Your body feels empty when you wake up.

Something's missing.

Blinking away some sleep, you twist your body to look behind in search of Lottie, but she's not there. She should be cuddling you from behind. It's strange, though; you can almost feel a slight burn on your cheek where she would've kissed before wandering off. You get up groggily, eyes trying to adjust to the dark as you pat down the floor in search of one of those can-candles. Once you find it and light it, you stretch your back and head out into the forest, knowing exactly where Lottie would have gone.

She takes you here all the time, sometimes unknowingly when she just wants to take a walk with you. But you usually end up at that tree. As you venture forth, you spot a flickering light and a familiar body sat in a prayer position.

"Talk to me." You hear Lottie whisper. Her voice sounds desperate. You can hear her take a few deep breaths, almost as if she's trying not to cry. "Listen to me. Answer me. Please."

You frown just as she does. You step closer and accidentally step on a twig, alerting her. Her face is illuminated by the candelight, and you can spot a few tears on her cheek and the slight bob of her throat as she swallows.