Ellison awoke from his sleep sometime in the early morning since there was a knock on the door. Groaning, he checked his watch to see that it was nearly eight. He hoped that Nathan was already up and that he'd open the door, but as the knocks persisted he realized that wasn't going to happen, that he was possibly still home alone, so he forced himself to get up and open the door.

-Surprise!

Ellison's eyes widened, as he was indeed taken by surprise as his girlfriend Tracy jumped up to hug him.

-Tracy, what are you doing here?- he asked, backing away with a slight frown.

-I know that we agreed to spend this anniversary away from each other because of your work, but I wanted to see you.- Tracy said, still waiting for Ellison to invite her in or at least step aside so she could enter.

-This early in the morning?

-I thought you'd be happier to see me.- Tracy turned away and sighed. As she reached for the doorknob, on the edge of tears, Ellison took her by the hand and she turned to face him again.

-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be like this.- Ellison said, caressing Tracy's face- Last night was pretty rough and I barely got any sleep, that's why I'm upset.

Tracy sighed. She wanted to tell Ellison to give up the idea of going after the person who murdered the Millers, that he'd get himself into trouble, but she knew that she'd just be wasting her words just like all the other times, even though she felt that this was something far worse than anything he'd ever tried to uncover. So, she just gave him a kiss and said "Then you should get back to bed.", then smiled weakly and added "I'll make you some breakfast when you wake up."

Nathan awoke on a cold bench, covered in his own vomit. He gagged from the smell, then hastily got up and ran to the nearest restroom he could find, trying his hardest to keep the balance. Luckily for him, there was a coffee shop just across the street and he ran in there.

Once inside, he got some strange looks but not too many people were bothered to lift their gaze when he entered, even though he looked like a wreck.

When he got to the restroom to wash off what he could with water and soap alone, Nathan tried to recall how the hell he even wound up on that bench in the first place. Then he remembered bits of the nightmare that had upset him previously.

He needed to get out of the apartment and he needed some more booze to calm his nerves, so he went back to his father's house and observed him until the old man passed out drunk. Once inside the house, Nathan grabbed a whisky bottle that was half-full and two beer bottles, then got out of the house and headed to the park that was about two blocks down from it. Strangely, even late at night, that park seemed far more comforting than his own home. Nothing had changed since he was a child. Even though he was older now he was still afraid of his father and he hated himself for not being able to stand up to the bastard. Some cop you'll be! – he thought to himself that night, as he drained the second beer bottle.

Looking at himself in the mirror now, as he let it all sink in, Nathan sighed.

-Pull yourself together, man.- he said in a whisper and let out a small chuckle, then shook his head- I'm going nuts…

Courtney nervously rubbed her arms as she walked towards Ellison's building. She knew the area quite well, all thanks to Gill. But knowing the area didn't stop her from feeling uneasy. Sure, she didn't want to murder her family for that monster, but she wasn't so sure she could lead someone else into his clutches to be sacrificed either.

The monster wanted her and she was willing to go along to save others, but he demanded sacrifice first. She thought of seducing him, pretending that she'd fallen for him for whatever reason, but she was afraid that he'd see right through her. She did find something attractive about him, even though she wouldn't admit it to herself, but what she found so appealing was what anyone encountering him would. She thought that he had to have something naturally appealing about him if he wanted to tempt his victims and slowly lure them away from the physical world as he'd done to her.

Courtney wanted to shake off the thoughts of the time spent in his netherworld, but it was useless, images of it wouldn't leave her mind.

She liked the sound of his voice when they were there. He seemed kinder when she regained consciousness. It was enough to give her courage to ask him to let her go, but that upset him and she tried to flee. She tried desperately to find the exit, even though she knew that there was a small chance she could do that on her own. The more time she spent there, the more she resented the cold and the silence.

It became terrifying after a while and Courtney found it hard to breathe. She found herself wishing that the monster was there with her, only because she was terrified of staying alone in that darkness any longer.

The room she hid in grew colder with each passing moment. She couldn't even cry properly, struggling to shed tears which gave her a headache. She couldn't release them for some reason, not until he appeared in the room before her.

Once he was there, she crawled to him without much thought and grabbed on to him, wrapping her arms around his legs, finally weeping and releasing the pain. She begged him to end her, but he picked her up and cradled her in his arms instead. She knew that he was enjoying her vulnerability, but she was too lost and afraid to resent him for it then. When they were there, she didn't want him to leave her.

That changed when he brought her back to the physical world. Now his hands feel too cold and she finds him repulsive, sees him for the monster that he is. But, if her going back to his world would save everyone, she'd do it in a heartbeat. Not because she's selfless and kind, but because she hadn't felt alive for a while now, even though she didn't want to admit it to anyone. The monster had brought out the darkness she'd tried so hard to get rid of.

Once she got to the front door of Ellison's apartment, Courtney found it hard to press the doorbell, standing there for nearly five minutes before finally deciding to ring it.

-May I help you?- asked Tracy when she opened the door, leaving Courtney confused, but also hopeful that Ellison had moved.

-Does Ellison Oswalt live here?

-Who's asking?- Tracy inquired with a frown.

-Courtney Wheeler. He was at my school asking around about the Millers and everyone he talked to got his card. Is he here?

-He can't see you now.- Tracy said coldly, feeling a bit jealous- Try calling next time.

As Tracy got ready to slam the door in Courtney's face, Ellison ran up to the door, having only heard bits of Tracy's exchange with Courtney.

-What's going on?- Ellison asked, moving Tracy away from the door.

-This girl says she's here to talk to you about the Miller case.

Ellison checked Courtney out and noticed a box marked 'home movies' beside her. She must be a dedicated fan, Ellison thought to himself.

-What did you say your name was?- he asked.

-Courtney.- Courtney said unenthusiastically. There was something about Ellison's face that irritated her.

-Courtney.- Ellison repeated, shaking hands with her, putting on what he'd call his 'TV smile'- Let's see what you've got for me.