Matthew held her to him. Felt her crying against him and felt bad. He wasn't trying to be a hinderence. Wasn't trying to cause her pain. He looked down at her as she spoke. "Not hard enough because the pains darkness still dragged me under." He said softly. Looking at the beach as if it was just now being noticed. "My safe place..." he said softly. "The darkness didn't want to let go of me. I was searching for your voice as I heard it. I felt so sluggish as I tried to walk through the shadows. It was tiring and hard but your voice made me keep going." He said softly. "Got scared?" He tensed as she hugged him but relaxed and just held her lightly to him. Stroking her hair with one hand as she cried. He tensed and didn't move when she said some man. "How...how did you know it was just one person?" he asked in a fearful tone. Holding her still. "..........." he didn't answer that comment. He didn't know how to answer that. "I am a good person but not everyone thinks so." He said softly. He looked at the beach. "Was I gonna die otherwise?" He asked softly. Not that it would surprise him. His tone even told him it didn't surprise him if that had been the case. "You...make it so...I don't...feel empty." He said slowly. Best way to explain it. "I have a reason now to look forward to waking the next morning. A best friend who I'm so afraid of losing." He said softly. "The darkness doesn't feel so strong while I'm holding you. If I let go...will it grapple me back into it? I'm kinda afraid to find out." He said. "Yet...I still fear the living more then death and the unknown." He closed his eyes and just held her. "Don't let it take me...I don't want to leave when I just met you." He said in a shaky voice. Shaking his head. "I can't tell you how much having a friend that I can trust. A friend that cares...means to me."