Kaila lowered her head and stayed there. I did the same. The two of us sat there for a good ten minutes before I heard Kaila move. My head snapped up, and she crawled from under her bunk.

“No,” I whispered. Kaila motioned for me to do the same. I shook my head. “We should wait longer,” I whispered.

Kaila quietly rushed over to me and helped me out from under the bed. “They’re gone, Aster.” Her eyes were red, and her face was streaked with tears. “It’s just us now.”

I pulled her into me and hugged her tightly. She cried quietly against me while I gently rocked her. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to survive this. You will survive.” Kaila slowly began to gather herself. “And we’re not alone. Doug is back at the cafeteria.”

Kaila snorted and pulled away. “Of all people here to survive, it’s Dirty Doug.”

I smiled and nodded. “And you.” I wiped her tears and adjusted her glasses. She was being so strong, despite watching all her friends die tragically before her. I admired her bravery.

Kaila stood and grabbed my hand. “Let’s get out of here,” she whispered.

I nodded, and we began to walk towards the door. I felt my pocket and realized I dropped the Sapling somewhere. “Oh, one second.” I let go of Kaila’s hand and spotted the small handmade figure on the ground. “There you are.” I quickly stuffed the eerie little thing into my pocket and followed Kaila to the doorway.

We both took a large, deep breath. Kaila stepped out into the darkness first. I couldn’t really see, but I heard a loud squelching sound and something splashed all over my face. Something warm. “K-Kaila?” I whispered her name. She didn’t respond. My hand slowly reached into one of my pockets, and I pulled out the small lighter from Willie’s room. “Kaila?” I whispered her name again and flicked the lighter. The flame burned, and I immediately noticed my hands. They were covered in blood, as were my chest and face. “Oh my God.” I looked up and stared straight into Kaila’s eyes. She was standing in front of me, unable to speak, with an axe in her neck. Blood soaked her body from the deep wound and seeped from her mouth and nose. “Kaila!” Her eyes rolled, and she fell over and landed on top of Sandy’s body.

The plague doctor suddenly appeared and lunged at me. I bolted away just in time and sprinted from the cabin in the direction of the cafeteria. The masked killer quickly gained on me and tackled me to the ground. “No!” I screamed. My nails dug into the dirt, and I tried to break free. “No!”

The person whipped my body around and seized my neck as they began to choke me. I kicked my feet and shouted through clenched teeth, but none of it mattered. They only squeezed harder. “You cannot stop us,” they hissed. “We only need onemore!” My face burned and my head ached as I gasped for air. My vision began to blur, and I didn't know how much longer I could fight. I couldn't reach my scar, and I knew there was no one around. So, I resorted to the one thing I thought would save me.

Sabbath. Please, help me.

“You may not be one of the chosen, but your blood will serve The Redwood.”

Sabbath. Please.

My eyes began to roll. “Sabbath.” I strained with my last breath.

I could hear footsteps and listened as something attacked the person choking me. I couldn’t make out who or what it was, but suddenly, their hands released my neck and air surged through my lungs. My eyes shot open as I gasped. I had to take a second to settle back into my body and regain the feeling in my limbs. I looked around and noticed the plague doctor on the ground and another, the one with the all black mask, standing beside it. “No,” I breathed as I crawled backwards. The second plague doctor tilted its head and didn’t move. “No!” I immediately scrambled to my feet and began to run away. The cafeteria wasn’t far, and I needed to get inside. I needed to get out of these fucking woods!

FIFTEEN

ASTER

My handsfrantically slammed into the front door of the cafeteria. Blood smeared all along the glass, and I shouted and screamed for someone to let me in. “Please!” I banged on the door and shook the handle. “Please! Open the door!”

Beatrice slowly made her way to the cafeteria door and looked at me. “Where are the others?” she asked.

What the hell?

I made a face. “It’s just me. Please! Let me in!”

Beatrice stood there and eyed me closely. Thunder rolled above, and I knew the plague doctors wouldn’t be far behind. I hit the door again and again, and she just stood there. “I’m sorry, Aster. But it’s not safe for you to be here. I have to think of the campers. And what The Redwood wants.”

No.

Beatrice turned around and began to walk away.

I should’ve known she was a part of this. Why wouldn't she be?

“No! Open the door!” I screamed through my tightened jaw. “Beatrice! Beatrice!” My hand whacked the door over and over until my palm stung. “Fuck!” I laid my head against the door as my breath fogged the glass.

Wait, the back door.

I shot from the front cafeteria doors and ran around the cabin towards the back. Doug was still inside, and if I could get his attention, then he could let me in. As for Beatrice, well, I’d rather die than let her lay a finger on those campers. Especially Tabitha.

I nearly slipped on the rocky terrain as I clung to the side of the cabin and pushed through the storm to get to the door on the other side of the kitchen. My hand wrapped around the handle, and I tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t move. “Fuck!” I strained, desperately trying to pry it open. I noticed a totem hanging just off the roof of the cabin.