chapter thirteen
"bricks and mortar"

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The Main Lodge  ━━ Hacketts Quarry 2021

ABI AND Lilith burst through the lodge doors, their lungs burning from their frantic run back from the mines. They skidded to a halt, nearly colliding with Kaitlyn and Dylan, who were standing near the entrance. To their surprise, a young man they didn't recognize was with them, looking disoriented and confused.

"Kaitlyn! Dylan!" Abi gasped, trying to catch her breath. "You won't believe what we found in the mines—"

But before she could finish, the lodge door swung open again. Chris Hackett stepped inside, supporting a barely conscious Nick. The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a flurry of voices.

"Nick!" Lilith cried, rushing forward.

Chris gently passed Nick to her, then turned and embraced the unfamiliar young man. "Caleb," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You're back. You're really back."

As Chris and Caleb shared their moment, Lilith held Nick tightly, her earlier fear and sorrow giving way to relief. Nick stirred in her arms, his eyes focusing on her face.

"Lilith?" he mumbled, still dazed.

"Yeah, Nick. It's me," she said softly. Then, gathering her courage, she added, "Yes."

Nick's brow furrowed in confusion. "Yes what?"

Lilith smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, I like you too. I should have said it earlier, but I was scared. I'm not scared anymore."

A slow smile spread across Nick's face, and he let out a weak chuckle. "Took us facing werewolves and almost dying to admit it, huh?"

As the group began to reunite, the lodge door burst open once more. Laura rushed in, her eyes wild and searching. Behind her, supporting each other, came Ryan and soon another man the others didn't recognize.

"Max!" Laura cried, her voice breaking with emotion. She ran to him, throwing her arms around him in a fierce embrace. "You're okay.."

Max hugged her back just as tightly, burying his face in her hair. "Laura," he murmured, his voice muffled. "I thought I'd never see you again."

As Laura and Max slowly separated, their hands remaining intertwined, Ryan stepped forward. His face was grim as he announced, "It's over. Silas is dead. The curse is broken."

The group listened in stunned silence as Laura, and Ryan then described how they had been forced to defend themselves, resulting in the deaths of Jedediah, Mary, and Travis.

"And Bobby," Kaitlyn suddenly interjected, her voice tight with anger. "What about Bobby? The one who poured blood all over me?"

Laura nodded grimly. "We found Bobby in the basement of the house. He... he didn't go down without a fight."

Chris Hackett, who had been listening silently, his face a mask of grief and shame, finally spoke up. "My family... we thought we were protecting people. But we only caused more pain, more death. I can't ask for forgiveness, but I swear to you all, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make this right."

A heavy silence came over the group. Each person was lost in their own thoughts, processing the horrors they'd witnessed and the lives that had been lost.

It was Dylan who finally broke the silence, his voice hesitant. "Wait... what about Jacob and Emma? Has anyone seen them?"

The question sent a jolt through the group. In the chaos of everything that had happened, they had almost forgotten about their missing friends.

Kaitlyn shook her head, worry etching lines on her face. "The last we knew, they were heading to that island. But that was hours ago."

"We need to find them," Abi said firmly. "They're still out there."

Nick, who had been quiet until now, straightened up with a wince. "I'm with Abi. We can't leave them out there."

Chris nodded, a look of determination replacing his earlier shame. "I know these woods better than anyone. I'll help you search for your friends. It's the least I can do."

Little did they know that what they would find wouldn't make a happy ending.

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