The Cabin: Alternative

Chapter 4: Austin

(Warning: descriptions of physical injuries)

(I swear I'm still working on this, I got sudden inspiration and am really wanting to finish. This chapter is unedited so apologies about that)

Not long after finishing filming the video, Colin got changed after Austin complained about him dripping water all over the cabin and the two of them waited in the kitchen for the others. Austin went through the cabinets, trying to decide what to cook when everyone was back and Colin leaned against the island, scrolling through his phone at old pictures.

The front door swung open with all the power of a 70 mph gust of wind. Bri came staggering in, hauling Seek in beside her. Her arms were around his shoulders and under his arms and he was leaning against her with all his deadweight.

He let out a strangled cry and Austin and Colin gave each other a glance before running into the foyer.

"What happened?!" Austin exclaimed.

Seek was a blubbering mess and all it took was one glance down for Austin to understand why. He was pretty sure a human's leg was not supposed to bend that way.

Bri moved him slightly on her elbow and Seek sucked in a sharp breath, shutting his eyes. "Talk later, we need to get him to a hospital!"

Austin furiously nodded his head and ran to grab the keys. They were still in his room, right where he left them next to the gun Colin stole. He stared at it a moment before taking it and tucking it into his belt.

By the time he got outside, everyone else was already in the van. Bri was teetering in the passenger seat which Austin didn't even have the time to appreciate with Seek holding back wheezes of pain in the backseat while Colin nervously held onto him.

He jammed the keys into the ignition and cranked it, peeling out of the front yard and down the drive. Night had fallen and he switched on the headlights. Even with the brights on, the light was more akin to a flashlight in the dense forest; a simple circle of dim light that still hid the immediate surroundings from view.

Austin struggled to keep to the dirt road, ignoring the beats of moans and groans from his best friend. "Just hang in there, buddy. What happened??"

"Seek was climbing a cell tower after that cat and fell," Bri answered with exhaustion heavy in her tone.

"Cell tower? There's nothing around here!"

"Well there was one out there! I don't even know where Cartoon went."

"I know you love cats, Seek, but what were you thinking?!"

All he got in return was another cry of searing pain and Austin winced. He jerked the wheel to avoid launching them off the road, taking a sharp turn. He guided the van down an incline and turned again towards the main path towards town.

In the pale light, something emerged into view up ahead. Something tall and dark, thin and gangly, almost skeletal. With a bulbous head that, despite having no eyes, stared him down as it blocked their escape route to town and help for Seek. Austin slammed on the brakes and everyone jolted forward in their seats.

In the black mist of the non-existent pouring rain, stood the creature that plagued their every waking nightmare. All 40 feet, towering over them as the broken siren rang out throughout the forest. It shook the very metal frame surrounding them, penetrating their little safe haven.

Austin sat with his hands clutching the steering wheel, white knuckles bare to the leather. Everything was white noise but he could vaguely hear Colin yelling in fear. He knew that if he checked, he would see him and Bri grappling for each other's hands while Seek held onto Colin's arm for dear life.