Squeezing his hand after he said he would try, she smiled and spoke some words to him. [b]“Blankets. Breakfast. Blue. You have more things of happiness than you realize, Ezner.”[/b]

She watched him change before her eyes. It had been obvious from the start that he was struggling, but the closer they got to the house, and within the house, the more distant he became, more he slipped into the man she knew before. Elisabeth wasn’t going to let that happen. Squeezing his hand again, she leaned into him, trying to let her words pierce whatever darkness he found himself in. [b]“You promised to never be lost from me again. Come back to me. I’m here.”[/b]

Once they entered the house, the man with her began to race through it, pulling her along. Her sapphire eyes noted the effect it was having on him. Before long, in the room that was clearly an empty library, she stopped, forcing him to stop and turn to face her.  Elisabeth was there to help him and help she would. Her voice was soft, perhaps even a whisper. [b]“Stop. You are running through here…and I understand why. But you don’t need to. I agree – this place is much too large for you. You’ve been alone. You aren’t anymore though. I’m right here, standing in this house with you. You can feel me. You can hear my voice. You can see me. Ezner, you need to start understanding that. Think about what you were enduring when we first met versus right now. You found me. This is a good thing.”[/b]

She wasn’t sure how much he would understand, but she made a decision then and there, but remembered suddenly that it wasn’t her decision to make. It was their decision. [b]“I think that you should collect enough clothing that you can stay at my house for the time being. It’s obvious you need some rest. Once you feel better, we can figure out how to deal with this house. But that’s just my opinion. I need to know how you feel about it. But not now. Let’s get your clothing and go back to my house. Once we had some food and are able to settle, maybe you’ll know what you want to do?”[/b] Her hand was still within his, giving him whatever support and warmth he needed.