STEPPING BACK OUTSIDE INTO THE FREEZING COLD WASN'T ON THE TO DO LIST OF RILEY'S, SHE WOULD RATHER BE WRAPPED IN A BLANKET THEN STRUGGLE THROUGH IT AGAIN. She cursed out Josh in her mind for somehow forgetting wood, when she knew that there was plenty around the lodge, but apparently he didn't think so for some reason.

        Riley didn't want to argue with her best friend, so she maned up and did as he asked, even if she felt the request was a bit off. It basically felt like he was purposely getting her out of the lodge, but maybe she was just overthinking like usual.

        It didn't help things either knowing who might be waiting at the cabin, the one male whom she tries her hardest to ignore for her to only end up back in his trap. She couldn't escape him, and she thinks she doesn't mind.

        Yet, she had to keep those emotions in check, for the sake of the rest of the friend group and herself. She wouldn't make herself look as desperate for Mike like Jess was, even though she was way worse according to Josh.

        Seeing them all again, especially the male who caused her heart inner torment, brought back up a lot of buried emotions and feelings inside her. One's she hasn't felt since she lost the siblings, but she never forgot, not when they haunted her nightmares.

    Riley shivered from the cool breeze blowing against her, the girl wearing her normal red jumper with another black puffer jacket covering her. That still didn't help with the coolness, and once again she cursed Josh for making her do this.

      He knew I wouldn't say no... she grumbled in her thoughts, stepping down the stairs that lead to the pathway where the cabin was, as she held a torch in her other gloved hand.

       The girl managed to grab some of Josh's gloves, even though they were ten times larger then her hands, but they still did the job at preventing her fingers from freezing off to the harsh weather.

       Her footsteps make scrunching sounds each time she moved forward, and her boots left marks in the snow. She shined the light on the ground before her, and grumbled some more noticing the fresh footprints left, them most likely belonging to the two whom she didn't want to interact with.

        There was a wooden fence along the side, which lead her to follow along it as it acted as a guide and reassurance to her. Dark eyes caught onto the lamp light that was supposed to be on near the middle of the path, yet it wasn't on.

       "Lucky he gave me this torch then." Riley spoke out loud to herself, trying to distract herself from panicking over being alone in the same mountain that took life away so easily.

       Snowflakes dropped into her brown hair, coating it in the icey substance, and she blew away a few that landed on her flushed cheeks from the wind. Her fingers tangled into her fringe, and pushed that up away from her eyes also.

       The torch twisted around in her grasp, fiddling with it instead of the necklace that was hidden away under her jacket. It brightened up her pathway, and gave her little light, but enough to see where she was going in front.

       Riley passed by the stone wall that blocked off more of the snowy woods, it being smaller then the one at the entrance. Her eyes darted away from it, just as she felt that eerier feeling of being watched from the shadows.

       Don't look, don't look.... she thought to herself anxiously, trying to stay calm as her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and picked up her walking pace to a faster one.

       The snow kicked up behind her as she did so, but she didn't stop for nothing. This was why she hated walking around the mountain all by herself, especially when it was at night too, that didn't make things any better.

       All of a sudden, the lights around the pathway leading to the cabin gate switched on with a buzz, and it caused Riley to exclaim surprised, not expecting that to happen.

       She stumbled forward, tripping over a rock in the snow, but managed to gain her footing just before she landed face first. Heavy breaths left her mouth, which was visible to the eye from the cool air.

       Noises from the distances caught her attention, the girl leaning her palms on her knees to catch her breath from the scare. After a few seconds she stood back up, and continued to hurry forward.

       The electrical gate ahead was wide open, and she rolled her eyes knowing who left it like that. Typical of them, she thought walking through the gate, and gently closed it behind her, hearing it lock back up automatically.

       Riley still used the torch to light the way, but the lights over her helped even more so. The many steps she came up to made her deadpan, and sucked in a breath as she started to climb up them.

       She managed to climb up the rest of the pathway, where it only lead to more steps and a soft groan of annoyance left her. However, her blood turned ice cold hearing a high pitched screech in the distance, and she span around to glance the area frantically.

        Her bottom lip trembled a little in fear, and bit down on it to stop the movement. She kept a tighter grip on the torch, trying to catch a glimpse of what made that sound. She wasn't sure if she wanted to find the cause or not, but she hated feeling clueless of what might be lurking in the shadows around her.

       Yet, she didn't stick around to find out. Riley span on her heels, and she was immediately making a sprint to where the small shed was located next to the cabin. Nothing stopped the girl, not even her hair flying into her vision, or her necklace and jewellery clinging with every step she made.

       The fear of something watching her, something lurking in the shadows ready to pounce was more than enough to get her body moving. She wasn't the best sprinter, but she became the fastest when it was life or death, more specifically her life.

       Riley followed the footprints left in the snow from Mike, taking the route that he seemed to when walking up the path. The fresh breeze burnt her revealed skin, having lost her gloves in the fit of her frantic movements to flee.

       Her cheeks were flushed from the wind, and she blinked away the snowflashes littering her lashes, as she picked up her sprint to where the old shed was hopefully located. She needed to find some wood, and the faster she did, the faster she could be inside safe.

      Prayers were answered when the small rusted shed came into view, her heart beating faster as she picked up her speed. Many times she did trip, but managed to catch her footing on the uneven snowy ground.

      She came to a skidding stop when the door was right in front of her, and ran inside where she slammed to wooden door right behind her. It wouldn't hold whatever was out there back, but it did bring her some reassurance to catch her breath.

       Familiar voices echoed through the night, and she knew who they belonged to, making her stomach drop realising Mike and Jess were alone. In the cabin. Where they could touch, kiss or do whatever they wanted. And that thought made her eyes sting, and throat feel tight.

       It hadn't even been a few hours up on the mountain, and she was regretting coming back. Riley knew she only accepted the invite for Josh and the twins, not for anyone else. But she was lying to herself, because it was for her too. To find closure.

       Yet, all she was finding was more trouble then it was worth.

      Riley leant her head against the wooden door, and craned her face up so her tan neck was exposed, breathing heavily. Her chest moved up and down rapidly, as she tried to level out her breathing, not wanting to have a panic attack while being alone.

    She remained in her position for a few minutes, lucky she managed to hold onto the torch that lit up the room for her which was lit up only by the moonlight from outside the glass window.

       Licking her bottom lip to wet it, Riley pushed up from the feeble position she was in, and used the torch to scan the shed for wood. Her eyes squinted trying to find it, only seeing tools hanging on the walls, with a few other useless pieces of equipment stored inside.

       There was no wood in sight. Only an empty rack of where they once were.

       Anxiety immediately gripped onto her heart, and thoughts swarmed her head. Josh wouldn't lie to her, no way he would do that. Not after everything they've done and been through together. He wouldn't do that to her.

      Maybe he just forgot, she thought fiddling nervously with her rings on her left hand. It had been a while since he did visit the mountain and cabin, especially after last year. Yet, she felt like something was off, and couldn't shake the feeling of.

        She furrowed her brows utterly confused, wondering why Josh told her to even go to the shed if there wasn't any wood in the first place. She guessed he didn't know, and she wouldn't hold that against him.

       The only problem now was how Riley would get back to the lodge, without running like a maniac the entire way. She normally wasn't a easy person to scare, but ever since coming back to the horror mountain, it's been too easy,

        Noises were heard from outside again, causing her grip to tighten on the flashlight, and freeze still directly in front of the door. She cursed herself for placing her body right where someone could harm her if wanted, and held her breath as the weird screeching sounds died down.

       She completely missed the shadowy figure watching her from the glass window intently, as it disappeared into the woods before she could spot it.

       Riley shakes the nerves off, and recollected herself knowing she needed to go to Mike and Jessica, to warn them about what she heard. She didn't want to, but she'd never forgive herself of anything happened to them while she could of prevented it.

       The brunette exhales heavily to herself, before she reaches for the door and pushed it open, as it made a creaking sound. She winced hearing the noise, but it didn't over power the familiar voice of Jess screaming out something in the distance.

       Snow crunches under her boot as she moved to where the voice was coming from, keeping her flashlight in front to light her path. She continued to fasten her pace, getting into a quick walk as she didn't want to be outside any longer then nesscarty.

         Riley felt vulnerable, and she hated that. The last time she was like that, things changed between her and Josh and secrets were revealed.

       She rounded the corner leading up to the porch of the cabin, and she came face to face with a yelling Jess, who was standing outside waving her arms around, only dressed in her white bra and jeans.

        "HEY! YEAH! PRICKS! THAT MEANS YOU! The fuck are you trying to do?!" Jess was shouting at someone or something, and didn't even notice Riley coming up beside her with a deadpan expression. 

       "You want to ruin out fun THAT BAD?! Well guess what?! You can't ruin our good time! Because Michael and I are gonna FUCK!"

       Why is she still going.... Riley thought still deadpanning at Jessica, the girl finally making herself visible to the duo in the cabin. Mike was the first one to spot her, like usual.

       Mike, who was quiet for the entire yelling matching Jess was having, saw his best friends figure standing near the door. He dropped everything to run out to her, worry instantly coating his face noticing how shaken up she looked despite the annoyce.

       "Sunshine? What are you doing here?" His question came out concerned, taller figure blocking Riley's from Jessica's view who was still ranting, and took one of her trembling hands in his warmer one, "Shit! You're freezing, Rye. C'mon--"

       The first thing she noticed was what he was wearing. She's never seen him so... exposed before, and it made her breath hitch, cheeks flushing. Her eyes looked anymore but his muscles that were revealed, since the grey tank top did wonders for them.

     She glanced into his soft gaze down on her, and quickly yanked her hand back, missing the flash of hurt in his eyes, "I'm fine, we have bigger issues right now." She shakily spoke, and felt like they were being watched again, "I-I think there's something out in the woods-- I heard weird sounds--"

       Her explanation was cut off by Jess, who finally realised the third party with them, "Ugh! What are you doing here?" She sneered, stomping her way to where Riley was, but Mike stood firmly between them, "Come to ruin our fun also like the rest of the idiots?! I bet the others are hiding somewhere, ready to scare Mike and me."

       Riley's face shifted into a scowl, and she narrowed her eyes down on Jess, "Please, get over yourself. Not everything is about you, Jessica!" She exclaimed, emotions getting the best of the normally quiet girl, "No one cares you're up here with Mike! Right now I'm trying to tell you that something, or someone dangerous is out there, in the same woods we are standing in!"

       The blonde scoffed and rolled her eyes, "It's just a bear scaring you, Rye." She waved off the warning, braids flicking over her shoulders as she pressed herself up against Mike, "Your delusional ass probably thought it was something else, that's why you're so scared."

       Riley gritted her teeth at her words, realising how thickheaded Jessica was and went to say something, but Mike, who was uncomfortable with Jessica pressed up against him, pushed the blonde back instead.

       "Going back and forth like this isn't helping," He mostly aimed this at Jessica, who scoffed once more offended, as Riley's fearful gaze was stuck on the woods that seemed darker all of a sudden, "Let's just go inside where it's warm, and talk in there. Yeah?"

        Jessica huffed with a hair flick, and swayed her hips as she walked through the door first, leaving the other two outside for a few minutes. Mike glanced back at Riley, and his harden expression softened.

        "Rilz..." His fingers reached up to gently graze them along her cool cheeks, the warmth from then knocking the girl out of her state, as his palm found it's way by her jaw, "Come on, you need to get warm."

        She gulped harsly feeling his touch, something she hasn't felt for months, and nodded her head against his palm, before stepping away, remembering whom he was supposed to be with as a couple.

        He ignored that, and instead clasped her shoulder gently to guide her inside the warmth of the cabin. He closed the door behind them, his touch lingering even when Jessica was watching the two with dirty eyes.

        "This is so stupid! First we hear noises from the other idiots, and now Rye shows up to ruin our night even more!" Jessica was crashing out like crazy, back facing the door as she stomps her foot, not even hearing how Riley was warning her to step back, "It's like no one want us to be tog--"

          Everything happened so fast.

         One second Riley was trying to warn Jessica to step back from the door, her back flushed against Mike's chest, and the next minute something shatters the small window by the door behind Jess. Next that same something reached through to grab her by the hair, and pulled her body up to the window.

        Her terrified screams made Riley sick to her stomach, as they watch her body get folded between the broken frame of glass, bones crunching. Not even a second later, she was pulled through the window, disappearing from sight, as her yells echo through the wind.

       Neither of the pair reacted until the muffled yells of Mike cursing and freaking out over what just happened was heard, and Riley didn't even react, she was just staring wide eyed at the spot where Jess once was.

       She wanted to scream, to cry, to run away and hide from whatever was happening, but she couldn't. She couldn't now knowing Jess was out there, and had a feeling Mike was going to go after her. She wouldn't leave any more of her friends to die on the mountain.

       With quick thinking, she snapped out of her daze despite being scared to the bone, and ran over to grab the lantern from the table, "Mike, grab the gun!" She orders firmly, and he listens, before they both run out of the door, back into the cool where Riley wanted to escape from.

      "Jess! Jessica!" Her yell was loud for the blonde, despite not getting along with her, she didn't want to lose another person in their group, "Jess!"

       Mike make's sure they were running at the same pace, as she held up the lantern for them to see and he held the shotgun. The snow kicks back up behind them from their frantic running, and breathing becomes harder from the coolness.

       "Jessica!" He screams once more, just as the two skid to a stop where the path directs into two different paths. Both looked just as bad, but they needed to pick one and soon, there was no time for second guesses.

       Upon noticing the conflict on Mike's face, Riley reached out to grasp his wrist in her free hand and took charge, "This way! It's the safest!" She exclaimed, leading them down the snowy path where it had no protective fence along the edge to stop them from falling.

       There was a gab in the path, and Riley was the first to leap on over it with a yell, adrenaline keeping her from having a break down. She landed gracefully on her boots, leant down a bit and heard a thump next to her, as Mike landed next.

       Mike helped Riley back up by the waist into a sprint again, both still holding the objects in their hands as they keep going up the mountain, being careful not to fall or trip.

       The pair finally made it to the other side of the river, and the path finally ended, it opening up to an overlook of the valley. Mike kept his hand on Riley's shoulder as they got over the edge, and he leant down on his knee, brining the gun from his shoulder to look through the scope.

       "Shit! Shit! Jess-!" She heard the male curse, having a feeling he spotted the girl with the scope, but didn't bother asking to look, as she knew there's no way Jessica wasn't hurt from what happened.

       Jessica's scream and cries for them were heard next, "MICHAEL! RILEY! HELP ME! PLEASE!" Her broken voice faded, almost like she was getting dragged and it made Riley place a hand up to her mouth, feeling like she was going to be sick.

       When the cries had disappeared along with Jess, Riley stepped forward to glance down at the drop leading to her, "Okay, okay--" She mumbled trying to hype herself up for the jump, "I'll go first, and then you."

        Mike had no time to protest, as he watched the girl he was fond of jump from the ledge, and was now sliding against the icy rocks and snow. Instantly she felt pain in her body from the harsh surface beneath her, and it was ripping her black outer jacket the more she slid down.

       Exclaims escaped her from the fall, and she landed on her feet once she dropped to the snow from holding onto a tree brunch above. Some of her rings had fallen of, making her upset, but she knew she always had more. At least every other jewellery stayed intact.

        "Mike, come on! It's pretty safe, but just be careful!" She called up to him, waving her free arm around that wasn't holding the lantern, as her outer jacket sits weirdly around her body from the amount of rips.

        He slid down after hearing her voice, and had a safe landing similar to the girl's one, "Fuck! Come on, Rye!" He swore, placing the gun over his shoulder, as he grabbed the girl's cool hand, while the lantern she held guided them on their path.

     They sprinted down the open path now where Jessica disappeared to, ducking and leaping over the logs in the way or those that had fallen on the snow. This went on for a little bit longer, until they were faced with a death trap of a hole in the ground.

       Riley tried to ignore the pain she felt in her back, having a feeling there was scratches on it from the slide they did before. She squeezed Mike's hand, and exhaled exhaustedly, "We gotta jump, it's the quickest way."

        He glanced down at her, chest heaving as he nodded his head, "Y-yeah, yeah, alright." His voice was raspy from the weather, and he dropped her hand for a second to jump across the rock first, motioning for her to join.

       She swallowed her fears and leapt across next, thankful for her long limbs and landed into his open arms that he manage to stable her with. Once they caught their breath, they continued across the rocks until they made it to the open pathway again.

       They both were out of breath by the all the running they did, and it wasn't helping how cold it was either, making it harder to breathe faster. The best friends finally reached some sort of abandoned building, confusing the girl since Josh has never spoke about it before, nor has she ever seen it.

       Mike slid down a slope of snow before she could, and she followed after trusting him it was safe, as she gripped the lantern in her hand. But it was quiet the opposite of safe and sound.

      "Aah shit, damn it!" He exclaimed seeing how they were going to drop off the edge, and quickly grabbed onto a loose braunch that stuck out from the side, just stopping his fall.

        He heard her small yelps of pain and alarm, and acted fast to latch onto her hand before she fall off and injured herself even more, "I got you Rye, don't worry!" He reassured as she trembled, and his soft eyes found her wide eyes, "I'm gonna let go and drop you down, okay?"

       She briefly glanced down at the edge of the slop, and gulped nervously but nodded her head up at Mike, "Y-yeah, sounds good!"

       His rough thumb caressed the inside of her wrist, before gently letting her go and she slid down the rest of the way, before landing on her feet. She made a thump sound on the snow she ended up on, and Mike followed next, picking up the lantern and gun up this time.

       Jessica's screams were heard again, causing Riley to flinch in fear and get dragged along by Mike who lead them into the tunnel. They followed where her cries for help were leading to, as both of them would yell back to reassure her they were near.

       The noises coming from the girl suddenly stop, making Riley's stomach drop, and fear creep in even worse then before. When they arrive to where she was, both of them wished they never ventured out in the first place.

      "Oh, god! NO! JESSICA!" Mike's agony yells were hard for Riley to hear, and seeing what happened to the blonde was way worse than what she thought. They stop at the metal platform, where the still body lays.

      Jessica's body was covered in blood from head to toe, skin irritated with scratches from the rough treatment, and her bra was somewhat ripped on the sides. Riley bit back a terrified sob, and quickly took off her ripped jacket to place it over the girl's body, wanting to give her warmth.

        She looked like she'd been to war in back, and her blonde braids weren't any better, they were dishevelled tangled with blood and glass.

      Mike covered his mouth from behind Riley's knelt figure by the unmoving body of Jessica, his shouts getting louder and louder, as the brunette brushes some of Jessica's hair back off her forehead gently.

     It couldn't be real, this was not happening.

       A sudden hoarse cough came from Jessica, making the girl gasp and look down at her, as Riley moved her hand away from Jessica's forehead. Her eyelashes flutter weakly and whispered, "Mike.... Rye..."

       Hope bloomed in Riley's chest hearing the girl's voice, and moved her body forward to reach down, just as the platform beneath them shook before it suddenly collapsed, taking both girls with it.

       Mike's reaction time was quick and fast watching this happen. His strong arms managed to wrap around Riley's waist and plucked her up from the platform just in time, before she fell along with Jessica.

       Falling back together, the two stumbled to the floor with her back flushed against his muscular chest, his arms tight around her waist desperately. They both look down at the darkness with wide fearful eyes, where Jessica had just fallen.

      Neither of them were sure now that she was alive.

❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 4418
─►☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE :
we are so BACKKK YESS!!!! long chapter for those of you who are still reading my fic because i haven't updated for a hot minute. ive missed writing for this fic and my couple so badly so here's a new chapter for you alll 😈

ahhh shits gonna go down from now on, we are getting to the good stuff soon especially since mike is alone with riley ehehee

GORGEOUS INTRO GIF BY THE AMAZING BreanneLHeureux !! aughh it's so amazing i can't 😋🫶

anywaysss vote, comment, ect <33 love to hear feedback or even some silly comments LMAOAO they motivate me a lot :')