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

Crossing her arms, (f/n) leaned back against the table across from Anita. "Should we stay the next few nights at the local hotel here?" she asked as she still imagined something bursting out of the wall and charging up the steps. "I don't think that was an animal. No small animal in the wall can create pounding that loud, right?"

"As far as I know unless we have some really large rats, but that's a stone wall. Nothing should be able to crawl in it." A shiver traveled up her spine. "Whatever it is, I don't like it. But if it hasn't broken down the wall yet, I think that we're fine, and we haven't heard anything else. Just ..." She looked hesitant before she inhaled and exhaled slowly. "Neither of us should go down there alone. I'll wait at the top of the stairs and hold the door open."

At that, (f/n) couldn't help but chuckle and smirk before she quirked a brow. "Thanks, that's really kind of you." Sarcasm dripped from her voice, and Anita pouted.

"It's more than before. Besides," she crossed her arms and turned up her nose, "we're probably worrying about it too much." (F/n) seriously hoped that was the case. If only the contractor could come sooner. Anita hopped up from the chair and caused her friend to break out of her thoughts. "Anyway, I think that this gives us even more of an excuse to go to the bar."

Rolling her eyes and smiling, (f/n) pushed herself off of the table. "Right. I'll go get changed." She went to head up, but she felt tugging on her right hand. (F/n) looked back and laughed a little. "So, you're coming with me?"

"I'm not staying down here on my own near that door." She wore a firm expression. "And, we're sleeping in the same room tonight and the following nights until we get this thing figured out."

"What happened to we're thinking too much?" (F/n) rose her brow again.

Anita hit her on the upper arm. "Just move already. Come on." Anita proceeded to push her friend forward. "We're never going to drink if you keep stalling like this."

"I'm not stalling. You're the one who pulled me back," she argued playfully, only to get shoved forward more. "Okay, okay." (F/n) held up her hands in surrender. "I'm going." Anita finally stopped pushing her, and she headed up the stairs, glad to be further away from the storage space. Personally, she was happy that Anita suggested them sharing a room for the meantime. It did help to relieve some of the worry that she felt.

Reaching her room, (f/n) headed over to her walk-in closet while Anita seated herself on the plush maroon comforter. (F/n) slipped out of her clothes and hung them up on a hanger as she planned to wash them after service tomorrow. She looked over her clothes and picked up a pair of light denim jeans, silver flip-flops and a plum purple blouse with a zipper down the front. In her ears, she had simple silver hoops. "Well, looks fine?"

Hopping up from the bed, Anita walked over and hummed in thought. "Well if you're going to wear a zipper shirt, you might as well be a bit playful with it." (F/n) rolled her eyes but didn't stop her friend either when she pulled down the zipper enough to hint at cleavage but not showing any. "Now, you're good. Just fix your hair. You have strands popping out here and there."

"Well, some people in the bar might already be too drunk to notice." (F/n) walked into the bathroom regardless and brushed her hair, but a few strands still kept popping up. Groaning in annoyance, she grabbed the can of hair spray and tried again. There, that was better. Anita leaned against the bathroom doorway and hummed in approval. "Now, we can go?"

Nodding, Anita headed out, and (f/n) grabbed her red clutch and followed after her. Both of them were happy to leave the building for a bit and not focus on the creepy pounding sound that came from the storage space. Given that Duskriver was a small town, they were able to walk to the bar that Scarlett had recommended.

Off to the left side of the door, a blue neon sign read: The Iron Clipper. It was a wooden building, and it was about medium sized. There were no windows on the front, and the door was all wooden. The roof was pointed, and it reminded (f/n) somewhat of a cabin. Anita spared no time in opening the door. Her gold high heels clicked on the wood floors, and (f/n) closed the door after them.

There weren't too many patrons, but it was early in the evening too. About seven. Not to mention it was a Monday. They both took a seat at the bar, and Anita adjusted her black flared skirt to sit more comfortably. Anita took off her black leather jacket and pulled up a loose strap of her gold tank. "Much better. Now, we can relax without worrying."

"You sure? Shouldn't I be worried about some guy hitting on you?" (f/n) teased, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. "It seems to have happened every time we were able to meet for a drink in the past."

"Well, there aren't exactly a lot of people here," Anita pointed out before the bartender came over. "Ginger ale and whiskey please."

"Lime daiquiri," (f/n) ordered and added a thanks afterwards before she focused back on her friend. "Well, there may not be too many now, but it depends on how long you want to stay here." Anita smirked a bit and winked. "So at least a few hours."

"Mhm." She rested her hands on the counter and leaned back. "And, I know that you don't want to head back too early either." Anita leaned back in and grabbed a menu. "We can order some food too. I want to sit back and relax and let someone else do the cooking, especially after what happened earlier."

Taking the menu, (f/n) scanned over it. "I don't blame you, but it sounds like I might have to shove another guy away from you." Anita shook her head and winked again before she waggled her index finger. "No? So, you want to take a guy home tonight?"

Rolling her eyes, she answered somewhat frustrated, "No. I'm saying that I'll shoo them away myself." (F/n) raised a surprised eyebrow, and there was clear doubt in her gaze. "What? I don't have to rely on you to do all the work always."

"Really?" The doubt remained in (f/n)'s tone as the bartender came back over and passed them their drinks. "Thank you. We'll probably order some food in a bit."

"Sure. Just call me over." (F/n) nodded, and he headed off to the other end to tend to another patron. Focusing back on Anita, she waited for her friend to explain herself more. In the past, she never had lifted a finger. Instead, she had come through and annoyed the guy enough until he left Anita alone. Part of the problem was Anita would flirt occasionally but find out that she didn't like the guy after awhile, but she was too polite to tell him to go away, which left her to handle the situation.

"Well, I may have," she smiled a bit to herself before she looked over to her friend shyly and happily, "a boyfriend now."

For a long moment, (f/n) stared. In the past, a boyfriend could mean a not really official relationship but being consistently romantically involved with the guy. But, Anita's voice was different this time. It almost was like she was talking about her first crush. Admittedly, it brought a smile to (f/n)'s lips to see her friend so happy about the relationship. "So, a serious one, then?"

"Mhm!" She smiled and looked to the counter. "... About two months now."

"Wait a moment," (f/n) leaned across the counter as though she was about to tell her friend some grand secret of hers. "You've been dating two months, and you haven't told me about him? Should I be worried? But, you look pretty happy, so I'm wondering why you kept it from me." A grin spread across her lips. "Or, you really like this guy, and you're going to tell me that you actually want me to meet him, and you've been wanting to surprise me." She sat up confidently and crossed her arms somewhat arrogantly. "Wanting your friend's approval." (F/n) gave a few short, approving nods. "I'm glad you think so."

Hitting her upper arm playfully, Anita rolled her eyes. "Don't get ahead of yourself, but ..."

"I'm listening," (f/n) hummed out with a small smirk.

"I would like you to meet him." As soon as the words left her mouth, (f/n) squealed quietly and hugged her friend, being careful not to cause both of them to fall off of the stools. "So, you will?" (F/n) eagerly nodded, and Anita smiled brightly. When (f/n) pulled away, she parted her lips to speak, but Anita shook her head. "No details. I want it to be surprise. Okay?" A frown met (f/n)'s lips, and she sighed a little too, but noticing that Anita wasn't going to budge, she reluctantly nodded her head. Still, there was the future, and she might get Anita to disclose a detail or two.