"It has to be." Bunny answered, turning to you with the rest of the group. "It definitely isn't one of us."

After a moment Jack broke the silence. "Well that changes things, doesn't it?"

After a while, the Guardians heard the sound of you yawning and moving around.

Bunny glanced at you before turning to the others. "She's wakin' up." He told them, pushing himself off the wall he was leaning on.

The group watched as you sat up stretching. Once you blinked open your eyes, they widened as you realized you were no longer in your room. Your head darted around the room, and stopped dead when you noticed the Guardians. You stared at them for a moment as you took them in. After a moment your jaw dropped. "No way..." You muttered.

"Santa Claus..." The plump man grinned at you as you looked at him. "Easter Bunny..." Bunny gave an awkward smile. "Tooth Fairy..." Tooth giggled and waved. "Jack Frost..." Jack smirked and bowed.

You turned to the smallest Guardian. Sandy smiled and waved. Your lip quivered as you leapt from the couch and wrapped your arms around the Sandman tightly.

The small man froze, confused. He pat your back awkwardly, the others looking just as confused.

You gripped him tighter, tears pouring down your cheeks. "Sandman...Thank you..." You whispered. "Thank you so much..."

Sandy's eyes widened before they softened in understanding and he returned the hug with a kind smile.

The others were still lost. "Thank you for what, Sandy?" Tooth asked.

Before the Guardian of Dreams could respond, you pulled away and wiped your tears. "For chasing away the Boogeyman."

Jack's eyes widened. "Wait...Miss-"

"Y/N." You told him.

Jack smiled. "Y/N." His concerned look returned.

"Do you believe in the Boogeyman?"

The others watched you intently, waiting for your answer.

You nodded. "Yeah, I do."

The Guardians stood silently in shock.

"Well...we know why he visits her now." Jack finally broke the silence.

You frowned at the mention of the visits. "You...you can stop those, right? For good?" You asked.

North gave you a reassuring smile and pat your back, jostling you a bit. "Don't you worry, girl. Pitch can't reach you here."

You breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Santa."

The Guardians chuckled at that.

"Call me North." He said with a grin. "That's Tooth, he's Bunny, he's Sandy, and that's Jack." He told you, gesturing to each in turn.

You smiled at each of them and waved. "Hi." Your smile turned smug. "I knew you were real."

The group laughed.

Damn! Damn, damn, damn! It was going so well!

Pitch materialized in his hideout and ran his hand over his face, annoyed. "No doubt they're going to keep a closer eye on her now." He muttered. "I won't be able to visit her nightmares any longer." He ran his hand through his hair as he began pacing. "My real plan hadn't even begun." He sighed. He stopped in front of the broken globe. He raised an eyebrow when something caught his eye.