Until Dawn: The Light of Day

Chapter 10 of my Until Dawn story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Until Dawn or its characters.

Chapter 10: Repentance

One Hour Until Dawn

Josh

06:10

I struggled desperately, trying to rise from the ground, my mind kept tormenting me, I was alone, all alone and deeply afraid. I could hear the skittering and strange screeching that echoed nearby, then I heard something else, also echoing.

It was Hannah's voice, singing. "Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques. Dormez vous?"

I whimpered; my sister was haunting me again. "No, no, no, no..."

Then Beth's voice joined Hannah's, starting the song as Hannah continued. "Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques. Dormez vous?"

"Dormez vous? Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines! Ding dang dong."
"No, no, no...not again!" I moaned.

"Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines! Ding dang dong." Beth's singing continued as Hannah finished.

"Ding dang dong."

I was on my feet by now, gripping my skull which felt like it was about to burst. I staggered back and forth, pleading.

"Not again! Get away, get away!" I cried in desperation and terror. "Get away from me!"

Finally Beth finished. "Ding dang dong."

My sister's voices then dissolved into laughter as I covered his ears, tears streaming down my face. They were mocking me again.

Trying hard to compose myself I cried out desperately.

"No, you're dead!"

I soon became overwhelmed however, hearing more voices.

"Sorry." Dr. Hill's tone was almost disparaging.

"You're dead!" I screamed in fear at my sister's, still haunting me.

Dr. Hill's voice continued. "You can't change what happened last year."

"Josh." Hannah called out.

"Shut up!"

"We miss you Josh." Hannah's voice continued undeterred.

I shook my head vehemently. "No! You're dead!"

Hannah's voice suddenly became menacing. "Come with us."

I shuddered and tried to get a sense of my surroundings, to find a way out of this nightmare.

Suddenly Mike's voice echoed in my head too, followed by his own and then Chris'.

"A goddamn murderer is what you are!"

"...It's not ready..."
"You manipulated us!"

I shook my head in denial. "No, they're gonna love it..."
"You're a coward!" Chris' voice snapped. "Are you insane!?"

I heard my own voice again. "I just want us to have a good time. They're gonna love it when it's ready."

But it hadn't turned out that way, they overreacted and now I was stuck in this living nightmare.

I heard Ashley's voice screaming in his head, her cry of terror, then suddenly his own voice, distorted as the Psycho.

"Hello there!"

I shuddered and hissed. "I don't take orders from you...you can't tell me what to do..."

I grit my teeth, hearing the Psycho again. "How does it make you feel?"

"You can't tell me what to do anymore..."

The Psycho just laughed. "Time has run out for Josh."

But soon the voices began to fade and I felt something else. "Okay...okay..."

This new feeling, whatever it was, felt as it if was guiding me.

Even as Hannah's voice echoed again. "Come with us."

"I trust you." I said at last.

Composing myself I soon found myself standing, ready to try and find my way out of this nightmare. I stumbled along a nearby path, towards the edge of the cavern seeking a way out. Suddenly however, Beth appeared, blocking the path, her skin was heavily decayed, as expected of a corpse.

"Josh!"

I stumbled back, panicking again. "No!, No, no, no, You're not real!"

Beth spoke again, her voice hoarse and, impossible. "We were all alone down there..."

"No, no...no, no, not again."
I stumbled away, attempting to head the other way.

Unfortunately, this time, when Beth appeared, an equally decayed Hannah appeared along side her.

"All alone." Hannah exclaimed. "But you're with us now."
"No!" I cried out. "Get away!"

"Family."
I tried to run away, down another path. "Get away from me, get away!"
"Why didn't you save us, Josh!" Beth demanded in an accusatory tone. "Why did you want us to die?"
I shook my head desperately. "I didn't, I didn't want you to die- I swear!"

I stumbled away, trying to drown out the sounds of my sister's voices. But when I stopped and opened my eyes again, I saw the wall in front of me had taken on the appearance of pig skin and a knife cut through it, the head of a squealing pig emerged. I screamed and cried before lashing out, punching the thing in the face. As it hit the ground I let out a sound of disgust, before panicking again as suddenly it began to writhe and turn into a gigantic pile of pig entrails which suddenly morphed into Hannah and Beth again, now blood-stained and towering over me.

"Josh!"

"No no n- n- n- no... I don't... I don't take orders from you! No..." I pleaded.

Hannah suddenly reached up and ripped at her face, revealing a skull. "Is this what you want?"

"NO, NO!" I screamed. "Why are you doing this?! Leave me alone! Why are you doing this!?"

Hannah suddenly began accusing him again. "Why didn't you save us Josh, why did you want us to die?"
"You're dead." I screamed. "You're dead!"

Suddenly I heard an unearthly screech and suddenly, from within the walls, another face appeared, gaunt and stark white, sightless eyes glared at me as its razor sharp teeth parted I could only stare at it in utter panic and disbelief.

Sam

06:00

I shook my head as I walked alongside Mike, searching for Josh. I did my best to ignore the sticky feeling against my shins, how my yoga pants now stuck to my shins, I had reopened or gained fresh wounds to my legs as well as scratches on my right collar bone and up my neck a little, I also now felt the two large scrapes on my right cheekbone and above my left eyebrow. Mike now sported a black eye, several scratches and scrapes and was covered in grime. Neither of us said much at first; both still reeling from our close encounter with the Wendigo.

"I was not prepared for how ugly that thing would be up close." I said at last.

"Yeah." Mike replied, hesitating briefly before continuing. "So, I noticed something kind of weird about it..."
I turned my head towards him, biting my lip, worried. "Uh...what?"
"The Wendigo, it had a scar."

"So?" I queried.

Mike sighed. "I've seen it before."
I stopped. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw these old pictures of some guy with that same scar – and he was transforming into a Wendigo." Mike explained.

I gasped. "You're kidding."

Mike nodded. "It was one of those miners who'd been trapped, back in the fifties, in the cave-in. Which means that thing is eighty years old, at least."
I shook my head and resumed walking. "Spunky for an old timer."
I just prayed we'd find Josh soon, this was starting to fray even my nerves.

I swore to myself, this was all crazy, it had been the scariest and most nerve-jarring night of my life. The things I'd seen, the things I'd felt and endured, the feelings of violation I had felt still lingering. I was certain the others felt the same, I couldn't help but worry however, for all those missing. I was drained, physically and mentally; but until I was able to help the others and get everybody out, I couldn't afford to rest. I relied on my adrenaline to keep me going, at least for now.

"They cleaned the place out..." Mike said at last; continuing their earlier conversation "Killed a lot of people."
"They?" I asked; suddenly realizing just what he said. "You mean, there're more of them?"
"Oh yeah."
"How many?" I asked worriedly.

Mike's answer didn't help either. "Too many."

Suppressing a shudder, I thought for a moment. "I think we're close, to the lair."
"How can you tell?" He asked, incredulous.

"I don't know, I just..." I replied, hesitantly. "Feel really terrible all of a sudden."
Mike sighed and replied honestly. "Ditto."
I shuddered again and tried to focus on moving forwards.

Our path continued onwards, until we found themselves at the edge of an underground lake, certainly going to be frigid cold.

"I really don't want to go in there." I muttered.

Mike shrugged. "There's no other way through."
I however wasn't convinced, I decided to see if the path to the left could get them around. As we walked however, my hopes soon died, but then I saw something else.

"Mike, is that what I think it is?" I asked warily.

"Shit..." He muttered. "looks like a grave."
Getting closer we saw it was indeed a grave, a grave that had been dug up. Something glinted in the center of it. I carefully stepped in and picked it up. Stepping back out of the grave, Mike and I examined the object; it was a wristwatch, engraved on the back it was the initials BW.

I gasped, recognizing it. "Oh God...Mike, this is Beth's! This is her watch!"

"What, let me see..." He replied, shocked.

I then noticed and pointed out. "Look, there was a cross here."
"So this is where she was buried."

"But..." I looked at the desecrated grave. "Who dug her up."

Mike shuddered, disturbed. "Let's keep moving."

I quietly agreed and we returned to the ledge we had approached earlier, by the water side.

I cringed as I looked over the murky water before sitting down, Mike sitting next to me.

"Fine...I'm going in." I said at last.

But I hesitated. Mike just shook his head and slid into the water. He waded forwards a few steps.

"Come on, it's okay." He told me as reassuringly as he could.

I shook my head. "You sure?"

"I'm not dead yet."
"Famous last words." I replied casually.

Still I slid into the water and gasped audibly.

"It's freezing, I can't feel my fingers." I exclaimed.

Mike just nodded and we continued to wade through the water, suddenly, I felt herself panic as the floor sloped down sharply, causing the water to get higher, I was soon in the water nearly up to my neck.

"Holy shit." Mike muttered; he wasn't quite as submerged.

"Wait a minute, I thought you'd reached the deepest part."

Mike shook his head. "I didn't say that, I said it was okay, meaning like, there weren't any sharks or anything in here."

"Sharks." I groaned. "Great, thank you!"

Rolling my eyes we continued onwards.

As we did so Mike seemed to notice something however which worried him.

"It's getting deeper."
I cringed. "Yeah, uhm..."
I was now up to my chin but pushed on, a little further ahead, Mike spoke again, his words a relief to me in the frigid water.

"Okay, okay, hey it's sloping up again, we're gonna make it."
Relief flooded me but I replied in desperation. "Oh my god, don't jinx it!"

Finally however, we made it to the other side and climbed out, much to our relief. Quickly gathering ourselves we approached the metal door at the other end of the ledge. We attempted to open the door when suddenly it simply burst open, we reacted in surprise as water gushed from the door, amongst the water however, shocking them both and making me scream was a decomposing head.

"Jesus, she...Jee..." Mike stammered.

We slid through the door, suddenly dreading what we were going to find. Inside, in varying states of decay, hanging from the ceiling on meat hooks, were bodies, one of them we recognized right away as the Stranger, even without his head.

Still reeling from our discovery of the bodies Mike suddenly spoke as he looked through a gap in the boards.

"Wait, hold on, I think I saw something."

I joined him and we looked carefully. At the other end, jabbering to himself, was Josh. I cried out his name as we found a door in the wooden wall and hurried through towards him.

"I don't take orders from you, you can't tell me what to do..." Josh was mumbling.

"Hey, hey, Josh!" Mike called out.

We both shared a worried glance as Josh continued jabbering. We watched as Josh seemed to not even see them.

"What's the matter with him Mike?" I asked, concerned.

Mike shook his head. "He's tripping or something. Josh!"
As he shouted he smacked Josh in the face. Josh staggered and blinked.

"M...Mike?"
"Josh...hey man-" Mike replied, a little relived he seemed himself again.

Josh shook his head, nearly whimpering. "Don't h-hit me, p-please-"

Mike shook his head. "You were deep in it man, full mental jacket."

"We didn't think we'd get you back..." I said softly.

After a brief pause I asked Josh about the key for the cable car, he nodded and handed over the key and then I saw something, light coming from above, from a cliff wall.

"See that over there?" I said quickly. "That means there's a direct way out, c'mon."
Mike shook his head. "There's no way Josh is gonna make it up there."

Josh just nodded; still looking a little out of it.

I thought for a moment. "Okay, if you can help me up, I can go back to tell the others we're okay. You bring Josh back the way we came and we'll all meet at the lodge.

"Yeah, yeah good." Mike replied with a smile. "Be careful."

I nodded. "You too."

With that he gave me a boost and I began climbing the wall.

Josh

06:14

After watching Sam climb up the cliff wall until she was too far away, Mike turned to me.

"Alright, let's go you fucked up son of a bitch." Mike said as good-naturedly as he could.

I shuddered but nodded, following Mike. I had almost lost hope, but now, suddenly here I was with one of my friends again. Or at least, I hoped I could still be considered a friend. At the very least, I was glad that they were at least guiding me out of this trap.

Rubbing my jaw I spoke up, my voice slightly hoarse. "You didn't...you didn't have to hit me so much, man."

Mike grimaced. "Ah yeah, I'm sorry about before, man...I didn't believe you when you said you didn't kill Jess."

There was an uneasy silence before Mike sighed.
"I was wrong."

Mike took a moment to compose himself, getting ready to enter the room ahead. He glanced back at me, worried, before entering, as we entered my eyes went wide.

"No...No!" I cried out in horror.

The room was full of bodies. Mike urged me to keep moving and we did. As we walked however, I felt it again and started muttering.

"I know, I know, I know, I know...okay..."

Mike however was able, at last, to guide me out of the room and we reached the edge of some underground lake.

I looked over at Mike, worriedly, Mike just nodded and hopped down into the water. I hesitantly followed and soon we began wading through the water, heading for the other side. I finally felt myself calming down as we progressed, slowly but surely; things seemed to be getting better.

"Oh fu-!" Mike cried suddenly before he was pulled under the water.

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest, mind racing, then suddenly a beastly creature leapt from the depths; it towered over me, sinewy and completely white, eyes apparently blind, teeth and claws razor sharp, it was the monster I saw in my nightmare.

"NO!" I screamed, trying back away. "You're not real, No, you're not..."
I was cut off when the monster then grabbed me. Pain flared up within me as it began squeezing my head between it's powerful palms. Then I saw it's right shoulder, saw something impossible. For there, on the monster's shoulder, was a black butterfly tattoo, a very familiar black butterfly tattoo. But by the time I realized this monster was my own sister, Hannah, it was too late, with a burst of agony everything black and I saw and felt no more.

Jamie

06:24

I grimaced as I considered my situation, my boots were scuffed, jeans ripped, T-shirt torn, I had cuts and bruises; scrapes along my elbows and knees; gashes across my back and cuts to side of my neck; all covered in a layer of grime. But I knew it was nothing, compared to Jess. Stuck in her underwear and covered in so many wounds. We were lost in darkness, I wasn't sure how long it was since that monster left with Matt's body, I still couldn't believe he had been killed, right in front of us. I clutched Jess closer, she whimpered, in fright or pain I wasn't sure. I could feel her trembling, again, fear or cold, I wasn't sure.

"Jess..." I whispered.

She whimpered again. "Jamie...so cold..."

"I know, me too." I replied. "Though certainly not as much...There must be something..."

I looked around, it was awkward, due to the darkness but I could just make something out.
"There." I said softly.

Jess groaned but nodded and we both managed to get up. I supported her as best I could, trying to ignore my own wounds. We reached what I had seen, hanging from a line of pegs on the wall were two ragged looking miner's coats. We quickly pulled them on, Jess fastening hers shut, she also found a pair of miner's boots which she also pulled on. Now only her bloodied legs were showing and exposed to the cold.

Jess moaned again, this time certainly from pain.
"Oh God..."

I grimaced. "Jess, we'll get out of here, I promise, we'll find help for you."

She nodded slowly but then we froze, hearing footsteps. I quickly moved so I was in front of her and turned to face the sound. Then Jess gasped, as did I when we saw the lantern bearing figure emerge.

I found my voice first. "Kyle!?"

It was him alright; looking a mess; His clothes were also ripped, particularly on the left leg of his jeans, this made the nasty gash along his left leg, which caused him to limp, visible. He also had contusions and bruises, and I guessed a cracked rib or two from how he was holding them.

"Hey Jamie, Jess," he sighed as his facial features relaxed significantly. "I'm so glad to see you guys. I got separated from Sam and I haven't seen anyone till now."

I shook my head. "I don't know either how we ended up down here but...Jess and I have been here for, I don't know how long."

"Matt, he...there was some, monster, it killed Matt." Jess burst out.

Kyle's features darkened. "Dammit. The Wendigos must have gotten to him."

That took me aback. "A Wendigo? How do you even…?"

"Can we talk about it later?" Kyle grimaced. "It's cold and my damn leg is growing numb."

I nodded slowly. In the end we decided to try and find the way out together. As he had the light Kyle led the way, meanwhile, after seeing her struggle to keep up, I supported Jess, pulling her arm around my shoulders, while I held her wrist and wrapped an arm around her waist.

As we walked I saw Jess looking at me, something clearly on her mind.

But all she got out was. "Jamie, everything you just did...what you did for me before...thank you."

I bit my lip but nodded.

"You guys know I'm usually the hopeless romantic," Kyle gruffed. "But this probably isn't a good time."

I could see he was looking around worriedly and nodded to him. This wasn't the best time. Jess quietly agreed and we continued onwards through the mines, following the cart tracks on the ground, until we reached a section of wooden boards that acted like some sort of barrier to our left. Suddenly we heard the screech again, this time louder, it was closer.

"Huh?" I gasped.

Jess looked around, desperate. "Fuck."

Kyle began to move quickly. "Guys?!"

He looked over his shoulder; I was trying to lead Jess quickly but she was stumbling, she couldn't run, the pain was clearly too much. I looked helplessly at Kyle who stopped around looked around, I then saw something. We could take cover behind a gap in the wooden wall.

"Which way?" He muttered.

I quickly caught his attention and gestured.

I knew Jess couldn't keep up if we ran; but I was damned if I was going to leave her behind to be killed by the Wendigo that was chasing them. Kyle's look told me he agreed.

"C'mon, through here!" He hissed.

With that I followed into the gap behind the wall, guiding Jess and we pressed ourselves up against it, Kyle remained rigid, whispering that they could sense movement to us. I held Jess as close as I could, her head against my chest. We could hear the skittering and screeching behind us, and the ragged breathing of the creature, then it began to fade as it moved away. Suddenly Jess felt dizzy and began to stumble, it was only me holding her that kept her upright.

"Jeez..." I whispered, looking around, nothing had heard us. "Does this hurt?"
Jess's only response was choked. "Oh God..."
"Alright, alright..." I said gently, letting her go once she could stand.

I gently guided her out, Kyle right behind us. Once I began supporting her again and Kyle got in front once more, we began to move down the tunnel, a lot more wary now. We quickened our pace slightly, but not to a run. Jess was still able to just about keep up.

Kyle did his best to encourage. "I know this sucks guys, but we won't die if we keep moving."

Urged on by Kyle, Jess followed as quickly as she could with me still supporting her.

As we turned another corner we heard the screeching again.

"Jess!" I cried out in a panic. "Jess come on."
Looking back I could see the Wendigo leaping around the corner, behind us. Kyle then stopped, as did I, Jess bit her lip, the path split, we could go left and continue, or we could try and break through the wooden boards to our right, where we could see light filtering in. Kyle and I shared a look. We knew Jess couldn't make it down the long path to the left, not with that thing so close behind. So he barged through the boards, breaking them.

"Whoa!" He cried as he nearly overbalanced, almost falling off the cliff.

We were outside now, the snow falling down. Seeing a ledge to our right as Jess and I joined him, we moved carefully over to it, with me right behind him, moving Jess until I held her against my chest again.

"Ugh..." She groaned as she must've felt the cold immediately bite into her bare legs, turning them almost numb. "Oh my god...Okaay..."
I gave her a quick nod and we stopped, staying as still as we dared. The Wendigo leapt out and looked around, growling; but didn't see us, it finally turned and leapt back into the depths of the mines. Kyle let out a breath of relief, Jess moved away from me and slumped against the rock wall behind her, letting out a dry sob. I bent over, hands on my knees, groaning. Then we all looked up in relief at the rising sun and heard the blessed sound of approaching helicopters.

Sam

06:36

Gritting my teeth, I clambered up until I reached a ledge large enough to stand on. I bent over, hands on my knees as I gasped for breath. Recovering I stood and looked upwards, biting my lip.

'Nearly there...just this...last wall, then I'm up.' I told myself as I examined the final portion of wall I was yet to climb.

I knew I couldn't delay any further; I had to get a move on. So, taking a risk I jumped to grab one of the higher rocks, I caught it, was able to catch my foot in a niche and then was able to grab another rock higher up and pulled myself upwards. Looking around I spotted an overhanging rock above my head. Tensing my muscles I launched myself up again, grabbing onto it, I hauled myself upwards until I had a good grip on the surface of the wall, my feet now also secure, with one on top of the overhang.

"Ugh..." I grunted with the effort. "Come on."

I looked up, I was very nearly at the top; just a little further and I would be at the surface. I climbed around, grabbing a nearby branch, set my foot properly and then grabbed the ledge above, I hauled myself up and then, panting, breathless, I stood, up in the surface, in the forest again, the snow falling around me. Shivering I blew on my hands, trying to warm them up.

I shook my head. 'Pity these clothes weren't suitable for this kind of weather; still; just have to bear it, nearly there.'

I knew the way back now, I could see the lodge in the distance and, closer by, the shed.

I immediately began walking; standing still wouldn't help me here, I'd just freeze.

'Although if a Wendigo comes along, it'll be my best defence...Freezing to death.' I thought with a touch of dark humour. 'Don't think they'd like a Sam popsicle.'

I reached a brief divergence in the path, but both seemed to lead the same way, so I choose the right path and followed it. When they finally met I stopped.

"Oh man..." I groaned.

I was at a lake, I'd have to wade across. Just when I thought I was done with that, just when I had finally dried off. Shaking my head I dropped down into the lake and shrieked from the cold that instantly bit into my skin, soaking my clothes. I cringed and forced myself onwards, wading through the water towards the other end, when suddenly I heard a loud noise. I paused and looked around, but nothing happened.

'Oh please don't say I'm getting paranoid now.' I thought worriedly.

Composing myself I continued until I reached the other end and climbed out. Shivering uncontrollably, I moved onwards, wrapping my arms around myself. I didn't dare stop until I reached a high ledge, I saw only one way down. Taking a deep breath I began to slide down, but lost control.

"Whoa..." I cried out. "Oh shit!"

I grunted in pain as I reached the bottom, only to fall hard on the ground, on my stomach.

Groaning I pushed myself upwards, I had to keep moving. My walk was interrupted by the screech of a Wendigo, loud, as if it was nearby. Instantly panic seized me, I was so close, I was at the shed.

I quickly made up my mind. 'Crap, gotta take the risk.'

I immediately took off running, going straight for the lodge. I looked over my shoulder desperately, fearful of pursuit. Looking forwards again, I barely had any time to react before ducking under the tree log.

"Shit!" I cried at my close call.

I quickly stopped, scoping out the area. I couldn't hear any more signs of pursuit, but I still had to get to the lodge, quickly. I continued to run, jumping down the next ledge and over a broken jar in the path. The lodge was within sight now; I ran up the stairs onto the porch and made straight for the door. But it was locked, I couldn't open it.

"HEY! HEY! COME ON OPEN UP!" I cried out in a panic. "GUYS COME ON ARE YOU IN THERE? LET ME IN!"

"Sam-"

I screamed and spun around.

"Shit, Mike!" I cried in relief before really looking at him. "Oh gosh, you look terrible-"

Mike shook his head. "Gonna look worse if we stay out here, come on!"

I looked around, there was no other way around it. I quickly picked up a rock from the ground and used it to smash one of the glass panes in the door. Through it I was able to reach in and unlock the door. Mike and I quickly entered the lodge, stopping to catch our breath.

It was then I realized Mike was alone.

"Okay...Mike, w-what happened to Josh?" I asked fearfully.

Mike shook his head sadly. "It got him."

I grimaced. "Oh, god, what an awful way to go..."

I shook my head and, acting automatically, flipped the lights on, but Mike quickly turned them back off, shaking his head. I quietly agreed and, after a brief discussion, we began making our way down to the basement, checking for the others.

"How do you rate our chances of survival?" I asked nervously.

Mike sighed. "I'm trying not to think about it."

It was then we heard the screams. The door to the basement was open and we could see the others, Chris in the lead, running towards them.
"GET OUTTA HERE, GO, GO, GO!" He cried out.

He quickly ran past them, Ashley and Emily were approaching rapidly too.

"GO, RUN!" Ashley screamed.

At the same time, Emily yelled out. "GO, GO, WE GOTTA GO!"

Brian was right behind them, running despite the pain. I couldn't help but note there was no sign of Kyle, the mere thought of that sent an icy chill through my stomach. But just as the two Wendigos appeared and began approaching the door.

"Sam..." Mike called warning. "Run...RUN!"

He turned and ran, however I quickly darted forwards and pulled the door shut, locking it. I heard the thumping as the Wendigos began striking at it. I just prayed it would buy us some time as I ran after the others.

As I reached the top of the stairs I stopped dead; the others were already standing, rigid and terrified.

"Don't...move..." Mike whispered to me. "Don't fucking move a muscle."

I had no intentions of moving. For there, hanging from the large chandelier decoration in the middle of the great room, was a Wendigo, one that looked just like the one Emily and Brian described chasing them in the mines. I did my best not to move, no easy task after my trip through the icy lake. The Wendigo snarled and partially turned. It was then my sharp eyes caught it, I heard Mike gasp and knew he had seen it too. I could scarcely believe it, for there, on the Wendigo's right shoulder, was a black butterfly tattoo.

'Hannah...'

Just then we heard the skittering and went tense all over again, the other two Wendigos were now here. Wendigo Hannah must've seen their movements for she growled. As I saw one of the Wendigo leap somewhere out of sight through the corner of my eye, the other approached the middle of the room, just as Hannah leapt down and immediately tackled it. Soon the two were struggling for dominance and I quickly glanced around, Mike was a few feet to my right, the others were further away, near the door, but spaced out, there was no way they could all make it out together, not like this.

Suddenly the Wendigo screeched as Hannah threw it into the stairs, breaking them and then against the fireplace. My eyes widened when I saw the damage, and also a chance. The Wendigo recovered and climbed the wall, Hannah quickly followed, both of them screeching and snapping at each other. My eyes were fixed on the broken gas pipe however, leaking gas into the room, I remembered the information about the Wendigos fatal weakness being fire. Right now, killing them was the only option left. It wouldn't be easy, we'd need someone to ignite the gas and whoever did it would more than likely be incinerated too. Looking around I spotted a bare light bulb, if we could just break it, we'd have the means to make a spark. The light switch was right by the door.

'It's crazy but...but it's doable...' I told myself.

Glancing at Mike, I saw he had been following the same line of thought; I nodded in agreement, we had a plan, now we just needed to put it into action.

The Wendigos resumed their fight until Hannah threw the Wendigo she had been attacking away. The Wendigo that had disappeared from sight returned, leaping at her as she responded in kind. Both of them collided in mid air, fell to the ground and soon Hannah recovered. Seizing the other Wendigo by the head she smashed him repeatedly into the ground before simply pulling his head off. Throughout this, Mike had been slowly edging his way towards the light bulb. Meanwhile, I stepped back, shocked and awed by the raw display of power, and terrified by it. I knew, if Hannah, or any of the other Wendigos got a hold of me, or any of the others, it was over for us. There would be no wriggling free, no last minute reprieve, just a quick, messy and extremely painful death.

*CREAK*

I froze as I stepped on the floorboard. 'Crap.'

I immediately went still as Hannah turned to me and screeched. I remained as still as possible, no easy task due to my recent cold swim, my muscles were aching to shiver, but I couldn't afford to. I resisted and resisted while Hannah stalked towards me, snarling. Mike took advantage of this moment to reach the light bulb and, grunting with effort, squeezed it until it broke. The sound made Hannah screech again and spin around. I looked over desperately to where the others were.

They were too spaced out, they couldn't all escape at once; the lodge was still filling with gas; the explosion would be dangerous enough without the rest of the group being in danger. Chris was nearest the door and, at the moment, had the best chance. Catching his eye I nodded and, taking the hint, he quickly darted for the door, making it out of the lodge and to safety she hoped.

'Just gotta, find a way to keep Hannah distracted...so Emily, Brian and Ashley can escape, then it's just me and Mike...and our plan.' I told myself.

Mike cringed as he looked back from where he had broken the light bulb, thus readying it. Hannah was approaching him, she had turned her attention to him. I thought frantically, I had to act, before it was too late. With the light bulb broken we only needed to flick the switch and the building would explode. But I couldn't do that yet, not with four of my friends still inside, they'd be incinerated in the blast. I wasn't even sure I had a chance to survive it; much less anyone else.

I saw Hannah closing in on Mike. 'Got to do something, now...distract her, anything.'

I knew it was risky, it would allow more gas to fill the room, the explosion would be larger possibly; but that was a risk I had to take.

I could only see one option, I had to get the Wendigo's attention back on myself.

"HEY!" I cried out, as loud as I could.

With another screech Hannah turned and stalked towards me, I did her utmost to stay still, despite the chill that seeped through my skin. I also prayed the gas interfered with the Wendigo's sense of smell; it would be a bonus if it did. Out the corner of my eye she saw Ashley making her escape, now I just had to get Emily, Brian and Mike to safety. Unfortunately, at that moment, Emily's foot made contact with another creaking floorboard. Hannah turned and began to walk in Emily's direction. Acting purely on instinct, I reacted, running to nearby pillar and pressing myself against it, making as much noise as possible.

'C'mon, c'mon, leave Em and look for me, c'mon.' I found herself desperately thinking.

The things I did for my friends truly surprised me time to time. I heard the footsteps and felt the Wendigo's breath as it drew up alongside me. As it turned away, I glanced out from behind the pillar and just saw Emily exiting, ushering Brian out too. I was almost there now. I darted to another section of the wall and hid, Hannah turned again and drew closer, closer than ever before, her face mere inches from the side of mine. I screwed my eyes shut tight, staying as rigid as I could despite the overwhelming desire to shiver; despite the rancid breath of the Wendigo as it screamed right in my ear. Despite everything; I remained where I was. Hannah turned away and began to edge further into the room. Glancing out I saw Mike right by the door; I nodded to him and he slowly, hesitantly, exited. Now it was my turn.

Taking a deep breath I did the only thing I could, I ran straight for the light switch; I heard the screeching and knew that other Wendigo was chasing me. Desperation pumped massive amounts of adrenaline through my veins, I ran faster, everything pounding through my body, the beast behind me screeched louder. I didn't dare look, but I caught a flicker of movement out the corner of my eye, where Hannah had been and then heard the fighting, Hannah had attacked the other Wendigo.

'Now or never!'

With a yell I leapt forwards, hitting the light switch and propelling myself out the door. The explosion was deafening and made me grunt as the force of it hit me, causing me to be thrown back. I groaned and slowly picked myself up from where I had landed in the snow. Mike slowly stood too, Ashley and Chris were seated nearby, Emily standing just behind them, Brian at her side. They stood, watching the lodge burn in silence; as the sun rose, bringing daylight at last and with it, the sound of helicopters approaching.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.