Looking peaceful and content, Clive let her sleep for about half an hour before waking her gently, shaking her knee. "Miranda, wake up. It's 4.30 in the afternoon" He said gently.

Miranda jolted awake and was slightly disorientated. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Clive! I was only supposed to close my eyes for a minute! Oh, goodness, I better head back to the shop!" She stood up shaking, still wearing Gary's chef jacket.

"Don't be silly, Miranda. It's fine. You should head home, have a bath and just watch some telly. You're too tired and upset" Clive was sounding rational, so Miranda sighed, stretched and stood up.

"Come back whenever you like, I'm here 'til 11" Clive said as she walked towards the door.

It was still raining while she trudged home. She wouldn't have been able to tell that she was crying if it weren't for the difference in temperature of the rain and her tears.

Miranda's clothes dripped as she walked up the stairs, but she couldn't care less. She continued on into the bathroom and ran a bath for herself, adding a whole bottle of bubble bath. After she'd turned on the radio, she hopped in. Her muscles unlocked and relaxed as she soaked in the soft water.

This is better, she thought to herself. She didn't mean to fall asleep, but she really was very relaxed and content. While she slept, she had a dream:

It was a glowing, sunny evening. Hand in hand, Gary and Miranda walked through a green and fresh pine forest with a white sandy beach on its edge. She wasn't sure exactly where this was, but she couldn't care less. Anywhere with Gary is what she would call paradise.

There was silence between them, but not one of awkwardness, one of content, love and pure happiness. Miranda had a feeling growing inside of her. It felt like her blood was simmering, and she could feel the same heat and energy flowing from Gary through her. A complete circle.

They continued walking along the cusp of the forest, the beach still in sight. Gary, feeling rebellious, smiled devilishly and said to Miranda: "Let's go inland a bit more, there's bound to be something more interesting in there".

Scared and anxious, Miranda chewed her lip unsure. "Oh, I don't know Gary. I like staying in view of the beach. The waves are calming"

"Oh come on! Don't be scared! It'll be an adventure!" Sounding like Bilbo Baggins, Miranda couldn't help but laugh.

"Fine. BUT not too far away from the sea" she said as she clasped his hand tighter.

The devilish smile played around Gary's lips and before she knew it, Gary was dragging Miranda deeper into the forest.

"Gary!" Miranda breathed, running out of steam. "Stop! This is more than far enough!" she managed to get out, clutching Gary's arm.

"You're such a baby, but I love you" he said, pecking Miranda quickly on the lips.

They continued walking, the temperature dropping as they continued and the light was fading quickly. Miranda could see her breath in front of her. Gary still had a playful and enthusiastic expression, and this worried Miranda.

The forest was silent as they padded their way through. Miranda curled tighter and tighter into Gary, growing more anxious and frightened every second.

"Gary... c-can we go b-b-back. It's so col-" Miranda gasped sharply and her breathing quickened as she heard a stick snapping. Her head shot around in all directions, scanning for the source of the noise. "Did you hear that?" Adrenaline kicked in, but she couldn't get out more than a whisper.

"What? I think you're hearing things" Gary replied cooly, tapping her on the nose.

SNAP. Miranda's hyperventilating grew. Her heart rate quickened. The adrenaline was charged and flowing through her.

Fire coursed round her veins as she had a growing feeling of something watching. Squeezing Gary's arm so hard she was sure she cut off the circulation in his arm, she slowly turned around.

A hooded black figure was standing, watching, a metre behind them. Though it had no eyes, she could feel it's piercing glare.

"GARY! RUN! YOU HAVE TO RUN! IT'S BEHIND US!" The adrenaline turned to ice in her veins. She was frozen on the spot. No matter how hard she tried, she was stuck. But Gary wasn't.

Miranda had never been more scared ever. She gripped his arm tighter, but she suddenly felt him slipping from her blue hands.

"Gary? Gary? GARY? HOLD ON!" Yelling at the top of her voice, as Gary continued to inch away, the black figure closing the gap behind him.

"GARY! RUN! GET AWAY FROM HIM! I'LL FIND YOU! RUN!" Miranda's voice began cracking, she yelled more and more. It was like Gary wasn't listening. His face was expressionless. The hooded figure took the final step and placed it's hand on Gary's shoulder.

"GARY! NO! PLEASE!"

Gary and the figure disappeared in a cloud of thick, grey smoke.