𝐄 𝐏 𝐈 𝐋 𝐎 𝐆 𝐔 𝐄
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ɪs sʜᴇ

SIX YEARS LATER
OCTOBER 28TH, 2021

JOSH WASHINGTON stood on set, talking to his screenwriter about the changes that needed to be made to the script. Props were littered around him, similar to the fake bodies and props the Lodge held all those years ago; deciding to pursue his love for film, and following in his fathers footsteps, he'd become a director/actor in the aftermath of the incident.

     As brilliant as his acting was, he much preferred to be calling the shots behind the camera—creating a world to be viewed and admired by those who find themselves drawn to all things horror and gore.

     "Yeah, that's great!" He smiled, patting the man on the shoulder. "I can't wait to see what you come up with, Isaiah," he pointed at the man, maintaining his smile. "I know it's gonna be great."

     Just as Isaiah was about to respond, a group of people barged onto set. The commotion caught his attention, the familiar faces falling under his gaze as they rushed toward him.

     "Mr. Washington, I'm sorry. I tried to—"

     "Mike?" He asked, cutting the security guard off with a confused expression. Sending the man an apologetic glance, he quickly assured him that it was okay. "This is my brother-in-law... What's going on?"

     Mike was panting, Emily and Sam behind him with equally heavy breaths. "It's Shy, she's in the hospital—"

     Josh widened his eyes, quickly grabbing his coat and announcing his departure. "That's a wrap for today, everyone!"

     He rushed to his car, quickly following his friends from set. "Hey, Siri. Call Cochise."

     "Calling Christopher Hartley..."

     The line rung twice before his best friends voice echoed through the speakers of his car, "Josh! Hey—"

     "Is she okay?"

     A scream echoed through the receiver, answering his question before his best friend could. He gulped, sweat forming in his hairline as he pushed his foot further onto the accelerator. "I'll be there in thirty."

     He hung up, catching Mike's eye through the windshield. Waving his hand in a circular motion, his friend caught the hint and sped up, both cars weaving through traffic as they rushed to the hospital.

❆

     "Where is she?" He yelled, jogging into the hospital before the others could even get out of Mike's car. "Where's my wife?"

     Chris met him in the lobby, informing the receptionist that this was his friends husband. She quickly printed out a visitors ID and handed it to him, allowing the blond to lead him to the woman's hospital room.

     He swung open the door, leaving Chris and the others to retreat to the lobby. The nurses looked at him, analyzing his panicked state, and quickly dressed him in sterile scrubs.

     Before him lay Shiloh Munroe, dazed and relaxed—a large contrast to what he'd heard on the phone.

     She looked at him with a lazy smile, her eyes half-shut as she raised her hand from beneath the heated blanket; she reached out for him, motioning for him to stand by her. "Hey, Handsome."

     "Hey, Babe." He greeted, placing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Am I late?"

     One of the nurses spoke before she could, pulling a mask over her face. "Just on time, they're coming."

     Shiloh widened her eyes, gripping tightly onto Josh's hand. He gave her a reassuring squeeze, eyes moving to the nurse as she began to talk the brunette through it. "Okay... on the count of three, hold your breath and push three times. Then catch your breath and repeat. Got it?"

     The obsidian eyed woman nodded, sweat forming on her brows as she took a deep breath to prepare herself.

     "One, two, three. Push."

❆

     Hours passed, the sun had set, and phone calls had been made. Shiloh was exhausted, eyes droopy as they fell upon her husband and the newborns in the chair beside her.

     Josh looked the happiest she'd seen him since their wedding day—smiling as he gently cradled their twins. A boy and a girl, both asleep and swaddled peacefully in his arms. He'd insisted on holding them, telling Shiloh to get some much needed rest.

     Mike Munroe entered the room, the blond man following behind him, flowers in their arms as they cautiously closed the door.

     The couples attention turned to them, joyous smiles on their lips as the men's eyes widened.

     "You didn't tell me you were having twins!" Mike whisper-yelled, staring at his sister in surprise. He lazily tossed the flowers onto a nearby table, scurrying over to Josh and the babies. "Why didn't you tell me you were having twins?"

     His sister smirked, "Surprise?"

     The brunette looked to Josh, "Can I?"

     "Yeah, man." He smiled, "Which one?"

     "I couldn't care less right now." He laughed. Josh smiled, glancing briefly at his wife, before allowing Mike to hold their daughter. "Oh, my God. What's her name?"

     The father chuckled, standing to greet their blond friend. "Elizabeth Hannah Washington. Unoriginal, we know, but... we wanted to their names to mean something."

     "Honestly, after the..." he looked to the baby in his arms, "...crap we've been through? I'd do the same." Mike admitted, a sad smile on his lips at the mention of the child's late aunts. "What about him?"

     Shiloh smirked as Josh handed him to Chris, her hand grasping his when he returned to her side. "Matthew Michael Washington."

     Her brother nearly cried, eyes widening as he swapped babies with Chris. His brown gaze fell upon the boy's sleeping face, tears leaking from his eyes as he gently rocked back and forth. "They would've loved them."

     She smiled sadly, giving Josh's hand a gentle squeeze. "I know."

     "We need to celebrate," Chris smiled. "When you guys get out of here, of course."

     "Anyone down for a mountain getaway?"

     The three of them sent him a deadpanned expression, silently scolding him in unison. "Josh."

      He raised his right hand in mock surrender, his left one occupied by Shiloh's. He released a laugh, steely blue eyes twinkling with humor. "Kidding, kidding..."

     "You better be," the brunette on his side chuckled. "I'm not saving your ass again."

     Josh knealt beside her hospital bed, his signature cocky smirk etched onto his lips. "C'mon, you love me too much to let me die."

     Shiloh placed a gentle kiss to his lips, flipping her brother off as he rolled his eyes. When she pulled away, a tired yet loving smile decorated her face. "You got me there."

— b speaks!

aaaaaand that's a wrap! i'm sad to see it end, but i had a great time writing this book! hope you guys had an equally as great time reading!

i have other books, if you're interested.

thank you for reading, i'll catch you on the other side!