Devil's Elbow

Epilogue

As the three friends limped out the exit of the cave, Shani looked on at the view as he carried Gavriella’s body. The exit had taken them to a hill, so close to the cars they arrived at that it could almost make him laugh.

They were literally that close to survival… but the Entity was at least right about that, it seemed.

With Mica touching his back, Shani jumped with a start and looked at her tear-streaked face. She had no words, he had no words, but the nudge of each other’s heads was more than enough for him. He then looked at Vincent, who looked away; whether out of guilt or disgust, Shani couldn't say… all he knew was that whatever friendship... whatever solidarity that they had? Snuffed by one action too many.

They then went into the forest camp to grab the keys to Shani’s Volkswagon van, the camp appearing just as they had left it: Peaceful. And with that peace, they buried Gavriella inside a hole that Shani and Mica dug out. They then looked at the disturbed soil where they buried Cole and Shani couldn't help but shake his head... all three taking a moment of silence to honor them.

Getting Vincent into his van, Shani sat in the passenger seat, unable or unwilling to drive as he gave Mica the keys. And as they pulled out, as though the shock finally wore off. He remembered every single moment of his friends.

Cole, his ass of a friend. The fool with the big heart, the bold bravado. Who fought the worst that the night gave right from the start… only to beg for the pain to end.

Kodi, the lovable coward. Of all the ones shaken tonight, he may very well have endured the most. Faced with the fear, the pain, and his darkest moments, he relived… just to be pushed to the very doorstep of hell.

Or even Seth, the one man who was ready with everything the gang had and needed… the tools being the one thing that kept all everyone that had survived… But himself, it seemed.

And as if on cue, of all of them, Gavri shined out of his memory most of all of them. Shani knew she had been the best of them. She was the one bright spot among the fear and doubt that threatened to take them. And with that, he tried his hardest to remember that shiny smile, that charming sass, that angelic voice as they drove.

And as they drove away, Shani took one last look at the mountain of Devil’s Elbow, gripping the arm of his door… Unknown of me within his eyes and the stretching smile I gave as Mica drove holding his hand.

Enjoy these moments, my boy. Because when I return… The real feast begins.

The End..?