A storm was underway- perfect swimming weather! I liked to swim out and watch the lightening. It never crossed my mind to go check on Ilaria since I knew she was safe at home with Massimo. No one'd be crazy enough to be out on the sea in this crazy weather.

Boy, was I wrong.

Swimming out with an excited smile on my face, I stared up at the sky in anticipation. But the sound of a splash nearby caught my attention. Thinking it might be a whale or something, I looked out into the distance to see a small boat floating there. It wasn't clear who's it was, so I swam up for a closer look, convinced it was some absent-minded fisherman.

So imagine my unspeakable shock and horror to find Ilaria of all people… in the boat…. alone! I'd be irate if I wasn't so god damn worried about her just now. This was the first time I recall feeling terrified and genuinely upset with her. What does she think she's doing here?! Where's Massimo?! He let her out on the boat at this time of night by herself?! Did he want her to drown?! Does she realize how unbelievably stupid this is?!

I wanted to scream when I saw her stop and reach out for a stupid buoy. A buoy?! That's why she's out here?! Of all the frivolous….! She's going to get herself killed! I would have pushed the buoy closer to her if I wasn't too busy trying to keep her boat steady from underneath. I swam over quicker than I'd ever moved in my life to grab hold of the wood. Ilaria was sitting on the edge now to try and reach the thing. Really?! She's going to try that?! How can someone so smart do something so outrageously dumb?!

What happened next was supposedly inevitable….

Ilaria fell into the water and very fibre in my being grew cold. Under she went…. and it was my dad leaving all over again. I could see him turn his back on me, the sound of his feet walking away and mine chasing after him, the burning sensation of tears rolling down my cheeks as I desperately tried to reach him before he left…. Before he left me for good.

Why? Why does this keep to me? What did I ever do… to deserve all this? Is this punishment for wanting, for hoping for something better? For daring to dream? Pain- so much pain. An unbearable amount of pain. I knew that getting attached was a bad idea; I knew I'd suffer if I let her in. Still, I couldn't understand why I couldn't get close to anyone without it blowing up in my face. Other people managed it; other sons had fathers who loved them. Why can't I? What's so wrong with me that I can't have anyone else? I was so happy back when Dad was here….. Ilaria brought me so much happiness now. Why? When does the pain stop? When does the suffering end? When is it my turn to finally feel good again?

With horror I watched Ilaria sink under the surface, watching everything I've hoped and dreamt for over the past month go with her. She'd leave me too; I'd lose her…. I was about to lose the one person who's managed to make me smile…. since Dad. This surge of electricity pulsated through my whole body, reawakening my limbs and brain. My muscles contracted unconsciously. No, I've already lost so much; I've suffered enough. I've had enough. This ends here. I don't care if she's a human- a different species than me. I'm not going to sit back and watch Ilaria drown in front of me.

Not Ilaria.

I then committed the gravest sin a sea creature could commit. Releasing the boat I swam out above her, revealing myself to Ilaria for the first time. She only looked at me for a second before her eyes closed. Her mouth opened, letting the saltwater seep in. She was running out of time.

Diving down toward her, my arms extended out. They wrapped around her upper half as I pulled her into me. I proceed to hold her against me as I used my other arm to help me paddle up to the surface. My first- and only- thought was to keep her head above the water, which was easier said than done. Leaving the boat to drift off on its own, I brought us both back to my island.

I carried Ilaria cradled in both my arms up to my tower. Then I held her limp body in one arm while ascending my ladder with the other. She was very light! I always thought humans would be heavy sort of creatures but it didn't seem like she ate anything. I was able to move with her in relative ease- carrying her well, anywhere was a breeze.

Not wanting to apart from her for the night, I carefully laid her down on the wood of the roof; the place I usually slept. She looked like she was sleeping- her face was peaceful and serene. I made sure she was breathing properly before letting out a relieved sigh.

Thank goodness, she's alright.

This was the first time I'd ever been to her so close. She was even more beautiful, more perfect than I could have imagined…. Everything about her took my breath away. Her soft skin, the tenderness about her face… She wouldn't hurt a fly; it's simply not in her nature. She emanates purity, she radiates kindness. God, I just loved looking at her, being so near her…. The most natural feeling in the world.

Her lips parted a sliver, making me smile with affection. My fingers stretched over to brush some loose hair off her face. When she wakes up tomorrow I'll be here…. I'll be right here waiting for her. Ilaria…. You have no idea… how long I've been waiting to talk to you.

Trying to be quiet, I laid down beside her, still smiling warmly to myself. I was looking at her lovely face until my own eyes shut. There I slept mere feet away from this human girl, waking up every time she made a noise or stirred… Just checking to see how she was doing.

To make sure she was alright and still close to me.