"Why?" you asked. "Because i'm me." I answered. A simple one, but the easiest one i had. "That isn't an answer" this confused me. How could I not? I've seen myself, I've heard myself talk, say so many stupid things I wish I hadn't, not say so many things I wish I had. There's every reason in the world to hate me and not a single reason not to. I don't, no, can't, understand how you don't see it. How was that not a proper answer? it's the truth, there's no way around it, sure, I can drag the answer out, if that's what you want. but it all leads back to the same thing. The reason I hate myself is because I'm me. Because I've heard myself say stupid things, because i haven't said things I wish I had, because i've been there when i did stupid things i regret, and when i regretted not doing something. I mean, of course i've been there. It's kinda hard to run away from yourself.
"What do you mean?" I paused, "Do you want a list?".
"I want to understand."
Elliot's partner was his whole world, but after Allan's death, his ghost haunts Elliot's dreams. Everyone tells Elliot to move on, but he isn't sure he can.
*****
It's been a year since the love of Elliot's life, Allan, passed away. Everyone thinks he should have recovered after that much time, but Allan still haunts Elliot every night. He struggles to maintain relationships with his family, and despite a coworkers interest he can't summon up the courage to date. Elliot is living for the past, because to live for the present means he'll have to live with a hole in his heart. But the question Elliot has to face chases him through his monotonous days: is mourning Allan with everything he has truly living?
[[word count: 40,000-50,000 words]]