"If I were you I wouldn't have done that."

Ray furrows his brows, totally unamused by my decision to get into the water. His twenty-minute-long story of a sea monster lying beneath the roaring waves of the deep blue sea, waiting for its prompt to drag me down to my very doom if I ever decide to invade its territory, has already gone in vain.

"I said no for a reason. But you never listen," he continues as his gaze returns to the dark horizon.

My eyes settle back on the salty water rings circling my ankles, shimmering like crystal dust under the pale moonlight.

The deep dark sea, solemn as it always is, expands beyond the horizon, appearing to be one lengthy blanket of dark blues and greens.

The cold evening breeze, carrying the pristine scent of the ocean, graces my bare skin every now and then.

I feel my body shudder furiously as I try to stop my teeth from chattering. Being drenched or getting exposed to the cold midnight breeze afterwards was not on my wish list for tonight.

He must have noticed me shifting uneasily on the slimy rock we sit on, as his arms snake around me in an attempt to drag me into a warm hug.

Unlike any other time, I recoil under his touch.

Despite my hesitant moves, he wraps me up with his warm body. In his familiar embrace, it doesn't feel chilly anymore.

Resting on his chest, I can clearly hear his heartbeat, still a little erratic from all the swimming—or I guess it's just how the anatomy of a beast is.

Drawing circles on my back, he murmurs sweet nothings to calm me down. "It's alright. You're safe now."

When I first step into the frosty salty water, I don't expect to be gulped down by it. All it takes is a good two minutes for everything to go south as an angry swirl of water grabs at me, dashing me with it.

I don't know how I manage to make it out from there. I think I am going to get added to the souvenir collection down there. Just a wild guess—it probably has something to do with the green-eyed young man sitting beside me.

If the rational part of my brain were still on board, it would have commanded me to do anything but cuddle a beast—especially now that I am enlightened about his true nature and capabilities. And considering the fact that he never once bothered to disclose his secrets to me, until I nearly met my ultimate demise in his territory.

Yet, all I seem to be doing is melting even further into the much-needed warmth I am receiving from him. His heartbeat in my ears lulls me like some peculiar lullaby

When Ray brings up the story of the 'Light Beast,' which lurks under the ivory waves of the east coast sea at midnight, scaring the living daylights out of any soul who encounters it, what he doesn't expect from me is to come here tonight.

Upon hearing the stories and, of course, after some quick online searches, I know the Light Beast could be quite the sight for my nerdy eyes. As the resources say, it has ten arms, two heads, and a spiky tail. Pretty basic, right? But it doesn't have gills.

What makes it more special than having no gills is its slithering body covered in bright emerald scales that wink even under the dim starlight. And that's what brings it its name: The Light Beast. And that also brings the myth of the healing powers in it.

Well, not a very accurate description I'd say, now that I have met the creature myself.

I assume Ray never realizes his description could evoke something unwanted in me—or my reckless nerdy persona, to be precise. Still, he could have prevented a disaster if he had spilled the beans faster.

He could have done more than just acting weird when I dropped the news of my expedition to the east coast, all the way down from the hills where we live. Sure, he tries to convince me that it isn't worth it.

He even refuses to help me in planning the trip, though after learning that I am not going to drop the idea by any means, insists he will accompany me saying it is for 'safety precautions.'

I even laugh at him saying how he would save me from a ferocious sea monster if it ever really strikes. Absolutely, the boy I know is a country child, just like me—born and bred among the lush green lands and misty mountains. And showing colors in the salty water is not much of our thing.

But in reality, he seems to have not much of a problem with it. He swims just fine—even managing that huge body of his, covered with shiny emerald scales, as he effortlessly weaves through the roaring waves of the mystic ocean.

And those ominous green orbs of it—or should I say 'his'? I see them before the sea gulps me down. So clearly. I wish I could unsee it. Upon seeing what I see, I almost reach the good heavens tonight.

"It's alright. It's over now," his voice soothes, complimenting the music of the coastal wind blowing past us.

As in any other time, it is him again, to save my sorry ass, to console me. He has become quite the expert in the subject, for having over ten years of experience with me as his best friend.

Risking a glance at his moonlit features, I can register those green orbs of eyes peering at me—his face adorned with one familiar smile.

He radiates the familiar assurance and guarantee of being there for me anytime. A beast but trustworthy.

On any other occasion, he would have teased me for being a crybaby. But now he holds me as if I am too fragile, as if I am so delicate, to a point I almost hate it.

He must have had a good reason though. To hide it from me. To hide from me. All monsters, born or bred, always have had.

"I don't really appreciate it that you kept a secret from me," I mumble, earning his attention once more.

"But, yeah, anyways... Thank you for saving my life."

He takes a second or two simply staring at me before letting out a long sigh.

"I didn't want to scare you off. That's why."

"Sounds fake. But okay." I shrug, still lying against him.

He sighs again. "I'm sorry."

He sounds sad. And weirdly enough, I don't want him to be.

"Oh, don't be. It's the fact that you underestimate my bravery that hurts me more."

I pout, looking up at him. It wins me a low chuckle.

"Oh, I saw how brave you are."

He ruffles my half-dried hair. It is all sticky and knotted from my sea expedition tonight.

"Dummy." Ray proceeds to plant a soft kiss on the crown of my head.

If tonight never happens, he could have remained just my irreplaceable partner in crime, my nerdy best friend.

"Now that you have met the monster you yearn for, shall we go back? It's chilly outside and we both reek of seaweed.''

He stands, dragging me along with him just to cage me in another bone-cracking hug.

"Let me go, you beast."

I playfully smack at his chest, not really struggling to escape. I am sure I have gone insane. I just don't really care.

"Nope. Not tonight." He chuckles again, his grip tightening even more.

Guess this will be my reality from now on then.

He, my long-lasting best friend, will be something more. Something more cool, scary, crazy, and amazing. The only true version of the Light Beast that only I will know of.

A company from the sea. My company from the sea.