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

That notion alone was bothersome, but she knew it to be the truth already. Those three weeks had brought her hope that maybe something had changed, but he had come right back into her life as though he had never left. (F/n) thought about the reward money again, and she would love to turn him in dead. If things worked out for her, she would be able to. The money didn't interest her; she just wanted her old life back. To her, the money was an extra bonus.

Thankfully, that money had restrictions. The reward would be dropped entirely if someone tried to force the information out of Nick or her. It would also be forfeit if someone tried to use Nick or her to draw the creature out. (F/n) didn't wish to imagine what horrors would've awaited her had those conditions not been put into place; the creature was enough trouble.

Done with the news, she flipped through the channels. Nothing seemed to be on, and she merely hoped that dinner would be ready soon. Tired of pressing the channel button, she placed the remote on the bed. The creature grabbed it and changed it to a shopping channel. She would've asked why until she noted that they were selling cutlery. A chill ran up her spine, and she would've moved closer to the edge if she could've.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to purchase those. You have enough in your kitchen, but those do look nice." A pleased grin coated his lips. "I could ..."

"I don't want to know. I've already seen too much of your food needs." She had to glance away from the screen. Already, she could picture the counter and knives covered in crimson. A giggle hit her ears, but she didn't glance over. Rather, she tried to distract herself. Curiosities from before came to mind as did a new one, but she remained hesitant about asking. That was the case even more so for the new addition. (F/n) didn't wish to give him any ideas.

"True, but I haven't seen yours." She looked up and over at him. Uncertainty laced her expression. "I want to see what you enjoy. We're partners after all, and we should share a meal at one point. I've also never experienced what it's like to eat at the same time as somebody else."

"No. My appetite will be ruined. It already almost is." She would probably have a hard time eating dinner if it involved a knife. "And, we're not partners." His grin fell, but she wasn't going to apologize. "We may have a deal, but you threatened me into it. I'll never consider you a partner."

"Then, what am I?" His voice was for once not high. It was deadly calm, and she couldn't help but gulp. One wrong word and things could take a horrendous course. The option not to answer might not be a choice, but she tried it.

Breaking eye contact with him, she stood up and headed for her room door. He didn't stop her, but his eyes fixed themselves on her every step. Her hand rested on the doorknob. "(F/n)." She froze but didn't gaze back. Venom sunk into the single word.

"I hate you," she muttered as she bent her head down. Her hand gripped the doorknob. He spotted that her limbs were shaking lightly, but he didn't grow amused. Steadily, she peered back at him. "You even admitted that was a natural reaction to what you've committed. Use that to guess." She opened the door and closed it behind her.

His eyes stayed on the door. "And, they're only $19.99!" He diverted his gaze to the television. The saleswoman had said that phrase several times already. Her chipper, fake attitude annoyed him, and he shut the thing off. Even the knives didn't capture his attention anymore.

Something seemed off. His eyes narrowed, and his nails tapped against the bed. During his time with the officers, he had happily talked about his lovely little partner. They had a deal, so they were partners. It made sense to him. He didn't expect the girl to grow to like him. That was unreasonable, and he didn't care about that, but he was pissed.

If he wasn't her partner, what was he? He suspected several answers from her, and they all angered him. The creature enjoyed her company, and she treated him with more respect than anyone else had. That made her all the more pleasurable to be around, but her answer stole some of that respect.

He figured that was the reason why he was mad. The creature didn't know if other emotions were involved, but he did like her, though; it wasn't in the romantic respect. His nails glided across his scalp. It was all so puzzling to him. She was the first human that he cared to spend enough time with, and he didn't wish to lose that. If she started to treat him like the others, he didn't know if he could hold himself back from snapping on her one day.

Then, their deal would be off. He would lose the only person who treated him as more than a monster. That idea ... Well, it was concerning, but he could sway her opinion. When she answered his question, it would be what he wanted. She had made the mistake of passing the response to him. Looking into the bathroom, a grin returned to his lips. Their partnership would grow in length, and she wouldn't be able to resist.

~~~~~~~~~~

During the evening, (f/n) hadn't received much sleep. The creature had been at her desk reading one of the books that she had in her room. It had been a textbook to help with her mortuary science studies. He had probably been browsing through it as though it was a messed up cookbook of some sort, but the morning spelled good fortune for her.

Before she had entered her room again last night, she had made a call to Haley, using her mother's phone, and had asked if she would be alright with meeting the next morning. To her benefit, Haley had agreed. (F/n) hadn't appear joyful in the slightest, though, around the creature. Her change in behavior would've been a warning flag.

It was odd, however, that he wasn't talking to her. She tightened her scarf and buttoned up her coat. He remained at her desk and continued to read. There was a large pit in her stomach, but she was hopeful for her day. The creature would be asleep, and she could execute her plan.

Opening her door, she glanced to him. He didn't even look to her. She was definitely going to postpone entering her room that evening. His silence and inattentiveness only heightened the terrifying atmosphere around him. (F/n) closed the door slowly and quietly as if the opposites would signal him to attack her.

Both her parents were in the kitchen. "I'm going out for breakfast, and I might walk around town a bit afterwards."

They nodded, but her father stood up and handed her his phone. "Just call if you need anything. You know the drill." He smiled to her, and she smiled back. She waved to them both before she headed to their car. Like last night, she had hid her injured hand in a pocket.

On her way there, however, she couldn't help but think about how relieved she was. If the creature had been her dad's height, she might've been trembling constantly. Everyone in the town would probably be doing the same.

In the car, she drove off to the coffee shop. Typically, she would take her time, but she was excited. She also wished to get away from her home. It hadn't helped that she had caught the creature watching her when she had left. He had been staring out into the morning light even. That image disturbed her mind even more.

"Getting another person involved?" Brent's voice came from right next to her. She focused on the road and tightened her grip on the wheel, ignoring the pain in her right hand. "She'll probably die. He's bound to find out. I wonder how he'll kill her." He chuckled, and she caught sight of his feet on the dashboard out of the corners of her eyes. "Good thing that Dean's dead." A loud laugh escaped him. "Oh wait, you see him too. You're in for a real treat. It'll be something that a b*tch like you deserves."

Her foot pressed on the gas more. Nothing else came from his direction. Hesitantly, she glanced over. He was gone, but she knew that he had never been there. Guilt was eating at her, but she wouldn't get Haley directly involved. No, Haley's part would be as little as she could make it.

Arriving at the shop, she parked and walked in. Haley wasn't there yet, so she ordered their regular coffees and a pastry and sat at the back. Thankfully, the barista had moved the items to the table for her. Piece by piece, she picked off a section of her raspberry, crumb cake. That might be Haley later. Her fingers paused in front of her lips. She inspected the bite, and her stomach growled quietly. Wow, you're becoming like him. (F/n) shook her head. Brent wasn't there, but he had received the desired result.

Quickly, she set down the piece and ran to the bathroom. Haley had walked in at the time and witnessed the scene. A few other customers and the barista watched worried too. The younger teen gave a reassuring smile to the barista before she headed to the bathroom and knocked on the door. "(F/n)? Are you alright? Should we change the meeting?"