A/N- I couldn't figure out how to create page breaks, so I improvised. Whenever you see ...O... it signifies a passage of time or change in point of view.

Vanessa walked calmly along the misty coast of southern Ireland. She breathed in the fresh sea air and wondered why she didn’t come home more often. She always felt cramped in New York City. Too much cement and glass for her tastes, but that was the price she had to pay. She had a photo shop to run. And where could you get better pictures than NYC?

Ireland. She missed Ireland, and she hadn’t even left yet.

Vanessa Williamson ran a little shop where tourists could have their picture taken and placed on any number of backdrops available. The ultimate souvenir. But Vanessa didn’t want to think about New York. She wanted to think about the ocean, or the fog.

In the distance she could see the sea cliffs rising into the sky. She ran a hand through straight blonde hair that fell to her shoulders heavily. Her eyes matched the sky; a smooth mix of blue and gray. The jagged rocks pierced the flowing fog like a flashlight on the night of a new moon. Her feet sunk slightly into the moist pebbly ground and she sighed, pulling her coat a little closer around her. It had just become a considerable bit cooler.

She glanced to her right, searching for the sea in the mist. Instead she saw a man sitting alone on the rocks, gazing at the sea. He was dressed strangely, but from her distance Vanessa could not tell what was wrong. Night was falling, so she returned home.

Her grandmother—the pure-blooded Irish woman of the family—had owned a small cottage not far from the beautiful cliffs and ocean. When Grandma had died, the house was left to Vanessa, and she used it as often as she could get away. Vanessa kicked off her boots and dropped her keys on the old counter. She strolled into the bedroom and undressed, reflecting on her day. She had taken a number of lovely pictures, and yet they had all been missing something. She shrugged it off, thinking it was just an off day. She was in an interestingly tired mood. Not exhausted, as she often was after a day of exploring, but tired.

When she woke up, the sky was a brightening blue and her clock read 8:00.

She stepped into her slippers and went to the kitchen. Brewing a pot of tea, she rubbed her bleary eyes. Had she really slept that long? She was usually up by five. Oh well, no consequence. She had nothing planned for the day anyway.

After finishing her tea Vanessa dressed and left the house. She followed the familiar trail down to the ocean waters. She would have to wait a few hours before she could call her mother; it was still early morning in America. So she would go for a walk and worry about it later. Slipping and sliding down the rocky hillside leading to her path, Vanessa smiled. She would never forget those childhood memories of playing near the cliffs while her mother fretted and fussed, and Grandma tried to make assurances that “the little girl is fine! Let her explore, Jeanette.”

Scenes from her life flashed before Vanessa’s eyes as she wandered happily among the rocks and pools of swirling water. She remembered the holidays at Grandma’s, making sugar cookies with too much sugar and leaving them out for Santa. Coincidentally, the dog had been named Santa. She remembered big pine trees slightly bent at the top because the ceiling was low, and the tiny angel topper leaning precariously to the side. Tinsel was not limited to the tree branches. By the end of a week of decorating, the shiny silver strands hung all over the house.

Then Vanessa recalled that fateful year that Christmas was not a happy occasion. A tumor was found in her father’s brain. Chemotherapy would not work, surgeons could not get it all out, and the cancer continued to spread. Daniel Williamson died on December 24th at 10:37 p.m., with the family crowded around the hospital bed, saying their last goodbyes, as they knew it was the end. Christmas that year dawned cold and dreary—the sun refused to shine.

Vanessa still missed her father sometimes. Distracted, she slipped and almost fell into a large puddle. She caught herself and recalled a time that he had saved her from a similar fate. Dad’s arms were always there to catch her if she fell.

She kicked a stone idly and it skipped away, landing some distance in front of her. Vanessa’s gaze was drawn upward, focusing on the horizon. That man—the same one she had seen the day before—was sitting on a rock again, though this boulder was smaller and closer to the water. Vanessa quietly moved forward, trying to get a closer look at him. Why did his form look so strange? It seemed… stiff.

Just as she was getting close enough to distinguish some details, a cloud of fog passed between them. When it cleared, the man was gone. Vanessa scanned the shoreline desperately. Where did he go? He couldn’t just vanish! It was humanly impossible! He had to be somewhere… Oh no, maybe he fell!

She rushed forward to where the water met the land, and looked around frantically. There was no one there. Perhaps there never was. Could she have imagined him? Maybe she was just lonely. It was her subconscious, conveying an image of what she wanted. Vanessa shook her head. No, she had absolutely positively seen him! So where had he gone?

Continuing slowly on her walk, she tried to dismiss it from her mind. She had seen the man twice, and neither time was able to look at him face to face. Vanessa sighed, pushing it from her thoughts. Instead, she thought about how pretty the water was with shafts of sunlight breaking through the clouds to shine upon it. On that thought she finished her walk and went back to the house.

Stepping inside to darkness, she decided she needed a dog. It was not a pleasant feeling to come home to darkness and silence. After flipping a light switch, Vanessa gasped. The place was trashed. Plates and silverware were strewn all over the kitchen, and food poured out the open refrigerator door. Clothes littered the floor leading from the bedroom and toilet paper hung from all the chairs and doors. Crossing to the phone—off the hook, of course—she shook with fear and anger. Yes, oh yes! She needed a dog. A fleeting thought passed through her mind. Is the vandal still here? She dismissed the notion as the operator spoke in her ear, directing her to the police.

She was told not to touch anything, but it irked her to stare at the shattered glass all over her floor. She just could not fathom why anyone would break into the house! There was really nothing of value around, and it was in the middle of nowhere. Why would someone choose that house to destroy?

Vanessa sighed and realized once again just how quiet it really was. The serenity had always calmed her before, but just then it annoyed her to pieces. She resolved to go to the closest animal shelter and find a pet, as soon as she was done cleaning up. Just then the doorbell rang, and she opened it to a policeman. She let him in and watched him as he surveyed the damage.

“Has anything been stolen?”

“Nothing that I can see. My clothes are scattered on the floor, but they seem to be all there. My clock and the kitchen utensils are the only other things I brought with me.”

“You do not live here year-round?”

“No. I live in America.”

“I see.” The man had a thick Irish brogue that made Vanessa smile, despite the condition of her temporary home. “May I look around?”

“Do what you want. Would you like some tea?”

“No thank you.”

He took his time in the kitchen and then disappeared into her bedroom. He was in there quite a while. In the mean-time, Vanessa found an unbroken mug and some tea, heating it in the microwave. It was not as good as tea made with boiled water, but it was a taste in her mouth besides bitterness. She watched the officer as he left her bedroom and went into the study. Vanessa had never needed it, so it hadn’t been opened since her grandmother’s death. When he called her in she followed his voice, careful not to step on glass.

“Yes?” she asked upon entering.

“What is this?” He pointed to a tall box in the center of the room. Vanessa’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I have no idea. I’ve never seen it before.”

She moved forward, but he put a hand out to stop her.

“I wouldn’t. It could be something dangerous.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, please.”

Vanessa stepped up to the box. As she did so, she thought she heard a faint beating sound. Could it be the policeman was right? Was it a bomb? Vanessa chided herself and realized it was only the beating of her heart. She sent the officer behind her an assured look and smiled, just to remind them both she was sure of what she was doing. Vanessa slowly pierced the tape seal with a fingernail and sliced the wrapping open. The sides of the box fell open immediately and she stared at what was revealed.

“What is it?” came the voice behind her.

“It’s… wow.”

He came up behind her and looked over her shoulder. “Is that a—”

“A Bible.”

Before them stood a tall, carved book-stand. It was ornate and beautiful, and on it lay a large book with a hardened leather cover. A cross was engraved on the front, revealing a darker material underneath. Gold caps graced the corners, and small red jewels were placed at each point on the cross.

“Could you please leave me alone a moment?” Vanessa asked.

The cop nodded. “I’ll finish looking around.”

She only nodded as he left the room. She reached forward and lifted the cover gently. Then, she flipped through the thick pages to a random place. A passage caught her eye, and she read it aloud.

“My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.” Psalms 38: 4-8.

A shiver ripped down Vanessa’s back and she hugged herself. Something about that passage…

“Miss?”

She turned and went out to the kitchen. The police officer was standing by the door.

“Are you finished?” she asked quietly.

“Yes. There are no signs of a break-in, and you said nothing is missing. I took a look around but did not find anything suspicious. But just in case…” He pulled out a card. “It has my cell phone number on it. You can call if you need anything.”

She didn’t miss the look in his eyes before he left. He was cute, she thought. She just might give him a call.

After closing the door, Vanessa turned and sighed. Grabbing the broom from the hall closet, she began to clean up. After sweeping she went and picked up all the toilet paper, then picked up her clothes and put them back in the dresser drawers. She picked up the cardboard box in the study and closed the Bible, shivering again as she touched it. By the time she was done cleaning, it was afternoon.

Vanessa went out and got a bite to eat, then drove to the animal shelter. There was a wide selection of dogs, but she chose a Siberian husky, with one brown eye and one blue. He was beautiful, and she named him Danny-boy after her father… her protector. She bought a bed and toys and food for him, then went to the market to replenish her ruined food supply. When she got home she let Danny look around while she re-stocked the refrigerator. After she was finished, Vanessa went in search of her new best friend. He was curled up on the bed, sleeping.

She smiled and took a step, and he woke up. He barked loudly then panted and looked at her with his mismatched eyes, his tongue flapping out of his mouth. Vanessa laughed and joined him on the bed, hugging him tightly. He nuzzled her neck and curled up on her leg. Loving him immediately, she patted his head before reaching for the phone next to her bed.

It took all of two seconds for her mother to realize something was wrong.

“I had this feeling, Vanessa. You know how I have that mother’s intuition thing. I knew it wasn’t a good idea for you to keep going out there alone. You should pack up and come home right now, darling. You should—”

“Mom, I didn’t even tell you what happened yet and you’re already freaking out.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Vanessa took a breath. “Mom, someone broke in and trashed the place.”

“What?!”

“Don’t start. I cleaned up and everything’s alright. I got a dog.”

For a moment her mother, Jeanette, was stunned to silence. The moment did not last long. “A dog? That won’t do any good! And everything is certainly not alright. I want you to come home, or at least back to this country. You leave that horrible place right now, Vanessa, and don’t even try to argue with me!”

“Oh, Mother. It’s not going to happen. I’m not leaving, and I’m not a little girl anymore. You can’t make me.”

The rest of the conversation was dismal and stretched. Vanessa couldn’t stand her mother sometimes. After Dad died she had become twice as strict—which was really saying something. That tight rein hadn’t stopped, even after Vanessa had become an adult. Jeanette couldn’t seem to let go, but she needed to see that her daughter could take care of herself.

Vanessa went and put out some food for Danny, who dug in happily. For herself she fixed a small sandwich and a glass of milk. She sat at her kitchen table thoughtfully, letting her mind wander over various subjects. When Danny finished eating he walked over and curled up on her feet with a big, contented sigh. Vanessa smiled down at him, glad she had chosen him. He was a welcome and reassuring presence in a suddenly foreboding atmosphere. She looked around at the white walls and wooden floors, realizing the house really had no life to it. It was a shell to keep the cold weather and rain out. She frowned, remembering her dreams to turn it into a second home. She had made a good start; visiting often and making connections with the people in town. But as times changed and her business grew, Vanessa had made it over less and less. It was an expensive trip, and though her family was well off, she couldn’t keep making it.

What was she to do? Her life was in New York, but she couldn’t bear to lose this last trace of her heritage. She refused to give up the house or the memories held within it. Unwillingly, Vanessa’s gaze was drawn to the study. The Bible had been a strange find. And that passage… She shivered again at the thought of it. Something was definitely going on, but she had no idea what or how it was happening. Like that man on the rocks; she had only seen him twice, but it was just plain… odd. She had to find a way to explain his presence. Otherwise it would annoy her to no end.

Grabbing her coat and the leash, she hooked Danny up. They went outside together into the fading daylight. She let the dog take care of his business and then headed down her path to the shore. They walked a good distance, and all the while Vanessa scanned the rocks for some sign of the strange man. She was just losing hope when Danny barked loudly. He pulled at the leash and led her quickly in the direction of the ocean. They slipped and stumbled through the thick fog until finally she could see a figure in the haze. She held a firmer grip on Danny and walked him forward, growing ever closer to the enigma.

A break opened in the fog and she could see him—sitting again on a rock. This time it was even smaller, barely wide enough to hold him. She came up behind him but dared not get too close. When she was only a few feet behind him, she cleared her throat.

He turned slightly and Vanessa got a glimpse of his features. He had long legs and messy brown hair. He had a strong face, rough and drawn. His eyes were dark and tired, black holes that looked as if they could suck someone in and never let go. For a moment he looked at her, then turned back to stare at the sea.

“It really hurts when home is no longer what you thought it was.”

She was taken aback by his sudden words. She swallowed thickly. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do.” It was as simple as that. Vanessa looked at his figure, noticing why it had first appeared so stiff. He was wearing a long coat of thick chain mail, at least five layers of it. Metal shifted against metal to create an odd, slithering sound that shocked her nerves.

“That looks heavy,” she said, not able to help from reaching out to touch the cold iron.

“It is,” he replied, sounding suddenly very sad. “It is.”

“Why do you wear it?”

“A long time ago I made a lot of mistakes. Now I carry a weight like the world on my shoulders.”

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“It isn’t. That doesn’t change the fact that I wear it. Sometimes I wish…” He paused, lowering his head slightly. “Sometimes I wish I could shed it, and others I embrace it, for it is my closest possession.” He glanced down at Danny-boy. “Your dog is becoming restless. You should be getting home.”

She coughed. “Yes, well…” She turned to go, but when she got about thirty feet away, he called after her.

“The only way to deal with a burden is to embrace it!”

She nodded, and went home.

It was quite dark by the time they walked through the front door. Vanessa moved silently about the house; filling Danny’s water bowl and then changing for bed. She climbed beneath the covers and smiled when the big puppy jumped up next to her and snuggled between her legs. She fell asleep, dreaming of fog and water and strange men on rocks.

The morning dawned dreary, just like the last one had been. Vanessa didn’t mind. She showered and dressed lazily, feeding the dog and then herself. When she had finished breakfast Danny was ready to go out. She hooked him to the leash and went down to the shore, wondering if she would see that man again. He was handsome and mysterious; more something out of a book than real life. Vanessa smiled at the thought of him. She imagined them sitting down, talking about life and time and all those ever-eluding answers to questions no one bothered to ask.

Danny was happy to be out and about. He jumped and pounced at sand and made Vanessa laugh. A light, misty rain began to fall and she tilted her head up to feel it on her face. Then Danny barked and she looked out, trying to see where the man was sitting this time.

He wasn’t. He was standing, his tall form solid beside the shifting and changing ocean. He walked toward the water, letting it lap over his feet and then his knees, and suddenly he was waist deep. He did not stop and Vanessa suddenly realized with horrible clarity what he was about to do. Those chains hanging around him would let him sink, never to reach the surface again.

Fear and shock sliced through her and she turned to Danny, dropping the leash. A sharp command to stay had him plopping onto the sand and she ran toward the man who suddenly had become her best friend. She shed her heavy coat as she went, letting it fall. By the time she had reached the shore-line, he was under. Vanessa dove in after him but froze, feeling the cold water stab into her skin. She couldn’t stay in long, or she would freeze to death. She swam quickly forward, ignoring the pain spreading through her limbs due to the cold. It was hard to see, and it was by sheer luck that her foot hit something hard—a man’s shoulder. She doubled around and found his face in the dark water. The mouth was open and no breath escaped it. Panic rippled into her heart and she clutched his arm, trying to haul him up, but he was too heavy.

Knowing her only chance, Vanessa slipped her fingers under the first layer of stiff metal covering him. She pulled, feeling the water help her. It slipped up and over his shoulders and she let it go, watching it fall to the ocean floor. Her lungs burned and she shot to the surface, gasping for air. She felt it enter her lungs and she plunged down, managing to get two more layers off before she had to rise again. The next time she went down she did not bother to grab for iron—she wrapped her arms around his waist and pushed.

His feet lost their hold on the ground and he moved backward. Vanessa clawed at the sand with her toes, pushing them both toward shore. The water tore at her lips, seeking entrance as she tried to hold her breath. Vanessa convulsed, running out of air. Everything went black.

...O...

Vanessa felt something scratchy and warm caressing her face. She tried to open her eyes but found the light beyond her closed lids far too intruding. After a moment, however, she blinked and stared into the light sky.

Danny-boy barked happily, lying down and rubbing against her side. She smiled at him and lifted a weak arm to stroke his soft fur. Her gaze then traveled to her other side, and when she saw who was there, she gasped.

Immediately, the man placed a calming hand on her arm. His face grew worried.

“Shhh… Don’t worry, I’m not here to hurt you. I was walking on the beach when I say you and your dog here on the sand. Are you alright?” he asked with a light brogue.

Vanessa glanced down at herself and saw she was soaked to the bone. She looked back up to the man. It was him—it had to be! She would know his face anywhere… And yet, he didn’t seem to know her. She sighed. “Yes, I think I’m okay. Can you help me up?”

He nodded and took her arm, helping her to her feet. He held her steady as she staggered, then found her footing. “Are you sure you don’t need me?”

Vanessa turned and stared into his deep dark eyes and bit her lip. “No, I’m not. I think I do need you. Will you come back to my house with me?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, and slipped an arm around her waist. They were about to set off when he paused. “Do you need those?” He pointed to a large pile of chains lying on the beach—Danny’s leash and something else.

Her mouth flicked into a quick smile and she looped her arm around his shoulder.

“No, we can leave them. Come on,” she said, leading him over the rocks and allowing herself to lean into him. Danny followed faithfully.

The man smiled. “Let’s go and dry off.”