The final chapter is here! I might write another story based on the second idea I had, but we'll see what the feedback is on this one first.

Chapter 3

Mike's Apartment

9:03 pm

Sam was calm again, even though she wanted to burst. Mike had made coffee and agreed to talk. Sam held her cup with both hands, warming her fingers since Mike's place was just too cold. Mike left his coffee untouched on the cheap, plastic table in front of him, deep in thought.

On the floor between them laid out in an organized pattern were maps, survival gear, hand guns, assault rifles, ammo, a home-made flamethrower and knives so big Sam felt they were more like swords. It looked like something out of an urban war movie.

"My god, Mike..." She breathed.

"I've been keeping track of everything that has been happening in and around Washington Mountain ever since that night." Mike began to explain. "Did you know two rescue workers went missing in the mines after we were picked up and interviewed? And every year since then, there has been mysterious deaths in the areas nearby?"

"...No" Sam admitted.

"They keep saying it's bears. Always bears." Mike growled in frustration. "What the world needs is proof. They need a body of one of those things so that everyone will know the truth and we can finally eradicate them once and for all!"

"There's no way to know for sure-" She began to argue.

"Sam." Mike said sternly. "You and I both know. The wendigos aren't gone."

"This is crazy, Mike! Don't you think that red-neck stranger we met that day would've proved their existence if it were that easy?" Sam pointed out. "You know how strong and fast those things are and how hard they are to kill! You wouldn't stand a chance!"

Mike took a deep breath before continuing. "Sam, I've been training..."

"Give me a damn break!" Sam exclaimed, rising to her feet and began pacing the room, carefully not to step on any of Mike's numerous weapons.

"It's taken a while, but I'm pretty good now with fire arms, incendiary rounds, flamethrowers and close quarter combat. That old man was right to hunt them and as far as we know he kept them from spreading! I'm younger than he was, I've had a few years to prepare, I've got the equipment I need and I will get proof of what's going on!"

"You'll vanish like Hannah, Beth and Josh and no one will ever know what happened except the rest of us!" Sam insisted. "We got lucky back then, pure and simple. Don't you get it? You will die!"

A look of sadness spread across her friend's face. "I already feel dead, Sam. Actually dying can't feel much worse."

Sam stopped pacing and stared down at Mike as tears began welling up in his eyes. When he began to speak, his voice cracked. "I don't go anywhere at night if I can help it. I can't do woods, I can't go cross country, I can't even bring myself to see my parents out east! I'm terrified, every night until dawn. I can't sleep because all I see is dried blood on the walls, skeletons behind every door I open and every shadow has a damn wendigo lurking, waiting to jump me! I hear those shrieks in my head over and over again. I see Jessica falling in the corner of my eye every time I turn around. And my two missing fingers won't stop friggin' hurting!"

"Mike..." Sam said with empathy.

"I will never get over this, Sam. And as long as there is a single one of those...those...monsters out there I will never be able to start a new life. You get it now? I have to go back. Because no matter how it will end for me, at least it will end!"

Quietly, Sam sat right next to Mike as he buried his face into his hands. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, then leaned in and wrapped her arms around his middle. She let her tears fall freely, staining his checkered shirt. Mike kept weeping, all his past regrets flooding in at once.

"I put Jessica in danger and failed to save her. I...oh god...I aimed a gun at Em and nearly shot her! When Hannah attacked us in the mines I left Josh to die and saved my own skin without even trying to save him! He needed our help the most and I hit him repeatedly, tied him up and abandoned him! Who does that and tries to have a normal life? I can't live with this anymore, Sam. I can't..."

"Please don't do this, Mike." Sam begged, crying. "I've lost too many friends to this already! I don't want to lose you too! You proved you cared for us, you risked your life many times to help us, and did everything in your power to save our friends. You aren't a bad person, Mike! Please, you have to listen to me!"

But Mike kept shaking his head, hands still covering his face, "I can't! I just can't..."

Sam pulled back, her lips trembling, "Mike, I swear, if you do this, I will go back to the mountain looking for you!"

That got Mike's attention, causing him to look at her in panic. "Don't say that!"

"Why not? You think I haven't thought about going back and making sure nothing was left? I jump at shadows too, Mike. I have trouble sleeping and I also regret many things I did and didn't do. You tried cutting yourself off from us so you could go back unnoticed. Well guess what? I do know and I will follow you all the way up there until you realize how stupid you're being!"

"This has to be done, Sam!" Mike insisted. "More people will get hurt!"

"But not this way! Not you!" Sam snapped back.

"Little miss 'always right' Samantha! Is that it? You know best for frikkin' everyone!?" Mike challenged.

"I'm usually the one with my head on straight!" She countered.

"Dammit, Sam, you can be such a b-!" Mike stopped himself.

"A what, Mike? I can be such a what?!"

Mike stared at Sam intently, "The most caring person I've ever known!"

"I..." Sam she was at a loss for words. "What?"

Mike looked away from her and stared at the wall, rubbing his knuckles against each other, trying to cool down. When he spoke again, he was clenching his teeth.

"You think I guy like me doesn't notice when a girl has such self respect she doesn't swoon at everything he says? I've always...admired you, Sam. But that night, during those hellish hours we went through, you proved to be the kind of girl I always thought you were; the best of the best. Everything you did, being the only one to tell me not to kill Em, bravely saving my life not once but twice, and now threatening to put yourself in danger so I won't go back to Blackwood makes me feel for you more and more, because I'm not sure if I would do the same in your place."

Sam felt at a loss, her heart and mind pulling her in different direction. "I don't understand. What are you saying?"

Letting out a loud breath through his nose, Mike answered. "I'm saying that you win! I won't go back. I care for you too much to hurt you."

Sam could only sit on Mike's couch, stunned. "I...I don't know what to say..."

Mike gave a soft laugh. Nothing demeaning or playful. It seemed more like he was laughing at their situation as a whole. "We went from talking about killing monsters to love confessions in about three seconds flat. I don't expect you to say anything."

Rising to his feet, Mike nodded, as though he had reached an agreement to himself. "I spent years preparing myself to go through with this, but if it means that much to you, Sam, then I'll put it to rest. I don't like it. I think I never will, but for your sake, I promise not to return to Blackwood Pines."

Still sitting on the couch, Sam couldn't help but notice the faint smile of Mike's face, like deep down inside he had been relieved of a terrible weight.

"You swear?" She asked cautiously. "You're not lying to me?"

"I'm not. I would never lie to you, Sam." He said with a dead serious tone.

The next thing she knew, Sam was standing up, hugging Mike as hard as she could, her athletic frame pressed close to his. She was smiling with joy and relief, happy that Mike had conceded. Mike slowly hugged back, his tired face finally showing some color.

"I don't know what to do now." Mike admitted.

"Don't worry." Sam reassured him. "We'll think of something."

10 months later

Sam's Apartment

10:09 pm.

"So how is little baby Eric?" Sam said cutely as she watched a live feed on her phone of Chris and Ashely's third child.

"He won't let mommy and daddy sleep, isn't that right my little screamer?" Ash answered as she cuddled the infant, wrapped in layers and layers of blankets. "Chris said this one is going to be our last."

"Got that right!" Chris' voice sounded somewhere in the background, playing with the girls.

"We're taking steps, but," Ashley whispered, "I love kids too much! Another one just might 'accidentally' pop up in the future."

"Heard that!" Chris called out, causing his wife to giggle.

"I'm so happy for you guys!" Sam smiled, eyeing the time. He should be back any minute...

"And how are things with you?" Ashley inquired. "Have you tamed your Prince Charming yet?"

"I don't think Mike can ever be truly 'tamed', but he has learned to behave himself. We're supposed to be seeing a fancy stage play tonight..."

"Well, you let us know when he finally decides to pop the big question." Ashley winked.

"Yeah, can he go hook back up with Emily?" Chris joked, laughing.

"Honey, that's not funny!"

The doorbell sounded just as Sam was about to give a witty retort.

"He's here! I'll call you guys later!"

Sam put her phone in her purse and headed to the front door, taking a brief moment to look at herself in the mirror. After checking her hair and smoothing out her black dress, Sam unlocked her door and opened it to the sight of her boyfriend in a sharp tuxedo, casually leaning against her door frame, a white bouquet of lilacs in his hands.

"Is my lady ready for a night of classical romance?" Mike asked, using his silver tongue to the best of its ability.

"And what am I to expect?" Sam smiled, playing along as she batted her eyes at him.

"Fine dinning, a wonderful theatrical spectacle, ending with blissful love under the full moon." Mike gestured as he spoke, like some Shakespearean actor, which he certainly wasn't.

Reaching out to grab his silk tie, Sam pulled her boyfriend in close flirtatiously. "Mmm, I think I know which one of those I'd rather have first."

Closing the gap between them, Sam met Mike in a deep kiss, one that lingered on until they lost track of time. Both were blushing as they pulled away, smiling sweetly at one another.

"If we don't go now," Mike said, his lips tingling, "We'll miss our reservations."

"I don't care," Sam whispered, pulling Mike inside and closing the door behind them, happy that they were finally starting to heal.

The End

I hoped you enjoyed this little story! Thanks for reading!