She stopped a few paces away from him. She wanted to see his eyes again, but they looked shadowed under the hood, and because of the darkness of the night.

"Um...hi," she stammered. "I'm just gonna ask you straight off: why are you following me?"

Silence. He just stared at her with hooded eyes. God, she really wanted to see his eyes.

"I'm protecting you," was all his deep voice pronounced. She half believed him.

"Okay...and from what?"

He stepped closer, so close that she could finally see his eyes. "I can protect you more if you stay with me."

~