• Hunt on Washington Lodge •

< Restless >

Josh sat up on the bed, the blankets covering his legs as he stared out the window of the cabin. He'd been awake for awhile. He never took his eyes off the window. He kept his gaze focused on the snow that covered the ground and the distance due to the wind that blew the snow around.

'It's been hours' Josh thought to himself. He'd been growing progressively concerned. But why? Why the fuck should Josh care? This is just some guy. A guy who saved his sister, and him.... and his friends.. maybe he does have a good point to care. The man was nothing but kind to them. Why not be just as kind back? But going as far as worrying about him? He can handle himself.

Things raced through Josh's mind. Everyone else was asleep. They were knocked out even. Josh was the only one who was awake. He was restless. He hated being like this, but at this point it was every night. This night just seemed worse than usual. He couldn't keep his thoughts balanced. It constantly changed. The voices seemed to get louder too.

The voices continued to tell him fates of the Hunter, fates of his friends. The voices never were nice. They always got to Josh. All Josh could do was shake his head and try to ignore them. He didn't want to wake up the others. They shouldn't have to lose sleep over his expense.

Josh carefully moved the blankets off of him and stood up. He walked slowly over to the window though froze when he heard the floor board under him creek. He looked over at his sleeping sisters and friends. No one moved. Josh continued to walk and eventually made it to the window. He looked out at the snow.

The footprints Chris had left while leaving were barely there anymore. The snow had covered it up. Josh knew it would be snowing a lot more. He was surprised that they weren't already snowed into the cabin.

'Still no sign of him.' Josh thought. There wasn't any clock in the cabin. He could check the time. To him it felt like it was already 3 in the morning. Josh knew there wasn't much he could do. He was barely dressed for the weather. All he wore was two shirts, jeans, and his vest with his sleeves rolled up. He would surely freeze to death out there if he even tried to find Chris. How would he anyway? He has no idea where Chris even went.

Josh sighed quietly before making his way back to the bed and laying down on it. He covered himself with the blankets and rested his head on the pillow as he faced the wall. 'I need to try to sleep.' Josh thought once again as he closed his eyes.

It took awhile but Josh began to drift off and fall asleep.

As Josh slept he began to dream. Although it seemed as if he wasn't even in the dream.. it seemed so real. it was odd. All he saw was snow covered tree's and ground. Then he heard the sound of snow crunching. The wind blew hard and he swore he could feel the coldness of the wind.

As he looked in the distance he saw him. HIM. The tall blonde hunter with his gun in his hands. He was muttering something under his breath. Then that's when Josh heard it. That blood wrenching scream. The exact one the wendigos make.

"Josh run!" The hunter said as he locked eyes with the tan man. Josh was silent. He wanted to speak. He couldn't. Chris was still a ways away. As Chris turned around to check where the Wendigo was, he saw the Wendigo lunge at him. He couldn't react fast enough. In the blink of an eye, the Wendigo was on top of Chris.

"JOSH! HELP!" Chris began to shout as he tried to shoot the Wendigo. But to no avail, as the Wendigo had grabbed his gun and threw it. Josh remained still.

'No.. no. Don't do this. Not now!' Josh thought to himself. He wanted to move, he tried so hard. But he was stuck. He watched as the wendigo grabbed onto Chris' head and tear it right off his body.

The snow under Chris turned a bright red as his body went limp. Josh wanted to hurl. He had seen death in movies before. He'd even seen them in dreams, yet this time he wanted to throw up his guts right onto the snow in front of him. The Wendigo seemed to toss Chris' head before jumping onto a tree to get closer to Josh.

The thud the head made as it bounced over to Josh made Josh's hair stand on end. He was horrified as he looked down and saw the lifelessness in Chris' eyes. His glasses had fallen off in the mix. Josh slowly looked up before he saw the Wendigo jump right at him. He hit the ground hard.

Josh jolted awake and sat up quickly. He placed his hands on his chest and then his face to remind himself that he was alive and real. He breathed heavily as he rubbed his eyes then rested his face in his hands. He was clearly panicked.

The door of the cabin opened. The sound of the door creaking made Josh look up quickly. His eyes met with those icy blue eyes from before. "Are you okay?" Chris whispered as he slowly and quietly shut the door.

"Couldn't sleep.." Josh whispered back. "Where's Jess?" Josh continued. "Couldn't find her. She must be in the mines. I looked around the mountain. No sign. I will have you guys take shelter at the lodge before I go down there to find her." Chris muttered back as he took off his big jacket, placing it on the rack near the door. He took off his mask, really just being a bandana, and setting it in the pocket of his larger jacket.

"I'm glad you made it back, Cochise." Josh mumbled as the taller man sat next to him. "I'm glad too, Josh." Chris whispered with that same sweet smile he has.

"I thought the Wendigos were going to get you. I didn't know what do think. Thoughts kept me awake." Josh mumbled under his breath. Chris was surprised he could hear him.

"Get rest. Or try to. I'll be right here." Chris muttered. "I can't sleep well. Never really able to." Josh whispered.

"Well try. I promise I'm not going anywhere." Chris said as he patted Josh's back to reassure him. "You better stay right there." Josh said in a stern whisper. That earned a chuckle from the taller man. "Lay down and rest." Chris added. Josh rolled his eyes playfully before laying back down. He curled up a bit so Chris could still sit at the end of the bed.

"You'll be there when I wake up?" Josh asked. "Of course, Josh. I've done all the hunting I needed to do, tonight." Chris whispered back as he leaned up on the wall the bed was pushed against. Josh smiled and closed his eyes once again. He had fallen asleep not long after.

Chris kept his eye on everyone in the cabin. He looked over at Josh a lot. He could tell Josh was asleep. It was easy to tell the difference. Chris noticed how when Josh was asleep, he always had a more relaxed face, and his mouth hung open ever so slightly. When Josh was awake, trying to sleep, he had a mean look on his face. As if he was annoyed he couldn't sleep.

Chris kept his promise. He didn't leave Josh's side at all the whole night. He watched as everyone shifted and turned. Clearly cold from the weather, and struggling to stay completely asleep. But he stayed there. Right on the bed. Right near Josh. Like Josh wanted.