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

Leaning against the fireplace, which he had lit early on in his session with Haley, the creature looked over the girl. She was pale in the face, and she was slumped over in the chair. Her breath was uneven, but the floor had been cleaned. That had been a dreadful task for him, but he hadn't wanted to smell her disgusting stomach contents anymore. He hadn't desired the stench to reach (f/n) either.

He even had cleaned up Haley's mouth with some melted snow and a ripped off piece of her jacket. The creature had also been thankful for the old mop and broom that he had located in the wooden chest before he had filled it with his food. Normally, he wouldn't be so thorough in his cleanup, and he hadn't even bothered when he had been back in the tunnels, but he had his little helper to take care. Like in her home ... No, their home, he had picked up after himself. That had been mainly to keep his presence unknown, though.

It was different now. He was being respectful of her living conditions. The creature doubted that she would like staying in the cabin if it smelled of blood and vomit the whole time, but she probably hated remaining in the cabin regardless. Knowing her, she most likely wished to return to her plan as soon as possible, which brought him back to Haley.

The d*mned girl hadn't answered a single question. He had given her six strips, and she had only swallowed one. All of the others had become too ruined for him to try and get her to eat them.

Once she caught her breath and lifted her head some, he pushed himself off of the fireplace and seated himself on the table. Her eyes met his. "Well, I don't want to waste anymore food on you today, but you should eat more. Otherwise, it'll only get worse for you." Hate clouded her vision, and she didn't respond. "So, you've learned to stop begging?" He reached for the container.

Instantly, she froze. A smirk touched his lips. "Oh, I get it." He giggled. "You're such a faker." The creature sealed the container with the lid. "I won't feed you another bite today, though. You've ruined my appetite enough for now." She sighed, but that only made him giggle. "We're not done, though." Her eyes widened a bit.

Giggling, he placed the container back on the table. His left index nail ran along the perimeter of the lid. "No, no, you're part of my entertainment, and you haven't even told me anything yet." He hopped off of the table and walked to the back of her chair. The creature placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm not going to say anything. I've already endured the worst." A series of giggles met her ears. She tensed as his hands pressed into her more. His nails were close to piercing her skin, but she continued to hold her head up. To her, nothing could be more terrible than what she had just gone through.

"How wrong you are." He giggled some more. "I've only broken your wrists." The creature stepped around the chair and grinned at her. "I haven't even started to eat you yet, and there's quite a bit of you." Haley leaned back in the chair, mindful of her wrists. His nails trailed up her left arm. "Maybe, I should start here. It's an easy place to begin. What do ..."

Pausing, he heard movement in the bedroom. It was very little, but it grew louder. The bed creaked. His attention snapped in that direction. "Looks like your little partner is finally coming to. Maybe, you can snack on her," Haley laughed out in a vindictive way.

Not amused, the creature merely slashed a nail across her mouth. Her cry rang throughout the room before she sucked on her lips. Drops of red dripped from her chin and onto her lap. The creature, though, was already heading into the bedroom. He closed the door behind him.

All of the room swam in near darkness. Only a few late afternoon beams of light made it through the boarded up windows. For him, that was better. His eyes landed on (f/n), who had been attempting to sit up in the bed. Her efforts had failed, and she had only ended up lying more on the old pillow.

(F/n)'s eyes greeted his. Fear danced in them, and he could hear her quickened heartbeat. A giggle left him, and he shook his head. "I thought that I had told you that I wouldn't take a bite of you right now. I'm not going to kill you either." He stepped over to her, and she didn't calm down. "Really, you're so heartless." Another giggle left him as he stood beside the bed.

His nails reached out towards her. She flinched, but they didn't stop. They brushed aside loose strands of her silken locks. "I heard you moving. Do you need something? Otherwise, you should go back to sleep. Your body needs to recover."

Watching him, she felt paralyzed. The care in his eyes unnerved her. A grumble increased her terror. "Ah, sorry. I haven't eaten yet." That didn't ease her one bit. "That wretched girl ruined my appetite. She's far too stubborn."

"So, you ..."

"Yes. She only swallowed one bite, though. The rest ... I had to clean up a lot. I didn't want the smell to ruin your sleep." A small grin tugged at his lips. "Though, your sense of smell isn't as great as mine." His eyes scanned over her a bit before they landed on her lips once more. Hungry desire tickled his gaze, and she moved her head away from him. His eyes went back to hers, and he giggled again. "That's probably for the best, though."

Averting her eyes, she responded, "Why can't you just kill her? I know your reasons, but they're ridiculous." His hand drew back from her hair. She stared to him once more. "That part of my plan is ruined. Drop it. It won't get you anywhere."

"No can do." He leaned against the nearby wall. "She'll pay for what she did to you, and your discarded plan might provide me something useful. You had worked hard to protect Haley, and you still are. Your two's secret must involve something deliciously good." The creature licked his lips for emphasis.

Fingers clenching, she comprehended that she wasn't going to convince him otherwise. If he found out about the hospital, though, she worried about what would cross his mind. The sedatives could be utilized on her, and with his newfound affection towards her, that could spell immense trouble for her. Even if he hadn't realized his feelings, they would've still proved to be concerning.

"Now, did you need something?"

Tightening her fingers around the blanket, she diverted her gaze once more. She ignored the ache in her shoulders slightly. How she desired to walk and tend to it herself. "Umm ..." Embarrassment crossed her countenance. "I ..." The creature raised an eyebrow before he pushed himself off of the wall. "Well ..."

"Do you need to go outside?" Her attention turned to his. "I'll carry you out."

"Well ... I ... I ..." The offer was needed in her condition, but she didn't wish to accept it. It didn't help that she probably couldn't support herself up on her legs. She didn't even know if she would be able to manage without his aid. All she was certain of was that it would be highly humiliating.

"I'll bring you out by the trees. You can use those as supports if you wish. If you need my help, I'll be nearby to assist you."

Scanning over his eyes, she noted that he was completely serious. He wasn't making fun of her condition; he truly wished to help her. It was ... unexpected. Even with his declaration earlier, she didn't assume that he would display such dedication to her recovery. She presumed that he would be laughing or trying to take advantage of her helpless state more. Reluctantly, she replied, "Fine ... Just ... Just ..."

"I'm not going to embarrass you." A grin took hold of his lips. "You're my partner after all." She didn't return the smile; she simply rolled her eyes. Hesitantly, she pushed the blanket aside, but the creature had to help her with most of it. Once it was off, he carefully lifted her up into his arms. She shivered, and he understood that part of it was from the cold. Her upper half was quite bare minus the bandages.

Gently, he sat her back down. He left the room momentarily, and she heard Haley shift in the other room. (F/n) was surprised that Haley hadn't said something to him, though. Had he done something to her mouth? A chill ran over her spine at the thought. It was most likely something dreadful. The creature returned with a grey, long-sleeved and flannel button-up. There also seemed to be something in his hoodie pocket, which she assumed to be a roll of toilet paper.

After he undid the buttons, he closed the distance between them. His chest came close to her face as he delicately slid her arms through the sleeves. If he wasn't the creature, heat would've enveloped her cheeks. "I can ..."

"Shh. Don't argue." She huffed and scowled at him. He didn't even glance to her. Somehow, though, he had managed to slip on her shirt without causing her too much pain. Her shoulders had barely even moved. When he buttoned it up, he picked her up again. (F/n) rested her intertwined hands on her midsection, and her head leaned against his chest. Their current state didn't sit well with her, but she had little choice. Haley had made her practically immobile. Entering the main room, her gaze locked with Haley's.