𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐔𝐒 | 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙐𝙨 𝙄𝙄.

𝐈𝐈.

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𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 the platform they were once on, Abby began muttering to herself as she hoisted herself over a log that was in their path. "I don't give a fuck... we'll just have to do the whole thing ourselves." She said and despite knowing what was upsetting her, Matthew tried his best to come off as oblivious to what she and Owen were just talking about moments ago.

"Are... you good, Abby?" He asked as he too hopped over the log.

The muscular girl in front of him promptly stopped in her tracks, letting out a small sigh before regarding Matthew for a moment. "Yeah, everything's fine, Matty," she lied. "Owen just, uh, didn't want to come with us. You know how he is."

Yeah, Matthew knows perfectly well how Owen operates. For starters, he doesn't like how the douche keeps stringing Abby along and how he keeps toying with Mel like she's a cat, and the prospect of their relationship being a laser, always just an arm's length away.

Alas, he didn't want to risk making Abby angry by prying further. He needed to change tactics. So, in an attempt to lighten the mood, Matthew flashed a wry grin. "Hey, if you're going to give me a nickname, please, call me Matt. I mean, what-would you like for me to start calling you 'Abs'?" He questioned.

Abby rolled her eyes playfully, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite the heaviness in her heart. "You're terrible, Matt," she teased, her tone laced with affectionate exasperation.

Matthew chuckled, the sound echoing in the crisp mountain air. "I try," he quipped, the tension between them momentarily dissipating. However, it proved to bubble up fairly quickly when the two came across a large gap separating the rock they were on and the one in front of them.

"Fuck..." Abby cursed under her breath at the sight. They'd survive the fall if they happened to slip, but even then, the injury they'd sustain would be pretty gnarly. She shivered at the thought and slowly started to back away. And so, she began looking around wildly. "Is there any way we can go around?" She asked Matthew.

"No, I think that'll lead us straight to that man's town." The blond beside her suspected as he rested his hands on his hips. Knowing about Abby's condition, he stepped forward. "Here, let me go first." He volunteered.

This caused Abby's eyes to widen. "What, are you crazy?! We can't make that jump." She retorted.

"Yes, we can. Come on, have a little faith in yourself. This is nothing... here, just watch me," With a deep breath, Matthew took a running start, his heart pounding in his chest as he leaped across the gap. His fingers brushed against the snow-covered rock, and with a surge of strength, he pulled himself up onto the other side. As he stood on solid ground once more, Matthew turned to face Abby, his outstretched hand offering reassurance. "Come on, Abby," he encouraged gently. "If you have any problems, I'll be here to pull you up. Scouts honor."

Abby hesitated, her gaze fixed on the daunting expanse before her before promptly tearing her eyes away from it. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't know if I can do it, Matt," she admitted, her voice wavering.

Matthew's eyes softened with understanding as he stepped closer to Abby but remained off to the side, leaving plenty of room for her. "I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise. Just don't think about it too much." He gently urged.