Until Dawn: Tyrants {Josh Washington}

3//the hunger of the pine

^Alt-J^
A/N How often should I update? Leave a comment about what you think about it so far:) I would appreciate it very much!!
I pull away from Josh, my hands and breath trembling. We lock eyes, caught up in seeing each other again, before I look away.
"Okay, guys. It's cold out here. I get you guys haven't seen each other for a while, but c'mon," Chris says, while Sam looks at me sadly.
I gaze over at the door.
"Let's go inside," I say, hoping the cold will work as an excuse for my embarrassed face.
Chris and Josh walk up the set of stairs, and fiddle with the door, not being able to get in.
"Alora, what happened to you? I haven't seen you all year," Sam says casually.
"I don't know... Just a lot of things going on," I reply sullenly.
"You're not okay. I know, Alora. It's been hard," Her voice saddens.
"We've got to go around. Just wait here until Chris opens the door from the inside," Josh tells us, looking at me for a second before walking off with Chris.
Ashley stands from her seat on the stairs, leaving Matt there as she walks over to Sam and me.
"It's nice to see you guys again," She smiles.
I nod in agreement. Ashley was always calling me, and asking if I was doing alright.
"Are you and Josh okay? Things seemed weird between you two," She asks me.
I just shrug, not knowing how to explain the situation.
The trees around us are hungry for warmth, and I feel like needles are poking me in every inch of my body. I embrace the feeling of dread in my stomach, relieved to feel anything besides emptiness.
"I hope they get this door open soon. I'm freezing out here," Sam breathes. I look over to Matt, who looks distressed.
"What's up with Matt?" I quietly question Ashley.
"Emily, she was getting friendly with Mike earlier. Risky business, I think," She explains.
"Sounds like Emily," Sam almost laughs.
I shiver, my breath coming out in cold clouds, and my arms coming together in a warm fold.
We walk up the stairs in a group, waiting for either Chris or Josh to open the door.
"I'm freezing my buns off," Ashley states, and then Chris shows up at the window, a red light illuminating his face and he thaws the door handle.
It swings open, and Chris is smiling behind it.
"Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week," Chris jokes, jumping at an animal running out of the door, past us.
"Crap, that thing freaked me out," He huffs.
"What was that? Are you okay?" Ashley laughs.
"Just a baby wolverine," Sam giggles in a baby voice. Josh appears next to me, laughing along with them.
"Baby?" Chris asks.
"Don't worry buddy, you're gonna be a big boy soon," Josh tells him.
I feel the butterflies in my gut again, and I blink a few times to regain my self control.
How are they laughing? This whole situation has left a bad taste in my mouth.
"Where were you when they ran into the woods?" The officer stares me down.
"In the lodge," I say, my whole mind whimpering and my eyes red with tears.
"And were you part of the prank?"
I shake my head. I wouldn't do that to Hannah, because I know how much she cared about Mike.
"Did you drink?" The man's eyes pierce through the strong light on the table.
"No, but... Josh did," Another tear rolls down my cold cheek.
"And you brought him to bed. Then, Jessica called for you to help them find Hannah and Beth, right?" He questions.
I nod slowly in confirmation.
"Okay, okay. Then you went to look for them?"
"Y-yes. We looked for hours," I look down at my hands. "But, they were no where to be found,"
"And that's it? You couldn't find a trail, or anything?" He leans his hands on the table.
"No, sir. Can I go home, please?" I ask him meekly.
"Yes, your family is waiting for you out there,"
Inside the lodge, everyone takes in the slightly warmer air.
I don't pay attention to the words exiting their mouths as they talk about finally getting inside and 'home sweet home's.
The sight of the lodge makes my brain spin. Memories wash away the butterflies, drowning them completely.
I snap out of my daze to see Jessica, Mike, and Emily joining us in the lodge. Matt looks angry as hell, and he walks up to Mike for a confrontation.
This isn't something I want to be part of, and I find myself walking out of the room to escape the drama.
I just need a nap right now. I need to cry, maybe. I need something to give me the excuse to be sad.
The hunger of the pine is eating away at my sanity.