He lies like an eyewitness.

– Russian proverb

"I saw exactly how it happened. They were dancing together like two young people in love for the first time, unable to take their eyes off each other. When the clock started striking the hour, she looked up at him with hope and a promise, and left the ballroom by the main staircase. He struggled for a moment with his sense of duty then ran after her. What do you expect with kids in love? He didn't want to let her out of his sight."

"I saw exactly how it happened. They were dancing together like two long-lost lovers finally reunited but only for the briefest time before they would be separated again. It was the way Orpheus would have danced with Eurydice. They clung together until the clock began chiming and she looked up at him with her heart in her eyes and it was breaking into a thousand little pieces. They slowly let each other go and she turned to leave, and she didn't look back all the way across the ballroom, up the stairs, and out the doors, in case that one last glimpse would make her dissolve. He watched her the whole way and when she disappeared through the doors he followed after her, because he needed that one last glimpse before the night swallowed her up."

"I saw exactly how it happened. They bored each other out of their skulls but had to keep dancing at least until the song ended unless they wanted to cause a fuss. They kept looking at each other as if expecting a conversation to start but neither of them said anything. When the song ended at about twelve, she sighed in relief and left straight away. He went out too, to get some fresh air before returning to his duties.

"I saw exactly how it happened. She threw herself at him, latched on and wouldn't let go. And of course her top was so low he couldn't tear his eyes away. She timed it perfectly, letting her eyes grow wide and liquid, her lips soft and inviting, just as the clock started striking midnight. When she ran it was no wonder he went after her gagging for more."

"I saw exactly how it happened. They were dancing together and he wouldn't let her go even though she desperately wanted to. There were tears of pain in her eyes. As soon as the clock started striking twelve, she ripped herself from his arms and ran for the stairs as fast as she could without a backward glance. And he went so still, like he couldn't believe this female had dared leave without his permission, before he was finished. His blood was up and he stalked after her, someone should have stopped him."

"I saw exactly how it happened. I don't think she knew who he was; but she knew he had to be important. As long as they were dancing together, nothing could touch them; no one could hurt her. I could never forget the look in her eyes that night, when she arrived and as they danced and when the clock struck midnight. For an hour, maybe two, she'd found safety... and love. But when midnight came, she ran away, up the stairs. He followed, but came back in just before the ball ended. I don't think he found her."

"I saw exactly how it happened. They were dancing next to a lady in a red gown, he had his back to the lady but she could see her over his shoulder. And her eyes went wide and she started backing away – that's when the clock started chiming. The sound broke whatever hold the lady had on her and she ran, right out of the ballroom. He was completely dumbfounded and tried to catch up with her but she must have gotten away."

"They danced. And then she ran away. Because he looked at her, or she looked at him. He ran away too, but he also came back. It was definitely at midnight. And that's exactly how it happened, truly, I saw it."

Because I wanted another voice, I collared my little sister into writing a paragraph. It's the one with the ellipsis. Personally, I would not use an ellipsis in the middle of a sentence for love or money, but to each their own, I suppose. Merci beaucoup, ma petit!