Disclaimer: I don't own Until Dawn, its plot/story or characters. Those rights go to Supermassive Games and Sony Computer Entertainment.
*Long sigh* Why must everything revolve around school and work? Eh, I guess that's just life and you gotta deal with it.
Wow! It's been pretty much a year since I started this fanfic! Huh, time flies. Thanks to all you awesome people reading this story, I can't begin to put into words how grateful I am!
Anyways, everything else aside, here's the next chapter for you guys. Also, more (somewhat) lightheartedness because I feel that we need it at this point. Enjoy!
Also, I know nothing about operating bear traps. Just "bear" with me on this one... I'll go sit in the corner now.
"I'm just saying, it seems a little impractical.", Beth quipped as she bounced on her heels.
Jack rolled his eyes. "And I'm 'just saying' take a look at all of the Wendigos lined up in their cages. Then tell me the trap is impractical." He pointed to the doorway that led to the corridor which then led to her new living hell.
Beth scrunched up her face and shook her head. "I'd rather not."
Out of all the traps Jack had shown her throughout the Sanitarium, the most grotesque (and in her opinion most unnecessary) one was the bear trap waving a decaying arm back and forth. When she first laid eyes on it, Beth honestly thought that it was some sick joke but seeing as everything so far pointed to the contrary she decided to roll with it. After voicing her concerns, which Jack didn't appreciate.
"Then stop whining and do as I asked you."
Beth scoffed at the statement but a part of her face him the benefit of the doubt. Seeing as Jack seemed to be doing the hunting on his own for some time, he wouldn't instantly be a social person once Beth came around.
She reluctantly walked over to the bear trap and set the shotgun next to the contraption. She eyed the swaying arm at different angles.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
Jack sighed. "Just don't tug on the arm. The trap itself is underneath the table."
Beth nodded and squatted down to look underneath the splintering table. After a moment of focusing her gaze, she could make out the rusting metal contraption holding and swaying the severed arm.
She peeked up over the table at Jack. "If I lose my hand its your fault." And with that, as par Jack's instructions and directions, Beth went to dismantle the trap. Jack would've done it himself but, apparently, Beth still had to 'learn the ropes'.
With trembling fingers, she handled the metal contraption with delicate care, being as careful as she could. She flinched back every few seconds when the the rusty trap squeaked and swayed towards her as she couldn't be too sure if she was actually doing it right and safely.
Pressing a small silver button on the side of the trap, the arm stopped moving all together and was released from the contraption. Beth couldn't help but swallow her vomit again when it dropped to the table with a sickly thud.
She shakily rose to her feet with a hand on her stomach. "There. Happy?" If she wasn't so sick that would've sounded as snarky as she intended it to be.
Jack shook his head. "Not quite. Still gotta fix the thing."
Beth blanched. "Yeah, I'm not doing that on my own."
"Fine. I'll show you."
For the next half hour, Jack showed Beth the basics of operating the bear trap. He explained that prolonged use of the device would mean that it's parts would either become weakened or rusted and would need frequent management. Beth once again flinched away whenever she came close to the trap, paranoid at the possibility that the trap might snap her up at any moment.
However, after a few more pointers and guidance, Beth successfully tightened the screws and joints of the trap, allowing the bait to move more swiftly with less annoying squeaking. She probably would've been proud of her handiwork if it wasn't for the purpose of using a severed arm as Wendigo bait.
Jack took in the notable improvements and nodded in approval. "Not bad for your first time. Looks pretty decent."
Beth gaped at the older man. "Did you just give me a compliment?"
Jack rolled his eyes and grimly chuckled. "I'll admit you do have some skill, kid. But you still have quite a way to go."
"And helping you trap a Wendigo doesn't count?" Beth raised her eyebrows at him questioningly.
"Yeah but that was with my help. Wendigos may follow the same pattern at night, but that doesn't mean they're predictable. One day, you gotta be prepared to think on your feet and maybe catch the Wendigo yourself."
Beth didn't really consider that possibility. She thought that Jack would allow her to tag along on his hunts and treks (safety in numbers and all that), but didn't even exercise the possibility that they might get separated at some point or may even be attacked when in the Sanitarium on her own.
Perhaps it was because she thought that finding Hannah wouldn't take so long, but with the mountain being as large as it was with Wendigos crawling all over the place, it was definitely a concern now. Self-defence with a shotgun was one thing. Capturing a Wendigo on her own would be a whole new skill entirely.
"I guess you do have a point. But let's not go that far just yet.", Beth replied.
"Better to do it sooner rather than later.", Jack retorted.
Beth groaned. "Why do you have to always sound right?"
"Because I've been doing this for year now, as opposed to you being here a few days."
The teen grinned and crossed her arms. "Don't worry. I intend to improve."
Once the rest of the traps were inspected and maintained, Beth was ready to know the layout of the mines and the regular pattern of the Wendigo's pathways. Jack, however, wasn't too keen just yet. Back at their regular spot by the splintered table and the wolves (Jack still refused to acknowledge their names), he pulled out a small notebook and flipped through a number of pages before pulling out a tattered piece of paper. He unfolded it and placed it onto the table.
Beth examined the document for a moment before looking up at him in disbelief. "How were you able to make that detailed of a plan of the mountain, sanitarium and the mines?"
"Well, living on the mountain and only able to hunt the Wendigos at night, you would have some time on your hands."
Beth hummed in response. "Fair point." She then went back to looking over the plan. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Just how deep do the mines go? And how many… levels are there?"
Jack slid the paper closer to him so he could get a good look at what Beth was referring to. He nodded and pointed at her inquiries. "Well the mines are pretty deep but if you know the layout well it'll only take a few minutes to get to where you want to go. As for the levels, there's an operating elevator shaft here… and here." He pointed at two markings at both of the map, gesturing to clearly show the real distance between them. "They can take up both up and down to different areas of the mines, which makes for even more ground to cover."
"Huh. That sounds pleasant."
Jack turned to get a good look out of the window and rolled up his coat sleeve to look at a watch she didn't even noticed he had. "Okay, we've still got a good few hours before they come out again. Make sure you get a good look at the map and the rest of the book for that matter. I'm gonna go take stock of some of our supplies. Ask me about anything you're not sure about before we move out."
"Alright." Beth picked up the book and sat down, reading it with newfound interest.
Jack walked over to one of the wolves and petted him on the head to get his attention. "Come on, boy." The wolf stood up and began to follow after him.
Beth looked up from the book and frowned. "His name's Winter."
"Ugh. No, it's not." Beth couldn't hold back the smug grin as Jack left the room.
Jack groaned again once he was out of her line of sight. This girl was really starting to test his patience. Why was she treating this like it was a game? Well, her being a teenager and all should've prepared him for that but he expected that the minute he mentioned the words 'curse' and 'Wendigos' should've been a red flag for her to cut it out and start to take it seriously. He'll admit, he was impressed by the skill and resolve she showed on her first few days but that would only get her so far. If she wanted to find her sister, she'd have to be more tactful in her actions.
Oh, who was he kidding? Her sister was probably already dead at this point. No one, without knowing what dwelled in the mountains, would be able to face a Wendigo and survive. But Beth seemed pretty insistent that she was out there somewhere and disagreeing with her would make her more determined to prove him wrong and give him more of a headache than before. Jack couldn't tell how long she'd have that mentality for but in the long run, it would do her more harm than good. In his years of experience, he learned that you'd have to accept harsh reality of the Blackwood mountains and throw away the rose-coloured glasses the teen was definitely wearing.
After a moment of contemplation, Jack, against his better judgement, decided to humour her for the time being. Besides, it would only be a matter of time before Beth realised she was chasing a lost cause.
Right?
The more I write this story, the sadder I get that Beth had to die at the beginning of the game since you didn't really get to know her in comparison to everyone else. Anyways, I really enjoy writing her and my own twists to her character (would love to know if it's working).
So Beth and Jack haven't gone into the mines before nightfall yet, but once again the chapter became longer than anticipated. So no exploration until next time. Also, in regards to the whole 'year later cut', I'm thinking about doing that about halfway through the story. However, seeing how I'm not so sure how long the Beth and Jack journey will go, it's hard to say when the story of the game will be (just a heads up).
Bye for now!
XXX
