Cal's Cabin

IV

As soon as Cal stepped into the cabin, nostalgia filled his lungs and, with a heavy sigh, he noticed just how many people were actually there. There was Antoinette, of course, but also Jaime, Monroe, Andrew, Alexander, Geoff, and Minx. Four girls and, including Cal, four guys.

"Hey Cal! How you holding up?" He wanted to joke about wanting to die, but his therapist said that would make his state of mind worse, so he smiled and hugged Alexander instead.

"Honestly? I could be better, but I'm pretty sure, with you guys here, that I'll feel better in no time." That brought a smile to almost everyone's face except Minx, who was holding a picture.

"Uh oh, what's wrong Minxy?" Someone dared to disturb the wild cat's thoughts and she jumped, whipping around while wiping way a tear.

"I just miss my little Maxie." She kept wiping away tears and the tense air grew to dissipate as everyone unpacked for the week ahead of them. People joked and laughed, not knowing the dreadful fate in store for Cal. Who would be the one to actually off him? Would it be one of the other seven people here? Cal wondered while laughing at one of Geoff's jokes. It was a corny one, but Cal couldn't handle it and ended up chuckling. Then, he noticed how some of his friends looked relieved to hear his cheery laugh.

"How about we grab something to eat, hmm? I'm sure there's something in the fridge." Cal tried to walk over to the said fridge, but was stopped.

"Oh yeah. There definitely can't be because I threw away all the rotten food from two years ago!" Cal walked over to Andrew and put his hands on his friend's shoulders. A silence erupted as a tense air reformed around the group again.

"Andrew, I love you. You know that, don't you?" Then, the thick air evaporated as Cal tried to smooch "the beautiful bastard." At least, in his words.

Laughter erupted and Monroe unpacked her picnic basket. She had always liked to collect them, for some odd reason. Either way, it was lucky she had brought something for the mess of friends to eat. After everything was set out, the eight people were interrupted.

Knock knock knock

Then, a knocking came and everyone silenced. Who could that be?