Author's Note: Okay, well, good news. The virus got cured, I guess, for the most part, and I was able to save pretty much all of the story. I'm just missing one chapter, which is actually the one between last chapter and the one that I'm posting now. Luckily, nothing really that big happens in it, and it can easily make sense without it, I think. So, I'm just going to post this chapter and see if you guys ahve any trouble with it. If you have any questions, just ask, and I'll be sure to answer them in my next update. Enjoy.
--OTH--
"So, this is fun."
It had been over an hour since Peyton had found Haley collapsed on the ground with a hurt ankle and the rain still hadn't let up. It continued to pour down on them and it showed no sign of stopping any time soon. The girls were starting to get really cold and they still hadn't thought of what they could do. Peyton tried to think of something helpful, but not too surprisingly she had come up empty handed. She was kind of hoping that Haley would think of something; that was her job after all. She was the smart one in the group, not Peyton. But as of now, it seemed that Haley wasn't at her best because she too couldn't think of anything.
"Don't blame this on me," Haley exclaimed, glaring in Peyton's direction. As mad at she was at Peyton right now, she had to admit she was extremely happy that she was there with her. She knew it was kind of selfish to be glad that her best friend was stranded in the middle of nowhere with her, but she couldn't imagine how scared she'd be if she was alone still.
"I'm not," Peyton replied. She was trying her hardest not to beg for Haley's forgiveness, but it was proving harder than she thought it would be. There was nothing she hated more than having someone mad at her. "I came out here on my own free will."
"For some reason," Haley mumbled under her breath. She knew in her heart she had an excellent reason to be pissed off at Peyton, but she couldn't help but think that she was being a little harsh on the blonde. Peyton raised an eyebrow and looked at her through all the rain.
"What do you mean?"
"I just don't see why you'd come all the way out here in the pouring rain when I've been a complete bitch to you for the past week." As much as being hated bothered Peyton, she knew it hurt Haley just as much to hate her. Haley was the kind of person that hated being mean to people. There was nothing that made her feel worse.
"Well, it wasn't raining when I left," Peyton joked, trying to lighten the mood. It seemed to work some what as Haley let out a small laugh. After a moment Peyton turned serious again. "Seriously, Hales, do you really think that I was going to leave my best friend out here all by herself?"
"Not much of a best friend," Haley responded in a bitter tone. Neither of them was sure if she was referring to herself or Peyton. Haley didn't think she should be so hard on herself, but she couldn't figure out why she hadn't forgiven Peyton yet when she had forgiven Brooke so easily; they were both her best friends. So what was so different about Peyton's case?
"When that Nicki bitch said you ran off, I just had this horrible feeling that something was wrong," Peyton explained. She officially didn't care if she had to beg for Haley's forgiveness, she needed it. "Knowing that you could be hurt out here… I've been lost out here before, it's not fun." Haley glanced at her quickly before looking straight ahead again. She wanted so badly to forgive her, but she just wasn't ready yet.
"How'd you find your way back?"
"Brooke and I hid in this cave," the blonde retold. "Brooke's parents found us a couple hours later." Haley whipped her head around to look at Peyton, her eyes wide. Peyton didn't seem to understand what she was trying to get at. "What?"
"There's a cave somewhere around here?" Peyton's eyes widened, not believing her own stupidity. She quickly looked around at her surroundings, trying to see if she recognized any of it from when she was little. She shrugged and looked helplessly at Haley.
"I don't know," she sighed. She tried to think back really hard to remember where she and Brooke had found that cave. Once again, she came up with nothing. The only thing she could remember clearly was a huge cliff and a funny looking tree that covered most of the cave. "When we got lost I can't remember which way we went. For all I know it could be on the other side of the cabin."
"Great," Haley mumbled. She wasn't mad at Peyton for not remembering; she couldn't remember what she had for breakfast two days ago. "What are we supposed to do then?"
"Someone will find us eventually," Peyton told her in what she hoped was a reassuring voice. She was starting to believe herself less and less the longer they were stuck out there. "I'm sure the gang is back at the cabin, cooking up a search party to come out and find us." She caught the worried look come across Haley's face. As bad as she was in situations like this, Haley was worse. She carefully reached over and put an arm around Haley's shoulder, pulling her closer. "We'll be okay. We just have to wait a little bit longer."
"I didn't tell you this before cause I didn't want you to worry," Haley began in a shaky voice. A feeling of dread washed over Peyton as she heard the scared tone in Haley's voice. "But I can't feel my legs anymore." Peyton's eyes widened and she pulled back from Haley to get a good look at her. She couldn't see it before because of the dark and rain, but Haley's skin was sickly pale and she was shaking.
"Oh, God," she cried, pulling back completely. "Haley, you're shaking." Without giving it a second thought, she pulled off her jacket and wrapped it around Haley's upper body. "When did this start?"
"Before you got here," Haley answered in a slow voice. She wrapped her arms tighter around her body in an attempt to keep warm. It was completely useless, however, as she was already soaked to the bone. The jacket that Peyton gave her didn't help much either considering it was already drenched in water. Peyton watched helplessly as Haley continued to shake and her teeth chattered as she spoke. "My fingers are starting to go numb too."
"Hales, you should have told me," Peyton scolded. She saw the guilty look on Haley's face and the anger that had come up in her gut disappeared as soon as it appeared. She shook her head, telling Haley that she was sorry. She pulled Haley back into her arms, remembering that the best way to keep someone warm was with body heat.
"What are we going to do, Pey?" Haley asked, her voice sounding lost and far off to Peyton's ears. She had never heard Haley sound so helpless before and it scared her to death. Peyton dug down deep inside of her and tried to find the courage to be strong. The last thing that Haley needed from her right now was for her to freak out.
"I'm gonna get you warm," she answered, her voice strong and unwavering. It sounded like it was the easiest thing in the world. Haley tried to laugh at her statement, but it came out as a cough. Peyton closed her eyes at the horrible sound.
"How you gonna… gonna manage that?" Peyton knew her plan wasn't the best or most sensible one in the world, but it was their only shot. Peyton laid her hands on Haley's neck, moving them over different spots to try and warm her up. She heard that the neck and head were the most important places to keep warm. Who knew all that crap you learn in PE was actually good for something?
"I'm gonna go looking for that cave," Peyton answered. She knew it was a long shot, pretty much an impossibility, but she could only hope that God would give her a break for once in her life and let her find it. "I'm gonna find it and then come back and get you."
"Okay," Haley answered, her voice so quite that Peyton wouldn't have been able to hear it if she wasn't holding her so close. "But… but it's dark. You could get lost."
"I'll take my cell," Peyton answered, pulling out the object she was referring to. Before Haley could comment on her answer, Peyton continued. "This thing is like a flashlight, you know that. You almost had a hissy fit when I turned it on in the middle of the movie theatre."
"It lit up the whole place," Haley remembered. She knew what Peyton was doing; she remembered all those stupid classes that didn't seem so stupid anymore. They were told that if you couldn't get the person warm, you had to do everything in your power to keep them awake. Haley looked up at Peyton as she nodded, smiling at the memory.
"You gonna be okay here alone for a bit?" Peyton asked, even though it didn't really matter. Haley was going to die if they didn't get somewhere warm soon, so there wasn't really a choice in the matter. She felt Haley nod her head slightly. "Is your cell in your pocket?"
"Yeah." Peyton reached around Haley's body and dug into the girl's pocket. She got a hold of it and held up Haley's hand, placing the phone firmly in her grip.
"If you hear me calling, press a button," Peyton instructed. She knew it was a lame idea; the phone would probably get damaged in the rain before she could use it, but it was better than nothing. "I should be able to see the light."
"Like in that commercial?" Peyton couldn't help but laugh. Even to her dying breath, Haley will make jokes. That's one of the things she loved about her. "The boats, and the party? Like that?"
"Yeah, just like that," Peyton nodded. If it weren't raining, Haley would be able to see the tears rolling down Peyton's cheeks. "I'm gotta go now, sweetie." Haley nodded and loosened her hold on Peyton.
"Don't be long," Haley begged. Peyton nodded and kissed Haley on the forehead. She closed her eyes and tried her best to ignore how cold Haley's skin felt against her lips. When she pulled back she saw that Haley was looking up at her with concerned eyes.
"You better be here when I get back," Peyton warned her in a stern voice. It came off as joking, but she had never been more serious about something in her entire life. She had no idea what she would do if Haley died out here.
"I promise nothing," Haley answered truthfully. She knew that was not what Peyton wanted to hear, but she didn't have the energy to reassure the blonde about this. With one last pleading look, Peyton let go of Haley and stood up. She turned on her cell phone and managed to smile victoriously when see could see almost ten feet in front of her.
"I'll be back soon." Peyton sent Haley one more reassuring smile before taking a few steps forward. She was almost out of sight when Haley called out to her.
"Pey," she called. Peyton just barely heard the called. She turned around and walked back a bit so Haley won't have to strain her voice. She felt her heart drop to her feet when she saw how small Haley looked.
"Yeah?"
"I forgive you," she said. She didn't know why, but she just felt that she needed to say it before Peyton left. It was something the blonde needed to hear. "For what it's… for what it's worth… I forgive you. For everything."
"Thanks," Peyton whispered. That was what she had wanted to hear for the last week, but now that Haley was saying it, it felt like a blow to the stomach. It was almost like Haley was saying goodbye. "But we'll talk about it later, when I get you warm." Haley let out a huff and nodded. "I love you."
"Love you too." Without another word, Peyton turned around and jogged off in the direction she had come in. Haley watched after her, didn't emotions running through her. She wasn't sure if she was going to be okay, she had never been so unsure about anything in her entire life. And it scared her to death.
--OTH--
"It's this way," Nathan argued, pointing to his left. Brooke shook her head and latched onto her boyfriend's hand.
"I'm telling you," Brooke hissed, tugging on Luke's hand and pulling him in the direction she was referring to. "It's this way." Lucas let out a sigh and nodded, following Brooke and grabbing Nathan's shirtsleeve to come join them. Finally, after an hour of wandering around the wet, dark forest, they found the road. Once they were all out on the main road, Brooke smiled victoriously. "I told you so."
"Congratulation," Nathan muttered, pulling out of Luke's grip and walking in front of them in the direction of Brooke's cabin. Brooke was about to snap at him, but stopped when she saw the pleading look on Luke's face to leave him alone. She sighed and nodded, keeping her mouth shut.
"Thank you," Lucas whispered, leaning down to kiss Brooke's hair. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to his side. "I know what you're thinking, and she'll be fine."
"How do you know, Lucas?" Brooke asked, pulling out of his arms to look up at him with questioning eyes. He kept telling her over and over again that Haley would be okay and Brooke wanted to know if he really believe it or not. "It's cold and it's raining and it's dark. What if she's hurt? What if she trapped under some huge tree and freezing to death? Or what if…"
"Baby," Luke called out, trying to get her to calm down. She stopped her rant and look up at him. Even though it was raining, Lucas could see Brooke's eyes starting to tear up. "I've known Haley almost my whole life, she's a fighter. She'd never give up and I know you know that."
"I know, it's just…" Brooke trailed off as she watched Nathan walking a few yards in front of them. She knew that he was just as worried as she was, he loved Haley even after all of this crap, but there was just something in her that wouldn't let herself feel sorry for him. Haley was out there, lost because of him. She could lose her best friend just because he was a jackass that couldn't keep it in his pants.
"What?"
"I can't lose her," Brooke admitted. "I don't know what I'll do if she's not okay."
"She'll be okay," Lucas repeated for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. He knew exactly how she felt. Haley was his best friend in the entire world, there were very few people that he loved as much as her, and he couldn't imagine never seeing her again. "You just have to believe that."
"Yeah," Brooke sighed. Luke made it sound so easy, like as long as she thought Haley was okay, she was. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. As much as it would kill her if Haley weren't okay, she knew that it would hurt everyone else just as much. They all loved Haley and they'd be lost without her.
"There's a car coming," Nathan called out from ahead of them. They all turned around and watched as the car approached. When Nathan noticed it was starting to slow down, he began walking back to stand with Brooke and Lucas. "It's stopping."
"Thanks Tips," Brooke snapped. Nathan rolled his eyes, completely ignoring her attitude. Brooke squinted her eyes, wiping the water out of her face, trying to see the car. "Hey, is that…"
"Tim," they all sighed. For the first time in their entire lives, they were thankful to see Tim. When the car pulled over to the side of the road, they all stepped forward. The passenger side window opened slightly to reveal Lacy's blonde head.
"Get in, get in," she instructed them, reaching back to unlock the door. Lucas got in first, followed by Brooke and Nathan. Once they were all squeezed in, Tim pulled the car back on the road and continued to drive. Lacy immediately turned on the heater.
"Thanks for the ride," Lucas said, the first one to speak. Tim looked in the rearview mirror and had to stifle a laugh when he saw Brooke's hair and makeup. She looked like It. "What are you guys doing here anyway?"
"Tim told me that he gave our spot to Nathan and some girl," Lacy answered, shooting both Tim and Nathan glares. She hadn't talked to Tim the entire way up, and she was ashamed that she ever felt sorry for Nathan. "I insisted that we come up here and straighten everything out."
"Good luck with that."
"Why were you guys out in the rain?" Tim asked, speaking for the first time since they had left Tree Hill. He felt bad when he realized what an idiot he had been when he told Nathan to go up there. He couldn't believe he had been that stupid.
"Long story," Nathan answered before Lucas or Brooke could. He didn't need to go another round of the blame game. He already felt horrible about what he had done, and nothing they said could make him feel worse. Lacy and Tim seemed to accept the answer and the rest of the ride was made in silence.
"It's right here," Brooke informed Tim, pointing to where her cabin was. Tim nodded and turned the car into the driveway. He parked it and turned it off. "I told you Pey and Jake would be here." They all filed out and ran as fast as they could up the stairs and into the cabin.
"We're soaked," Lucas stated once they were inside. Brooke and Nathan nodded as they began to ring out their clothing. Tim shook out his hair and Lacy moved further into the living room.
"You guys should probably get changed before you get hypo…" Lacy trailed off when she saw Jake and Nicki sitting on the couch, both at separate ends. "Oh my God." Nicki and Jake turned around to see everyone standing in the doorway to the living room. Nicki's face broke into a smile when she saw Lacy standing there.
"Hey, baby sister."
--OTH--
Peyton trudged through the forest, trying to get back to where she had left Haley. She had no luck finding the cave, but she did find an empty cabin. She had managed to get the door open to find it fully stocked. Peyton just grabbed a blanket that had been laid out on the back of the couch and headed back for Haley.
"Hales!" she called out, keeping an eye open for the light of Haley's cell phone. When she didn't see anything, she kept walking, holding her own phone out so she could see in front of her. She sighed in relief when she spotted her footprints on the ground. That meant she was almost at Haley. She pushed a branch out of the way and Haley's came into view.
"Hey, Hales," she cheered, skipping to her side. "I found this cabin not too far away. It had heat and everything…" She finally took in Haley's appearance. Her skin was blue and she was shaking so much it looked like she was having convulsions.
"Pey…" was the only thing Haley could say. Peyton's eyes filled with tears as she watched Haley close her eyes. She was about to shake Haley to wake her up but stopped when she remembered that shaking her would only make matters worse. She reached out and took Haley's face in her hands.
"Hales!" she screamed, trying to wake her up. "Haley, you need to stay awake for me." She slapped Haley's face lightly and felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Haley's eyes open. "Thank, God." She started kissing Haley's face, pressing her lips anywhere she could. She had never been more happy to be able to look into someone's eyes.
"Everything hurts," Haley whispered, letting her eyes drop shut again.
"No, no," Peyton pleaded, moving her hand up Haley's forehead. "You need to keep your eyes open, baby. You can't sleep now." Haley's only response was a slight nod. Peyton quickly wrapped the blanket tightly around her best friend and started to pull her to her feet.
"I don't…" Haley whispered incoherently. Peyton wrapped her arm around Haley's waist and brought the other girl's arm around her shoulders. She felt Haley's body become almost completely limp in her arms as she tried to walk them through the forest.
"Hold on, Hales," she pleaded, hoisting Haley's body up before they fell. She didn't know how long she could carry Haley like this; she just hoped she was strong enough to make it to the cabin she had found.
She wasn't exactly sure what she was going to do once they made it to the cabin. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She never really listened in class when they taught this sort of thing; she just recalled bits and pieces as she went along. The only thing she could hope was that the storm didn't knock out the phone.
"Just a little longer," Peyton pleaded, as she almost tripped over a fallen branch that was in the middle of the pathway. "Please don't leave me."
--OTH--
That's all for now. I hope you guys liked it and it wasn't too confusing or anything. Please tell me what you think, I love to hear what you guys have to say.
