After the insanity of the night before, the morning dawns rather anti-climatically. Though it seems like something should be different, everything seems so perfectly normal that it's almost boring. You dress for the day and look around the cabin. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day you headed home, but after last night, you just don't have it in you to stick around.

You go about the cabin, quietly and efficiently packing your bags for the trip back to your home in the city. It may be boring there, but boring is certainly loads better than almost-death in the woods. As the last of your stuff slides into your duffel bag, you sling it over your shoulder and head to the stairs.

Guilt settles into your stomach. It bothers you that you're leaving without finding Luke's sister. But he's such a nice ghost, that surely he wouldn't want you to stick your neck out and risk another close encounter. You step down, one careful step at a time, remembering the last time the stairs had betrayed you.

The wood creaks under your weight, but holds nice and steady. You smile to yourself, thinking about hot coffee and safety.

The air around you chills dramatically. Goosebumps form up and down your arms as a voice comes from behind you. "Leaving?" Luke sounds so much colder now.

You turn to look over your shoulder. Standing just behind you is a very visible Luke, his eyes so white that there is no pupil at all. "What?" You ask, confused.

He frowns. "You can't leave. You promised."

A shiver runs down your spine. "I...I'm not leaving. I'm just...going to find Annabelle. Like I said."

Luke's eyebrows crease, and his mouth opens wider than is humanly possible, showing a dark void behind his lips. "You're LYING!" He screams and rushes forward, through you. Your foot slips backwards. Your bag slips out of your hand as you reach out to grab something, anything to stop yourself from falling.

Your hand goes right through the air. There's no one to catch you this time.

You hit the stairs, and a loud crack fills the air. Instantly, the world goes black.

The next time you open your eyes, the world is a hazy white mist. You're cold. So cold.

What were you doing? You look around. Nothing? Leaving? No. You shake your head. No, you can't leave.

You can never leave.

**********

[END]

Ending Achieved: Eternity in Cabin Thirteen