After That Night: Until Dawn Fanfiction

Chapter Ten

Sam

Once the others have left, Chris sets the table for three. While he is doing that, I join Ashley on the couch.

"Hey," I greet.

Ashley is just staring at her and Chris's boxes that are still in the living room.

"It felt like they were there," she says. "It felt like they were with us. Especially when we were going through the boxes."

"Yeah. It did," I agree.

Ashley continues to stare at the boxes. "I can't imagine what that must have felt like for Emily. She's the one who saw Beth's head. And then to feel her presence here... It would have creeped me out. Or made me cry."

I nod. "Mike also had to watch Josh die."

Josh.

Ashley finally looks over at me with a small smile. "But hey, speaking of Josh, it was really sweet of him to do that for you."

"Yeah. I just wonder when he was planning on letting me listen to the tapes."

Ashley nods. "It sure sounded like he was going to give these to you to listen to at some point."

"Well, whatever time he was planning on it, it was too late."

I just look at the ground.

I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. I look up at Ashley, a sincere, comforting smile on her face.

"Sam," she says. "You're going to get answers from those tapes. And comfort. You will find them. I just know it. Did you see all those tapes? There are going to be many days of recordings, maybe months or years. There could be multiple days on one tape. With that much time, there has to be something. Not to mention that those tapes and the tape player was fortunate enough to be in the basement and didn't get ruined. That has to mean something, right? Maybe it's fate or something. I know you'll find answers, Sam. You will."

Answers.

I hope one of the tapes is recorded the day before Josh's prank. Before that fateful night. I need to know what he was thinking.

I need to.

"Hey, dinner's ready!"

I'm startled out of my thoughts when Chris calls us in for dinner. Not only does his voice wake me from my trance, but it brings the question...

"Wait. When did Chris learn to cook?"

Ashley smiles. "He started to learn when I made a comment about having to cook all the meals." Ashley then leans in, whispering, "He is only good at several foods, but I'll take what I can get. He's still learning."

I laugh.

Ashley and I join Chris at the table and we all engage in a conversation away from the night on the mountain, away from the twins and Josh, away from the prank.

We just talk.

It's almost normal. Like before it all happened.

Except it isn't.

It isn't normal because through every day, through this normal conversation, I feel a heavy weight on my heart. Even though it feels normal, everything is different. Chris and Ashley have been brought together through that tragic night, just like Josh wanted, Emily is less of a jerk, Mike and Jess are less confident, Matt is more protective and less easy-going, and I'm damaged and alone.

My best friend. Gone.

The close friend I found in her sister. Gone.

My secret love that I never got to confess to. Gone.

They're all gone.

But that's why I try to savor this moment, this meal. Because even though I feel alone, sitting here with Chris and Ashley reminds me that I'm never truly alone.

Because that fateful night also made something different.

Our connections to each other. We are now stronger. Together.

Once the meal is over, I collect my things and stand by the front door.

"Are you sure I can't help you clean up?" I ask.

Chris shakes his head with a smile, pulling Ashley closer. "It's alright, Sam. We got it."

I nod. "Alright. See you guys tomorrow?"

"You sure will!" Chris affirms.

"Bye, Sam!" Ashley says.

I open the door, stepping out. "Bye, you two."

We wave goodbye and I walk down the driveway, realizing that I don't have a car. Mike brought me here.

I'm just about to walk back to the front door to ask Chris to take me home, but when I turn around I see that the front door has been closed. They're probably cleaning from dinner or making out. Or both. I don't want to disturb them.

So I turn back and start walking home.

Ever since that night, I've been afraid of going outside at night. Especially alone. Even though the danger has passed, it still scares me.

That's why I hurry. I hurry as fast as a person carrying a box of stuff can be.

I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, but I don't stop to answer it.

I just keep moving.

When I get to my apartment, I quickly close and lock the door, slumping against it.

I close my eyes, sighing.

I set my box down, pulling out my phone to see who called.

I gasp, dropping my phone on the floor and crawling hurriedly away from the door and the phone. I reach the wall, clutching my chest and breathing heavily. I want to scream, but can't find my voice.

Finally, I manage to breathe, "What the... what the hell!?

My breathing slows and I crawl back to the phone.

There it is right on my caller ID.

Josh.

My phone says Josh called. And Josh's phone was the only phone that we didn't know what happened to.

But...