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Chapter Three

We stayed up for a bit longer, bull shitting around and having some fun. William was the first of us to go to sleep, saying night and heading off. Xena went next, leaving me on the couch alone and to make sure everything was okay. The storm was still raging outside, finally finding a steady but rough tempo to stay at. I got up after a bit and made sure the door was closed and locked, same with the windows before closing the blinds. As I turned from the one by the dining table, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I ignored it though and just sighed mentally to myself for being stupid.

I turned off all the lights before heading up too little loft and closing the curtain. I curled up on the mattress and under the blankets. I wish there was a curtain to my little window, but it didn't bother me really. I grabbed my book from my bag, keeping the light on up here so I could read, and promptly began to lose myself in the story.

I must've fallen asleep while reading because next thing I knew I was being shaken awake. I grumbled annoyedly and tried pushing whoever was shaking me away.

"Pixie! Wake up!" Xena whispered to me, but with an urgent tone.

"What?" I grumbled out, opening my eyes.

"I hear people outside." She told me.

Her eyes were wide and fearful. She was biting her lip like she does when she's anxious.

"It was just a dream." I told her but she shook her head.

"No, Pixie, I heard people talking outside." She persisted.

"Okay, okay, want me to come check things out with you?" I asked.

She just nodded and climbed out of the loft. I sighed and pulled on my shoes and a jacket before following her down. She stood there with two flashlights, still biting her lip and looking around nervously. I took one of the flashlights and followed her outside into the storm. I shined my light around the area but didn't see anything. We walked around a bit, moving away from the cabin and being careful of the wet ground. I couldn't help but think about how we were acting like the stereotypical horror film girls.

"Xena, I don't see anyone." I said to her, looking around.

"I know I heard someone out here. We must just be-" She was cut off as lightening flashed again and we became aware of there wasn't just us out here.

I didn't get to see anything of the person standing there, except a quick flash showing their shape and that they weren't standing that far from us. There was a brief second of confusion and fear before I snapped into myself and did the only sane thing to do.

"Run!" I screamed, pushing Xena to get her going.

She didn't need any more motivation and fled. She over took me after a bit, running ahead with her light as I tried to keep up. Adrenaline and her longer legs kept her faster than me, which was not cool in the moment. I tried keeping up with her, scared about what was chasing us, and trying not to kill myself on the forest floor. Though, it might be a better fate than what was chasing us getting a hold of me.

I kept going as fast as I could and lost Xena in the process. Fear kept my heart pumping and I felt myself start to tear up as I ran. I was lost in the woods and someone was chasing me, I was going to die here.

I was gonna kill Xena after this for suggesting this trip.

I kept running, trying to remember to breath and ignore the burning in my legs. I was still tired from the hike earlier, so I could've cried when I finally noticed the cabin door. I felt a new surge of energy pulse into me as I bolted to the door. My hand grabbed the knob and I opened it before running in and slamming it shut behind me. Standing against the door, I braced myself to keep whatever is out there out.

"William!" I half screamed for him, half sobbed.

There was a pause before he came running out his bedroom in his sleep pants, disoriented and confused.

"What?! What's wrong?!" He screamed back at me, running over.

"There's someone outside! They chased me and Xena!" I cried, before realizing. "Shit! Xena! I gotta go back-"

I was cut off by a bang on the door, rougher and stronger than something Xena could do. It was also completely quiet and I knew Xena would be screamed. I pushed back against the door harder and William came and did the same, and I was suddenly glad he was on the football team. We held the door back though whoever was on the other side was not happy by that.

After what felt like an eternity the banging stopped. I relaxed and let out the breath I was holding, looking up at my brother. He looked as scared as I felt as he kept his body up against the door. I could distantly hear shouting outside the door, two different voices. One angry and one calm, like it was trying to explain something. A few minutes passed and the voices went away.

I relaxed more before there was another bang on the door. I jumped into action to keep it closed.

"Will! Pix! Let me in! Let me in!" Xena screamed on the other side.

I didn't need to be told twice and pulled away from the door, quickly opening it to get her in before closing it again. William stayed against it this time as I looked over Xena. She didn't appear hurt, just freaking out. She had some twigs in her hair and she looked kinda scratched up, like she had taken a fall and she was soaked from the rain.

"Where did you run to?" I asked her, staying close to the door in case.

"I don't know! I got all turned around after running and I got lost, and I ended up falling, and I thought I was goner then someone found me and lead me back here but-" She rambled, but I cut her off.

"Someone found you?" I questioned.

"Yes! I don't know who he was, but he was wearing some kind of blue mask and a black jacket. He picked me up and told me to follow him. He led me back here, told me to hide til he walked past me again. When he did he wasn't alone, but they didn't bother me. Once the two of them were gone, I ran back here." She further explained.

"We're leaving tomorrow." I decided.

Xena just nodded in agreement, while William looked a little skeptical.

"Are you two playing a prank on me?" He asked.

"If you can explain to me how this could be a prank, I'll be surprised." I countered.

"Okay, good point."

"We're leaving tomorrow. I don't care, I'm not spending another night here." I announced. "Xena, you should go get cleaned up and dried off."

She just nodded again before heading off to the bathroom. William stayed against the door without the intent to move it seemed. He looked at me, before sighing.

"Take my bed tonight. I'll sleep on the couch to watch stuff over." He suggested.

"Thanks bro." I replied, looking at him before heading to his bedroom.

I moved to sit in the bed, wrapping myself up in the duvet to keep warm. I was still wet from the storm but I didn't really care. I was safe inside the cabin. Though my mind was trying to wrap around what I had been seeing all day, and what Xena said had happened. Nothing made much sense, but I do know I'd be glad to be home after tonight.