The group's determination to stand together was put to the test as the figures outside began to break into the lodge. The sound of shattering glass and splintering wood filled the air, and the group's hearts sank.
"We need to defend ourselves," Tom said, his voice firm. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to overpower us."
The group quickly scrambled to find anything they could use as a weapon. Emma grabbed a fireplace poker, while Jack picked up a baseball bat. Rachel and Alex stood back-to-back, ready to defend each other.
The stranger, meanwhile, stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the door. "I'm so sorry," they whispered. "I didn't mean to bring this on you."
The group tried to reassure them, but it was clear that the situation was dire. The figures outside were relentless, and it was only a matter of time before they broke through the barricades.
As the group waited, the sounds of the break-in grew louder. The figures were getting closer, and the group's anxiety was palpable.
"What's taking them so long?" Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I think they're trying to wear us down," Tom replied. "They want us to be tired and scared when they finally break in."
The group's eyes locked onto the door, waiting for the inevitable. But just as they thought all was lost, they heard a loud crash from outside.
"What was that?" Rachel asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know," Jack replied, "but I think it might be our chance to escape."
As the group waited with bated breath, the sounds of the break-in suddenly stopped. The silence was oppressive, and the group knew that the figures were planning something.
And then, the door burst open, and a figure stood in the doorway. The group gasped, ready to defend themselves.
But to their surprise, the figure wasn't one of the attackers. It was Matt, their missing friend.
"Matt?" Emma exclaimed, her voice filled with relief. "What are you doing here?"
Matt's eyes scanned the room, taking in the barricades and the group's defensive stance. "I've been tracking them," he said. "I know what they want."
The group's eyes locked onto Matt, hope and confusion mingling in their faces.
"What do you mean?" Tom asked. "What's going on?"
Matt took a deep breath, his eyes locked on the stranger. "I'll explain everything. But first, we need to get out of here. Now."
The group hesitated for a moment, unsure if they could trust Matt. But something in his eyes told them that he was telling the truth.
They followed him, their hearts pounding in unison. As they made their way through the lodge, they could hear the figures shouting and pounding on the doors.
Matt led them to a hidden door, cleverly concealed behind a bookshelf. "This way," he whispered, gesturing for the group to follow him.
The group hesitated for a moment, unsure what lay ahead. But with Matt leading the way, they felt a sense of hope that they hadn't felt in hours.
As they made their way through the hidden passageway, they could hear the figures closing in. But Matt seemed to know the passageway like the back of his hand, leading them through twists and turns with ease.
Finally, they emerged into the night air, gasping with relief. But as they looked around, they realized that they weren't safe yet. The figures were still out there, and they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.
The group followed Matt, trusting him to lead them to safety. But as they made their way through the darkness, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"Where are we going?" Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We need to get to a safe house," Matt replied. "It's the only way we'll be able to figure out what's going on and stay alive."
The group nodded, their hearts pounding in unison. They knew that they had to trust Matt, but they also knew that their lives were on the line.
As they continued to move through the darkness, the group's senses were on high alert. They could hear the figures closing in, and they knew that they had to keep moving if they wanted to stay alive.
But just as they thought they were safe, they heard a loud noise behind them. The group turned, their hearts sinking as they saw the figures emerging from the trees.
"We're not going to make it," Rachel whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
But Matt just smiled, his eyes locked on the group. "We will," he said. "I promise."
What would you like to happen next?