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

(F/n) had taken her parents' car since they weren't going to be using it for the day, and her car had to be repaired. Her parents had been tempted to purchase her a new one, but she had mentioned to them that it would be better after the creature was gone. Everything was becoming dependent on the capture and killing of the creature. It was frustrating, and she could finally let out her anger in the car since the creature was nowhere nearby.

When she had been stopped at the red lights, though, she had checked behind her and looked into the backseat. Luckily, the creature hadn't been there, and he hadn't been in the very back either. Once she reached town, she headed to the main shopping center and parked the car. It was only then that she realized how difficult it would be to shop for the creature.

She didn't have his measurements, and buying men's clothes would raise suspicion. (F/n) supposed that he could pass it off as buying things for her dad as a surprise. He was several inches taller than the creature, though, and he had a thicker build. Maybe, she could buy bigger clothes for the creature, and he could make the adjustments on his own. There was also the fact that she could buy him a belt, which would solve the problem of the pants being too big.

Even with those reassuring details, she rested her head on the steering wheel. Somehow her life had turned into buying clothes for a human eating creature, who now resided in her own home. The whole idea of it sounded farfetched, but that was only because she was a good distance away from him. Up close, it was utterly terrifying.

Then again, it had been her offer to purchase the items, but she didn't need her old classmate's bloody clothes constantly around her. She was tempted to purchase bright clothes for the creature, though. That way he could be seen at night better. Unfortunately, the creature would probably catch onto that scheme right away. He wouldn't change into clothes that he didn't want to wear, and she had no intention of forcing him into them.

Making herself get out of her warm car, she headed into the clothing store. She was the only customer due to the time, and the store clerk, who she knew as Haley, glanced over her way. Her dark blue eyes clearly revealed how tired she was, and she gave a weak wave to (f/n). A yawn escaped the clerk's mouth before she turned her attention back to her phone.

Not minding her casual behavior, (f/n) headed over to the men's section. She was glad that the younger teen was on her phone. It meant that she wouldn't be looking over her way, and there wouldn't be that awkward feeling in the air. (F/n) hated when store clerks hovered around her and waited for her to buy something. If anything, that behavior only made her want to form a beeline for the exit.

Looking over the clothes, (f/n) only picked out darker clothes, which wasn't hard since it was winter. The creature wanted to blend into the shadows, so she knew that he wouldn't wear something like bright pink pants. A chuckle didn't escape her lips at the mental image. If anything, he only appeared more horrific.

Once she had three shirts, three pairs of pants, a jacket and a belt, she went back to the register. Thankfully, she didn't have to worry about shoes or socks since the creature seemed to have no preference for them. They probably slowed down his running. She set the items on the counter, and Haley glanced up from her phone. A questioning gaze fell over her face before she stored her phone away in her neon blue, bomber jacket.

"Are these for your dad?" Haley asked, picking up a shirt. It probably barely fit her dad, but she had never actually bought him clothes before. She had bought him ties, but that was the extent of it.

"Yeah. An early present for him ... for father's day." Her dad's birthday had already passed, so it had been the first thing to come to her mind.

"Must be, but aren't these a little small? I mean your dad is kind of the tallest person in town." She held up the shirt higher and raised an eyebrow. (F/n) sighed before she smiled a little. The nineteen-year-old knew that Haley was only giving her a hard time because she was the only customer that would laugh it off. If she were working Haley's morning shift, she knew that she would have a hard time maintaining typical store clerk behavior.

"I'm not sure. I haven't shopped for him really before, but I think that it'll work. If not, I can return them. It's not that big of a deal to make another trip."

"I guess. Whatever works for you, (f/n)." She started to scan the barcodes and load the items into a bag. Her phone rang, and she glanced over to (f/n). The older teen indicated for her to take it. Frankly, she was in no hurry to get back home where the creature was. Her life felt normal right now, and she was enjoying it. Once the creature was gone, her life would feel like the present every day.

"Hello?" she asked, not recognizing the number of the caller. "Mr. Nexem? Is something wrong?" (F/n) froze at the name. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but she couldn't. Her (e/c) eyes focused on the clothes still on the counter. "What? Dean's missing?" Haley cast a glance to (f/n) before she left from behind the counter and into the backroom.

The older teen had no idea, and she wished to run to the bathroom, but she had to watch the front of the store. She had a feeling that Haley would be leaving work early and that she would be in the clothing store longer than expected. Her elbows slid across the counter before she rested her head in her hands.

It was ten minutes before Haley came back out, and she looked beyond worried. She hadn't cried, but she was beginning to. (F/n) had moved over to her seat behind the counter, but she stood up and moved aside. "What happened?" (f/n) questioned even though she already knew.

Haley took her seat, and her short brown locks fell around her face. Her hands gripped her black skinny jeans, and tears started to flow down her cheeks. "You remember Dean from your high school class, right?" (F/n) nodded her head. "Well, I started dating him four months back, and we had really hit off, but his dad ..." More tears decorated her cheeks. "His dad said that he never came home last night. He had called and said that he would be late since he needed to finish some work at the college. His dad hadn't been worried since the campus is well lit, but he ... he ..."

Before (f/n) could say anything, Haley glanced up at her. "He's just missing, right? That ... th-that monster ..." The eighteen-year-old couldn't say it. (F/n) couldn't answer, and she couldn't say the truth. She couldn't say that Dean was buried under tree roots in the cemetery.

All she wanted to do was run and hide herself away in her warm car, pretending that nothing terrible was going on around her. Her normal moment had quickly evaporated. Continuing to look at (f/n), Haley couldn't stop the tears. "(F/n)? That is tr-true ... rig-right? O-or ..."

Steadily, (f/n) shook her head. "I don't know, but he might still be alive." She was giving Haley false hope, and she knew that it was terrible, but she had to keep silent. If she said too much, Haley might be the next victim.

"Then ..."

Instantly, (f/n) cut her off. "Don't even think about it." Her voice grew sharp. She didn't want someone else that she knew to die, and she hoped that Dean would last the creature for some time. "Don't go looking for him or the creature. If the creature encounters you, you won't last long. In the tunnels, he was vicious, but he made the mistake of trying to turn his hunt into a game. That's why Nick and I escaped. We had time. Out here, I doubt that he'll be like that since everyone has a target on him."

"But ..." She looked like she had hope swept from out under her. "But ... Dean ... I" Her head hung again, and she looked like she wanted to curl up into a ball. "Do you mind finishing your order? I ... can't."

Nodding, (f/n) completed it and made the payment. Everything was soon bagged and ready to go. "Do you want me to call your boss and let him know what happened?" Haley gave a weak nod. "I'll need your phone. Mine was taken by ... well ... him." She handed hers over to (f/n). Once (f/n) dialed up Mr. Verner, she explained the situation to him, and he quickly stated that he would send another employee over.

They would probably have to wait another hour before someone else came in, and (f/n) couldn't just leave Haley. So, she locked up the store after Haley gave her one of the store keys. (F/n) took Haley to the backroom and sat down with her. Nothing was said between the two. Haley simply rested her head in her hands and cried. When she looked back up, she asked quietly, "Why do you address that ... thing as a him? It's not human. It's only a terrible thing." Brent had brought up a similar point.

"It doesn't matter why. It makes it easier for me." Haley gave her a questioning stare as if she doubted every word. Seeing that she wasn't going to drop the matter like that, she repeated, "It's just easier for me. Maybe, that seems unreasonable, but that's how it is." The younger teen's look didn't fall. Maybe, Haley was trying to place blame on her for Dean's disappearance. In some ways, it was, but she had her reasons, and they couldn't be explained to Haley.

"Understand this, Haley." Her (e/c) eyes turned sharp, and her expression for once had no fear. It was probably because she was distanced from the creature. "If I get presented the opportunity, I will kill him."