Chapter Text
“Josh?”
Chris’ voice was shaking. He had never been this terrified before. Never. The Wendigo was out there, lurking in the shadows, just waiting to make its move. The stranger was just behind him, flamethrower ready in case they were attacked. But Chris knew that it wouldn’t. Not yet at least.
“Wendigo’s using yer boyfriend as bait,” the stranger muttered, as if he had read Chris’ mind. “And we’re walking straight into the trap.”
Chris swallowed and glanced over his shoulder before stepping inside the shed.
“Josh? You alright?”
He heard a low whimper, followed by the heart-breaking sound of his best friend’s voice.
“Chris? Chris came back?”
Slowly, Chris stepped into sight, relieved to see that Josh was still sitting where they had left him. He was bleeding from where the Wendigo’s claws had slashed his cheek, and his whole body was trembling.
“Oh god,” Chris said under his breath, then hurried over to Josh and knelt down before him, cupping his face. He could see the insanity in Josh’s eyes, but there was also so much pain and fear.
“You left me… I thought you’d never come back… I… I’m not… I’m not feeling well, Chris.”
“You’re bleeding,” Chris said, feeling the panic rise in his chest. There was no way he’d be able to get Josh back in this condition. He was too weak. Too confused.
“Chris… Chris, Chris, Chris,” Josh said in a sing-song voice.
“Ssssssh,” Chris said soothingly, his thumb stroking Josh’s cheekbone. “I’m gonna get you out of here. You’re gonna be fine, Josh.”
Josh’s eyes widened and he shook his head frantically, making Chris pull his hands back.
“No. No nonononono no… It was here, it was looking at me… We’re never getting out, never getting away…” His voice cracked and Josh averted his eyes. “Don’t leave me here Chris… Don’t… Please, please don’t…”
“Hey,” Chris said, gently grabbing Josh’s shoulders. “I’m not gonna leave you. I’m gonna…”
He let out a shuddering breath, because he had already let Josh down twice tonight. It was the first one he felt worst about, even though it was just a prank. He had chosen to save Josh, he knew he had chosen to save Josh, and yet that saw blade had cut right though him! And for the next hours, it wasn’t the screams of the Wendigo that had haunted him. It was the sound of Josh screaming in agony that had echoed through his head. And then he had left him again… He had left his best friend tied up like a madman!
“I don’t want to lose you again,” he whispered, meeting Josh’s eyes.
“Oh for fuck’s sake! Just get ‘im loose already,” the stranger snapped. “Or we’ll all die out here.”
He tossed Chris a knife, then turned around as if to guard the door. Chris let out a shuddering breath and gave Josh a reassuring nod before moving around him to cut the bonds.
A loud screech cut through the air, almost making Chris drop the knife. Josh seemed to stiffen, true terror shining in his eyes.
“They are coming,” he whispered just as Chris cut through the bonds. “They’re here….”
Chris helped Josh to his feet, ignoring how red and raw his wrists were from the binding. He should never have made them so tight. He should never have left Josh in the first place.
“You must be freezing,” he mumbled, ignoring Josh’s warning. He shrugged out of his jacket and offered it to Josh, who just stared blankly at him until Chris was forced to put it on him.
“Thank youuu…” Josh hummed, his head tilting from side to side. This was bad. This was really fucking bad. If they went out there, he was going to lose Josh. The Wendigo would snatch him before Chris had the chance to react. But they couldn’t stay here either.
It was only then Chris remembered that Josh still had the keys to the Cable Car. If he could get himself and Josh there…
“Go,” the stranger said, as if he had once again read Chris’ mind. “I’ll get the others.” He eyed Josh, and then looked at Chris with a frown. “But it is your funeral.”
Chris bit his lip, but only nodded. He grabbed Josh’s arm and pulled it around his neck, his other arm winding around his waist to support him. The stranger gave him one last look, then ventured out of the shed and into the night.
“Go? Go where?” Josh asked in confusion.
Chris took a deep breath. Once again, he had to choose between saving Josh and saving Ashley. He could feel a lump forming in his throat at the very thought, yet just looking at Josh standing there, looking so fragile and broken was enough to make up his mind.
“The Cable Car,” Chris said. The stranger would get the others. He knew he would. And what could he do to save them anyway? Nothing. But he could try to save Josh. He had the key to the Cable Car and he had the shotgun. Perhaps that was enough. And if the stranger had distracted the Wendigos for a while, they might be able to get out of there.
Josh was about to object, but Chris cut him off. “I’m getting you out of here. I’m getting you to safety. The others will be safe in the house until the chopper comes at dawn.”
At least he hoped they would.