The Cost of Entry

Chapter 1

Cold, Tired and Totally Not Lost

"Jake"

"Look, I don't need you telling me over and over that we passed the road 6 miles back. If you look right here on your map we can take a left at the next road, 2 miles up ahead and we will still get there," I say, pointing at Jess's map while driving with the other hand.

"Oh sure let's take the abandoned road. I'm sure the pound comes here and keeps all the deadly creatures locked up so weary travelers like us can waltz on through without any trouble," Jess says with a hair-flip.

"They don't really have trouble with the wildlife up here. Although, there is this creature that's been a real pain in the ass recently. I believe it was called Jess..." Ken says.

"Hah. Only because I'm top of the food chain."

Ignoring her, I say, "hey Ken, so what did you pack for food?"

"5 loaves of bread, 7 packages of ham, a 24-pack of water bottles, cheese, tea and 5 boxes of cheese crackers."

"Good, that should be enough for the trip there."

"IF we get there," Jess mumbles.

"Watch out. PMS alert," Ken says.

"No I just don't want to get stranded and have my beauty get frostbite."

"Oh don't worry sweetheart. You're so frigid, snowmen find you attractive."

"You little fu-"

"Hey ladies! I'm trying to beat this game and I can't finish with you guys constantly fighting," Sam says from the back, annoyed.

Jess gives Ken the *this isn't over* look and then turns back to me. "So how far are we from this road?"

"We're getting pretty close," I say. (We are REALLY close. Although I haven't seen it yet... Wait...)

"Fuck. Missed it."

"Wow. Good job captain, at being great with observing your surroundings," Jess says sarcastically.

"No thanks to you," I respond.

"Well of course not. I'm not driving."

"Well hold onto your tiara princess," I say as I do an abrupt U-turn, causing Jess to hit the side of the door and sending her hair into a flurry. "Whoops."

"Bas...tard" she says shakily between breaths.

"So Ken and Sam, are you ok?" I say ignoring Jess.

"Yeah," they both respond, "although I lost the game again," Sam continues.

"Heh sorry about that," I say while slowing down to meet the black truck that was following me.

Austin rolls down his window and shouts, "hey, that was one hell of a U-turn. What's up?"

"Missed a turn. The road is just right up there," I say pointing to the road. (The road was very well hidden by the 2ft of snow everywhere. Although, the road is just right to get the low end of snow drifts. So it has about 2 inches of snow on it. It enters the middle of a forest and it doesn't have a road sign... So I can see why I would miss it)

"Ah ok. Right behind you," Austin says and backs up to follow me onto that road.

Turning onto the road, I say, "so, what game are you playing anyway, Sam?"

Sam stays silent, absorbed in his game, so I go on to talk to Ken. "So Ken, how is it going for him?"

"He's good. He's been working on getting into this football college," Ken responds. "What about you. How are you and HER," he says pointing at Jess.