Monster Move

"What do you mean you're 'leaving?!'"

"Claire, we've been over this. I'm going to college! I told you I'm not staying here forever."

"Yeah, I guess I just didn't think it would be so soon..." Claire muttered, voice craking.

Charlotte put her hand on the monster's cheek. Cold, scaly. Damp from tears. "Hey, look at me," she said, lifting up Claire's chin, "things are gonna be ok. Someone else will move in here and you'll actually be able to scare them now! Maybe they'll even get a nice new bedframe that doesn't creak so much."

Claire sniffled. "It just won't be the same without you." Tears began streaking down her cheeks. For a 6'6" behemoth of the shadows, she certainly was a softie.

"I know, I'll miss you too." Charlotte pulled in Claire for a hug. She felt the bulky muscles in the creature's back relax as she slowly lowered her wings. They stood like this for some time - just a girl and her monster from under the bed - embracing.

"Ow," Charlotte whispered. Claire instinctively let go. She didn't realize how hard she'd been hugging Charlotte until she saw the claw punctures in her shirt.

"It's fine, don't worry about it," said Charlotte as she felt the holes in her clothes. "It's cold out, I'll be wearing a jacket anyway." She paused. "Goodbye, Claire," she said as she grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

And with that, Charlotte slowly walked out and closed the door, leaving Claire to retreat back underneath the bed, into the darkness once again.