"So, you live around here?" she asked, distracting herself by taking a sip of her scalding drink.

He eyed her warily, "Quite close, yes, you?"

"Not far." Keep it vague, don't give anything away, "Babysitting the boy down the road, you know him?"

He smirked, "Ah yes, in fact I was going to visit him fairly soon."

She tried to hide her horror, that poor boy. She needed to stop him. She refused to let this maniac go anywhere near Squee! Izzy nodded.

"Mind if I join you?"

Now it was his turn to look surprised. She understood that she was playing a dangerous game, this guy was a dangerous killer, and he enjoyed it! But on the other hand, he had already admitted that he wouldn't kill her, so all she had to do was push her luck just far enough, and then he'd be behind bars. While all of this was rushing through her head, her exterior remained composed and smiling.

"Sure, why not? How's tomorrow?" he asked, casually resting his chin in his palm, almost challenging her.

She nodded and jumped at the sound of her friend honking the horn in the car outside. They both turned, Izzy got to her feet. He too stood and faced her. She backed away and waved goodbye.

"So, tomorrow? Bye Johnny."

"Nny." He corrected, "Until tomorrow, Zzy."

"Izzy." She corrected, surprised to find herself laughing.

She turned and jumped into the passengers seat of her friends car and finally managed to breathe normally. Her friend eyed her suspiciously, but Izzy was giving nothing away. She needed to be sneaky about this. Her plan was already forming in her head. She'd arrange to babysit again tomorrow, then she'd get Squee to sleep earlier and wait. When Nny arrived, she'd call the police in secret while he was in another room. All she had to do then was keep him occupied until the authorities came. Just in case, she'd record what was being said on her mobile for extra evidence. It was perfect, she knew that she would be safe for the most part because he had as good as admitted that he wouldn't kill her, and Squee was safe because he'd be asleep in his room. It was no where near a perfect plan, but it was a good enough plan.

The next morning, she called the Casil residence and asked if they needed her for that night. It took some convincing, but in the end, all she had to say was that if they called her down, they'd have an excuse to spend more time away from their son and that was that. She had the job. This time she promised herself, if this idea of hers went to plan, she'd tell the police about the neglect in the family. Once again, her friend dropped her off, and she stepped inside, the plan was set.

As she tucked Squee into bed he asked her, "You know when he hurt you?" he didn't even have to elaborate on who he was, "Why did he help you? I hear him in his house sometimes, he never helps anyone after hurting them."

Izzy shrugged, feeling uncomfortable talking about this with a young child, "Maybe he knew that I looked after you, so he thought that you needed another friend."

He nodded, "That's more or less what he said too."

She shuddered and crossed the room towards the slightly open window, she shut it and locked it. She was startled by the whimper coming from the boys mouth.

"Squee! He doesn't like the window being locked!"

She smiled, "Well, I don't like him, so there."

She looked out of the window and poked her tongue out at the house next door before closing the curtains, making the child laugh. She once again waited until he was asleep, and then went downstairs with the intention to set her mobile to record, any sounds or confessions made would be used as further evidence. But as she was making her way into the living room, there was a horrible sense of déjà vu as she heard noises from the kitchen. Once again, she grabbed the large vase and made her way down. Using the reflective surface in the strap of her watch, she peered around the corner.

She new that figure all too well by this point. Tall, lanky, thin, tousled black hair, sallow skin, it was him alright. So her suspicions had been right the night before at the coffee shop. All memories of her plan were erased from her mind as the adrenaline pumped through her veins. He had his back to her, she felt her fists tighten around the vase. Now was her chance, she could actually get him arrested now. Prove him wrong! He could be caught, and he would be!

Izzy held her breath and crept in closer to him. This was it. In a grunt of effort she swung the vase down as hard as she could over his head. However, at the last moment, he ducked and turned around, catching the vase in his hand. She stumbled and fell forward, he caught her in one arm wrapped around her. He looked down at her wryly.

"Long time no see!" He said, cheerfully, "I warned you, I couldn't be caught."

She broke away from him and backed away, "What makes you think that I haven't called the police already?" she snapped secretly wishing that she had before trying to approach him. She lunged and grabbed at a kitchen knife, holding it out to keep distance between them.

He shook his head, "Because you're bag with your mobile are over in the living room, and the only house phone is right here." He pointed to the cordless phone behind him.

Izzy huffed, "What do you want? I know you've been following me!"

"Just curious, as to whether or not I've mentally scarred another person. But I must say, you're doing very well!" he grinned.

"So I'm some test subject to you now?"

He thought about it, "No… but you are only one of two people who have survived my actions. So that's always an interesting factor to look at. But as I recall it, you're the one who set up this arrangement. I don't like liars."

"And I don't like people who stab and stalk me!"

"So tell me, why act so charming before?" he asked calmly taking a seat, "I almost thought that all was forgiven."

Izzy felt her jaw drop, "Because I didn't know it was you to start with! Then I figured it out and I was angry and -"

She stopped when she noticed that he was almost examining her with his eyes, so curious and yet held a hint of admiration. She glared at him.

"You don't really act how one would expect, were you perhaps damaged somewhat in childhood? Normally, the instinct is to run, beg for mercy, panic, even try to negotiate or something. You're the first to go looking for trouble. The first to take matters into their own hands in fact. Although, not the first to return the attack…" his eyes wondered as a memory fluttered by his mind.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, I don't scared easily." She said, gripping the knife tighter.

"Except when your life is ending, now that is typical."

"I'm not scared of dying, I was scared of you." She retorted.

"I've never really apologised to a victim, maybe I have once-no twice! But I digress, third times the charm, -"

"Save it! I'm not scared of you now!"

He got to his feet, "Because you have a weapon? Have you ever killed anyone, Izzy?"

She didn't move, she didn't have a threatening answer for that one. She'd never so much as hit a person let alone kill. He stepped confidently closer to her so that the tip of the knife was digging ever so slightly into his chest.

"Go ahead, do it. In a way, you'll be doing me a favour." He sighed when she didn't move, "We both understand that this little set up isn't going anywhere, and I for one am willing to start over. Also, may I just say, you're holding the blade wrong."

What the hell? He was asking for forgiveness, yet teaching her how to hold a knife, and insulting her plan? There was a genuine glint of guilt in his eyes that she couldn't ignore. Once again, danger was flashing in her brain, but she couldn't help it. There was an air of self-hatred about him. He reached out and took the blade from her, which she was horrified to see herself let him, and gripped it so that the butt of the handle was in his fist, closest to his thumb and the blade pointed down, he lifted it up and swung it down.

"Like that for quick attacks," he flipped it around to now the blade was pointed upwards, "Like this for a lethal blow to an area of your choice when you have them cornered."

To her surprise, he handed the knife back to her, she gripped it in the first manner for quick attacks, he smiled, but with a hint of disappointment.

"There you go, now I know that you don't intend to kill me." He enclosed her hand that was wrapped around the knife in his and tilted it so that it was aimed at his heart, "As I don't intend to kill you, cross my heart."