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 Du get me number?”
He scrolled through to see she had called him several times. She just watched him silently.
“And why would Du want to talk to me? Du hate me.”
She stood up and came closer, barely an inch shorter.
“Look, I don't hate you. But Du close yourself off. From everyone. I hate men who can't be open and hide behind lies. Du just make it Mehr on the Liste than others.”
“So Du say. Now what do Du 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 Mehr than just a threat she had delivered.
”Why would Du 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 Du doing here?”
He dropped down beside her.
“I should be asking Du 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 Du feel is stupid, Tara.”
She smiled a bit and moved close to him.
“Will Du stay with me?”
“You don't ever have to ask. I will be here. And I will always wipe away your tears.”