"Oh, fuck. What the fuck!" Mike yells, grabbing my arm and pushing me to the side as he steps in front of me, moving around in every direction as if he's unsure what to do. "The gun!"  

    Before he can reach for it, Zac grabs the shotgun from the wall beside him, making sure it has ammo before he rips the door open. 

    Seeing Zac charging out of the guest cabin, my bravery seems to kick in for the first time in my life, my feet moving me forward at the same time Mike does. 

    Mike beats me to the door, snatching a lantern from the table as he runs out of the door, "Jessica!"

    I want to vomit. I want to scream. Most of all I want to turn back time and never agree to come up to this stupid mountain. Something haunts this place, something long before Hanna and Beth. I don't know what that was, but it wasn't a bear. If anything, it was a person. A very angry person. 

    "Jess!" I scream, pushing through the snow as the three of us barrel down the path of no return. Our feet dent the drag marks left by Jess, as if we're trampling over where she clawed her way to life. 

    I swallow, trying to hold down my feelings of sickness as I keep up with the group.            

    "Oh my god," I breathe, my hands shaking as my boots crunch broken glass into the snow. Pushing my eyes away from the cabin's discarded pieces, I force myself to keep running, "Jess!"

    "Jessica!" Zac screams from ahead, the gun clutched tightly in his fist. 

    Mike holds the lantern just as tightly, turning over his shoulder as if to make sure I'm still close behind. 

    "Jess!" Zac screams once more. We all skid to a stop when the path divets into two paths. One of them seems potentially dangerous and the other seems like it'll take us longer to get around. "Which way do we go?"

    "This way," I command, feeling a sense of bravery and leadership I never usually have in these situations. I push to the left, jumping down onto a snow-covered barrel. Ice-cold water swirls around me, sending an icy chill up to my warm cheeks. 

    Looking up, I asses the barrel in front of me before readying myself to jump. I land on the next barrel, my left foot almost slipping from the wet surface. I hear the two males jump down onto the barrel behind me just as I jump to the next one. 

    I make it to the other side, only waiting momentarily for the other two to join me on solid ground. We all run further at the same time, snow covering our calves and shoes. 

    "Jessica!" Mike's shrill scream fills the air, floating around us like the snowflakes in our hair. 

    I have to blink to push the image of Jess away from the forefront of my mind. The sight of her screaming face darkens my vision like a horrible blindfold made of nightmares. 

    We stop once we reach a clearing, snow-covered branches decorating the side of the small cliff. Our breaths are out of sync as we wheeze from adrenaline and extended exercise. I stare down between the trees, Mike and Zac at my sides as we try to find any sign of the missing blonde girl. 

    Mike snatches the gun from Zac, crouching down on one knee as he lines the sight up with his eye and scans the area below. His exposed biceps only make me feel colder just by looking at him, snow turning the skin there red. 

    "Jess!" He screams, jolting his head back away from the sight and passing the gun back to Zac. Zac peers through the sight as Mike looks up at me, something like dread decorating his features, "She's down there!"

   Almost as if on queue, I hear Jess's screams echo below, "No!! Michael, help me! Zac! Ruby! Help!"

    Her screams fade as if she's being dragged away, Mike and Zac both stepping to their feet as we examine the path. Her screams alone make me sick, something that makes me glad I didn't see whatever it was they saw through the sight. 

    Mike makes the first move, clutching the lantern slightly as he jumps down the clearing. His jeans hit the snow, leaving a trail as he slides down the slope, "Holy shit!"

    "Fuck, fuck, fuck," He chants, dropping the lantern to grab onto a hanging tree branch. He swings for a second, the branch breaking his momentum as he drops to his feet on the ground below. He picks up the lantern, turning his head up to us, "C'mon!"

    "You go first," Zac instructs, nodding down at the slope. I nod, searching his face for any sign of fear or uncertainty. 

   Knowing time is of the essence, I drop down to the edge of the slope and slide down, copying Mike's movements as I latch onto the branch, allowing myself to steady for a few seconds before hitting the ground. 

   Looking up at Zac, he throws the gun down at me before sliding down himself. I catch it, the item giving me deja vu to only a few hours ago when he tossed our bags over the stone wall. 

    He joins us on the ground, taking the gun back from me as we run through the snow once again. 

   My calves burn from the tough terrain, pushing through heavy layers of snow again and again. Ducking under low-hanging tree branches and jumping over slightly hidden logs, we get closer and closer to Jess's screams for help.

    We reach another gap in our pursuit of rescue. The earth in front of us splits into sections, a plunging gap between the rock platforms and walls. 

    "Okay, we gotta jump," Mike tells us, examining the area further.

    "What?" I gape, feeling stupid for worrying about such a silly thing at a time like this. But, I've never been good with anything scary. Anytime the boys would put on even the tamest horror movie I'd close my eyes and leave the room. This is real life, and there's no closing my eyes. 

    "You'll be fine, okay?" Mike pauses to give me a reassuring look, ducking to meet my eyes. 

    Zac goes first, leaping onto the first section of stone. He lands without struggle, jumping to the next platform until he gets to the other side. 

    "I'll go first and catch you if you fall, okay? But, we gotta go," Mike nods, waiting for me to copy the movements. He jumps once more, landing on the platform as I follow suit. I land beside him just as he jumps to the other one, my chest pounding. 

    I leap to the next part of the separated earth, my feet landing right on the edge. I feel myself falling back, my arms trying to grasp thin air for a chance at survival. Just as I feel like I'm about to plummet into darkness, Mike latches onto my arm and pulls me up straight. 

   Making eye contact with him, I feel my heart racing. His cold hands leave me as he turns and jumps to the other side. 

    "C'mon, Rubes. You got this," Zac encourages, turning his back to us as he continues to run after Jess. Mike mentally kicks me back into drive, forcing me to focus on jumping to stable ground. 

     I swallow my fear, my feet being surrounded by layers of snow once more as we exit the cracks and deep plunge below. 

    We run up the hill, meeting Zac at the top as he contemplates another decision in the path. We can either follow the path or take another potentially dangerous slide. 

    "We gotta slide," I nod, the two boys looking at me as they nod in agreement.

     I mentally encourage myself as all three of us line up with the slope, pushing off into a slide in perfect sync. 

    We reach another tree hanging over. My palms latch onto it as Zac clings to a lower branch. Mike misses the tree completely, his momentum only building as he continues to slide through the snow.

   "Mike!" I shout, my heart leaping in my chest as he inches closer to the edge. I let go of the branch, snow collecting around me as I slide further down, Zac close behind me.

    "Dammit, no!" He yells, snow flicking from his hands as he reaches for a wired fence. He manages to grab onto it, his body swinging over the ledge, hanging above a wooden platform. 

    He lets go of the fence, dropping onto the platform as Zac and I join him. 

     The wood rattles underneath our harsh entrance, Mike's fists clenched as he looks around for his discarded lantern. 

    "C'mon, let's go, Mikey boy!" Zac encourages, tossing the gun to Mike in a continued game of pass the parcel. He drops down to the platform, hanging off the edge as he angles himself to land on the ground below. 

    I go next, my roughed-up hands burning as I grip tightly onto the wood. 

    Just as Mike's feet hit the snow, Jess's screams hit my ears. This time, she seems closer than ever. 

    "Fuck," I almost whine, taking off in her direction first. 

    "Jessica!" Zac screams once more, close behind me as we duck through wooden entrances and avoid hanging chains. 

    This is a part of the mountain I'm unfamiliar with. During all my years up here with the Washington family, it still shocks me how I've only ever seen a sliver of the terrain.

     Running past minecarts and rails, we make it to a rickety old building. 

    My body forces itself to stop at the sight before me. The boys run past me as my eyes take in the image before me. I see Jess as she claws at the snow, her calls for salvation unanswered as she continues to be dragged into the wooden building. 

    "Jessica!" Zac's voice snaps me out of it.

    I need to get out of my own fucking head. 

    Shaking said body part, I push on and catch up to the males as they enter the building. I stay close to them, the door slamming shut behind me. 

    "Jess!" Zac calls once more. 

    "Zac! Help me, please!" Jess screams back, her voice stained with agony and terror. 

    "I'm coming, Jess!" He shouts in response, all of our heads swivelling in each direction, "We're coming!"

    I take the lead, biting my tongue to keep me from becoming frozen in fear. I run towards the left of the room, reaching a staircase leading down to a lower level. 

    A mineshaft in the corner of the room greets us, all of us running towards it and navigating the rickety tunnel. Turning a corner, I see an open mine cage with a figure lying in the middle of it. 

    My stomach once again tries to force itself into my throat, my hand grabbing my stomach as I continue to run towards the figure. 

   Jess lays in the middle of the cage, her eyes closed and clothes torn. Her braids are loose with strands everywhere, blood and cuts covering her skin. 

    "No!" Zac screams, dropping to his knees next to her as I sit near her head, my knees aching on the metal structure. 

    "Oh, god," Mike almost cried in agony, dropping to one knee on my left. 

    "Jess?" I whisper, my throat numb from all the screaming. 

    Suddenly, Jess's limbs twitch as she starts to move, her head lifting to look between the three of us in shock. 

    "She's alive," Zac breathes, moving onto the mine cage to get to the other side of her. Mike drops the gun behind us as Zac pulls his jacket from his shoulders, dropping it down over Jess's body. 

    "Are you okay?" I croak, looking over her for any life-threatening injuries.     

    She looks at me, her eyes far away and blank before she opens her trembling lips, "I'm... sorry," She forces out. 

    I blink, taken aback by her words. Sorry for what? Our turbulent friendship or not believing me back at the cabin? I look up at Zac on the other side of Jess, his eyes focused on the girl between us.

    "It's okay, Jess. Let's just get you to safety," I reassure, reaching to stroke her hair in comfort. 

    The platform shakes, dropping down an inch just as I do. Zac's head rips up to meet my eyes, a lock of horror plastered on his face as he reaches for me. 

   Mike's hands grab my shoulder as sparks fly from the chains holding the contraption up. The platform falls, Zac's hand separating from my reach the further he plummets to his death, taking Jess with him. 

    All I can do is watch in horror, Mike's hands firmly on my shoulders as I watch my brother and friend dive into darkness. 

    "Zac!" A primal scream leaves my lungs, my body limp in his hold as the chains beside my head rattle and objects fall from the large metal structure. "Jess!"

    "Oh, god, oh my god," Mike stammers from behind me. 

   I can't blink, I can't breathe or think in a straight line.

   Jess is gone, Zac is gone. They could be taking their last breath right now under my eyes, too blanketed by darkness for their lifeless eyes to meet mine, for their deaths to leave an impact on the world. 

   Creaking from above finally grabs my attention, tears spilling from my eyes as I look up at the structure above. 

   My shaky arms push my body to a stand, Mike already standing as he follows my line of sight. My jaw tightens, anger and revenge swirling inside of me as I snatch the gun from the metal grates and line the sight up with above. I look through the glass, spying a silhouette peaking over from the platform above. 

   I don't hesitate before pulling the trigger, sending a shot ringing throughout the building as the bullet glides through the air. 

   Taking the gun, I hand it over to Mike and run up the stairs to the left. He doesn't say a word, the same look of anger swirling in his eyes. We both start to run up the steps, every burn once in my legs has now been buried under my shock. 

    A gap in the metal doesn't deter me as I jump from one side of the gap to the other, Mike's powerful jump rattling the cage. 

    Reaching the top of the stairs, we pause to look up at what's left of the structure. The only thing standing between us and the person who killed our friends. 

   Mike slings the gun over his neck, the shotgun resting on his back. He glances over at me, my eyes meeting his in a look of silent understanding. 

    "Ladies first," I comment, waiting for him to lead the way.

    He nods, climbing onto the bottom lining before jumping and latching onto the metal corner jutting out. He steadies his footing, climbing up further to allow room for me to follow. 

   I cling to the metal, my knuckles almost turning white as my fingertips turn red from the pressure. I pull myself up the corner of the structure, only pausing to jump from the side to the middle of the tower where edges easier to climb become available. 

    Looking up, I watch as a sheet of metal comes loose near Mike, his yell reaching my ears as he momentarily loses his balance. I duck, avoiding the falling piece of material as Mike steadies himself once more.

   "You okay?" I yell up at him, continuing to climb.

    "Yeah, you?" He calls back.

    "Peachy," 

    I watch as he reaches a certain point in the tower, pausing to turn around and face a platform. He steadies himself, moving the gun to hold it in his hand before jumping onto the platform. 

   Reaching the same point, I turn to face him, my eyes refusing to look down at the height below. I let go of the metal gaps behind me, launching over to the platform. Mike stands there waiting, grabbing onto my arms as I reach for him and steadying me as my feet hit solid ground. 

   "You good?" He checks in once again. I nod, catching my breath as I let go of his freezing skin and look over his shoulder. 

    He reluctantly lets me go, turning his back to me to face the entrance to another mineshaft.

    To my horror, I watch the retreating figure of a man as he casually strolls into the mineshaft. 

    "Oh, shit," Mike whispers, holding the gun up to his eye and aiming it just as the man disappears from view. 

    "There he is!" I whisper/shout, tapping Mike's exposed bicep.

   He reaches back without looking, using one hand to sling the gun back over his shoulder as the other latches onto my wrist. He pulls me along, both of us running and following the path of the man who took my brother from me. 

    We enter the mineshaft and round a corner, seeing the same figure retreating further into the distance. We pull to a stop, Mike pulling the gun off of his shoulder as he lines the sight up once more. He aims it towards the figure, holding it steady as his finger pulls on the release. 

    He squeezes the trigger and the weapon doesn't respond, nothing but the sound of the gun jamming. Mike drops the gun from his eye, "Goddamit. Jammed-up piece of shit,"

    As Mike battles with the shotgun, I watch as the man exits through a closing roller door, crouching down to drop out of view. 

    "Mike!" I call his name as I take off running in the direction of the exit. I get closer, dropping to my knees and sliding under it before it shuts. I stay seated on the other side, watching as Mike just barely scrapes through the exit. It shuts behind him, both of us standing up as we try to gain our bearings back.

    My eyes almost immediately find an old lantern sitting in front of me. I tap Mike once more, crouching down to inspect the thing as Mike pulls a lighter from his pocket. He activates it, light filling the mineshaft once more as we stand. 

    We start to run in sync, pushing through the mines as we look for any clues as to where the man may have gone. 

   It feels like the mines go on forever before a chill hits my bones and bites through my clothes. We push against the snow and through the exit, Mike's arms closing into himself as he clearly becomes more aware of his lack of layers. 

    "Here," I begin, reaching for the corners of my unzipped puffer vest. I know it's not much, but it's better than running around the snow in a tank. His hand grabs mine, stopping me from grabbing it and instead latching onto the zipper. He pulls it up, sealing me deeper into warmth. 

   "Keep it. It won't do much for me," He shivers.

    I nod, peeling my eyes away from him as warmth spreads across my cheeks. I look up at the hill, pushing to the top of it with Mike by my side. 

    A big, sanatorium-style building sits in the distance, a figure trudging up the snowy hill towards it. A map of the mountain flashes in my head, the old sanatorium on the hill ringing a bell.

    "Jesus, the fuck is that place?" Mike whispers more to himself.

    "I think we're about to find out," 

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AUTHORS NOTE

rip zac & jess 🙏

some ruby & mike moments tho to make up for my girls trama 

also, this story may get a little alternative to the until dawn script but nothing that majorly changes the plot. so, if something happens here that doesn't happen in the game or I accidently write a butterfly effect sequence wrong, just ignoreeee. 

I wanna write in a way that makes sense for ruby and I don't feel like watching every single possible outcome of every decision just to make it accurate. all the major ones will be the same tho ofc. 

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