The Woods (GxG)

Chapter I

  
   My name's Peyton. I married the love of my life, Elsa, one month after leaving college. We met through a group of friends during our time at school and have been inseparable ever since. It's been ten long years since we graduated and eight years since we've seen that group of friends. Today, though, we'd be embarking on a journey into the woods. A reunion of sorts with the friends we let slip away.

   Little did we know, we weren't the only ones staying in those woods...

   We drove down a little, dirt trail deep into the Michigan wilderness. Our friends Ashley and Noah, a married couple themselves, rented a cabin for the weekend. We'd be staying for three days and two nights, completely cut off from the world around us.

It was cathartic in a way, leaving behind the stresses of the modern world. There was no cell signal out here. No WiFi, no social media. Just six friends and the great outdoors.

Speaking of, I should probably introduce you to the last couple joining us, Amy and Luke. High school sweethearts who married at the age of eighteen. They were the single biggest reason Elsa and I even got together in the first place.

   Elsa had a reputation as a party girl and a bit of a promiscuous one at that. But, she gave that all up just to be with me. It was sweet, if not slightly intimidating. I was a virgin when we met and she's the only person I've ever been with.

   Elsa herself took my hand in hers, then. "How much further, babe?"

   I took a quick glance at her, the open window sending wind blowing through her hair. "If I read the directions right, it should be just over this hill."

   Sure enough, as we made it to the top of the hill, our eyes landed on the cabin Ashley and Noah rented out.

   It was a little run down, but quaint.

   Ashley and Noah stood in front of it, inspecting it, as we pulled up behind their car.

   I shut ours off as we stepped out, grabbing the attention of the other couple.

   Ashley smiled wide, running up to pull us into giant bear hugs.

   "Oh my God, it's been way to long." She said.

   I patted her shoulder. "Definitely."

   Elsa released the hug. "We missed you, Ash."

   "I guess I'm just chopped liver over here." Noah joked, pulling each of us into a quick, one armed hug.

   "Where's Amy and Luke?" Elsa asked.

   Noah checked his watch. "They should've been here by now."

   "Knowing those two, they probably got 'lost.'" Ashley replied with air quotes, making a vulgar gesture with her mouth afterwards.

   We all shared a laugh as another car pulled into the clearing, Amy and Luke stepping out. "Jesus, what a shithole." Luke said, earning himself a nudge from Amy.

   "Sorry, not all of us grew up to be rich and successful." Noah replied, pulling him into another quick hug.

   I glanced back at the Mercedes they pulled up in, then to the designer clothes hugging their bodies. Luke was a jock in college. He got a full ride on a sports scholarship and actually went pro for a couple years before blowing out his knee. Now, he was a famous sports commentator. Amy taking to the role of "trophy wife" without much problem.

   "So, are we gonna take a look inside?" Amy asked the group.

   We all shared a look and a nod before walking up to the front door.