A town named Winter

Stephanie

We searched almost every building in the town. We haven't found any signs of Todd. I stop walking. It takes only a moment for Amy to realize and alert the other two girls.

"Stephanie, what's wrong?"

Amy asks as she stares into my eyes. Her face showed signs of concern. I'm afraid to bring up what I've been pondering since we found the blood. I collect my courage and speak up.

"What if this is the demon's doing? What if it killed Todd?"

Amy, the always rational one, spoke up first.

"There is no demon. That stunt with the pentagrams was obviously a prank. Either by one of the college boys or Todd himself."

Meghan nodded and stepped closer to us.

"Yeah that's right. And nobody said Todd was dead anyway. He could be just hurt."

Alex spoke up next. She's been quiet since we started searching so her voice startled me at first.

"What if this was Todd?"

The girls stared at Alex in confusion. She sighed and continued.

"I mean, what if this is all a part of the trip? It was advertised as a Halloween camping experience."

I slowly nod my head and digest the idea. This could all be some gimmick. Like a haunted house attraction but more intense. Amy didn't look convinced.

"I would like to believe that, but what if he really is hurt? That blood looked real and his scream was so genuine. I want to continue searching for him to make sure he's okay."

I want to keep telling myself it's like the House of Thrills. The House of Thrills was a funhouse that was always at my city fair growing up. It had rooms of mirror, hidden doors for cheap jump scares, and a constant smell of mildew. I have fond memories of it growing up. My brother and I would visit it every year the fair was in town. He would hold my hand and lead me through the maze like hall ways inside. He was about six years older than me but never, to my knowledge, felt burdened by me. We went through the House of Thrills every year until it was shut down. I was nine and my brother was 15. The people at the fair the attraction was condemned due to mold. Explained the consistent musty mildew smell the building radiated.

Just like how our favorite attraction was condemned, so was my brother. It was only three years later that I lost him for good too.

My brother was strong, but not strong enough to fit the demons in his own mind. He finally stopped fighting and gave in. I miss him every day but I know now that his fight is over and he has found peace. I told Abby about him before. If she was born a boy she would've been named Daniel after him. He would've loved her. His only niece.

When I get home from this nightmare of a hiking trip, I will take Abby with me to visit his grave. I'll tell her of his bravery and kindness.

Now I must be brave like Daniel was. Todd could be hurt. I became a nurse to save people and Todd needs me.