I heard Don set the net of fish he caught down on the floor by the door in a heap. He sighed deeply like he knew this would be coming soon. I brought the papers down in my lap, still refusing to turn to him. I'm confused beyond belief right now. How does he know me? Why would he draw me? How come there's so many drawings? Is he a stalker?

Questions sped through my mind like cars on a racetrack, never once slowing down even though I wish they'd make a pitstop. My anxiety has managed to fight its way through the blanket of serenity and it prompts me to bite down on my nail nervously. "You shouldn't do that. It's a bad habit," Don stated mundanely. I paused as I waited for what he knows I need to hear. I told him I needed answers and I expect them. Out of the corner of my eye I watched him sit down carefully on the same wicker chair he had been in earlier and it whined its familiar tune against Don's weight.

"Listen it's not what you're thinking," he started. I furrowed my brows, turning to him slightly. He sighed again. "I'm not a stalker. I can't help that I always happened to be in the same place as you. It's not like I could control it. Nyx, I've watched you for years. You're so beautiful and your time spent with the sea is admirable. You were on that cliff more than anywhere else it feels like. Each time I did my rounds you were there. No matter the time of day.

"You shared all your secrets to the water and I know it's wrong I've listened, but I couldn't help it when your voice is like honey. It's smooth and sweet, Nyx. Everything about you is perfect and day by day I looked forward to seeing you on that cliff." I was fully facing him, basking in the blast of tingles that I got when I was looking at him head on.

"Why are you saying it in past tense? I intend to go home, Don. And it doesn't matter if you didn't mean to always see me. Thank you for saving me but I need to leave. There's too many drawings of me for you to be sane. I've never met you until today!" I exclaimed, trying to find anger to throw at him, needing to put some kind of bitterness and rage in my tone. But I couldn't. I still couldn't unlock my other emotions that seemed completely trapped in my head behind bars thicker than redwood trees.

Don leaned forward so that our faces were only about a foot apart. My breath hitched and his eyes twinkled. "You can't make yourself feel anything other than tranquility in my presence and I genuinely apologize because I know you want to be angry. You are wrong though, I know you better than anyone. I know your secrets and each and every quirk about you. I know all about that little twitch in you left big toe whenever you're cold. I discovered that one when you visited England and couldn't help but stick your feet in the ocean even though it was freezing. I know about your breakup with Jessie Rogers when he took you to the pier and told you there before leaving you crying at the end of the dock for hours. I understand you because I've always known you.

"I know these tingles you are feeling whenever I'm near frustrate you. They irritate everyone, especially my enemies, but I can't help it. They come with me and whoever is close to me feels them because my power runs too deep. You're the first person that I actually feel self-conscience with. I've fallen in love with you over the years and I care if you think my power is too much. I care if you're unhappy having to feel nothing but calmness every time you're around me. I care because you're a mortal. Your nature is everything to you and I hate that because of who I am you have to be stripped of that. You can't be mad when I know you want to be and I'm sorry."

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes at his confession. I'm just too lost. There's so little context and so much thinking. This isn't possible.