Hauswirth found herself back in her hotel room, staring at the television. She had a sinking feeling about the entire situation, and that sinking feeling only got worse when she saw the news cast on the channel. Her face was shown, with the caption identifying her as a "Self-confessed monster hunter."
She sat on the bed, head in her hands, as the reporter went on to describe how she was "accused of being a vigilante, who hunts monsters for cash... or notoriety." The words "notorious" and "monster hunter" were used interchangeably throughout the piece, and indeed, Hauswirth had no problem with being called either. She was just doing her job. Shelley Hauswirth debuted as a television host during the day, but at night she and her cameraman Kenny would hunt the paranormal for money. Shelley has dealt with ghosts, demons, even mothmen, but even those couldn't shake her as much as the incident at the theater.
"Who was that masked guy? Was it even a guy?" She thought, "It was probably some loser who wanted to be on TV so he could gain notoriety."
This was nothing new, just yet another example of people wanting to be famous for the wrong reasons. She was sick of it. Hauswirth looked at the clock on the DVD player. Almost midnight. She yawned, and decided to turn in for the night.
"Are you going to bed?" asked a soft voice. Hauswirth sat up quickly.
"Yes, who are you?" She demanded.
"Just a friend."
"A friend?" The name slipped Hauswirth's tongue. "Are you the boogeyman?"
"You can call me that." The voice was deep, with a hint of laughter.
"You're not the boogeyman."
"No, I'm not. But I might be."
"You might be the boogeyman?"
"How we view things affects how we go on with our day, wouldn't you agree? If you think I am the boogeyman, then I am your boogie man."
"Are you a ghost? A demon? A monster?"
"I am all of the above."
"Well..." Hauswirth hesitated. "If you aren't the boogeyman, then why are you here?"
"To help." Hauswirth sat up straighter. "To help me?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Your show is quite popular isn't it? I've seen it. All 5 seasons. I've watched your show more than 10 times, it's personally my favorite show on television. However, you can only cover ghouls for so long, eventually... You're going to need to spice things up a bit... Something a bit more... Close to home - A mere man." Suddenly a masked figure appears from the curtain; it was the same masked figure from the theater, "I am what your show needs - A murder mystery."
Hauswirth was taken aback by the sudden appearance. "Where did you come from?"
"I just appeared."
"Are you real? Or an illusion?"
"Would you believe me either way?" Asked the masked figure.
"You're not real... But you're not an illusion, either. Are you?"
"I'm a figment of your imagination, perhaps. Perhaps I am real."
"You're just a figment of my imagination?"
The figure smiled. "Perhaps."
"Just shut up with your cryptic bullshit, and give me a straight answer!" Yelled Hauswirth.
"I am what you make me."
"What? That's crazy talk!"
"Is it?" The masked figure smiled under his mask. There was a faint voice, "You're only seeing what you want to see." Hauswirth's eyes were drawn to the figure, as it disappeared back into the curtains. "I'm glad this was our introduction to each other." The masked figure grinned as he left the hotel room.