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

Her steps slowed to a stop. Snow crunched under her feet as she rocked back and forth on her heels. She glanced over the many gravestones and could count how many had been victims to the creature. Now, more would be added onto his list. A heavy sigh left her lips as her decision weighed in on her more. Both of her parents would be spared but at a huge cost. The town was sinking further into the nightmare. Tomorrow, another death would be reported.

Maybe, the creature would be caught. Her part of the deal was only to provide him residence. If he got killed on his hunt, it would be all the better for her. Even if he makes it through the night, more attention will be drawn to him. More kills meant less access. She wouldn't be surprised if security in the town heightened significantly within the next week.

That did prove a problem, however. The creature would be forced to stay in her home longer and might not be able to feed. If he grew hungry, would he attack her parents and go against his promise? Her hand gripped the flashlight more. Or, would he snack on her? A chill crept over her body, and she had to rest against a nearby tree. There was another option. She might have to kill people for him if she wanted her parents and herself to live.

(F/n) desired to avoid those three alternatives, but they were very likely. She closed her eyes for a bit as the stress of the whole thing ate away at her. There was probably another hour left before the sun went down, so there was time to get her parents out of town. Another realization hit her, and a smile pulled at her lips. The creature had only asked for residence, and she had given him that, but he never said that she had to stay at the same home.

If her parents and her packed up their items quickly, they could leave and return once the creature was terminated. She didn't know where they would stay, but it could be somewhere far. It would be an extended family vacation.

There was the issue that her parents would become suspicious if she rushed back in and told them to pack their things. They would know that something had happened in the cemetery and that it had to do with the creature. Her parents would soon learn of her bargain with the creature, and they would be dragged further into the whole mess. Maybe, she could introduce the idea subtlety.

Or, she could use her one opportunity to kill the creature. He was in mausoleum, and there was only one entrance and exit. Police forces could surround it and take him out, but he had warned her about keeping the agreement quiet. The creature probably suspected that she might pull such a move. If he was aware of it, the plan would be more likely to fail, and option B would begin.

No, she had to hold off until he least expected anything. From now on, he would be remaining at her home. There would be plenty of opportunities to attack him. Her home would become his prison and his grave.

She would still try to convince her parents to leave town with her. If they refused, she would reluctantly not press the issue, but it was worth a try. Whatever the result, they couldn't know about her bargain with the creature.

Peering back to the mausoleum, she saw that the left door was cracked open a bit. She froze when she saw him peeking out. His eyes were directly on her, and he grinned. He raised his left index finger and pointed at her before he directed it back to his mouth. (F/n) gulped and took a step away. Her stunt with the flashlight had probably earned her some terrible payback.

Not wanting to stay near him any longer, she looked away and headed off quickly to her home. She swore that she had heard a giggle as she had left the grounds. Even if she had provided him residence, she would still lock her window. He'd have to find another way in. Luckily, her parents went to bed early so that reduced the possibility of them detecting the creature.

Entering the building, she saw her mother still behind the front desk. The older woman looked up and smiled. Relief was clear on her face, and her daughter walked over to her. Before her mother could speak, (f/n) asked, "Can I speak with dad and you? It's an idea I had while I was outside." Her mother raised an eyebrow as (f/n) handed the flashlight back to her.

"That's fine. I do need a break from this anyway. Let's head upstairs." She chuckled a little and had a small grin on her lips. "I still haven't had one of your father's cookies yet."

Laughing a little, (f/n) joked, "Well, you better hurry. Otherwise, I'll eat them all on you."

"I suspect that you would." Her mother sent another smile her daughter's way before she walked up the stairs with her. While the older woman headed into the kitchen, (f/n) took a seat in the living room. (E/c) eyes glanced out to the cemetery and onto the particular mausoleum. A shiver ran over her, and she cuddled into the couch more.

"Perhaps, we should put some curtains there until you recover more," her father spoke softly as he stepped into the room with a plate of cookies. He took a seat to the left of her while her mother sat on his left. (F/n) smiled lightly and shook her head. It was a nice thought, but she wanted to make sure that the creature wasn't sneaking up on them even if they did have a deal in place. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, but thanks. Anyway, I wanted to ask something." She turned around on the couch and faced them both. "I was thinking that all of us could take a month's vacation. Hopefully, this business with the creature will be settled by the end of it." Hesitation crossed both of their countenances. "We would be safer that way, and we can afford it. I know that we can."

Picking up a cookie, her mother glanced to her father. They shared a similar look before her father sighed. "Even if we can afford it, we can't take a vacation now. We have several funerals planned for this month. We can't cancel them. We're the only funeral home these people have, and their loved ones need proper care."

"Both of you require proper care too. I know that they trust our business to provide an excellent service, but they should understand your needs too. They won't have a funeral service if we're all dead."

After a bite of cookie, her mother leaned back into the couch. "That's true, (f/n), and we appreciate your concern, but we can't abandon our clients like that. We already have their loved ones' bodies downstairs, and some things have already been purchased for their funerals. If we cancel, all of that has to be returned. Not to mention the further emotional damage that might befall the families. They would have to go through the beginning steps of the funeral process all over again. Once is enough for anyone."

"So, it's a no, then?" (f/n) asked, hope failing.

"Yes." Her father rested a hand on her head and ruffled her hair some. "We have protection, and we increased our home security. And, we'll have bars on all of the windows tomorrow."

A smile touched her lips at that. The creature would definitely have a hard time getting in now. She met her father's gaze. "And, you wouldn't want to leave me here to run things? It would give me good practice."

"No, that's too dangerous," they both answered quite quickly.

"I was only asking," she replied, holding her hands up in defense. She lowered them and got up from the couch. "I'll be in my room. Let me know if you need anything." As she was about to leave, her mother tugged gently on her left hand.

"(F/n), I just noticed the small scrapes on your skin. Did something happen? Is that why you brought this all up?" (F/n) had a hard time keeping her face straight. She didn't even notice since she had been so focused on getting to her parents. "(F/n)?"

Not revealing the secret, she shook her head. "I just took a fell. It wasn't anything serious. I'll go patch them up." She gave her mother a reassuring smile before she headed off. As she entered her room, she could hear her parents talking, but she didn't listen. Her mind was more focused on the fact that they weren't willing to leave.

Closing her room door behind her, she fell onto her bed. She would've been willing to stay at the home alone, but she knew that she wouldn't have been able to run it properly. Even with all of her years of learning, there was still more to understand, and it didn't help that she had a murderous creature tormenting her. Realistically, she would've been a wreck, and she was glad to have her parents with her. They provided her some sanity in all of the madness.

Rolling onto her back, she forced herself to sit up and take off her shoes. She removed her jacket and headed into the bathroom. After she flicked on the light switch, she peered at herself in the mirror and looked to the tiny scratches on her right cheek. Her fingers lightly drew over them. Tonight, she'd probably receive worse.