"Beyond, James, Beyond the borders. That's where the Boogey-men live."

"Boogey-men? What do you mean Boogey-men?" James pleaded with a beseeching gaze to Nory, that she would relent her teasing.

"The Boogey-men live in all the places beyond the safe areas. The safe areas are on the bed, not under it. In the Mall daytime, but not at night. Never in the graveyard. Cellars are only safe if the lamp works and there are at least three of you." Nory relaxed.

James tensed and his gaze darted everywhere at once, forcing his headache to return.

"Nory, is it safe to go in old Ma Bannerjack's to collect her pooch for its walk?"

"It's safe, but don't ever eat her home-made cookies."

James thought about the two chocolate cookies he'd had there that morning. His stomach turned.

"What would happen if I did?" asked James with dread in his eyes.

"Do you know what happened to the Carpenter boy in 1968, James?"

"N,n,n,no..." James managed.

He used to eat more cookies than were good for him. Chocolate, too."

"What happened to him, Nory? Did he die?"

"He was fattened up for the boogey-men and never seen again."

James blanched - the colour just fell from his face.

He turned and went back into the house, leaving his shake and chocolate cake behind.

Nory looked after him. "I wonder if that will stop him stuffing junk food down his throat?" she mused to herself, then cleared the offending items into the trash.

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