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

When her eyes had met his, she paused. There was only one more handful of the terrible mix in the bag, but her attention wasn't on it at all. The creature appeared as though he would leap out of his seat and attack her. His nails tapped against his other arm, his eyes were narrowed and his lips were downturned into a heavy frown. Nearly, she expected him to growl at her or to release that bone-chilling high-pitched cry of his.

"That worthless human has no right in having a bond with you in death." The creature sat up a little straighter. "Don't you dare include him in our relationship."

Despite the terror creeping in her veins, she almost chuckled. "You're the one who had killed him and had me make that awful decision. It's your fault for bringing him into this, not mine."

"You're the one who's imagining him and letting that illusion torment you because you feel guilty for his death."

"Well, excuse me." She sat up straighter herself and set the trail mix aside. Her hands rested on the table, and she was tempted to slam them for emphasis. "You had traumatized me with his d*mned screams." Their heated gazes locked onto each other more. (F/n) stood to her feet. "As hard as it is to believe," her voice was harshly sarcastic, "you bring nightmares wherever you go."

He giggled. It was higher than usual. "I know that. I've seen you tremble in your sleep." The creature stood up, and his nails dug into the wood. "Even now, your legs are shaking. You may keep pushing forward towards your goal, and I love you for that, but you're weak." His feet carried him towards her, and she backed up only to fall back onto her chair.

Towering over her, his right hand gripped the side of the table. His left tightened around the back of her chair. Her body wished to melt into the wood and vanish. "You know that you're weak against me. Against another human, however, you're strong. And against a dead one, you should be stronger."

Pushing himself away, he walked around the back of her chair. "I may have found your hallucinations entertaining, but I refuse to let some dead man walk into our relationship. He's not bonded to you in any way or form. Get rid of him. I've already removed him physically; you must eradicate him mentally."

His right hand reached the trail mix, and he brushed it over to her. "Finish that. I need to leave. I can't sit around and watch you right now." The creature lifted his right hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he walked to the front door. Once it was open, he paused in the doorway.

Looking over his left shoulder, his eyes landed on her again. She met his stare, and her heart felt cold. "When I get back, I expect three things." Instinctively, she scooted her chair back some. "One is that the trail mix will have been eaten by you. Two is that the disgusting human will be no longer residing in your head." A smirk tugged at his lips. "And lastly, I'll be expecting dessert."

Before she could get in a word, he closed the door behind him. Quietness ruled the inside of the cabin. Brent wasn't back either, but she couldn't simply forget him. It wasn't that simple. Unceremoniously, she dumped the rest of the trail mix into her mouth. She crumpled the bag up in her hand and munched on the vile food.

Once she swallowed it, she laid her head on her arms. A vexed groan parted from her, and she hoped that the creature would take awhile. It had been three weeks after all, and there would probably be a lot of information to report back. Unfortunately, he most likely would wish to eat first. Her stomach turned, and her body ached.

If only she hadn't mentioned that bond thing with Brent, things would've gone smoother. She cursed herself for it, but she also swore at the creature. How he could become jealous of a deceased individual was beyond her. Then again, she was the one with hallucinations.

Almost, she thought that she had heard a laugh. She sunk her head deeper into the pillow that was her arms. Her eyes shut, and she did her best to ignore another chuckle. Brent probably was right beside or behind her. (F/n) didn't know who was the greater a**hole in that moment: the creature or Brent.

Maybe, they were tied. At least, the creature, though, hadn't desired money like it was the last drop of water on the planet. Instead, he treated her like she was a prized steak that kept replenishing itself. Another groan left her. That wasn't necessarily true, but she wasn't in the mood for making a more accurate comparison. Nor, did she need those other thoughts to tiptoe out of the shadows and bother her.

Fortunately, drowsiness crawled along her and seeped into her. Her eyelids felt heavier, and her lips parted. Steady breathing defined her, and her whole body relaxed.

Another laugh reached her ears. They twitched against the sound in protest. It was loud, and it sounded too real. The laugh was jovial, and it lacked malice entirely. Her ears couldn't resist it. Steadily, (f/n) opened her eyes and lifted her head up.

Sleep dominated her eyes, and she squinted. Her eyes met the window and noticed that it was later in the morning, but her attention didn't last long on the glass. Another laugh sounded. Instantly, she sat up straight and became alert. That didn't sound like Brent, and it most definitely wasn't the creature. She glanced around her to double check. Neither of them were there, but it was coming from outside.

Hope slammed against her ribcage and broke its way into her heart. Her eyes shot towards the door, and her ears begged for more of that delightful sound. Another laugh greeted her. She thought that she would cry. Someone else was out there. Somehow, someone had found the cabin, and the creature was away. Time wasn't on her side, but luck was.

Cautiously, she removed herself from the chair. Her steps were slow and quiet as she made her way to the door. She didn't open it. Rather, she waited by it. The knob turned, and her fingertips rubbed against the wood wall, trying to dig their way into it. (F/n)'s heart hammered in her chest.

A leg entered. It was covered by blue denim, and the foot was protected by a snow hiking boot. She pressed herself closer to the wall, ready to jump the person in excitement. They walked in completely. The person was a man. He was about six feet, and his clothes were brushed with a light dose of snow.

Removing his red hat, he shook it off and put it back on. His whole body froze, however. She followed his gaze to the fireplace, which was burning with low flames. "Wh-what?" The man's tone portrayed puzzlement. "No one else comes here." He stepped further in and pulled out his phone. Her eyes lit up.

"I followed the map right, though, like I always do. And, this is definitely the same cabin." His voice was worn with age but still bubbled with energy, though; the liveliness of it was fading. He had to be in his late forties, early fifties. The man fixed his focus on the trail mix bag.

Going over to it, he adjusted his red scarf in nervousness. "This is ... odd." His nose sniffed at the air, and she saw him noticeably pale. "B-bl-blood? What the ..." He turned around and stopped. Light green eyes stared at her and widened. "W-who ... are you?"

Hesitantly, she stepped out of the shadows and held her hands up. Her foot closed the door, however, but to block out the cold. At least, that's what she'd like to tell herself. She didn't want him to bolt out of the cabin. Finally, she had help, and she wasn't about to lose it. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just need help." (F/n) made sure that her voice was calm and steady even though she desired to unload every nugget of information onto him so that he could quickly understand the situation and come to her aid.

Recognition crossed his eyes. "Y-you!" His feet took swift steps back before he fell onto the chair. His phone dropped onto the ground, but it didn't break. "You had been on the news. Th-th-that ... thing had kidnapped you!"

"Yes, and I need your help." She stopped when he violently stood up and moved around the table. The man was acting like she was the creature. (F/n) kept her hands raised. Most likely, he was coming to the realization, though, that his life was becoming entangled in the h*llish world of the creature. No doubt, she felt bad for him, but he would bring her to the second part of her plan.

"What?! Then ..." He looked around and brought his hands up to his head in a panic. His hands tugged on his hat. Anger mixed in with his fear, and his eyes glared towards her. "Why the h*ll did you have to come here?! This place had belonged to my grandfather! You have no right to be here!"

(F/n) resisted the urge to point out that it clearly had been abandoned. Maybe, the man before her hadn't been able to afford upkeep of the place. It was out in the middle of nowhere, and there were no distinguishable paths in the area. She needed to prevent him from blowing up anymore on her, though. "You're right. I don't, but I don't want to be here either. I had been forced to come and stay here. Surely, you can figure out what that means."

"Oh no, oh no." He repeated the two words a few more times before he leaned against the wall. His hands dragged down across his dark brown stubble, which had flecks of grey in it. The man crumbled to the ground, and she hoped that he wouldn't panic again.