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

Five more minutes before the parade came by. Nick was watching the clock on his phone like a hawk while (f/n) glanced around the first floor of the house. They stood near the entrance, which confused a few people who were entering the attraction. (F/n) gave them an awkward smile and reminded herself not to adjust her hat. Her hair was well hidden, and she didn't want to mess it up now.

Nick's spare black jacket hugged her form securely, and she almost had complained earlier that she hadn't needed to buy a new shirt until she had realized that the zipper was broken. He had reassured her that it had broken earlier that day and that it hadn't been his intention to bring a slightly ruined jacket. She had waved her hand dismissively, and they had focused on preparing for their escape, which was now in five minutes.

Personally, (f/n) wished that she had a mask to cover her nose from the awful scent of the perfume. It smelled like dead roses and some other flower that had been around too long. At least, though, the security guards had let her stay with Nick; however, his explanation about her being there had been embarrassing.

Both guards had stopped them as soon as they had left the workers' stairwell, leading Nick to wrap his arm around her waist and hug her close. The action had caught her off guard, but she had managed a smile even if it had been probably nervously awkward. "She's my girlfriend. She just had been spending some time exploring the park."

"And, that male that had been chasing her?" one of the guards had inquired, raising a suspicious brow. Nick had hugged her closer, and she had understood the message.

"That was my ex. I've tried to lose him, but I've had no luck." She had dipped her head some and tightened a hand around Nick's coat. "I'm sorry for the trouble." Surprisingly, the two had bought that and had gone off to search for him even more now.

Still, the memory of that excuse warmed her cheeks up a little. Admittedly, it had been nice to be that close to someone other than the creature or even her parents. That interaction gave her mind the hope that maybe she could avoid the creature forever and return to a little more of a normal life, but the rational part of her knew that wouldn't happen. Eventually, he would find her. There also was the fact that she couldn't leave her parents. If she escaped him forever, what would happen to them? She really didn't want to imagine the gruesome things that the creature might commit upon them from anger.

"One more minute." (F/n) broke out of her thoughts and glanced over to him briefly before she turned her head towards the door. She could hear music approaching. Her legs shook a little as they were about to leave the house. Nick rested a hand on her right shoulder. "Remember." He squeezed her shoulder. "We'll make it." The young woman gave a weak nod before she inched towards the door with him.

Music pounded outside and resonated throughout the nearby area. Trumpets and drums dominated the notes currently. Nick's hand slipped from her shoulder to her hand. He intertwined them tightly together. "Now," he voiced, and she gave no hesitation in following him. Nick opened the front door.

People filled their vision. Some stood on the side and watched while they clapped along to the tune. Others carried about the park like usual, and some cheered the parade members along. Colors of navy blue, white and gold marched by as did the park logo several times over.

Her optics didn't have much time to observe the spectacle before Nick led her through the crowd. He didn't rush, however, as they wished to look normal and not like they were in a hurry. (F/n) resisted the urge to search for the creature. If she did, that would give them away easily. She tightened her grip on him and let him guide them through the crowd and away from the house.

In her ears, the music slowly began to fade away and be replaced by her heartbeat. A loud thump would occur with every drum hit, and her blood would pump in and out as the trumpets thundered their powerful notes. Even though it was cold outside, she felt hot. Her blood coursed through her body, and she almost was tempted to remove the jacket.

Scenery morphed into colors of green, red, blue and other various hues. None of it mattered. She only focused on Nick, and the fact that the creature hadn't made a move yet. Did he know it was her under the disguise; did he recognize Nick despite the differences with his appearance? Was his gaze still focused on the haunted house? (F/n) hated not knowing.

"Want to play a game?" She lifted her head up and looked over. Confusion danced in her eyes until she saw a colorful clown staring at the both of them. He was juggling a series of dolls: princes and princesses. Her heart momentarily froze. The creature had wanted to purchase those. "You can win a prize!" His grin was wide, and his makeup stretched across his face in a fashion that showed the wrinkles developing on his countenance.

The clown vanished from sight as Nick moved along, ignoring the employee completely. (F/n) stared forward again. "We're almost there," Nick reassured, but he didn't meet her gaze. His attention remained in front of them. She gave a small nod even if he didn't see it. More stalls and shops passed by along with a few attractions.

Every point on the map seemed forgotten from her mind, and simply the colors returned. Laughs and conversations hit her ears, but they all formed one noise: a cacophony of displeasure. She desired out of the amusement park; she wished to leave the creature far behind and rest.

He's going to get you~ He's going to get you~ Her eyes widened considerably, and she nearly surveyed the area, but she kept her optics forward. Not now. Couldn't they wait to bother her, and who did the voices belong to? One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. Almost, her hand let go of Nick's so that she could cover both of her ears, but she increased her hold on him instead.

Momentarily, she shut her eyes, and the chanting voices halted. Slowly, her eyes opened. The park entrance was near them. Her heart pounded in relief, though; her eyes noticed a child standing by his mother, who was talking to another woman. A music box was in his hands, and he was spinning the crank. "One, two, three, four, Jack will greet me at the door. One, two, three, four, Jack will seat me on the floor. One, two, three, four, Jack will meet me at the moor." His eyes diverted their attention up and met hers.

Lips parting, she almost screamed, but she forced her mouth closed and hurriedly focused on Nick. That boy's eyes had seemed devoid of life. He had looked like he had crawled out of the grave. She gulped and wished that her mind would stop with the horrid tricks. To try and prove her mind wrong, she stared back to the boy, but he was ... he was gone. Had that all been an illusion?

Blinking, she averted her focus onto the floor briefly. Her feet moved across the pathway at a brisk pace. Back and forth. Back and forth. The adrenaline rush from escaping the creature was causing havoc upon her mind, and she wished for it to stop. That boy ... though, what had that been about? She never had seen him before, and her hallucinations only ever had contained people that the creature had killed while she had been involved in some manner. Not to mention the voices that were indistinguishable. Was her mind finally caving in on itself from all of the stress and horror?

"Please come again." Her head turned up, and she saw a park employee smile and wave to them both. She forced a smile back before she noted that they were in the parking lot again. It didn't take them long to reach the car. Nick opened the passenger's door on the driver's side of the black sedan and motioned for (f/n) to get in.

Quickly, she hopped in and scooted over before Nick climbed into the back. He closed the door. The woman from before sat in the front and waited for Nick to tell her to go. He searched the area for any signs of the creature. "Do you see him, (f/n)?"

Scanning over what she could from her perspective, she shook her head. Somehow, he wasn't anywhere near them unless he was hiding among the trees. "No, but that doesn't mean that we're safe." Nick nodded his head.

"Deidre, drive out of here slow as though everything is normal." The woman nodded and began to drive out of Castle Lake's parking lot. Switching his attention onto (f/n), Nick relaxed a little and placed his bag on the ground while (f/n) slipped her backpack off. His eyes met hers in the process, and she noted the worry in his. Fear probably ruled over her gaze even if they were leaving the park in one piece.

"(F/n), you should rest. You look exhausted. We'll warn you if anything happens." She gave a hesitant nod. Hopefully, she wouldn't have nightmares, and she didn't wish to concern either of them with what she had seen by the park entrance or the voices. Kicking her flat offs, she brought her legs up onto the seat and curled up next to the car door. It was somewhat uncomfortable, so she removed Nick's jacket and used it as a makeshift pillow since the heater was on in the car. She closed her eyes as she heard a sigh from Nick. He shifted on his seat and leaned forward some. "Keep a close look on the mirrors, Deidre," she heard him say before she drifted off to sleep.