“Never walk alone”, he uttered. Pledging, security, and certainty. Living became shielded from harm. Coming at a cost, one with no final price. Gifted reassurance with the cost, so it seemed so just.

Payments to the “friendly” monster:

- Time at least 3 hours a day on activities declared by the “friendly” monster
- Belief that the payments were adequate for the “friendly” monster
- Faith in knowing the “friendly” monster has considerably greater knowledge, therefore knew how to keep any and all harm far away.

Tears me and the “friendly” monster worked as a partnership for greater good. No matter the cost, the stakes were too high. Or that’s what I accepted and believed.