had within himself the strength to surrender to the pain of loving again. But there was something about him, calling out the emptiness inside her. He motioned for her to give love another try. His eyes promised her love, love! Yet that same word linked it to pain and betrayal. It was Samuel's tireless persistence that caught Valarie off guard, a rare occasion, she added. She had told herself that no one would ever win her heart again, yet she found herself dancing with Thought. How foolish it was to even consider the idea, which was like allowing a blade to get close enough to cut off a vital organ. Could she? Would he have dared? It seemed ridiculous to even think about it. Hadn't she been burned enough? But there was something about Samuel's friendship and she couldn't deny it. Even though she told herself that it was just a feeling and that it would pass soon. However, he feared that at some point the wounds would begin, but without knowing it he found himself beyond his control. 'Samuel, Samuel,' his name came out of his whispered sighs in disbelief. His comforting arms and smiles mattered. He touched her without her consent. What madness was this that was happening? He thought people got married when they fell in love. She definitely couldn't say she was in love. Maybe she said yes because he was sure, because she wasn't in love with him and he couldn't hurt her. Maybe that was the reason. It was the only reason his mind could give his heart and in that moment it was enough. Valarie reflected on Samuel's love for her. “What was it about his love that could cause him such anguish?” He often wondered. Whatever it was, she knew she couldn't give him back what he wanted. Echoes or… middle of paper… but no matter what, he couldn't understand her. She baffled him, yet whatever she was going through he was determined to weather the storms with her. It made no sense to him, but the beating heart that expressed his love for her kept him going, and the more distant she became the more he wanted her love, needed her love. He was ready to wait and wait, but with all the best intentions he got himself into trouble, deeper and deeper. You could say that he collided with him along the way and didn't know how to avoid it. One thing led to another and a sea spray set him adrift in a cave at high tide. It's a scary thing to find yourself pinned to the wall, Samuel thought, with no way out. Your senses have a tendency to fail you. Common sense failed and Samuel was captured. That was the start of more problems for Samuel and much more awaited him.