INITIAL STATUS:
Honest: 6/10
Charitable: 8/10
Funny: 4/10
Brave: 8/10
Romantic: 4/10
Curious: 7/10
Ashley: 4/10
Chris: 8/10
Emily: 2/10
Jess: 2/10
Josh: 9/10
Matt: 4/10
Mike: 4/10
Sam: 9/10
PEYTON
Beth's Girlfriend
Aloof Fearless Creative
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
A month after the disappearance of Hannah and Beth, Jesse Sommers notes the sudden change within his daughter. She is even more closed off, more cold. The two of them come to a conclusion that once Peyton returns to New York, she goes into therapy.
That is where Dr. Eleanor Coleman comes into play.
While in her office, Peyton bounces her knee up and down, trying to get used to the fact.
"Miss Sommers." the soft yet firm voice of Eleanor voices out, snapping Peyton out of her intrusive thoughts.
"I am aware that you went through a traumatic ordeal not that long ago." she continues. Peyton quirks up an eyebrow.
"Really?" she asks, challengingly, and leans forward. "Please, enlighten me, Dr. Coleman."
"Grief can manifest itself in a variety of ways, Miss Sommers." Eleanor points out as she is writing down in a notepad, causing Peyton to slouch back into the seat.
"Christ, not the notepad again." she grumbles out.
"Let's start off with your friends. Can you describe them in any shape or form?" Eleanor asks.
"Well, we're pretty much the weirdest friend group there is. I'm pretty sure some of us hated each other." Peyton confesses.
"That's a start, Miss Sommers. Honesty is good. Can you describe each individual? Your father mentioned that you are very close to two of them. Sam and Josh, I believe." Eleanor notes. Peyton responds with a nod. "Okay, can you tell me who the two of them are?"
"Josh is Hannah and Beth's brother. I spent the remaining week trying to make sure that he's doing alright." Peyton describes playing with the bracelet that adorns her wrist. "I'm sorry. I don't want to go into detail. He's been through too much."
"Okay. Noted. And what can you tell me about Sam?" Eleanor asks.
"Well, she is also a good friend of the Washingtons. She is more of Hannah's best friend." Peyton tells Eleanor. "And to keep it just between us, only those two, Hannah, and Beth know about…you know…me being gay."
"And you don't trust the rest of your friends?" Eleanor inquires. Peyton sighs. "Well, the closest person I might come out to would be Chris, but the rest of them, I don't think so."
"This is a safe space, Miss Sommers. Whatever you say in these four walls stays just between us."
MAY 24, 2014
Throughout the next few months, Peyton begins to gradually open up to Eleanor. In a way, she might become a second mother after the passing of Peyton's own mother when Peyton was only nine-years old.
"It's nice to see you again, Peyton." Dr. Coleman greets her with a warm smile. "How did the rest of your semester go?" she asks.
"Um, good. I just want to forget what happened months ago and really try to focus on school." Peyton tells her. Eleanor nods as she writes down in the notepad.
"Do you have any plans for the summer?" Eleanor asks. Peyton just shrugs. "I'm just visiting my dad. Might catch up with Sam and check in with Josh."
Throughout the months after Hannah and Beth disappeared, Peyton and Sam were becoming closer. During Peyton's spring break, Sam surprised Peyton by visiting her in New York. Ever since then, there has been constant communication between the two.
"And what about your other friends? In our last session two of your friends, Chris and Ashley, have reached out to you. Do you have any intentions on reconnecting with them?" Eleanor asks. All Peyton could do was shrug.
"I guess. Chris had nothing to do with what happened last year and from my phone call with Ashley, she sounds remorseful of what happened." Peyton points out.
"Remember, Peyton, holding onto a grudge is unhealthy. It's okay to let go." Eleanor points out.
JANUARY 30, 2015
There are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Throughout a span of a year, Peyton has gone through all of those stages. Within that time, Peyton is gradually accepting the fact that the Washington twins might be dead.
"I believe the anniversary of your friend and your ex-girlfriend is coming up. How are you feeling?" Eleanor asks.
"Trying to keep my mind off of it, I guess." Peyton responds. "Josh contacted me. He's inviting all of us back up to the lodge."
"I believe you are ready, Peyton. Your progress has been very smooth and, to be honest, I quite enjoy our talks. Your grades in university are remarkable and you have been able to reconnect with old friends. You deserve this."
FEBRUARY 1, 2015
Prior to her going up to the lodge, she wants to check in with her dad. She hasn't seen him since her Christmas break.
She treads up the stairs of her childhood home and knocks on the door. The door opens to reveal the strong build of her dad.
"Peyton, it's good to see you, sweetie." Jesse Sommers greets as the father and daughter embrace.
"I heard about you going up there. Are you sure you're okay?" Jesse asks Peyton.
"Dad, I'll be fine. I promise." she tells him as she brings her bags in.
"Do you have any updates about Hannah and Beth?" she asks as she sits down on the couch in the living room.
"Ah, I don't think so, kid. Keep hitting dead end after dead end." he tells her. "I apologize for the mess."
The entirety of the coffee table is covered in case papers and maps. But, hey, Peyton is used to it because her dad is a deputy. Peyton spots a map of the whole lodge area.
1952 CLUE FOUND
Map
She further squints at the Mines that is circled heavily in red pen. "Have you tried looking in the Mines?" Peyton asks.
"I keep requesting that we look there, but the Chief keeps refusing. Between me and you, kid, something's being covered." Jesse points out.
"You don't say." Peyton mutters.
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
12 HOURS UNTIL DAWN
Peyton spent the night in her childhood home before heading up to the lodge. Before Peyton can leave for the bus, Jesse stops her. "Hey, you got that pepper spray and switchblade?" he asks.
"Don't worry. I still have it." Peyton reassures her dad. "Okay, honey. Remember, stay safe and have a good time." Jesse tells her before she heads out to the taxi.
The drive up to Blackwood Pines is a long and grueling one. She puts in her earbuds so she doesn't have to annoy the driver and listens to the video that Josh has emailed to everyone.
"Well, hello, friends and fans." Josh greets. "Alright, let's do that again." he speaks out loud trying to adjust the camera. "Alright. Hello, friends and fans."
"It's beyond awesome to have you guys all back this year. First off, I gotta say I am super excited to welcome all my pals back to the annual Blackwood winter getaway." Josh continues as he goes into a little cheer.
"So, um…let me just let you know, let's take a moment to address the elephant in the room for a second." Josh points out.
"I know you're all probably worried about me and I know it's gonna be tough on all of us going back after what happened last year, but I just want you all to know…it means…it means so much to me that we're doing this. And I…I know it would mean so much to Hannah and Beth that we're all still here together, thinking of them. I really want to spend some quality time with each and every one of you, and share some moments that we'll never forget for the sake of my sisters, you know?" Josh continues. His tone of voice has a sense of melancholy in it and it is obvious that he hasn't gotten over the lack of closure.
"Okay…so, let's party like we're fucking porn stars, okay? And make this one trip we will never forget, alright? Yes!" Josh concludes as she closes out the email.
After viewing that video, the bus stops in front of Blackwood Pines. Peyton grabs her stuff before she makes her way out of the bus.
There has always been a sense of uneasiness of being alone in the dark at Blackwood Pines. After Hannah and Beth's disappearance, that uneasiness has been amplified by ten.
"Don't miss this feeling at all." Peyton mutters to herself as she makes her journey towards the lodge. She makes it up to the gate that separates the entrance from the cable car station. She spots a note that is in between the grates of the gate.
She grabs the note, which reads:
The gate's busted,
Climb over!
- Chris
"Well shit." Peyton breathes out. She begins climbing the rocky fence. Peyton will admit that she doesn't have an aptitude for climbing, so she keeps going for the safer options. She is able to make her way over the rocky surface and she continues to follow the path to the ski lodge.
She then spots a sign that is placed before the cable car stations. It is about the butterfly prophecies. Growing up, she swore that her mom had told her about all of this. Because the white butterflies contribute to fortune and yellow butterflies correspond to guidance, there have been white and yellow butterflies decorated in her childhood bedroom.
It was only after the car accident that took her life that she didn't want any semblance of butterflies in her room.
She spotted a yellow butterfly totem, and as she took a look at it…
A vision appears of a bird landing on a picnic table as Mike is forming a snowball.
GUIDANCE TOTEM
"Huh." Peyton hums as she places the totem down and continues to go to the cable car station. She hears some conversation going on behind the cable car station. She begins to walk behind the cable car station and spots a Wanted poster. Her suspicions are rising from what happened last year until she hears someone coming up to her.
"Peyton! You're here." Peyton hears Chris voice out in surprise. The pink-haired girl turns to face Chris and Sam. She gives him a tight smile.
"I know. Shocker?" Peyton voices out. Chris then scoops Peyton up in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you." he tells her.
After getting out of the hug by Chris, Peyton and Sam share a smile as they get into a longing hug.
"How are you?" Sam asks. "I'm good. And you?" Peyton asks. "Good." she replies.
The two of them get out of the hug, still having sheepish smiles on their faces. The two of them catch up to Chris so they can get to the lodge.
"Man, it is…it's definitely weird coming back up here after a whole year." Chris comments.
"Yeah. I swear, the moment I got here, it just all came flooding back." Sam also comments. She tries to open the door, but only for it to be locked. "Hey, that's weird. Door's locked."
'Yeaaah…Josh wanted us to keep it locked to keep people out." Josh tells Sam.
"He said that?" Peyton asks. "What people?" Sam inquires.
"I don't know. He said they found people sleeping in the station one time." Chris tells the girls as he gets in front of them to unlock the door. "After you, ladies."
"A real gentleman." Sam tells him as she and Peyton get through the door. All they have to do now is wait for the cable car to get here.
Peyton takes a view at the wintry view and Sam stood next to her. "Is that a new one?" Sam asks, gesturing to the tattoo of Beth's name on Peyton's pinky finger.
"Oh, yeah. My therapist thought it's a good idea to get something to memorialize her." Peyton quietly tells her.
Sam gives Peyton a sorrowful look as she places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's gonna be tough, but what I do know is that Hannah and Beth wouldn't want you to blame yourself." she tells her.
"What a crazy place to set up house. No matter how rich you are." the girls hear Chris comment.
"They're not so rich." Sam brushes off.
"Sammy, they're obviously rich enough to buy a fucking mountain." Peyton points out. "I thought the cable car was closer." she also observes.
"Guess we have to wait." Chris tells her.
"I'm starting to get the appeal of killing time at the shooting range." Sam tells Chris. "How long is this gonna take?"
"That's what it was behind the cable car station?" Peyton asks.
"Long story." Sam tells Peyton.
The cable car finally arrives after what seems like forever. "Finally. You coming?" Sam asks Chris.
"Well, I was just gonna stay here and catch some Zzzzz's, buuuut…okay." Chris is saying, causing Peyton to roll her eyes.
"Okay, wiseass." Peyton comments with a humored smirk as the three get into the cable car.
After they get in, the door closes and the cable car begins to transport the three across the mountain. "Here we go." Sam says with a smile. "Right! Adventure begins." Chris says, excitedly.
"I really hope this is the right thing to do." Peyton comments, looking out at the path that the cable car is taking her, Sam, and Chris. "What?" Chris asks in confusion.
"She has a point, getting everyone together on the anniversary. I mean, Josh seemed really pumped about us all doing something, didn't he." Sam observes, while being compassionate about what Peyton went through.
"Yeah, no, he definitely did." Chris also notes. "I haven't seen him so excited about something in…forever."
"That's good to hear." Peyton chimes in, knowing that Josh has been through enough, and if bringing everyone together is what's best for him, then who is she to deny it. "I've been worried about him. After everything that happened last year."
"Even in New York?" Chris asks Peyton.
"Especially when I'm in New York." Peyton replies. "Yeah. It's hard to tell with him." Sam agrees with Peyton.
"No, no, it was…it was a good idea." Chris counters. "I hope everyone else feels the same way." Sam points out.
Peyton also shares her skepticism. From what she heard from Chris and Ashley, there has been some sort of love rhombus between Emily, Mike, Jess, and Matt. Within the aftermath of what happened to Hannah and Beth, Mike and Emily broke up. Soon after that, he and Jess got together, and though they try to keep it a secret, it is blatantly obvious to everyone, especially Emily. When news of that broke out, Emily and Matt have begun dating.
Honestly, Peyton couldn't care less, as she was too laser focused on her artwork for university and trying to get her mind off of what happened a year ago.
"We're all here, aren't we?" Chris points out.
"Feeling the love, Chris. Really feeling the love." Peyton snarks at him. "Thanks, bro. Good talk." Sam tells Chris, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder.
"You know what? Let's just…Let's just stop talking about what happened last year and enjoy the trip." Chris tells the girls.
"You know what? You're right." Sam capitulates. "Yeah, you do have a point. My therapist told me to go into this trip with an open mind." Peyton realizes.
"You know how Josh and I met?" Chris asks the girls.
"No." Sam replies.
"This oughta be good." Peyton comments with a smirk.
"Okay. Third grade. Josh sat in the back of the room, I sat in the front. We didn't even know each other existed. But the kid sitting next to Josh started strap snapping the training bra on the girl in front of him, so the teacher made him move to the front - where I was sitting." Chris recounts the memory.
"Okay, so?" Sam questions as Peyton has the look that is asking Chris to continue his story.
"So I got moved to the back." Chris answers.
"And next to Josh?" Peyton asks. Chris points at her, excitedly. "Exactly! That's how we met! And became friends. To this day."
"A match made in heaven." Sam comments. "So adorable." Peyton comments.
"If it weren't for the fact that Jeanie Simmonds hit puberty like three years early and on that day decided to wear a low cut shirt that showed off her training bra, I mean who knows? Either one of you two could be riding in this cable car alone." Chris tells the two girls.
"That's called the Butterfly Effect, dingus. And also that's when Jeanie Simmonds peaked." Peyton chimes in.
"Okay, smartass. How did you and Beth meet?" Chris asks. Sam then raises an interested eyebrow within Peyton's direction.
"Simple. You know how Bob Washington is a hotshot horror director? My dad was still assigned bodyguard duty before becoming deputy and brought me over to their house. Beth and I were five-years old when we met." Peyton recounts, nonchalantly.
"Boom! Butterfly effect." Chris comments.
STATUS UPDATE:
Honest: 6/10
Charitable: 5/10
Funny: 6/10
Brave: 7/10
Romantic: 5/10
Curious: 7/10
Ashley: 6/10
Chris: 8/10
Emily: 2/10
Jess: 2/10
Josh: 9/10
Matt: 4/10
Mike: 4/10
Sam: 10/10
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