(Spoiler) Why would he just leave Stormy?

I actually thought it was more odd that Viola would go out to a mall. Bear in mind that she had freaky dreams that terrified her, and then Odd Thomas told her that they could come true (i.e. dreams in which she dies), and she actually saw that dream again (when Odd sort of got her to re-live the tream), and she had a strong reaction to it. So why would you be anywhere to where the mayhem might occur, and why be anywhere in public, much less the main mall in your home town? If you really thought you might die on day X in a public place, wouldn't you just lock yourself in a closet for that whole week with a lot of peanut butter and bread and water? As for Stormy, that seems to be answered here a bit; i.e. lack of time for Thomas to do much with Stormy, and a need to help others. But similarly, if Thomas saw these Bodachs and was pursued by a dead guy and he thinks that mass destruction is occurring somewhere (near bowlers, and/or a carousel, and/or near some water), and he knows exactly what day it is occurring, then why does he not tell Stormy to take the day off and hide in the basement? Seems like a small price to pay.