Nathan didn't want to count the days, but he couldn't seem to think about anything else. He had figured out when the next Hunter would be long ago. He circled the date in the next year's calendar, which he had already bought because he figured he wouldn't have much time once the troubles were back. Now it sat there with only one date marked, June 18, 2037. He couldn't lose her again. He wouldn't. She would have an edge over the others.

Nathan decided not to bother with his crutches. He wasn't badly hurt. He crossed his room and crossed out the day before. Today was October 8, 2037. One day with her had passed. 247 still remained. It seemed like a lot now, but he knew how quickly those days would go.

It was lightly drizzling, Nathan noted as he glanced outside at his thermometer. It was about 40 degrees, which wasn't cold for Maine, but he put on his heavy coat. It was better to be safe.

He climbed into his car. It wasn't actually the same car he had gotten when he was seventeen. He had owned that car for as long as it could be used, but after decades, it just broke down. So he bought a new one that was just like the old one. He wanted things to be just like they were with Audrey, and besides, he had really liked the car.

She was already at the station. She sat at the desk that had always been hers. He hadn't let anyone else in town touch it. She didn't notice him walk in. He wondered how long she had been there.

"What are up to?" he greeted her loudly, and she nearly jumped out of her seat.

"You surprised me!" He smirked at her wide-eyed stare as she caught her breath. She started laughing as she sat back down.

"You're here early."

"I just wanted to take another look at the case. You know, the murder."

He nodded, "We need to find Joshua before he hurts anyone else." He looked at her closer. "Did you get any sleep at all last night?"

"What? Um, no." She looked distracted. He wondered how much work she could really have gotten done in this state.

"Alright, go home."

"What?" She looked at him like he had announced that she had grown a third head.

"Go home. You can't work in this state. The case will still be here when you get back." She didn't seem happy about it, but she left.

Lyssa stomped out of the office. She was just trying to make herself useful, and she thought she was taking it all pretty well. Who would have been able to sleep after that? She was bursting with questions.

She climbed into her car, a dark green Prius, and it started without her needing to put the keys in the ignition, as always. She remembered Nathan saying something about Duke, the man Audrey had taken into the barn, owning a restaurant, the Grey Gull. Nathan had mentioned about where it was. Lyssa had to see it. Audrey hadn't just been there, she had lived there, gone there in her free time. Part of her wanted to devour any knowledge she could get on who she had used to be, but the other part just desperately wanted something that was only hers.

Curiosity brought her to the door of the Grey Gull. If she had been here before, there was nothing to suggest it. The sight didn't trigger any memories. She didn't know what drew her to it, but she climbed the steps to the second floor and tried the door to the apartment. It gave easily. Nathan had said she lived here, but she couldn't imagine anyone living there, at least not in its current state.

It didn't look habitable. Broken things littered the floor. There was a large blood stain right next to the torn and stained couch, and some had splashed on it. She spotted a picture buried in all the rubble. It was lightly splashed with blood, but she could still make out two figures. Audrey and Nathan. She was about to put the photo back when she noticed that it was taped to a note. On one side there were only two underlined words.

Trust them.

Lyssa knew what Audrey meant. She had to trust Nathan and Duke. She turned over the note and saw two letters, one addressed to her and one to Nathan. She read the one to her first.

Dear Next Girl,
I don't know you. If you have any questions, just take them to Nathan and Duke. They know things. They can help. I wish I could have stayed, but I know you'll make the same choice. That's how they trap us. I know you and my boys can figure out another solution and stop the cycle once and for all. Take care of them.
Good luck, Audrey

She studied her letter for a while longer. Lyssa could hear how much Audrey cared about them. She would give anything to remember. She looked at the second letter, which was addressed to Nathan.

Dear Nathan,
I hope you get this. I know you keep telling me we'll find another way. I hope we do, too. I hope more than anything you don't need to get this, but I think we've both known for a while that it's unavoidable.
I just need you to know that I love you, Nathan. I always have and always will. Please take care of me when I come back. I'm trusting you, Nathan. You're the one thing I can't lose.
Love, Audrey

For the first time since she had met him, Lyssa felt like she had some idea what Nathan was going through. He had lost the woman he loved, and now her carbon copy was trying to get a job with him. No, she had no idea what he was going through, but at least now she knew. She pocketed the letters.

Duke told Lucy what part of Haven they had been camping out in, and she knew the way. She walked fast and didn't hesitate for a second. Duke was too preoccupied trying to keep up with her as his head throbbed to make conversation. When they got there, Duke saw James.

"James?" Her voice was shaky like she wasn't sure if this was real or not. His eyes revealed the same cautious, hopeful smile as his mother's. The rest of his face kept his worried, scared look, and that spreaded quickly into his eyes.

"Arla...she's sick. I don't know how to help her."

"Arla's here?" Lucy looked at both men but dropped the subject quickly. "Where is she? I'll see what I can do to help." James nodded but seemed to be having trouble shutting off his feelings of betrayal from when he thought she killed him. Duke followed the two behind a building, where he saw Arla lying on the ground. She looked like she was near death. "How did she get like this?" Lucy crouched over Arla. "She woke up this morning with a bad cough. She's only been getting worse since." Lucy checked her pulse, but Duke knew they were both thinking the same thing. This wasn't natural. Connor caused it. Arla had a fit of coughing then stopped moving. James's eyes widened, and he backed up quickly. Lucy checked her pulse again then got up and stood by James.

"James, I-" He ran off. She sighed but didn't make to stop him. She looked at Duke. A couple minutes later, she said, "He needs to grieve. If we give him time, he'll come around." They stood in silence for another few minutes before Lucy added, "I'll help you find Audrey."

"Thanks," Duke replied. She stepped in front of him, and again, they traveled without speaking.

There she was. It was real this time. There was no illusion, no trickery. Audrey Parker stood in front of him on the docks. She hadn't seen him yet. He moved toward her, and she heard his footsteps.

"Duke?" She smiled and encased him in a tight hug.