Dead Road Trip ✗ mgc [EDITING] {SLOW UPDATES}

[0.2] Run!!

Let's All Drown

Ava

"This is exactly why I don't travel with boys," I groaned, slumping back into my seat beside Michael. Luke, of course, had snagged the front seat before I could even get a word in, leaving me squashed between Michael and the broken window handle that I couldn't roll down. Ash was driving, his face set in determined concentration, while Calum sat in the car with my friends. This road trip had already gone from bad to worse.

Michael gave a loud laugh, clearly not bothered. "I swear it wasn't me!" he said, grinning.

One of them had let out a fart, filling the car with a stench so rank it was like it had come straight from the pits of hell.

"It was me," Luke announced proudly, meeting my disgusted gaze in the rearview mirror and winking. "And I'm proud of it!"

I shot him a death glare. "Can somebody please roll down a window?" I couldn't even roll mine down since the handle was busted. Talk about convenient.

Ashton, the only one with an ounce of decency, cracked his window open, letting in a breeze that barely cut through the smell. "Thanks, Ash. At least you have a heart."

Luke cackled. "I know someone else who has a heart!" he teased, looking pointedly between Michael and me. Ashton just snickered, while Michael rolled his eyes and took off one of his shoes, chucking it at Luke.

Two weeks on the road with these clowns had been nothing but chaos. We'd either be stopping every five minutes because the boys were "starving" or pulling over at yet another beach for the girls. And though I loved my friends, I just wanted to get to an amusement park and feel a little thrill that didn't involve the boys' never-ending antics.

After a while, I dozed off, hoping to escape the madness for a bit. But when I woke up, the car was empty. I glanced around, confused and slightly annoyed. Of course, they'd left me here to suffocate.

Yawning, I climbed out of the car and saw that we were parked at a deserted beach. The others were lounging on a massive blanket near the shore, surrounded by two picnic baskets and the glittering waves. I sighed. At least they were having a good time.

I kicked off my shoes, stuffing my socks inside them, and padded barefoot across the sand toward the group. As I drew closer, I made eye contact with Luke, who gave me a smug grin. I ignored him and plopped down next to Riley, reaching into one of the baskets to grab a sandwich.

"Why didn't you guys wake me up?" I asked, taking a big bite.

Jen, sipping from a juice pouch like it was the most sophisticated thing in the world, shrugged. "You looked so peaceful. Besides, it's nice to have some peace and quiet once in a while."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"She means you talk too much," Calum teased, clapping his hands together. "Now catch up, sleepyhead."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could come up with a snappy comeback, Riley chimed in, her soft voice cutting through the tension. "Let's just enjoy this, okay?"

We settled into a comfortable silence, letting the sound of the waves wash over us. But I couldn't shake the irritation, so I got up, dusting sand off my shorts. "I'm going for a walk."

Michael glanced up, leaving his half-eaten sandwich on a paper plate. "I'll come with you," he said, surprising me. The guy leaving food behind? Unheard of.

We walked along the shore in silence, the cool ocean breeze tugging at our clothes. Eventually, we reached a group of boulders scattered across the sand. Michael's red hair whipped around wildly, making him look like he was on fire.

"It's nice here," he said softly, his gaze far-off as he looked at the waves.

"Yeah," I murmured, sitting down on a boulder and pulling my knees to my chest. "Helps me think."

"What do you think about?" he asked, looking at me curiously.

"Life, I guess." I shrugged, feeling a strange weight settle in my chest. Something felt... off.

Before he could ask more, I shushed him, hearing a strange growling and chomping sound nearby. My skin prickled with unease. I slid off the boulder, pulling Michael down beside me, and we crouched behind the rocks.

"What the fuck...?" Michael mouthed, his eyes wide.

We crept forward, peering around the edge of the rock. I felt bile rise in my throat as I took in the horrifying scene. A middle-aged man hunched over something small and bloody—a child—tearing into it with savage hunger.

"Oh my god..." I whispered, frozen in shock. Michael's face was pale as he took in the sight, his hand squeezing mine.

We started to back away, inching slowly, but Michael's foot crunched on a thick clump of seaweed, the sound slicing through the silence. The man jerked up, eyes wild and crazed, and spotted us. He stood, stumbling forward, his clothes stained and ripped.

"Run," I hissed, barely able to breathe.

Michael's voice cracked as he shouted, "Grab your stuff!" He bolted toward the others, yanking me along behind him.

"What the hell is going on?" Jen shouted, her eyes darting between us and the crazed man stumbling in the distance.

"I don't know! Just run!" I yelled back, my heart racing as panic set in. My breaths came in short gasps as I sprinted, not daring to look back.

Michael grabbed my hand tighter, pulling me toward the car. As we reached it, I could feel the adrenaline pounding in my ears. I couldn't tell if this was real or if my mind was playing some twisted trick on me. Either way, we weren't about to stick around to find out.