She turns around, but he has vanished again. She weighs the pros and cons of speaking before opening her mouth.
"I can see you," she says.
"I know," he replies. "I know."
Those two words send a chill up her spine. "What do you know?" she asks.
"I know," he repeats. Out of the corner of her eye she catches a blur disappearing behind a tree. That's where he's hiding, then.
"What do you know?" Now, she must simply be careful. It will be easy enough to catch him.
"I know." These last two words are breathed down her neck. His breath is hot. "I know."
She wants to turn but can't. His arms have entrapped her. Looking down, she sees that he is wearing a gold watch. There is a scar on his left pinkie.
"Do you want to know what I know?" he asks.
"Yes," she whispers. "Yes."
He bends down and places his head on her shoulder. He rocks her back and forth, swaying to some invisible tune. She lets her eyes close, and lets herself soak in the moment. His weight against her is comforting and familiar. His lips trace a path on her neck, drawing something invisible. He speaks.
"I know you love me"