A town named Winter

Alex

I rush out of that god forsaken cabin and into the brisk winter air. I see Todd coming this way so I go the opposite. I start picking up pace and reach the edge of town farthest from where we entered. I can't completely dumbfounded that Ryan would be such a creep. I got weird vibes off of him but I didn't expect this. I just need a minute alone to collect my thoughts.

I start to stroll around the outskirts far away from the rest of the group. I'm not sure if I believe what the old woman told me about this town. I do feel a certain sense of dread in the atmosphere here though. It's as if the air I breathe contains pieces of Winter's dark history. I continue scoping out the area and abandoned houses. I snap pictures along the way to add in the video and put on Instagram. It's about the time I made it too the southern end of the town when something caught my eye. I crept closer to get a better look. In the white snow was what looked like animal tracks. They were hoof prints with a distinctive split down the middle like deer tracks. What tipped me off that they weren't deer though was the massive size. They were the largest footprints I had ever seen in my life. A cat could've curled up and fit inside. I snapped a few pictures and ran off to find Todd to ask his opinion on it.

Todd is wandering out of the wall of evergreens when I see him. He's doing what I was doing early and taking pictures of everything.

"Todd! I found something very interesting on the southern end. Will you come look?"

"Of course. Lead the way."

I rush off to the prints so quickly that Todd almost has to jog to keep up. When we approach the prints he squats down to get a closer look.

"These are huge. Good find."

"What are they?"

"Most likely moose tracks. They are common around here. Though this is a large print for a moose to leave."

"Moose, huh?"

"Yeah. Perhaps the moose are different when you get further away from civilisation. They have more room to grow up here."

"..Maybe.."

"Todd!"

Todd and I glance towards the call. Adam, Kevin, and Meghan were jogging over this way. I know exactly why they are here the moment I spotted Kevin in the group. I just wanted to forget about the whole ordeal with Ryan and focus on why I'm here. I look down at my feet when they finally reach us. Kevin spoke first.

"Todd, we have had an event occurring not long ago."

"What happened? Is someone hurt?"

Kevin glanced my way.

"No, but they could've been. Ryan cornered Miss Alex here in one of the houses trying to prey on her."

Todd looked down at me.

"Is this true Alex?"

I nodded without looking at him. I'm embarrassed and don't want to dwell on it.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I just wanted it to go away like it never happened."

"Did you witness this Kevin?"

"Yes. I was first to find them. Meghan and Adam came after me."

"Okay. I will deal with it."

With that Todd walked off and Meghan stepped closer to me. She smiled at me like nothing happened.

"Maybe we need some girl time? I'm sure Adam can manage without me for a bit. Let's find Stephanie and Amy and we can all explore together."

"That's sounds nice."

It'll be nice to be away from Ryan and distracted for a bit.

We walk off with the tracks completely forgotten.