Becka, please be sensible. Take a torch with you. If you have any kind of personal alarm or a whistle, take that too and let a neighbour or a friend know by phone what time you're setting out and what time you anticipate being back - arrange to call again briefly just to let them know you're okay. It's not a question of being a scaredy-cat, it's about being careful.
Also, be prepared to accept that sometimes people want to help, to the point where they convince themselves they've seen something they haven't, or that a black and white cat looks exactly the same as a small tortoiseshell. Sad, but true.
I so wish you had one of us able to come and help you look, but in the absence of that, sending big hugs