Nimue Judith Requiem sat at the park, her head faced up at the dimmed sky. The stars were barely visible, but they were close enough to see the faint twinkles of their light. It was strange to think that even with how bright and intense the winking lights could be, they could be millennia in the past. That was Nimue's thoughts, at least. Her black Newfoundland, Titan, bounded after a lightning bug and through the park. He would bark at times when he failed to catch one but was quickly set on the task of catching another.

A gentle breeze passed through the trees. The branches and leaves danced while the wind sang softly. Nimue was one of the few people that could hear the song of the trees and sky. The night grew darker, and with it came the chill of shadow. Titan wandered back over to his owner, jumping up onto the old and creaking bench. Nimue chuckled, petting Titan and scratching behind his ears. Titan groaned, slumping over onto Nimue's lap. She smiled down at him, her hands combing through his long black fur.

Nimue looked back up at the sky, the stars now fully in view. They glinted and glimmered, shining down on the Earth's face. She sighed softly, mentally fighting with herself. She wanted to stay there for the night and watch the sky slowly pass back into the glorious morning light. Nimue loved watching the sunrise, because it meant she'd made it to another day. She loved watching the sunset, because it meant she'd made it do another night. She took in a deep breath of the night air.

Night air had a certain difference to it than day air. The night air was cool and crisp, filled with the scent of dew-covered grass and nature's perfume. Day air had a kind of warmth to it that Nimue simply couldn't enjoy as much as night air. Of course, day air had that kind of awakening scent someone couldn't go without.

"Looks like I'm not the only one that can't sleep," a voice said.

Nimue gasped, whipping her head around behind her. There stood a man. He was young and spry, subtle stubble growing on his chin, and his hair was cut short and spiked up. Titan turned his head towards the man, sniffing the air around. The man smiled at Nimue.

"Sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to scare you there."

Nimue smiled herself, chuckling, "No, you're fine. I've just never met someone else so late here."

The man ducked his head, a sheepish smile on his face. Nimue giggled.

"You're welcome to join me," she said, "You won't be a bother… if that's what you're worried about."

The man nodded, walking around the bench and sitting next to Nimue. She held out her hand.

"I'm Nimue Requiem," she said, "What's your name?"

"William Lennox," he shook her hand, "Just call me Will."

"Will," she tested out the name. She nodded, smiling, "You can call me Nim if you'd like."

"So what brings you out here so late, Nim?" Will asked.

"I come to watch the stars here often. It's a beautiful view," Nim answered, "They… they bring me a kind of peace unattainable anywhere else. Not even Titan can always keep me at peace."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Will spoke softly, "If it's any constellation, I can't sleep in my own home. I have nightmares constantly. They scare my wife and my daughter."

Nim hummed, "What are your nightmares about?"

"Uh…" Will muttered, "The wars I've been in."

"'Wars'," repeated Nim, "More than one. How many wars have you been in?"

"Two," Will said, "It's not the wars that bother me. It's the people I lost. I lost so many men to those two wars."

"How many?" Nim asked.

"More than I can remember," Will sighed.

"Have you ever counted sheep?" Nim wondered, "It works like that. Who you can remember, think of their names. Count them, and never forget their names or faces. Over time, you'll forget the pain. But never, ever, forget their names and faces."

Nimue stood up, Titan jumping off the bench and following her loyally. She left the park, walking through a cloud of lightning bugs. Titan nipped at a few in hopes of catching one. Nimue smiled down at him, petting his head. She turned back briefly to look at Will.

"Will?"

He looked up at her.

"Go home," she said, "Tell your wife and child that you love them. Kiss both of them thousands of times, and hold them close. I never had someone who did that for me."

Nimue felt the park entirely, Titan pawing along with her as they made it to her silver 2019 Chevrolet Colorado. She opened the back door for Titan then closed it behind the giant teddy bear. Nim hoisted herself up into the truck, shutting the door behind her. She ignited the engine, her beloved Colorado roaring to life.

Will sighed, going to his own truck. He started up the completely tricked GMC TopKick 6500 pickup truck. The ride was silent as Will went home. The words turned over in his head, again and again, thinking. Nimue had been right. Will hadn't been able to look his own wife in the eyes since he'd gone home. He couldn't stand to be close to his daughter without seeing her dead body.

He needed assurance and clarity, that's why he'd gone to the park. But rather, he got a better answer than what he was searching for. When he got home, he ran inside the house, waking his wife and daughter. He brought both of them close, hugging them both tighter than needed, and kissed them both thousands of times.

That night, remembering the names and faces of his brothers in arms that he'd lost, Will slept soundly with his wife by his side, and his daughter laid between them.