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

Hands on the steering wheel, Vincent struggled not to look back at (f/n), but his eyes eventually stared to his rear-view mirror. He saw her form turn around and head west. His hands tightened around the wheel, and part of him was tempted to head back.

He had seen the fearful expressions that had graced her face when she had been on his phone, but he hadn't pestered her about telling him the exact details. Vincent was glad that she had abstained from disclosing the information. Still, though, he did worry about her wellbeing, but he had his own family to keep safe.

The man hoped that the cash would be helpful enough, but he was tempted to call the police and guide them to the cabin. That way, the creature would be caught off guard, but he recalled overhearing from (f/n) that calling them would only worsen things for her. Contacting them would create a scene, and the creature would draw his attention back to the cabin if he wasn't already back there.

There was also the fact that he probably wouldn't be able to remain anonymous forever even if he reported it in as an anonymous caller. Most likely, his report wouldn't even be taken seriously unless he gave more specific details, which would draw more attention towards himself. That could lead the creature right to him, and he didn't wish to face such a gruesome death. He was lucky that he was still alive.

Moving his eyes from the mirror, he stared forward again. Maybe, he should've given her a better goodbye, but his nerves had caused him to rush. Again, he felt guilt tug at him. It urged him to turn back and at least drive her to the gas station. He gripped the steering wheel harder and released a slow sigh to steady his thoughts.

No guilt should be in his system. He had fulfilled his end of the bargain, and he had given her cash to help her out. She even understood that he had his family and their safety to be mindful of. (F/n) would be grateful if he helped her out more, but she wouldn't despise if he didn't.

Steeling himself, he continued to drive. He gave one last look to the mirror. Her form continued to walk in the opposite direction, but it looked like she was beginning to jog. A pained smile touched his lips. "Good luck, kid," he mumbled to himself before he made a right turn. No longer could she be seen in his mirror, and he focused back on the road.

After she had turned from his truck, she had started out walking, but she eventually had forced her legs to carry her at a jogging pace. (F/n) refused to slow down. At any moment, the creature could be on her tail, and she was lucky to be out of the mountains. Not once did she look behind her. Vincent had helped her enough, and she only hoped that he would never encounter the creature.

With no company to focus on, though, her mind attempted to bring up negative thoughts. Terror crept along her skin and wished to strike in multiple points. (F/n) pushed such things away. She didn't have time to concern herself with that now. What she needed to think about was how to reach Dunnuuna.

She had no means of transportation but her feet. There was hitchhiking, but she hadn't seen any other cars on the road so far. At the gas station, she could ask the cashier for a ride, but she doubted that the person would leave their work to help out a stranger for about a thirty-two hour drive. Maybe, she could steal a car, but that would only draw attention to herself. (F/n) couldn't have that.

It didn't help that people believed her to be dead, and it was worrying that Vincent, who had been a complete stranger previously, had recognized her from the news. If anyone saw her, they might report her in. The creature most likely would hear the news and learn of her location. She would never reach the ghost town at that point, and she doubted that he would willingly take her there if it was related to his past.

Those facts made her hesitate about entering the gas station. She still couldn't see it, and she doubted that she would for awhile. There were still an abundance of trees around, which made her paranoid about the creature hiding behind one and waiting for the most opportune moment to strike. (F/n) returned her attention to the future gas station.

If the cashier or any customers recognized her, she would have even more trouble on her hands. Haley's coat didn't have a hood, so she couldn't hide her face under it, but that only would raise suspicion anyway. She doubted that anyone would recognize the jacket as Haley's, so she didn't bother concerning herself about that detail. (F/n) only wondered how she could disguise herself some.

Maybe if she cut her hair, that could work, but she didn't have scissors. If there was a wig in the gas station, she could put that on and pay for it, but her original appearance still would be seen when she entered the place. (F/n) groaned in frustration. She had escaped the creature so far, but everything else seemed to be against her.

"What the h*ll am I supposed to do?" she muttered to herself and dragged her fingers through her hair. Her fingers slid down her face, and she tried to think of other options. Nothing seemed to do the trick, and it was becoming harder not to focus on her tired state.

When she reached the gas station, she definitely would need coffee and some high-calorie breakfast foods. Her stomach rumbled at the idea, but her mind continued to plague her about the other matters again. She placed her hands in the jacket pockets and hugged it closer to her.

Her leg muscles ached even more by the time that she saw the station, and she could tell that her nose was bright red. The likely warmth of the building's inside called to her, but she forced herself to analyze the place first. In the small parking lot, there were only two cars. At the two gas pumps, there was one car parked at the left one. No one was outside.

As she neared, she saw quite a bit of movement inside, but that made her feel slightly better. That would distract others from her. She slowed down her pace and stepped into the parking lot. Soon enough, she was opening the glass door. A little bell ringed, and she cursed the object. The cashier looked over to her. "Welcome," she said.

(F/n) returned the greeting, but her legs carried her quickly over to the coffee machine. She was incredibly grateful for the money that Vincent had given her. Otherwise, her travels only would be worse, and she doubted that she ever would've made it to Dunnuuna. The cashier's eyes followed her for a moment, and she tried to shrink into the background. Thankfully, two little kids ran across the store and chased each other, which caused the cashier to focus her attention on them.

Sighing in relief, she prepared her coffee before she walked around the small place and retrieved snacks for trip as well as some freshly baked breakfast sandwiches. Almost, she had dropped her things a few times due to the running kids, who only stopped once their mother and father warned them to behave or they wouldn't get any doughnuts. She was grateful that she could walk in peace, and she waited behind one person at the counter.

Once the individual in front of her was done, she stepped up and placed her items on the counter. The cashier was about to ring up her items, but she paused and met (f/n)'s eyes. She narrowed hers in examination of (f/n). "Is there a problem?" (f/n) asked as she made sure that her tone was confused and not hostile, but she desperately wished to leave the store.

"Oh!" She shook her head. "Sorry, you just look familiar. I must've mistaken you for someone else. My apologies." (F/n) mentally sighed when the woman rang up her items, but the cashier's eyes glanced between her and the parking lot. Her hands stopped, and she appeared confused. "Had you walked here? Or, is your car down the street a little?"

"Yes, my car had been stolen. I had been hiking. When I had come back, it had been gone." It was the first thing that she could think of that sounded reasonable. The woman's eyes widened. (F/n) waved her hands in front of her face and smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. Well, it isn't, but I'll manage."

"Have you reported it in?"

"Yes, and I hadn't felt like waiting around for someone to pick me up. I had known about this gas station, so I had walked here."

"Do you have someone to pick you up now?"

"Well, I ..."

"You had your car stolen in this cold?" a voice asked behind them. (F/n) turned around and saw the mother of the family behind her. The father was taking the kids out to the car while she waited in line to pay. Nodding her head, (f/n) shifted her eyes back to the mother. "What direction are you heading in?"

Trying not to seem stunned at the question, she hesitantly answered, "West." Almost scared to ask, she paused before her next words. "... Why do you ask?"

"Well, I figured that if we're heading in the same direction we could help you out. And, it sounds like we are." (F/n)'s mouth dropped open a little in surprise before she quickly closed it shut. A chuckle left the mother. "Where are you headed to exactly?"