“You can’t tell anyone.” Jack hissed, checking over his shoulder. The alley, one of many in the labyrinthine city, was empty. Normally humans were never out after sunset but the Teddys wouldn’t be up just yet. It was the safest time and place to talk. “Not until things settle down.” “How are things going to settle down?” Tommy squeaked. “You killed that Teddy guard! The other teddys are gonna find out and we’ll be dead!” “Shush!” Jack glanced around the alley again. “How are they going to know? There were no witnesses,” Jack scowled at his little brother, “unless you’re planning to squeal on me. And anyway, we won’t have to fear the Teddys much longer. Soon enough the monsters will take care of everything. Soon enough we’ll all be free of the Teddys’ tyranny.” “Or everyone will turn you in for siding with the enemy!” Tommy whimpered. “Nobody steps out of line, Jack. Nobody defies the Teddys.” Jack smirked. “Nobody talks to the monsters either, but I just did that.” Jack’s grin dropped slightly as if he’d realized something. He gripped Tommy’s collar and pulled him close. “Hey, are you turning on me?” He growled through clenched teeth. “We gotta be together on this.” Tommy stared into his brother’s dark eyes, almost as lifeless as a Teddys. Most everyone looked that way, there wasn’t much life left in the world. Eating and breathing and moving around were about as close as it got. Jack loosened his grip and sighed. “Look, don’t you want to be free?” “Well, probably everyone does…it’s just not safe to think about.” Tommy said. “And turning to the monsters? I don’t know if that’s really freedom, Jack.” “It’s better than what we have now. Humans used to be in charge, Tommy. Children used to cuddle stuffed bears before bed and rely on them for a sound night’s sleep. And that’s how it should be.” Jack let go of Tommy and straightened. “I’m gonna call a council.”
≈ “Jack, light the candlestick. It’s too dark.” A girl said. “You’ll have to get used to it.” Jack’s voice replied. Tommy sat silently beside his brother in the abandoned warehouse Jack had chosen for his council. It was cold, pitch black, and hollow.
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