I let out a long, gusty sigh. Finals were just days away, yet I was still caught up in my thoughts. I pulled a hand through my short, black hair as I gently opened the cover of my literature book.

For hours my eyes scanned the contents of each page, reading and re-reading. I would shift uncomfortably in my small, aged wooden chair occasionally, and then I would pull my legs up against my chest. It seemed like it had been a millennium since I had begun reading.

Deciding to take a break, I set the book down on my desk and grabbed my coat, which was slung lazily over my bed’s head board. Slipping it on along with my pitch black boots, I set out on my midnight stroll.

I felt content and at ease as I casually stepped along the worn concrete pavement leading into Maple Palm Park. As I walked, I thought about how my mother would walk me to the park, every Saturday morning. I remembered how she would call me her favorite number, since my name was Six. At that time, I had only been 8. Now, as I walked along this pavement, I was 17. A tear rolled down my soft cheek, leaving a shiny trail behind, before it fell from my jaw line, and splashed against the concrete.
 
I stopped walking, looking up at the starless sky. Wondering if my mother was looking down at me. Looking around, I smiled. Everything in these trails were so beautifully painted by the night. The leaves on the trees were darker, more peaceful colors. The dew on the grass reflected the moon’s light, shining it in several directions. The atmosphere was so much more quiet, tranquil. I continued to walk, looking around to admire the night’s beautiful artistic talent. After several hours of walking, I wound myself deeper and deeper into the trails.

I knew I should have reached the small opening which held Maple Palm Park by now. The night’s rich, luxurious colors were beginning to lighten, the leaves on the trees beginning to show their true colors. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier as time passed. I decided to rest, so I walked tiredly over to the nearest tree, and leaned my back against it, slowly sliding down until my bottom rested on the soft grass. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Without hesitation, I fell peacefully to sleep. While I was asleep, I dreamt being carried by cool, strong arms. It was oddly pleasant, even though I knew not one thing about the man carrying me.

“Wakeup…Wakeup, Darling,” a voice softly echoed through my ears. My eyes fluttered open, looking at my surroundings. I sat up, recognizing my room, and the bed I was laying on. Confused and dumbstruck, I looked around. Everything was exactly as I had left it; My books all aligned on the mahogany shelf, closet slightly ajar, and even my literature book remained open on my desk. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling a bit light headed. I looked over at my bedside table, picking up my digital clock. It read 4:23 A.M. Why was I back home? More importantly, how had I returned here while I was asleep?

I felt a small chill sweep through the air, and I got up and strolled over to my window, pulling aside the grey curtain. Closed. How odd, I knew I’d kept it open when I left. Looking around my small room, wondering how I had returned home in a deep slumber, I walked over to my closet and opened it.

“Hello, Darling,” a tall, broad shouldered man said, smiling down at me.

I leapt back, flipping a pocket knife open I had retrieved from my pocket. I pointed it at the stranger, my wide eyes taking in his shockingly beautiful figure.

His hair was a deep, chocolate brown, framing his face with jagged layers. He wore a plain, white t-shirt, and blue jeans. As I scanned him, I took in that beautiful face. Though unbelievably pale, he had delicate features, and grey eyes. I became mesmerized, staring into those gorgeous eyes, feeling my cheeks fill with saturated color. I blinked, and slowly lowered the knife pointed at him.

“Wh-Who are you?” I stammered, my hands shaking uneasily. What if this man was dangerous? What if he had a weapon? I gasped. What if-

“I’m Alan,” the man said interrupting my thoughts. “Sorry to frighten you. I saw you sleeping out in the trails, and I wondered what such a beautiful face would be doing out here at such a late hour. I looked in your pockets for an I.D., and once I found one, I carried you back here.” He explained, his cool, soothing words sliding from his lips.

My I.D.? I shoved a hand in my pocket, feeling a large, thin plastic. I pulled it out abruptly. “Thank you, Alan,” I said calmly, looking at him appreciatively.

“Six, huh? I couldn’t help but admire such a unique name. Such a unique person,” he murmured, trailing off. He studied me, his eyebrows raised slightly. We stood in silence for a few moments, studying each other. Alan held out his hand and smiled. I took a step forward and took his hand, jumping slightly at it’s coolness. He shook it firmly, then released, letting our hands fall to our sides.

“Well, I best be going, Six. It was nice meeting you,” Alan said calmly, Walking towards my door. I felt a little twist in my stomach. I didn’t want him to leave.

“Will I see you again?” I asked, instantly regretting my question. Why would a god like him want to see me? He’d simply done me a kindness and now he was leaving.

Alan turned his head slightly, revealing a small smile. “Of course, Six,” Alan replied, turning his head back. As he exited, he set a small lace bag on my bed side table and vanished outside my door.

I stared at the bag for a moment, studying the intricately woven lace pattern. I walked hesitantly towards the bag, looking at it. I picked it up, feeling the lace scratch against my palm. Inside, was a pure white ribbon with one single ruby in the exact middle. Picking it up with my shaky fingers, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Aside from Alan, it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid my eyes on. I tied it around my neck snuggly tight, and looked in my small cosmetic mirror. I smiled as wide as the chesire cat. I decided, right then and there, I would never, ever, take it off.

Feeling a bit tired, I laid back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I thought of Alan as I drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.