⸻Matt and Sam were now hauling through the tunnels that were on the map Emily had shown them from the deceased stranger. They didn't know how much time they had left to find their friends, but they also didn't know what dangers might lay ahead. Sam was determined to do whatever it took to find Mike, but she was mostly hopeful about finding Josh too. He could be anywhere. She knew that Mike was heading towards the sanatorium to seek possible answers. The place itself sounded creepy to her, as she had heard the twisted truths that lurked within, but she couldn't let that hold her back. She looked over her shoulder to see Matt only a few paces behind. He could catch up, but she could tell that his leg injury was possibly slowing him down just a tad.
"Come on, we are almost there," Sam urged, her voice echoing slightly in the dimly lit tunnel.
"Yeah, coming," Matt replied, gritting his teeth against the pain in his leg.
The tunnel walls began to widen as they approached the sanatorium door standing in their way. The heavy metal door loomed ominously, and Sam's hand hesitated on the handle for a moment.
Matt didn't know if he should turn back or keep going. He knew the sight he was about to see could scar him even more. But a part of him prepped him mentally to stay strong and be on high alert to survive the unknown dangers ahead.
Sam attempted to open the door at the end of the tunnel into the sanatorium. "Oh shit. Mike must have locked it behind him. Crap! There's gotta be another way in."
"Let me try opening it," Matt offered, stepping forward.
Sam shrugged resolutely, stepping aside. "All yours."
Matt tried with all his might to open the door, but like Sam, he was unable to budge it, despite his strength. "There's got to be another way inside."
"Whatever it is, we got to make it fast," Sam urged, glancing around the dark, ominous surroundings.
Matt's eyes then trailed to a manhole a few feet away. "Looks like we've found our entrance."
"Seems that it's our only option," Sam agreed, already moving towards it.
They both trailed over to inspect it. Matt used his strength to move the lid, placing it aside with a grunt. They looked down into the hole, peering into the eerie darkness that seemed to stretch on forever.
"Okay... so which of us is going first?" Sam asked, her voice a mixture of determination and nervousness.
Matt sighed, a resigned smile playing on his lips. "I guess I can go. Not much of a choice for me, is it?"
Sam shook her head. "Nope."
"Alright, alright," Matt muttered, psyching himself up.
He carefully climbed down, wincing as the pain in his calf lingered. His feet touched the ground cautiously, and he looked around, spotting a faint light ahead. He turned to watch Sam descend, dropping to her feet with a graceful ease that Matt couldn't help but admire. She dusted her hands off and activated her headband light, the beam cutting through the darkness.
"Alright. Let's do this," she said, determination etched on her face.
They began trekking down the tunnels, Sam taking the lead with her quick, confident strides. Her pace gradually increased, driven by her urgency to find Mike. Matt did his best to keep up, his calf protesting with each step. He always appreciated Sam's athletic skills; she was someone who would never hold him back in the face of danger.
Matt trudged through the dark tunnels, Sam leading the way with her headlamp casting eerie shadows on the damp walls. His thoughts were a chaotic swirl, and he struggled to focus on the task at hand. The words of his friends in the basement echoed in his mind—Jessica, Emily, Chris—all of them insisting that Kida might still be alive. It was a small, fragile hope, but it was enough to keep him moving forward.
He thought about Kida constantly, replaying their last moments together over and over again. Could it be that she was out there somewhere, fighting to survive just like they were? He clung to the memories of her—the way she lit up any room she walked into, her scent of jasmine and honey that always made him feel at ease, the sound of her smooth, velvety voice that could calm his worst fears. He missed the touch of her hand, the softness of her lips against his, and the sight of her wearing his jacket, its oversized frame slipping off her shoulders most endearingly. He missed her so much that it physically hurt.
"Matt," her voice whispered in his mind, a ghostly echo that refused to be silenced. He missed her calling his name.
"Matt! Somebody help me!" The sound of her desperate cry replayed like a broken record, haunting him.
Matt stopped in his tracks as he saw that Sam was distances away from him, lost in her determination to find Mike and Josh. He was between two paths. The sound of Kida's voice is on the left while Sam's silhouette is on the right.
He didn't know what to do.
"Angel?" he called out, his voice echoing through the tunnels.
"Matt! Please help me!" Kida's voice cried out from the left.
Matt glanced back at Sam, her figure growing smaller as she moved further away. He could catch up with her, but the sound of Kida's voice was too compelling to ignore. He slowly walked down the left path, following the desperate sound of her voice.
"Angel, tell me where you are!" he shouted, his heart pounding in his chest.
"I'm trapped down here, Matt! You got to get me out!" Her voice was filled with fear and urgency.
Matt continued down the damp tunnels, his steps echoing off the walls. He saw a ledge drop ahead and carefully lowered himself down, the cold stone pressing against his palms. He landed softly, his leg protesting slightly, but he pushed through the pain.
"Angel?" he called out again, his voice trembling.
"I am so sorry, Matt! I didn't mean to abandon you," her voice echoed from a trap door ahead.
Matt swallowed hard, his emotions swirling inside him. "It's okay. You're okay. I'm going to help you," he assured, moving towards the trap door with determined steps.
"Kida's" voice echoed with a haunting, accusatory tone, chilling Matt to his core. "Why didn't you save me, Matt?"
As Matt neared the trap door, the voice shifted from Kida's familiar smoothness to something eerie and anomalous. He froze, unable to process the transformation.
"Angel—" Matt began, his voice shaking.
"Why did you let me die!" the voice screamed, now filled with rage and despair.
"I didn't! You wanted to save me!" Matt pleaded, his heart heavy with guilt and confusion.
"You are a fucking coward! Let me out of here, Matt!" the voice demanded, growing more distorted and menacing.
Matt took a step back as the trap door started to bang violently, the sound reverberating through the tunnels. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized this wasn't Kida. It was the Wendigo, mimicking her voice to lure him into a trap. His mind raced with the warning he had been given: the Wendigo can mimic their prey.
"LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!" the voice screeched, growing louder and more frantic.
Matt ran as he saw another ledge on the far right of the trap door. He jumped down and ran down the tunnels, his heart pounding in his chest like a war drum. The adrenaline surged through his veins, his senses heightened by fear. He looked over his shoulder to see if anything was coming after him but nothing so far.
He turned forward and was startled by Sam, who had noticed his absence and come back to find him.
"Oh shit! Oh shit!" Matt gasped, nearly colliding with her.
"Jesus! Are you okay?" Sam whispered urgently, her eyes wide with concern.
"I-I'm," Matt stammered, trying to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. He looked at Sam, her determined eyes searching his face for any sign of injury. "Yeah, I'm okay. It was the Wendigo. It was mimicking Kida's voice."
Sam's face softened with a mix of sympathy and determination. "We have to keep moving. Let's go."
They pressed on, their steps echoing off the damp walls. The tunnels seemed to stretch endlessly before them, a labyrinth of darkness and uncertainty. The faint light from Sam's headlamp cast long shadows, creating an eerie dance on the tunnel walls.
Matt's mind raced as they walked. The encounter with the Wendigo had shaken him to his core, but he couldn't let it paralyze him. He had to stay focused, for Sam's sake, for Mike's, and for the faint hope that Kida might still be alive somewhere in these godforsaken tunnels.
"Sam," Matt began, his voice barely above a whisper, "do you really think we can find Mike and Josh in this place?"
"We have to believe we can," Sam replied, her tone firm yet gentle. "It's the only way we'll get through this."
As they continued, Matt couldn't help but reflect on what had happened earlier. The guilt of not saving Kida weighed heavily on his heart, but the hope that she might still be alive kept him moving forward. He remembered the last time he had seen her, the determination in her eyes as she sacrificed herself to save him. It was a moment that would haunt him forever.
⸻Kida found herself walking in a chapel, clutching herself tightly as she took in her surroundings. The chapel, once a place of solace, was now a hauntingly desolate environment. The silence pressed down on her, amplifying the sense of isolation as she observed the ruins around her. The place looked rundown and abandoned, covered in dust and debris.
She had never been to this part of the mountain and had no idea where to go. The cold and wet fabric of her clothes clung to her skin, agitating her further. Already covered in filth and bearing the weight of the danger she had faced, this added discomfort was the icing on the cake.
Her eyes landed on an old chest in the corner, partially open to reveal a jacket and pants. They looked oversized, but she didn't care. She needed to get out of her soaked clothes. The thought of warmth, no matter how ridiculous she might look, was too tempting to pass up.
She removed Matt's letter jacket, placing it gently aside, then stripped off her puffer vest, athletic wear, and boots. Her chocolate skin was marred with bruises and open wounds, each one a testament to the harrowing journey she had endured. She grabbed the oversized jacket and wrapped it around her body, zipping it up for warmth. She then layered her puffer jacket on top and slipped back into Matt's letter jacket. The pants and shoes, though too large, provided a semblance of insulation.
Kida looked down at herself, a mismatched assortment of clothing hanging loosely on her frame. "Not my type of fashion, but whatever," she muttered to herself, the absurdity of her appearance bringing a fleeting sense of humor to her dire situation.
She glanced around, scanning the area for any resources that could aid her survival. Her eyes landed on another pocket knife, a lighter, and to her immense relief, a stick of dynamite.
"Hopefully, I don't have to set it off in this bitch," she muttered to herself, her tone a mix of determination and dark humor.
Continuing her exploration, Kida stumbled upon a cage-like area that contained a bed and a desk. It looked as though someone had lived there. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and then realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Memories flooded back: the radio broadcast that she and Sam had listened to before arriving at the mountain. Could this place be the infamous sanatorium? The place where the suspect might have held Hannah and Beth hostage? A surge of hope and a burning desire for vengeance filled her heart.
"Looks like I'm going to put an end to this asshole," she vowed, her voice low and filled with resolve.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors, growing louder with each passing second. Kida's heart raced as she gasped and rushed to the side of the door, preparing to attack whoever was approaching. She tightened her grip on the knife, her body tensed like a coiled spring.
The footsteps grew closer, and as the figure emerged through the door, Kida acted on pure instinct. She threw a right hook, knocking the figure to the ground, and quickly pinned them down with her foot, pressing the knife against their neck.
"Ow! What the hell?!"
Kida's heart pounded as she looked down at the person she had just attacked, her torch casting flickering shadows across his face. Relief and a hint of disappointment washed over her.
"Mike? What the hell are you doing here?"
Mike rubbed his jaw, his expression a mix of pain and bewilderment. "Me? What are you doing here?! Better yet, how are you alive?!"
Kida stepped back, giving him space to get up. He staggered to his feet, wincing as he tested his jaw.
"Jesus fucking Christ! How many times am I going to get punished tonight!" Mike grumbled, shaking his head.
"You look like shit," Kida remarked, unable to hide a small smirk.
"Gee, you think?" Mike shot back, managing a wry smile despite his obvious discomfort. "Seriously, how the hell did you end up all the way over here?"
Kida fell silent, her mind racing as the weight of Mike's words settled over her. She felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet. The cold, damp air of the sanatorium clung to her skin, amplifying the chill she felt within.
"I fell into some mines. Matt and Emily were with me...," Kida started, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and disbelief.
Mike, his eyes weary yet determined, nodded. "It's a lot of shit going down tonight. I'm trying to find Josh—"
"Woah, woah, woah. What do you mean, find Josh?! He's dead!" Kida interrupted, her voice rising with incredulity.
Mike shook his head, his expression grim. "That's what he wanted us to think. He was fucking with us tonight. He caused all of this. Chris and Ashley, Sam, you, Matt, and Em."
Kida's mind reeled. "Josh would never do that—"
She ran a hand down her face as fragments of memories began to fall into place: the bottle of Jeremiah Cragg knocking her out, the suffocating horror of being buried alive, the psycho knowing intimate details about her relationships with Hannah and Beth, the note from Josh about burying the hatchet, and his knowledge of her crippling claustrophobia.
"No..." she whispered, her voice breaking.
"Kida, hey Keeds," Mike said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Listen to me. We have got to find Josh and get out of this place of horrors."
Kida's eyes filled with tears, the loss and betrayal were almost too much to bear. "But Hannah and Beth—"
Mike's face softened, showing a rare glimpse of vulnerability. "Beth is gone... Emily found her head in the mines."
Kida felt her world spinning as Mike's words hit her. The sanatorium's oppressive atmosphere seemed to close in even tighter.
"What?!" Kida's voice echoed in the decaying hallways.
Mike's expression was a mix of urgency and exhaustion. "And we have no idea where Hannah is... but we have to find Josh."
"You think he's here?" Kida asked, trying to wrap her head around the betrayal.
"Possibly... I'm sure that Wendigo took him here," Mike replied.
"The fuck is a Wendigo?" Kida's voice was sharp with confusion and anger.
Mike sighed, realizing he had to fill her in. "Seems like I have to fill you in. Ready to go through the chocolate factory?"
Kida couldn't help but feel a surge of rage and betrayal. She had thought Josh was her close friend, someone she could trust. The need to find him and demand an explanation burned within her. The thought of her fists doing most of the talking brought a grim satisfaction. He had put her in a situation that he knew would trigger her deepest traumas.
She balled her fists, her knuckles white from the intensity of her grip. "Let's go," she said, her voice steely with determination.
Before they left, Mike spotted a shotgun propped against the wall and ran to grab it, scooping up some ammunition, a flashlight, and a torch. He knew they needed every advantage they could get in this place.
They approached a door with a heavy lock. Mike aimed the shotgun and fired, the blast echoing through the corridors as the lock shattered. He pushed the door open and stepped through cautiously, Kida trailing behind him, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of movement.
Suddenly, they halted as a low growl reached their ears. A large, imposing wolf emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on them. Kida's heart pounded in her chest, and she instinctively took a step back.
"Holy shit! Is that a—" Kida began, but her words trailed off as she watched in disbelief.
Mike lowered his shotgun and approached the wolf with calm confidence. He reached out and patted its head, the animal responding with a wag of its tail.
"Kida, this is Wolfie. My companion," Mike said, looking over his shoulder with a reassuring smile.
Kida tried to keep her composure, still processing the sight of Mike casually interacting with a wolf. "You have a pet wolf?"
Mike chuckled softly. "Not exactly a pet. He's more like a guardian. He's been helping me navigate this place."
Kida shook her head in amazement. "This night just keeps getting weirder."
Mike stood up, his expression turning serious again. "Come on, Wolfie will help us. We need to keep moving."
They continued through the dark, twisting corridors of the sanatorium, Wolfie leading the way with his keen senses alert to any danger. Kida couldn't help but feel a bit safer with the wolf by their side. She marveled at the way Mike handled the situation, his calm demeanor and resourcefulness keeping them both grounded.
As they moved deeper into the sanatorium, the air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around them. The faint sound of distant growls and the occasional creak of the old building added to the oppressive atmosphere.
Kida's thoughts drifted to the others. "Mike, where are the rest of them? Are they okay?"
Mike nodded, his face lit by the flickering torchlight. "Yeah, they're alive. Injured, but okay. Sam, Emily, Chris, Jessica, and Ashley are all back at the lodge."
Kida let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Thank God. And Matt?"
Mike's eyes softened. "He's okay too. He kinda left a mark on me." He motioned towards his mouth which dried with blood.
Kida wanted to ask more about why Matt had hit Mike but she wanted to focus on not only getting out of the sanatorium but to seek Josh. She felt Wolfie's fur glide against her as he was focused on what was ahead. Kida still couldn't believe that Mike befriended a goddamn wolf. As long as it wasn't eyeing her as if she's a piece of meat, he's okay in her book.
They trailed across to another building of the sanatorium which included the psychiatric ward and restraining area. Kida gulped as the trio trailed inside.
She couldn't imagine the horrors that lurked in the past as she was shrouded by creepiness. It didn't make it any better when Wolfie began barking and her torch light went out.
"Damn it! Mike, quiet him!" Kida hissed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Jesus Chri—Okiedokie boy, calm down." Mike crouched, gently patting the wolf. "Wish I could move like you, Wolfie. Think I'm stuck on this side."
Wolfie darted ahead, his keen senses picking up on something. Mike found a lever to open a door, pulling it with all his might.
"Here goes nothin'." The door behind him closed, and the door ahead partially slid open. "Awesome." Mike shimmied through the gap, grunting as he used his arms to push the door open a bit further. He allowed Kida inside.
Kida took a deep breath, the cold, musty air filling her lungs as she stepped into the dimly lit corridor. Shadows danced on the walls, and the silence was oppressive. She stayed close to Mike, her nerves on edge.
"How'd you feel if I had a show that dealt with me exploring the top places of paradise?" Mike asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Kida raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, you mean like 'Mike's Misadventures in the Mountain of Madness'? Sounds like a hit."
Mike chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, I can see it now. Ratings through the roof."
They continued exploring the sanatorium, each step echoing in the vast, decaying corridors. The oppressive silence was occasionally broken by the distant drip of water or the skittering of unseen creatures. Kida's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and determination driving her forward.
They entered a room filled with old filing cabinets and scattered papers. Mike rifled through the documents, his flashlight casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kida joined him, picking up a stack of yellowed papers. The documents revealed grim details—death certificates indicating many had met their end within these walls. Each piece of paper seemed to hold a fragment of the horror that had unfolded here.
Their search led them to a gruesome discovery—a deceased wolf, its body cut open and dissected. Wolfie let out a mournful whine, sniffing at the remains of his fallen kin. Kida's heart broke at the sight, and she knelt beside the lifeless body, gently stroking its fur. The image of the mutilated wolf was a stark reminder of the cruelty that had taken place in this forsaken place.
Pushing on, they found more clues about the sanatorium's dark past. Old film reels were scattered across a dusty table, their labels hinting at the horrors they contained. Kida picked one up, her curiosity piqued, though a sense of dread filled her. The reels were likely to hold nothing but disturbing imagery, the remnants of twisted experiments and tormented lives.
In another room, they discovered the skeletal remains of a patient. A crumpled suicide note lay beside the body, its words barely legible. Kida read it aloud, her voice trembling with sadness. The note spoke of unbearable screams, haunting shadows, and the sheer terror that drove the person to take their own life. It was a chilling testament to the agony endured by those who had been trapped here.
Their final discovery was a case study detailing a patient's transformation into a Wendigo. The report was filled with clinical observations and chilling descriptions of the horrific metamorphosis. The study painted a vivid picture of the descent into madness and monstrosity, a process driven by cannibalism and the Wendigo spirit. The more Kida read, the more she understood the true nature of the threat they faced.
As they continued their search, the weight of the sanatorium's dark history pressed down on them. The horrors of the past seemed to seep into the present, and Kida couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The oppressive atmosphere of the sanatorium, combined with the relentless fear of encountering a Wendigo, made every moment a struggle to maintain composure.
They trailed back in a different direction, their footsteps echoing softly in the eerie silence of the sanatorium. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of decay and dampness, and every shadow seemed to hide a lurking threat. Mike and Kida entered a wide room, its air heavy with dust and disuse. Suddenly, a can clatters off a small container, the noise reverberating through the space.
"Huh?" Mike muttered, instinctively pointing his gun towards the sound, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"It could be nothing," Kida suggested, her voice tense but steady.
"We'll see about that," Mike replied, tightening his grip on the weapon.
"Don't shoot! We don't know who's here," Kida cautioned, reaching out to steady his arm.
The tension was palpable as they peered into the darkness. Suddenly, a rat scurried from the fallen can, startling Kida and making Mike grimace in disgust.
"Just a rat. This place is full of surprises," Kida sighed, shaking her head.
"Yeah, not the kind I like. Let's keep moving," Mike said, lowering his gun slightly.
Suddenly they heard a growl coming from their right. They came face-to-face with the creature of the night—a wendigo, its jagged clothing hanging from its skeletal frame. It let out a horrifying scream that echoed through the decrepit sanatorium, alarming the two teens. Kida gasped, stumbling backward as the creature's malevolent eyes fixed on them, deciding who to prey on first. With a terrifying lunge, it sprang toward Kida, but Mike's quick reflexes saved her, as he fired his shotgun, sending the wendigo sprawling backward.
"Kida! We got to go!" Mike shouted, urgency thick in his voice.
Kida scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding as she ran alongside Mike, the wendigo recovering swiftly to chase after them.
"Oh shit!" Kida gasped, her breath hitching as they sprinted down the darkened corridor.
They reached a fork in the path, their panic rising.
"Jesus! Fuck fuck!" Mike exclaimed, looking frantically between the two paths.
Without a second thought, they veered left, bursting into a room and slamming the door behind them. They shoved a heavy cabinet against the door, their movements frantic and desperate. As they struggled to secure the barrier, the flame on Mike's torch flickered and died, plunging them into near darkness.
"Okay... UH!" Mike stammered, his voice edged with panic.
Kida leaned against the wall, trying to steady her racing heart. "I almost fainted."
"Don't give up just yet—" Mike's words were cut off as the wendigo crashed through the window of the door, its claws scraping the wood.
Reacting instinctively, Kida lunged at the creature, stabbing it repeatedly with a knife she had found earlier. Each strike was fueled by her terror and anger. The wendigo shrieked, retreating from the relentless attack.
"FUCK OFF, YOU UGLY PIECE OF SHIT!" Kida screamed, her voice raw with emotion.
Mike, momentarily stunned by her ferocity, nodded in approval. "Nice one. Let's keep going."
They turned to see Wolfie ahead, motioning his head toward the next room. Relieved, they thought they had finally escaped the Wendigo, but as they entered, they found themselves face-to-face with the creature once again. Instinctively, they crouched behind a desk, Mike peeping over to see the Wendigo wandering aimlessly.
Mike whispered to Kida, his voice barely audible, "Don't fucking move a muscle."
Kida, Mike, and Wolfie stood utterly still, their breaths shallow and controlled as the Wendigo's gaze swept over their hiding spot. The creature's grotesque form twitched and sniffed the air, its senses heightened by their presence. Every second felt like an eternity.
Suddenly, a bottle rolled off the desk they were hiding behind, clinking loudly as it hit the floor. Kida's heart pounded in her chest, her body frozen in fear. Mike reached out slowly, catching the bottle just before it rolled too far. His movements were slow and deliberate, trying not to draw the Wendigo's attention.
The Wendigo's head snapped toward the noise, its eyes glowing with a menacing hunger. Mike's grip tightened around the bottle, his muscles tense. For a moment, it seemed like the creature would discover them, but then it turned away, distracted by another faint noise in the distance.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Mike gently nudged Kida, signaling her to move. They began to inch their way out of the room, each step careful and precise to avoid making any noise. Wolfie led the way, his ears perked and alert to any potential danger.
As they moved through the narrow corridor, the tension was palpable. Kida could feel her heart in her throat, the fear of being caught paralyzing her thoughts. She kept her eyes on Mike, following his lead as they navigated the treacherous path.
Mike, Kida, and Wolfie trailed through the next room, weaving their way past cages containing desperate Wendigos. The creatures lunged at them, their claws scraping against the bars in a futile attempt to capture their prey. Mike and Kida moved with calculated precision, either stabbing or jabbing the Wendigos' heads with the butt of the shotgun to keep them at bay.
"Keep it down," Kida warned in a hushed tone. "Any noise might attract more Wendigos."
Mike nodded, his expression grim. They continued their careful navigation, avoiding the creatures' grasp. Despite the urgency of their situation, Kida couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for the cursed beings. She wondered about the humanity that lay beneath their monstrous exteriors, twisted and consumed by the curse of the mountain.
"Poor souls," she murmured, glancing at one of the Wendigos that seemed to momentarily lock eyes with her.
"Yep," Mike agreed, his voice tinged with bitterness. "But these fuckers aren't going to stop trying to eat us like we're a bucket of chicken."
Kida cringed at the mention of food. "Please don't mention any type of food," she replied, her stomach churning.
"Sorry," Mike said with a wry grin. "You might try to eat me next."
Kida shot him a sassy and sarcastic retort. "If I ever got that desperate, I'd start with your brain. It seems the least useful part."
Mike chuckled softly, appreciating her humor even in their dire situation. "Touché."
They moved on, their senses heightened by the constant threat surrounding them. Each step was deliberate, every sound was analyzed for danger. The flickering light from their torch cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the corridors feel even more claustrophobic. Kida's grip on the knife tightened, her resolve firm as she kept pace with Mike.
An unrestrained Wendigo appeared behind Wolfie, Mike, and Kida. They sprinted to the end of the Restraining Area hallway, but as Mike attempted to open the door at the end, it only partially budged. The Wendigo leaped across the walls, closing in on them as another followed behind.
"Dammit! Not good," Mike muttered through gritted teeth.
"Shit!" Kida's eyes darted around, searching for anything they could use. She spotted a barrel and quickly knocked it over with a forceful kick. "Shoot it!" she yelled.
Mike aimed his shotgun and fired. The barrel exploded, sending a fiery shockwave through the hallway. The blast threw Mike and Kida back, but it also engulfed the two Wendigos in flames, killing them instantly.
They looked up to see the now scorched Wendigos, their twisted forms lying lifeless. Mike got to his feet and grabbed Kida's hand, pulling her up as Wolfie growled at the remains.
"Easy, baby," Kida murmured to Wolfie, patting his side. "They're gone."
Mike glanced around, his face set with determination. "We need to keep moving."
They ran through the door behind them, and Mike closed and locked it. They then ascended a flight of stairs leading to the Psychiatric Ward. The air grew colder, and the oppressive silence returned, broken only by their labored breathing and the occasional distant groan of the building settling.
"Wendigos," Kida said, a sardonic edge to her voice. "I knew they were ugly, but damn, they don't photograph well, do they?"
Mike let out a short, humorless laugh. "No kidding. I wouldn't invite them to a photo shoot anytime soon."
The oppressive silence of the sanatorium pressed in on them as they navigated its dark, twisted corridors. Kida and Mike moved cautiously, every sound amplified by the cavernous halls, their breaths echoing softly in the gloom. The air was thick with a musty odor, a mix of decay and something far more sinister.
Mike broke the silence, his voice subdued but heavy with emotion. "Kida..."
She turned to him, her eyes reflecting the dim light. "Michael..."
"I never stopped thinking about her," he admitted, his voice strained.
Kida's brow furrowed, suspicion and sorrow mingling in her gaze. "Hannah?"
Mike nodded, a pained expression crossing his face. "Yeah. I hate that she's gone. All because of something I did."
Kida's lips pressed into a thin line. "She couldn't help her crush on you, Mike."
He attempted a weak smile, trying to inject some levity into the moment. "I mean, who could?"
Kida's blank stare quickly extinguished his fleeting smugness. Seeing her reaction, Mike's face fell, sincerity taking over. "I'm serious, Kida. I regret it every day. The prank, everything. I thought it was harmless fun, but it wasn't. It was cruel. I should've known better."
Her shoulders sagged under the weight of their shared grief. "We all made mistakes that night, Mike. But it doesn't change what happened. Hannah and Beth are gone because of it."
Mike's expression tightened, a mixture of guilt and determination hardening his features. "I just wish I could take it all back," he said, his voice thick with remorse.
"We can't," Kida replied, her voice steely. "But we can try to make it right. We have to survive this, Mike. For them. For ourselves."
"She did have a nice rack..."
"Dude!"
"Just teasing... kind of meant it."
Kida stifled a chuckle. "You're an ass, you know that."
Mike chuckled, the tension between them easing slightly. "So, um, what's with you wearing Mister Muscleman's jacket?"
Kida glanced down at the jacket, her fingers brushing over the worn leather. "He gave it to me... for warmth."
Mike raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Is that so? Or could it be something more?"
Kida rolled her eyes. "What is this? Gossip hour?"
Mike smirked. "Dodging my question. That starts it all."
Kida sighed, knowing there was no getting around it. "Okay, it is something more."
Mike leaned in, mockingly intrigued. "Ooo, pray tell~"
Kida's gaze softened as she thought about Matt. "Matt and I... rekindled tonight."
Mike's expression shifted from teasing to genuine curiosity. "Rekindled, huh? Didn't see that coming. So, what happened?"
Kida took a deep breath, her thoughts drifting back to the moments they had shared. "It's been a crazy night, Mike. So much has happened... But through it all, Matt was there. He saved me, and I saved him. We realized that we mean more to each other than just friends."
Mike nodded, his usual bravado giving way to sincerity. "You know, I always thought you two had something special. Even back then, when everything was normal and not filled with fucking monsters trying to feast on our flesh."
Kida smiled faintly, the warmth of the memory contrasting with the coldness of their surroundings. "Yeah, we do. I guess it just took a night like this to make us see it."
Mike patted her shoulder gently. "Well, I'm happy for you, Keeds. You deserve someone who'll look out for you."
Kida's smile widened. "Thanks, Mike."
As they continued to walk through the eerie halls of the sanatorium, their conversation drifted back to the task at hand. Despite the horrors they faced, the bond between them grew stronger, a testament to their resilience and determination to survive.
Kida glanced at Mike as they cautiously made their way through the decrepit sanatorium. The flickering light from the torch that Mike had given her, cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the place feel even more haunted. She couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about something that had been nagging at her.
"What's the deal with you and Jessica?"
Mike paused, glancing at her. He seemed to weigh his words carefully before speaking. "Jess? Well, it's complicated," he admitted, his tone tinged with regret. "I was drawn to her because of her carefree nature. She was so different from Emily, you know? Em could be intense, always needing to be in control. Jess... Jess was the opposite. She made me feel free like I could just be myself."
Kida nodded, remembering how Mike and Emily's relationship had always seemed strained like a rubber band stretched too thin. "I get that. But you must have known it would cause problems."
"Yeah, I did," Mike sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I ruined Jess and Em's relationship. I didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. Emily and I broke up last year. You remember that, right? You were there when it all went down."
Kida recalled the scene vividly. The shouting match between Mike and Emily had echoed through the halls of the lodge, ending with Mike calling it quits and walking away. Emily storming out, tears streaming down her face. Jessica had been there too, looking guilty and torn. It had been a mess.
"I honestly thought Jess and I were just a temporary thing," Mike continued. "A fling, you know? But over time, I realized I grew to love her. It wasn't just about having fun anymore. She meant something to me."
Kida could see the sincerity in his eyes, the way his voice softened when he talked about Jessica. Despite the chaos of the night and the danger lurking around every corner, there was a raw honesty in Mike's words that she couldn't ignore.
A Wendigo appeared behind them, its ghastly form illuminated by the flickering torchlight.
"Fuck!" Mike exclaimed, his eyes wide with alarm.
Kida's heart pounded in her chest. "So much for downtime!"
They sprinted through the dilapidated sanatorium, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. Mike shot the door in front of them open and hurried inside, Kida and Wolfie close behind. He quickly shoved a cabinet against the door, creating a makeshift barricade.
Kida scanned the room for an escape route, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. She spotted a hole in the floor, just big enough for them to squeeze through. "Mike!" she called, pointing to their potential escape.
Without wasting a moment, they headed over to the hole, with Wolfie standing guard. Kida jumped down first, landing with a grunt as she tried to cushion her fall. Mike followed, but as he turned to call for Wolfie, he saw the wolf backing away, its gaze fixed on the approaching danger.
"Come on down, buddy," Mike urged, his voice filled with desperation.
Kida's eyes softened as she looked up at the loyal animal. "It's okay, sweetie. Come on."
But Wolfie didn't budge. The animal remained resolute, its protective instincts kicking in as it prepared to face the Wendigo alone. Mike and Kida exchanged a look of disappointment, understanding the wolf's decision.
"Be safe," Kida whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"OkieDokie, buddy. Catch you on the flip side," Mike added, his tone a mix of sorrow and determination.
Kida and Mike ran up the stairs toward the exit. Mike pushed the door with a grunt, but it didn't budge. The Wendigo arrived, its grotesque form looming over them.
"We got company!" Kida shouted, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Shit!" Mike cursed, pulling out his shotgun.
Kida glanced at the knife in her hand, her fingers trembling slightly. She knew she had to fight, but the sheer terror of facing the vicious creature left her momentarily frozen.
"Try bursting the door! I'll handle these freaks!" Mike ordered, his eyes focused and determined.
"On it!" Kida responded, snapping out of her fear.
She threw herself at the door, desperately trying to force it open. The Wendigos screeched and lunged at Mike, who fired his shotgun repeatedly, each shot echoing through the narrow corridor. Kida's muscles strained as she pushed against the door, feeling it give way inch by inch.
"I got it open!" she cried out, just as Mike took down one of the Wendigos. Another one lunged at him, its claws outstretched.
"Mike, come on!" Kida yelled, panic rising in her chest.
Mike's eyes darted around the room, spotting barrels lining the walls. An idea formed in his mind. With a grim smile, he aimed his shotgun at the barrels.
"Time to light this place up," he muttered to himself.
He fired, and the barrels exploded with a deafening roar. The force of the blast sent flames and debris in every direction, the shockwave knocking Kida and Mike off their feet. They tumbled out of the door, landing hard on the ground outside.
Groaning in pain, they looked back over their shoulders to see the building engulfed in flames. The inferno raged, consuming everything in its path, including the monstrous Wendigos.
Kida winced as she sat up, her body aching from the impact. "Did you really have to blow the whole place up?"
Mike, breathing heavily, managed a chuckle as he got up. "Hey, it worked, didn't it?"
She gave a weak smile, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "Yeah, it did. Nice shot, hotshot."
He extended a hand to help her up, his grip firm and reassuring. "Let's get out of here."
As Mike and Kida turned around, their hearts sank at the sight of silhouettes coming toward them through the fog. The dim light and the eerie atmosphere made it difficult to discern friend from foe. They prepared themselves for a fight, fearing the approach of more Wendigos.
But as the figures loomed closer, Mike recognized the first figure. It was a female wearing red and blue, her leggings peering through the mist. It was Sam.
"Mike? Josh?!" Sam called out, her voice strained with worry.
"Sam! Over here!" Mike shouted back, relief washing over him.
Sam appeared, her eyes wide with shock as she spotted Mike. But instead of the second person being Josh, it was Kida. Sam stood frozen, her mind struggling to process the sight of her best friend alive and almost well. She thought Kida was gone based on what Matt had told her. Before she could speak, Mike rushed over to her.
"Holy smokes, am I glad to see you," Mike said, pulling Sam into a brief, relieved embrace.
"Glad to see you all in one piece," Sam replied, her voice trembling.
Her eyes trailed to Kida, who was staring at the second figure coming closer. She saw grey sweatpants with one pant leg missing by the calf and blue and black snow boots. Her heart swelled with emotion as she realized it was the person she longed for so desperately.
Matt approached absentmindedly, his focus on Sam and Mike, not yet realizing Kida was just a few feet away.
"Did we find them?" he asked, his voice tinged with fatigue and hope.
He glanced at Mike, his eyes filled with disbelief and relief. Despite their differences in the basement, Mike gave Matt a quick pat on the shoulder.
"Good to see you," Mike said.
Sam's eyes never left Kida as Kida's gaze lingered on Matt. Matt took notice of Mike and Sam's expressions, their intense gazes making him curious. He turned, and his eyes finally landed on her.
Matt's voice cracked as he called out, "Kida...?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked out her words, "Hey, rookie."
The bittersweet smile on her face broke the dam of emotions. Matt burst into tears, his knees giving way as he sank to the ground. Kida rushed towards him, her own tears streaming down her face. They met halfway, collapsing into each other's arms, holding on as if they might disappear again.
"I thought I'd never see you again. I thought... I thought you were gone," Kida sobbed.
Matt's voice was muffled against her shoulder. "I thought you were dead. I watched you fall... I thought I'd lost you forever."
They held each other tightly, the world around them fading away. Their reunion was raw, filled with the anguish of near loss and the joy of unexpected survival. The sounds of the burning sanatorium, the crackling flames, and the distant calls of their friends all became background noise to the intensity of their moment.
Matt pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. Without another word, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply, pouring all his fear, relief, and love into that kiss. When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
"Didn't expect it to turn out to become a rom-com" Mike said, watching with wide eyes.
Sam smiled warmly at the sight. "It's about time that those two got it right."
Matt, still rambling with tears streaming down his face, said, "You're crazy, you know that? Absolutely crazy. I can't believe you made it through all that. I thought I'd lost you, Kida. I thought... I thought I'd lost you forever. You can't do that to me. I can't lose you. I love you, Kida. I love you so much."
"I love you too, Matt. I love you so much," Kida choked up, her hands gripping his sweater.
Matt's voice steadied as he spoke firmly. "You're not leaving my side again. Ever. Do you hear me? I'm not letting you go."
Kida nodded, tears mingling with a smile. "I hear you. And I promise, I'm not going anywhere."
They stood there, holding each other tightly as the flames roared behind them, the bond between them stronger than ever. The world around them might be filled with horrors, but in each other's arms, they found a reason to keep fighting, to keep hoping, and to keep loving.
Mike cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Alright, lovebirds, hate to break up the moment, but we really need to get the hell out of here."
Sam nodded. "He's right. We should get back to the lodge and figure out our next move. But first, we got to find Josh."
Matt reluctantly let go of Kida but kept her hand firmly in his as they turned to follow Mike and Sam. They started making their way back through the fog, the flames of the sanatorium still crackling in the background.
"Thanks for getting me through that, Mike," Kida said, glancing at him.
Mike smirked. "No problem, just glad we all made it out in one piece."
"Let's keep it that way. We've still got a long night ahead of us," Sam added.
The group moved with cautious determination, the bond between them strengthened by the horrors they had faced. They were survivors, and they would face whatever came next together.