"Holy shit," Lawson breathes, not wanting to believe it. Suddenly, one of the guards stumbles a few feet away from the group and throws up. I almost throw up too, the sight both disgusting and bone chilling.

"Fuck…" Mike mutters, fear growing in his eyes. "We've got to get to the copter!" Toby looks at him funny, not understanding the amount of desperation in Mike's voice. "Why?" Mike looks at him, anger and fear evident in his voice. "Because, this means they're not all dead."

It clicks in my head, the reason why we need to leave as fast as possible. Chris holds me tighter and Sam mutters "oh shit" over and over again. None of the rangers get what we're saying, but Lawson and Piper nod their heads. "Toby," Lawson yells, "get Chris back on your back! We're gonna go around this and get to the helicopter. Joel, cover Chris and Toby. Ashley and Sam, I'll hang back with you. Stacy stay with Emily and Piper stick with Mike. Alex, Riley, and Janet, go in front of us. And everyone get their guns out!"

The group rushes to get moving again and in less than a minute, we're mobile. We fast walk, not able to run or jog but refusing to go slow. We move around the hill, refusing to walk through the throng of corpses. In minutes, my breathing is labored as we move as best as we can through the knee-high snow. I glance over at Chris and Toby, wanting desperately to go over to Chris but absolutely refusing to leave Sam alone. I grab her hand and she smiles a brief smile at me, though I can tell it's forced. There's no light in her eyes like there normally is, just fear.

I hate this mountain.

Chris

Guilt grips my chest as we make our way to the helicopter. No, as Toby makes his way to the helicopter, carrying a useless sack of skin on his back, slowing him down, wearing him out. I'm so useless… My actions keep getting people hurt.

I wanted to go back for Josh and that old man paid my price.

I wanted to get to the lodge fast, jumping off a ledge and landing hard on my leg and Toby and the others are paying the price.

I drank myself into a coma that night a year ago… and Beth and Hannah paid the price. None of these people deserve what they're getting from me and my actions.

I chose to save Ash, and in turn, "murdered" my best friend. I am a horrible excuse for a human being.

I sigh… at least one good thing came out of this nightmare. I blush and remember when Ash and I kissed. Well, she kissed me, but that's beside the point! I feel so protective of her, which is weird because right now, I can't even help myself. But I just want to sweep her off her feet, get her off this death trap of a mountain, and make her some hot chocolate. Gawd I'm manly (as I ride this poor guy to death.) I'm not fat, just tall. And I love Kit Kats. And Reese's. Okay, maybe I'm a tad bit large, but it's all muscle. And fat.

We continue down the snowy path, my mind continuing to wander in multiple directions when a screech meets our ears. I know that sound… the sound that will forever be in my nightmares. The sound burned into my mind. The sound of death. We stop, fear tugging at our hearts as we hear something move in the brush. I make an oh-so-manly noise in the back of my throat and grab Toby's shoulders until my knuckles are white. I don't care if I look like a pussy, I'd rather be hiding behind someone right now than being the guys up front with the guns. Horror cliche #245: the guys with the guns and knowledge of the land and experience with shit (A.K.A. convenient plot devices) get killed off seconds after they make an appearance, forcing the protagonist(s) into an exceptionally long chase scene. Exhibit A: flamethrower guy. I instantly feel bad for categorizing a dead man, but no time for that now.

Another screech. Our group, already up against each other, pulls in even closer. Toby moves to put me down, but Lawson shakes his head. "Toby," he says slowly and quietly, "you're the worst shot out of all of us. If something happens, you grab Piper, Stacy, Mike, Sam, and Ashley and you run. Don't worry about anything jumping out at you, Pipes and Stace will shoot it. Just run and don't worry about the rest of us, you hear? And don't you dare drop Chris."

Toby tries to protest but one of the guards, Janet I think, stops him. Piper, handgun in her right hand, grabs his hand with her left one. From my bird's-eye view, I see them share eye contact. A silent conversation. It dawns on me that they must be close, they understand each other with a single glance. Just like Ash and I.

Toby looks down at the snow and nods, letting go of Piper's hand and letting his re-adjust me on his back. Lawson smiles at him, respect and love in his eyes as he turn quickly back towards the woods. The rustling sound draws nearer and nearer.

Suddenly…

It stops.

…

But only for a moment. Remembering something, I whisper in Toby's ear. "They can't see movement, so tell the others quick. When it comes out of the brush, don't shoot at it, just stand stock still."

Toby moves his head a fraction of an inch, signaling he understands. He whispers the message in Piper's ear, then Joel's. After ten seconds, the whole group knows what to do. Not a moment too soon.

It leaps from the bushes, skin gray and white, arms spidery and spindly. I almost pass out from the fear, the memory of the old man flashing through my head. I feel Toby shaking and hear Ash quietly squeaking. I want to get off Toby and run over to her. I want to save her and hug her and just get her off this damn mountain.

…

But I can't. I frozen in place as the demon's head turn in confusion, wondering where we're hiding. It walks in a circle, first on four legs then bringing itself up to two. Why is it so big? Didn't this used to be a person?! It turns back into the woods and I think we're going to be okay. It turns its head back to look around one more time, eyes unknowingly resting on Piper.

She begins to twitch, eyes filled with horror. Her breaths are silent but huge. And frequent, like she can't get enough air. One of the signs of a panic attack. Oh god no… she can't take it anymore. Her mouth opens, he fast paced breath floating in the wind. Shit. Too late to help. She takes in an extremely deep breath…

And screams.