The Time He Saw Her

The Fourth Time He Saw Her

The fourth time he saw her, he also touched her for the first time.

He had spotted her again, in another pretty dress. A blue one this time. Fulfilling his duties as a her safe he walked up to her. He couldn't help the light bounce in his steps.

Although, before he even could think about the way he walked, he noticed how something was off about her. The smile that had crept onto his lips faded as soon as he saw the giant bruise on her face, traveling all the way from her chin to her temple.

He stopped abruptly in his tracks. This gained him her attention, and she offered him a small smile. Normally he would have smiled back, but not now.

"I'm sure it was an accident. He was... not himself today."

She sighed. Dragged a hand through her blond locks. Tried to act reassuring. Although he saw right through it.

She made eye contact, but her gaze soon failed her as she looked down in the sand. Mindlessly she fingers draw circles and figures and patterns. He saw how she swallowed, hard.

As if acting out of instinct, he sat down next to her and wrapped a protective arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder.