Horizon Ridge In between it's all messed up

The strange man's head rose like a lion surveying its pridelands; Mio watched tensely as it swung to stare directly at him. For a split second he met the stormy gaze of the other, the next it was gone. And so was Mio.

Like a child playing peekaboo, the ghost disappeared into the shadows with a clatter of paws and rocks, but he did not go far.

He was unsure if it was curiosity that drew him back, or simply the primal need for food and companionship, but as the man's soft greeting reached his ears he felt himself calm, if only slightly. The boy padded back slowly. 

He wished to speak, but his mouth would not move. Instead, with scrawny tail tucked and ears flat he tilted his head, gazing expectantly up at the man.