The Lodge

6

The night remained dreich as Olivia and Harriet arrived back at Auchdarblair Lodge, they entered via the front door slamming it shut behind them. "What the fuck is going on?!" Olivia yelled, her fearful voice echoing through the grand lodge.

The wind howled like a demented creature, its wails piercing through the air and sending shivers down their spines while rain pattered against the windows creating an ominous rhythm that echoed through the empty halls of the lodge.

They cautiously stepped inside, the once cosy interior now seemed to loom over them like a sinister presence. The invasive moonlight continued to cast eerie shadows on the walls, making it seem as if the shadows were moving and watching their every move.

"I don't know, Liv" breathed Harriet. "But I know we need to do something. We know he is out there right now. If we grab some weapons and barricade this place we can survive till morning."

"The light won't stop him though" Olivia wailed.

"No, you're right, but it means he can't hide in the dark!"

Olivia and Harriet's heartrates quickened as they surveyed the hallway, feeling a chill run down their spines. The air was heavy with an unexplainable fear, and they could feel a sense of danger lurking in every corner.

"Listen to me, Liv" Harriet spoke gripping her friend tightly. "We barricade this place as best we can" she said gesturing to the various bookshelves and tables in the hallway. "We grab knives from the kitchen, we stay together, we look out for each other, and just maybe- we might survive this."

Olivia looked at Harriet through the darkness, her green eyes wide with fear, her thin body trembling.

Olivia's heart raced as she followed Harriet through the dimly lit lodge. The sound of their hurried footsteps echoed off the empty walls, sending chills down Olivia's spine. They entered the kitchen, Olivia's eyes fell upon two sharp knives glinting in the moonlight. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as Harriet grabbed them with a determined look in her eye. "Take it" commanded Harriet handing one of the blades to Olivia.

Together, they made their way towards the basement door, their senses on high alert. The musty smell of old wood and dust filled their nostrils, making Olivia's stomach churn. "Now, let's see what's down here," Harriet spoke boldly, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

They approached the basement door, Harriet's grip on the handle tightened, her knuckles turning white as with a determined twist, she tried to open the door, however it was tightly locked. The door seemed impenetrable, leaving the two women in the dark void. Olivia's mind raced as she tried to make sense of their situation. Who was the monster that was killing them? Her thoughts were interrupted as Harriet's character-rich voice filled the room. "We need to find a way in," Harriet stated, her eyes darting around the room. "This is the one part of the house we haven't been, it must have something to do with this!"

Olivia was mesmerized by the strong woman, who she proudly called her friend, standing before her, her piercing gaze and mysterious aura drawing her in like a magnet. Trapped and vulnerable, Olivia and Harriet's bodies pulsed with adrenaline as they swiftly put their plan into action. They heaved and pushed heavy bookcases and furniture, barricading every possible entry point. Their hands shook with fear and determination, knowing that their lives depended on the success of their desperate attempt to protect themselves. As the room grew darker and the air thick with tension. All they could do was wait and hope that their makeshift fortress would hold against whatever threat may come their way. The sound of their pounding hearts was the only thing that broke the deafening silence, as they awaited their fate in the presence of this enigmatic and unpredictable woman. "Are you okay?" Harriet softly asked.

"This is beyond messed up," Olivia croaked, her voice wavering as she spoke. She couldn't tear her gaze away from her trembling hands, her mind still reeling from the shock of it all. Harriet crouched down next to her, her presence a comforting weight in the darkness. "I can't believe they're gone," Olivia choked out, her words barely audible.

"I know," Harriet murmured, her voice filled with sadness and understanding. "But we have each other. We'll get through this, together." Olivia looked up at her friend, her heart aching at the sight of Harriet's face. They had always been so different, yet somehow they had become inseparable. Harriet, with her fierce determination and levelheadedness. Olivia, with her quiet strength and unwavering independence. They sat in the darkness, the weight of their losses heavy on their shoulders, a sense of camaraderie and unspoken understanding enveloped them. They didn't need words to know that they would face whatever came next, together. They would do it with a ferociousness to survive, a strength born from their shared grief. They knew that they would emerge from this tragedy stronger and closer than ever before.