Characters: Rob and Preston
Word count: 1932
Extra notes: -
*Blood and Gore Warning*

     ~3rd P.O.V.~

     For anyone who knows a decent amount about Preston and Rob, they will know that, despite the distance, they always get together at least twice every year. For those who don't know, well... Now you do.

     Rob lives in Toronto. Preston lives in Texas. The two, being the closest of friends, can never stay away from each other for too long. Multiple times a year, Rob will book a flight to go visit Preston in the boiling state of Texas, for extended periods of time. But as for Preston... He's only ever visited Rob in Canada a few times. Wether this be because he simply does not enjoy the cold weather, or that he's plainly just too lazy, the fact remains the same. However, this was one of those special times Preston is the one flying out to see Rob, and not the reverse. Rob had secretly been waiting for this day to come for a long time now, and had mentally prepared an entire list of things he would like to show and do with Preston; at the top of this list, hiking.

     When the entirety of Canada isn't buried under tons of snow, during the small span of time that counts as 'summer' Canada has some breathtaking forests and views. Not that snowshoeing and winter sports aren't fun- but it's generally better when you don't risk getting a scoop of bitter cold snow down your back. So, since Preston just so happen to be coming in late Spring/ early Summer, Rob thought the idea of hiking was a great idea. After all, their jobs consisted of literally sitting behind a computer all day, making videos. A little fresh air couldn't hurt.

     After three days of Preston's arrival, Rob decided to propose the idea he had been saving for the past several months. Preston gladly accepted, so the very next day, the two set out to a hiking trail that snaked kilometres into a thick forest, the paths twisting and turning to give the viewers the best experience. When the two had arrived at the entrance, Preston was surprised and slightly concerned as to why Rob didn't grab a map. Rob simply reasoned that he would only use a compass, since he's fairly familiar with the trails and that there are billboards scattered throughout the trail to lead them. Preston, satisfied with the response, shrugged it off as the two started into the forest. The duo thought they were prepared for anything nature could throw at them, and were equipped with flashlights, water, snacks, and some band-aids. Keyword: thought. And rest assured, it was not nature that caused what happened later that evening.

     Preston and Rob agreed that they would go hiking until the sun reached its peak, and then start heading back so they'd exit before dark. At night the forest as filled with untamed, vicious wild animals, and neither wanted to be stuck in the dark. They'd both heard their fare share of the things people had seen when lost in a forest at night. ...It's too bad that along the way, not only did Rob accidentally make a wrong turn, but dark heavy clouds soon started to roll over the sky. So now, the sun starting to set and rain drenching the duo, it's needless to say they were in a salty mood as Rob desperately tries to navigate them out of this mess.

     "I told you we should have brought a map!" Preston hisses, watching nervously as Rob fiddles with the compass.
     "I'm sorry okay?! I didn't think we were gonna get turned around, and I wasn't exactly planning on a storm!"

     Rob would feel bad for snapping at Preston later. Right now he was just concerned about getting the stupid compass to work. But the rain and occasional lighting just left it spinning hopelessly, the magnetism seriously screwed up.

     "Bro," Rob finally sighs, squinting through the rain at the darkening sky, "We need to find shelter. C'mon, get your flashlight out and let's go!"

     Preston didn't have to be told twice. Without hesitation he clicks on his flashlight, dashing after Rob through the brush, nearly blinded by the thick sheets of rain pelting his face.

     The two run, and run, and run, and as the sun started to vanish, Preston could've sworn he'd seen that exact same tree stump at least three times now.  But there's, no way we could be going in circles! We've been running straight this entire time! He tries to convince himself, his legs soon starting to burn and his lungs searing.

     "Rob! We... Need to... Stop for a sec." Preston calls tiredly, Rob skidding to a stop and joining Preston.

     The two, out of breath and hopelessly lost, back under the protection of a nearby spruce tree, hoping to get out of the rain at least a little bit.

     They can barley see ten feet in front of them now, and the flashlights aren't doing much in the downpour.

     "Ugh, I'm really sorry Preston... I should've brought a map..." Rob apologizes, still panting heavily and supporting his weight on the tree.
     "It's fine dude just- hey... Look. Over there. I think I see something..." Preston trails on, pointing across the path at a small blocky structure.

     Rob and Preston share a quick glance, and without a second through the two are dashing across the path, towards what they can only hope to be a cabin with a friendly owner and warm food awaiting them. Upon nearing close enough to make out the features, two things become apparent. This is certainly a cabin, placed conveniently out in the middle of the woods... But no one lives there now.

     A crack of lighting illuminates the eerie structure, lighting up its features for only a second. The wood two floor structure is rotting away, holes here and there along its rotted black wood. The windows are either shattered or boarded up, save for one in the very top right, with two stained scratched up curtains blowing in the howling wind. The shingles are falling off, and the entire thing creaks on its rotting foundation as the wind rocks its core. Another flash of lightning illuminates the area, and Preston could've sworn he saw a face peeking through that upper right window.

     "C'mon let's get inside before we get even more wet than we already are." Rob ushers, grabbing hold of a shaking Preston's wrist and dragging him towards the door.
     "What? No!" Preston protests, wrenching his arm away. "Are you kidding me dude? That place has death written all over it! It's just turned night, it's raining out, were lost in the middle of the woods at some creepy abandoned cabin, and I swear I just saw something staring at us! I am not going in there. I'll take my chances out here thank you very much."
     "Are you serious? You're going to catch hypothermia if you aren't dragged away by a pack of wolves first!"
     "At least I'm not going to get murdered by some creepya** ghost thing!"
     "Preston it's dark and raining, your eyes are playing tricks on you!" Rob tries, "Please... Just... Come in with me." Rob adds much quieter, practically begging now.

     The two stare intensely at each other, a silent conversation being spoken with their eyes. When Preston doesn't budge Rob sighs in exasperation, throwing his hands up in surrender.

     "Fine, be that way. Just don't come crying to me if you get hurt out here."

     With that Rob turns on his heel, leaving Preston out in the rain in the dark, and throws open the creaky door. But as he steps inside... He can't help but wonder if he should have stayed back with Preston.

~~~

     Preston awoke to a rustling beside him, and a sharp pain in his back. With bleary eyes, he groans and glances at the small rodent rummaging through this bag. Looking for a snack no doubt.

     "Go, shoo. Get outta here you little cactus." Preston commands, the small creature scurrying away into a bush.

     He yawns widely, wincing as a pain nips at his back one again. His hair is all messy, and his clothing is still dripping wet. He spent the entire miserable night huddled up at the base of a tree, fighting the cold off and curled up on the uncomfortable rocky ground. He tries to recall why he's out here on the first place. Oh yeah that right... Preston thinks to himself, remembering how he was scared to go inside because of how creepy the cabin was. But now... Looking at it... Preston realizes, gazing at the ancient structure. It doesn't seem all that bad. Maybe I was overreacting.

     "Well... I'd better go check up on Rob." Preston sighs, cracking all the bones in his back. "The lazy motherfudger is probably still sleeping."

     Preston walks up to the tilted old wooden door, creaking the door open which almost falls off its hinges the moment he moves it.

     Curtesy of the holes throughout the entire structure, letting sunlight seep in, Preston can easily distinguish the cabins features. A thick layer of dust covers every inch of the room, and the floor boards are rotting and breaking. A few pieces of stained old furniture are tucked away in the corner of the room, and the paint it peeling off the walls. Cobwebs hand over every surface, and directly in front of him, old wooden staircases lead to the upper level.

     "Robbie? You up?" Preston calls.

     He gets no response.

     "I swear that pleb could sleep trough the end of the world." Preston grumbles, climbing up the creaky stairs that whine under his every step.

     He enters the top floor, which consists of a narrow hallway with rooms branching off from either side, and a single one at the end. All the entrances have no doors, except the one at the end which has the door slightly ajar.

     Preston peeks into each room as he passes, searching for Rob. He passes all except for the last one, without finding any sign of his friend. So with only one room left that without a doubt his friend is sleeping in, he gently pushes open the door.

     "Rob-a-dob-flob it's time to go, it's about time we get out of-"

     Preston doesn't finish his sentence. He can't. In front of him, is the most morbid sight he's ever witnessed in his entire life.

     Sprawled in the middle of the otherwise empty room, in a pool of is own blood, is Rob. The blood is smeared and splattered, signifying some sort of struggle. There are gashes and wounds across his entire body, blood still flowing and dripping onto the floor. A trail of blood even escapes the corner of his mouth. The skin on his face is torn, one hand is completely severed, and yet surprisingly, Preston just manages to pick out the oh so subtle rise and fall of Rob's chest. Tears of confusion and sadness leak out of Preston's eyes, and roll down his cheeks. All the emotions jumble up in his head, creating one big painful knot.

     "R-Robert?" Preston chokes out, lacking the ability to think.

     At the mention of his name, Rob's glazed over eyes slowly creak open, his ragged breath now audible as his head moves to face Preston. With immense pain, Rob uses whatever is left of his remaining strength to conjure up the first word that comes to his mind...

     "...Run..."

~~~