Mason was already tipsy when he realized his brother was nowhere to be seen. He frowned, wondering what Noah was up to. He was the one missing from the group partying in the restaurant.
Furthermore, he hoped Noah had nothing to do with the mysterious man said to be hiding in the woods. Maybe they had wronged him once, but revenge in such a form was unimaginably cruel.
Noah had never been the vengeful type. He was an angel—gentle and kind—the opposite of Mason.
No. It couldn't be him.
Mason shook his head, realizing he was starting to invent impossible scenarios.
Resting his chin on his hand, he glanced at Nancy, who had sat down beside him—the only one who looked sober.
"Why aren't you drinking? Why do you have to play the angel like my brother?" he asked, gesturing toward the others. "Look at them. They're acting as if they forgot where they are. Drunk out of their minds. Just like Daniel," he added bitterly.
"Mason, that's not funny. Daniel is dead. He was the first victim."
"I'm too drunk to care. Currently, I don't give a damn," he muttered, pouting.
Nancy studied his face. Despite his flaws, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She still dreamed that he would kiss her, love her. Mason—the one every girl in college had a crush on.
But he belonged to another world. He was untouchable. All she could do was bury her feelings deep inside.
Even now, in a place that felt like hell, Mason's presence was the only light in her darkness.
"Nancy? Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked suddenly, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Admiring my charm?" he added, running his hand through his hair.
"Your confidence is disarming," she said with a nervous laugh.
His smile hit her like a lightning strike.
"Mason, are you trying to take advantage of Noah's absence to flirt with the girl of his dreams?" Will asked, leaning on Mason's shoulder. "That'd be a low blow."
Mason gave him a cold look.
"Now you care about his feelings? Funny—you didn't when you wrote that nasty article that ruined his life."
Will pulled away, flustered.
"No one's ever going to forgive me for that," he muttered and walked off.
Nancy glanced at Mason with concern. His face said it all—he'd had enough.
"Maybe we should go outside. You look awful."
"Where's my brother?" he slurred.
"What?"
"Noah. Do you know where he is?"
"Come on. Let's get some fresh air."
He didn't resist. He let her help him up, and together they stepped out of the restaurant.
***
Jake, completely shattered, was drinking far more than he should. He could barely stand. He staggered out of the restaurant, ignoring the laughter and drunken banter behind him.
Furthermore, he sat down at the front desk and laid his head on the counter. The world was spinning.
"Are you okay, Jake?" he heard a woman's voice. When he lifted his head, he saw her. The same woman from his dreams. She looked like an angel.
"Why me? Why are you haunting me?" he whispered.
She knelt beside him, taking his hands in hers.
"Because I like you, Jake. No matter what happens, I'll protect you."
"Who are you? Why do I see you in my dreams?"
"You already know. I'm the girl who's madly in love with you."
"What?" He felt like he was in a trance.
"I can even forgive how you hurt me. I know it wasn't your idea," she said, leaning closer.
As she tried to kiss him, he jerked away and fell from the chair.
"Stay away! You're just a nightmare!" he screamed, breathing heavily.
"Jake? What's going on?" another voice asked. Jennifer stood there, stunned by what she was witnessing.
Jake fled, staggering, desperate to get away from the woman.
***
Mason sat on the stairs in front of the hotel, head lowered. Nancy was beside him. The sound of the ocean and the cries of night birds filled the air.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asked.
"Awful," he replied, resting his head on her shoulder. Her cheeks flushed with heat.
He closed his eyes. She let him fall asleep. She was terrified, but at the same time, felt something close to happiness.
"Noah, don't take revenge on them," he murmured in his sleep. Nancy stiffened. "They hurt you, but they were our friends. It's not you, right?"
Terrified, she looked toward the forest.
Someone stepped out from the trees.
Before she could scream, a hand covered her mouth and dragged her into the darkness.
Mason slumped down on the stairs. He didn't even wake up.
***
"Mason, wake up!" Noah was shaking his brother. Mason slowly sat up, holding his head.
"Why was I sleeping outside the hotel?"
"You tell me. I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Where were you? You disappeared from the restaurant."
"I went back to my room. I didn't feel like hanging out with them."
Mason eyed him suspiciously.
"Are you sure?"
"You're the only one I trust. I'd never lie to you."
Mason rubbed his eyes. Something came back to him.
"Nancy brought me out here. Why did she leave me?"
"Maybe she couldn't carry you," Noah shrugged.
"But she would've gone for help. She's not like Betty."
"Will and Jake were wasted."
"Something's wrong," Mason said quietly. "Nancy wouldn't leave me."
Noah's face darkened.
"Perhaps she would rather not freeze out here with you. Maybe you're not as important as you think."
Mason understood—his brother was jealous.
"You're right. Help me up."
Noah gave him a hand, and helped him back inside. Halfway down the hallway, Mason froze.
"Do you see him?"
"See who?"
"That man in the coat. He's standing in front of my room."
"Mason, there's no one there."
They took a few more steps.
"He's waiting. He's terrifying."
"You're seeing things. Calm down."
Mason began trembling as the figure moved toward him.
"This is your place now, Mason. I'll be the monster this time. You're never leaving," he heard the whisper.
"Mason, what's going on?" Noah stepped closer.
"He threatened me."
"You need to lie down. And sober up. No more drinking."
Mason sat on the bed, still in shock.
"Why is it only Jake and me who see them?"
"Maybe it's guilt. Lie down."
Noah's gaze was cold. Mason didn't notice.
He didn't know that the real danger was already standing right beside him.