Duck Lake ; chains

Me? he asked, surprise lighting his face. His keen gaze tracked her movement as she jumped down from the tree and landed in front of him. The first thing he noticed was that their difference in size was dramatic; he outweighed her considerably and was quite a bit taller. He meant her no harm, though, their size difference only registering as something else to be curious about. 

He took a seat, hoping it might make him seem less threatening, although she seemed more irritated by his presence than scared by it. Why do you want to hide from everyone? he asked. Isn't that lonely? Life was kind of lonely for East, and he wasn't actively trying to avoid anyone like she claimed to be doing. He wondered what kind of pain drove her to seek the company of no one.