Sibilate and coalesce

The river slides past, hissing over rocks and turning corners, hidden by the night. A sinister mist creeps in and covers the narrow path. She waits for him in a grove at the end of the river, at the edge of the forest, but he cannot come to her. He cannot find his way to meet her. She may never know his true intentions, his true affections -- and what a shame -- unless he thinks to keep trying.