Until Dawn - Your Story

Heated conversations - Chapter Four

Heated conversations - Chapter Four

"Home sweet Home!"

A bit surprised you raise your eyebrows. Josh actually never called the ski lodge home. What has changed? "Sweet is not the word I'd use", Matt mumbles as he puts the bags on the ground. The slight smile on your lips fades away immediately. "Oh my god. It's so good to be inside. Even if it's still freezing in here", matching to Ashley's words you wrap your jacket tighter around you. Suddenly you feel a bit like an intruder. What happened to this happy place?

"I'll get a fire going", Josh makes his way towards the fireplace. "Uh... Need help?", you feel stupid just standing around and waiting. Interested you look over his shoulder, but then you remember Chris still has his lighter. "This place barely looks any different", Matt looks around surprised. Your typical smile comes back as you turn around to him.

"Nobody's been up here", you answer for Josh, but maybe it was a mistake. Chris chuckles a brief moment. "It seems like you were the owner of the ski lodge", at least no one laughs about his joke. They are all just overwhelmed from the feeling to be back. "Even with all the police coming in and out?", Ashley asks interested. Her question feels like a punch into your face.

Without a word you look into your jacket pocket. "Here", you give Josh your lighter. Sometimes you forget that you have always one in your pocket. He gives you one of his best smiles, but it can't cover the sadness in his eyes. "Not a lot of action up here lately", Chris breaks the ice. "Nope", is the only thing Josh says.

"What's up party people!", you hear a familiar voice. It's hard to keep a straight face as Mike enters the ski lodge. He hasn't changed at all the last year. Of course Jessica follows him like a lost puppy. "Oh no", you whisper under your breath. Matt raises his head to look at his "friend". This is won't end well...

"Make yourself at home!", Josh greets Mike smiling, while you make your way to Matt. "Yes, come on in! Take a load off. Have whatever you want", it's too late. With a grumpy face you take a step to the side. You don't have to be between the two men when the real fight starts. "You just take whatever you want anyways, right?", Matt couldn't hold back his anger.

"Woah, easy!", Mike doesn't know what's going on right now. They stare at each other for a second. "Matt, it isn't worth it", you try to neutralize the situation and put a hand on Matt's shoulder. A bit harsh he pushes your hand away and takes a step closer to Mike. "What the hell were you doing with Emily out on the trail?", he wants to know.

Sighing you wait for another chance to skip the fight between Matt and Mike. "I saw you with Emily through the telescope", Matt adds not breaking the eye contact. "Before? We just ran into each other", Mike defends himself. "It'd been a while so we hugged and I said hello. Is that against the law?"

"Matt", you say his name softly. There is something in his eyes that tells you he doesn't want to fight. "No, sorry. It's been kind of a long day. I overreacted", finally he gives up and takes a step back. A smile appears on your lips. A fight with Mike would complicate his relationship with Emily.

"Don't worry about it", his friend replies and sits down on the couch right next to Jessica. At least something goes right today. Your mood brightens up a little bit as you turn around to Josh. "What takes you so long, Josh? I'm freezing", you ask him smiling and look over his shoulder again. "Don't look at me. You make me nervous. Don't worry. Take a seat, I got it", he says without turning around.

You almost can't hold back the sigh to escape your mouth as another person enters the ski lodge. "That's so gross", Emily comments the situation. And there comes the next fight. "Are you trying to swallow his face whole?", she adds feeling confident. It's unbelievable that they were something like best friends one fucking year ago.

"Em", her boyfriend tries to calm he down, but Emily is ready to have a good bitch fight with Jessica. A bit annoyed you roll your eyes. A lot of things have changed within one year. "Seriously can she be any more obvious? No one wants in on your territory, honey", that's actually enough to make Jess angry. She stands up to fight back.

"Excuse me, did you say something?", she wants to know. "Oh did you not here me? Was your sluttiness to loud?", Emily replies sarcastic. Matt looks really uncomfortable now and Mike apparently doesn't care that they are fighting. "Emily, please. Calm down", Matt makes a move. "Shut up!", at least Jess and Emily are one opinion right now.

"Hey! Don't be rude to him", you defend your friend. He already has enough problems with Emily and their relationship. Now they focus their anger on you. "That's not your fucking business, little Ms. Perfect!", Jess pushes you back into your place. Rule 1: Never get into a bitch fight!

"Stop it! This is not why we came up here. This is not helping. It's not what I wanted", Josh interrupt almost yelling. That's a bit surprising now. It was never his way to yell at someone. "If we can't get along for ten minutes then maybe we need a little break, right?", that sounds more like the Josh you know. "Mike - why don't you check out the guest cabin. The one I told you about." He nods in agreement and holds out his hand for Jessica.

"I'm glad that's over", you mumble and shake your head slowly. "Where is my bag?", Emily wants to know. That can't be true! Will this day ever end? "Oh my god. I'm out! I'm sure there is something to drink in the kitchen, right?", without waiting for Josh's answer you leave the room. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to organize a trip for all "friends".

Sighing you drop your bag on the floor and get out of your jacket. You know exactly where you have to look for something to drink - and you are not searching for water. There is always the little secret place where Josh hides the alcohol. Of course the bottles are still there.

You are not even an hour reunited with your friends and the alcohol is already calling for you. Suddenly someone snaps the bottle out of your hands. "It is a bit too early for that, right? Apart from this, that's my secret stock of alcohol", Josh puts the bottle back into its place. "Come on! What I'm supposed to do? Should I smile and enjoy the cat fight like Ashley, Sam and Chris?", you reply sarcastic.

"You need a clear head tonight. Believe me", is his mysterious answer. Confused you raise your eyebrows. Why is he acting strange? "Ashley and Chris are looking for the spirit board. That will be fun. In the meantime, I need to fire up the boiler. Sam is lost without her hot water. Want you to come with me?", Josh asks before you can even think about his last statement. That would be the perfect moment to snoop around and find hints what he's planning. Nobody would see you.

Should you go with Josh into the basement or look for some hints?