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

The cashier had finished ringing up her items, and (f/n) handed her the hundred. Almost, the cashier gave her an odd look, or it might've been frustration that she would have to split up the bill. (F/n) probably was spared any verbal complaint, though, due to her situation; however, she wondered if the cashier woman would even have enough change to break the bill.

Hoping that she did, (f/n) returned her attention to the mother. She was hesitant to give out the ghost town's name, but she didn't know any other cities or towns in the region she was going to. Nick only had told her to head northwest and that it would take thirty-two hours from her town. Before he had hung up, she probably should've asked for better directions.

"Well, I've been taking a vacation so that I'm able to hike in less explored and unusual areas." She chuckled as though it was the silliest idea in the world. (F/n) retrieved her change from the cashier woman and put it away into her jacket pocket. The woman handed her the bag of items and her coffee. After she thanked her, she took a careful sip of her coffee and stepped aside for the mother, who was waiting for a further explanation.

After she swallowed, she wrapped her hands around the cup gingerly. Her eyes didn't meet the mother or the cashier's. They stayed focused on the cup. "My next destination is an area near ... near a ghost town." Both the women paused and stared back to her. She met their stares and held up her right hand before she waved it as if she was apologizing. "So, I understand if you don't want to take me, and it's a long drive from here."

Both looked as though they shared a dire secret, and the cashier finished the mother's order. The mother was the first to speak. "Well, that ... is unexpected." She chuckled nervously. "I've never cared for anything dealing with ghosts, and I don't really want my children involved with that kind of thing either." Hesitation crossed her eyes. "What's the name of the town?"

Sharing her reluctance, (f/n) responded, "... Dunnuuna."

"I've never ..."

Breaking into the conversation, the cashier leaned forward on the counter and chirped in. "Ah! I've heard about that town. People had left after that what had happened to that old man." The mother looked over to the woman and raised a curious, scared brow. A grin spread across the cashier's lips, and that whole idea of them hiding a secret together shattered. They couldn't appear more different than in that moment. "Do you really want to know?"

(F/n) observed the scene and wished that she could take the situation so lightly. It was as though she was watching two kids tell ghost stories to each other. If only the creature merely was a myth. She partook of another sip of her coffee and relished the warmth that coursed through her body afterwards.

"... Yes." The mother grew more nervous, and the cashier woman bagged her items before she passed the bag to the customer. Her right hand trembled as she took her purchased goods. She clutched them to her chest almost.

"I'll spare you all of the details, but blood had been found everywhere. Some of the man's limbs had even been scattered around the house, but they had never found all of his body. No one had been able to declare him dead because nothing vital for living had been found." The cashier leaned across the counter and appeared as though she was a snake about to bite. "They say that he had gone after his daughter, who had disappeared the year before. Her body hadn't been discovered either, nor had the strange man that she had been seen with before her vanishing."

Suddenly, she stood upright. The mother jumped a little, and (f/n) doubted that the mother's offer for a ride remained intact. Nearly, (f/n) was ready to punch the cashier woman, but, maybe, she would give her a ride since she seemed so interested in the place. Most likely, the mother would only drive her part of the way if she didn't race out of the store in fright.

"I've always wanted to know if there are ghosts in that place. There has to be. If there aren't, then there must be some interesting pieces of information left." Almost, (f/n) thought that a chesire grin would stretch across the cashier's lips, but she maintained a small, satisfied smile. (F/n) wondered if she would be one of the people to attempt to tame the creature.

Perhaps, she could distract the creature for awhile. Such a thought gave her pause, and she rid it from her mind. That had been awful to think, and (f/n) thought that she had heard a chuckle from nearby. She ignored it and hoped that Brent wouldn't decide to join in on the conversation.

"I ... I ..." The mother practically was speechless. Her eyes met (f/n)'s, and (f/n) returned an understanding smile. "I'm sorry. I don't want to bring my family anywhere near that."

"It's fine." (F/n) signaled with her head towards the mother's car. "You should go to your family. They're waiting." She smiled a bit more to indicate to the mother that it was alright to move. Almost, she looked like a statue.

"Th-th ... Thank you." She managed to compose herself towards the end. Her eyes met the cashier's briefly, and the cashier's eyes seemed to gleam mischievously. The mother gulped before she left the store and joined her family in their car. Soon after, the vehicle drove off.

Meeting the cashier's eyes, (f/n) shifted on her feet awkwardly before she made to leave. The cashier stopped her, however. "Wait." (F/n) peered over her left shoulder. "You still need a ride, right?" A smile, knowing victory, greeted the woman's lips.

"Well ... Yes, that would be nice." (F/n)'s thumbs rubbed over the cup. "Are you sure, though?" The question was out of politeness, but her eyes revealed to the woman that she really wanted the assistance.

"Of course, I'm sure!" The woman chuckled. "You know that already. I don't have to work for a few days after today, and I've always wanted to go there. I just haven't received the chance. Now, I need to go, though. I can't possibly let you walk out in that weather on your own, and the distance to the town is quite a ways off, especially by foot."

Pointing to the staff door, she rested her other hand on her hip. "Just head in there for now and relax. After my shift's over, we'll leave. It's only an hour long." A grin painted her lips. It raised caution in the teenager. Was the woman hiding something? It wouldn't surprise her after that display of hers.

"Alright, thank you." (F/n) turned on her feet and headed for the backroom. The entire time, she felt the cashier's eyes on her. It unnerved her. Something definitely was up with the woman.

"You really are her, aren't you?" (F/n) paused. Her left hand was over the doorknob. Steadily, she met the woman's brown orbs, and the teen noted how the woman stood at about 5'8. The high, messy bun made of her brown locks only made her taller. A miniscule smile rested on the woman's lips.

"What do you ..."

Holding out her left hand, she morphed her lips into a friendlier appearance. "I'm Krista." Hesitant to shake her hand, (f/n) stepped forward some and reached out her left hand steadily. Before she could meet Krista's hand, the cashier grabbed hers and shook it.

"(F/n)." She was grateful when Krista released her hand. The woman leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. To (f/n), her eyes took on a predatory glow. Her heart beat a little faster in her chest, and she was tempted to take her chances with walking, but it wouldn't be surprising if the creature found her then before she reached the ghost town. (F/n) didn't want to think about how long it would take to walk to the town.

Removing herself from her thoughts, she asked again, "What had you meant? Do you recognize me from somewhere?"

Confusion swept across the woman's face. "No. Remember, I had said that I must be mistaking you for someone else?" She chuckled girlishly. Her eyes shone with amusement before she appeared apologetic. "Sorry. I don't mean to tease." Krista shifted herself to stare out over the counter and the store.

Resting her hands on the counter, she focused her eyes on the scenery before her only. Her painted red nails tapped on the counter. "I can't wait for our trip." A hum of approval left her lips, and (f/n) didn't know what to make of the woman. It was clear, though, that she was done with conversation presently.

Reluctantly, (f/n) opened the backroom door and closed it behind her. Her heart continued to beat at an abnormal pace. She knew that she needed the car ride, but Krista was growing more and more concerning. If she had to, she would jump out during the car ride and search for another way to reach to the ghost town. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that, though.