We have arrived at the beach.

I parked my car in a little space that was not directed at the sun. There's still no available parking lot here. I opened my door and turned to get the dog out too.

He immediately ran to the sand and I put my sunglasses on as I roam my eyes to the beach.

There is no single person here.

I guess it's my lucky day today. I will not be disturbed by anyone but the dog.

Who is always welcome to disturb me.

The beach being undiscovered yet has no cottages or anything so I moved forward to a cave-like rock formation and placed our things there. The shed it is giving is enough to cover three persons.

German discovered it along his way before. And he made this effort to make me come here to celebrate his birthday. Then I just found myself repeatedly going back here, even if it is not his birthday.

I removed my slippers and sat on them as the wind blow my white cover-up. I am already wearing my two-piece white bikini inside along the way.

The dog ran on the sand more until he turns around to my position and ran to go to me. His tail continuously waiving at me.

I offered him water because he might be dehydrated with all the run and jumps he made, but instead, he only lied down on the sand— his paw on my legs and his tongue out.

I caress him near the ears and he immediately looked sleepy with my touch.

It is my first time getting him out of the mansion, should I tag him along in my journeys more?

But I am always out for danger.

I can't.

I massaged him more.

If only I wasn't living a dark life, we can travel the world together. Together with German, Mark, and those people whom I cherished.

But I am. I can't escape it.

And as long as I can, I wouldn't let anyone be involved with it.

Even this dog by my side.

I grew fine dealing with this alone, I do not want to share my burdens with anyone.

The sun is still up but the wind in the beach is enough to soothe me now. But I couldn't just sleep here and put my guard down.

I do not know what might come next.

The dog after his sleep ate and ran again to explore the rest of the beach once again, while I remained watching him, the ocean, and the sunset.

Smiling everytime the dog turns his back infront of the ocean just to look at me here, and smile with his tongue down on the side. I let little smiles escape my lips too.

No one is watching, so I am allowed.

He is again on my side and I gave him a piece of pizza. He barked at me with delight. He then returned to the shore.

The sun can cause less damage now.

I decided to join him there and explore the ocean too, so I removed my cover-up and placed it properly on the mat.

He sat on the sand, waiting for me patiently there as I take my steps.

I carried him and we both feel the water embracing us as we go deeper.

I freed my hold on him and he immediately swim to the shallow part of the ocean.

Not forgetting to look back to check on me though.

He is very sweet.

I stared at him knowingly and I felt like he understood what I meant as he continued swimming back at the shore.

Looking at him at this point seemed so ethereal.

I dive into the ocean together with the tears I allowed to flow because I feel so grateful and— so pitiful at the same time.

No matter how I mask it, I know I am extra grateful for how he was led to me. And all the other people who never forget to live with me.

But there is this painful feeling again that made me feel pity about myself because I feel like I am always— and will always yearn for more.

And how it wasn't possible to be given to me anymore.

I swimmed for how many hours until the sun was replaced by darkness on the beach.

I am positive that I would now go out of the water but the desire to go out of it heightened when I saw two figures from afar. There is no light around so I feel so alerted as I cannot see who they are.

The dog!

I swimmed fast to reach the shore.

It was already late when I recognized who German is with now.

I can feel myself shivering as soon as I remove myself from the water. Now embraced by the wind.

Standing darkly beside German is Remus. I have never seen anyone who can suit the darkness so much as he is now. And with the intensity of his eyes, I couldn't validate whether it is the wind or his obvious glaring that made me shiver more.

Seeing him here, dark and intense, brought that memory back to my mind again. That night on the road, he is also this dark and intense before he claimed me.

I discarded that thought immediately and fixed my eyes on German who pulled my cover up on the dog's mouth.

That is why he didn't bark earlier. He is with German.

I also noticed how my things are already organized in my car. How long were they here?

I manage to block any emotion on my expression as I walk proud even with the jarring gaze directed at me.

Though the wind is making me shiver still.

Or is it the wind really?

German's physique blocks me out of Remus sight when he walked towards me to hand me my cover-up.

"The night is cold Miss, you should shield yourself a little tonight" I heard him say before he turn his back on me.

But he didn't leave to walk, it seems like he is up on covering me.

I immediately wore it on me and German walked as soon as I'm done wearing it.

"I thought you are not coming?" I asked him.

"I wasn't supposed to, but someone wants to see you," he said inserting something wrong on my mind.

Perhaps Luther?

I walked directly to my car, the dog tailing behind me. I opened the passenger's seat and the dog fixed himself in it. I tapped his head gently before closing it.

I was about to enter my car when I heard someone speak.

"You'll come with me."