Post Dawn

17: Together

Matt quickly ushered Sam and Mike inside the establishment as they both looked at everyone that was already there.

Mike's glance purposely ignoring Jess and Sam's ignoring Josh. Matt made sure the duo sat down as he explained what had just happened.

The news was still on the tv but Matt had muted it so they could all hear each other. "So, wait- more people were killed? When?" Mike asked.

Sam didn't say a word. She just sat there squeezing her hands together. She didn't want to hear this. She didn't even want to believe it. Any word that Matt said.

"Last night the bodies were discovered. The were eaten. Teeth marks were in them. There's only one thing I know I can think of that could do that." Matt explained.

Mike looked over to Sam, seeing her panic and then at everyone else. "Come on guys, it- it's probably nothing. We escaped the mountain. We don't have to think about that again." Josh said.

He saw Sam look to him and quickly quieted himself.

Everyone started talking until Jess spoke up.

"Mike. Can I- can I talk to you for a minute? Alone." She randomly requested.

Sam looked at Mike and then stood as everyone else followed her motions as Mike and Jess were left alone.

"Hey." She said to him as he sat down.

"Hey. Didn't get a chance to talk when I got here."

"Save it Micheal. I know you were trying to avoid me." Jess said.

Mike looked down at his lap saying nothing. "Sorry." Was all he could manage to say.

"No. I'm sorry. I was just- back at the hospital, I was scared. And everything just came back rushing in and it was just- a lot."

"I know. That's why I-."

"Micheal. I know you try to protect me. And shield me from the world but I don't need it. I already have enough of that here." Jess explained.

Mike slowly nodded as Jess sighed.

~~~~~~~

Sam stood in a nearby hallway with the others as they all talked amongst themselves.

She leaned against a wall by herself as she heard the whispering. She couldn't make out what anyone was saying.

Not that she wanted to.

She felt someone walk next to her and turned to face them.

"H-hey." She heard Josh say.

Shit. She had been trying to avoid him just as Mike was trying to avoid Jess. I guess we're both screwed then.

She didn't say anything to him as he scratched his head. "I'm really sorry about. Before." He said quietly.

She pretended she hadn't heard him. She didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want him to talk about it.

She just wanted to forget everything that happened. She wished everything could just be normal again.

She remembered how only a year prior, they had all been together. All of them. Hannah and Beth were alive.

And right before that, they had all been to the Winter Formal. Hannah was so excited to be with Mike. Beth was emotional at the time and sat at the bleachers, trying to hold herself together.

Sam had went up to her and tried to comfort her. When Beth looked up at her, she broke. All the tears she had been holding back burst through.

Sam had just stood there, not knowing what to do. Beth explained that she was sad that this would be the last time they were all together.