Snake Face

The Cannibal

Both guys were out of breath and slouched over.
However, on hearing Hazel's remarks, Mark straightened up and replied,"I'll have you know I invited exactly eight people.No more, no less.You, James, Terrence, Paulie, Haley, Courtney, Abby, and Makaya.You said Terrence and Paulie are upstairs, the rest of is are down here, so it's no one invited.
And las time I checked, destroying a power generator connected to an old lodge in the middle of Alaska isn't exactly a prank."He snapped.

James stood up and nodded, still breathing heavily, he spoke up,"He's telling the truth, the generator is smashed to bits, so's the shed, it looks like somebody run over it with a bulldozer.Theres no fixing it."

"Did I just hear you right?"Came Terrence's voice, they turned to see him coming down the stairs alone.
"The generators been smashed to pieces, it can't be fixed."Mark said to Terrence.
"B-but...how?"Stammered Courtney.
"Who would do that?"Asked Haley.
"Was it you?!"Courtney snapped nastily at Terrence.
Terrence threw his arms up and replied,"I was upstairs trying to get the nutcase out of the bathroom closet, which I failed to do, besides, do you really think I would do something like that, Courtney?"

"Well you've always been one for pranking people, Terrence."She replied, her voice shaky and her face red.
"Stop it,"Makaya said standing up,"accusing each other isn't going to get us anywhere, we need to get help, now."

"How?"Demanded Abby.

Pow!Pow!
Two more rapid shots rang out, they sounded like they were right out back.

The Cannibal

"Nope."Abby said, leaned back against the couch next to Makaya, while Haley had taken up Mark's chair and Courtney was still stretched out on the couch.
________________________________________________________________________

"What the hell?"Mark gasped.

The generator sat in the small shed that was used to shield it from the elements.
Or at least it did.what was left of it and the shed lay in a big pile of wood and metal.
The shed and the generator both were completely demolished, nothing but rubble.
The wires leading up to the house from the generator were also cut in half, their was fuel from the demolished tank leaking out onto the the snow.
"W-was it a bear?"Asked James.
"Why would a bear demolish a generator, it's steel and smells like gasoline, not fish."Mark replied curtly.
"So what now?"Asked James.
"I-I..."Mark stuttered.
"Hey!"James snapped.
"I don't know!"Mark snarled back.
"Look, we need to get back inside and call the cops or somebody."James responded.
"No power and no phone service, professor."Mark replied irritably.

"W-"James was cut off by a loud Pow!.
Both of them jumped in shock, another Pow! rang out.
Gunshots.
Both of them turned and began sprinting with all they had back to the lodge.
Another shot rang out.
They rounded the corner and rushed up the front steps and bashed through the front door, slamming and locking and latching it behind them.

The Cannibal

Terrence shined his phone light down the hall as they topped the stairs.
Suddenly a slamming sound could be heard from the bathroom.
Terrence motioned for Hazel to stay put and he moved toward the bathroom, and opened the door.
He stepped inside and left the door open behind him.
Not even a minute later Terrence called back,"I found him.He's locked himself in the bathroom closet."
A rattling could be heard, followed by Terrence's voice,"Come on man!Come out of there!It was just a blackout, chill out."
A loud sob, presumably from Paulie, could be heard, following another plead by Terrence,"Hey, look, I've got a light and Mark and James are heading to fix the generator.Open up and come out man!There's nothing here to hurt you!"

"No!"Screamed Paulie loudly from the closet.
Terrence sighed and stuck his head out and spoke to Hazel.
"Go tell them I found Paulie and that he's locked himself in the bathroom closet.Hes got his phone light on, I can see it under the door.Go on and tell them while I try to get this fool out."

The Cannibal

Courtney gave a slight sarcastic chuckle,"Um, no thanks.If we start telling ghost stories Terrence will use that as grounds to pull more pranks.And I swear to God if he does I'll mace him."She said the last but in a irritable tone.
"Lighten up, Princess."Abby said mockingly.
"Oh, shut up."Courtney hissed at Abby.
"How about we all just sit quietly until Mark and James fix the generator."
Makaya said aloud.
Nobody said a word.
Suddenly Terrence's voice rang out from the top of the stairs,"Uhh we have a problem.I can't find Paulie."
Courtney rolled her eyes and Haley shifted around uncomfortably, then called out,"Terrence stop it.This isn't time for any games."
"It's not a game Haley,"Terrence called back in a totally serious tone,"I can't find him anywhere.His notebook was laying in the hallway, but I couldn't find him."

Terrence came walking hurriedly down the stairs.Makaya spoke up,"Could he have maybe tinkered with the generator as a prank of his own?"
Terrence responded,"Naw, he hates practical jokes, I found that out the hard way.I think he might be hiding or ran outside."

"What?Why?"Courtney demanded.
"He's absolutely terrified of dark rooms and houses.He legitimately will have a shock induced attack spell."Terrence replied.

"Oh, just great,"Courtney said irritated,"now we'll have to spend the rest of tonight looking for him and getting him to chill out."
"It's not that big a deal, he can't help it, besides, friends always try to help each other."Makaya replied back sharply.

"Look, I'm going up into the secondary upstairs hall and check all the rooms.You guys watch the stairs in case he gets by me, you might have to run him down."Terrence said turning back toward the stairs.

The Cannibal

"I'm up for it."Haley said standing.
Courtney didn't make any remarks this time, she sat quietly now playing on her phone, obviously Mark had made himself clear earlier.

As Haley stood up, a loud pop made everybody jump and Courtney squeal slightly.
The power was off, leaving everyone in total darkness.
The only light in the whole place was from Courtney's phone, however everyone else quickly followed in tow, digging out their phones and turning on their lights, illuminating the area around the couch.
"Bruh, what the hell?"Terrence said aloud, sounding a little nervous.

"The generator probably conked out,"Mark said aloud,"James, will you come with me to check on it?I may need some help."
"No problem."James said standing up.
"I'll go check on Paulie."Terrence said, standing up.

Mark and James slipped on their jackets and gloves while Terrence headed up the stairs.
"Alright,"Mark said,"girls, stay here, we'll be back."
He opened the door letting in a cold air blast as well as a few snow flurries.
It was snowing hard outside.
The two guys stepped outside and James pulled the door closed as the two headed down the front steps and around back where the generator was.
As they turned the corner of the house, the black clad masked figure stepped out from behind a nearby tree, his rifle in hand as he watched them head around back.

The Cannibal

On hearing Hazel address Paulie Haley grunted, Mm-mm!, and tilted back to avoid Paulie's vision and shook her head.
Too late, though.

Paulie was scribbling away in a composition notebook and looked up when Hazel addressed him.
He stared at her for about a good ten seconds before finally speaking aloud.
"Yes.Who else would it be?"
Mark cut Paulie a disapproving look.
Paulie shrugged and replied to this by saying,"What?She knows everyone else's name and there's no way she could, or, well should, forget a name as unique as mine I dare say."

"She didn't forget, she was just making sure, Paulie."Abby said defensively as she sat up.
Paulie looked no less defiant,"She shouldn't have too, what if everyone in the world had to make sure of things, eh?Did Einstein?Did Oppenheimer?Did Ulysses S. Grant?Did Crazy Horse?"

"Paulie, my God, get off the girl's case."Terrence said rubbing his head, having just got back with another piece of cake.
"Yeah, you need to stop."Haley piped up.
"Seriously.Why don't you go to your room?"Courtney hissed at him.
"Come on Paulie, lighten up or head up."Mark said.

Everyone was either staring or glaring at Paulie.
He looked around before slapping his book shut and jumped up off the couch.
He went stomping away, but not before several prescriptions fell out of his pocket onto the floor.
He reached down and grabbed them up and went stomping up the stairs.

Mark looked at Hazel with a look of hurt in his eyes,"I am so sorry."
Haley took hold of Hazel's shoulder,"Don't let him ruin it for you.He does that to everybody."She said softly.

"Over some of the stupidest things."Terrence chimed in after swallowing a big lump of cake.

The Cannibal

Abby slightl smiled as she ate her cake.
"It was good, I drew most of the way, I have some really good sketches now for art club.My names Abby by the way."She said giving a playful wave at Hazel.

"That's not her actual full drawn out name-"Mark started.
"But it's what you call me."Abby stated loudly, staring at Mark, causing him to shift uncomfortably and continue devouring his cake.

Makaya spoke up,"I am Makaya.Nice to meet you Hazel,"Makaya said with a nice and warm smile,"as for my trip it was good, I watched a movie on the plane so I was well entertained.How was your trip?"
They were interrupted by a clattering in the kitchen.
"Sorry."Came Terrence's voice, who had went to get more to eat.

"Save the pieces to the kitchen Terrence."Mark called back.

The Cannibal

9:30 P.M

Everyone was gathered around in the living room area.
James and Courtney sat closely together on the couch while Terrence sat on the floor.Paulie sat on the far edge of the couch away from the couple that occupied it.
Makaya and Abby say on the floor beneath the TV.
Mark sat in an easy chair nearby to the couch, and Haley sat on the floor next to his chair on the right.

Nobody had wanted anything to drink as they had all denied her request.
Mark spoke up,"We would like it if that cake hurried up though.Did you say fifteen minutes?"
"Yep, she did."Haley answered for Hazel.
"She can count?"Courtney asked nastily, though she spoke loudly, she acted like she was talking only to James.
James gave Courtney a fiery look, but Haley went ahead and made herself heard.
"Yeah bitch, I can count, unlike you obviously, you probably gave up trying to count the number of guys you've went through."

Courtney looked around at Haley and responded,"Um, I'm sorry what did you say?Your whiny little voice makes it hard to understand your already intolerably idiotic idiocy.Mark, you'd better watch your dick, she might go for it."

"Just shut up."Haley replied, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, Courtney, please shut up."Abby said.

"Who asked you you little emo tramp?"Courtney sneered at Abby.

"Stop it!"Yelled Mark jumping out of his chair.
Everyone snapped to attention at his unusual angry reaction.
He continued,"If we can't get along for longer than ten minutes then we all might as well go on home."

At this statement, Courtney and everyone else piped down as Mark took his seat.
Just as Mark touched back down in his chair, a shadow passed across the half open blinds nearby.

Outside in the snowy dark, a lone figure passed by the window, adorned in a black furry edged jacket, a ski mask, and a pair of welding goggles.He bore a rifle in his arms.

The Cannibal

"Oh hey!Nice to meet you too!"Courtney said with a smile.
"Cereal killer?"James looked confused.

Courtney ushered him back and let Hazel through and closed the door.
"Don't worry about it,"Courtney said,"Terrence is always pulling practicals on everyone.You'll get used to it.Eventually."She ended with a laugh.

James scratched his head and said,"Yeah, eventually."He looked over casually at the couch, Haley wasn't there anymore.

"What are you looking for?"Courtney asked him sharply, seeing him staring over at the empty couch.
"Hmm!?Nothing."He replied.
Courtney rolled her eyes and replied,"Yeah right, the little skank is up in her room if that's what your looking for."

James gave Courtney a dark look,"Courtney.Please, don't."He said.
"Whatever."She responded as she took his hand and led him over to the couch.

The basement door suddenly opened up and Terrence and Mark came strolling out.
Mark closed the door behind him and turned the lock.
He then spoke to Hazel,"Tell you what, you get started on that cinnamon cake and we'll all chill here in the living room.Ill go get the other three."He said turning to head upstairs.
Terrence went over to the living room area and stretched out across the rug, leaving the couch to the two lovebirds.

The Cannibal

Terrence snorted lightly before easing up and saying,"Wait, is she serious?"He turned to Mark.
Mark shrugged,"Probably so."
Terrence shrugged in turn, then bent down so he was face to face with Hazel,"Well guess what little miss, I like glazed cinnamon cake best myself, so no loss for me."He ended with a big pearly grin.

"Alright that's enough,"Mark said pushing back Terrence, he then turned to Hazel,"although, you did say you wanted an adventure."

Terrence looked around Mark and stuck his tongue out at Hazel.
Mark then continued, having not seen Terrance,"Look, you go on back upstairs, Terrence and I will handle the boiler and clean up this mess he made."

Just then, the upstairs door opened, from where they were standing they could see Courtney standing in the doorway with James right behind her.
"What's all that ungodly noise?"Courtney called down.