⸻Matt's gaze remained fixed on Kida as she sat enveloped in profound silence, her expression clouded with an inner turmoil that seemed almost tangible. He yearned to ask her about what had transpired, to understand the depth of the horror she had faced alone, but hesitated, wary of reigniting her trauma with his questions. It felt selfish, perhaps, but his desire to protect her, to whisk her back to the safety of the lodge, surged above all else. His concern wasn't solely for Kida; he cared deeply for the others too, but she was his priority, always had been, even before the haunting shadows of the pre-Washington Twin incident had touched their lives.
Kida had long been the cornerstone of his world—his confidante and catalyst, constantly there to offer support or thrust him out of his comfort zone whenever complacency threatened to take root. She had a remarkable way of challenging him to evolve, to strive beyond his perceived limits, and become a better version of himself. This was why he found himself now, more than ever, driven by an unyielding resolve to shield her from any further harm, to be the strength she needed as she had been for him countless times before.
Matt's first encounter with Kida remained etched in his memory with vivid clarity, unfolding in the mundane setting of their high school's front office. She had just transferred and was navigating the complexities of a new school, collecting her class schedule while he, in contrast, was there on a routine errand to submit his physical for the upcoming football season.
The moment he noticed her, time seemed to slow. Her hair, dyed a striking shade of purple, framed her face perfectly, accentuating her complexion. She was dressed casually yet memorably in white shorts, a black camisole, a camo jean jacket, and Converse sneakers—each element as distinct and bold as her personality would soon reveal itself to be. Her voice was soft and smooth, a contrast to the assertive presence she commanded, and it was impossible for Matt not to take note of her poise and the air of confidence she exuded.
The room fell into a hushed silence, punctuated only by the distant muffled tones of the secretary answering a phone call. Seizing the opportunity, Matt initiated a conversation, his curiosity piqued by this intriguing new student. Kida's initial response was sharp, her words tinged with sarcasm—a clear shield raised on a day already going poorly for her. Her tone was enough to unsettle Matt initially, making him feel both offended and slightly intimidated.
However, the tension quickly dissolved when she apologized, her demeanor softening as the conversation gradually shifted. As they spoke, Kida began to perceive the sincerity of Matt's intentions. Her experience hadn't prepared her for an encounter with someone like Matt—charming, athletic, and genuinely kind—and her surprise was evident as she playfully accused him of being a 'pretty boy', a label he accepted with a light-hearted tease.
Their banter grew more comfortable, subtly flirting until Kida mentioned she had to leave for a meeting with someone named Josh Washington—an odd kid Matt knew all too well—who was to show her around. As she made her way to exit the office, Matt's voice carried a promise of future encounters, confident in the spark that had ignited between them. Kida's departure left a lasting impression, setting the stage for the deep connection that would develop over their shared high school years.
As Matt's gaze lingered on Kida, still silently reeling from her ordeal, he knew he needed to pull himself together. Survival was paramount, and his resolve hardened as he turned away, the weight of leadership pressing upon him. Beside him, Emily shifted from foot to foot, her eyes darting around nervously, the fear of their unseen adversary written clear across her features.
Approaching the cable car station door with a mix of determination and apprehension, Matt's attention was suddenly drawn to an unexpected sight. An axe was wedged firmly against the door—a chilling reminder of their pursuer's possible intentions. The wood handle seemed almost to beckon him, a tool for survival that could double as a weapon if needed.
"Hey, look, an axe," Matt muttered, more to himself than to Emily. He gripped the handle, testing the weight of the blade, and with a firm tug freed it from the door's embrace. His muscles, toned from relentless gym sessions, responded well to the challenge, a small victory that bolstered his spirits.
"I could work better with this,"
Emily, snapping out of her paranoid surveillance of their surroundings, hurried over as Matt examined the lock on the cable car door. "Great, the door's locked, Matt. Well, break the door down, will ya?" she said, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice.
Matt weighed the axe in his hand, contemplating the noise it would create. "Woah, Em. If I start smashing shit, that fucker will hear us."
Emily snorted, amusement flickering momentarily in her eyes. "Do you have any better ideas?"
The truth was, quick thinking wasn't Matt's strongest suit, something he'd often begrudgingly admitted. Yet, with the stakes this high, hesitation was a luxury they couldn't afford. He glanced around, searching for an alternative, and his eyes landed on a narrow window adjacent to the door.
"Hey, a window," he pointed out.
"That's just great, Matt. My lip balm could fit through that tiny slot," Emily retorted, patting his shoulder mockingly.
"You'd never fit through there, big guy."
"Nope, I won't fit. But you will," Matt suggested, trying to keep the mood light despite the grim possibilities that lay ahead.
"You are out of your damn mind if you think I'm about to shove my ass through that hole. Think again, meathead. That psycho could be in there waiting to turn us into piña coladas," Emily shot back, her tone laced with both fear and defiance.
"Come on, Em. I would keep watch in case it's there?" Matt offered, hoping to reassure her.
"And then what? You're gonna huff and puff your way through the door while he gets me?" Emily countered, her skepticism clear.
"I'm just trying to take precautions," Matt insisted, his voice firm yet tinged with concern.
"Matt, I'm not going in there," Emily concluded, her decision final, leaving them back at square one—trapped, with danger lurking just beyond their reach.
Kida, having enough of this decided to take matters into her own hands. "Step aside."
Her voice was low but carried a force that made Matt and Emily cease their squabbling and step back. Kida, still shaking from her recent terror, approached the cable car station's locked door. Her mind raced with the urgency of their situation—Josh vanished, Hannah and Beth missing, and a psychopath possibly stalking their next moves. The injustice of it all—the evil walking free while her friends suffered—fueled her resolve. She would not let anyone else fall victim to this madness.
1
2
3
Thud.
Her boot connected with the door, sending it swinging open with a resonating crash into the darkness beyond. The sudden burst of action left Matt and Emily speechless, their eyes wide as they processed the sight of the dark-skinned girl dominating the obstacle that had just moments ago seemed insurmountable.
Kida turned back to them, her expression set in grim determination. "Put on your tampons and let's do this shit."
With those curt words, she stepped into the dim interior of the cable car station, her hands skimming the walls until her fingers found the light switch. With a flick, the harsh overhead lights stuttered to life, revealing the chaos that had taken over the room.
Matt and Emily hurried in behind her, their eyes scanning the disarray. The space that had been tidy and orderly just hours earlier now looked like a war zone. Papers were strewn about, furniture overturned, and personal belongings scattered as if a storm had passed through.
Matt exhaled sharply, the sight hammering home the reality of their predicament. "Oh. God damn."
Emily, her voice a mix of fear and confusion, echoed his sentiment. "What happened?"
"This is crazy—" Matt started, his gaze darting around as if the answer might be hidden among the debris.
"We were just here like a few hours ago—this must have just happened!" Emily's voice rose in panic.
"What the fuck is going on?" Matt's tone was a mixture of anger and fear.
Emily bit her lip, her mind racing as she pieced together their grim situation. "It's gotta be the guy... the one who got to Chris and Ash... and Josh..."
"He's gotta know this is the only way out," Matt muttered, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the only escape route now marred by vandalism and violence.
"Don't say that," Emily whispered, her voice trembling. The possibility of being trapped, of being the next target, loomed large in the dimly lit room, as palpable as the cold air that swept through the open door.
Kida slipped seamlessly into her protective mode, her fingers curling around the knife left behind near her makeshift grave. With cautious steps, she surveyed the area, her senses on high alert. Relief flooded through her as she confirmed they were alone.
Venturing into the cable car control room, Kida was met with a disturbing sight. Blood-red letters adorned the walls, spelling out a chilling message: "Die."
"What the fuck..." Kida muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Very unfriendly," Matt remarked behind her, his tone grave as he approached the wall.
Kida's grip tightened on the knife, her jaw set with determination.
"Seems like this psycho has a death wish coming his way," she declared, her eyes narrowing with resolve.
Matt's voice was filled with resolve as he made a silent vow to protect her.
"And I won't let him get to you. From now on, we stick together. Okay?" he affirmed.
Kida felt a flicker of hope amidst the darkness, a sense of safety enveloping her.
"It's like I can still hear his cries..." she admitted, her voice trailing off, referring to Josh.
Matt's gaze softened, his concern evident as he offered his support.
"Whenever you're ready, you can tell me what happened, okay?" he reassured her.
Kida met his gaze, finding solace in the warmth of his eyes. With a small smile, she nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Emily's entrance interrupted the solemn moment, her blunt remark breaking the tension as she took sight of the threatening message.
"Ugh, unfollow," Emily remarked, injecting a touch of levity into the grim atmosphere.
Matt's disappointment was palpable as he surveyed the barren control room, his eyes falling on the empty spot where the keys should have been.
"Shit... Well, no keys, no cable cars. Back to square one," he muttered, frustration lacing his voice.
Emily's panic bubbled to the surface as she turned to Matt, her eyes wide with fear.
"Matt, what are we going to do?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with desperation.
Matt's mind raced as he searched for a solution, refusing to succumb to despair.
"Hang on, there's gotta be another solution," he replied, his voice determined despite the dire circumstances.
Kida, ever the pragmatic one, offered a suggestion, her voice calm and steady amidst the chaos.
"Maybe there's another place on this mountain where we can have access to some sort of help, right?" she proposed, her gaze scanning the room for any clues.
"Yeah, like maybe we can find a radio to call for help. I never understood why the cable cars don't have one," Emily added, her voice tinged with frustration.
Kida nodded in agreement, her mind already racing with possibilities.
"Or maybe there WAS one but the psycho had gotten rid of it," she suggested, her tone thoughtful as she considered the grim possibility.
Matt's eyes fell on a map of the mountain hanging on the wall, and a spark of inspiration ignited within him.
"What if we go to the fire tower?" he proposed, his voice filled with newfound determination.
Kida and Emily gathered around Matt, their curiosity piqued by his idea.
"Maybe it has a radio or something. I mean it would, wouldn't it?" Emily mused, her optimism shining through despite the gravity of their situation.
Kida nodded in agreement, her mind already formulating a plan.
"It should since they'd have to alert others in case of emergencies," she reasoned, her voice filled with conviction.
Matt's confidence grew as he elaborated on his plan, his voice tinged with hope.
"We could use the radio to call for help. Somebody's gotta pick up the signal," he explained, his eyes alight with determination.
Kida's reassurance buoyed Matt's spirits, her words a welcome balm amidst the chaos.
"I knew that you'd make the right decision, rookie," she remarked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Matt's brow furrowed slightly at the nickname, but he let it slide, focusing on the task at hand.
"Getting back to calling me nicknames again?" he quipped, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Emily's sarcastic remark cut through the tension, but Matt brushed it off, his mind already racing ahead to their next move.
"Wow, Matt, good call. Radio. So smart," Emily remarked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
"Why are you being so bitchy? We're in a serious situation here," Matt retorted, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
"Whoa, Matt. Easy," Emily replied, taken aback by his sudden outburst.
Although Kida wanted to gleam at the sight of Emily being checked by Matt for once, this was not the time. Kida intervened, her voice calm and steady as she urged them to focus on the task at hand.
"Let's go," she declared, her determination unwavering as she led the way out of the control room.
They left the cable car control room, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor as they made their way toward the front door. However, Emily paused, her curiosity piqued by something in the corner of the room.
Kida turned to Matt, a hint of gratitude in her eyes as she spoke softly, her voice tinged with sincerity.
"You know, I owe you one for saving my ass," she admitted, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Matt returned her smile, his eyes warm with affection.
"I'd save it for you any day," he replied, his tone gentle yet resolute.
Kida's smirk hinted at her playful nature as she teased him lightly.
"Me or my ass?" she quipped, her mood lightening as a hint of amusement danced in her eyes.
Matt chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving hers.
"You know what I mean," he replied, his voice soft yet firm.
Kida's smile widened as she felt a rush of warmth envelop her, the affection in his words.
"Mhm. Sure I do," she replied teasingly, her tone playful yet affectionate.
As a gust of wind swept through the corridor, Kida shivered slightly, her body reacting to the sudden chill in the air. Without hesitation, Matt moved closer, wrapping his arms around her in a protective embrace.
"I could lend you my jacket if you need it," he offered, his voice filled with genuine concern, letting one sleeve of his jacket slide down his back as his jean jacket revealed.
Kida hesitated for a moment, touched by his gesture of kindness. She stopped him from his chivalry.
"Now, Matt, I can't let you do that," she protested softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.
"I would if you need it," Matt insisted, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes. The jacket still lingers down his body.
Kida considered his offer for a moment, her heart warmed by his sincerity.
"I'll think about that offer," she replied with a smile, her tone filled with appreciation. Matt nodded as he took her word as he dressed himself back in his jacket.
Emily's voice echoed through the cold night air, tinged with urgency and fear. "Hey! A little help over here!"
Kida and Matt quickly moved toward her, their nerves already frayed from the night's horrors. Emily was reaching for a ladder, her eyes wide with desperation. Matt stepped forward to assist, helping her pull it down.
Together, they peered ahead and saw a narrow ledge hugging the side of the mountain, a fall from which would surely be fatal. Matt and Kida exchanged uneasy glances, silently questioning Emily's plan. They knew it was madness to attempt crossing in such conditions, but according to the map, it was the fastest way to the fire tower. Backtracking wasn't an option.
Emily went down first, her breath visible in the frigid air. She rummaged through the snow and debris and found a flashlight. A small smile of triumph crossed her face as she switched it on. "Look at this bad boy. You're coming with me, buddy."
She began shimmying across the ledge, her steps slow and deliberate. Matt followed, his heart pounding in his chest. Kida went last, her eyes fixed on the narrow path ahead, trying to ignore the dizzying drop below.
"And just like magic. Come on down, we can totally get out of here this way!" Emily called back, her voice buoyed by false bravado.
As the words left her mouth, she lost her footing, her arms flailing as she teetered on the edge. Matt's instincts kicked in, and he lunged forward, grabbing her just in time. Kida watched, her breath caught in her throat. Despite their differences, she didn't want to see Emily fall.
"You alright?" Matt's voice was a mix of concern and relief as he steadied Emily.
"Yeah. Uh... thanks," Emily replied, her voice shaky. "Maybe, um, you should go first. To protect me." She shifted between him and Kida feeling a brink of safety.
They continued their perilous journey, each step a battle against the wind and their own fear.
"Hooo... okay... easy now..." Emily muttered, her voice wavering.
"Okay... Alright..." Matt encouraged, keeping his eyes forward.
"Oh my gosh," Emily gasped, her fear palpable.
"Almost... almost..." Matt said, trying to keep her calm.
"I'm feeling kinda faint..." Emily admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Don't look down..." Matt advised, his tone steady despite his own fear.
"Whoa..." Emily breathed, her relief evident as she finally reached the other side of the station as Matt was already there waiting and watching with precaution. Kida was trailing behind Emily.
"Okay... okay..." Matt said, his voice full of relief.
"Holy cannoli, thank god that's over," Emily said, exhaling deeply.
"Yeah, for real," Matt agreed, nodding.
"Thank you, Jesus," Kida added, her gratitude a quiet prayer to the night.
Emily continued her way down the path, her footsteps echoing softly in the night. Kida and Matt walked side by side, their presence a silent comfort to each other, an unspoken bond that required no words.
Emily broke the silence, her voice tinged with worry. "What if it doesn't work?"
Matt glanced at her, confused. "What?"
"The radio," Emily clarified, her anxiety evident. "What if it doesn't work?"
"It'll work," Matt said, his voice steady, though he wasn't entirely sure himself.
"But... okay, if it doesn't, we need a plan," Emily insisted, her mind racing with possibilities.
Matt thought for a moment. "Maybe we can climb down."
Emily stopped in her tracks, staring at him incredulously. "Climb down what?"
"The mountain," Matt replied as if it were the most obvious solution.
Kida couldn't help but scoff, finding the idea both amusing and insane. She was a risk-taker, but she valued her life too much to consider such a reckless move.
"Are you serious?" Emily's voice was a mix of disbelief and irritation.
Matt shrugged. "What's the big deal? It's not like it's floating in the sky."
"It might as well be," Emily retorted. "It's pitch black out."
Matt sighed, trying to calm her down. "Hey, hopefully we don't have to."
"You think the psychopath is just going to give up and run away?" Emily's voice was rising with frustration.
"No... but..." Matt hesitated, searching for the right words. "Maybe we should find a safe spot, hole up, wait it out. It'll be a lot easier to figure this all out in the morning."
Emily shook her head vigorously. "As long as we don't hide in the lodge. That's where he expects us to go."
Kida then realized something crucial. "Sam!"
Matt and Emily paused, turning to stare at her.
Kida's voice trembled with urgency. "Oh my god. What happened to Sam? Are Ashley and Chris okay?"
Matt nodded, though his expression was grim. "They're okay... sorta. They're unharmed, but they're distressed. They went to the lodge to check on Sam."
Kida stood silently, her mind racing with worry for her best friend. If she had woken up buried alive, there was no telling what the psycho might have done to Sam. She tried to piece together how she had ended up in that coffin, but everything was a blur.
Emily huffed impatiently. "Mhm. Now let's go!"
Kida watched as Emily stormed off, her impatience evident.
"Is it me, or has she been on a hundred tonight?" Kida asked, her voice laced with frustration and concern.
Matt sighed, offering a wry smile. "You know Emily. She's just being... Emily."
Kida grinned mischievously. "Aww, are you two having a lovers' quarrel?"
Matt sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and relief. "It's more than that. Let's just say that I've resigned from being a boy toy."
Kida couldn't hide her amusement. She understood the implication behind his words, which meant that Matt was back on the market. She should probably feel bad, but the truth was, she didn't care much about his and Emily's withered relationship. If anything, it stirred something hopeful within her.
"Well, are you okay?" she asked, her tone softening with genuine concern.
Matt's eyes softened as he looked at her. "A wise person once told me that I deserve to go where I'm celebrated, not tolerated."
Kida hummed in delight, recognizing her own words. She had given Matt that piece of advice back at the lodge when they had reconciled their bond.
"I don't know about you, but I'd like to meet that person," she said, a playful lilt in her voice.
Matt smiled, his gaze warm and sincere. "Yeah, she's awesome."
Kida blushed at his sincerity, feeling a warmth spread through her despite the cold night. They continued walking, the tension between them replaced with a newfound closeness. The treacherous path ahead seemed a little less daunting with Matt by her side.
Suddenly, Matt and Kida heard an animal noise in the woods, making them both tense with alarm. Kida stepped forward, her senses on high alert as she strained to listen for any more sounds.
She recognized the noise immediately—it was the call of an elk. Relieved that it was just a harmless animal, she motioned for Matt to hurry and regroup with Emily. Together, they scanned the darkness for the faint glimmer of Emily's flashlight, guiding their way through the dense forest.
As they approached Emily, her face etched with concern, she wasted no time in voicing the question that weighed heavily on all their minds.
"Where do we go from here?" Emily asked, her voice tense with uncertainty.
Matt hesitated, torn between his instincts and his desire to reassure his friends. "I think it's a straight shot," he began uncertainly.
Emily raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Do you think that, or do you know?"
Matt paused, grappling with his uncertainty. The weight of their situation pressed down on him, but he knew that now wasn't the time for doubt. They needed a plan, a direction—a glimmer of hope to guide them through the darkness.
"I...," he started again, faltering.
Kida scanned her surroundings meticulously, searching for any signs of danger or resources that might aid them. Her eyes were drawn to a bridge to her left, its structure seemingly destroyed by fallen trees and a heavy blanket of snow. She decided to investigate, hoping to find something useful amidst the wreckage.
Carefully, she made her way towards the bridge, each step crunching softly in the snow. As she ventured further into the damaged structure, she realized there was nothing immediately valuable. Frustration bubbled up as she sighed, feeling that she had wasted precious time.
Just as she was about to turn back, a creak echoed beneath her feet. Curious, Kida crouched down, her fingers probing the gaps between the wooden planks. She felt something wedged between the cracks. With a firm grip, she pulled it out, the object catching the moonlight as she raised it.
It was a phone, caked with dirt and slightly rusted. Kida's initial reaction was to dismiss it as useless—there was no cell service on this godforsaken mountain, and the phone was probably dead anyway. She almost threw it into the woods when something caught her eye. A faint shade of blue on the back of the phone glinted in the light. She rotated it, revealing a phone case with the initials "B.W" engraved on it.
Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock. This was Beth's phone. Her mind raced with questions. Had Beth and Hannah been here? How far had they run from the lodge? And where had they gone after this?
Matt and Emily trailed towards Kida, their bickering echoing softly in the cold night air. Emily's frustration with Matt's uncertain sense of direction was evident in her sharp tone. Matt, noticing the look of sadness mixed with confusion on Kida's face, quickened his pace to reach her side.
"What you got there?" Matt asked gently, his voice filled with concern.
Kida exhaled slowly, her nerves kicking in again as she handed the phone to Matt without a word. He took it, his brow furrowing as he observed the initials on the case. Emily hovered close, her curiosity piqued.
"Woah, that's Beth's phone," Emily exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and dread.
"I thought the police, like, swept the whole area..." Matt's voice trailed off, confusion and frustration evident.
Kida's eyes flashed with anger. "Well, they didn't look hard enough," she snapped, her voice tinged with bitterness. The police had clearly failed to investigate thoroughly, and now, more than ever, she felt the weight of their incompetence.
Without another word, Kida stormed off, determined to continue her search. She crossed to the other side of the clearing, scanning the ground for any additional clues. The realization that Beth and Hannah might have been so close but undiscovered fueled her resolve. She wouldn't let another detail slip through their fingers.
Matt watched her go, his mind racing. He turned to Emily, his face set with determination. "We have to keep moving. We can't let this be for nothing."
Emily nodded, a rare look of solidarity on her face. "Let's go," she said, her voice steadier than before.
Together, they followed Kida, the weight of the discovery propelling them forward into the unknown.
Kida, Matt, and Emily stepped carefully onto the clifftop, the biting wind nipping at their faces. The sky above was a blanket of stars, indifferent to the trio's perilous situation. Matt's attention was drawn to a broken sign, half-buried in the snow.
"Watch where you step around here, Em," Matt cautioned, eyeing the sheer drop just a few feet away.
Emily rolled her eyes but nodded, her sarcasm barely masking her fear. "Yes, Matt, given the choice, I'd prefer not to spend my evening plummeting to my death off a snowy cliff top."
Kida moved ahead, her gaze fixed on the brown silhouettes emerging in the distance. She took a few cautious steps forward, the crunch of snow beneath her feet the only sound in the cold silence.
"Guys..." she whispered, her voice tight with apprehension.
Suddenly, a loud, guttural scream echoed through the night, sending chills down their spines.
"Matt!! What is that?" Emily's voice was high-pitched, teetering on the edge of panic.
"I don't know...!" Matt replied, his eyes wide as he scanned the dark surroundings.
Kida's heart pounded as she realized what was happening. "Oh no...don't fucking tell me."
"What?" Matt asked, his voice strained.
Kida turned to him, her face pale. "Whatever you do... don't—"
Before she could finish, a horde of elk closed in on them, their eyes wild and bodies tense as they surrounded the trio at the edge of the clifftop.
"Jesus! Shit!" Emily screamed, backing up against Matt.
"Oh... damn..." Matt muttered, his breath visible in the cold air.
The elk pawed at the ground, their presence both intimidating and unnerving. Kida stood her ground, trying to remain calm despite the fear gripping her chest.
"Stay still," Kida instructed, her voice steady despite the chaos. "Don't make any sudden moves."
The three of them held their breath, the cliff's edge looming dangerously close as the deer inched closer. The tension in the air was palpable, each second stretching into an eternity.