Lethal Confessions

Philip rested his head against the wall, eyes closed, Migos' 'Stir Fry' streaming through his headphones. Alexandra wrapped the comforter around herself for the hundredth time while casting disbelieving glances at Cassandra and John who seemed to be involved in an interesting conversation, the way she kept giggling at almost everything he said.

"You guys look like you're having fun." She muttered and although they both heard her, none of them gave any indication whatsoever. Philip only hummed to the music, oblivious.

She spoke again. "I didn't think getting a pack of cigarettes would take this long."

Cassandra observed her with a bored expression. "You should know, since you're no stranger to them."

"Don't get crass with me, Water-girl"

"Don't call her that and if anyone's being crass, it's you."

"Ooh, Johnny boy's standing up for Water-girl. You know Water-girl, you should document this event, a once in a lifetime exhibit. I can almost see the headline, 'Johnny boy saves Water-girl' ."

"Shut it Alex. You're making my head ache." Philip grumbled, eyes still closed, his headphones now in his hands.

"Well it's not my fault. Shawn's not back and I'm getting antsy."

Philip cracked open one eye and glanced at his watch. "It's only been ten minutes."

"That's exactly what I mean. Who takes ten minutes to retrieve a pack of —"

A loud thunderclap which boomed outside shook the cabin and the lights began to blink on and off. Thunder roared again and the lights went out, total darkness enveloping them.

Someone gulped. The lights flickered on and off and they caught sight of each other's distraught-looking faces before they went out again. No one spoke, no one moved. The only sounds came from the continuing thunderstorm outside.

Then they heard them, the footsteps. They were light but audible and the stairs creaked softly, as if whoever it was, was walking down them purposefully. The creaking continued down the hallway, drawing closer and closer, then stopping, right behind them.

From beside Cassandra, John's heavy breathing matched hers and she felt him clasp her hands, under the comforters. Seconds passed and they all just stayed still as if waiting for something else to happen.

"Sophia?" Cassandra called out in a whisper. "Sophia is that you?"

Suddenly the lights came back on and Philip shielded his eyes from their harsh glare. There was no one else around, just the four of them.

"You heard that right? The footsteps, you guys all heard them?" Cassandra said, frantic.

"Shawn." Alexandra whispered, looking into space. "Shawn," She repeated and looked at them, one-by-one. "he's still outside." She quickly stood up from the ground, throwing aside the comforters.

"Where do you think you're going?" Philip asked an unsettled Alexandra who was heading for the door.

"I'm going to get Shawn."

"No don't —" John started, also getting up but she had already left, a gust of wind from outside sweeping in and around them.

"I can't believe you just let her leave." John accused Philip.

"What are you talking about?"

"She was closest to you, you could have stopped her."

"Don't pin this on me. She already was up and heading for the door before I knew what she was doing."

"You could have made an attempt."

"And what about you? Why didn't you do anything? Or you were too busy snuggling with my cousin to stop her?"

"Philip!" Cassandra exclaimed.

"Don't do this man." John warned.

"Or what? What are going to do?" They stood facing each other, eyes trained on the other's.

Another clap of thunder had them unconsciously turning to the door.

"Someone has to go get her. And Shawn too." Cassandra said, pointing out the obvious.

John and Cassandra stared at Philip while his eyes bored into John's. No one twitched.

"Oh screw it." John blurted, shoving Philip aside and storming out the door, slamming it shut.

...

Alexandra fought her way through the thickets and brambles as the rain descended on her. Thorns tore at her clothes and hair but she pressed on, determined to find her boyfriend.

"Shawn!" She called out. "Shawn! Where the hell are you?!"

Her heart sunk when she didn't get any response but she did not stop, and trudged on, ignoring the stings in her arms from the thorns.

Lightening flashed and she immediately saw Philip's car a few metres ahead. Suddenly filled with hope, she increased her pace, her thoughts being that he was probably taking refuge in the car from the storm.

She stepped out into the clearing, and froze.

...

"Are you kidding me right now?"

"What?"

"I can't believe you're sitting down after John just went out to get Alex, and Shawn. You get expect him to bring both of them back by himself?" Cassandra asked.

Philip eyed his cousin. "Nothing is going to happen to them. They're going to come back, safe and sound."

"You don't believe that."

"What do you mean by I don't believe in that? Shawn went for his cigarettes, Alex was scared so she ran out to her little boyfriend and John went out to bring both of them back. Which one of them don't you think I believe?"

"Like I said before, you don't believe any of that."

"What crap are you spewing?"

"You know precisely what crap I'm spewing. You're scared, Philip. You think that something is definitely going to happen and you're too chicken to deal with it."

"How dare you!"

"We both know I'm right, I'm your cousin after all. And I know that underneath all that manliness and fame is someone who's just afraid to confront his problems. All that is just a facade."

"Cassie, you're overstepping your boundaries."

"No. I'm not. You've got everyone believing in the fake you, not the real you."

"Cassandra—"

"I'm only saying the truth. Philip, you've got to stop being a coward. The earlier you deal with it, the better."

Philip glared at his cousin who glared right back. The contest went on for a few seconds before he looked away.

"It's not too late. There's always a first time." Her voice toned down to a soft whisper, as she gazed at him.

He stood up and without a word or even a glance, walked out.