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

"This isn't good. Sh*t, sh*t," Nick continued to curse, the panic clearly rising in his voice.

(F/n) couldn't offer anything reassuring because her mind wasn't much better, but she only had so many coins to keep the phone running. Forcing herself to calm down, she managed to ask without a stutter, "What did you tell him? What did he say to you?"

Nick stopped and caught his breath. "It pretended to be you obviously, and I didn't know because it didn't call. It didn't help that it gave a good impression of you." A frustrated and terrified groan left him. "But, the important part is that it wanted me to come over and talk to me. I have a feeling that it didn't have a simple conversation in my mind."

"Yeah, that's doubtful." (F/n) tried to piece the puzzle together, but she didn't know why the creature would contact him all of a sudden. It didn't make sense. He hadn't texted Nick at all beforehand. "What time and day did he ask you to come?"

"Tomorrow." There was a pause, and it sounded like he mumbled something to himself. He was probably still wishing to panic. "The time was at ten in the morning at the gas station ten minutes out of town."

Thankfully, she hadn't gone to that one, but she wondered how the creature was planning on meeting Nick out in the open. There weren't too many people there, but he would still be seen. "Well, I think that we both agree that you need to cancel. Text him back later that something came up, and you can't cancel that appointment. Set the date much later if you can."

"And if it comes after me? I don't want a repeat of the tunnels. I don't think that I can do that again. I don't even know how you're surviving through all of the stuff that you still have to deal with." She heard a few more swear words on his end. "Why can't it just leave us alone?"

Sighing, (f/n) answered softly, "I'm not sure." She knew why it had followed her, but she couldn't disclose that to Nick. He'd probably hang up the instant that she revealed her secret deal. "But, you have to try and convince him to let you go tomorrow. Just keep acting like it's me, and he shouldn't suspect anything odd."

"Right. I sure hope that's the case." A light chuckle left him. "At least, you called me. Or, I'd be dead tomorrow for sure."

"I'm glad that I called you too because I need to ask you to do something."

Again, there was a pause. He was probably tempted to end the call, but she could hear him breathing. She put in a few more coins. "... What is it?"

"I need information. You've dealt with the paranormal before, so you should know where to start looking. You probably did research before you entered the tunnels, but I want you to investigate again. The creature's known kills have only been happening for six years, but there must've been cases before that. Even look up missing persons reports. Anything that might seem like it could be connected to him. You don't need to have any contact with the creature."

"(F/n), that's ..."

"Please. I really need your help. I can't stop him on my own. I want him dead, Nick. Don't you want that too? We can finally put what happened in the tunnels behind us once he's dead."

"I'm not going to ask you what you have planned. I don't want to know, and I really don't want to get involved in this anymore. This is one case that I never should've touched." A frustrated and tired sigh escaped him. "But, the creature already dragged me back in, and I'd rather help you than it." Hope entered her heart, and she couldn't help but smile a little. "I'll see what new information I can find, but I can't promise anything. When should I expect you to contact me again?"

"In a week. I'd meet up with you, but that's too risky for both of us. And if things start to turn for the worst, you should move immediately."

"Alright, and I'm aware of that. I've had an emergency travel bag prepared since I got back home. Anyway, try and stay alive. I'll attempt to do the same."

"Right. Thanks again, Nick. Bye."

"Bye." (F/n) heard him hang up before she put the phone back. She placed her hands in her pockets and looked in the direction of her house. Right now, she wouldn't go back home. Maybe, the creature was asleep, and she required to time to think on why he had texted Nick. It didn't make sense. The creature seemed fine with just messing with her life. Why did he drag Nick back into the picture?

Taking steady steps to her car, she unlocked the vehicle. Her hand on the handle, she paused. There was no way that he knew about her plan. She hadn't written it down or ever voiced it to him. Well, she had admitted that she would kill him, but she hadn't given him the method. That would've been incredibly idiotic of her.

Desperately, though, she desired to understand the creature's motive. His plan could ruin her own, and she only had one shot. She opened her car door and went inside. Her hands rested on the steering wheel. They shook a little as she wondered what she would face when she arrived at the house. Gulping, she started the car but didn't know where to go.

She could've traveled to the library, but she didn't wish to do any research. If the creature somehow found evidence of it, it could mean the unraveling of her efforts. (F/n) did have the option to ask him directly about his past, but he wouldn't describe vital pieces to his story.

There would be no doubt, though, that the creature would understand that she was trying to find some other weakness in him, but he wouldn't suspect anyone else being involved. Realistically, she was probably being too cautious about not going to the library since she wasn't visiting or calling anyone there. She did have another reason to be careful, however.

Everyone in the town knew that the creature had a certain attachment to her. If she started publicly searching for facts on him, someone might wonder why since the creature to them hadn't come back to town, and she couldn't explain her plan to them. Her lack of response and hesitation to answer would only raise suspicion that she had more information on the creature than everyone else. That would spread, and the chief might contact her parents and want to speak to her. It would bring too much attention to her strategy, and it could unveil that the creature was living in her home.

Trusting Nick, Haley and Haley's aunt was already tough. If any of them spoke to someone else, things could turn chaotic in a heartbeat. Even her using the payphone was odd, and she hoped that owner, Kaleb, wouldn't say anything about it. There were a few other cars parked in the parking lot, so he might've been too busy to notice.

Driving off, she decided to head off to the park in the middle of town. She would simply scroll through some things online and relax for the rest of the day. That had been her plan until she heard her father's phone ringing. Quickly, she pulled it out of her pocket and saw that it was her dad calling her. Worst case scenarios played in her head, and she pulled over to the side of the road before she answered. "Hey, Dad. Is something wrong?" she inquired, doing her best to push her fear aside.

"No, everything's alright." She heard a chuckle. "If anyone should be worried, it's us. Are you doing alright?"

"Yes, I was on my way to the park. Were you calling to check up on me?"

"Well, yes, but I was also wondering if you could do your mother and I a favor. We need a few groceries for dinner and some dessert that I'm planning on making. Since you're out and have our car, we were wondering if you could pick them up. Would you be alright with skipping out on the park and picking them up since we need them sooner than later?"

Almost, she wanted to groan, but she could spend awhile in the grocery store. "Sure, just give me the items." She reached over to the glove compartment and pulled out a notepad and pen. Her dad thanked her before he gave her the various items. (F/n) stopped, however, when he listed a particular item. "How about you hold off on the raspberries, Dad?" Another happening like that in the coffee shop was something that she didn't wish to experience again.

"Why? They go well with chocolate cake, and you've never complained about them before."

"Maybe, use blackberries or blueberries instead. You could switch it up a bit. I'm just getting burned out on raspberries. Will that be alright with you?"

"... I guess. I have never tried blueberries ... Okay, pick up those instead ... Maybe, also the raspberries. I'll do half and half."

"Okay, thanks. I'll see you in a bit." She hung up the phone after he said goodbye. Going back onto the road, she drove off to the grocery store. Due to the length of the list, she would be able to spend quite a bit of time in there.