The night was black, a void permeating the land and the depths of the cold water that stirred along the sand. Even if the clouds didn't obscure the sky, there was no moon to cast its light this night, or any other. This was his solitude, what gave him peace and made him feel whole.
Gentle waves lapped to shore, kissing the land they had travelled so far to find. He felt the sand between his toes, up his legs and back, embracing him as it had all his life, its rough texture bringing him a sense of comfort. This place was a creation of his own, never to be invaded by the shadowy figure that haunted the recesses of his mind.
Not here. Never here.
Footsteps sounded nearby, distant first, but coming closer. He didn't move, didn't need to. Its okay, only his friend, the one he knew he could trust.
Turning his head, he peered along the shore, searching for the noise, wondering where he could be. Seconds passed, then minutes, then hours all the while footsteps growing closer and closer. It didn't matter how long it took, they played this game before, in fact he would lay here forever just listening to the waves sweep to shore if he had any say. But he didn't, a fact made abundantly clear by the shape sauntering out of the darkness towards him.
Seeing it edging closer and closer was as beautiful as the first time he saw it. And the second. And third and all the others. He was a friend, one he could talk to for hours on end, a trait most others lacked, but not this one, no not this one. He wanted to stand, to walk to him, but knew he shouldn't. He didn't like that.
After nearly another hour it had finally made its way over to him and laid down beside his still form. They sat in silence for a while, staring up at the empty sky. He wanted to speak, to break this unbearable silence, but didn't know how. Something about this night was different.
He searched his mind, trying to recall exactly what his friend had told him last time, but came up with nothing. Suddenly a voice broke the silence.
"You're trying to remember?" he asked, his voice soothing to his distraught ears.
"Yes… I've tried so hard, but there's nothing," he felt water welling in his eyes," s-sometimes I feel useless. Why do you even bother with me?"
"It's okay, child, don't blame yourself. Deep down you know why I chose you and there's nothing you can say or do that will ever make me stop loving you, you know that,"
He could feel his hand intertwine with his friend's, feel its warmth spread into his body.
"If you would, let me help you,"
He meekly nodded his head and let it happen. Confusion slowly melting into acceptance as the knowledge flooded his senses and shed light on the landscape. He knew. He finally knew his purpose and it filled him to the brim with joy that he could help his friend. Sitting up, he looked out into the endless expanse of the now illuminated waters and laughed.
This truly was heaven if there was one. He couldn't stop laughing even as the distant wave formed and started barreling towards him, its approach creeping into his ears.
"You know what you must do now, correct?"
"Yes."
"Good, child. Remember that I trust in your ability more than you know,"
He knew, he wanted this moment to last forever, even as that great and terrible wave came crashing down on him. He would never fail them.