The man stopped right away, standing so still he almost disappeared into the night. His piercing gaze never wavered, never left my face, and slowly, excruciatingly slowly, he put his hands out—palms up—and hunched his shoulders. “Do not be afraid,” he said quietly. “We will not hurt you.” His voice was smooth and reassuring, calm and controlled, like listening to the gentle ripples of a still ocean lapping at cliffs above. I caught myself leaning toward him, wanting his soothing, almost monotone voice to take away my fear and do the impossible; make me feel safe. Contained power rolled off him
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