...9 hours until dawn...

darkness
εϊз

Natalie sat there in silence until Josh and Chris made their way down the steps. "How're doing?" Chris asked Ashley, with confidence.

"I'm good, but it's cold. I would really like to be curled up by the fire right now." Ashley said softly.

"That does sound nice." Chris acknowledged and then walked off with Josh. Natalie loved her brother, but sometimes she just wished he'd ask Ashley out already. It's not like the feelings weren't obvious.

Natalie sighed, memories flooding back of the previous years they'd spent on the mountains. The happier years. Everything that happened over the past year came flooding back. The survivor's guilt, the thoughts, the bad ones.

But Natalie fought through it and kept a smile on her face. She again heard her phone buzz, but this time it was Emily

—
Emily Davis: is everyone there?

Natalie Hartley: everyone's at the lodge besides Mike and Jess who are at the station.

Emily: alright I should be there soon.
—

Natalie smiled at her phone and put it back in her pocket, shivering from the cold air. "God Chris better hurry his ass up," Natalie said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah agree, I'm about to freeze my bun off," Ashley declared, giggling.

It didn't take long for Chris to thaw the door, the 4 of them stood to their feet and a Wolverine ran out startling Chris. The four jumped out of the way. "Jesus fuck!" Chris exclaimed.

"What was that you okay?" Ashley asked.

"It was like a bear or a tiger," Chris explained, shaking his jacket off.

"Seriously Chris?" Natalie said with disbelief.

"Aww it was just a cute baby wolverine," Sam teased, in a mocking voice.

Josh appeared behind them, "Don't worry you'll get your big boy pants someday." He joked.

They all stepped inside. It was slightly warmer inside, but there wasn't electricity. "The place barely looks any different." Matt pointed out.

"Yeah, no one's been up here," Josh said. People started setting their bags down.

"Even with the police coming in and out?" Sam asked.

"Not a lot of action lately," Chris explained.

"Nope." Josh agreed.

Matt took a seat on the couch, the rest of them just standing in the corner. Josh was trying to start a fire when Mike and Jess walked in, "What's up party people!" Mike cheered.

"Heyyy!" Jess exclaimed.

"Hey." Everyone said at different times.

"Make yourselves at home," Josh offered.

They all gave welcoming smiles, there now Natalie had seen everyone besides Emily. She spoke too soon, she was staring at the phone when she suddenly heard footsteps and Emily's voice "oh my god. That is so gross? Are you trying to swallow his face whole?" Emily said annoyed, making Natalie's head turn quickly. "Seriously can she be any more obvious? No one wants in your territory honey"

Matt stood to his feet "Em-" he said quietly.

Jess as well stood up, "Excuse me did you say something?" Jess asked, annoyed as well.

"Oh did you not hear me was your sluttiness too loud?" Emily argued.

"Sounds like someone's bitter she didn't make the cut." Jessica fumed, her eyes shifting to Mike.

"Yeah, it's a big cattle call with that dreamboat. Congrats you're top cow!" Emily cheered, faking.

"Cuts real deep calling Miss Homecoming a cow." Jessica pointed out.

Matt stepped forward, while the rest just watched  "Jess you're making everyone uncomfortable."

Jess rolled her eyes "Jealous much? Emily to frigid for you too?"

"Hey, that's uncalled for" Matt stated.

"Whatever, I don't give a crap what you think," Jess argued.

"At least I can think. 4.0 bitch, honor roll. Suck on that while you're trying to sleep your way into a job." Emily snapped.

"Who needs grades when you've got all the natural advantages you can handle," Jess remarked.

"Oh please," Emily said, rolling her eyes.

"You couldn't buy a moldy loaf of bread, with your skanky ass." Jess sneered.

"Are you serious? Do you think that's insulting?" Emily asked.

"That bitch is on crack or something!" Jess told Mike.

Matt sighed, "Jessica you need to shut your mouth okay!" Matt snapped.

Jessica looked at him "No, you're the one who needs to keep your nose out of other people's business!" Jess shouted.

"I'm about to get right up into your business you bitch!" Emily yelled.

"Are we about to get real? Because I am down to get real!" Jess challenged.

"Stop it!" Josh shouted, "This isn't why I invited us back. Mike, why don't you check out the guest cabin I told you about?"

Mike nodded, "Alright, cmon Jess." He agreed.

"Anywhere without that bitch." Jess remarked before leaving with Mike.

"Well, I'm gonna go take a bath." Sam finally said and headed up the stairs. Josh went out after Mike and Jess a few minutes later. Natalie looked over at Emily.

"Hey..." Natalie said quietly.

"Hey, Nat. How're you." Emily asked, looking at her.

Natalie saw the olive skin, the black-haired girl she once was in love with. And still was. "I'm alright. And you?" She answered.

Emily nodded "Good, I'm good." Emily answered and then looked at Matt. "Shit Matt! We forgot a bag! Cmon let's go." The two left together and Josh came back in. Sam came back down.

"Josh your hot water isn't on!" Sam told him, Josh sighed, telling the three of them to go find a spirit board and went to help Sam.

"Does be really think the spirit board is a good idea?" Natalie asked.

Chris shrugged, "I dunno." He responded.

"Cmon guys it'll be like a scavenger hunt!" Ashley cheered.

"Um... oh kay?" Chris inquired and the three of them went looking for the spirit board.

- flashback -

Natalie roamed the halls of the huge lodge with Hannah and Beth. The giggling girls talking about the normal things teen girls talked about. Hannah was talking about boys, especially Mike, before she looked at Natalie, "What boy do you like?" She asked, giggling.

Natalie bit down on her lip. Boys, no, she didn't like boys. Not one bit. Hannah and Beth would be the right people to tell in the group. Beth was a lesbian, Hannah was proud of Beth. "I don't like boys..." Natalie mumbled, "I like girls- I'm like Beth."

Hannah smiled widely "Oh that is great!" She cheered happily, "So what girl do you like?"

Beth smiled at Natalie "Well uh." Natalie said quietly "Em."

Hannah gave a shocked look "Em? Like as in the Emily Davis. Dating Mike?" She asked.

Natalie nodded "Hannah it's not that big of a deal." Beth told her. "She likes Emily, maybe that'll give you a better chance with Mike."

- flashback over -

Her secret died with the twins, but that was okay. She didn't plan on telling anyone. Natalie followed Chris and Ashley to look for the spirit board. Once they couldn't find it Chris made hai way to the basement to get it. Leaving Ashley and Natalie in the living room.

"It was not funny Chris!" Sam shouted, annoyed.

"Yes, it was!" Chris defended, smiling as he came around the corner in the most outrageous outfit.

"What in God's name are you wearing?" Ashley asked, walking up to him. The two go on for a moment before Chris pulls out the board.

"You know what? I've had enough scaring for one night." Sam said, "I'm gonna go take a nice hot bath."

Chris shrugged "Suit yourself." He replied. Sam turned and walked up the stairs.

"Ready?" Josh asked.

Natalie nodded "I guess so." She replied.