The night dragged on. Devlin made conversation from time to time, but eventually, he started to doze off. Myles shook his head at him when he started to snore, but didn't move to wake him.

  When Devlin finally opened his eyes again, the first rays of light were starting to shine over the tree line.

  "Iszit here yet?!" The cry came out a little bit garbled as he sat up and snapped awake all at the same time.

  Myles glanced to the side with one eyebrow raised and answered in a relaxed voice. "Nope. Haven't seen anything at all." It was mostly true. The only movement he had seen was that of a familiar little dog who had appeared over the ridge at one point to watch them. He was long gone by now.

  Devlin immediately made a face, seeming to have already shaken off his sleep. "What?" He complained. "No fair. We promised the old man." He jumped to his feet and scanned the treeline as if he could will something to step out from it. "We have to help save his farm!"

  "Yeah, well. I'm not even sure there's anything to save his farm from. Maybe the beast was somewhere else last night, but it wasn't here."

  "And after we stayed up all night to catch it." Devlin said dramatically.

  Myles rolled his eyes. "You mean I stayed up all night, and you snored through half of it."

  Devlin just gave him a look like he was being silly and grinned again. "Exactly. We stayed up and kept watch all night. I keep telling you. We make a great team."

  Those words should have irritated Myles, but at this point he just shook his head in exasperation.

  "Myles, I'm hungry. I think we should go get some more of those Sunny Sandwiches from in town. Those were amazing, weren't they?"

  The proposal didn't sound half bad. And the old man had at least paid them a handful of change for the work they had done yesterday. They could afford a couple of sandwiches.

  "Not a bad idea. Then we can ask around and learn more about whether this creature is even real."

  "Right!"

  With that, Devlin turned and started walking towards the road into town.

  "Aren't you forgetting something?"

  Devlin glanced back, brow furrowed, before he realized. "Oh! Hey, Myles. Carry my sword for me?"

  He turned back and started walking again before he had a chance see the way that Myles' expression shuttered.

  "Carry your own damn sword." His voice had a bit of a bite to it as he replied.

  Devlin turned around and looked at him as he kept walking backwards. "You're right there, Myles. I'm all the way over here already."

  That seemed to set him off just a tiny bit. Myles flew back into motion, grabbing the offending object roughly off the ground and storming over to where Devlin had stopped. He thrust it with a little more force than necessary into Devlin's chest.

  "If you want a sword so badly, take care of it. It's not a damn toy."

  Devlin finally brought up his arms to catch it.

  He looked down. "Sorry, Myles."

  Myles walked a few steps away and ran his left hand through his hair. A few moments later, he spoke again. "It's fine. Now let's just go, okay?"

  Devlin stared at the sword in his hands for another moment, and then looked at Myles. After a few moments, he strapped it back in place at his side, and painted his grin back on.

  "Right! Onward to breakfast!"

  It was still just barely after dawn when they made their way towards the town, but it seemed that was prime time for people in a small farming settlement like this. Even from a fair distance away, they started to smell something fantastic cooking from the direction of the tavern. Devlin was practically bouncing on his feet in his excitement to get there.

  They were nearing their destination when they heard some voices raised in some kind of work dispute. Myles glanced briefly around for the source, but didn't continue when nothing obvious stuck out to him. Frankly he was much more concerned about the way his stomach was grumbling. He had just been up all night and figured he had earned a nice breakfast. Besides, Devlin was practically chomping at the bit trying to get him to hurry towards the tavern faster.

  Those things didn't stop him from overhearing at least part of the conversation between the man and the woman.

  "You think I paid you for nothing? You took a contract!"

  "And I held up my end. It's not my fault that what you asked for didn't solve all of your problems."

  "Who do you think you are talking to me like that? You owe me for the money you stole."

  "I didn't steal a thing- you paid me. Maybe next time you should think a little bit harder when you write your requests."

  Myles hadn't even really been paying attention to the words until he noticed that Devlin had stopped dead in his tracks next to him out of nowhere. Glancing at his face, he was surprised to see his expression shadowed. Devlin was upset? Myles raised an eyebrow at him in question.

  As abruptly as he had just stopped walking, Devlin turned around and started marching towards where the argument was ongoing. Myles felt a bit exasperated, but he walked after him anyway, arms crossed over his chest.

  Myles turned the corner in time to see Devlin grab the collar of a man who standing over a young woman and yank him backwards. In that half a second, he registered three things. First, he had no idea who the man was. Second, he was pretty sure he recognized the girl as one who had been in the tavern the day before. And lastly, though most notably, Devlin was about to get them in trouble. Again.

  Both of the strangers looked properly shocked at the intrusion as Devlin threw the man back and faced him down. He looked up from beneath the hair that had fallen in his eyes and let out a tense, "You."

  The girl recovered first and tried to speak-"What are you doing here? This is none of your business!"

  Was this the girl Devlin said he met the other day? Myles wondered. Was that why he was getting so worked up? But Devlin didn't even so much as glance in her direction.

  The man spoke next. "Do I know you, kid? You're going to regret putting your hands on me."

  Myles took a few steps closer so that he could step in if necessary. Not that he was even sure what he would be stepping in to do. But he was fairly sure that picking a fight with one of the local farmers was not going to end well.

  Devlin's intonation was as serious as Myles had ever heard it. He was practically growling. "I know your voice. You're the one who hurt Scout."

  In less than a moment, the whole situation became crystal clear. Myles took it back. There was no preventing this from turning into a mess.

  "What the hell are you yapping about kid? I ain't even ever seen you before. You're interrupting my private business. Get lost before you make me real mad."

  "Real mad? Real Mad!?" Devlin was getting more worked up. The girl was backing away from them, wide eyes visible through thick bangs as she seemed to register that this might not have anything to do with her at all. "Do you want to know what makes me real mad? You hurt my friend, and you left him chained up!" Devlin's fists were clenched and shaking at his sides. His voice grew steadily in volume as he spoke. Myles had a flickering thought that maybe he should try to say something to deescalate the situation, and then let it go.

  "What the hell are you going on about now?"

  "You don't even remember him? The dog you left hurt, chained, and hungry!?"

  Understanding seemed to come to the man. Followed by rage.

  "You? You're the one who trespassed on my land, and stole my property?! I'm going to kill you!"

  All of a sudden, the man swung at Devlin who ducked under his punch and then moved to shove him. His move threw the man staggering back a few steps.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Myles spoke in a tired voice. "Devlin, do you really want to start a fight with this guy?"

  He answered though his teeth. "Yes."

  Myles sighed, and then leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He knew the smarter thing would be to get out of there. But he kind of liked the dog too. He would have Devlin's back.

  While Devlin was looking at Myles, the man walked up to him and grabbed him by the neck. The man was no trained fighter, but he wasn't small. It was clear that the hours he spent working in the fields all day had made him strong. Devlin grabbed at the hands around his throat as he was lifted up onto his toes. Kicking his feet didn't get the man to loosen his grip.

  Myles didn't step in. He had seen Devlin fight. He could handle himself if he took this seriously.

  Devlin brought his feet up towards the man's shoulders and threw all of his weight backwards. The move sent both of them tumbling away from the alcove they had been in and sprawling out onto the street. Devlin was on his feet almost immediately, but somehow the farmer grabbed onto the belt he always wore strapped over one shoulder and used it to throw him back to the ground.

  The man got up while Devlin got distracted by something. It took Myles a minute to realize that Devlin's knife had slipped out place, and he was making sure it was secure. Devlin wasn't looking as the man stormed up behind him, face turning bright red with anger and embarrassment. When he grabbed for him, Myles finally stepped closer, putting an arm out in between the two.

  He didn't understand why Devlin wasn't trying in this fight, especially considering he was the one who had started it. Myles had seen him go up against much more capable opponents than one old farmer. But he was slowly learning that Devlin never did anything normally. Nevertheless, he wasn't going to stand there and let him get hit while he wasn't even looking. He stepped in between them.

  "Are you the type of coward who strikes at a man with his back turned?"

  The man turned on Myles then, happy to share his anger with him as well.

  "The two of you, huh?! Criminals like you deserve to be taught a lesson. You think you can come onto my property? And steal my mutt? I paid good money for that thing! And I'm going to get it back from you."

  The farmer's words were all it took to have Devlin's full attention back. "Thing." He said quietly. "You called Scout a Thing!" He was shouting now, and Myles threw a hand out on his chest to stop him from taking this further. Even Myles was a little surprised by the look in his eyes as he glared daggers at the man. But, they were in the middle of the street now and people were watching.

  Before Myles could do anything else, a familiar barkeep stormed up to the railing of the tavern they were now in front of to get involved.

  "Hogg!" The man's expression didn't change, but he did look up at the woman. "You better not be making a scene in front of my restaurant, you hear me?"

  "Me? Save your yelling for these rats who stole from me!"

  "Hogg, the sun's not even all the way up in the sky yet. If you've got a complaint, take it up with the mayor. The sound of your yelling is making the coffee taste sour."

  The farmer turned fully towards her now, likely to give her a piece of his mind, but another figure stepped out behind her on the porch and crossed his arms over his chest. Hogg's lip curled further, but he didn't take another step forward.

  "Walk away, Hogg. Don't make a scene in the middle of town."

  The farmer, Hogg, narrowed his eyes on the man behind her and clenched his fists. There was a tense moment as everyone watched to see what he would do. But then he backed down and turned back to point a finger at Myles and Devlin. "Listen here. You think you can just walk into town and take advantage of me? Either I get my money and my dog back, or you'll wish you never stepped foot in this town."

  With that last parting statement, the farmer stormed off. Myles relaxed from his position in front of Devlin, who still had his eyes narrowed at the man's retreating figure, and stood with his arms crossed.

  The woman addressed them next. When they had first met her, she had been full of nothing but smiles and a friendly attitude, but her voice was hard now. "I don't know what kind of business you've got with Hogg, but I don't tolerate anyone coming here and starting fights in front of my home. Just because we are a small town, doesn't mean that we put up with anyone coming here with bad intentions."

  When Devlin finally seemed to process that she was talking to him and turned to face her, the anger had dropped off his face and was replaced with wide eyed confusion.

  "What? We just wanted some Sunny Sandwiches."

  "Excuse me?" The woman didn't sound impressed.

  Myles spoke up. "What he is trying to say, is that we apologize for any disturbance, and we don't want trouble." He stood up straight and pressed his feet together before bowing his head politely to her. When Devlin didn't move, he grabbed him by the shoulder to make him do the same.

  She gave them an assessing look before making a final comment. "Good. I expect you to keep it that way." She turned and disappeared inside the door.

  Devlin used his hands to dust off his shirt and his shorts.

  "What a piece of work." Myles commented.

  "I don't like that guy." Devlin said seriously.

  Myles snorted. "I noticed." There was a momentary pause before he continued. "Think she'll still make us breakfast? Or are we out of luck?"

  "What?! She has to make us breakfast!"

  "She seemed pretty mad."

  Devlin looked crestfallen. "But I only fought him a little bit. And he started it!"

  "You only fought him a little bit? Is that what you're calling it? I've seen you fight for real. You could have easily taken that guy. You let him push you around."

  "You're not supposed to fight for real against people who can't fight back. But I had to stand up for my friend."

  "Scout, you mean."

  "Obviously."

  Myles shook his head, but he couldn't help the way his lips curled up just enough to reveal a hint of the dimple in his left cheek. It made sense that Devlin, the boy who attempted to fight every man, horse, and tree he ever met, would come to that conclusion. All of that just to stand up for a dog in the only way he knew how.

  "Well, we won't know whether they're going to let us in until they kick us out." Myles motioned Devlin towards the tavern and started taking steps towards it.

  They got some suspicious looks from the other patrons upon their entrance, but after the barkeep glanced at them and moved on with her work, the attention seemed to fade a bit. They were still relegated to a small table in the corner, though neither of them would complain. They sat there for a short while before she finally came around and asked them what she could get them to drink.

  When Daph came back with some waters, she had a pair of Sunny Sandwiches already plated to set in front of them as well. Devlin looked like she had just made his week. Myles simply let out a gruff thanks.

  "How's old man Len doing?" She asked them shortly.

  "He's great!" Devlin answered. "And he's a great cook too! Almost as good as you!"

  She turned to the side a little at the praise, trying not let it show that the compliment pleased her. "That's good to hear. If there's one reason that I'm serving you all right now, it's because I appreciate you helping him out."

  "Don't worry. We promised him that we'll find whatever is messing up his fields. We aren't going anywhere until we keep that promise."

  Myles cut in after that comment. "We heard it might be some creature from the darkside that is to blame? Do you know anything about it?"

  The barkeep looked slightly surprised at the turn in the conversation. "Look, I don't know what Len told you, but it's complicated. And it's this town's problem to deal with. It's really not something that travelers like yourselves need to concern yourselves with. But if you want I guess I can share a little with you since you're out there working in the fields. It's not like you haven't seen some of the damage.

  "The truth is, there are a lot of different opinions about what has been causing the problems. It's not just the fields. We've had cows and pigs go missing and had equipment destroyed. A few folks claim they've seen tracks in the mud that were way too big. Others are still pretty sure it's just a plague affecting our crops or something else going on. I'm sure you all saw those strange weeds that have been growing out there. They've been popping up in the fields since the year started.

  "But it's like I said. It's being handled. The mayor sent out an official request to the army to send someone to investigate and a few of the farmers here have sent in their own private requests as well. I'm telling you so stop worrying about it. If this really does have to do with the monsters from the darkside, you'd have to be a fool to seek any of them out. I'd highly advise that you kids just leave the whole problem alone."

  Myles furrowed his brow. "If the darkside is as dangerous as you say, then why build the village so close? Have you had problems like this before?"

  "Most of the families who live here in town have been in this area since our grandparents and their parents lived out here. Are you suggesting that we pick up and move? This is our home. We keep to our side of the hills, and for the most part, that's always been enough."

  "For the most part?"

  She frowned. "Well, I told you that the Darkside is dangerous, didn't I? There have been a few attempts made to tame that side of the hill, but none have ever been successful. The last incident was when I was still young. A couple of kids broke the rules and got lost playing in the forest. Ultimately, it was discovered they had died, but back then, the village took up weapons and sent a party to try to locate them. It was ugly. Two more men lost their lives as well. "

  "What? And then what happened?"

  "After that, people were understandably very upset. The injured came back to the village. Many voted that it was too unsafe to allow dangerous creatures to continue to live so close by. They thought that we should have the army come to kill the monsters, and then clear cut the forest."

  "Bu that clearly didn't happen..."

  Daph paused for a moment to take a breath. "Look, it was a complicated situation and a huge tragedy. It's not even really my story to tell. Ultimately it was one of the village elders who convinced the town not to go that route. He was a parent of one of the children whose lives had been lost. He was devastated by everything that happened, but he had lived on the edge of town for his whole life. He begged the rest of the town to put a stop to the talk of fighting. I think he blamed himself for his son's death and was afraid of more people losing their lives. He argued that the creatures living on the darkside hadn't left the forest or attacked anyone who hadn't threatened them first, and that the incidents were due to our own mistakes. For many years after that, we kept to our side of the hill, and there were no further issues."

  "But you said that the army is coming here now?" Myles said.

  The barkeep's expression grew sharp. "You asked about this town's history. That decision not to do anything was before crops started dying and livestock started going missing. Something needs to change. We paid to request someone come out an investigate, but not all of the villagers want to wait that long. It's not a simple issue. I'm sure you understand. But again, it really isn't something for you two to worry about."

  She didn't say much after that and a call from another customer gave her an excuse to leave them alone at the table.

  Devlin was quiet as he picked at his breakfast.

  "Something bothering you, Devlin?" Myles asked. The boy in question looked up, and uncharacteristically, the corners of his mouth were downturned. For some reason, Myles found himself holding his breath as he waited for him to answer.

  "Myles, I'm going to go to the Darkside and find this monster everyone is talking about."

  Myles let out a breath. "That's all you wanted to say? I already knew that."

  "You did? How?" Devlin's shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Myles just raised an eyebrow at him.

  "Are you going to come with me?" Devlin asked.

  Myles was already planning on it. "Can't let you have all the fun."

  At that, Devlin seemed to shake off whatever had been bothering him and his smile returned at full force. Myles pulled out enough coins to cover their breakfast and left them on the table. With no reason to delay, the two of them walked out of the restaurant and out of town.