Gabriel Smith's Story

”I’m not sure why you think it’s okay for you to just disappear for the week.” Shaun growled as he stood outside Andy’s front door. “Have you talked to mom and dad about this? You’re going with that goody two-shoes Gabe? And a bunch of other pot-heads?”

“Beats being home.” Andy replied, acid in her tone. “Especially if you’re going to be here…”

Shaun had shoved her so hard that her head rattled, spots appearing behind her vision. She was fortunate enough to get inside the house and lock herself in her room before he could do any more damage.

Andy was interrupted from her quiet musings when a very distinct smell permeated the vehicle.

“Ok, seriously guys! If you’re going to crack a jack, open a window or something!” Andy shouted towards the back of the van. The entire car was stuffy, in spite of the air conditioning that Gabriel’s poor vehicle was trying to pump out. Of course, the red head was mostly kidding, but in an environment where everyone was sitting in cramped quarters, the smallest infraction of personal space was bound to be misconstrued. For Callie’s benefit, Andy signed what she said, and glanced to the side of Gabe’s face as he drove.

That boy…

There was something distinctly different about the way he’d been treating her lately. Not just in the car, but in the few days leading up to their big trip. She’d always been pretty close to Gabe, closer than she had been to any guy, so the subtle things she’d noticed hadn’t really come as some kind of a big surprise at first. But now, with the small smiles, his occasional embraces, even reaching over to just touch her shoulder, to convey comfort, it was hard for her to ignore that something was off.

At the same time though, she couldn’t say that she minded all that much. It wasn’t that Gabe was bothering her with his…advances? She wasn’t even sure what to call them. But with the anxiety she’d started to feel towards the end of the trip, and the sense of claustrophobia she got as they pulled up to the Cabin, she was starting to read into things a little more than she was used to, and it made her feel uptight, uncomfortable, even a little concerned.

It wasn’t all that fair, really. For all she knew, Gabe was just being his normal, comforting, caring self. She liked him for that. Everyone did. He was a good guy.

Making eye contact with Callie, Andy reached over and prodded the girl in the shoulder. “This’ll be fun.” She promised, smiling and turning back to face the front just as Gabe went and pulled into the long drive that sat outside of the Cabin.

“Everyone grab their own shit!” Andy hollered as she pushed the door open and all but spilled outside. Gravel crunched under her sandaled feet, the smell of pine and fresh air nearly making her sneeze with its freshness. Andy wrinkled her nose, scratching at a spot behind her ear before going to the back to start unloading everyone’s suitcases.

When she found her own beat-up duffel, she yanked it out of the pile, slung it over her shoulder, then stood by and waited for Callie to get her things. The red-head would help where she was needed, but for the moment, she felt it was safest for her to remove herself from the chaos that would be initial unloading and re-loading of the Cabin.

This cantankerous group of teens was going to be making some noise, and a serious mess by the end of this trip. She just knew it, and the thought had her smiling wide.

"Callie!" she called should the girl happen to look her way. "I'm heading inside. I'll save us a room, ok?"

She took a few steps back, waving to the girl before turning on her heel and stepping inside. There was Patrick, the one serious problem with the entire trip, looking for all the world like a child in a toy store. She gave him a slight smile for politeness' sake, then walked past him, deciding that she'd play it safe and just put as much distance between him and her as possible. She'd have to watch Callie around that one too. No sense in letting her get mixed up with his type.

"I got the room FURTHEST away from the bathroom!" she shouted out of the bedroom towards the others.

Calleigh still had no idea what made her agree to this trip. Actually she did. It was Andy. Her best friend. She couldn't say no to anything Andy said. The girl was so upbeat and could talk anyone into doing what she wanted, especially Callie. It wasn't in a manipulative way either. It was just Andy and the fact that Callie could never say no.

When Andy turned and signed something to her, Callie cracked a small smile but she was too out of her comfort zone to really mean it. She didn't know anyone here but Andy. Big crowds often made her feel claustrophobic, especially as they were all crammed into a car. Because of that, Callie was often winding down the window for air and then closing it when it got to cold.

This happened every five minutes or so. Car window down. Car window up. Car window down. Car window up.

Andy had promised that this would be a fun trip but it didn't seem so fun right now. Even as Andy poked her and told her once more that it would be. It didn't seem like it.

The car came to a stop and Callie loved the look of the cabin. It seemed beautiful. Getting out the car she moved around to grab her bags, looking at Andy and watching her lips move so she could understand what her friend said before giving a faint smile and a nod. She grabbed her things, listening to the silence that she was surrounded by twenty-four seven and sighed before carrying her rucksack inside.

She eventually found the room Andy was in and threw her back on the bed, already opening it to unpack. "I'm glad to be out of that car. I was getting claustrophobic in it." Her voice was off because she couldn't hear. She hoped Andy could understand here. She was always self conscious of speaking. She only ever spoke to Andy normally.

Hopefully this would fly by with as little misery as possible. Her plan was stick by Andy. And maybe Gabe. He'd been nice when Andy had introduced her to him.

“I look like yer fuckin' mom is what.” Charlie scoffed as she cracked open the beer and took a sip, re-shouldering her bag and calling over to Gabe, who'd organized this whole mess and was kind enough to invite her, though she wasn't really sure why. She appreciated the gesture, it was nice to get out of that humdrum town they called home. She had wanted city lights and urban trendspotting- but she supposed a fancy cabin in the middle of bumfuck nowhere would have to do.
“So how's the room situation go, slumber party or is this a co-ed affair? And secondly who wants to room with me. I promise I keep my shit to my half and I won't go through your stuff.”

Without waiting for an answer, she clicked her way down the hallway where the bedrooms were and selected the first one that didn't already have somebody's bags in it before dumping her stuff onto the bed. She'd let Fate determine who her roomie would be. It was more fun that way, she thought. Throw caution to the wind. Maybe she'd actually make some new friends. She didn't know this group of people all that well.

Devin's sound equipment immediately caught her attention upon her return, the beer still grasped in her ringed fingers. “Ah, don't worry about it. Nerds are the best. Devin you said? Call me Charlie.”

She nodded at everybody else. “Because I didn't do much introducing in the car. I am a little scatterbrained like that- ya know?”

Gabriel stopped the car cautiously, bringing it to a steady, careful halt. He smiled as he took in the extravagance of the cabin, he'd never stayed in a place like this before. His happiness was short lived, peering over at Andy. She really was a sweet girl, and Gabriel cared for her more than anything. Seeing her hurt like this, even if she refused to admit it, killed him. She saw what that bastard did to her, how rough he handled her.

He approached him that day when Andy disappeared within the house. Putting a rough hand on his shoulder and forcing him back against the wall. "Are you kidding me? Who the fuck do you think you are?" After a loud shouting match between the two, Gabriel finally calmed. "She's my sister and i'll do what i want! Stay out of it cuz if you piss me off, ill take it out on her" Gabriel despised that mans smirk, but he lowered his arms not the less. What was he supposed to do? Knowing Andy, she'd never admit it. She'd be stuck in there with him.

None the less, he spent the rest of the weekend in his car, idly waiting for a scream or a reason to intervene. He'd linger by after he dropped her off from school each day, just for a few minutes... He wanted to make sure she was safe. It may of seemed odd to others, but not to Gabriel's friends. They knew what kind of guy he was and how much of a sweet spot he had for Andy. In a situation like this? It's not odd that he'd take it so seriously.

On the car ride over he did whatever he could to comfort her without making it obvious. Subtle touches and smiles, just to reassure her of his presence. He wouldn't confront her until they reached the cabin, he didnt want to spoil the ride for her.

Stepping out onto the gravel, he quietly pulled his bag over his shoulder. He couldnt manage to keep the smile off of his face, realizing he was about to spend the best week of his life with his closest friends. He slipped his hand onto Devin's back as they entered the cabin "You ready bud? This is gonnah be the weekend of a life time" He pushed forward, dropping his bag in a nearby bedroom before slipping back into the living room. "Worth all the money we spent on it?" He laughed, speaking to anyone who cared to listen.

He over heard Patrick's insults, turning slightly to look at him. "Lay off man" He looked back to Devin, flashing him a slight smile. They had been friends since they were kids, he thought of him as a brother.

He caught Andy out of the corner of his eyes, leaving the room to walk next to her. "Hey, ready to check this place out?"

Gabriel Smith took her hand and lead her through the house, coming to a stop at the pool. He peered down at her, looking into her soft eyes. He opened his mouth, about to release the words that were burning against his lips, but he caught them. He stayed silent.

He didnt want to ruin this trip for Andy, he decided that it wold be better to confront her about it at the end of the tip. "This is going to be a good week" He smiled before turning towards the door of the indoor pull to face the rest of the house. "Pool party seem like a good way to start off the week?!" His voice rang through the house, inviting anyone who cared to enter. "Devin, bring that sound system in here" He turned back towards the pool, stripping down to his jeans. "Ready?" He smirked, getting behind Andy and attempting to push the two of them into the water.

Gabriel Smith Crashed into the water, Andy clinging to him like a child. He smirked as she pushed away, slowly making his way to her. He slowly pushed her against the edge of the pool, holding onto the edge with Andy in between his arms.

He laughed at her quips "Shhh! It's no fun if i told you" He looked down at the water as he pushed away from her, repositioning himself next to her, leaning against the edge of the pull. "Plus...your face was priceless" He couldnt help but laugh.

He seemed distracted, almost ignoring Andy's comment about Patrick. "Uh, sure" He didnt face her when he spoke, keeping his focus on the water below. The water had grown dark, impossibly so. Gabriel could swear he saw something... felt something in the water. He kept his fears to himself, not wishing to scare Andy. He looked back up at her with a smile "We should probably get back to the rest of the group" He comment was painfully shallow, he really had no interest in joining them, but he did not want to stay here.

He put his hands on the edge of the pull, pushing himself up and out of the water. He stood, small puddles forming by his feet, water trickling smoothly down his skin, his jeans soaked. He ran a hand trough his hair, then a thumb across his cheek in a vain attempt to gather the water clinging to him.

He bent down slighty, reaching a hand out to Andy.

Note:This post was written collaboratively

The color seemed to drain from Gabriel's face as the group entered the pool. He looked to Andy, giving her the largest smile he could manage before turning back to the crowd. "Guys uh...maybe tonight's not the best night for a swim, ok?" He seemed uneasy, frightened. He mustered his courage, speaking regardless of the fact that it probably made him sound insane. "It's not safe in there, i saw something"

Cole entered as soon as Gabriel began speaking. "Hey, sorry I'm late, car problems" He scratched his head, taking in the tension in the air. "Uh, did i interrupt something?" Before he got a response, he was distracted by the women dressed in their bathing suits. "Oh... hello there. We goin' swimming?"

Patrick seemed to ignore him, brushing past him and forcing his way into the water "Fuck off man, i paid for this place and I'll do what i want" His mind was still on Jacob. He dove into the water which seemed unusually dark as of late. Maybe he would of noticed it if thoughts of Jacob hadnt clouded his mind, maybe he would of survived-

"Hey guys, c-" At that moment he went silent, the lights surrounding the pool flickering violently before disappearing all together. Only one light remained, steadfast, it illuminated Patrick. He was flailing violently, something seemingly pulling him down. "He-Help...Char-" Screams rang throughout, the darkness slowly devouring several members of the group as they were enveloped into the water. Ella, Ashley, Cole, Mathew-

Gabriel didn't stop or falter, he quickly dove into the pool, attempting to rescue anyone he could. "Patrick, where are y-" As horrifying and sudden as the others, his voice was cut short. The last light finally giving in, they were all cast into horrifying, desolate darkness.

And slowly, they lights eased back on, illuminating the pool. The water was cold, red, filled with blood. A single hand clasping to the edge of the pool, the screams having come to a sad stop. Gabriel slowly pulled himself from the water, blood drenched and sorrowful. His expresion was plain, empty. His eyes staring idly into the distance. "I-" He collapsed, falling to his knee's as he panted, begging for air. The water behind him slowly cleared, returning to a delicate blue as if nothing ever happened. The bodies were gone, every one of them,

Minutes passed idly, it seemed like eternity before he finally spoke.

"They're dead"

Gabriel Smith couldnt speak, the panic of his friend enveloping him. He coughed, water forming puddles as it seeped out of his mouth. He wanted to collapse right there, just give up and die. He had saw it, he had saw that thing that killed his friends. "Fuck....fuck fuck fuck" His voice trembled, tears streaming down his face. The reality of the night finally sank in.

He left his trance as he looked up at the remaining members of the dwindling group.He remembered his responsibilities to his friends. He grasped his side, attempting to stand. He was unable to get up from his knees, remaining on all fours.

The pool let out a low roar, the water trembling behind him. It was back-

He waved his hand out infront of him, motioning his friends inside. "Go! Get inside and lock the door!" His own well being was the last thing on his mind. "Devin! Help Stefan in!" He growled as he tried to crawl forward, his would on his side holding him back. He let out muffled screams of pain. "I said go!"