NINE HOURS UNTIL DAWN

CORA; WASHINGTON LODGE; 21:00

I SETTLED BACK on the couch, lazily scrolling through my phone, though the signal up here on the mountain was almost non-existent. Josh noticed and offered a casual shrug, ''You might want to head up, check out your room or something. It's going to be a couple of hours before anyone else makes it up here.''

I took his suggestion, heading upstairs to explore the room he'd set aside for me. It was a cosy small space. I passed the time unpacking and staring out at the thick woods surrounding the lodge, trying to shake off the chill that seemed to settle into my bones. I didn't regret moving away when Josh wanted to say something, if it was that important he'd say something by now, but instead he's giving me silent treatment. At least I take it that way since he didn't even walk me to my room and stayed in the basement.

After a while, I went back downstairs, drawn by the sound of voices outside. Peering out the window, I spotted Chris and Sam making their way up the snowy path. I called out to Josh, who hurried over, and we went outside to meet them. Sam's face broke into a warm smile, and she wrapped her arms around me in a friendly hug.

''It's good to see you!'' she greeted, pulling back to look at me with that kind gaze of hers.

We walked up the path together, talking and catching up, until Chris let out a sigh as he glanced up at the lodge looming above us.

''Man, I feel like this mountain gets bigger every time I climb it,'' he grumbled, rubbing his hands together.

Josh chuckled. ''Feels the same to me,'' he replied, raising his brow as though daring Chris to disagree.

''Come on, you grew up here! It's gotta feel like it's shrinking by now.''

Josh considered. ''I suppose that's true.''

Chris gave a helpless shrug, raising his phone to show a lack of signal. ''When are you going to install some cell towers up here? I'm already getting withdrawals.''

Josh shot him a mock-serious look. ''You got a spare million lying around, and I'll fix you right up.''

Chris smirked. ''Funny you should say that... I think I left it in my other jacket.''

Josh grinned, and I laughed, reminded of my own conversation with him about central heating just a couple of hours earlier.

As we neared the lodge steps, we spotted Ashley sitting on the bottom stair, looking a little lost in thought, and Matt, who was standing off to the side, arms folded and a slight scowl on his face.

Josh waved, ''Hey, guys... You made it up alright?''

Ashley perked up, smiling. ''Yeah... well, more or less. But it's so good to see you!''

Josh's eyes shifted to Matt, who seemed quieter than usual. ''What's up with him?'' 

Matt didn't respond, simply glancing away, as if preoccupied. Josh, Chris, and I shared a look, then continued up the stairs, leaving Ashley and Matt where they were for the moment.

Chris clapped his hands together with a grin. ''Yo, yo, yo! Are we gonna get things moving up here or what?''

Josh gave him a nod. ''Yeah, man!''

Chris glanced back over his shoulder, lowering his voice slightly. ''So, Matt and Emily, huh? They're a thing now?''

Josh's expression darkened slightly, though he quickly masked it with a shrug. ''Looks that way.''

Chris raised a brow. ''What do you think Mike's gonna say about that?''

Josh exchanged a brief look with Chris, glancing at me as if hinting to drop the subject. I had been friends with Emily for ages, and everyone knew the complicated tension in the group, especially where Mike was concerned. Chris took the hint, clearing his throat.

''Right.''

Josh led us to the front door, twisting the lock, only to find it stubbornly jammed. ''Damn it... This freaking thing...''

Chris leaned in, eyeing the door. ''It's iced?''

Josh sighed, shaking his head. ''What else?''

Chris rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ''Maybe there's another way in?''

Josh straightened, a grin spreading across his face. ''A million ways. They're just all locked.''

Chris looked around, his eyes lighting up with an idea. ''There's got to be a window we can, you know... get open or something.''

Josh raised a brow. ''Are you suggesting we break in?''

I grinned. ''I don't think it's technically breaking in if you own the place, right?''

''As long as I don't report you, we're in the clear.'' Josh replied.

Chris nudged me, laughing. "See, if I've got Cora as my lawyer, you wouldn't dare."

Josh motioned grandly. ''Alright then, Cochise, lead the way.''

As we made our way down the stairs, Chris spotted Ashley sitting at the bottom and lingered a moment to talk to her.

''Hey, Ash,'' he greeted with a warm smile.

She looked up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. ''Hi, Chris.''

''You alright?'' he asked, noticing her slight shiver.

Ashley glanced around, giving the lodge a wary look. ''Yeah... aside from being kinda cold and... a little creeped out by this place.''

Chris nodded, sympathetic. ''Yeah, it's a bit strange being back up here, huh?''

She nodded in agreement, ending the conversation.

We reached the back and that's when Josh nudged Chris. ''Ashley's looking pretty good today, right? Bit of a sleeper hit, that one... now I just want to rip that parka right off her... make some snow angels. Right?''

I shot him a look. ''Josh.''

Chris's face turned bright red. ''Yeah... I guess.''

Josh smirked. ''So, when are you going to take her to the 'bone zone?'''

Chris laughed nervously. ''Sheesh... like that's going to happen.''

Josh nudged him encouragingly. ''Man, she practically spends her entire life with you.''

Chris sighed, though he looked thoughtful. ''Yeah, but we're... friends—''

''Listen,'' Josh interrupted, gesturing at the picturesque scene around us. ''Look at these mountains, man! No parents, no teachers, nothing stopping you. Can you imagine a more perfect scenario? It's just dripping with possibilities... you've laid all the groundwork, you've been a perfect gentleman. Now, you go in for the kill!''

Chris chuckled, but I could tell he was half-seriously considering it.

''Maybe you're right,'' he muttered, a faint smile on his face.

Josh slapped him on the shoulder. ''That's the spirit. You're a hunter, bro. No fear. No mercy. She won't know what hit her.''

The two of them laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"Alright, alright," Chris muttered, straightening up and glancing back at us. "I got it. Jeez."

Josh grinned. "So, how are we planning on breaking into my parents' lodge, bud?"

Chris looked taken aback, glancing around as if hoping for an obvious answer to present itself. "Wait, I didn't say I had a plan—"

"You sounded like you had a plan," Josh countered with an arched brow, crossing his arms. "You better deliver, Cochise, or else you've got five lovely ladies who'll be freezing their buns off. Last I checked, that's not a good way to get laid."

Chris laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Well, shoot. Nobody likes cool buns."

As he scanned the nearby wall, his eyes landed on an empty axe holder bolted beside the doorframe. He moved closer, examining the place where the axe should've been hanging. "Hmm..."

The cold air nipped at my cheeks, and I tucked my hands deeper into my pockets, trying to warm them. Chris moved toward a tall, heavy-looking cabinet beside the window and began testing its sturdiness, giving Josh an idea.

"Well, well, well," Josh smirked, giving Chris a friendly nudge. "We got ourselves a thinker. Nice one."

I watched, amused, as Chris and Josh pushed and pulled the cabinet, eventually sliding it beneath the window.

Josh glanced over his shoulder at me. "You won't bother to help?"

I grinned. "Well, you look like you've got it. Besides, you said you work out, right?"

Josh huffed in mock bravado, patting his chest. "True."

Chris clambered onto the cabinet, balancing himself before reaching up to pry open the window. It gave way with a reluctant creak, and Chris carefully hoisted himself inside, though he immediately lost his balance and landed hard on his back with a loud thud.

"Ow..." he groaned, trying to play it cool. "I'm okay! Should've paid more attention in climbing class..."

"Climbing class?" Josh echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You mean 'gym'?"

Chris waved it off, getting to his feet. "Yeah, you know... with the whole climbing up the rope..."

Just then, a light bulb shattered somewhere inside, and the room plunged into darkness.

"Whoa!" Josh's voice dropped to a whisper.

Chris peered up, bewildered. "Did I do that?"

I couldn't help but smirk. "Unless you've got superpowers, I'd say no."

Josh recovered, rummaging in his pocket. "I don't... I don't think so. Here, use this." He tossed a lighter over to Chris, who flicked it on.

With the lighter illuminating the space, Josh's eyes lit up. "Chris—I just got an awesome idea."

"Yeah?"

"Totally!"

Chris waited, visibly curious. "Well, what is it?!"

Josh leaned in. "Okay. So, I'm pretty sure I've got deodorant in one of the bathrooms... You could use that with the lighter..."

Chris blinked, obviously puzzled. "How's a stick of deodorant going to help?"

Josh gestured with his hands, mimicking a spray. "It's a can, dumbass."

Chris's face lit up with understanding. "Ohhh... yeah! Now I gotcha."

Josh snapped his fingers. "Flamethrower."

Chris grinned. "Just like we did with the little army dudes!"

I shook my head, amused. "Your parents should've been worried about you both growing up into psychopaths."

Chris shrugged, laughing. "Hey, you should be thanking our parents right now, because that 'psychotic game' will get us inside and stop us from freezing out here."

Josh clapped his hands. "Bingo. Alright, you've got this. I'll go sort something out—up for a little hunting in the dark?"

Chris rubbed the back of his neck, glancing around. "Nope. But I'll do it."

Josh flashed a salute. "Godspeed, pilgrim."

He hopped off the ledge, and as he landed beside me, he shot me a glance.

"So, what do you think—think Chris'll actually make a move on Ashley?" I asked looking away.

"Not unless they've got something real to bond over." Josh smirked knowingly.

''You'd think so, but if I know Chris, he'll need more than book chats and study sessions to take a step.''

From inside, we heard Chris call out, ''Thanks, Coco!''

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Oh, no problem, Cochise!" I shot back, chuckling as he fumbled his way through the lodge.

Josh and I exchanged a quick fist bump.

''Lead the way?'' he asked, nodding up towards the lodge's entrance. ''I'll go check something out first.''

I raised an eyebrow, grinning. ''Chris's buns through the window?''

Josh laughed, his eyes twinkling. ''Not quite, but I imagine that'd be a sight. See you inside!''

He waved as he headed off, leaving me to walk back up the steps to where Ashley still sat, huddled against the cold. I settled beside her on the stairs, pulling my jacket tighter to ward off the chill. Ashley glanced over, flashing me a tentative smile.

''Hey,'' she greeted softly, her cheeks pink from the cold.

I returned her smile, glancing up at the snow-dusted lodge looming above. Despite the fun, a strange unease lingered in the air, and I wondered if she felt it too. It was good to be back, but there was something about Blackwood Pines tonight that seemed... off. It was probably the tension that build up between the group. Too much drama for my likining.

Chris's voice echoed through the thick door, distorted but unmistakable as he tried to spook us from the other side. ''WoooOOooOOooooOO! ''

Sam rolled her eyes, crossing her arms against the cold. ''Hi, Chris. Very funny.''

I smirked, rubbing my gloved hands together. ''Wouldn't mind if he actually opened the door, though.''

''How'd you even know it was me? '' Chris chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.

''Maybe because you're the only one who'd try something like that,'' Sam replied dryly, tapping her foot against the frozen ground. ''Shouldn't you be getting the lock open or something?''

''On it!'' Chris's voice disappeared inside, and for a moment, we could only hear the distant clattering and mumbling as he fiddled with something.

Suddenly, a loud yelp erupted from within. ''AHH! SON OF A—! What the hell!''

''Are you fighting your inner demons in there?'' I yelled and Ashley beside me hugged herself tightly before adding. ''We're freezing our buns off out here!''

After another moment of scuffling, the door finally creaked open. Chris stood there, wincing as he held the handle, which must have been hot from the lighter. He gestured grandly, even as he shook his hand to ease the sting. ''Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week—''

Before he could finish, a small furry blur shot past his legs and dashed outside. Chris flinched, eyes wide. ''EEEK! Jeez!''

Ashley and I burst into laughter as the little creature darted into the snow.

''Crap, that thing freaked me out,'' Chris muttered, looking a little sheepish.

Ashley tilted her head, amused. ''What was it? Are you alright?''

''It was... like a bear, or a tiger or something—''

Sam chuckled, peering down the path where the animal had scurried off. ''Aw, it was just a cute little baby wolverine!''

Chris blinked, looking half-convinced. ''Baby?''

''Don't worry, bro,'' Josh chimed in, clapping Chris on the shoulder as we filed into the lodge's entryway. ''You're gonna be a big boy soon.''

We all trooped inside, shivering as we took in the lodge's spacious but eerily silent main room.

''Home, sweet home,'' Josh declared, though his voice was quieter than usual.

'''Sweet' is not the word I'd use,'' Matt muttered.

Ashley brushed the snow off her shoulders, exhaling in relief. ''Oh my gosh, it's so good to be inside, even if it's still kinda freezing.''

Josh headed toward the fireplace, glancing over at me with a smirk. ''I'll get a fire going... y'know, to impress you.''

I raised an eyebrow, shrugging off my coat. ''Oh, right, as if you couldn't have done that before we got here.''

He grinned, crouching in front of the fireplace. ''I was just waiting for you to complain. You finally did, so now I get to flex my fire-making skills.''

Josh arranged the firewood and I moved closer to help him, handing him a couple of logs. Josh's hands shook slightly from the cold—or maybe something else entirely. I gave his hand a light pat, steadying him, and soon enough, the flames began to flicker slightly.

Behind us, the others were still exploring the room, Matt muttering, ''This place barely looks any different...''

''Not many people have been up here,'' Josh replied absently, adjusting a log in the fire.

''Not even with all the police in and out?'' Ashley asked, glancing around the room.

''Not a lot of action up here lately,'' Chris noted.

Just then, the door swung open, and Mike strode in with a grin, Jess following close behind.

''What's up, party people!'' Mike exclaimed.

''Heeey!'' Jess chimed in, practically beaming as she linked her arm through Mike's.

Josh straightened up, flashing a welcoming smile. ''Hey, make yourself at home, bro.''

Mike threw a quick nod as he sauntered in. ''Will do.''

Matt, however, crossed his arms. ''Yeah, come on in. Take a load off. Have whatever you want. You just take whatever you want anyway, right?''

Mike stopped in his tracks. ''Woah, easy there, cowboy.''

The room went silent, everyone watching as Matt squared his shoulders, refusing to look away. ''Mike, stay away from my girlfriend.''

Mike blinked, looking taken aback. ''Dude, what are you talking about?''

''Stay away from Emily.''

''Emily?'' Mike scoffed, eyebrows raised. ''Why would I want anything to do with Emily?''

Josh glanced over at me, quietly asking, ''Hey, Coco, mind giving me a hand again?''

''Yeah, sure,'' I murmured, focusing on the firewood and poker as I helped Josh keep the flames steady. Although I tried to focus on the task, it was impossible not to hear the conversation behind us—they were barely bothering to keep their voices down.

Matt's gaze didn't waver. ''Right... Right.''

Mike shook his head, sounding tired. ''Is something going on with you, man?''

''Forget it,'' Matt muttered, finally looking away. ''I lost my head. It's been a long day.''

Mike's voice softened. ''Yeah, well... try not to lose it again.''

Matt let out a sigh, sinking onto one of the couches. Meanwhile, Mike and Jess settled onto the loveseat across from him, their heads leaning in close as they exchanged soft whispers. Jess's hand reached for Mike's, her face lighting up with a smile that quickly faded as Emily strode in.

''Oh. My god,'' she sneered, crossing her arms. ''That is so gross. Are you trying to swallow his face whole?''

Matt shifted uncomfortably beside her. ''Em...''

Emily ignored him, eyes still fixed on Jess. ''Seriously, can she be any more obvious? No one wants in on your territory, honey.''

Jess looked up, her expression instantly hardening. ''Excuse me, did you say something?''

Emily tilted her head, feigning innocence. ''Oh, did you not hear me? Was your sluttiness too loud?''

Jess's eyes flashed with anger. ''Sounds like someone's bitter she didn't make the cut.''

Emily scoffed, the corner of her mouth twisting. ''Yeah, it's all a big cattle call with that 'dreamboat'. Congrats—you're top cow.''

Jess's jaw clenched, a sarcastic smile spreading across her face. ''Cuts real deep, calling Miss Homecoming a cow.''

''Em, come on—'' Matt began, reaching for her arm, but Emily shrugged him off.

''Shut up, Matt,'' she snapped, keeping her focus on Jess.

Jess rolled her eyes. ''Stay out of it, you dumb oaf.''

''Hey, watch it,'' Emily spat, stepping forward.

''Oh, you're the only one who can put him down? No one else can play with your toys?''

I could feel Josh tense beside me, his hand trembling as he gripped the poker. I gently placed a hand over his, steadying him as we watched the flames flicker. The argument was escalating fast, voices rising.

''You're such a bitch!'' Emily hissed, glaring daggers at Jess.

Jess flipped her hair. ''Whatever. I