She seemed to be startled, not knowing exactly where she was. ‘Ssshhhh, it’s okay, Sweetie.’ I reassured her. ‘You’re here with Old Cool. Do...’t be frightened.’ I walked over to her and crouched next to the chair and brushed her hair out of her eyes. ‘You never have to worry here.’ I told her. ‘We’ll take care of you.’ ‘I couldn’t sleep and I thought maybe I could just listen to the water running over the rocks. It’s so beautiful to listen to it.’ She said. ‘I was watching you sleep. You look so. Look for a name on the side of the box."As Jim and Tracy went in, Nathan bounded out the door, "I'll help." Although the second oldest in our midst, he still felt he needed to prove himself to the group through deeds and being helpful. All the women adored him because his desire to please carried over into his lovemaking and cuddling. Nathan was another find Alice made. When he wasn't pleasing someone in his job as a claims adjuster, he was designing apps for cellular phones, so he and Alice. But it didn’t help. I still fell asleep before he arrived. I realized that Santa was not ready to see me yet. I had to trust that he would let me see him when he was ready.On the eve of my sixteenth birthday, I kept my usual vigil in the living room. I always decorated it extra special, with ornaments I had made, decorating the tree, and a dozen holly-scented candles illuminating the small room. I did not try any of the tricks to stay awake that I had before. I was content to wait until Santa. "Then they will come for me. I will endure 7 years of Hell before I am allowed to take the trials again."Her eyes looked toward the floor as he held her in his arms, dumbstruck by her words. Hell? Was she serious? Good Lord! He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips, pulling her up to him and sucking her tongue into his mouth. She pulled back suddenly, eyes wide with terror."You are not going to eat me are you? I've heard of humans and cannibalism before!"He almost laughed out loud at her.