The Water.

Calm, Serene.

The night is quiet. I stand on the porch, a lit cigarette between my fingers as I lean lazily over the banister, staring up at the sky as I sank deeper into my thoughts. I admired the stars, and the moon, just the cool and crisp air that would only come when the sun had long set. Countless tiny specks and shimmers adorned the tapestry that was the night sky, the moon shining brightly above it all. There was nothing out there for me, that could ever be worth more than this. This peaceful tranquility I'd come to call home over the last almost two decades, I could never bring myself to give it up for anything.

"What are you doing out here so late?" a deep, calm voice asked from behind me, accompanied by the sound of the screen door closing. As I turned to see who it was, a smile would form on my face.

"Father," I greeted the man warmly.

"I could ask you the same." I quipped. The Father. The man who saved me from certain death, my spiritual leader. I owed him my life, and our bond was unshakeable. We were never too formal or stiff with each other, he was much more a father to me than my biological dad had ever been. Never taking each other too seriously.

"Well, I'm an adult. I can do whatever I want." He says with a shrug, flashing his famous cocky ass grin at me as he lit a cigarette and settled down on the porch step.

"Well, I am too. I'm 20 now," I retorted, puffing in mock annoyance. He would just snicker at me, shaking his head while taking a drag.

"To me, you remain the little girl I discovered almost two decades ago-witty and defiant, a constant thorn in my side," he said with a chuckle.

"Hey!" I'd protest,

"You could have just left me there, but you didn't," I would snark back at him, a victorious grin on my face, as though I had won a prize. Caleb would roll his eyes, a smile playing on his lips.

"Well yes, you are a pain in my ass; true. But loveable none the less." He sighs, shifting his focus back to his cigarette. We sat in silence for a while after that, just enjoying the night air and each other's company. Yet, Cal would once again break the silence.

"Big day tomorrow, you nervous?" he asked, raising his brow at me inquisitively. I paused for a moment before replying, thinking of the right thing to say.

"Well, kind of. But I've been preparing for this almost my whole life. I think I'm ready for it. I think." I replied, sounding a bit unsure. After a few moments of quiet, Cal would speak again.

"I do too. I wouldn't be trusting you with this if I didn't think that you were ready." He stated, pausing again.

"As long as you trust me, everything will turn out fine." He finishes, falling silent once more. I only nodded, nervously glancing down at my hands.

"I trust you." I mumbled, stubbing my cigarette out in the ash tray resting on the banister.

"Good. I know you do." Cal remarked as I turned to head inside.

"Go and get some rest. Bright and early tomorrow morning." He added, and I would nod in response.

"Yes, Father." I muttered quietly, before stepping into the house for the night.

No matter what tomorrow brings, I must confront it.