A monster that could take any shape it wanted to. One that wanted to strike fear into its prey before devouring them. And children having to fight for their very lives... That's awful. It's terrifying!

"Where were the adults?" he can't help the surprised alarm in his tone. "Why didn't they protect their children?"

Has humanity changed so much they would no longer protect their young? Or did this monster consume them too?

And for someone to take their life to escape such things...

Just like the magistrate.

I want you to take my life. And if that is too much of a burden for you, I will cut my own throat and you can escape.

Bii's face falls. He can't imagine facing his own fears again and again and again until they drive him crazy with terror. But he also can't imagine ever wanting to kill himself to be rid of his problems. Humans are so... Complicated? Selfish? He's not sure he has a direct answer for that, yet. But he knows that these kinds of things, they hurt others. They don't take others' feelings into account.

Stan hurt Eddie. Whether or not he meant to.

"Did the... monster ever return?" Did Stan kill himself for nothing?