"The human mind can only endure so much," Mr. Maxwell said, looking ahead at the dark, icy road as he drove, keeping his hand steady at the wheel. "You'll see that. It doesn't take much to break somebody."
In the very back seat of the Suburban, Sienna looked out of the window. She was so close to the frosted glass, she could see her breath as she exhaled. "Are you sure that this is going to be safe?"
Skylar stared at her for a second before saying, "You only care because it's Nolan. If it was Emmett, or Hudson-" She bumped Hudson, who sat in the seat in front of them, on the back of the head as she said his name. "You'd be all for it. Wouldn't you?"
"Nolan-" Sienna started, but stopped herself.
"Is a sissy," Skylar finished for her. "He's used to jokes. He is Emmett's best friend. Zoe, I know you're into this. Maybe it'll piss Nolan off so much, he'll ease up and give you more time with your man."
"He's not-" Zoe started, but just like Sienna, she slowed her eagerness. "He's not my man. And, I won't even get to see him. We're not giving up the joke until sunrise."
"Darn straight," Skylar said, resting her hand on the top of the seat, softly nudging the back of Hudson's head.
"You guys know the plan, right?" Hudson finally let his voice take a turn at the empty spaces of the conversation. "Mr. Maxwell and I are doing all the scaring. We have the costume in the back, and the speakers for the sound effects. You ladies are there just for the show. Alright?"
"Cool it. We'll do what we're told," Skylar said. "Gosh, I bet fifty bucks he'll wet himself."
Sienna stared off into the dark, night sky, trying not to provoke Skylar with her apprehension.
Mr. Maxwell and Hudson softly rambled about the plans while the girls talked about finals. Emmett and Nolan were already there, settling into the cabin. Emmett's job was to send him out for firewood, and not to let him go to sleep early. The crew needed at least a half hour to get in costumes, and to set the speakers up to make the Hollywood made, blood curdling sound effects that would send Nolan into cardiac arrest. Finally, when Nolan fell asleep, Emmett would use his flashlight to spell in morse code: "OK." They would run over to the cabin, and peer through the windows, scaring Nolan again, for the last and final time.
"Remember, this is just a social experiment. We're not going to take it too far," Mr. Maxwell said, looking directly in the rear view at Sienna.
Skylar noticed Mr. Maxwell's gaze, and looked at Sienna dead in the eyes. "Screw that. It's solely to scare the crap out of Nolan. Can't take it? Find a ride home."
******
"You know what I'm gonna do with the two fifty?" Nolan said morosely as he shook out his wet snow pants.
Emmett smiled at the wall, with his back turned on Nolan. He didn't know what was more cruel- the fact that Mr. Maxwell's bet money didn't exist, or what they were about to do to him. "What?" He replied, turning to face him, with a serious glance.
"I'm gonna get one of those fancy waffle makers. Where you can choose the consistency of your waffle, and the outside crispiness; all with non-stick technology."
Emmett laughed, shaking out his own snow pants, then leaving them folded in half on the chair next to the bed, wiping his hand off on his jeans. "I'm upgrading this thing," he held up his outdated phone. "I don't even get service up here."
Nolan stared at his. "Neither do I," he said sedately.
"Hopefully the Wendigo don't get us," Emmett said, staring at Nolan, fishing for any fear in his expression. He grinned when he saw it. There was always a way to freak out Nolan.
