Note from the Author

Hey guys! It's been a while since I've written anything here—like two years—so please tolerate these screwed grammar skills I have. Anyways, welcome to The Hearse Song. This fiction was named after an old nonsense song from World War I that I read in "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" when I was young, but here it is the song version by Harley Poe.

I chose to do an Until Dawn fanfiction because in the game, the characters had so much development beyond the story and in the short time that the players knew them, the characters had so much depth for characters meant to fit the horror film stereotypes. I wanted to try to write that, I guess. But with my love for OCs, I couldn't sate that addiction. Thus, Natalie Price was born. Natalie is African American and the girlfriend of Beth Washington. A basic description of her would be she has a lot of hair—a bushy mess of curls that she usually keeps in buns. She is about 5'2" so during the course of the story, you will see her move and use barrels, boxes, and whatever to her advantage. She is also very straightforward and hates catty nonsense even though she may resort to it herself. Also, I really hated how no one called anyone on their shit about the Hannah and Beth incident. You could say my irritation shows in the character I've created.

I guess I'll tell you more about her later.

This first chapter shows the interactions with my character and everyone else. I wanted to get a feel on how to write them. Ashley is fairly difficult to write for me for some reason? Mike and Sam as well. Well, live and learn. Nos vemos, my friends.

Disclaimer

I, Topix, do not own Until Dawn, its characters, or storyline. All rights go to Supermassive Games and Graham Reznick and Larry Fessenden.

A very small change in an initial condition could create a considerably different outcome. For every action, there is a reaction and in the end, there are millions of outcomes—"Boom. Butterfly Effect."

[Josh/OC] [Beth/OC] [Josh/Sam] {Mike/Sam}[Chris/Ashley] [Mike/Jess] [Emily/Matt]

To Set the Stage

"Chris! Get off my car! He's a baby! He can't hurt you!" Natalie called from the ground as her six month old German Sheppard paced around her on the ground.

Natalie Price had invited the gang over to play a couple of video games and most had just arrived. The gang being: Sam, the Washington siblings, Ashley, Mike Munroe and his girlfriend of the moment, Emily. By extension, not far behind Emily was her friend Jessica and Matt was down for a night with friends. And of course, no one ever had a get together without inviting the comedy of the party: Christopher Cochise—of whom was currently on top of Natalie's old Jeep in a poor attempt of getting away from the family pet, Hotch.

"Baby? That mammoth is a baby, she says!" Chris uttered in disbelief.

Natalie commanded Hotch to sit and with some effort, Hotch went to go sit beside Sam on the porch where Beth, Josh, Sam, and Matt sat watching Chris make a fool of himself. "You know, just because Ashley is not here, doesn't mean you can be an over animated clown," Natalie called out to the blonde on her Jeep roof, "Get off! You're going to dent her!"

Josh cupped his hands over his mouth, "Nut up, Cochise!" the boy shouted to his best friend.

Beth hopped up and pointed, "Hey, look! Right on time, Ash!"

It was comical how quick Chris was to slide off Natalie's Jeep and plant his feet firmly on the ground. Natalie sucked her teeth, "Want some water for that thirst, Chris?"

"Only if it's iced," Chris joked as he looked around. Beth lied, it seemed. Eli, Natalie's older brother, had not arrived with Ashley and Jessica.

Natalie could only roll her eyes and smile. She turned to her porch, "So where is Hannah again?"

Beth shrugged, "Mike picked her up from that thingy after school. He says he's on his way with her and Emily."

Natalie pursed her lips. Hannah Washington, Beth's older twin, had been crushing on Michael Munroe for as long as Natalie could remember. Hannah had liked him long before he was the top jock of two sports. Way back when Mike was 'Mini Mike' with the Justin Bieber cut, Hannah had liked him. As far as Natalie knew, Hannah was Michael's original fan. Still, as Mike grew up, he grew from a short prepubescent boy to a Hollister model all in one fell swoop and as his looks grew, so had his popularity. With the amount of popularity Mike had gained in high school, he had forgotten little Hannah and went on to girls more willing to put out for him.

The more Hannah felt she was losing Mike, she became less prudish and pined after the boy with rose colored glasses all four years in high school. Actually, she was still an awkward prude if Natalie was to be honest—just not a prude for Mike. Mike was very much aware and had been stringing Hannah along like his own personal fan club. Natalie chocked that up to his narcissism. Hannah, in her attempts to flirt, fed Mike's ego that was the size of the Taj Mahal.

"You let your sister go with Asswipe Mike?" Beth, although younger, was the spitfire twin. Beth was very straight forward and confident in who she was. It's what made her so attractive to Natalie. Birds of a feather flock together, they say. Though, in her attempts to protect her sister or what belonged to her, Beth became quite controlling which led to many bumping heads with Natalie, resulting in their on and off relationship. It was surprising to see Beth allow her sister to drape herself over Mike without bitching about it for hours. Hell, Beth didn't even mention it.

Beth shrugged, "No one can't tell me I haven't tried. Hannah's a big girl and if she wants to waste her life away chasing after something that's not hers, then that's hardly my problem anymore."

Sam, Hannah's best friend, nodded as she petted on Hotch's belly, "Even I've tried. Hannah is smitten like a kitten."

Josh chucked, "Did you just say, 'smitten like a kitten'?" Sam shoved his shoulder playfully.

Beth slid her arms around Natalie's waist, "So my parents okayed us going up to the lodge for winter break." Natalie slid her hands up Beth's spine and leaned into her, "Oh, so are they coming?"

"Nope. Parentless fun for three days," Beth purred, smirking.

Josh stood from the steps of the porch, "That would be hot if my sister was not involved." So Josh has this uncanny ability to cock block even the most adamant of people.

The girls pulled away from each other, "Ew, gross. Beth, get your brother…" Natalie said.

An old truck pulled up the driveway and out the back tumbled Jessica, "Oh my god! You guys have so many other cars and this death trap picks me up. It's just scrap metal on wheels rolling to the tune of Mumford and Sons."

Ashley stepped from the back, "You're being dramatic, Jess. Eli's car runs fine."

To say that Eli Price was a force to be reckoned with was correct. He was bulky, tall and chiseled with dreadlocks ceasing at his shoulders, though today, it was in a ponytail. Jess would sometimes mess around and call him Jacob Black. Eli used to be a football player for his high school and continued on to college when he was scouted.

The elder Price exited the car as Jess and Ashley walked towards the others. "You know, you could have walked," he said to Jess. To which she responded by swaying her hips and smacking her behind, "You wouldn't make all of this walk."

Eli rolled his eye, "I'm all about gender equality. If I can walk so can you." Natalie knew her brother was too much of a gentleman to make any female walk—especially on the road they lived on that had absolutely no street lights. Their mother would have his head and his jimmies.

A honk of an obnoxiously loud horn announced the arrival of the last three guests. Michael was behind the wheel of his deep blue Ford with Emily in the passenger seat—arms crossed with resting bitch face forever intact. Emily stalked out of the car away from Mike and made a beeline for Jess.

"She just won't stop. Seriously, Hannah doesn't have a clue on how to take a hint!"

"Hey," Natalie cut in, "cut it out. Today is a day for friends—not plotting against the original head bitch in charge. So, cut off your bitch mode for today, Emily. Seriously, not in the mood for it. I'll be damned if I let you bully my girl's sister. I am asking you this once, Em—as your friend."

Emily couldn't do much about Natalie saying something today, because Mike—being Eli, Josh, and Chris' friend—would stay regardless on if Em was going or not. And whether Em wanted to admit it or not, she followed Mike around just as much as Hannah. But once she had the chance, Natalie was sure she'd feel the wrath of Emily. Em was a bit of a spiteful bitch that way.

Beth's pride swelled for her girlfriend. She didn't hear Emily talking about Hannah, but surely if she did, Beth would have been up her ass. Whenever Natalie started spitting fact, it made her all the more attractive to her girlfriend. Hey, smarts was a bit of a turn on for the youngest Washington.

Beth took off towards her sister, who had just climbed out of the back of Mike's car. She swung her arms around Hannah, "I'm so proud, Han! Congrats on winning that art competition! First place isn't bad, punk!" Beth squeezed Hannah's cheeks and the eldest smiled.

Josh reached up to receive a high five from Hannah. He proceeded to swing his arm over her shoulder, "You ain't gonna believe this, but you used to fit right here," Josh said, motioning with his hand about how a peewee baby could fit in his palm, "I'd hold you up to say to our mother, 'This kid's gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid's gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew," Josh quoted. Meanwhile, Chris took it upon himself to mouth the words with him over his shoulder. Hannah giggled and smooshed Josh's face with his hand, "Stop quoting Rocky Balboa at me!"

"So…" Sam began, "Although I do love the outdoors, I think after my run today that my feet would thank me if they're able to take a load off. Inside, anyone?"

After Eli unlocked the door to the two story home, everyone began to bustle inside. Josh started to pull aside Natalie.

"Hey, Nat," the boy started, "thanks for going along with this."

The girl shrugged, "Still don't get why this couldn't be done at your massive house, but it's no problem."

"I didn't feel like hosting, plus no one's ever been over here. I can just sit back and see just how well those guys get along before I invite them to the lodge. Close quarters and everything."

Natalie rolled her eyes, "Two minutes here and Emily is already starting shit. Everywhere that girl goes it's just an ass load of drama. I really don't understand what happened with her, but she needs to cut that shit out or I might just start calling her Elphaba—she's so green. She's got Mike so lay off of Hannah. All that petty bullshit irritates my soul. If she upsets Hannah, she upsets Beth and if Beth is upset, I'm upset and everyone will know."

Blowing her curls from her face, Natalie tosses her massive brunette curls to the side, "So how are things with Sa-man-tha? You put it down on her yet?"

Josh waved his hands around, "No, no no no. Sam and I are friends. Buddy's in arms. Just buddies."

"Fuck buddies."

Natalie never knew Josh's eyes were capable of getting bigger than what they were, but he managed to surprise her every single day that they were friends, "She—she told you about that?"

"All about that," the girl smirked. "So… you have the oddest kin—" Natalie started only to be stopped by Josh.

"No, don't start."

"—Not even about the 'hold my—'"

Josh put a finger up, stopping the girl, "Especially that."

Natalie laughed and tapped the eldest Washington on the shoulder, "C'mon, porn star. You've got people to observe for this 'Vacation of the Year' as you put it. Let's get inside before someone finally decides to resort to murder."

Conclusion to Josh's study: these people couldn't stay more than a night together. Still, Josh wanted to make it a weekend retreat. Even though everyone in the room was altogether flawed, Josh still cared for them—some more than others. And since he cared, he truly wanted everyone to get along because this stifling tension between people meant to be friends was suffocating.

Hannah was the one to announce the trip at the end of the night. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet due to excitement. In the moment afterwards, there were a few definite arrivals: Sam, Chris, Matt, Ashley and Natalie. Mike said he would need to go talk to his boss about some vacation time and Emily said that once she gets everything in order for her physics project, she would give her answer. Jessica needed to grab the okay from her parents. Eli was leaving for military basic training during the time the trip was planned, but he wished them all a good time.

Hannah responded by telling them to get their answers in within the week so they can make sure the rooms were right.

Everyone left with the excitement of a parentless vacation. A cabin to themselves for an entire weekend was what made them feel like adults.

Eleven young adults alone to themselves in the beauty of the Blackwood Mountains for three days would only be the beginning of their nightmare disguised as a dream.

Natalie Price

Beth Washington's Girlfriend

Quick-witted, resourceful, athletic, straightforward.

Relationships

Hannah Washington: 7/10 Natalie finds herself defending Hannah from a lot. As said, "If Hannah is upset, Beth is upset. If Beth is upset, [Natalie] is upset." Mostly because if Beth is going on and on about Hannah's fuck ups, there is less time for nookie, and if there is anything Natalie is—it's horny. Constantly. But all in all, Hannah is a good friend to Natalie and although they fight because Natalie's uncensored mouth offends Hannah, that same uncensored mouth has gone up to bat for her many times.

Beth Washington: 13/10 That score is rightfully so. Beth and Natalie have been friends since Natalie moved to Los Angeles. Two years prior to the incident, Beth and Natalie crossed the line of best friends and stayed on the other side. They had been through enough together to keep them stitched together. For one, exploring sexuality. Two, coming out as lesbian (Beth) and bisexual (Natalie) together and facing the ridicule that came with that. They fight, of course, because Natalie has a big mouth and Beth can be a bit controlling, but they make it out okay.

Josh Washington: 8/10 Since Josh loves his sisters, he loves anything that makes his sisters happy. He and Natalie have a friendship due to their shared love of jokes and movies. Josh, having previous issues with depression, is on medication. Natalie makes it her job to be up his ass about taking his prescription because she cares too much to see him in an institution. Natalie teases Josh about his ongoing "relationship-not relationship" with Sam as seen in this chapter. They have a very open relationship and nothing is off limits for them to say to each other.

Sam: 8/10 Sam is Natalie's conscience. If there was no Sam, Natalie would be hurting people's feelings left and right. Natalie, in return, is Sam's own personal backbone. They give each other advice whenever asked.

Christopher Cochise: 6/10 These two are video game buddies. They are also in the same major in college: science. Natalie loves having Chris around because he is such a smartass, he melts whatever bad mood she is in. Natalie loves comedy and Chris is a walking talking comedy show.

Matt: 5/10 Matt and Natalie's older brother, Eli, play on the same football team. Natalie, although not interested, listens to his football babble. Sometimes he evens convinces her to play flag football. Still, everything is face value with Matt and Natalie doesn't consider him the same level and Chris and the others.

Michael Munroe: 3/10 For Hannah's sake, Natalie does not like Mike. She doesn't like his ego or the front he puts up and he's constantly not owning up to his consequences. She feels she would like Mike much more is he stopped being fake.

Ashley: 6/10

Emily: 5/10

Jess:7/10