Waves crashed onto the salty beach. The wind blew through the sky swiftly, breezing across the tops of the trees gently.

A small boy, kneeling in the sand, looked at the sea and smiled. He wished that he belonged to it. That he was a part of it.

But alas, he did not and would never be. He sighed sadly, more sadly than any child his age should ever be.

In the distance he heard the pattering of feet running to him. The boy opened his arms, and accepted the tackle he received from his loving companion, Lyra.

The pup was excited to see her owner after she had been released from her cage. She worried about him constantly being on his own.

He smiled at her, as though sensing her concern, said," Don't worry Lyra. I'm okay...you see I was just sitting in the sand looking at the sea." He heard her make a doubtful whine at that and he laughed," Sorry...I meant felt the sea."

He stood up on his legs carefully, holding onto her back for support." Come on Lyra...Deon might begin to worry about us."

Lyra barked at him happily and bumped her hip into his leg. She always had to lead him around, making sure the boy did not bump into anything harmful.

Taking a slow pace, they strolled alongside each other, enjoying the silence of the night.

When they approached a small estate, Lyra began to bark loudly, enough to gain the attention of the inhabitant inside.

The door opened to reveal a young man about the age of 22. He sighed in relief when he saw a small boy beside the dog. He bent down and picked the child up," Oh Issac, don't disappear on me like that again. Good girl Lyra." He patted the hyper dog's head.

"Aw...I'm sorry Deon but I just love the sea!" Issac said spinning around in a circle and falling into the young man's arms.

Sighing, the older man replied," I know you do. But tell me first okay? I don't want anyone to take you from me..."'Not like they did with her...'

"Okay Deon. I promise!" Issac assured the older man smiling.

"Good. Now off to bed with you ya scalywag!" Deon said imitating a pirate. Issac laughed at his imitation and ran off to bed, with Lyra trailing after him to make sure he was not hurt.

Deon sighed to himself, reached underneath his shirt around his neck, and pulled out a locket. It was an oval small, rusty trinket he loved.

He opened it up, ran a finger down the picture inside, and closed his eyes tightly to avoid his tears to stain the photo.

The black and white photograph of a young looking woman, blushing and smiling at the camera endearingly.'I promise I will protect him Beatrice.' Deon closed the locket, held it close to his heart and walked up the stairs.

He walked into the little boy's room and watched as the other slept silently with Lyra on top of him.

Deon sat carefully on the edge of Issac's bed cautiously, pushing some hair back from that face, and smiled tearfully," Good night Issac. I will protect you at all costs, I promise."

He bent down to kiss Issac's brow affectionately, stood up and walked to his own room.

In the darkness, a pair of sky blue eyes opened," And I'll protect you Deon..." Lyra stared at her young master inquiringly before he went back to peaceful slumber.