Nightmare's POV

I spent an hour writing and erasing on multiple separate papers. When one finally met my standards, I folded the note and grabbed the lily that I set aside. I walked to Ink's room. Silently opening the door, I found him sleeping. I heard that he disappeared with Error yesterday.

I kneeled next to Ink. I laid the note and flower on the bed. I prayed that he would find it when he wakes up. Before I left the room, I kissed him on the head.

I was walking to the kitchen when I heard talking within it. I stopped at the doorway of the room and leaned against it. Sitting at the dining table was Dust, Horror, Killer, and Cross. So basically the Three Stooges plus a Spaniard Oreo. They didn't seem to notice me.

Cross: I'm planning on asking Nightmare to go on a mission with me.

Dust: Why? He's our boss, mate. He's keeps track of all the bloody contracts. He might be busy.

Killer: Wait. Isn't asking an assassin to go on a mission with you, the equivalent of asking someone to go out with you?

Horror: For assassins, pretty much. Is that what you're doing Cross?

Cross: I guess. I mean, I find Nightmare to be really attractive.

Me: Cross has something right there. I believe I am a ten outta ten.

Dust: Bloody hell. We need to put a bell on you, Nightmare. No one can ever hear you coming.

Me: Well, yes. It's required to be quiet if you want this job. That's one of the reasons why you have it. So... Cross, you wanted to ask me something?

Cross: Um. Do you want to go on a mission with me?

Me: Yeah I can do that. We need to be back by 12:00 though. I have plans.

Cross: Oh, está bien.

He looked down at the table. I felt his emotions change from eagerness to slightly hurt in a drop of hat. I sighed as I started to make a pot of coffee using a kettle.

Cross: Nightmare. Today we will be going to-

Me: New Jersey, yeah I know. I was the one that gave you the card.

The kettle started to whistle. I poured the hot water through coffee grounds into a cup. I really needed this. This drink is always essential when waking up for the morning. As I leaned against the counter, I began to drink my coffee. However, I caught myself staring at Cross. I shook my head in discontent. After I finished my drink, I washed the cup and put it in the washer.

Me: Alright Cross. Ready to get going?

Cross: Si.

(Time Skip)

The jet landed in a isolated area near a town in New Jersey. It was the middle of the day so we're were going to have to take risks. Blue gave us our audio devices before we left but I didn't put it on because I always do my homework. Cross was listening to Blue, telling him where to go.

'You take a right in about two blocks, turn left after one, then you'll come across a circle neighborhood. It's the house in the middle.'

And sure even, I was right. It was a quaint little home. A very stereotypical paint job, I might add. Its walls were a pale yellow, a red roof, and the door was brown. A white picket fence surrounded the small front yard. This house was owned by a married couple that had four children.

'The mother must be a saint.'

I walked behind the house and Cross followed. I didn't hear any voices outside so they were either inside or somewhere in town. I used my magic to detect any presence. There was one. A fifteen year old human boy. I used my tendril to open the window slowly. We snuck into the house. I followed the presence of the boy into the garage. There he stood, towering above a pile of books. The pieces of literature were drenched in an unknown liquid but by the smell of it, it was kerosene. The young man had a evil grin on his face as he took out a match box. He ignited a match on fire and threw it onto the pile. The books were then engulfed in flames. Its yellow light lit up the boy's face. His eyes were dark with madness. Luckily for us, he was our target.

I stepped out from the shadows. My tendrils pierced through his body. They pulled in opposite directions, eventually ripping the boy in half. Cross put out the fire. I walked over to the pile and picked up a couple of books. I realized there was a pattern. Every single one was written and published by a monster.

'Must be racist people living here.'

I thought that until Cross came running back into the room.

Cross: Amigo. There's something you have to see.

I followed him into the living room. The TV was on and it was tuned into the News channel. The boy must have forgot to turn it off.

On the news channel, there was a man dressed in blue with a black tie. I listened to him.

Man: Several reports have been claimed around the entire country. It seems that protests have been growing throughout the major cities. Every protest has been recognized as racism towards monsters. Our reporters have asked many people about the cause of this but no one has been able to find the origin. Is our country's equality falling apart after two centuries of peace? Stay tuned because we'll be back, after this commercial break.

I stared at the TV, showing no emotion. These protests can become dangerous if they're not taken care of. Luckily, our entire town's population is comprised of monsters. We better head back. I have plans with Ink, hopefully, and I don't want to risk running into trouble. Suddenly, we heard the front door open. I grabbed Cross and teleported to the roof. As soon as we appeared on the top, we heard a horrific scream.

'The mother.'

I grabbed Cross's hand and led both of us back to the jet.

(Time Skip)

I adjusted the formation of the flowers in the basket. It had to be perfect. I felt a presence appear next to me. Ink was here. He was wearing a loose shirt made of a soft material and black bell bottoms. The pendant that I gave him was hanging around his neck. He collapsed to the ground and wrapped his arms around me.

Ink: So, we're going to be reading, like old times. Do you have apple slices?

Me: Of course. However, I thought that maybe you can read this time. Don't worry, I have an easier book for you.

Ink: Are you saying that my reading comprehension level is low?

Me: No no no. I just wanted to read something that's more laidback this time.

Ink: What's the title?

Me: Alice in Wonderland.

He became eager and reached out for the book. He leaned against my shoulder as he flipped through the pages. We rested against a tree trunk.

Ink: Do you want me to start reading?

Me: Go ahead. I'll listen.

He began to read the words out loud. While I listened, I took a few flowers out of the basket. I intertwined their stems to create an elaborate flower crown design. Ink was so focused on the pages that he didn't notice me putting the crown on him. I chuckled at his cuteness.

(Time Skip)

Somewhere along the way, I wound up being the one that was reading. Ink was eating the apple slices while he listened carefully to every word. I lowered the book to stare at the necklace.

Ink: You stopped.

Me: You really are beautiful.

Ink: Pfft, hell yeah. I'm better looking than Beyoncé.

Me: I'm being serious.

Ink: ..... You better be.

He smirked at me.

'You're not taking me seriously.'

Ink: What's wrong?

Me: ...

Nothing