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

It was in the middle of the evening, and music that usually was calming was playing in the background. The television was flashing images in a typical manner, and the violinist and pianist played in harmony. On screen, the camera focused on the duet, and only some of the audience could be seen. Silence filled the crowd as the music continued to play and soothe the senses.

She wished that she could be among that crowd; she desired simply to be in a peaceful environment where the threat of the unknown in the night didn't reach her. Part of her had hoped that Nick would stay the evening again, but she knew that was unrealistic. He had his team members to look after, not just her. Besides, he already had done enough that day.

Maybe, he didn't forgive her for Brent's death, but he still accepted the truth and stayed with her for a good portion of the day. That in itself meant so much to her, and a faint smile touched her lips. Unfortunately, her smile didn't last long. The concern about the creature returned to her, and a bitter laugh escaped her.

He was right. Even when he was gone, he was right there with her. His existence infiltrated her mind and held a firm hold upon it. Not even the shadows in her mind could hide him completely. The creature's very pale blue hues and maddening grin stared out at her, and the sound of crimson splashing upon tile rang throughout her head.

Instantly, she shook herself out of her thoughts. Her head turned towards the apartment's kitchen, and she gave out a sigh of relief. He wasn't there. No body was there. It was empty. Not even the smell of blood wafted over to her nose. It was just a thought, but her whole body froze now.

Slowly, she focused her attention on her front door. Knocking. Someone was knocking there, right? It wasn't just her imagination, or was it? She hadn't had hallucinations for awhile, or when she had, they hadn't been too terrible. Had her outpour of emotions earlier caused her mental state to relapse to a degree?

The knocking continued. No voice followed. Her (e/c) optics switched back to the television, and the performance was picking up in intensity, but it was at a slow, unnerving pace. Maybe, that was just her ears, though. If the camera did catch the expression of one of the audience member's faces, their expression was at ease. (F/n) averted her eyes to her phone, which sat on the coffee table in front of her. Should she call Nick? He did tell her to do so if she felt uncomfortable during the night, or if anything happened for that matter.

Yet, she resisted the urge even though her hand was halfway towards the item by now. Gradually, she pulled it back. A loud note on the piano keys made her jump up from her seat. Staring back to the screen, she rested a hand over her heart and calmed herself down before she reached for the remote and shut off the television. She couldn't listen anymore, at least not right now. No, she needed to make herself a nice warm beverage. Maybe, she could sit in the shower and let the hot water run over her head for a short while, though; water might get into her drink that way.

Thinking over the two options, she decided upon the shower; she would make herself a drink afterwards. Then, she could relax on the couch and find something to watch that wouldn't make her jump at every loud sound. Thankfully, the knocking had stopped. The loud piano note seemed to have halted it. A brief laugh escaped her at the thought. If only a piano could stop her hallucinations for good ... Unless ... Had that really been just an illusion of her mind?

As if her neck was a wind-up clock, it guided her eyes back to the door second by second. Her heart picked up in its pace, and she wondered if it would pound so hard as to alert whoever was on the other side of the wooden rectangle. She couldn't help but gulp. It wasn't him, was it? Would he be able to contain his very probable anger at her and simply knock on her apartment door?

No, that wasn't reasonable, right? She couldn't imagine his wrath at her. Well, she could, but she didn't want to think further on it. Her body already was tensing dreadfully at the thought. He'll find you. And when he does ... Immediately, she covered her ears. No. No. No. "Please stop," she muttered to herself and shook her head.

"Just get a shower," she muttered to herself as she shut her eyes tightly and momentarily. Her heart continued to hammer in her chest, and to her horror another knock sounded on the wood. This time, though, it wasn't from the front door. Gradually, she opened her eyes. Like a clock again, her attention diverted towards the back of her apartment. It was against her ... bedroom door.

That would suit the creature more. He'd like her to know that he was already inside and that she couldn't stop him. Her time was up. Now if she called Nick, he really would be dead. Hesitantly, she slipped her feet off of the couch. They touched the ground ever so lightly, and she like a snail rose to her feet. A quiet, amused laugh hit her ears. She paused. No, that wasn't him. Carefully, she moved over to the hallway and peeked around the corner to the bedroom. The door was open, which was how she had left it, and the light was off. (F/n) didn't hear any movement. "If you're ..."

"Behind you." The whisper touched her ears, and she spun on her heel. She lost her balance in the process and fell onto her bottom. Her eyes stared up worriedly, but there was no one. Instantly, a wave of relief washed over her as she realized everything had been a figment of her imagination.

Just in case, she was going to bring her new backpack, which Deidre had purchased for her on her second week there, into the bathroom. She had stocked it with her cash and supplies so that she could get away quickly if she ever needed to. She would lock the bathroom door and bring in a kitchen knife. A knife was what had started his obsession with her in a way, but that was all that she had at the moment. If she could deflect one of his fingers from touching her, she still would be in the game, and she still would have a chance of winning it.

With that in mind, she grabbed the items, finding no one in her bedroom, and hurried into the bathroom before her mind decided to play anymore tricks on her. The running water could drown out the sounds of her hallucinations if anymore still did occur. She closed the bathroom door behind her and locked it, which caused a satisfying click to resonate throughout the air. Perfect.

To be safe, she peered out the window and towards the street beside the apartment complex. No one was outside, and she could see lights on at Nick's place. She suspected that Chris and Ren were back. Otherwise, she had a feeling that Nick would've called her and updated her with news. Thankfully, nothing of the sort had happened. Even though he accepted the truth from her, she doubted that he would avoid blaming her if anything happened to his teammates. (F/n) knew that he wouldn't be able to handle losing his team again. Once already was too much for anyone.

Releasing a sigh, she faced away from the window and slipped out of her clothes. She placed them into a neat pile before she reached into the shower and switched on the water. (F/n) waited until it became hot, and she stepped in once it was. Water washed over her and covered her skin. Beads of the clear liquid formed on her, and she combed her fingers through her (h/c) locks while she slid down the shower wall. The tile felt cool against her, but she paid it no mind. Rather, she embraced it as the warmth of the water enveloped her. Slightly, her lips parted, and she tilted her head up.

Droplets hit her face in a graceful manner as she closed her eyes, and some entered her mouth, but she didn't move her position. During those seven months, her showers and baths had been part of her escape from the creature to a degree before his voice had disturbed the simple sound of the water. Now, he couldn't even do that.

Sliding her feet across the shower floor, she positioned her head forward again. She wiped the water away from her eyes and stared ahead to the other side of the shower. Water trailed down it, and she looked back to herself as more droplets coated her body. Her fingers glided across her skin, and she felt lines in certain places from all of the scars over her time with the creature. His touch would never leave her, would it?

Amidst the water's tune, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her knees. A soft, quiet sob parted from her, and tears mixed in with the water. He had caused her so much pain and had left such an imprint on her that she wondered if even the last three weeks truly had been absent of the creature. Like tonight indicated, he always seemed to be there, and a pained smile graced her lips. "I hate you, but you're the only one who never leaves," she whispered before she closed her eyes and permitted the water to wrap its warm fingers around her.

For awhile, all she heard was the water. No hallucinations or voices greeted her, yet those words did repeat themselves in her head. She wondered if her saying them out loud just made the situation worse for her, yet a part of her refused to admit that. Rather, that part sneaked out of the shadows and embraced her like the water. Her heart was startled by it, yet she tried her best to ignore it. It couldn't be let in; it couldn't acknowledge that possibility, especially after everything the creature had done.

So what if he never left her? That didn't ... That didn't ... More tightly, she secured her hold on her legs. Her eyes opened, and she frowned heavily. "I'm his murderer," she whispered to herself. "And, I will kill him."

What if he doesn't find you? (F/n) paused. Then, she wouldn't have to, but she would be prepared to do so regardless. She almost had done it before. If only she hadn't just missed his heart. Laughter filled with mocking greeted her ears. Yet, you sound so unsure. A scowl graced her lips, and she wished that she could identify who the voice belonged to. Whoever it was; they were wrong. After everything, she wouldn't give up now. Maybe, the game wouldn't guarantee her freedom from the creature, but it gave her the chance for that. A chance was worth so much to her. Briefly, she clenched her fists before she stood up and completed her shower. Once she was done, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her form. The young woman stepped outside of the shower and went to get changed; however, she halted her movement as something out of the corners of her eyes moved.