twenty | 20.

WHO WE ONCE WERE.

Cameron's trembling hands shot up to clutch her head, her fingers tangling in her damp hair as her wide, tear-filled eyes locked on Josh's retreating form.

The Wendigo — no, Hannah— dragged him effortlessly, its skeletal frame moving with unnerving speed, his panicked screams bouncing off the cavern walls and fading into the distance.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Cameron choked out between sobs, her voice breaking as the icy water splashed around her knees.

Desperation clawed at her chest, and she surged forward, her movements clumsy and frantic. Her muscles screamed in protest against the cold, but she didn't care. She couldn't let Hannah take him.

Before she could get far, a strong hand latched onto her arm, jerking her backward with a force that nearly toppled her. "Are you insane, Cam?" Mike's voice thundered, sharp and furious.

She whipped around to face him, her tear-streaked face contorted with anguish. "Let me go!" She screamed, trying to twist free. Her sobs came harder now, her voice cracking under the weight of her fear. "I have to get him back! Mike, I have to!"

His grip only tightened, his knuckles white against her wet sleeve. "No! You're not going after that thing!" His voice was hoarse, loud enough to overpower her cries. "You'll get yourself killed, too!"

Cameron shook her head so violently it felt like her neck might snap, her wet hair plastering against her cheeks. "It's Hannah, not a thing! And he's not dead yet!" She shouted back. "Josh is still alive! I can't just leave him!"

"And what happens if you're wrong?"

She froze, her chest heaving as the moment pressed down on her.

Her mind raced, a dizzying storm of guilt and terror. Josh wasn't gone—not yet. She could still hear his voice echoing in her mind, calling out for them to help him.

But if she followed, if she confronted the creature dragging him into the darkness, she wouldn't just lose him, she might lose herself, too.

Mike's gaze softened for just a moment, his fingers loosening. "We need to get back to the lodge." He began, his tone quieter now, steadier. "We can regroup. Figure out how to—"

"No." Cameron snapped, her resolve hardening despite the tears streaming down her face.

Her fear was still there, coiling in her gut like a living thing, but something fiercer burned beneath it.

Determination. Love.

With a sudden burst of strength, she yanked her arm free, the motion so abrupt it startled Mike. She didn't give him time to react. Turning on her heel, she charged forward, the water slowing her down but not enough to stop her.

"Cameron, stop!" Mike shouted after her.

She didn't look back.

Every muscle in her body screamed, the cold burned, each step feeling like she was wading through shards of glass, but she ignored the pain.

Josh's screams had faded into silence now, but the image of him struggling in Hannah's grasp was still fresh. She couldn't let him go. She refused.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled onto the rocky shore, her waterlogged boots squelching with each step.

"Josh!" She screamed, her voice echoing off the stone walls. It sounded small, insignificant in the vast darkness of the mines.

Her heart pounded so hard it drowned out everything else—the rush of blood in her ears, the distant dripping of water, even Mike's voice calling after her.

Cameron wasn't thinking anymore. She was acting on instinct, on the desperate, overwhelming need to save Josh.

    The shadows around her seemed to deepen, the faint glow of the cavern fading as she ventured further.

    Then she saw it—the faint trail of wet, smeared footprints leading deeper into the darkness. She swallowed thickly as she followed them, her hands trembling at her sides..

    Her voice cracked as she called out again, "Josh! Please, answer me!"

A low, guttural groan sliced through the suffocating silence of the mine, setting Cameron's pulse racing as she listened.

She spun toward the sound and sprinted forward, her boots skidding on the loose gravel. Her eyes flickered over the uneven ground until it landed on a figure sprawled across the dirt—Josh.

Her breath hitched as she took in the sight of him. He lay motionless, his head rolling weakly from side to side, the dim glow catching the fresh streak of blood trailing from his temple.

The red glistened unnervingly, stark against the grime caked on his face. Was he conscious? Cameron slowed, her heart hammering against her ribs as her eyes darted around the cavern.

Where was Hannah? The silence felt unnatural, the absence of movement putting her on edge. Had the Wendigo been drawn away by something deeper within the mines?

The possibility gave her a fleeting sense of hope, but it was fleeting. If it had gone, it could just as easily come back.

Forcing her legs to move, she closed the distance between herself and Josh. "Josh?"

When a faint groan escaped his lips in response, relief surged through her like a wave, so strong it nearly buckled her knees.

"Oh, thank God." She whispered, dropping to her knees beside him. The cold, hard ground bit into her knees, but she ignored it. Her hands hovered for a moment, unsure where to touch him, afraid of making things worse.

Finally, she let her fingers graze his cheek, her touch feather-light. His skin was clammy, his face pale under the dirt and streaks of blood. "Josh, can you hear me?"

His eyes fluttered open at her touch, unfocused at first, darting around as though searching for something familiar.

    When his gaze finally landed on her, something inside her loosened.

Recognition flickered in his light eyes, fragile and fleeting but enough to remind her that he was still there, still himself.

    "Are you okay?" Cameron asked as she scanned his face, her attention falling to the jagged gash across his forehead. Blood oozed sluggishly from the wound, carving a crimson trail down the side of his face.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay calm. "You're bleeding pretty bad, but I think—I think it's not too deep." Her words came out in a rush, a desperate attempt to reassure both him and herself.

    Josh's lips moved, but the sound that came out was garbled, a strained murmur that she could barely decipher. She leaned closer, her ear almost to his mouth.

    "It's... Hannah..." He rasped, his voice raw and broken. His eyes glazed over, staring past her now, unfocused and full of pain. "It's Hannah..."

    The words hit her like a physical blow. Her breath caught, and a wave of anguish washed over her, almost knocking her backward.

    Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, unwilling to let herself break down. Not when Josh needed her.

    Her mind flashed with memories—Hannah's laugh echoing through the halls of Blackwood Pines Lodge, her wide smile and bright eyes lighting up every room.

    The late nights spent with Hannah and Beth, tangled in blankets, whispering secrets and dreams for the future. The warmth of those moments felt like a cruel contrast to the icy reality now.

    Beth was gone, and Hannah... Hannah had become something unrecognizable, twisted into a monster by the very mountain they had all once thought of as a retreat. She was no better off than her sister.

"I'm so sorry." Cameron reached for Josh's hand, clasping it tightly. She didn't know what else to say, didn't know how to make this any less unbearable.

Josh's body shuddered beneath her touch, and for a terrifying moment, she thought he might collapse into unconsciousness. But his gaze snapped back to her, desperate and pleading.

"We can't stay here." She murmured, her voice steadier now, though her hands still shook as she shifted closer. "Josh, listen to me. We have to move. It's not safe."

Her fingers brushed against his shoulder, her grip firm but gentle as she tried to coax him into sitting up. "Can you stand? We have to get out of here before it comes back."

Her heart pounded as she risked a glance over her shoulder. She couldn't see anything, but that didn't mean they were alone.

    Cameron tightened her grip on Josh as she helped him to his feet, her fingers digging into his arm to steady him. He swayed precariously, his weight shifting unevenly, forcing her to brace herself against him.

    His movements were sluggish, his body heavy with exhaustion and pain, but she refused to let him collapse again. Her arm wrapped firmly around his waist, pulling him upright as his head lolled slightly toward her shoulder.

    "Come on." She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves could betray their location. And they certainly wouldn't if she wasn't careful. "We've got this. Just stay with me, Josh."

    Josh groaned in response, the sound weak and guttural, his free hand instinctively clutching his forehead. Blood still seeped sluggishly from the gash, smearing dark streaks across his temple and fingers.

    His legs trembled with every step, dragging more than walking, forcing Cameron to bear most of his weight as they moved.

    Cameron's breaths came shallow and rapid, her heart pounding against her ribs as they inched forward through the narrow passage. Each flicker of movement in the shadows made her flinch, her mind conjuring horrifying images of Hannah lunging at them from the darkness.

    Then, it came—the sound she'd dreaded.

    That familiar, piercing shriek ripped through the mine. Cameron froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat as her entire body stiffened. Josh faltered beside her, nearly dragging them both down as his knees buckled.

    "Shh." Cameron hissed, sharp but quiet, her free hand darting to steady him.

    She pressed herself and Josh against the jagged wall of the tunnel, flattening them as much as possible. The rough surface bit into her back, scraping through her sweater, but the discomfort barely registered.

    All her focus was on the faint echo of the Wendigo's scream, still ringing in her ears.

    Josh groaned softly, his head dipping forward as his hand rose shakily to clutch his temple. Cameron's heart clenched as he doubled over slightly, his movements unsteady and uncontrolled.

    Another shriek cut through the air, closer this time, reverberating off the stone walls with a ferocity that made her stomach twist.

    It sounded like it was going their way.

    Cameron clenched her jaw, her mind racing, desperation clawing at the edges of her thoughts. She couldn't let Josh give away their position.

    Every sound he made felt deafening. She needed him to stop—needed him to stay silent if they were going to survive.

    "Josh." She whispered, urgency lacing her voice as she turned toward him. Her trembling hand shot up, covering his mouth before he could groan again.

    The pads of her fingers pressed firmly against his cracked, bloodied lips, silencing him. His eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused, as he stared at her in confusion. She shook her head slowly, her gaze locking onto his, trying to convey the seriousness of the moment.

    No. Don't move. Don't make a sound. Bare the pain as much as you possibly can.

    For a moment, he didn't seem to understand. His brows furrowed, his face twisting in pain as he tried to shift.

    Cameron tightened her hold on him, her fingers gripping his jacket as she gave him a slight shake. Finally, recognition flickered in his eyes, and he gave a weak nod.

    Relief flooded through her, but it was fleeting. She could feel the heat radiating off him, his labored breaths shallow against her palm.

    She slowly removed her hand from his mouth, exhaling through her nose in the smallest, quietest breaths she could manage. Each one felt risky, the sound far too loud.

    Her ears strained for any hint of movement beyond their own, her body rigid with anticipation. The seconds dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity as she listened for the telltale scuffle of claws against stone or the guttural growl of the Wendigo stalking them.

    Cameron took a slow, deliberate step forward, her boot crunching softly against the gravel. Her grip on Josh tightened, pulling him with her as she moved.

    He stumbled slightly, his foot catching on the uneven ground, but she caught him before he could fall. "Steady." She murmured.

Every step was excruciatingly slow, her entire body tense as she fought to keep both of their movements quiet as they moved further and further away from the shrieks.

    Just a little further.

Josh's hand caught Cameron's wrist, halting her determined pace.

The sudden pull jolted her to a stop. Her brows knit together, her eyes scanning his face.

Was it his wound? Was he in worse shape than she'd thought? The blood on his temple had dried, but she then realized that his focus wasn't on himself.

He was looking at her, his gaze unwavering, like he was trying to find the right words to say or the courage to say them.

"Thank you," he said after a moment, his grip loosening slightly but not letting go. His eyes softened, and he shook his head faintly. "For coming back for me. I thought I was done for."

Cameron's chest tightened, her breath catching at the admission of his gratitude. She blinked, not trusting herself to speak right away, so instead, she reached for his hand, her fingers wrapping around his.

His palm was warm against hers.

He exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand in a motion so gentle, it sent warmth curling up her arm despite the chill of the mines.

Cameron's lips trembled, but she pressed them together, refusing to let her emotions spill out.

"I couldn't leave you." She finally managed, her grip tightening on his hand. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locked on his. "I couldn't allow myself to."

Josh studied her for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly, not in pain but in thought. "Why is that, Keen?"

Cameron felt her face flush, the heat rushing to her cheeks and creeping up her neck. She let out a soft, nervous laugh, shaking her head slightly as she glanced away.

"Do I really have to explain it?" She asked, her tone light, but her heart hammered so hard it felt like it might echo through the tunnels.

Josh's lips twitched into a mischievous smile, one corner curling upward as if he couldn't help himself. "Yeah," he said after a beat, his hand tightening ever so slightly around hers. "I think you do."

Cameron groaned softly, more out of exasperation with herself than him, and rolled her eyes as though that could hide the way her blush deepened. "You already know why. I thought I made that much clear back at the shed." She replied, her gaze dropping to the ground.

Josh didn't let her look away for long. He shifted closer, the space between them narrowing, his hand still firmly in hers. "I do."

Her breath caught in the back of her throat, her chest tightening like a vice as the words hung in the air between them.

Cameron's lips parted slightly, but no words came. Her mind raced, grasping for some way to deflect her awkwardness, to laugh it off, but all she could do was stare at him, caught in the weight of his truth.

"You've gotta know that I feel the same way." He added.

Slowly, Cameron exhaled. Her fingers tightened slightly, her silence speaking louder than anything she could have said.

Josh's small smile grew just a fraction, and for the first time, she realized that she didn't mind that he knew.

His eyes softened then as he looked at Cameron, his gaze lingering on her face as though he was memorizing every detail.

She tried to focus on anything else—the faint scent of damp earth, the distant drip of water echoing through the tunnels—but it was impossible when Josh was so close.

He took a hesitant step forward, their boots almost touching now, and Cameron's eyes flicked upward, locking onto his. His gaze wasn't uncertain, but it wasn't rushed either. It held a quiet, steady intensity that made her stomach flip. She didn't pull away.

"Cameron." Josh murmured, his voice low and almost tender. Her name on his lips felt different this time, like it carried more meaning.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, a swirl of fear, anticipation, and attraction.

Josh lifted his free hand slowly, as if testing her reaction, his fingers brushing a stray strand of wet hair away from her face. His hand lingered, cupping her cheek.

Cameron's breath came shallow now, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that matched the racing of her heart. Her gaze flickered to his lips for just a moment—barely a second—and she immediately looked away, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.

Josh noticed. He always noticed.

He tilted his head, searching her face one last time, as if silently asking for permission.

Cameron didn't move away. Her gaze softened, her lips parting just enough to signal what she couldn't say aloud.

He leaned down, closing the small distance between them. His breath was warm against her skin, mingling with hers as he hesitated for just a moment, his lips hovering a hair's breadth away from hers.

And then, finally, he closed the gap.

The kiss was soft, almost hesitant at first, as if he were afraid of crossing some invisible line. His lips brushed against hers with a tenderness that took her breath away, and Cameron felt her knees go weak.

She instinctively leaned into him, her free hand reaching up to rest lightly against his chest. His heartbeat was strong beneath her palm, steady and reassuring.

Josh's hand on her cheek shifted slightly, his fingers slipping into her hair as the kiss deepened just a fraction. It wasn't rushed or desperate— he wanted to savor every second.

Cameron's mind quieted, the chaos of the mines and the danger lurking in the shadows fading into the background.

All that mattered in that moment was him—the warmth of his touch, the steadiness of his presence, the way he made her feel safe even in the darkest of places.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the narrow space between them. Cameron's eyes fluttered open, meeting his, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the fear and uncertainty melted away.

Cameron felt a soft smile tug at her lips, her heart swelling with a renewed sense of hope.

END OF CHAPTER XX.

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