Brand is well-versed in half-truths and not-quite-lies; he's spent his life having to tease the truth out of half of the shit that comes out of Rune's mouth.

"And how long ago was that?" he asks sternly, before waving a hand to dismiss the question. "No, never mind, it's none of my business."

He can feel a headache forming, but at least the kid is now properly wary of strange adults in the woods. Even if, technically, kids are more likely to be abducted by someone they know. He decides to go for honesty, since there's nothing he can say that should reassure a kid in this situation.

"I don't know," he says. "I wasn't here five minutes ago. I don't even like walks in the woods at night." Then, since he's being honest, he pins the kid with a stare. "What's creeping around, kid?"