__The boy struggled to breathe, clawing desperately in a lame attempt to free himself.__

__"You fight well . . ." the dragon-like monster laughed a cruel, rumbling laugh.

". . . but not well enough."__

__It tightened its grip on the boy's throat. His vision blurred, and he struggled to breathe. Somehow, his fingers managed to wrap around the sturdy blade tucked into his belt. In a final attempt to free himself, he yanked the knife out of its sheath, brandishing it with a fierce scowl before plunging it deep into the - __

"Hey, Eli!" Another boy suddenly burst into the room, jerking the boy's attention from the book. A dangerous frown painted itself across the hybrid's features, but his best friend either didn't seem to notice or decided to ignore it. Either way, his face was bright, and it didn't take his friend long to drop the tough look and simply roll his eyes to give the impression that he was irritated.

"Silas? I'm reading."

But the green-eyed boy only shrugged, a shameless grin spreading across his face. "No, you were. But now we're the only ones home, and those perfectly arranged couch cushions in the living room are just begging to be fixed. Or? unfixed." His enthusiastic expression wavered as his friend's eyes burned into his own, prompting a slow retreat from the bedroom. "I mean, if you wanna finish your book instead, that's totally cool - " before he could finish, the distinct sound of a book snapping shut could be heard. Eli rolled off his bed, a mischievous spark in his eyes.

"Bet."

- -

"Aw yeah, check it out! Best fort ever!" Silas exclaimed proudly. He was content. But Eli frowned, giving a small shake of his head.

"It's not done."

The other boy's brows furrowed as he gave his friend an inquisitive look.

"What do you mean, not d - "

But Eli had already vanished, reappearing a few seconds later with an armful of pillows; two from his room, two from Silas', one from Gray's, and a very pink, very fluffy-looking body pillow that was no doubt Cecile's. The proud smirk? He was nailing it.

"Dude, yes. This is perfect, man!"

Stealing from roommates? Totally okay if it's for a good cause . . . like this one! Besides, they were gonna return the pillows later. But then concern! Because stealing from the lady . . . ?

"But isn't the body pillow your girlfriend's, bro?"

Eli scoffed, pretending to look offended.

"Hey! She has me."

"Oh, my bad - I forgot how gross not being single can be." And then a teasing grin! "We're still bros, though, right?"

"Duh."