The air was so dry and hung heavily around me. I was taking the discomfort inside my lungs knowing that everything would eventually be worth it. I would see her. I couldn't stand to hold my breath, I knew there would be no chance of me finding her otherwise. The night-time air was stifling and looking at my surroundings I couldn't believe that someone would possibly choose to live in this dry wasteland but the houses that were climbing up beside me told me that some people were stupid enough to make this choice. I just could not see how she coped and always felt concern for her well-being when I was here.

I had been walking at a leisurely pace since I had landed in the desert like place. Knowing that, before long, I would find her. I'd stuck to the shadows as best I could so I would not draw attention to myself, the last thing I needed was for my family to know that I had come here.

I had long since familiarised myself with the area so I knew where I needed to go to find her, I was feeling a distinct pull to her. She had been here for most of her life and I was glad that she was my secret.

I turned onto the road that indicated I was almost at the cul-de-sac where she lived. Looking around I could still see the lights on in some of the windows. People would see me and certainly wouldn't be impressed with me lingering in the area. I would wait, I could wait, I must wait until it is safe for me to see her. I could see a towering desert willow a few meters along the road. This would be my hiding place, like it had been so many times before. I was glad that it still had a healthy supply of leaves and spindly pink flowers that hung like tendrils. Even in the waning light I could see the beauty of the colours within the petals.

After a short while I had climbed to my hiding place, I knew I would be comfortable until the time was ready. I would watch and wait patiently.

I couldn't help overhearing the conversations in the home behind me. She had been here earlier in the day. She had played with the family's own child and the parents of her friend had decided she was not to come there again. I was quite upset at that revelation. She was only a child and was perfectly harmless; it pained me to know that she wasn't accepted easily with people her own age. Someone as beautiful as her should not need to experience this. It hurt me to my core.

When the last home in the small area had extinguished their lights I knew the time was right for me to approach the girl that I had grown to love. I climbed down slowly and was almost at her home in a matter of minutes. Her bedroom was on the ground floor, as it has always been since she came to live in this wasteland.

I could see her in her bedroom, I was still a house distance away but I could still see her. She was curled up on the top of her bed. She had fallen asleep reading yet again. This seemed to be a pattern with her. I knew it would not take long for me to feel what I had come here for. Only a few more steps, that would be all it would take. I could make out her face as it lay on her pillow, I could hear gentle whistling snores as she deeply breathed in her sleep.

I climbed through her open window, instantly feeling anger towards her family who had left her in such an unprotected position even in her own bed.

I could feel it already, my bright light and euphoria that had encased me on many different occasions before. It surrounded me, almost blanketing me in her pure emotion. I knew other people would feel this from her, but not to such intensity as to what I felt it.

I slowly approached her bed and removed the book, careful not to disturb the sleeping angel just inches from my fingertips. Laying the small comforter which seemed to live across the end of her bed over her sleeping form. I knew there was no chance of me waking her by speaking, she always left me speechless. I felt completely encased in happiness and knew that the smile that had blessed my face was due to her.

I could not leave her side, she wouldn't wake. I sat on the aged stool at her desk, surrounded by various cuddly toys and dolls. If I was able to form coherent thoughts I would probably have laughed at the prospect of people seeing me in this position and the ridicule that would follow. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be taken to the happiest place of my deep thoughts where I collected every positive thing in my life. They were beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed the elation that had come from being in such close proximity to her.

I could never tell my family about this. They would never understand. How would they ever allow me to be near her and protect her the way I always had. I loved her. The way she made me feel was indescribable. When I came here, no one knew. I longed to protect her. I knew she was special; she was certainly special to me. When I visited I would always sit here in this chair. Close my eyes and just dream the best I could.

I would leave long before anyone in this neighbourhood woke, before any signs of life would show.

I was preparing myself already for the separation and feelings of loss I would feel in just a few short hours. I couldn't let myself feel this way. Id waited months to be here, and refused to waste my time fearing the departure. I never knew when and if I would ever return. I just hoped it wouldn't be too long before I could come back.

I counted the minutes as they ticked by on the nearby clock. Just as the sky began to lighten I knew it was time to leave again. I would miss my angel. She meant so much to me and in comparison to every other person I knew, she was the only one who made me feel this way, this content. She gave me a reason to live and had done so since the moment I had first met her. She would always be mine.

I rose from my stool and placed the book that had remained closed in my hand on her bedside table, pulling her blanket a bit higher on her shoulders. A beautiful smile spread across her face reaching up to her delicately closed eyes. At that moment I felt another wave of compassion roll off of her.

I placed a small gentle kiss on her forehead and made my way towards the window. I longed to stay, but I knew it was not possible. I climbed out and turned slowly to bid her one more goodbye before I finally left, maybe for the last time, or maybe until I could come back again. I made a mental note to try and find a way to get more security in her home. There must be a way and if there was I would find it. I ran as fast as I could back to the highway still thinking about her and already feeling the loss as it rolled off me. I was glad I could always remember how I felt for those few small hours that I spent with her.

I would always be here for her, whether she knew it or not. I had made a promise to her years ago as I sat beside her whilst she slept that I would always look after her, I would always love her and I would always take care of her and keep her secure.

I would keep everything safe for her, she was my little secret.