Someone like me
Chapter 1
The night was calm and still with not a cloud in the sky to block the light of the full moon. Father Andrew was out taking his evening stroll on the beach as had been his routine for the last fifteen years. Anyone living along that stretch of the coast knew where to find him if here was ever a need. In all fifteen years he'd never missed a day even if he was ill. Occasionally he'd come back with a piece of drift wood or an interesting shell he'd scavenged from some part of the beach that no one had thought to look at. A few times he'd brought back wounded birds and nursed them back to health. However this night would bring him his biggest find and the one that would become closest to his heart.
He'd been walking for quite awhile and was about an hour's slow walk from the monastery. Lately he'd been walking with a stick he'd found long ago on another walk and to which the elements had made smooth and perfect. As he walked he didn't pay attention to the ground or where he was going as he was admiring the stars. Suddenly he stumbled as his walking stick caught on something not inches from his feet. Leaning down to inspect the large object in his path he jumped back and gasped after a moments look. There laying in front of him, at his very feet was the body of a young woman. Pushing his immediate shock and fear out of his mind he knelt next to the body. She was on her stomach with her face looking away from him out to the ocean. He gentle took an arm into his hand. "My God," Andrew whispered in shock as he felt a weak pulse. The woman gave a soft moan he almost missed it was so low. As quickly as he could he checked for serious injuries and finding none gently rolled the woman onto her back. As he did so she let out another low moan. Throwing his stick aside for the moment Andrew gathered her close to him and lifted her as he stood. Picking up his stick and making sure he had a good grip on the woman he hurried as fast as he could back to the monastery. With the help of his walking stick and being in good health, his body still fit he made it back to the monastery in good time.