TWELVE HOURS UNTIL DAWN

CORA; PATH TO THE CABLE CAR; 19:02

THE SNOW CRUNCHED beneath my boots as I made my way up the winding path. The cold bit into my skin, seeping through my jacket, but I couldn't tell if it was the winter chill or something else.

Josh had asked us to come up here again, one year after... everything. I didn't know if it was bravery or recklessness that had me saying yes. Maybe both. We all knew what had happened last winter, or at least thought we did, and yet here we were, retracing the same paths, like we could somehow put it all back together. Fix the damage we had done.

Josh called me personally and said he had something planned out for tonight. He hadn't told me the details, just that it was "gonna be good." The others had probably agreed without a second thought, though I couldn't shake the knot of doubt tightening in my stomach. I knew that Josh's sense of humor could go dark, and while part of me wanted to trust him, another part wondered if tonight he was taking things too far. Returning back to this place with everyone after what we did... didn't sit right with me.

Only I was found last year.

This is the type of guilt no one is prepared for. I was supposed to bring Hannah back to Josh and I failed. I saw her, or something moving in the woods. If I didn't slip that night this wouldn't have happened.

I only had a few bruises and a sprained ankle, it wasn't that serious, but everyone insisted on visiting me in the hospital. Everyone... except for Josh. He refused to speak to us. I understood, I mean I knew he needed some time before he can come in terms with what happened. That's why I agreed to come here in the first place. It was our first real phone call after a year of waiting for him, I'd hate myself if I refused, especially since the others only got a video from him inviting them all over.

I'd known Josh for a long time. I could almost read his mind sometimes, and in some strange way, I trusted him more than anyone here, even after what happened last year. His usual joking, casual attitude had a crack in it that I couldn't ignore now; I think he was still haunted, too, by what happened to Hannah and Beth. He hid it well enough, tried to brush it all off, but I could see how it weighed on him—like he was holding his breath, waiting for something to finally break him. It was pretty clear he didn't want to see me after he refused to visit me in the hospital, so this invite was surprising.

Then there was Emily, of course, who acted like she was above it all. She and I were close, at least closer than I was with most of the group. She could be hard to deal with, sharp as ice and twice as cold when she wanted to be, but I'd always respected her for being upfront, even if it meant having to endure a few of her snide comments. Mike was here, too, with Jess clinging to him like usual. I used to think he was different, someone worth looking up to, maybe even trusting, but after last year... I wasn't so sure.

It's not like I hated him entirely. Emily still has feelings for him, despite dating Matt now, so I had to respect him somehow. We're not as close as we used to be since I question most of her relationship choices she made this year, but it wasn't my place to ever say anything.

Sam was the one bright spot, the one I could count on to keep a level head. I knew she was probably thinking the same things as me right now, wondering if coming back was a mistake or maybe if we all just wanted to face the fear, break it down to something we could manage.

I knew this night would be anything but simple.

 The moon cast an eerie glow through the branches, and I felt like I was the only person for miles, even though I knew the others would be here soon. Eventually, I reached an old gate, rusted and closed tight. Without much thought, I glanced at the bricked fence beside it, sizing it up. Scaling it wasn't exactly what I'd had in mind, but I clambered up, letting myself drop down with a thud on the other side.

Brushing off the snow from my jacket, I spotted the outline of the cable car station. Just as I was about to head in, something pinned to the wall caught my eye: a 'wanted' poster, half-faded but clear enough to read.

"Milgram, Victor," it read. "Last known address: Blackwood Pines... Wanted in connection with first-degree arson, and various death threats."

I frowned. Part of me wanted to linger, to get more details, but I shrugged it off. This place already had enough creepy vibes without throwing criminals into the mix. Instead, I grabbed the cable car key, pulled open the door, and stepped inside.

The moment the car lurched into motion, my stomach twisted. Heights had never been my thing, and the slow, steady rise of the cable car was far from reassuring. I gripped the side of the car, steadying myself with a deep breath, and focused on getting to the lodge. Before long, the car stopped, and I quickly stepped out, grateful to feel solid ground underfoot again.

I made my way toward the lodge and I heard a quiet rustle came from the woods to my left. I paused, squinting into the shadows. My mind raced with possibilities—a deer, a stray animal... or something else entirely. My feet carried me toward the sound. but before I could investigate further, a hand landed firmly on my shoulder.

I spun around, a startled scream escaping before I could stop myself. My foot caught on the uneven ground, and I nearly toppled backwards, but strong hands held me steady.

''Jesus Christ, Joshua!'' I snapped, my heart racing.

He grinned, barely holding back a chuckle. ''Nice to see you too.''

I let out a breath, adjusting my coat and pulling myself together. ''Yeah... sure.'' I shifted my bag over my shoulder, glancing back at the dark trees before turning to him. ''Am I the last one to get here?''

He was wearing a knitted wool beanie and a sleeveless puffer jacket outside.

Josh shook his head, shrugging as if it were no big deal. ''Oh no, you're the first, actually.''

I blinked, confused. ''What?''

''I told you to come early so you could help me out a bit,'' he replied with a casual smile, though I could see a mischievous glint in his eyes.

''Help with what, exactly?'' I asked, half-suspicious, following him as he turned toward the lodge's front door.

The warmth from inside hit me the moment we stepped through the door, and I felt myself relax. ''Thank God. It's freezing out there.''

Josh gave me a mocking look. ''Hate to break it to you, but it's winter. And we're on a mountain, in case you missed that part.''

I rolled my eyes. ''And you still don't have central heating around the entire perimeter, shocker.''

He smirked, playing along. ''If you've got a spare million, I'll gladly install one myself.''

Feigning seriousness, I patted down my jacket pockets. ''Ah, my mistake, I must've left it in my other coat.''

Josh led me through to the kitchen, where a stack of wooden crates was waiting in the corner. He gestured to them with a nod. ''Think you can help me move these into the basement?''

''What's in them?'' I asked, eyeing the crates.

''Oh, just... old stuff.'' He hefted two of the crates as if they were nothing. ''Shouldn't be too heavy.''

With a sigh, I picked up one of the remaining crates, feeling its surprising weight as I followed him down the stairs. The basement was dimly lit, and I'd lie if I said I wasn't scared. Josh placed his crates down, and I set mine beside his, feeling an odd shiver crawl up my spine as I looked around the shadowed space.

A sudden scuffling sound broke the quiet, and I jumped back, clutching Josh's arm instinctively. My pulse spiked, and I felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck as Josh laughed.

''It's just a rat, Cora,'' he chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction.

I scoffed, regaining my composure and giving his forearm a playful smack. ''Oh, shut up. You almost gave me a heart attack!''

Josh chuckled, shaking his head as he nudged one of the crates with his foot. ''Right, next time I'll try to keep the vicious rodents under control.'' 

With the crates moved and the rat forgotten, we headed back upstairs. It was almost comforting, even if I knew this place held memories—ones we hadn't yet fully reckoned with.

Josh and I both grabbed the last crates from the pile, the cold weight pressing into my hands as I trudged behind him. Heaving his boxes up like they were nothing, Josh glanced back, smirking.

"They shouldn't be too heavy," I mimicked his voice rolling my eyes.

He chuckled, adjusting his grip. "Not my fault you don't work out."

"Oh, and you do?" I shot back, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course! Can't you see these muscles?" he replied.

I scoffed, trying not to laugh. "I must be blind then."

We made our way down to the basement. The air was still and musty, and a chill crept up my spine, but I shrugged it off, forcing myself to appear casual. I set my crate down beside the others, dusting my hands off with satisfaction.

Josh noticed and threw me a playful grin. "So... you're still afraid of the basement, huh?"

I shot him a defiant look. "Not even one bit. Are you?"

Josh scoffed, puffing out his chest dramatically. "Excuse me? I'm an adult. I'm not scared of basements."

I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Oh, so now you're making fun of me?"

He lifted his hands innocently. "Just pointing out the facts."

Before I could respond, Josh nudged my shoulder, nodding towards an old, threadbare couch near a dusty projector. "Come here."

Curious, I followed him as he led me over to the couch, brushing dust off the faded cushions before plopping down with a smirk. "If you're 'not even one bit' scared," he said, raising his eyebrows, "we could watch a movie right now."

I gave him a sceptical look, crossing my arms. "Really? You invited me here to watch a movie or to help you set everything up for the party?"

He shrugged, leaning back comfortably. "Would it hurt if I said both?"

I couldn't help laughing as I joined him on the couch, watching him as he fumbled with the projector, finally getting it to flicker to life. I could tell immediately that this wasn't going to be a feel-good film. The screen lit up with the typical dark and stormy setting, and I groaned.

"What's this movie about exactly?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

Josh gave me an innocent look. "Just a simple rom-com... minus the romance and, well, plus a lot of blood and death."

"Ah, so romantic."

He grinned. "Precisely, honey."

The movie played and I quickly realised this wasn't any ordinary horror. The tension built slowly, each scene edged with shadow figures, quiet creaks, and distant sounds that made me flinch, but I tried to keep my composure. Josh would throw a question now and then to check if I was actually paying attention, smirking every time I jumped, clearly revelling in my discomfort.

And then the first loud jump scare hit. Before I knew it, I'd instinctively nudged myself closer to him, my fingers gripping the edge of the cushion. Josh didn't move away and the film continued. When the scare passed, I immediately pulled away, hoping he hadn't noticed.

"Now that's just torture." I mumbled.

''I wouldn't say so.'' He turned to me with an amused smirk.

I caught him looking at me, his gaze lingering a moment too long, his eyes shifting from mine to my lips. He seemed to hesitate, but I quickly turned back to the screen, refocusing on the projector. I tried to keep my attention there, but my mind kept drifting back to that look in his eyes.

''Come on, Josh,'' I huffed, laughing nervously as another jump scare flashed on the screen. ''Why would the killer just jump out like that?''

Josh smirked. ''Because that's the whole point in a horror movie, it's supposed to be sudden.''

''Alright, alright,'' I grumbled, throwing my hands up in mock defeat. ''You've proved your point. Can we go upstairs now? Just... in case someone arrives.''

But instead of moving, he leaned in slightly, his gaze softening, as if he was about to say something. Feeling my cheeks warm, I quickly stood up, brushing myself off to cover the awkwardness.

''Well, if that's all you needed from me,'' I mumbled, stepping back towards the basement stairs, ''I'll go wait for the others to arrive.''

words: 2172

A/N

it's another character of mine who actually liked hannah and didn't want to do anything with the prank idk why but I just feel so bad for them. Also ik it says she's brave but she's afraid of the basement, I see it as she's brave in stressful situations and when she's relaxed she's scared of just normal things like rats, noises in a basement etc. She also quite obviously has a crush on Josh so she mostly plays along.