A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Even if there was no barrier blocking them from continuing down the hallway, (f/n) wanted to find another way out. She did have the benefit of not being the one to walk through it, but she had a sneaking suspicion that Nick didn't wish to set a foot down that way. (F/n) closed her eyes and hid her face against Nick's neck. It didn't help that the wretched smell of remains filled the air.

Her hand clutched tightly around the flashlight, and she whispered, "I really want to get out now." That had been a given the whole time that she was in the tunnels, but the desire was never stronger.

Nick leaned his head against hers briefly. "W-we're al-almost o-out," he stuttered, trying to be reassuring as possible. She appreciated it, but that didn't erase the scene in front of them. When he moved his head away, he walked over to Tara. He set (f/n) down, and she brought her knees to her chest and kept her eyes closed.

Tara had her hands on her head, and the blood had drained from her face. Nick knelt down in front of his friend and rested his hands on her shoulders. She didn't respond at all; she only mumbled incoherent things. He shook her shoulders some, and, slowly, she looked up. "Nic-Nick, tha-that's ... I don-don't wan-want to walk thr-through that."

"I know. I don't either, but you're going to have to. (F/n) can't walk on her left leg, so I can't carry you across. You can hold onto me, though, if you need to. We need to get out of here before the creature decides to attack again."

Tears started to run down her cheeks, and sobs were on their way next. Gradually, she nodded, and Nick helped her up to her feet. Her legs were weak from fear, shock and disgust, and Nick had to hold her up before she regained her balance. He handed her flashlight to her, and she could barely shine it on the scene ahead. It was too gruesome.

After he picked up (f/n), he walked beside Tara. (F/n) kept her eyes closed and turned off her flashlight. She had seen enough of Laura and Brent in their deceased states. Even though she couldn't see what they were walking through, she could hear it. Nick would lose his footing occasionally on the slippery ground. The sounds of things squashing under their feet made her stomach turn. Among all of this, she heard another dreadful sound: soft footfalls.

Neither Nick nor Tara stopped. They broke out into a careful run so as not to slip. Hesitantly, (f/n) opened her eyes and glanced behind her. She couldn't see him in the darkness, but she could hear his feet slap against the bloody ground. (F/n) looked forward again and saw the turn up ahead. The stairs would be after that, and they could get out. Or, that's what she would like to think. With the creature so close, it was unlikely, but she didn't want to give up hope.

When they made the turn, they heard the creature break out into a sprint. Nick and Tara hurried up the stairs. (F/n) turned on her flashlight and set it on high power. She shone it back, and it illuminated the creature rounding the corner. The light stopped him for a moment before he shielded his eyes and continued forward. More light was required.

Managing to reach into Nick's jacket and pull out his, she turned the brightness on full as well. This stunned the creature again, and they were now halfway up the stairs. The creature was at the bottom. A hiss lift his lips as he took one step up at a time. At this rate, Nick and she would reach the top of the stairs way before the creature. Tara was already there. "Wait, Tara!" Nick called out, and she halted.

He managed to retrieve his lock picking gear. Nick had to pause on the steps and shift (f/n) around some before he tossed it up to her. "Now, get going! We'll meet you up there!" After she caught it, she dashed off, and Nick continued to hurry up the steps. The creature was beginning to gain on them, but she refused to tell Nick to put her down. She wanted to live too badly for that.

Thankfully, they reached the top, and Nick took off running again. She kept a firm grip on the flashlights and continued to shine them in the creature's direction. The hallway wasn't too long, and she could hear Tara messing with lock in the distance.

For once, the creature didn't giggle. He didn't even hiss; he emitted a deafening screech. Her hands wanted to go up to her ears, but she had to hold onto the flashlights. Nick's grip on her tightened, and he was probably resisting the urge as well. When the sound ended, the creature came bolting. She cursed loudly. They had no more light.

Terror gripped at her. She glanced forward. They were so close to the gate. Tara was swearing like a sailor and trying to get the lock to open. A click resonated in the air, and the gate opened. The female investigator dropped everything but her flashlight and darted outside. When (f/n) glanced back, the creature was right behind them. His eyes were opened partially, and he looked to be in immense pain.

His left hand swept through the air and collided with the two flashlights. They went flying off to the side, and the creature's eyes opened fully. He grinned and went to grab for her, but Nick forced his legs to go faster for a brief moment. The creature just missed them but not for long. Leaping forward, the creature crashed against them. Nick collapsed to the floor, and she rolled off to the side.

Tiny rocks scraped against her wounded leg, and she howled in pain. Nick groaned but couldn't pick himself up as the creature had already recovered himself and now had his right foot on Nick's back. The creature kicked Nick onto his back and had his nails ready for the finishing move. (F/n) saw the flashlights near her. She threw herself towards them and shone the light on the creature. A hiss erupted from his mouth, and she utilized the nearby wall to pick herself up steadily.

Against the wall, she kept the light on him. It gave Nick enough time to get out from under the creature. He made his way over to her swiftly, but the creature was advancing towards them again. Nick removed the knife from his jacket and threw it. With his eyes closed, the creature couldn't dodge. The knife plunged into the creature's arms, locking them together.

Wasting no time, Nick picked up (f/n) again and ran out of the tunnels. They were back in the snow covered woods. Nick could barely run through the thick layer, but he continued to press on. Another screech sounded behind them. "Nick, we don't have time. Climb up one of the trees. It can't reach us there," she spoke rapidly. He stared back at her like she was crazy. "Trust me. Put me down and climb up. Then, pull me up. Hurry!"

A second screech traveled through the air. Nick desired to keep running and reach her car, but the creature was close. It would reach them in no time. Pushing away his want to get away from the woods quickly, he set her on her feet and leaned her against the tree. Hurriedly, he climbed up to a high enough branch and held down his hands. Instantly, she grabbed them, and he lifted her up. The creature was in the doorway to the tunnels, but she was safely on the branch when he started to race towards them.

Standing below the branch, the creature's gaze was beyond enraged. Nick brought her closer to him, and she could hear both of their hearts pounding. Gradually, the creature peered to his right and caught sight of the footprints. A grin began to tug at his lips. He peered back up at the humans and giggled. "You forgot one." (F/n) could feel Nick tense against her, and his hands held her upper arms tightly.

Whole body facing away from them, the creature started to follow the steps. "Don't!" Nick shouted, and the creature stopped. Another giggle left his lips.

"Would you like to come down, then? I can eat you first." Nick didn't respond. (F/n) saw that guilt crossed the investigator's countenance. The creature's giggle grew higher in pitch. "Well, well, not so brave after all." He held up Nick's knife. "I think that I'll give her a welcoming gift." Gulping, Nick's hands began to shake. (F/n) rested her hands over his, and he was appreciative of the comfort.

Locking his gaze with hers, the creature smirked before his pale eyes traveled down to her leg. "Do tend to that better. You need to be alive when I take my first bite." She gripped Nick's hands tighter. A giggle left him. "And, the only hand you'll have to hold then will be mine." Another giggle exited him but louder and more insane. "Or, your own." The creature broke out into a giggling fit before he followed after Tara.

It wasn't until the creature was out of sight that they calmed down. "We ne-need to g-get d-down," Nick ordered in a shaky voice.

"But ..."

"(F/n), do you honestly believe that the creature can't climb this tree?" No words left her, but steadily she shook her head. "Then, we need to leave before it gets back. Hopefully, we can get to the car and get Tara out of here as well." He let go of her and climbed down the tree before he held out his arms. "Jump. I can support your weight a little longer."

Rolling her eyes, she threw herself off the branch, and he caught her. There was a pout on her lips, but it formed into a small smile. "You better." He laughed lightly before she shut off one flashlight and kept the other on with a low light setting. Nick switched her to being on his back, and she directed him towards her car.