Syd stared at her computer screen as she willed words to simply appear on the page. She already knew that she wasn't getting any sleep tonight. With a deadline looming in the distance and a stranger in the cabin, sleep wasn't really an option. The glow from the computer illuminated the room. To make herself more comfortable she shifted the laptop, catching a metal object as it fell. It was her old bat from her softball days.

A small sigh of relief fell from her lips as she looked at it fondly. She'd rather not have Nick know about her weapon of last resort. She had found a cast iron skillet for Charlie. Charlie hadn't wanted to take it, but Syd managed to convince her. Needless to say, Syd had little trust in their guest.

A knock echoed through the cabin. Syd looked at the door in shock. Who could it be at this time of night? In the middle of the woods? In the middle of a storm?! An uneasy feeling gripped Syd as she hesitantly grabbed the bat and left her room. The knocking grew more insistent.

Nick was sitting up, looking at the door when Syd entered the room. His eyes were wide open with surprise, and they got even wider as he saw Syd wielding a bat.

Syd pressed her finger to her lips as she sneaked toward the door. The knocks grew louder. The porch light was on, but she couldn't see the porch through the window without being obvious. Peering through the peephole, she didn't see anything. It was pitch black. Someone must be covering it she noted. As she had crept towards the door she had begun noticing a foul odor. It was even worse now. Like the stench of rotten eggs had been mixed with urine. It made her feel like vomiting. The knocks had now gone silent, and all Syd could hear was the corgis' frantic barking.

"Hello?!" shouted Syd as she winced. Was that really the best she could do? Even Nick gave her a sympathetic look.

"Come on, puppies," a cheery, high pitched voice said from behind the door.

The voice was familiar to Syd. Really familiar. It was the voice Charlie used to get the dogs to do something, like hurry or jump on a bed. Syd turned to see a shocked Charlie holding back two corgis.

Syd had never seen the corgis act so viciously before. Sure, they barked all the damn time but never like that. She felt her heart drop. This didn't bode well for them.

Syd finally plucked up the courage to yell, "I know you're not her, jackass! Quit screwing around, or we'll call the cops!"

The last part wasn't entirely true. Of course, she'd try to call the police. However, the mountains are not known for great cell reception. A hush fell over the cabin.

"LET ME IN!" shrieked a guttural voice.

Sydney had to grab a chair to keep on her feet. Her legs had almost turned to jelly at that sound. The dogs were now growling and snarling at the door. Syd and Charlie glanced at each other, seeing the same fear reflected in the other's eyes. Syd quickly motioned for Charlie to check the windows. They both took off, making sure every window was secure. Whatever that thing was, Syd wanted to make sure it didn't have easy access. She returned to the living room to see Nick checking the windows and looking appropriately terrified. Whatever shady business he was possibly doing, this obviously had nothing to do with it.

"LET! ME! IN!"

Syd checked the front windows again and saw a shadow move in the distance. The shadow came closer, and red eyes started into Syd's as she slowly took in more details of what was in front of her. Horns. Curled horns on his head. Red, glowing eyes. And she swore she heard cloven footsteps as it moved. She turned to see Nick and Charlie staring horror-stricken at the beast.

"Oh good. It's not just me."