The New Lodge

---

---

Its not creepy.

In fact there at the base of the lodge, watching the sun light on snow banks and icy trees, she wanders if this weekend is even going to be all that scary. The atmosphere of the place breathes easy, and, to be quite honest even with its history Morgan can't help but feel that this place is more beautiful than eery. Nature always finds a way, and despite the purposely placed fauna around the lodges entrance she knows that beyond the fine cut trees there is a wild expanse of land reclaimed by the mountains spirits. Morgan only hopes to be lucky enough to catch a small glimpse of that natural beauty on this trip. After all, what's a vacation without sightseeing? However, she wanders if that's how the people who died here felt when they first took that long ride up on the cable cars. Did they feel the heavy presence of 'something wrong?' Could they have known the feeling at all.

Morgan knows that she would feel it, that deep gut instinct that took over the rational side of her brain. Sometimes she felt it when her risk taking went a step too far into unknown territory, where death could creep upon her at the slightest step forward. Now, she almost feels at peace. Closed off in a way, as if nothing here were really real. Probably, for the reason that she has never really experienced a trip like this. So far away from home, where anything can happen independent of the lives of her family. Even with Gabe here, she only slightly feels the oppression of rules. Only a small sense of sadness for the tragedies that have claimed this place as its own. The sole reason that this pseudo-haunted house even exists.

She almost feels bad that those lives are being taken advantage of for the sake of entertainment. But at the same time, being her age she cannot contain the enthusiasm from what she will potentially experience here. A once in a lifetime chance; something to bring everyone together before the adult world chews them up and spits them back out. Like her brother said 'It'll be a weekend to remember.' Morgan damn well hopes that's the truth of it.

She's been here for over an hour now waiting for the arrival of the second shuttle bus to the base of the mountain, she had arrived early, alongside a few others including her brother but there were still stragglers. Paige, for one had yet to show her face and it worried Morgan greatly. What if she had backed out? Paige hadn't seemed too enthused about the trip in the first place, but Morgans begging had eventually gotten her to agree. Without cellphone reception she wouldn't know until she saw the blonde. And while she knew that Paige wouldn't let her down the fear of abandonment still laid heavy in her gut. A rocks throw from full blown panic at the thought. She shoves in her earbuds and starts up her playlist, to perhaps belay the sense of anxiety creeping in.

She was determined to make this trip the best it could be. They would not go home disappointed, even if that meant getting reckless. That was what the company wanted though, right? Reckless young adults left alone under minimal supervision to run rampant through the scary 'cabin in the woods' trope. Smoke and mirror scares to keep them on their toes. A friend back home had teased the idea of ghosts, based on the real lives lost here, but she had found that idea utterly insensitive. At best, it would get this whole thing shut down by the families of those lost, if it were the case. But Morgan knows better, or, at least she hopes she does.

Proceeding to turn away from the view and back towards the porch-like area of the station, she takes a seat at one of the wooden bench chairs that's been placed haphazardly against the wall. It seems, despite the amount of work put into this place they hadn't prepared quite as well as they wanted to before their guests arrived. The original Cable Car station still stood on its foundations, but there had been additions and expansions. Even so, there was a clearly a noticeable enhancement to the feel of the place, as if the rusted metal and dingy picnic tables out front were still left over from the tragedy years ago. Morgan didn't care that the place looked to be a bit rushed, that was more the sort of anal thing that Gabriel would be bothered over. She remembers almost fondly when they received their invitations, the application process was long and exhausting to the point that by the end of it neither of them were really sure if they still wanted to bother. The various questions they had to answer were strange and at times unsettling.

Whats your greatest fear? Dying. What is the biggest lie you have ever told? ... Who are you most willing to lose? Myself. Most of the questions went on in a similar fashion that Morgan may or may not have answered truthfully. Divulging so much personal information felt like a trap, or a trick, or simply like she was giving someone leverage even though she knew it was to tailor the experience of the haunt - nobody, nobody needed to know these things. And yet, she found herself answering most of them with the same kind of candid honesty that she so reserves for the people in her life that mattered most. The official invitations came quickly after. An old, yellowing envelope sealed with a red wax, emblazoned with a phoenix. Inside, the letter of acceptance had been written on parchment, handwritten. Gabriel had laughed at how old school it was. Morgan, to say the least had been impressed by the amount of detail they put into it. They had each gotten one, and Morgan the next day had showed it off as if it were a badge of honor - she was actually getting the fuck out of their small town, even if it was just for a vacation.

After that, the packing came, and the excitement died down again as they boarded the flight out of hell. The mountain was not near enough to any large cities or town so they had to take a bus from there. All in all, they had made great time and now here they were - or, rather here Morgan is. Fondling her cellphone between frost nipped fingers and hoping to hell Paige gets there soon. Gabriel was still at the Cable Car station, after finding out that there was no operator hired to take them up; dearest mother would stick around to make sure all his kids got up the mountain safe. Blegh. She didn't want to go in alone either, as fearless as she was she wasn't sure what the extent of this scare fest would be. Would it be right out of the gate? or would they wait until everyone was settled in, thinking that things wouldn't get much worse from there? Whatever the case, she was content to wait, eyes closed and listening to the soft hum of music in her ears.

---

┐
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
┘

---

---

---

---

#003663 // Outfit // Song

┌
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
└

...............Outfit
................X X

...............Hex
........... #bd6565

...............Song
..........Girls Like You

---

"How about this?"

Paige doesn't turn her head to look, its all the same to her. She opens her mouth, intending on spewing some basic comment but somewhere in translation it becomes every other bitchy thing she's ever said. "Red makes you look like a cheap whore." And, well, it does make the otherwise overly painted Trisha look like shes ready to go out on the streets of the red light district. With her getup she may as well have been screaming 'look at me, aren't I special, I'm showing sooo much skin!' Then again, isn't Paige going about this in the exact same way? Nobody told her it was going to be fucking freezing outside, and even here traveling by way of peasant she may as well be turning hypothermic.

She rubs her legs, not exactly bare with the tights on - the thin material gives little warmth or comfort - and turns to the front of the bus where her least favorite 'classmate' is sitting. Pax, she doesn't mind, he can be an annoying twat at times but at least he's genuinely funny. Remy however, is a pain in the ass she just can't seem to shake off. Not for lack of trying they've both had their fair share of pissing matches and fights aplenty. Paige may not be a great physical fighter but she's willing to go deep and dirty if it means winning against the brute. "Hellooo, earth to Paige." Trisha is waving her hand in front of Paiges face, and all she can do is zero in on the horrible mess of a manicure she had tried to give herself while the bus was rolling. Did she honestly think that would be a good idea? Paige just hopes this trip will give Trish a bit of refinement, maybe clean up those cobweb covered brain cells of hers.

"What?" She replies though half of her wants to keep her mouth closed and ignore the bubbly brunette. She isn't quite in the mood right now, and its becoming harder to keep her teeth from chattering. Why the fuck did she ever think this outfit would be a good idea to wear. Its snowing outside for Christ Sake. Oh right, because apparently the bitch in her wanted to defy even natures most honest law. But damn, on the other hand at least she looks good. "I think red is a good color -"

"Then why did you ask Trish?" Paige stresses her name, condescension clear in tone, practically dripping in rivulets of clarity from the cracks in clenched teeth. God, why did she waste an invite on her - oh right, cause Trisha is her only other friend in the world. The only friend she doesn't want to bang. Hard. Against whatever surface she can find. And because at least with Trisha there she won't be the most hated in the room, at best, she'll be the second or third. Morgan wasn't thrilled about Paiges decision to invite Trisha but what the hell can you do when you only have two friends in the whole wide world? Be a bitch to one and pine uselessly after the other. Because god in heaven knows that Paige would be the very last person to confess all her fucked up feelings. Internal agony be damned, she knows her place when it comes to these feelings, she's more than content with keeping in her little square box.

"Geeze what crawled up your butt and died..." Paige doesn't feel bad at all when Trisha turns back to her cellphone, uselessly scrolling through apps that won't even work without cell service - and lo and behold theres no service up here either. One would think that these people, with their funding would have actually thought to add a cellphone tower. How the fuck would they get in contact with anyone if someone was hurt? A CB had worked so well for those kids seven years ago. Right. After a few minutes of actually working over the fact that she's being unreasonable she tries her hand at distracting Trisha from her earlier comments, which, she knows if she starts chattering loud enough the other occupants will get annoyed - god, she loves annoying the hell out of people. Nothing better than watching someones head about to pop off.

If Morgan hadn't been so excited Paige wouldn't have agreed to this trip. Not only is she not fond of the cold, but she's hell on an airplane and this bus is absolutely no better, poor people transport at best. She had half a mind to ask her parents if she could drive herself; if she weren't so fearful of someone carjacking her while shes at the lodge. Wouldn't that just blow mom and dad over the cliffs edge, a final reason to disown their unruly eldest. Mia, her younger sister, would have an absolute field day when she found out that Paige would be cut out of the will - those fuckers would look for any reason, she was absolutely sure of it. Besides, Morgan insisted that she take the authentic route, "We're taking the flight and bus too! and somehow she hadn't mentioned that she and Gabe were leaving early. Which left Paige stuck with dumb, twat, and bimbo...among others that she didn't quite have an unoriginal name for yet.

All things aside she hadn't quite minded the whole process, despite having to endure one of the strangest application processes ever (and answering a dozen, extremely uncomfortable questions.) She had been truthful, not exactly a rarity in her life. Paige was nothing if not honest, even if it meant being brutally honest. And, while she had every reason to lie, she found that it wouldn't benefit the experience at all. Its a bit thrilling, knowing that somewhere out there someone can actually see the most insane side of her written clear on pen and paper. Another thing that annoyed her, who the fuck uses pen and paper these days. Its all about the Internet baby, and thats the end of it.

"Oh look! I can see Morgan from here." If it was a bit desperate how Paige practically clamored over Trishas lap to get out of the bus, then nobody said anything. She was only a few steps behind Remy and Pax, who approached Morgan quickly. Paige gritted her teeth as loud and noisy made their presence known - couldn't they see the earbud? Though they were talking loud enough that Morgan probably heard them anyways, as Paige was sure anything within a ten mile radius could. "Where in the hell is Gabe? I swear on Pax's life if he fucking ditched on us, I'm out!" Paige almost admired that, if she weren't so intent on hating every word that came out the others mouth. "Mom probably got distracted coddling puppies on the side of the road or something. Lord knows he wouldn't let Mor trek all the way up here on her lonesome. What irresponsibility! It'd probably make him sick." Paige did crack a smile at that, at least she could agree with someone here on something. She could do with or without Gabe, even if he was cool sometimes, he could be extremely lousy other times. Annoying really, especially when Paige was involved. Years of knowing one another seemed to have only grown their discomfort of one another being around.

"One guess, he's in the fancy ass building." Paige shot her meanest look to Remy - she wasn't exactly looking for a fight but the need to assert some sort of dominance was weighing hot and heavy in her gut. Blood rushing to her head at the thought of already starting drama, god, Morgan would be so mad at her if she started a fight right then and there, but fuck it, she loved to get the others riled up. "So why don't you buzz off and find him yourself."

---

---

Not long had passed. Not long at all. She is a fourth of a way through Ante Mi by CRIPTA, not even the strangest song on her playlist, when the arrival of friends and foes become apparent by the sudden – and not entirely unwelcomed appearance of Remy King. She doesn’t mind Remy, not really, in fact she thinks if anything Remy is a lot cooler than her brother. Anybody who can put up with his mom façade for so long deserves to be revered. Morgan only wishes that she weren’t so…loud without warning. "Where in the hell is Gabe? I swear on Pax's life if he fucking ditched on us, I'm out!"

Morgan isn’t exactly startled, but to say she doesn’t jump a little would be a lie. She doesn’t take her earbuds out, but pauses the song and looks up expectantly. About to answer when she spots Paige coming up just behind Remy and Pax. "Mom probably got distracted coddling puppies on the side of the road or something. Lord knows he wouldn't let Mor trek all the way up here on her lonesome. What irresponsibility! It'd probably make him sick." Morgan feels a little bad for only noticing Pax just now. She’s quite fond of him, antics wise he’s a hell of a riot and if things were a little different she could see him being a good friend. But as it stands, their sort of acquaintance/kind of a friendship is almost impossible. If not only because of her own friendship with Paige, and the hatred that’s shared between Remy and Paige. A pity. If everyone just stopped to realize all their similarities they’d figure out there’s nothing to actually fight about.

She couldn’t give a damn about the perceived need to cockblock a potential friendship so she makes sure that she gets as much out of Pax as possible before reality comes crashing back. Maybe they’ll find some crazy adventure on this trip…maybe not. Either way she shoots him an appreciative smile – at least he understands what she goes to. If anything, Gabes as big of a douche to Pax as he is to Morgan about being the mom. Even if it’s a little weird to hear someone refer to her brother as Mom out loud.

"One guess, he's in the fancy ass building." Paige is all too willing to butt heads. Must not see how frustrated she makes Morgan in 0.2 seconds. It’s a little annoying having to always defend a best friend, when nobody else can see who she really is. But then again, Morgans known her since long before the mean-bug got to her. Once upon a time feels like forever ago ; she knows the exact moment that Paige turned dark inside, and it’s only a little more painful than the time she sprained her wrist in gym class, climbing a rope without supervision. Morgan begs in her mind for Paige to just shut up before this escalates. But knows, just as she knows Paige, that its impossible to stop once its happened. "So why don't you buzz off and find him yourself." Where the hell is Gabe anyway? Didn’t he live for this? Breathe for the chance to break up a silly fight before it even starts. This was like… his thing, and yet he was nowhere to be found and all Morgan could do was frown in worry. No fights. Not this early. Not if she had anything to say about it. If that meant breaking character to shut it down – well, no, actually she isn’t sure she’s capable of saying half the stuff that runs through her head.


"You're gonna break an arm jerkin yourself off like that," Before she can even get a lick of input in there’s another comment being spewed forth. She tries really hard to stifle a snort, choosing not to exacerbate the situation any further. Morgan stares, for a long, drawn out moment before she can’t stand it anymore. She tugs the earbuds out, fingers trembling lightly. ”Can we stop measuring dick length already?” She addresses everyone, including Trisha and Pax who aren’t participating in the fight, but being extensions of Remy and Paige it would be bound to happen sooner or later. Even Carter, even though his comment had almost made her lose her shit. Good to know there’s someone else here to make Paige work for her insults. ”We haven’t even made it to the lodge yet, can we maybe all get along for one fucking minute, or are you guys that determined to ruin this?” Woah. Harsher than she intended but both Remy and Paige were used to dealing out worse, she’s sure. If anything, her words will probably bounce right off their thick skin.

It’s the best Morgan can really manage. ”Anyways.” She swings her gaze to the cable car station, where her eyes catch on a more than familiar face then narrow to slits; really Gabe? Not gonna help at all? ”If we don’t get up there now we’ll be late.” She grabs hold of Paiges hand – holding hands was never really a problem until this past year. Paige usually shrugged her off, but Morgan didn’t allow it this time. ”Lets go.” She says, wondering if Paige will even listen – if any of them will listen.

┐
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
┘

---

---

---

---

#003663 // Outfit // Song

┌
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
└

...............Outfit
................X X

...............Hex
...........#bd6565

...............Song
..........Girls Like You

---

"Bitch better hope I don't break it for her." Useless posturing. She chose to ignore that bit of bait, if the beast wanted a fight she’d let her throw the first punch. At least then Morgan wouldn't be able to blame her for the resulting violence. Paige knew her limits, knew she’d be no match in a fight but that did nothing to stomp out the fire growing in her gut. Anger had its claws in her, tearing a path from brain to mouth. Where logical thought refused to take place. She glanced at Morgan, feeling stung when she didn't take sides. She should have known better of course, a mediator at heart as usual. Where Paige was fire and doom, she was sunshine and fucking butterflies. Christ.

”Can we stop measuring dick length already?” Morgan asked then, breaking the tension. Paige wanted to deck Remy for snorting but turned her own look on her friend. She as well and truly frazzled if she was reprimanding them all like that. “Not if-“She was effectively interrupted, though her words were meant for Morgan only the loudmouth goth was already talking again. Of course. Paige barely spared a look for anyone else present, her attention was fully on the bitch.

"How are we suppose to measure dick lengths if they're all up Paige's bleached asshole." Paige grit her teeth, almost snarling. Some rational part of her brain stopped her from using denial as a tactic, if she chose argument over insult it’d just cause more of a headache.

“At least I fuck people who have a pulse. I’m sure you have no reservations for the dearly departed.” Back to petty insults. Wash, rinse, repeat until Paige got bored – she was quickly tiring. As if the fight she wanted to start was just too annoying to continue on with. Besides, Morgan’s next words deflated her a bit. She had promised not to start shit early on, and broken that promise before they had even made it to the lodge. Paige bit her tongue when the need to continue on rose up in her. She could behave for now. No fist fights at least. She avoided looking at Remy as Morgan lead her away. The punk wannabe was nothing but an insignificant bug in her eyes.

“Just keep that bitch as far away from me as possible,” Paige mumbled to Morgan, a promise unspoken between them. It would be impossible to keep them from crossing paths, but Paige could pacify her friend with loose promises. So long as she didn't have to see that ugly mug she’d be just fine. As they neared the door she looked at Gabe, disapproving as usual. She sneered, and pressed one manicured nail to his arm. “Morgan and Trish are riding up with me, keep that little monster on your side of things.” Her other hand motioned to Remy.

Feeling at least a little accomplished she shook Morgan off and headed in, her eyes hard set as she took in the state of this building. Gabe’s marks of obsession were all over this place. She ignored it and went to the tracks, where a few cars were waiting to take them up. It looked like each could hold about four people, which meant the group could be evenly split. Then again, things were never that easy with them. Paige rolled her eyes and started towards the first car. The sooner they got up to the goddamn lodge the better.