Nightmares filled everyone's head during the night, causing them to toss and turn, waking up several times from their slumber. Every night terror was unique for the person, but in most, a common theme occurred. Sam. During the previous day, the subject of Sam or Josh had been avoided by all, determined to keep their minds away from the horror of what happened that day. Happiness managed to remain evident, but as each friend awoke one by one, the following day, they knew that it couldn't be avoided anymore.
Emily had been disturbed from her sleep at 4AM, but had chosen to remain awake instead of trying to sleep again. Breakfast was at 8, and she wanted to be the first one down to avoid any awkward situations. It was now 7, and she was ready to leave her room. She had dreamt that the Wendigo were after her again, chasing her down through the mines. By leaving the room, she managed to block out the dreams for a little while.
"Emily!" As she turned to close her door, Matt's voice materialised into the air. Emily moved herself to look towards Matt, raising her eyebrow and folding her arms.
"What are you doing up so early?" She frowned, her head tilting slightly.
Matt laughed. "I could say the same to you…" He paused, expecting a response, but continued when Emily refused to play along. "I woke up early, I thought I'd go down to breakfast before anyone else." He explained. "And I'm glad I did. I think we should talk."
"We don't have to." She released her arms to drop beside her and shook her head, in doing so, she let down her walls that had allowed her to block everybody out. "I know I wasn't really your favourite person there for a second, but you need to know that I am sorry for what I said to you- said about you… You did try your best." She forced a weak smile… Inside she was still angry, but for once in her life, she realised that she had to stop being arrogant for that one moment.
"So, we good?" Matt quizzed, ready to continue on to downstairs ready for breakfast.
Emily nodded. "We're very good."
Still feeling awkward with each other, it was clear their relationship would not be rekindled for a while, or even at all, but they made their way down to breakfast side by side so they wouldn't be alone.
Mike carried his lantern through the mines, the walls were closing in on him making him feel claustrophobic as he searched for Sam. He had heard her calling his name, she sounded weak and frail. Sam's voice came from all around, from every wall, he felt lost within the mines, but it was his responsibility to find Sam.
As he continued on, he noted a beam of light entering an upcoming area, he rushed forward to see Sam lying on the ground.
"Sam!" He fell to the ground beside her and shook her gently, turning her onto her back. Her face was pale, but her eyes were open, and a milky white, representing those of a Wendigo.
Mike jumped onto his feet, his eyes wide as he backed away, the seemingly dead Sam crawling up onto her feet also as she whispered something to him. It took him a few seconds to realise what she was saying.
"You killed me…"
Mike sat up abruptly in bed panting and sweating, he barely had time to process his dream when he heard sobbing at the end of the bed. Jess. He rubbed his forehead trying to get his dream out of his head, yet he knew he wouldn't be able to. It was his fault Sam died. He pulled himself up and out of the bed, crawling along to Jessica who had her head in her hands.
"Jess?"
Jessica looked up from her hands. "Oh, you're awake…" Her voice was quiet and weak. "I heard you calling out Sam's name in your sleep, were you having a nightmare?"
He nodded. "Sam is haunting me now. It's my fault she died." He bowed his head, admitting how he felt before glancing back up again. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Jess' eyes widened and she managed a small nod. "The Wendigo was after me again."
Using what strength he had left, he wrapped his arms around Jess, surprised at what she said next.
"Can we go get breakfast?" She looked up at Mike hopefully. "I'm starving."
Mike nodded, a little confused. "Y-yeah, sure…" He paused before shaking his head. "Sorry, I just didn't expect you to be so eager.
She shrugged. "Distractions are good… I just need to forget that mountain, but I can't just stay in bed healing."
"Ash! Ash!" Chris shook his friend who was whimpering in her sleep, clutching her pillow to her face. Chris placed his hand on her shoulder, and turned her around, also managing to wake her up in the process. She screamed in fear, her eyes staring up at Chris, which startled him as he leant backwards, breathing heavily. Ash pulled her arms tight to her chest, panting.
"Shh, Ash, it's okay! It's me!" He whispered softly, and Ash let her arms drop to the sides.
"You scared me…" She closed her eyes in relief. "I was having a nightmare about the Wendigos."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I just wanted to pull you out of there." He blushed embarrassed.
Ashley grinned. "It's okay… It's okay, thank you." She sat up and straightened her hair. "What time is it?"
Chris turned to look at the small alarm clock placed on the bedside table. "Half 7."
"Oh shoot, breakfast is in half an hour!" Ashley groaned. "We better get ready Chris."
"Or, we can just… lie in bed…" Chris fell back onto the bed embracing the warmth. "Together." He added.
Ashley chuckled and grabbed a pillow, hitting him playfully on the face. "Wakey, wakey Chris!" She threw her legs over the side of the bed, and stood up. "We have to go down to meet the others. Besides, the police were searching the grounds yesterday whilst we were in the interviews, and last night. They promised they'd have a report for us today at breakfast. Maybe we'll get some new news on-" She bowed her head and gulped. "Sam…"
Chris noticed a crack in her voice and quickly scrambled from the bed, approaching Ashley and pulling her in for a hug. "Hey…"
Ashley turned and sobbed into his shoulder. "I just can't believe Sam is gone… I've only just processed it. I didn't want to believe it."
"Me too." He murmured. "She didn't deserve to die in such a horrible way."
"Toast… Cereal…?" Matt had a piece of bread in one hand, and a bowl in the other, he moved his hands up and down grinning, weighing his options. "Choose wisely."
Emily rolled her eyes and took the bowl, searching for a box of cereal and milk. Matt smirked, and took the piece of bread, putting it into the toaster.
"Hey Matt." A small voice, startled him as Jessica appeared with Mike at the breakfast table. "Sleep well?"
Matt shook his head. "I don't think anyone did."
Jessica nodded in agreement, Mike squeezing her gently to reassure her.
One by one, each of the friends prepared their breakfast and took their seats at the table, the group was quiet for a little while and it was clear they were all thinking of two people other than Chris and Ashley who were missing. After a few minutes Emily broke the silence.
"Where the hell are Chris and Ash? What on earth are they doing?"
Mike grinned. "I think we all know…"
With one fast swipe of the key card, Chris and Ashley's room became locked. Ashley stood leaning against the wall with her head pointed upwards looking at the ceiling. "We're going to be late to breakfast!" She pointed out, a hint of laughter sparking in her voice. "The group is going to kill us!"
Chris shrugged, a grin emerging on his face. "When the cat's away, the mice will play!"
Ashley raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Come on mouse." As Chris approached her, she playfully nudged him and took hold of his hand, pulling and tugging on his arm gently.
Chris followed alongside her, he ruffled his own hair attempting to make it appear neater. "Everyone is going to think we were up to something." He mumbled.
"What makes you think that?" Ashley smirked as they reached the elevator. She pressed the button to call for the lift before winking at Chris. "They can think what they want to think."
"Sam would have liked us all being here together… Staying together as one group." Mike decided to be brave and bring up the subject of Sam. "I think, we should all stop ignoring the fact that Sam, and Josh are both missing. We need to address it now…" He bowed his head. "I wish they were both here with us, but they're not. And it's my fault. I could have tried to save Josh… And Sam only died trying to save me, I-"
"It's not your fault man…" Matt interrupted him, removing any awkwardness that may have been lingering in the air.
Emily and Jessica nodded in unison despite Emily still holding a grudge against him for the incident with the gun.
"We all miss Sam." Emily continued. "But there was nothing you could have done. The Wendigo was right there, and if you had tried to save her, you'd both be dead."
Footsteps prevented the group from continuing their conversation as Chris and Ashley approached followed by two police officers.
"Sorry we're a little late!" Ashley called out. "We came across the officers who are going to inform us this morning." She gestured to the officers. "I think you guys really need to hear this… Apparently they've made an important breakthrough or something."
Chris and Ashley pulled out their own chairs, and sat down. Their words causing all the friends to look between one another as the officers reached the table themselves, smiles on their faces to be polite.
"Good morning." They greeted the friends who nodded in response. One officer spoke up. "As you know, we've been searching through the cabin on the mountain as well as around the mountain, and we think you deserve to know what we have recently discovered." He paused. "It's about your friend Samantha."