[She's too busy in her own head for a moment, but comes back to herself as she feels his arms encircling her, pulling her in. She releases a breath that felt stale in her lungs, and she shudders once, a physical manifestation of her relief before she relaxes in his arms.

He speaks and she answers.]

No. [The word bursts out of her, as if she can't say it fast enough. His hands are warm against her cheeks, her own fingers lift to thread through his, as if by consoling him she's doing the same for herself. Her head shakes ever so slightly back and forth, her voice calmer when she repeats:] ...no.

[Her hands trail down his, her fingers curl around his wrists, her thumb strokes his knuckles.]

I woke up. I thought it was on my own, but now I'm not so sure. [Her eyes dart toward the mirror that was both covered and behind a closed door, wondering if he was trying to listen to all of this, if there was any real place that they weren't capable of being watched.

She looks at him again.] He just kissed me a couple of times. Held me as I went back to sleep. Something seemed off, but when I woke up I just thought it was because I was half awake, like I imagined it.

[She knew it wasn't just a matter of distraction. He'd been stalking her for months by now. He could have just let her sleep.

He could have just killed her.]