Who's the real Monster?

Feeling some tension ease out of my shoulders. Inhaled deeply I looked up to see a completely cloudless sky. Perfect.

Walking to the edge of the building I took a good look at the island. The sun has begun to set. I wonder how long I've been up here I thought.

Looking down I decided to jump. The wind whipped and sliced around me as I landed on the floor without so much as a noise. Hearing a few gasps I saw some people along the tree line.

Without a care in the world I walked toward the beach. Going into the forest I heard the natural hum go mute with my presence. Guess this is my life now I thought.

Something wrong? Nightmare asked.

Normally when the forest goes completely quiet you should be worried I answered.

Why?

Its a sign that there's an apex predator around.

Does that mean all animals are afraid of us?

Yes.

Where are we going?

To the beach.

The big salty water?

Yup.

I felt Nightmare stir and I could practically hear Nightmare's thoughts. Keeping quiet as long as Nightmare did was my best option.

Reaching the sand I dug my toes into the warmth. Inhaling a deep cleansing breathe I saw a few people relaxing on the beach while others were in the water. All of them noticed me, some stared while others went back to their previous business.

Ignoring the tension that my presence brought I walked to where the wave of the water touched the beach. With the next wave I felt the slight chill of the sea water hit my feet. Looking out at the sunset I could barely remember the last time I saw such a beautiful sight.

You think this is beautiful? Nightmare asked.

I do and it is.

How so?

There are different types of beauty just like there are different types of love.

Knowing that Nightmare was going to ask for details I decided to answer ahead Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; it means people choose what is beautiful. In other words what's beautiful to me could be mundane to others. The basic different types of love are familiar (between family members), romantic (lovers, people you want to spend the rest of their lives together), love of objects (like books and non living things), pet parents (when a human being owns an animal).

Pet parents?

It's when a human wants to keep an animal as a companion. Did you ever have a pet?

No. On my planet no animal existed.

That's sad.

I guess it is.

You've seen my memories, some of the best ones are with my dog Taco.

I have and need to ask why did you name your 'dog' that? Nightmare asked with 'dog' sounding like a foreign word.

My dog loved tacos. I felt a dull ache in my heart at the memory of Taco.

I don't understand.

What exactly?

You loved your pet Taco, so why does it hurt to think about him after all this time.

It's called grieving, it's also a type of love.

Love can hurt?

It can under proper circumstances.

Meaning?

Inhaling deeply I knew I had to be careful with my next explanation. Love is both an emotion and feeling. Like I said there are different types of love. When the person or pet you love dies it'll hurt. Depending on how much you cared for them will determine how long and how much it'll hurt after they died. Some people never stop grieving when their loved ones die and that's ok to an extent.

How so?

In my opinion it's ok to be depressed for the first few years after a loved one dies. It's after the 5th year that you should try to find a way to live without them.

Why?

Because our loved ones wouldn't want those of us that are still alive to be miserable for the rest of our lives. Anyone who loves you will know that you have to grieve to find happiness again.

How do you know that?

It's just something that almost all human beings believe in. We believe that our loved ones continue to live on in our hearts and minds, even long after they are gone.

Hmmm Nightmare thought. I waited patiently while walking along the shore line. I think that's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard Nightmare finished.

I felt the corners of my mouth rise slightly.

The same sensation that Nightmare gives in comfort I felt go down from my arm to stay at my hand.

It's starting to get dark. I think I'm getting hungry Nightmare told me.

Better make our way to the kitchen then.

Again I felt Nightmare stir at the mention of me accepting the unification. Walking back to the building I wondered if I would have to cook and what would I make this time.

Noticing that the beach was empty. I wondered if everyone left due to hunger or to avoid me at all costs. Oh well I thought with a shrug.