Oh my God. Readers, this had been a stressful week, but next week will be even more stressful DX. Finals are coming! Anyways, here's a chapter for you all.

*One Year Later*

I sat staring out of the window for a moment, watching the afternoon snow fall down to the ground. I huddled the blanket resting on my shoulders closer and leaned back against my bed. I brushed one of the bangs out of my face and looked at the clock. 1:30. My mom and dad had a wedding to attend, so they should be taking their leave right about now. "Leslie!" I heard my mom's soft voice call from downstairs. I switched off my phone and slipped into my grey slippers, descending downstairs to see both my parents putting their jackets on. "Hey," Mom said, "So you've got all the numbers."

"Yup," I said.

"Okay. Call them if you ever need anything. You can call us as well, and keep the doors locked-"

"Mom. I'll be fine."

"Promise you won't burn the house down?"

"When did that ever happen?"

"I'm just checkin'!"

Both of us laughed and returned each other with a hug. Dad walked over, "I'll see you when you get back."

"Have fun tonight." He planted a kiss on my forehead as he followed his wife out the door. I stood in silence as my parents cautiously drove out of the driveway, making their way to their destination. I sighed and looked at one of the family photos. My older brother, Chris, was beside me in this one. He had me in a headlock while ruffling my hair up, and there I was. His glasses were on me instead, and I had this huge smile written across my lips. Where did that smile go? I mean, I smile every so often, but it always looks like I'm forcing it. True. I've got to do it when I've got to. But my smile has been broken since the event that took place one year ago.

It was a celebration Chris and his friends were having, and I decided to tag a long just so I could be social. I obviously wasn't until I met up with Hannah. She had told me about how happy she was to see everyone, especially Mike. I liked her and Beth. Even if they didn't feel like we were exactly friends, it's good to see they're at least nice. On that same night when I said to everyone, "I lost them", I never said anything else after that. Josh was still sober enough to understand my answer, and he and his parents arranged an investigation in the lodge area in search for his sisters. I would've helped with the search, but I lost the footprints and I didn't know where I had chased Beth off to. But I knew that those twin sisters weren't coming back alive. Even one year later, their bodies were not yet found. I knew that Josh would be going through some hard times, knowing that he'd be spending the rest of his life alone.

I wanted to talk to him, but also considering that I was the last one near his sisters, it's only imaginable that he wouldn't even look at me or talk to me. I barely talked to any of Chris' friends, even though they were actually a little fun to be around. But now, I don't even like them anymore. They're heartless and unpleasant. I know that Sam didn't have anything to do with the prank they played on Hannah but... Okay. She's acceptable. But as for the rest, I'd rather not see their unforgiving faces again.

08:01

The fire was lit along with a spotless house. I held a warm mug of tea while sinking further down into the couch. My eyes were glued on the TV screen, watching some graphic images from an old, cheesy horror movie. "Told you not to go in there," I said. I couldn't help but laugh as well at the cheap effects used for this scene. Suddenly, the doorbell rang and echoed throughout the house. I turned the volume down and paused the movie. As I got up and walked over to the door, I saw a familiar face looking through the window. "Chris?" I murmured in confusion. I opened the door. "Hey, sis," he greeted, rubbing his hands to get warm.

"Um, hi," I replied, "W-What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was going to visit some friends, but Mom called and demanded that I look after you tonight."

"What?"

"She's uh... Pretty worried about you."

"Right... But all I was going to do was watch movies and stay inside."

"I figured," Chris shrugged his shoulders, "It's very...'you'."

I crossed my arms, and ran my tongue across my bottom lip once, "You want me to come along, huh?"

"W-Well-"

"No way, Chris but thank you-" Before the door shut all the way, Chris caught it and held it forcefully with his forearm. Pretty damn strong for a nerd. "Leslie-"

"I said no," I whined, "I'm not going to spend the evening getting wasted with your stupid friends."

"They're not stupid-"

"I'm sorry! Have you forgotten about their joke that made two girls disappear?"

"They've changed now."

I laughed hoarsely, "Oh, I'd love to see Jessica then-"

"They've changed ad I can assure you that you can be around them with no problem."

"I. Am. Not. Going. Period."

Chris pursed his lips and shrugged, "Alright. You can stay here. But I'll just be sharing those 'funny moments' all focused on you."

"You'll what?!"

"That's right."

I stood clenching my fists and biting down hard on my teeth. I know that they'll forget those stories later on, but even now, they can't know. I finally growled, "Fine. I'll come."

"Get ready then. We're not in a rush." I slammed the door finally and stomped up to my room. I let out a large and deep groan. Then I muttered complaints while putting on some black skinny jeans and a dark grey long-sleeved shirt. Over it, I put on a black and white flannel and rolled up the sleeves on it to make myself look a little fashionable. Then I zipped up my black winter coat and put on my black combat boots as the finishing touch. I also packed an extra change of clothes incase I get thrown up on or something else comes in the way.

Before leaving the house, I switched off the fire place and lights. My phone was fully charged and I made my way over to Chris' car. "You good?" He questioned.

"Just go," I sighed.

"Okay, okay. I'll leave you alone then." He started the engine and I "plugged" into my phone.

About forty-five minutes later, I finally cooled my head off a little. I just finished a video Josh put up. By the look of it, he seemed pretty chill. Though he had brought up his sisters once and informed his viewers that he was okay. Aside from that, he seemed to be his plain, old self; energetic and a little immature. I powered down my phone and leaned back in my seat. "You good?" Chris asked.

"I still hate you," I said.

"You can stay for one night, Leslie. 'Kay?"

I looked over, "Josh doesn't mind, right?"

"What?"

"He, or anyone else... They don't mind that I'll be there, right?"

"No. Not at all. What brought this up?"

"It's just... Stuff younger siblings think."

"Gotcha. Well, if they are being obnoxious around you, I'll deal with it."

"Why'd you become friends with those jerks anyway?"

"First it was with Josh, and we've been friends for quite a while."

"How long is a while?"

"Heh, I'll save that story for another time. We're here now."

I looked out of the window, seeing a snowy forest. Along with that, there was a sign that read, Blackwood Pines.

Gee, where have I seen this before?