Until Dawn: The Light in the Darkness

Chapter 31 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 31

SAM POV

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 had yet to climb.

I knew that 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 I 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 breathlessly, I stood, up on the surface. I was in the forest again with 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, I just have to bear it, I'm 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, I'd just freeze.

'Although, if a Wendigo comes along, it'll be my best defense...freezing to death.' I thought with a touch of dark humor. 'I 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 that 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 onward, 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 onward, 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 the 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 and 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. He had made it! Thank God he was alright. Then I really looked 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 breaths.

It was then that 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 that we heard the screams. The door to the basement was open and we could see Chris and Ashley running for their lives. Despite his injured leg, Chris was in the lead. Probably due to Ashley practically pushing him forwards whenever he slowed.

"GET OUTTA HERE, GO, GO, GO!" he cried out.

"GO, RUN!" Ashley screamed.

We soon saw what they were running from as two Wendigos appeared and began approaching the door.

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

He turned and ran. I, however, quickly darted forwards and pulled the door shut, locking it. I heard the thumping as the Wendigos began striking at it. I just prayed that 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. I did my best not to move, which was no easy task after my trip through the icy lake.

The Wendigo snarled and partially turned. It was then that my sharp eyes caught it. I heard Mike gasp and I knew that he had seen it, too. I had been right all along. For there, on the Wendigo's right shoulder, was a black butterfly tattoo.

'Hannah...'

Just then, we heard skittering and went tense all over again. The other two Wendigos were now there. Wendigo Hannah saw their movements and growled. As one of the Wendigos leapt somewhere out of sight, 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 that we 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. Mike's eyes widened when he saw the damage, and also a chance. He had to be thinking the same thing that I was. The Wendigo recovered and climbed the wall. Hannah quickly followed, both of them screeching and snapping at each other.

Mike's eyes were fixed on the broken gas pipe, leaking gas into the room. 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 also 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. Mike was looking around, also noticing these things. He glanced over at me and 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 and fell to the ground and Hannah soon 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 that 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 and the explosion would be dangerous enough without the rest of the group being in danger. Chris was nearest to 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...I hoped.

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

Mike cringed as he looked back from where he had broken the light bulb, thus readying it. Hannah was approaching him, since 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 two of my friends still inside. They'd be incinerated in the blast. I wasn't even sure that 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, but that was a risk that 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, at the same time, running to a nearby pillar and pressing myself against it, making as much noise as possible.

With another screech, Hannah turned and stalked towards me. I did my utmost to stay still, despite the chill that seeped through my skin. I also prayed that the gas interfered with the Wendigo's sense of smell. It would be a bonus if it did. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ashley making her escape. It was just me and Mike now.

As Hannah turned and stalked away, I looked out and saw Mike. I needed another distraction. We were 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, and 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 the 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 of 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 forwards.

Inside, the Wendigos were incinerated. Outside, 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. We stood, watching the lodge burn in silence as the sun rose, bringing daylight at last, and with it, the sound of helicopters approaching. I was so relieved, that I didn't resist. I just gave into my natural instincts.

I leaned against Mike as he wrapped his arms around me. I let out a slow, shaky breath as we held each other, more grateful than anything as his touch allowed warmth to spread through my body. The nightmare was over. We were together and alive.

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