Surprised, I lurched backwards. I yelped, bracing myself to hit the pavement, but the man in front of me stopped my fall easily, his hand resting on my back. For a second, I was too shocked to move, and I continued to lean on his hand for support until I felt a soft tugging at my hair.

Wait a minute...

The stranger had slowly moved his hand up my back, and I felt his fingers running through my fiery waves.

I jolted back up to a standing position and pushed myself away from him.

"Wha- what was that for?" I asked, trying not to sound too startled.

He laughed, beaming. "Well that was fun, wasn't it?"

"I- I don't know what you're talking about but-" I stammered, still shaking and feeling more intimidated than ever. "-I really have to get back home! So... Please..."

I trailed off as I noticed him slowly inching closer to me. I jumped started to back up rapidly as my breathing increased.

"Whoa there... Relax princess. I'm not going to do anything," he soothed, raising his hands to show he meant no harm.

Something in his voice made me more uneasy than before, and I shuddered. Still trembling, I froze, afraid of what he would do if I tried to run. He seemed satisfied with my response and lowered his hands, regarding me with hungry curiosity as his eyes traveled up and down my body.

"If y- you want money, I have some. It's not much but... You can take everything! Here." I reached into my pocket and brought my hand back out, clenching the money tightly in my hands so I wouldn't drop it.

Under his watchful gaze, I suddenly felt weak, and the money fell from my hands before I could reach out and give it to him. I whimpered and bent down to pick it up, but the stranger was already there. I scooted back again as he picked up the last few coins.

"I don't want this," he stated lazily as he moved back to where I was standing. His hand shot out and grabbed mine. I had no time to react, and panic took over and I pulled and squirmed as much as I could, trying to get away.

"L-let me go! Let me go right now or I'll- I'll-"

Tears started to well up in my eyes and I flinched as he raised his other hand. I closed my eyes and prepared myself to be struck.

Nothing happened.

I still felt the man's warm grip on my arm, but instead, recognized the smooth feeling of coins being pressed back into my palm. Hesitantly, I reopened my eyes.

He was looking at me with a blank expression as he released me and trailed the pad of his thumb under my eyes, wiping the tears from my face before they could fall. When he was done, I watched as he moved back to give me space. "I told you," he started, "I'm not going to do anything right now."

I nodded, confused but grateful. The tension had not left my shoulders however, as a new question rose in my mind.

"Then why can't I leave?" I whispered, not sure I wanted an answer.

"You can," he stated simply as he crossed his arms in front of him for a second time.

I stared at him, waiting for an explanation.

"You can leave, after you tell me your name."

I shrunk back, my thoughts whirling. Why did he want to know my name? Should I give it to him? What will he do if I say no?

My thought process was interrupted by a burst of child-like laughter. My head jolted up, and I saw the man doubled over, his whole body moving as his laughter took over.

"What happened?" I asked, incredulous. "What's wrong?"

The stranger struggled to get his words out. "Your face-" he started, still in a fit, amusement evident on his features. "You're thinking so hard, It looks like you ate something terrible."

I blushed, unaware that I was making a weird expression during my thought process. As his laughter faded, I settled on giving him a fake name, hoping that by giving him a little information, he would leave me alone.

"My name... It's Sara."

His smile faded immediately, and my breath halted. He looked far more intimidating when he wasn't smiling.

There was a long pause, until finally, his unusual voice rang throughout the street. "I think we both know that isn't true."

I could think of nothing to say as I heard the blood rushing in my ears. I swallowed thickly.

"Yes... Yes it is. I swear. My name is Sara."

Taking slow, deliberate steps, he closed the gap between us until I could feel his breath on my neck. Leaning down, his voice barely above a whisper, he said "you're lying to me." Disturbingly calm, he straightened back to his full height. "I'm going to say this one more time. Tell me your name."

It wasn't a suggestion. I answered before I had the chance to stop myself.

"Annabelle. Annabelle Stevens."

He smirked. "That's better."

"What's yours?"

"Louis Tomlinson. Remember me."

In tears, I started to back up again, and he watched, making no move to stop me as I turned and ran back the way I came.