From his short distance behind her and at an angle, he noted her reaction, and it was utterly sweet.  Clearly his reputation preceeded him if this girl who had clearly not given a shit about the Gagger was suddenly so paranoid just because she had a piece of tape over her mouth.  Besides, when she started to run, there wasn't anyone chasing her.  Anyone running, anyway.  Ernie walked quickly, but then again, so did other people so... and he wasn't even looking at her.  He didn't need to, his peripheral vision was enough to keep an eye out, more so when she got farther and father from him.<br/><br/>His brisk pace continued slightly faster, though somewhat slower every time she turned her head back.  Ernie's hands were where anyone could see them, and he only had the small bag, though it could've been anything considering it was just a normal looking brown paper bag.  But he did notice her shoot into an alley up ahead, and he proceeded to move much faster without ever breaking into a run.  As he approached the corner, he stopped when he heard her voice and he did a quick check into the alley to see her.  Putting on his most normal face as he noticed her with her phone and her reaction, he nonchalantly started to walk toward her.  "Hey miss, you okay?" he called to her, his utterly nice guy voice and his worried face peering at her.  "Is everything alright?"