Hello...it's me. I'm back! Like I said, I will not abandoned this story. Life got in the way and I have other activities besides writing sometimes. Also, there are some times when I am comfortable with what I am doing for my university assignments while other times I learnt the techniques of how to procrastinate and fight for a parking spot. Anyways, let's forget about what happened to me and onward with the story!

Getting up for work was the last thing Waylon had in mind. After all, during his 'carnival years' he was forced to wake up even if whips and hooks were involved. But this time, it is different. He is doing this for her. Kayla means everything to him. If anything happens to her, he would die for her. He sighs loudly before getting up from his bed.

He had forgotten how nice it feels to be on a bed rather than a concrete floor with his own waste. Or the sounds of the shackles as he turned in his sleep. It was different, but in a good way. But there's something else he is worried about besides his love's safety. He knew people, no matter what race, ethnic or gender would regard him as a monster nonetheless. How many people in this world has the same condition like him? He decided not to think too hard about it and steps into the shower.

He still thinks while the water from the shower drips down his large frame. He appreciated that Kayla and her family went through all the trouble to help him but what can he do to repay their kindness? No way in hell he is going to earn blood money like his previous job. Well, he mentally noted that blood money is the last resort if other plans did not work out. Yet, the taste of blood still lingers.

Shaking his head, he resumed what he is doing before meeting Kayla for the day.

...

It is not so easy when you have to wear a thick overcoat to cover every inch of your body along with something to cover your face. But it is necessary if Waylon was to go out in public. He had no other solutions if he doesn't one anyone other than his girlfriend and family stare at him with a mixture of negative emotions. The world can be cruel if it wants to. Can't escape from it but he hoped to get through for the sakes of Kayla. He'll worry about his scaley hide for another day.

For the first time in ten years, he is more concern with someone else rather than himself.

He proceeds downstairs to find something to eat. Here or even at a shit hole, his main instinct told him to eat. He was greeted by Mrs Harper who was reading the newspaper while sipping a mug of coffee. His footsteps weren't very light, which made her look up. She smiles sweetly, no hostility he could detect from her but he couldn't help it. Ten years is not easy to get back into reality.

"Morning Waylon!" Mrs Harper chirps. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," he nods slowly. "Sure did."

Mrs Harper decided not to press him further. She knows he's still recovering from being out of touch with the world today. Instead, she gave him a plate of bacon, eggs and some homemade fried doughnuts for his breakfast. "It's a shame really," she thought to herself. If he had an actual parental figure in his youth, he wouldn't have an unpredictable nature or be in a sideshow. But that's done. All she could do now is support him and hopefully see that the crocodile man have a content life. Happiness is too broad of a word to describe it.

She watched as he finish his breakfast within two or three bites. When he's done, he realises he's still here in the dining room with her. He clears his throat. Waylon is a bit embarrass from eating like an animal in front of Kayla's mother. Sure, it's in his nature but he at least have to give a first impression. People don't work the same way as he does.

"It's okay, Waylon," Mrs Harper assures him. "A man's gotta eat. You'll need all of the energy if you're going to follow my baby girl into her workplace."

Just like that? Waylon is still hesitant about the way he ate in front of Mrs Harper but he knows she's a kind woman at heart. So, he continues until he heard footsteps descending down the stairs. He immediately look up to find Kayla all dress up for work. He has to admit she looks cute in her blouse with matching pants. She even tied her hair into a ponytail, making her look professional.

Kayla wanted to hide her face, hoping the crocodile man doesn't see her blush. She has to say that Waylon looks nice today- No, handsome is the correct term. Even though he has scales instead of skin. Kayla would love to run her hands across his body to feel them. She greeted her mother with a kiss before doing the same to Waylon. His reaction is adorable with his pupils becoming wide but then he purrs in response. No one has ever given him this much affection in his entire existence.

"So," Kayla was nibbling on a doughnut before gulping down a mug of coffee. "Are you ready?"

The crocodile man nods slowly. Kayla places her hand over his large one to comfort him that everything will be okay. He doesn't have to let his guard up. Waylon could only sigh. Human beings in general, cannot help but judge what's different from the norm. He's not exactly an ideal type for woman or a man you would hang out at a bar for a pint. He'll have to be on his guard if it is necessary.

But what if he'll repeat the accident which causes missing limbs? As much as that disgust him...he has no problem repeating the same process if necessary.

...

How long has it been since he last saw a library? Maybe he had past the building during his youth but never enter it at all. Maybe after all this time, he finally gets to know the glimpse inside a library. When he stepped in, he was greeted by the cool air of the air conditioner. Luckily, he had his hoodie on to cover him from people. He's still wary of the environment despite it being calm and quiet with the scent of dusty ink books or the sounds of keyboards typing.

He has never seen so many books all his life.

"Impressive, huh?" Kayla giggles at her lover's reaction. She holds his arm. "Sometimes when I have a break, I don't mind reading all the books here. The silence is comforting."

The croc just smile. He knew this place is suitable for her. Now that she works here, it's like a dream of having both work and relaxation at the same time. He wondered when was the last time he read something. He might as well catch up since he's in a library at the moment. But it's embarrassing to say a man like him, almost going to be thirty can't grasp certain words that people of his age can. He doesn't want to tell Kayla this. It would be an assumption that he's nothing more than a dumb animal. Maybe even lower.

So, he simply follows the young woman to her workplace, behind the counter where another room was found. There, he was greeted by her boss. Like him, Kayla's boss eyed him warily, afraid that his bestial side will wake from dormant state and lunge at him due to his instincts to kill. Waylon too had his guard up. There is a chance this guy would call either animal control or the police on him. His eyes dilated, pupils become silts like those of geckos. He decided to lean back against the wall until Kayla is done discussing something with her boss.

"A-are you sure about this, Kayla?" her boss whispers to her in a trembling voice. "Look at him. He's got teeth and skin like a croc to begin with. How are you going to incorporate him into today's program? The children will be-"

"I know what I'm doing!" Kayla hisses into her boss irritably. Honestly, this judging before knowing someone is getting on her nerves! It's the twenty-first century yet people still are judgmental over the littlest things. She guessed no matter what year or time you were born in, you will carry out sins that have been passed down from the day humans were created. No matter, she will do her best to help him.

Because he deserves it more than anyone.

"I don't know what the hell you're thinking, Kayla," he boss sighs, giving in. "Alright, he can help but if anything happens, I'm calling the authorities. Do you understand?"

Kayla said nothing but watch the man in the hood leaning against the wall, waiting for her like a patient viper. A very large viper with teeth and claws.

"Do you understand?" he repeats the question.

"Yes sir," Kayla nods. Confirming her actions, her boss reluctantly lets her go to carry out the program with that 'thing' that followed her. Shaking his head, he had seen a lot of weird things in his lifetime but never a walking man with features like a cold-blooded reptile. Is that even possible? Did any researchers or scientist of the past ever encounter something like this? He decides to browse through the shelves, hoping to find the answers. He has one question:

Is that thing really a man to begin with?

Meanwhile at the far end of the library is the children's section. Waylon could tell by the bright colours of the area and the toys that lay on the floor. There's even a play mat with numbers on it if the children want to play hopscotch. The books for the kids were even more interesting. Back when he was five or six, he has never seen or heard people reading these books out loud. All he could here was his aunt ranting and raving about him, how he was Satan's bastard or that her brother dumped him on her without saying a word.

He wonders if his so called 'father' is alive at this moment.

"Waylon?" a sweet voice broke from his thoughts. It was Kayla. She looks at him with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, of course!" he assures her. "Just thinking how in hell am I going to help you. I'm not exactly a man with charms..."

But Kayla rubs his arm to comfort him. "Don't worry, Waylon. We'll think of something. But I'll tell you what we're doing today. We're trying to encourage more children to read which will help them with their speech and maybe broaden their imagination. If you're wondering, most of the kids are between five to nine."

Waylon blinks. He has never dealt with kids before. Hell, he was bullied at that age so he is sceptical about it. But if this is what Kayla wants, then he'll have to bear with it. He is not going to lose her again.

When the children arrive, he immediately stands at the side, watching how Kayla presents and tells the stories towards the kids. He smiles softly, admiring how his love deals with the kids as if they were her own. She'd make a wonderful mother. Most of the kids listen attentively or whisper to each other excitedly. He wondered if he could hear what they're saying.

'Kids stuff maybe,' he thought to himself as he pulls the hood further to cover his head. But then one of the kids, a little girl notices him and pads up to his monstrous frame. He swears she looks familiar. The girl stares at him with awe. Then it hit him!

"Mister Waylon?" the girl asks. Annabelle! The girl who met him while he was caged. Here she is, with the group assuming to be her friends or classmates. Waylon tries his best not to scare her when he smiles. His teeth can get in the way. But the little girl didn't run away. Without a warning, she throws her arms around his leg. The crocodile man isn't sure with the situation. No one except Kayla has shown him there is still some good in this shit of a world.

Unfortunately, the other kids now turn their attentions to him. Waylon looks at Kayla for help but she just giggles. She eventually walks up to him and placed an arm around his torso. All the kids did not have the reaction he was expecting. Instead of disgust or loathing, they seem curious and excited. Their chatters were becoming louder, only to be silenced by the shushing of the others in the library.

"What's your name?" one boy asks.

"How are you that tall?" another girl wonders.

"Are you half gator, Mister?" another one asks.

Honestly, Waylon has never been the centre of attention unless people are just going to insult him or beat the living hell out of him. For the first time, he does not know what to do. But with Kayla's calm personality and guidance, he eventually answers most of the children's questions regarding him. All of them looked excited.

By the time it was break time for the kids to have lunch, Waylon was left alone with Kayla. "They...are not afraid," he told her, still confused. "Why?"

Kayla stands on her tiptoes to caress his face in a loving way. "They're still kids, Waylon. They don't know who to judge as long as you don't hurt them. Once the schools or their parents decide to teach them, then that's when they can tell the difference. Right now, they are just curious."

"Still," he sighs, leaning into her touch. "I'm not used to it... Not yet in a way."

Aww, cheer up Croc ol' boy! You'll learn the ropes quickly. Funny how he's overwhelmed with kids being curious about him than people throwing stuff at him.

So yeah, I'm not dead and I will not abandon this story. University just won't stop giving me assignments and pop quizzes very week. So thank you all for being so patient with me. Someday, I'll write a lemon of this if you want it or not.

And please review. All of them mean so much to me!