"Oh n-no, I'm fine. I just didn't anticipate it being this cold out. I'll just remember to pack a heavier coat next time," she nodded tucking the detail away for another day. She tried to make her self seem less cold so Erik didn't worry, but she still felt her body move in a slight shiver. She listened to him make a remark on how the park cleared things out. Reflecting on the moment, she appreciated the minute details of environment more. How the leaves were starting to turn vibrant hues of reds, yellows, and coppers. The delicate leaves spiraled downward as an overcast seemed to hover across the sky. It was a sight for an artist to draw inspiration from. It was nice to not have to converse the whole time. Conversations could be quite intimidating for Lannie when the other person tried to talk for the whole encounter. She liked the silence as well as not having to discuss something every second. And yes, awkward pauses were her specialty.

The man relaxed on the park bench with ease, admiring the weather and commenting on perhaps the sight of snow soon. "Snow would be nice. I always have found it interesting how silent it gets once snow falls," Lannie considered as she leaned back onto the bench and pointed her gaze upwards towards the grey fluffy clouds. She wished it would snow at that moment. Snow always seemed peaceful and pure. She noticed when Erik mentioned the snow, his eyes escaped into his own thoughts. He seemed as though he was recalling something joyous. She noticed a grin cross his face as he sat there, deep in his own thoughts at that moment.

She handed him her sketchbook and carefully watched as he gently opened it. He had commented on how her work had already been good from what he'd seen. This made a brief smile dance across her face before she became statuesque, awaiting the critique from him. "Uh oh, he's not saying anything. What if they're awful? What if he's trying to spare my feelings?"nervously, she studied his face more intently, hoping that that wasn't the case.

In this case, the silence was a bit agonizing. Not even mere minutes passed but when he was viewing her work, all of her inner thoughts sprawled out onto paper, time couldn't go by slower. It felt as though she was waiting an eternity for feedback. Finally, the silence was cut, with a remark she was surprised to hear. "Beautiful? O-oh thank you," she tried to remain professional but couldn't help hiding her grin at the comment. She gripped her skirt with her two hands and felt her entire body sigh with relief. "Art is weird, huh? One would never really think it could be so personal, or reveal someone's true nature," she contemplated aloud. "Or even help someone realize what their true nature is," she trailed off again, eyes glazing over momentarily.

Before she went down such a rabbit hole, she asked Erik if he was from around the area. "Oh?" Lannie was surprised. He didn't seem to have any sort of accent that usually accompanied those from more northern regions. At least not an accent she could pick up on anyway. "I've always wanted to visit Canada. I hear their starry skies are unbeatable," she spoke with an excited tone. "I moved here about two years ago. One can say for a change of scenery," she laughed dejectedly. "B-but that's okay, it's prettier here anyway, and everyone has always been very friendly," Lannie added, trying to have a cheerful tone. She didn't really have the confidence to recall her recent past quite yet. Some of the wounds were still relatively fresh.

"What was your hometown like?" Lannie asked with curiosity. "Did it snow there often?" She questioned, recalling earlier how happy he looked when speaking about snow. She paid attention as he spoke more about himself. He seemed to be quite the fascinating man. A hint of mystery in his aura, but approachable. He stated that he owned a house. "I wonder if it's nearby," she thought hopefully. "My house isn't too far away from here so I come to the park often," she stated. "Wait, should I be telling him this? We just met. First, I give him my full name, now I give him a general location of where I live. Next, I'll be introducing him to my parents and then lending him my credit card," she mocked herself with such a thought.

However, before they could continue their conversation, she felt the hair raise on her skin. "Oh no, not now. Come on!" she thought frantically. Her brows furrowed as she rubbed her eyes as if to make it seem like it was all a dream. "Why can't I just be in peace for once," she murmured quietly to herself. Looking at the opposite end of the park she saw him. The wonderful figure who always followed her. Becoming irritated with the figure she frowned in it's direction. The park was her once sane space. Now, the dark ugly figure had taken that from her as well. "U-uhm, I'm sorry, I have to go," Lannie said frantically, picking up her belongings and springing up from the bench. "I hope to see you around," she stated as her eyes kept darting to the shadowy figure waiting for her. "It was nice to meet you," she bowed a little and turned on her heel and rushed in the direction of home. She had forgotten to take her medicine with her and it was the only thing that seemed to help keep the monster at bay.

Sprinting she made it home just in time for her mom to run after her up the stairs and ask why Lannie didn't give her a call. Ignoring her mother's words she rushed into the bathroom, ripping open the medicine cabinet and swallowing the little blue pill. "Oh no, honey," her mom immediately grabbed her and held her close. "Sweetheart, it's ok. I'm here. Nothing can hurt you dear," she consoled. Lannie had tears swelling up as her mother held her close. "W-why," Lannie whimpered. "Why can't it just go away," she wept with defeat.

It took her the usual hour for the episode to be over before she went downstairs for dinner. Joining both of her parents at the dining room table, they each shared their day. Mostly positive things to keep the mood always light for Lannie. "I met someone today, he was very kind," she told them. "Lannie, you know you shouldn't talk to strangers, he could be dangerous," her mom argued. "I know-I know he could be, but he wasn't," Lannie defended. "All I'm saying is be careful dear," her mother replied. "I will," Lannie promised.

As she went upstairs to her bedroom, she unzipped her backpack and pulled out her charcoal pencils. "I want to draw some more," she thought as she rummaged through her book bag for her sketch book. "Oh no," Lannie said with worry. "Shit," she dumped the rest of her bag onto her bed and realized that she was without the sketchbook. She soon realized she had just up and left, leaving Erik with her sketch pad. Leaving him, with not only all of her drawings, but with her personal notes she would add to the sketchbook, and the many ugly drawings, of the figure who followed her.