The mountain was quiet when he walked in. The place seemed eerily empty and almost too calm. He walked further inside and met a not-so-fun and very angry surprise.
“You're phone is off.”
She looked at him, black hair swaying and brown eyes flashing with raw emotion; something rarely seen. He slipped his hand into his pocket.
“How'd you get me number?”
He scrolled through to see she had called him several times. She just watched him silently.
“And why would you want to talk to me? You hate me.”
She stood up and came closer, barely an inch shorter.
“Look, I don't hate you. But you close yourself off. From everyone. I hate men who can't be open and hide behind lies. You just make it more on the list than others.”
“So you say. Now what do you want?”
“Your help.”

He ran the way her “magic path” lead her. If this were anyone else, he would have brushed her off. But not this time. This time it was more than just a threat she had delivered.
”Why would you want my help?”
“Look the situation is delicate and, unfortunately, you're the only one who can reach her.”
“Her?”
“Tara. She went missing during school. I know because I had the Resistance as her emergency contact. They called this afternoon.”
“Missing? Where to?”
“The place she goes often; where she thinks best.”
“..the sea.”
“Yeah. And she found a small cove that's hidden. I can bet that's where she is.”
He jumped down to the sand and ran over to the lonely figure in sand.
“Tara!”
She jumped at the sound of her name and looked at him in the near darkness.
“A-alek?! What are you doing here?”
He dropped down beside her.
“I should be asking you that.”
She looked back out at the sea and tears ran down her cheeks.
“Talk to me. What's wrong?”
“Nothing....I just feel like crying...stupid, huh?”
He reached over and wiped her tears away.
“No. Not at all. Nothing about ho you feel is stupid, Tara.”
She smiled a bit and moved close to him.
“Will you stay with me?”
“You don't ever have to ask. I will be here. And I will always wipe away your tears.”