One Last Time

19

Athena

That night, Athena had gone door to door, offering an explanation to anyone who cared to listen. She explained the gun shots, the mysterious deaths, she even labelled Ryan as the murderer who'd escaped. Most guests were relieved, exhaling with satisfaction. However, there were still the unpleasant people who slammed the door in her face.

    She was also the one to break the news about Leah to Owen and Noah. Owen appeared in disbelief as he sunk to his knees, clearly shaken about the event. Noah had patted him on the back, slowly stroking his blonde hair, helping him to his feet. A buddie moment of connection and love.

    Darrius was in an tricky place of grief, unsure of what to do with himself after the news of Leah. Athena tried to calm him, offering any help she could give. Yet, Darrius was mostly silent while they talked. She still looked on the bright side, they were dispatching units to them tomorrow. She was sick of wearing her same shirts over and over.

    She also had a brief apology with Malik. He was an honest man, admitting that he was just glad that it was all over. She promised she would make it up to him once they were rescued from the blizzard.

    Later, she sat on the couch next to Bobby, wrapped in his arms. All the events of the vacation replayed in her head. There were still pieces of the puzzle she was putting together. Noah's strange lie, Ryan's knowledge of the weapons Stephanie held, even his break-in to Malik's room.

    "You need to stop thinking," Bobby whispered in her ear.

    Startled and slightly offended, Athena replied, "How'd you know I was doing that?"

    "It's that same look in your eye," he chuckled, squeezing her shoulder.

    She nodded, "I'm going to find him, dead or alive, I need to know he can't cause anymore death or destruction."

    "I'm sure you will, just not tonight," Bobby spoke, holding her closer to his chest.

    She sighed, closing her eyes, not to sleep but think some more.

    "He had another gun," she added.

    Bobby raised an eyebrow, perplexed by the remark, "Ryan did?"

    "Yeah," she nodded. "Eddie found it stuffed in Evelyn's coat, loaded and everything. It was a different one then the one he used to shoot Leah."

    "Alright," Bobby gasped breathlessly. "That's insane, especially to hide it on your own child."

    "She probably wandered off, looking for the lodge, and Ryan couldn't find her," Athena suggested. "The poor girl."

    A silence fell upon them, Bobby slowly closing his eyes.

    "I think I'm done with vacations for a while," Bobby chuckled, lightening the mood.

    Athena smirked, "Yeah, the cruise and now this, mother nature must have it out for us."

    "At least Lola and her husband weren't here this time," Bobby snorted. "Do you see me now, Norman?" Bobby squeaked impersonating Lola's voice.

    Athena cracked up, slapping her hand on Bobby's thighs, dying with laughter. "God, that would've been a whole other story with her here."

    The two laughed together, before closing their eyes and drifting off to sleep.

    It was the moment they've all been waiting for. The wind had died down, the sun shimmered off the freshly poured powder. The lobby was buzzing with all the guests, the dining room was packed, there was even talk about hitting the slopes.