The Lodge

8

Harriet and Olivia peered out the front windows of the lodge, they could still feel the cool night air on their skin and the faint scent of pine trees in the distance. The moon cast a soft glow over the landscape, highlighting the shadows of the tall trees and the gentle waves of the grass. The silence of the night was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional call from a distant red deer. As the tense moments passed, the girls were drawn deeper into the peacefulness of the night, their imaginations running wild with the possibilities of what lay beyond their view.

They pressed their faces closer to the glass, they could almost feel the magic and mystery of the night seeping into their very beings. It was a moment of pure wonder and fascination, a moment that they would always remember. "Maybe he's gone" Olivia whispered cautiously.

"Maybe" agreed Harriet, her eyes fixed on the outside of the lodge.

"Maybe we will be okay-"

"Shut up!" Harriet snapped, glancing at Olivia. "Listen."

Olivia and Harriet's hearts pounded as they heard the sound of frantic footsteps hurtling towards the lodge, the rapid steps churning along the gravel track. The chilled air carried the sound of heavy breathing, growing louder and more urgent with each passing second. "Do you see where it is?" Olivia's voice trembled as they both stared out of the windows, their eyes wide with fear.

"There" Harriet pointed into the night.

They watched the figure approach, their senses were overwhelmed. It was the sight of their friend, Faith, that caused their hearts to lurch. Her usually composed and adventurous demeanour was replaced with one of desperation as she rushed to the front door trying to open it. It was jammed shut, the door had been locked and would not open. Faith banger her fists against the wooden frame. She was panting and pleading, her once kempt appearance now dishevelled and her auburn hair damp and wild. "Let me in! Please! Open the door, there are dogs" she cried, her entire frame shaking.

Olivia's heart raced as she heard Faith's desperate cries for help. She could hear the fear in her voice, and it sent shivers down her spine. The sound of barking grew louder, and Olivia could feel her own fear rising. Harriet's firm grip on her arm stopped her from rushing to the door. Olivia looked at her friend, her eyes pleading for an explanation. "It's a trap, Liv," Harriet said, her voice low and serious. "We can't risk opening that door."

Olivia's mind raced as she tried to make sense of it all. She knew that Faith, their friend, was in danger, but Harriet's words made her doubt everything. "Please, Liv, trust me," Harriet said, her voice filled with urgency. "We secured this house for a reason. We can't let our guard down now."

Olivia looked at Harriet, her heart torn between wanting to save Faith and wanting to trust her friend's instincts. The barking grew closer and more frantic, she knew that Harriet was right. They couldn't risk opening the door, the dogs could get in she thought, trying to justify their actions. They had to show strength and stick to their plan, however Olivia couldn't shake off the guilt and fear that gnawed at her.

They could still hear Faith's cries for help, and it tore at their hearts. As the barking reached a fever pitch, Olivia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to stay strong. For Faith. For herself. For all of them. She listened to the cacophony of barks and Faith's now desperate screams outside, Olivia knew that they were in for a long and terrifying night.

Olivia's heart raced as she peered out the window, her eyes widening in horror at the sight before her. Faith, her friend, was surrounded by three large Alsatian dogs, their coats dark and shining under the moon's glow. The sound of their ferocious barking filled the air, saliva dripping from their snapping jaws as they paced feverishly around Faith. They were predators waiting to strike.

"Don't watch" Harriet's voice was gentle but urgent as she placed a hand on Olivia's arm.

Olivia couldn't tear her eyes away. She could see the fear in Faith's demeanour as she tried to defend herself, her hands desperately trying to shoo the dogs back, but they were unphased. "She's going to die, isn't she?" Olivia's voice trembled with emotion, her breath misting the glass on the lodge's window.

Harriet's expression was grim as she mournfully nodded. "Don't watch," she repeated.

It was too late. One of the dogs had lunged for Faith, its jaws locking onto her thigh. Olivia gasped, she could hear Faith's desperate cries of pain as she tried to pry the dog off her. Another dog leapt up, harshly yanking at one of her arms, pulling her off balance and causing her to fall to the ground. The dogs tore and ragged at her flesh, their strength and ferocity overwhelming. Faith's screams echoed through the night as the third and final dog sunk its sharp white teeth into her throat, silencing her cries.

Olivia could feel her own throat constricting as she imagined the warmth of her friend's blood gushing out, her life slipping away. As the chaos and violence unfolded before them, Harriet and Olivia sat frozen on the floor, unable to do anything but listen to Faith's tragic death. The sound of her final breaths filled the lodge, haunting them both for the rest of their lives.

Olivia lifted her hands to her mouth, she had turned pale as she continued to stare out of the window at the now lifeless body of her friend. Faith lay in a heap on the ground, soaked in blood, the dogs continued to nip and pull at her limp body. Olivia couldn't help feeling as if none of them would make it out of this hellish place.