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

Her hands gripped the side of the sink, and she forced herself to keep standing. (F/n) spit out a small amount of bile, but nothing else came out. She caught her breath and was thankful to have the coffee waiting for her. Peering up at herself in the mirror, she noted how worn out she looked. The creature's return had already created a huge impact on her.

Slowly, she raised herself up and brushed back strands of loose hair. She turned on the water and rinsed the sink out. (F/n) heard another knock on the door and Haley's voice. "(F/n), we can always change the day. I can tell that you're not feeling well." Not to worry the younger teen any longer, (f/n) tried to compose herself as much as possible before she went to open the door. Her hand stopped, however, when she noticed a skeletal one on top of hers.

She refused to look to her left or behind her; she knew what, or rather who, she would see there. You should stay here and leave her alone. It was a last warning, and she bit her bottom lip. "(F/n)?" she heard Haley ask as the concern in her voice increased. Her hand tightened around the doorknob before she swiftly unlocked it.

Opening the door just as quickly, she gave the younger teen an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Haley. I just suddenly felt nauseous." She walked around her and towards the table to avoid further questioning on the subject. (F/n) caught sight of the barista and gave a quick confirmation that she was alright.

Taking her seat once more, she forced herself to eat a bite of the cake after a sip of her coffee. Its taste had been lost some, but she suspected that it would come back as she regained her appetite. Haley took her seat across from her and sipped at her coffee a little before she asked, "Are you sure that you're alright? It did sound like you were throwing up. Did you need me to get you anything?"

Shaking her head and keeping her hand hidden, (f/n) gave her a smile. "I'm fine." Again, a doubtful expression fell onto Haley's face. "Really, it was nothing," (f/n) reassured further. She took another bite of the cake to demonstrate that her nausea was gone.

"Okay ... If you say so." She adjusted her neon blue bomber jacket. Haley drank some more of her coffee before she set it on the table and wrapped her hands around it. "So, why did you want to meet today? Is there something wrong?"

Clearly, Haley was referring to the previous incident. (F/n) wanted her to drop it, so she would ignore that part. Besides, there was a multitude of problems, but she couldn't relate most of them to the eighteen-year-old. "Well, you asked if I need anything. I do." Her voice and expression became serious.

Haley tensed. "Is it about ..."

"No, it's not about the funeral. Rather, it would be a way to stop more from happening." Catching on, Haley tightened her hold on the cup. (F/n) lowered her voice. "I told you that I would kill the creature if I got the opportunity. Well, I think that I might have it."

"I thought that you ..."

"You won't be going after or near the creature. I don't even know where he is, but his absence from town might not last forever. I want to gather resources while he's away. That way, I'll be ready when he returns." She made sure to maintain a calm and collected countenance. If her lies were caught, it would cause a sea of chaos.

"Why haven't you brought this up sooner? I know that I came to you to talk to you and get my feelings off of my chest, but it seems like you could've started this earlier." Her dark blue eyes almost narrowed but more in confusion than suspicion.

"I only came up with it recently, but you're right. I should've developed something sooner. Anyway, are you willing to hear me out?" She received a nod. "Okay, thank you. I need you to retrieve some sedatives for me from the hospital. Your aunt works there, right?" Another nod was sent her way but slower this time. "You can tell her that it's to stop the creature and that someone else will be administering it."

"Will a sedative even work on that thing?"

"I don't know, but that's why I'll be doing more. I'll be happy if it only slows him down. If it knocks him out, I'll be lucky, and everything will be easier, but I want to try it. It's huge risk, but he needs to be stopped. I'm tired of his existence; I want him dead. I know that you do too."

"If it doesn't work, what will you do?"

"I can't tell you. The less that you know the better." (F/n) drank a little. Her gaze didn't lighten up. "So, do you think that you can do it? Even one will be good. More will be better, but I'll work with what I can get. I'll pay you too if you want. Despite you not contacting the creature, this is still risky. He's smart and could realistically track you down. I might've already put you in danger."

Rubbing her thumbs against the cup, Haley looked terrified but also excited. When she met (f/n)'s gaze again, she nodded. "I'll ask her, and you don't need to pay me. You've been helping me free of charge. I'll return the favor." A spark lit in her dark blue orbs. "Besides, the creature could kill any of us whenever it wanted. I have a bigger target on my head by helping you, but this can be Dean's payback also. I want that thing dead too. But," uncertainty clouded her eyes, "what if I can't get you any?"

"I'll figure something out." Haley was about to say something, but (f/n) cut her off. "If you can't get it, don't involve yourself any further. And, I want you to stay indoors and crowded places only. Even if it's light outside, try not to be alone if you can help it."

Puzzled and frightened, the younger teen questioned, "Does that mean that the creature isn't sensitive to light anymore?"

"I'm not sure, but you heard that those detectives were taken during the daytime. He must've been exposed to a lot of daylight when he took them to wherever he went. He might've adjusted. I just don't know, so you need to be cautious. As for your job, see if you can change your shift to one when the store is more active, or there are more people in the shopping center. Mr. Verner shouldn't have a problem with that. You've told me before that you're one of his best workers." She chuckled a little, giving the atmosphere a nicer feel. "Despite how you act sometimes on shift."

Crossing her arms, Haley rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, it's the early morning, and it's my weekend." She sighed and grew serious. "But, I'll try to change my shift." A smile formed on her lips. "Thanks for watching out for me." (F/n) gave a friendly nod as Haley stood up. The younger teen pushed in her chair. "I'll go talk to my aunt now. She won't start her shift for another half hour." After she waved to (f/n), she left the shop.

Quiet surrounded (f/n). There were conversations behind her, but she didn't pay attention to them. She focused on her objective. After she finished her drink and food, she would head to one of the few working payphones in town since she needed to know that the creature wouldn't be nearby. If he overheard her, her plan would take a serious hit.

Leaving the café, she got into her car and drove off. Thankfully, there hadn't been anymore incidents with Brent or Dean, which made the brief drive all the nicer. She pulled into the gas station and headed over to the phone. It clearly had seen better years, and it probably would be gone in the next year if not sooner.

Picking it up, she inserted a few coins before she dialed up the number. She didn't have the piece of paper with her, but she had remembered it after seeing it for so long. Hopefully, he would answer. There were several rings, and no one responded. After the last ring, the phone went to voicemail. Annoyed, she hanged up the phone and tried again. It went to the last ring again. This time, though, she finally heard him. "Hello?" He sounded irritated like he had been in the middle of something.

"Nick? This is (f/n)."

"(F/n)? Was there something else that you needed?"

Confused, she didn't reply immediately. "Well, yeah. I needed to ask you something, and you left me your number, so I thought that I would call. Why, were you not expecting me to?" Her tone had sounded a little offended, but she supposed that it was reasonable since they weren't friends or anything. He had no obligation to help her, but she thought that she would try and ask at least.

"Well, I hoped that you wouldn't. It kind of means that the creature is still a major threat. At least, I assume that's the reason you're calling. But, you already made that clear earlier when you texted me."

"What?" A pit formed in her stomach. Her head started to hurt, and her heart raced. She looked around worried, but she didn't see him. Focusing back on the phone, she answered with a stutter, "I-I did-didn't text y-you. T-the cre-creature to-took m-my pho-phone."

There was a pause on his end. Almost, she thought that he might hang up. "Sh*t."