Merrill exhales softly. Closing his eyes for a moment, he lies there, not speaking. I wish I could say, he thought to himself. I would give anything.....anything in the world to be free off this burden, just for a few small minutes. To share this....with someone who understood. I would do anything for that.

Opening his eyes, he looks to her. Taking in her features, her hair, her eyes, he committed them to his memory. Inside he felt torn.

I have to ruin your life. I’m sorry.

How could he ever.....ever hope to explain that? Finally, he smiles.

”Callie,” he says softly, turning the name around in his mind. ”It is a strong name.”

Sighing again, he closes his eyes.

”No.....not my wounds. I cannot stay anywhere for too long. It is too dangerous. Not since.....”

His voice trails off and he says no more. How long had it been now? Three years since he had had any semblance of a home. It had not been long after he had been turned out that the shadows first started to chase him. Merrill had found to his cost that it was not possible for him to stay anywhere. No matter where he went or who he turned to, they would be dead soon after talking to him. At the start, he had believed himself bereft of hope or purpose, always doomed to flit from one place to another, journeying from village to village, never really belonging anywhere.

It was then that the visions had started. Strange visions that he could not quite explain. Visions of a young person, about his age. They were born with a great power inside of themselves, one that they did not know of. This person, they were fated to do battle with an ancient evil, long thought forgotten in the world. And so Merrill found a purpose. Going from place to place, always hiding, always fleeing from the dark shadows that chased him, always looking out for the one who was chosen with this power.

Now, after three years, he believed he had found her. But.......first he needed to be sure.

And I do not know yet which side she will stand on. Swallowing, he pushes the thought to one side. There would be time for that later.

”My wounds are not so bad,” his eyes continue to look to her as he speaks. ”Will you meet me outside the village at sundown tonight? Will you trust me?”

Looking to her intently, Merrill waits for her answer.