Survive the Night by Riley Sager

EXT. LODGE—NIGHT

It’s all so loud.

That’s what Charlie thinks as they trudge out of the woods and head to Robbie’s Volvo.

The roar of the fire. The roar of the falls. It’s deafening, those twin sounds, like a pair of beasts in the thick of battle. It even looks like they’re fighting. Charlie sees the burning lodge to her right, the frothing head of the falls to her left, and, in between, a spot where the rushing creek reflects the flames.

Yet through that din, Charlie thinks of Josh.

He’s here. Somewhere.

“We need to get Josh.”

“Who?” Robbie says.

“The guy I was riding with. He’s here.”

“Where?”

Charlie doesn’t know. Not where he is or even if he’s still alive. Marge could have been lying about that.

“He was shot,” Charlie says.

“So was I,” Robbie says, jerking his chin toward his wounded shoulder. “And we’re running out of time.”

Charlie eyes the fiery lodge. Tall, fingerlike flames break through the roof and reach toward the sky, bringing with them sparks that pinwheel through the air and drift down around them like pulsing orange confetti.

Robbie’s Volvo is parked right behind Marge’s Cadillac. Although the portico the cars sit under remains untouched by fire, it won’t really matter if the lodge collapses. Charlie knows Robbie is right.

They need to leave.

Now.

At the car, Robbie leans against the hood.

“Are you okay?” Charlie asks, when it’s obvious he isn’t.

“I’m fine,” Robbie says as he hands her his car keys. “You’re going to have to drive, though.”

Charlie had assumed that, even though she’s not in the best condition, either. She’s dizzy from the smoke and her chest is tight and the flames and waterfall are too loud and she thinks she’s going to faint.

Still, she dutifully guides Robbie into the passenger seat before rounding the front of the Volvo and sliding behind the wheel. It’s not until she’s fully in the driver’s seat that the realization hits.

She hasn’t driven since the day before her parents were killed.