C 𝛐 l d F r i e n d s || a tale of five friends staying in a cabin

.5.

Isha's mind is a whirlwind of turmoil and despair as she steps outside into the biting cold of the blizzard. The world around her seems distorted and surreal, as if she's walking through a waking nightmare. She sees the same illusion that had ensnared Ezro: the sun shining brightly overhead, beckoning her towards a false sense of warmth and safety.But her hallucination is shattered by the sudden appearance of a massive moose, its dark silhouette looming ominously against the backdrop of the storm. Isha freezes in terror as the creature lowers its head, its antlers gleaming menacingly in the dim light.Before she can react, the moose charges forward with lightning speed, its antlers aimed directly at her chest. Isha's scream tears through the night air as she feels the searing pain of the antlers piercing her flesh, tearing through muscle and bone with brutal force.Donny awakens with a start, his heart pounding in his chest as he rushes to the window, his breath catching in his throat at the horrific sight before him. He watches in horror as Isha falls to the ground, her body wracked with agony, blood staining the pristine snow beneath her.With trembling hands, Donny fumbles for the door, his mind a whirlwind of fear and disbelief. He stumbles outside, his eyes fixed on Isha's motionless form, unable to comprehend the enormity of what has just happened. As he kneels beside her, the full weight of their isolation and despair crashes down upon him, and he knows that they are truly alone in this frozen wilderness, with death lurking around every corner.

Donny's horrified gaze is fixed on the gruesome scene unfolding before him as the moose, driven by primal instinct, begins to feed on Isha's lifeless body. He watches in stunned silence as the creature tears into her flesh with savage efficiency, the sound of bones cracking and flesh being ripped apart echoing in the stillness of the night.The sight is more than Donny can bear, his stomach churning with nausea as he struggles to process the sheer brutality of what he's witnessing. Every fiber of his being screams for him to intervene, to somehow stop the grotesque feast unfolding before him, but he's paralyzed by a potent mixture of shock and terror.As the minutes pass, Donny's mind reels with disbelief, the grisly tableau etched into his memory with horrifying clarity. The harsh reality of their situation sinks in with chilling finality, and he knows that they are utterly alone, at the mercy of the unforgiving wilderness and the creatures that inhabit it.With a heavy heart and a soul weighed down by grief, Donny retreats back into the cabin, his mind haunted by the image of Isha's final moments. The blizzard rages on outside, a relentless reminder of the cruel and indifferent nature of their surroundings, as Donny grapples with the harsh truth that in this unforgiving wilderness, death is always lurking just beyond the edge of the darkness.

Donny's heart aches with the weight of regret as he reflects on the choices that led them to this bleak and desolate place. He can't help but feel responsible for the tragedy that has befallen his friends, haunted by the thought that perhaps he could have prevented their deaths.

If only he had spoken up, voiced his concerns more strongly, maybe they would have reconsidered their plans. But at the time, he had gone along with Mia's idea, swept up in the excitement of the adventure and the promise of a fun-filled weekend in the snowy forest.

Now, as he sits alone in the cold, dark cabin, surrounded by the echoes of their laughter and the memories of happier times, Donny can't shake the feeling that he failed them. His mind tortures him with endless 'what ifs' and 'should haves', each one a painful reminder of his own perceived shortcomings.

But dwelling on the past won't bring his friends back. All he can do now is mourn their loss and try to find a way to live with the guilt that threatens to consume him. As the blizzard rages outside, Donny vows to never forget the lesson he's learned: that sometimes, the greatest adventure comes with the greatest risk, and the consequences of our actions can be more devastating than we ever imagined

Though he dismisses them as an illusion, Donny hears sirens approaching slowly from where he is. Nevertheless, he hears a knock, opens the door, and they lead him outside.

Paramedic: "Hey there, buddy. We're here to help you. Let's get you warmed up, okay?"Donny: *Nods weakly, shivering as he wraps the blanket tighter around himself.* "Thanks... I thought I was seeing things."Paramedic: "You've been through quite an ordeal. We're just glad we found you."Donny: *As they guide him to the ambulance.* "Can you believe all this? It feels like a nightmare."Paramedic: "I can't imagine. But you're safe now. We'll take care of you."Donny: *As they settle him in the ambulance.* "I need to tell you what happened. My friends... they didn't make it."Paramedic: *Nods sympathetically.* "Yes, she was worried sick. She hadn't heard from Mia in days."Donny: *Tears welling in his eyes.* "I'm relieved she's okay... But I wish we all could have made it out together."Paramedic: "I know, Donny. I know." *Places a comforting hand on his shoulder.* "You're a survivor. And you're not alone. We'll get you the help you need."