He stood outside their brownstone, watching her walk off the stoops to his side before making g their nightly track.

The summer night allowed them to stay in their sleepwear (sweatpants and tanktop for him, flannel pajama and loose t-shirt for her) and sneakers.

They walked in silence as they walked to the corner of their block, turning right to a street with a bit of store still open.  Taking in the silent street with only the unfortunate and inebriated out and about.

They crossed the street, continuing their walk—the woman taking on everything with an eagle stare as if searching for something.

The man's gaze was on her. Sadly but understanding as they made another right.

He reached for her hand as they walked, and though she never looked at him, her hand interlaced with his as they continued their walk, crossing another street.

More silence except for the hum from the woman as they made another right.

He didn't mind the silence, not at all. He was happy to support her... To go on these patrols with her. To ease her fears.

The sound of sirens could be heard as a cop car rolled by them..and he felt it.

The pressure in his hand and arm, the trembling of the body next to him.

He ruled to her grabbing her shoulder gently.

" Breath Essence." He told her, guiding her in an inhale-exhale exercise. Seeing the gaze in her eye.. not totally gone but shook...

"Gotta go home." She muttered," I Gotta make sure, Mistral.." tiny bit of desperation slipped out, causing him to nod before they powerwalked the rest of their track back to their block.

He opened the door and followed her as she all but ran to her apartment.  Watching her tremblingly open her door and enter, heading down the dark corridor to the room in the center.

Before her knees got weak...

And she breathed in relief at her son sleeping gently.

Not hurt...not crying...not bleeding...

No police bullet in him, just her beautiful Tikal, sleeping.

She sighed, her expression relaxing as she heard Mistral in her kitchen..making tea for them.

Essence climb to her feet, heading toward her closet person outside of her son and hugging him from behind.

"Thank you." She squeezed him close, "for being here."

"No problem...I'm here for you." He reminded her as he always did and will.. as long as she needed him to.

Every night...Every walk... Every two a.m.