Chapter Seven: A Noise In The Woods

(Isolation)

***

The newly engaged couple tore themselves away from each other, scanning the woods with wide, nervous eyes as Jordan breathed, "What was that?"

"I don't know. An animal?" Mateo theorised as he helped her up.

"Doesn't sound like any animal I've heard of," Jordan muttered as she looked at the shadowed trees, heartbeat fighting to return to its normal rhythm. "Fuck, that's the second time I heard it."

"Second? When did you hear it the first time? How close was it?" Mateo questioned, turning to her, worry stark on his face.

"Just before you showed up. And I... I don't know. It sounded far away, but..." Jordan answered, the words slipping away like snow in the sunlight.

"Fuck. Okay, okay. Coño," Mateo said, running his hands through his hair. "Okay, let's go back to the lodge. Before..."

Before whatever made that noise found them.

Jordan gulped, fingers reaching for her engagement ring and fiddling with it anxiously as Mateo turned off the music and shoved his phone and the ring box back into the bag, looking at the cups before deciding to abandon them. Just as they were about to leave, Mateo rummaged through the bag before he pulled something out.

Jordan's eyes widened when she saw it. "Mateo, how did you get a knife through security?!"

"I have my ways," Mateo answered. "Besides, I was more worried about you seeing the ring light up on the X-Ray before I proposed."

Before Jordan could respond to that, Mateo flipped the handle of the switchblade knife around to her, an obvious gesture.

"Mateo—" Jordan started, but her fiancé interrupted, "I have a Bowie knife in here as well. If whatever made that noise is after us and gets you... I want you to have the best chance possible to get out of there alive, Jordan."

Jordan bit her lip, before she took the knife and slid it into her jean pocket before Mateo swung the bag over his shoulder and said, "Okay. Let's get the hell out of here."

Jordan nodded. The magical, peaceful, romantic and entirely joyous moment had been ruined by that bloodcurdling screech and now all Jordan wanted was to get back to the lodge and bunker inside with the others minus Mike and Jess.

Hope they're okay, Jordan thought as she and Mateo made the walk back to the lodge down the trail. Her hand found Mateo's, holding it tightly as they walked down the trail, Jordan eyeing the shadows nervously for any sign of whatever made that horrific noise, heartbeat tripping over itself as it slammed against her ribcage like a terrified bird in a cage. Jordan didn't think it was bordering on an attack, but she was feeling pretty anxious and nearing panicked. She'd feel a lot better once she and the man she loved were safely back inside the lodge and she could forget about the noise and they could tell everyone about hers and Mateo's engagement and the wonderful, absolutely romantic and heartfelt proposal.

As they walked down, Jordan's eyes trailed on a totem—how many of them were scattered around the mountain?—as she tugged her hand loose of Mateo and walked over to it, bending down and picking it up, the yellow paint bright against the wood.

***

* GUIDANCE TOTEM *

Jordan and Emily were nearly free of the mines, but the monster was still chasing after them. Jordan risked a glance back and saw it almost upon them. A quick thought passed as she grabbed the deodorant can and the lighter and flicked the lighter on, spraying the deodorant through the orange flame as a large gout of fire roared out, searing the creature's pale skin as it shrieked in pain, buying Jordan and Emily time to escape the mine.

***

"Jordan?"

Jordan set the totem down, standing up and catching the look on her fiancé's face.

"I'm okay, honey," she said, before she amended, "Well, I'll be okay once we're inside the lodge."

"No need to tell me twice," Mateo muttered. "Come on, querida. Let's get inside."

Jordan nodded, moving back to Mateo's side, hand slipping into his as they continued down the trail, feet crunching through the snow as evergreen trees bordered them, shadows lying thick between them. Jordan's eyes darted around, her hand trembling and Mateo gave her hand a gentle, grounding squeeze as Jordan breathed in and out shakily. No matter how nervous she was, she couldn't let her anxiety overwhelm her. Not with something in the woods that could be close to them. She had to keep a cool head, like she would when she was eventually a doctor and lives were in her hands. She could do that.

But as they walked down the trail, Jordan noticed a flash of guilt on her fiancé's face.

"Mateo? What's wrong?" she asked.

"When Chris and I were in the lodge... we found something," Mateo told her.

"What was it?" Jordan asked, though she wondered with a creeping dread if she wanted to know that answer.

"It was a newspaper article about some maniac wanting revenge on Josh's family," Mateo revealed. Jordan halted in her tracks, air sharp in her lungs as Mateo went on, "I told Chris not to say anything because I could tell you were already nervous enough being back here, and I didn't want to make it worse or trigger an attack about some maniac potentially being on the mountain with us. But those screeches had me realise maybe it might be him, and I'd never forgive myself if I kept this information from you when it could save your life. So, I'm sorry, Jordan. I'm sorry for hiding this from you and telling Chris to do so as well."

"It's... okay," Jordan got out, mind running over it.

"You're not mad?" Mateo asked, voice quiet.

"Oh, I'm mad. I'm mad that you don't think I'm capable enough of reciprocating that information without falling to pieces," Jordan said sharply, making Mateo wince. "But... I do appreciate that you're just looking out for me and understand my anxiety and any triggers for it, that it's at the forefront of your mind. I'm mad, but I'm also grateful."

Mateo relaxed slightly before he pulled her into a hug. 

"I know you're strong, Jordan. I believe you are so much stronger than you think you are, but you're right. I just want to make sure you're okay and well while we're up here," Mateo murmured. "Still, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Let's just head back to the lodge, okay, honey?" Jordan asked, pulling back.

"Yeah. Let's," Mateo agreed as they continued down the trail.

As they did, Jordan asked, "You think that screech did come from a human?"

"I... I don't know. Maybe?" Mateo answered. 

"Yeah, but how could a human make that noise?" Jordan questioned, brow scrunched over it.

"A voice distortion could have done the trick," Mateo explained, but even he sounded unsure. As he helped Jordan traverse a rocky patch, he asked, "What do you think it was, querida?"

"An animal? That was our first thought," Jordan offered as she walked ahead on the trail.

"Yeah, but... what kind of animal makes that kind of noise?" Mateo questioned as he jumped down and rejoined her.

"The kind of animal I don't want to cross paths with," Jordan muttered as they kept walking down the trail. They were almost back at the lodge. Soon, they'd be inside and away from whatever animal or maniac or whatever made that god-awful screech and—

Another screech rattled the night, spine-chilling and haunting. And sounding much, much closer than the other two screeches.

"Mateo?" she whispered.

"Run. RUN!" Mateo yelled and they sprinted, bolting down the trail and veering off to the right, screeches following them as Jordan's heart pounded, her lungs and legs burning with exertion as the winter air stabbed at her throat, but she refused to slow down, terror of whoever or whatever was chasing her and Mateo fuelling her as they ran down the new trail and through the woods, trying to outrun whatever was chasing them, and oh God, she didn't want to die, she didn't want Mateo to die, they'd just gotten engaged, they had so much of their life waiting for them, she didn't want to die!

She would run forever through the woods and either gotten lost or got herself killed if Mateo didn't grab her arm, forcing her to a stop just before she could bowl over Emily and Matt.

"Emily!" Jordan sobbed, tackling her best friend in a crushing hug, relieved to see her.

"Jordan? What the hell—are you okay? Why are you running?" Emily demanded, shock and concern shifting over her face before she looked at Mateo and her eyes narrowed. "Did he hurt you, Jord?"

"No, no! We... we were running—something was chasing us," Jordan gasped out, trying to catch her breath.

"What?" Emily asked, confused now and still concerned as Matt looked between Jordan and Mateo, hunched over and panting, and he asked, "Guys, what happened?"

"We heard a screech of some... animal or something. It sounded close and we just... fucking ran," Mateo told them, sucking in a breath as Jordan panted, heartbeat slowly settling down as Emily held her tightly.

"God, Jordan, you look terrified," Emily murmured, concern lacing her usually brusque voice.

Jordan chuckled weakly. "If you heard those screeches, you'd be terrified too, Em."

Emily frowned, giving her another squeeze before letting go and letting Mateo take over in holding Jordan as she asked, "Wait, why are you and Matt outside, Em?"

"Matt left my pink bag behind at the cable car station. We went to get it back," Emily answered.

"Yeah, but we saw some freaky stuff and... and I think we heard that screech as well earlier, and decided to just skip the bag and head back to the lodge," Matt added on.

"That's where we're heading as well—or, were, before that thing decided to fucking chase us," Mateo said. "I'm surprised it's not here, actually."

"Well, I can't see anything behind you guys," Matt said.

"What?" the couple asked in unison before they turned to the direction they sprinted out of, Jordan certain some glimpse of whatever had been chasing them would come charging out of the trees.

But there was nothing there, and Jordan couldn't hear screeching anymore. It was like whatever had been chasing them had just... given up.

Or never existed at all.

"What the fuck is going on?" Jordan breathed. "I could have sworn there was something..."

"You and me both, querida," Mateo muttered before he looked back at the other couple. "You guys know the way back to the lodge? We got turned around when we fucking bolted into the woods out of panic."

"Yeah, I think we can lead you guys back to the lodge from here," Matt said confidently, Emily scoffing at the unintentional unsureness of "I think", which Matt ignored as he added, "Let's go. It's a bit of a walk, though."

"I'd just be happy if we got back to the lodge," Jordan muttered as the couples walked side-by-side, Jordan next to Emily.

As they walked, Emily noticed the glint of Jordan's engagement necklace. "What's that, Jord?"

"Oh. Um..." Jordan held the necklace, a nervous but excited smile on her face as the euphoric moment before the horrifying screech flooded back into her mind, filling her with the overwhelming urge to tell Emily because out of everyone who was here, Emily was the one she most wanted to tell as she tugged her best friend slightly behind the guys.

"Before we heard the screech, Mateo and I had some hot chocolate and enjoyed the view and stargazed, then danced to Taylor Swift and he..." Jordan just decided to show the engagement ring to Emily, letting that and her smile say it all.

At seeing the engagement ring and understanding what that and her best friend's smile meant, Emily squealed, grinning. "Oh my God, Jordan! Congrats!"

"Thanks," Jordan said, still smiling. "I'm... I'm really happy, Em. The happiest I've been in a long time."

"As you should be!" Emily exclaimed, before adding, "And just so you know, I am helping you with planning the wedding and finding the perfect dress for you."

"I was already planning to ask you to be my maid of my honour, but that means a lot to hear, especially about the dress," Jordan said, smiling.

"Of course! You're not just my friend but my sister, Jordan. I want to make sure you have the best wedding and the most amazing goddamned dress ever. It's your fucking wedding and you're going to look fucking gorgeous and make that man's jaw drop the moment he sees you like you deserve," Emily said, before she blinked and asked, "Did you say you want me as your maid of honour?"

"Well, there's also Sam..." Jordan said, but Emily shook her head and interjected, 'No. No, I accept. Of course I accept!"

Jordan grinned. "I knew you would. And I'm so glad you're gonna be my maid of honour."

"Duh. I'm just happy my best friend is getting freaking married to the most perfect man for her," Emily declared—loud enough for the guys to hear.

"Wait, seriously? You proposed and she said yes?" Matt asked, looking at Mateo.

"Yup," Mateo confirmed as Jordan flashed the ring again, his hand finding hers as he grinned. "We're engaged now."

Matt laughed. "Oh man, congrats, guys! I mean, I knew you would say yes and so would Emily, but still! When's the wedding happening?"

"We just got engaged, Matt," Mateo said right as Jordan questioned, "You guys knew?"

"Duh. He wasn't gonna propose to you without running it by me first," Emily said, slanting a look at Mateo. "And without letting him know what happens if he hurts you, Jord."

"He told me and Chris as well, and Josh found out thanks to Chris," Matt added. "But no one else knows."

"Not even Mike, who I assume is gonna be your best man?" Jordan questioned.

"Mike can't keep a secret to save his life. I love the man, but he would have spilled something to you and the surprise would've been ruined," Mateo explained. "But trust me, tomorrow, I am telling him and asking that exact question."

"Well, I'm glad you didn't. I enjoyed every second of that proposal, surprise and all," Jordan said, smiling at Mateo.

He smiled back at her, giving her hand a squeeze before Emily groaned. "Ugh, can you two cut it out? It's so sweet I can feel my teeth rotting in my mouth and making me want to puke."

Jordan laughed as she grinned at Emily. "And here I thought you were already planning who to sit where at the reception and not-so subtly trying to see which seating would spark the most drama."

"I can multitask, babes," Emily replied, waving her hand. 

Jordan accepted that as they continued down the trail back to the lodge, the conversation about hers and Mateo's engagement lightening the mood after the adrenaline-fuelled terror of the screeching and the fear that something was after her and Mateo, that wanted to kill them.

And hopefully, that would set the tone for the rest of the night.

***

Chris and Ashley: Traumatised after Chris was forced to choose to save Ashley and having to watch Josh "die"

Jordan and Mateo: Talking excitedly about their engagement even after they ran for their lives and into Matt and Emily

But Jordan, if you only knew...

But yeah, Mateo and Jordan heard the screeching and were like "Nope" and back to the lodge. Also, Mateo gave her the knife and Jordan found another totem that showed another vision!! Both are gonna be important in the future

And Mateo told Jordan about what he and Chris found! In his mind, the screeching could mean they could be in danger and Mateo would damn himself if he kept something that could save Jordan's life even if it could trigger her anxiety. And while Jordan is mad Mateo doesn't think she's capable of taking that without breaking apart (and the mines will show exactly how capable she is) she does understand and appreciate it was out of concern for her and her mental health and says as much while Mateo says he does believe she's stronger than even she knows and apologises for keeping it a secret and saying it was out of concern for her. We love mutual and healthy communication in romantic relationships :) <3333

And they met up with Emily and Matt and are heading back to the lodge! (for now) But yeah, I can imagine Emily, though bitchy, would be REALLY excited about her best friend being engaged and getting married soon to a man she likes and thinks is perfect for her (and, of course, making sure she finds and has the most perfect wedding dress for her big day)

And yeah, this is the last really calm moment before everything happens and Jordan and Emily eventually wind up in the mines. Who's excited? >:)

Please read, comment and vote!

GhostWriterGirl!