A town named Winter

Amy

We are all packed up and ready for another day. We eat a quick bite for breakfast and we are on our way. The snow seems deeper than it was yesterday. Our tracks from the night before have been almost completely erased. It must've snowed while we slumbered. We venture away from the clearing and deeper into the woods once more. It seems quieter than yesterday. Stephanie almost constricted my arm when she latched onto me. I'm sure I have bruises from her fingers. Physical reminders to go with the eerie atmosphere.

"Hey Amy, what did you think of that kid's story last night?"

I glance her way and notice it in her eyes. A fear. She believes the stories. I should act strong and keep her calm. This is supposed to be a 'haunted' hiking trip, but I can't let her go into hysterics. If she keeps entertaining these insane ideas of a witch and demons, she'll just work herself up.

"That punk was just trying to scare us. Winter is a ghost town in name only. We both know ghosts and witches aren't real."

"Then what do you think we will find when we get there?"

"Old buildings, trees, and snow. A shit ton of snow."

She giggled at this. It seems I broke the tension a bit. Her shoulder relaxed and even her grip on my arm decreased.

"Plus, you won't make a good model with a terrified look on your face."

"Did someone say model?"

The tension is back in Stephanie's shoulders as Ryan puts one arm around each of us. I sigh. Of course it's this fool that tries to come between us. He whistles and is very obviously staring at my breasts. Pervert.

"I've been staring at you two all day. Hiking behind you offers better views than all of Canada."

"God, you really are quite insufferable aren't you?"

I shrug his arms off of us. His face contorts and he opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by Kevin. He's followed closely behind by Jake.

"Leave them alone Ryan. Can't you see you're creeping them out?"

"Relax man, Ryan is just having a bit of fun."

Jake must be an enabler to this kind of behavior. They are probably a terror in bars.

"The ladies aren't interested. Back off."

Kevin comes around to stand right in front of us acting like a shield from Ryan. This arouses attention from the other hikers as they all come closer to watch. Ryan looks around and notices all the eyes on him.

"What a buzzkill man. You're no fun."

With that he walks away with Jake following. Kevin turns back to us. The other hikers lose interest in the event and start walking again. Kevin, Stephanie and I tag along at the back of the formation.

"I'm sorry about him. He tends to get a bit intense when thinking with the wrong head."

I was about to talk, but Stephanie beat me to it.

"Thanks for standing up for us. We didn't expect you to since he's your friend."

"Even as his friend, I know he makes bad choices. I try to be the angel on his shoulder and keep him out of trouble."

"Sounds like a full time job between Jake and Ryan."

He laughs, but I'm serious. You can smell the trouble on those boys. At least one of them has sense.