Washington Lodge -A Year Ago
⸻It had been hours since the Washington twins had disappeared into the cold, unforgiving night. Beth had chased after her sister Hannah, who had fled in humiliation after a cruel prank orchestrated by their so-called friends.
Kida, the one to take action, had gone after them, driven by a sense of responsibility and guilt. After a heated confrontation with those who had taken part in the prank, she now found herself sitting on the edge of Josh Washington's bed. Josh, distraught and overwhelmed, was a picture of despair. The room was heavy with his mumbles of worry and fear, creating an oppressive atmosphere that pressed down on Kida's shoulders.
Josh paced back and forth, his eyes wild with panic. "What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" he repeated, his voice cracking with desperation.
Kida's heart ached for him. She wanted to offer comfort, to find the right words to reassure him, but how could she promise that everything would be okay? The uncertainty was a chasm she couldn't bridge with mere words. She glanced around his room, her eyes settling on the window. The faint light of dawn was beginning to break through the darkness, casting a pale glow across the floor.
"The others will find them," she said softly, her voice trembling with the effort to remain calm. "They're out there right now, looking."
Josh's eyes were wild, filled with a mixture of fear, guilt, and anger. "I-I should've been awake! I should've stopped them!"
His voice cracked with the weight of his regret. He turned sharply towards Kida, his tone changing, becoming accusatory. "Where were you, Kida?"
Kida, taken aback by his sudden shift, stepped away, but Josh was relentless. He shot up from the bed, his movements frantic and uncoordinated, trapping her in a corner.
"WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THIS ALL HAD HAPPENED?" His voice was a desperate shout, echoing through the room.
"Josh, I was sleeping too! Just like you and Chris were! I even went out to go find Hannah and Beth!" Kida tried to explain, her own voice trembling.
Josh's eyes flared with a dangerous intensity. "You don't have any idea of what's going to happen next! How can I fucking tell my parents that my sweet baby sisters are gone?! How can I!"
He grabbed her shoulders, shaking her with a fury that bordered on madness. "My sisters are gone! Gone! Gone! Gone!"
Kida felt lightheaded, her vision blurring as fear and adrenaline coursed through her veins. She tried to maintain her composure, to not give in to the rising anger she felt at his violent reaction. The others had already faced his wrath, their own shame and guilt making them vulnerable. Josh had forced everyone to leave the lodge and search for Hannah and Beth, vowing to involve the police if they didn't find them within the next hour.
"Stop it! Please!" Kida's voice was a desperate plea, her hands weakly pushing against his chest.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a bang, revealing Sam and Chris. Their hearts pounded with the rush of adrenaline as they raced upstairs to check on the commotion.
Chris was quick to remove Josh from Kida, who clutched her pajamas, her eyes filled with anguish as she looked at Josh. Sam hurried over to Kida, casting a concerned glance at Josh.
"Josh, it's not her fault! Breathe, man. Breathe," Chris urged, his voice steady and calming.
Josh took deep, shuddering breaths, trying to calm down with Chris's support. His eyes met Kida's, and he saw the hurt he had caused her. She was innocent, after all. They had all been drinking together in the kitchen—her, Chris, and himself—joking and having lighthearted conversations the night before. Josh had enjoyed seeing her happy, knowing the tough situation she faced at home. He always admired her in a bond that couldn't go unnoticed. They had a brother-and-sister relationship, filled with playful bickering and lighthearted jabs.
When Josh had first seen her with purple hair, he had instantly nicknamed her Twilight Sparkle from *My Little Pony, a name Kida had grown to love over time. They often talked about their dreams, with Kida expressing her desire to work as an actress in his future projects. Josh vividly remembered the first time he saw her audition for their high school play when he was a senior, and she was a junior. She had owned the stage, not only with her phenomenal acting but also with her smooth, velvety voice when she sang. He knew their bond would last for years.
Seeing her now, scared and hurt, brought a fresh wave of guilt crashing over him. He heard her voice hitching as she ran her fingers through her dark, coily hair, realizing she was innocent and had meant well.
"Forgive me, Keeds. I'm just all over the place," he said, his voice trembling.
Kida looked at him, her eyes filled with understanding. "I-It's not your fault... If it were Kimmi, I'd be the same way."
Josh's expression softened, guilt replacing anger. He looked down, shaking his head. "I think that once everyone returns, you guys should all go home..."
Sam stepped forward, her concern evident. "Josh... are you sure?"
Josh nodded, his resolve firm. "I'm as sure as sure can be, Sammy."
Sam hesitated, her eyes full of worry. "Well... if you need anything, please reach out..."
Josh shook his head, his voice a mere whisper. "I need to be alone..."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Kida's heart ached for him, knowing how much he was suffering. She wanted to help, to be there for him, but she also understood that he needed space.
Chris gave Josh's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "We'll be downstairs if you need us."
Josh nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He watched as Sam and Chris guided Kida out of the room, the door closing softly behind them. The silence that followed was deafening, the reality of his sisters' absence crashing down on him once more.
Matt and Mike trailed through the doors, removing their gloves and beanies. The cold had seeped into their bones, and exhaustion was evident in their every movement.
"I feel as if I've searched the whole damn Earth for them," Mike muttered, his frustration palpable.
"Where could they possibly be?" Matt echoed, the worry lines deepening on his forehead.
"I don't know... they have to be somewhere on this mountain," Mike replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
They trailed into the living room to find Ashley, Jessica, and Emily sitting on the sofa. Ashley was cradling herself, lost in thought, while Emily and Jessica were sipping coffee that Emily had made. The girls looked up as the boys entered, standing up in anticipation of any news.
"Any luck?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with hope and dread.
Mike shook his head, his expression grim. "Seems that we have a bump in the road..."
"And you've checked everywhere?" Ashley asked, her eyes wide with worry.
"Cable car stations, the shed, guest cabin... no luck," Matt confirmed, his voice heavy with frustration.
"Shit..." Jessica muttered, running a hand through her disheveled hair.
"We can't just sit around and do nothing. Those are Josh's sisters. Our friends," Mike insisted, his tone firm.
Emily's eyes narrowed. "Like hell she's my friend."
Mike turned to her, anger flashing in his eyes. "How inconsiderate can you be?"
Emily crossed her arms, her expression defiant. "I'm inconsiderate, or am I being real?"
Mike's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "I told you that I didn't want to do that stupid prank!"
Emily's face twisted in anger. "Well, newsflash, buster. You did!"
Jessica interjected, her voice strained. "We didn't expect her to run out into the woods!"
Mike clenched his fists, his frustration palpable. "Tuh, either way, we did something fucked up, and we have to make it up to them."
Emily's defiance didn't waver. "Whatever."
Mike turned to her, his eyes blazing. "What is even your problem with Hannah?!"
Emily shot back, her voice rising. "Why are you defending her?!"
Mike's expression softened into something more pained. "Because it's the right thing to do! You pushed her too far!"
Emily's voice shook with barely restrained fury. "I'm sorry that I was trying to do my job as a girlfriend and remind other girls that you're mine!"
Ashley and Matt stood frozen, watching the heated exchange. Sam, Kida, and Chris trailed downstairs, drawn by the escalating argument. Sam stood to the side, her face a mask of concern, while Chris went to stand by Ashley, offering silent support. Kida, having reached the end of her patience, stepped forward, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"If you guys want to have your lovers quarrel, do it someplace else!"
Mike's face hardened. "Trust me. There are no more lovers for this quarrel."
Emily's eyes widened, her anger giving way to hurt as tears began to well up. She took a step towards him, but Mike coldly stepped away.
"This isn't like you at all, Em. Not from when we first got together," Mike said, his voice quieter but still filled with disappointment.
"Michael!" Emily shouted after him, her voice cracking with emotion.
Mike didn't turn back. "I'm done," he said, his tone final and weary.
He trailed off to the room he had slept in and shut the door behind him with a definitive thud. Emily, on the verge of tears, masked her hurt with anger. Her hands balled into fists at her sides as she turned to the others.
"You don't break up with me, I break up with you! Damn it!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the lodge.
She stormed off towards the stairs, her footsteps heavy with frustration. Jessica, sensing the fragile state of her friend, trailed behind her silently, following her to the bathroom upstairs. The door slammed shut behind them, the sound reverberating through the hallway.
Sam, who had watched everything unfold with a sinking heart, shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the tension in the room almost palpable. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.
"I'm going to get my things ready. We will head out in 20 minutes," she announced, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Matt, Kida, Chris, and Ashley nodded in agreement, recognizing the need for some semblance of order amidst the turmoil. Sam turned and headed upstairs, Chris and Ashley following closely behind. As they ascended the staircase, Sam reached out and gave Chris a light pat on the back, a small gesture of comfort and solidarity.
Matt and Kida stood in the room in silence, the tension thick and palpable. Kida's anger from the incident still simmered beneath the surface, and Matt could see the hurt in her eyes. It pained him deeply because he knew he was partly to blame. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and offer his support, but he wasn't sure she would let him.
Kida scoffed, the sound dry and bitter in her throat. "You know... I didn't expect you, out of all people, to be so cruel."
Matt's heart sank. "I didn't mean—"
"You've said that before," Kida interrupted, her voice laced with frustration.
"But I actually mean it, Kida. It was so stupid—"
Kida cut him off again, her anger flaring. "If it was so stupid, then why the hell would you follow those assholes into the prank, Matt?! You are smarter than this! You are not a child who spilled milk for the first time! You knew that prank was going to hurt Hannah!"
Matt felt a wave of shame wash over him. "I was trying to get back at Josh!"
Kida's eyes widened in disbelief. "As if Josh would find that hilarious to see his sister cry! What the hell did you do?!"
Matt stood silently, his mind racing. He didn't know how to explain the details to Kida. Hannah being half-naked and manipulated by Mike's lies, the insecurities that plagued Emily, the cruelty of it all. He felt ashamed, but he struggled to find the words.
Kida gave him an impatient gesture, her eyes demanding answers. "I'm waiting, Matt."
Matt took a deep breath, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry—"
"Stop fucking saying that you're sorry!" Kida's voice was sharp and filled with anguish. "Hannah is not only missing, but Beth is too! I've seen how dark and scary it was in those fucking woods. I couldn't even see shit! I couldn't see where I was going! And I'm sure that they couldn't either! Ask yourself this, Matt, could you possibly see yourself in a situation like that? Lost, vulnerable, and betrayed?"
Matt shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "No... But Kida, just—"
"No!" Kida interrupted, her anger flaring. "I'm not falling for whatever bullshit of an excuse that you have to say. You can say you're sorry over and over. You can justify your reasoning, but it's not going to cover up the fact that Josh's little sisters, their parents' children, and OUR friends are gone!"
Matt's heart ached at her words. He felt a deep, crushing guilt, knowing she was right. He had failed them all. "I'm guessing that this ends our relationship," he said, his voice hollow.
Kida stared at him, her eyes filled with a mix of hurt and disappointment. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Matt, this isn't about our relationship. This is about the fact that you need to take responsibility for your actions. We all do."
Kida grabbed her right arm, rubbing it absent-mindedly. Her eyes welled with tears as she glanced at Matt coldly.
"Emily wasn't the only person who was unrecognizable. But you are too," she said, her voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow and anger.
Matt tried to reach for her, his hand extending in a plea for connection. "Kida..."
She moved his hand away, her touch firm and decisive. "I thought that you weren't like everyone else, but I guess I was fooled."
"Don't say that. Don't push me away," Matt begged, his voice breaking.
Kida's eyes hardened as she stared at him. "I even fell...never mind," she muttered, her voice trailing off as she bit back her words.
Matt's heart sank. He knew what she was about to say, and the unspoken words hung heavily between them. "I will do whatever it takes to gain your trust back. Whatever it is, I'll do it!"
Kida chuckled coldly, the sound bitter and devoid of warmth. "It's a little too late, don't you think?"
Matt was speechless, his heart aching as he watched Kida turn away. She escaped his grasp and trailed up the stairs, her shoulders slumped with the weight of her emotions. He stood there, feeling helpless and lost, his mind racing with thoughts of how everything had gone so wrong.
As Kida reached the top of the stairs, she paused for a moment, looking back at Matt. Her eyes, once filled with warmth and affection, now held only hurt and disappointment. Without another word, she disappeared into the hallway, leaving Matt alone in the quiet, heavy silence of the living room.
He sank onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. The reality of the situation hit him like a tidal wave. He had lost her trust, and with it, a part of himself. He knew he had to make things right, not just for Kida, but for Hannah, Beth, and everyone else who had been hurt by their actions.
Upstairs, Kida entered her room and closed the door softly behind her. She leaned against it, her tears finally spilling over. The weight of the night's events pressed down on her, and she felt a profound sense of betrayal and loss. She had believed in Matt, had trusted him, and now that trust was shattered.
She moved to the window, looking out at the snowy landscape. The world outside was cold and unforgiving, much like her feelings at the moment. She hugged herself, trying to find some semblance of warmth and comfort in the midst of her turmoil.
Present Day
⸻Emily sat silently, her world around her blurred as she tried to count to five repeatedly. She had almost lost her life from a misunderstanding—a misunderstanding born of hysteria, fear, and cowardice. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, her fingers twitched, and her nails dug into the underside of the table where she and Jessica sat. Her eyes fixated on Ashley's back as she sat alone at a table, reading something. Emily never thought she had wished to shoot lasers through her eyes until now. Ashley had told Mike to shoot her because of her being bitten by that god-awful Wendigo. She couldn't believe Mike would put her in a situation where, if it were them versus the world, instead of forming a team, he'd rather choose himself. The way she was so in love with him during everything that happened—it was a wake-up call to let go.
Emily glanced away from the redhead; the more she looked, the more she wanted to pounce off the table and kick her ass. But she was surrounded by people who also cared about her well-being. Sam, of course, as she's the mediator—always forgiving and kind. Jessica, whom she still thought was a traitor for dating Mike, someone she wasn't over after their breakup, was sitting next to her, giving the shorter girl comfort as she too sat in silence. And lastly, Matt. Someone she had taken advantage of to get over Mike, or better yet, to make Mike crawl back to her, realizing his loss. Matt was someone she'd want emotionally—caring, supportive, patient, and generous. But he lacked a few things that would keep her going. He was handsome and stronger than Mike, yes. But he wasn't Mike.
Mike was charismatic, ambitious, goal-oriented, decisive, and knew how to make decisions without the pressure of anyone else telling him otherwise. As she watched Matt wrap her shoulder in gauze, she couldn't help but question how he had been so forgiving and come to her rescue when he could've stepped aside and let Mike end her life. Her heart was heavy. Maybe she could get back on track with Matt and choose him. But she knew that the way Matt had looked at her before had changed throughout this whole night.
Emily noticed how he would look at Kida while they were on the trek to the fire tower. She had seen them holding hands, sharing smiles, and continuing jokes. Even before Hannah and Beth went missing, Emily noticed that they were closer than ever. They were best friends who knew they had something more. She knew that even if Kida was gone, Matt probably wouldn't focus on love for a while or even casual relationships. Emily's heart ached with the realization that she had missed her chance with someone as genuine as Matt. She knew she needed to reevaluate her choices and find a way to mend her broken heart and the strained relationships around her.
Matt finished securing the bandage around Emily's arm and stepped back to assess his work.
"How does that feel?" he asked, his eyes filled with genuine concern.
Emily moved her arm slightly, wincing as the pain shot through her shoulder. "Hurts like hell still, but I'll manage," she replied, trying to muster a small smile.
Matt nodded, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "Good. Just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Emily studied him for a moment, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to say what she had been thinking. "You know, the way you fixed me up, I'd almost mistaken you for a doctor," she said, her tone attempting lightness but failing to hide the vulnerability beneath.
Matt chuckled softly. "Just basic first aid. Wanted to make sure you were comfortable."
The room seemed to close in around them as they fell silent again. Emily could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on her. She knew she needed to say more, to acknowledge the pain and hurt she had caused, not just to herself but to Matt and everyone around them.
"Usually," Emily began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm not the person who admits when they're wrong. But tonight... tonight showed me how messed up things have gotten."
Matt's expression softened, and he took a seat next to her, their knees almost touching. "Emily, you don't have to—"
"No, let me finish," Emily interrupted gently, her eyes meeting his. "I've been selfish, Matt. I've hurt you, used you, and taken you for granted. And when I saw Mike pointing that gun at me, I realized... I realized how much I've been chasing after something that's not even worth it."
Matt listened, his heart aching for her. He could see the pain and regret in her eyes, a stark contrast to the confident and often headstrong girl he knew.
"I was trying to get over Mike, to make him jealous, to prove a point," Emily continued, her voice trembling. "But in doing so, I hurt the one person who's always been there for me. I hurt you, Matt. And I'm sorry."
Matt reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "Emily, I've always cared about you. And yeah, it hurt seeing you with Mike, but I just wanted you to be happy. I still do."
Tears welled up in Emily's eyes, and she blinked them away furiously. "You deserve so much better than how I've treated you. You've been my rock through all of this, and I never appreciated it."
Matt squeezed her hand, his voice soft but firm. "We've all made mistakes, Em. But we're here now, and we can figure things out together."
Emily nodded, the weight of her guilt lifting slightly. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm so scared, Matt. Everything's falling apart, and I don't know how to fix it."
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "We'll get through this, Em. One step at a time. We'll figure it out."
Emily lifted her head slightly, her eyes meeting Matt's. "You know, I always knew you loved Kida," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "I used to envy the bond you two shared."
Matt looked at her, surprise and curiosity in his eyes. "You did?"
Emily nodded, a small, bittersweet smile playing on her lips. "Yeah. You and Kida... you had something real, something special. I could see it in the way you looked at her, the way you two were together. She was your person, Matt."
Matt's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a deep, somber sadness. "You're right," he admitted quietly. "I am in love with her. I have been for a long time."
Emily felt a pang in her chest, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the bigger picture. "And maybe... maybe she's still out there. We've all survived these crazy, tragic events tonight, and we're still here. Maybe Kida is too."
Matt sighed deeply, the weight of her words pressing down on him. He wanted to believe it, to cling to the hope that Kida was still alive. But the memory of her falling into the abyss, the fear in her eyes as she let go, haunted him.
"You know, it's funny that Chris and Jess had said the same thing. I want to believe that," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But I watched her fall, Emily. I don't know if I'll ever find her again."
Emily squeezed his hand gently, offering what little comfort she could. "I get it, Matt. I really do. But you can't give up hope. If we've learned anything tonight, it's that we're stronger than we think. We've faced unimaginable shit, and we're still standing. Kida could be out there, fighting to survive just like we are."
Matt nodded slowly, her words resonating with him. The thought of Kida, out there somewhere, fighting to stay alive, gave him a sliver of hope to hold onto.
"I'll try to hold onto that," he said softly. "For her. For all of us."
"Remember, Emily is always right." She jabbed lightly as Matt chuckled softly.
Emily rested her head back on his shoulder, the two of them finding a moment of peace in the chaos surrounding them. As the night continued to press on, they knew they had to stay strong, not just for themselves, but for the ones they loved and lost. And in that shared determination, they found a small but significant step toward healing and moving forward.
Ashley sat in the chair, wiping her tears away as she flipped through the pages of the journal, reading the stranger's meticulous documentation. The old man had spent who knows how long on this mountain, gathering information about the Wendigos. It was both terrifying and fascinating, and Ashley couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and curiosity as she absorbed his words.
Her breath hitched as she revisited the page that had nearly caused chaos in the basement not too long ago: the section on the bite. Ashley had always been paranoid about the supernatural, yet it intrigued her. She glanced over at Emily, who was getting patched up by Matt. The gauze tape wrapped tightly around her shoulder. Emily's eyes darted toward her, filled with venom. Despite knowing Emily didn't deserve the situation with Mike, Ashley still believed it was logical to eliminate a potential threat. But her paranoia had been put to rest when Jessica revealed that the bite was harmless.
Turning the page, Ashley delved deeper into the journal. The history of the Wendigos, their connection to cannibalism—it was all there, written in painstaking detail. She absently rubbed her left cheek, still stinging from Emily's slap, as she processed the information.
Then, Ashley came across a section that made her blood run cold. It was about combating the Wendigos:
"The Wendigo's eyes change. They become both sharper and more dim. The Wendigo sees movement. It is a hunter, like a hawk. But it cannot see stillness. If you are to keep totally still, then the Wendigo will not be able to see you. The skin and flesh of the Wendigo are hard, like armor. They seem to feel no pain. They cannot be cut or stabbed. Bullets will not pierce their skin, though a shotgun will keep them at bay. Because the Wendigo is mutated from a human, it knows how to hunt us. It can perfectly mimic its prey. You must remain sharp and disciplined. I have killed 6 Wendigos. Knives or bullets will not harm them. Use a flamethrower. It is the best weapon. Fire envelops them, burns away their skin, and makes them weak. But try NOT to kill them. Killing a Wendigo should be the last resort. Death releases the Wendigo spirit into the air. I have contained them. I used traps to catch them into cages. The traps were baited with human limbs from those who had no further use for them. One by one, I caught those who had infested the mountain."
Ashley's body froze as she read the information. The Wendigos could mimic them? Imitate their voices? Change their appearance? A flood of thoughts overwhelmed her. The worst part was realizing that they couldn't be killed easily; only fire could weaken them. They were virtually indestructible. Yet, she felt a sliver of relief knowing that the Wendigos couldn't sense them if they remained perfectly still.
Her eyes roamed the room again, taking in the tense atmosphere. Matt and Emily, sitting together, both lost in their thoughts. Jessica, still recovering from her ordeal. Sam, ever the mediator, trying to maintain some semblance of peace. Ashley knew she had to share what she had learned, despite the hostility she felt from some of them. This information was too crucial to keep to herself.
Taking a deep breath, Ashley stood up, clutching the journal. "Guys, there's something you all need to know," she said, her voice trembling slightly but firm with resolve.
Sam, who was helping Chris with his wounds, urged towards her as she placed a hand on the redhead's shoulder while the others looked attentively.
"What is it, Ash?" Sam asked, her voice gentle but worried.
Ashley took another deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "I think that Mike is going to be in danger!"
The room fell silent. Sam's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Emily crossed her arms and scoffed bitterly. "Screw that son of a bitch! He can get mauled by one of those things for all I care!"
Matt, who had been silently observing, stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Let's hear her out."
Emily huffed, crossing her arms tighter. Jessica, sitting beside Emily, whimpered softly. "We need to help him—"
"No way in hell am I going back out there," Emily retorted, her voice rising with anger.
Ignoring the tension, Ashley continued, her eyes scanning the pages of the journal. "Based on the journal, we already know about the history, cannibalism, and the bite. But there's more. There are other things that we are at risk of."
Chris, his voice steady despite the pain, asked, "Well, I already know how to kill it and how to avoid it. What else can it do?"
Ashley's eyes darkened with fear as she read the next part. "It... it can mimic us."
Matt's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you for real?"
"Yes. Come see for yourself." Ashley held the journal out for them to see.
Chris moved closer, reading the passage. "It makes sense. If these things are as smart as humans, it would explain how they can hunt so effectively."
Sam's face grew pale as she understood the gravity of the situation. "So, we can't trust what we see or hear. We have to be even more careful."
"Exactly," Ashley said, her voice trembling. "And there's more... the journal says they can't see us if we stay completely still. But they're attracted to noise, and only fire can weaken them."
Emily, despite her anger, was starting to grasp the severity. "So, we have to be quiet and avoid any sudden movements. Great."
Matt placed a comforting hand on Emily's shoulder, his voice softening. "We'll get through this, Em. We just need to stick together and use what we've learned."
Jessica, still shaken but determined, added, "We need to warn Mike. Even if he... even if he made mistakes, we can't just leave him out there."
Sam sighed, knowing they had to act. "I'll go after him. You guys can stay here."
Chris struggled to get up from his spot, his eyes trembling with trauma as he grasped his shoulder. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."
"I know. But we need everyone together. Mike might've done something horrible, but he's still our friend," Sam replied, her determination unwavering.
Matt, still angry at Mike for almost shooting Emily, knew that Mike deserved to live just as much as anyone else. "I'll come with."
Emily's eyes widened in disbelief. "Matt, are you kidding me?!"
"Em—" Matt began, but Emily cut him off.
"What is with you playing hero tonight? I let you go with Chris and that old guy, and look where that's gotten you both. The old guy is dead. Chris is injured," Emily snapped.
"But we managed to escape," Matt replied, his voice calm but firm.
"Don't be such an idiot! You're even injured yourself! You can barely manage to walk," Emily retorted, her voice filled with concern.
"I am fine," Matt insisted.
"Are you? Because I can't tell!" Emily's voice was sharp.
"I'm going, Em, and that's final!" Matt's voice was resolute.
The silence filled the air as Matt and Emily stared at each other intensely. Finally, Emily relented. "Fine."
"Thank you, Em. I'll be back soon," Matt said softly.
"You better come back in one piece," Emily whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
"I promise," Matt replied, turning towards Sam.
"We will be back soon, guys. If we don't make it back in time, go ahead without us," Sam instructed.
"But Sam..." Ashley began, her voice trailing off.
Chris, his eyes filled with concern, asked, "Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?"
"I'd rather not put us all at risk. And I don't think Jessica is in any position to move," Sam replied.
"Please make sure that Mike is okay," Jessica pleaded.
"We will find him," Matt assured her.
"Be safe," Chris added, his voice filled with worry.
Sam and Matt looked at their friends, seeing the fear and hope reflected in their eyes. They steeled themselves, knowing the dangers that awaited them outside. With a final nod, they turned and headed towards the door, determined to bring Mike and Josh back.
As they stepped into the cold night, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on their shoulders. The wind howled around them, and the eerie silence of the mountain only heightened their anxiety. They had no idea what awaited them, but they knew they had to stay strong for the sake of their friends. The trek to find Mike and Josh had begun, and they weren't ready for whatever obstacles lay ahead.
Mines
⸻The mines sat eerie, angst-ridden, and dreadful as the walls echoed with the most crucial sounds of danger and loss. A lone figure trudged slowly through the tunnels, drenched in water, sorrow, and a desperate hope of escaping. The oppressive darkness weighed heavily on them, every step a reminder of the peril they faced.
This figure had given up everything to save another, expecting their end to be swift and final. Instead, the fall that should have claimed their life was softened by an unexpected pool of water, granting a miraculous second chance. The darkness had been suffocating at first, the cold seeping into their bones, but survival instincts kicked in, driving them to push forward despite the fear.
Armed with a makeshift torch—a stick wrapped with a torn piece of their leggings ignited by a match—they moved through the mines with a determined yet cautious pace. Their hair, tangled and matted, was tied into a bun, a task to be dealt with only after escaping this nightmare. If escape was even possible.
The weight of loneliness bore down heavily. The mines' oppressive silence, punctuated by the occasional drip of water and the whisper of air currents, made every step an ordeal. Despite the gnawing headache and slightly blurred vision, the figure knew this was their chance to escape. Failure was not an option.
Fear lingered like a shadow, but determination kept the figure moving. They couldn't afford to dwell on the past—the losses, the self-sacrifice, the uncertainty. They needed to focus on survival, on finding a way out of these cursed mines.
The torch cast flickering shadows on the walls, creating eerie shapes that seemed to dance and taunt. The cold air bit at their skin, seeping through the damp clothes and chilling them to the bone. The leather sleeve of a letter jacket provided some comfort, a tangible connection to a loved one lost.
As the figure moved deeper into the mines, memories surfaced—of Matt, whose presence had been a beacon of hope in the darkest times. He had been the one to keep them going, his love a constant source of strength. Now, without him, the mines felt even more oppressive, the darkness more consuming.
They missed his presence, his touch, his voice. The way his eyes sparkled when he looked at them. The memory of his outstretched hand haunted them, a reminder of the moment they chose selflessness over survival. It was a choice they now questioned, but regret was a luxury they couldn't afford.
The mines seemed endless, each tunnel and cavern blending into the next. The torch's light barely penetrated the darkness, but it was enough to keep moving forward. The figure's steps were steady, each one bringing them closer to a potential escape.
Then, in the distance, a glimmer of hope appeared—a ladder leading to a hatch. Relief washed over them, their shoulders slumping as tears welled in their eyes. They had made it this far, and now, a way out was within reach.