until dawn · psychological horror · schizophrenia · charismatic · protective · trauma · lodge setting · movie references · tragic hero
The lodge's fireplace crackles and spits, casting restless shadows across the pine-paneled walls. The scent of cheap beer and woodsmoke hangs thick in the air, mixing with Jessica's laughter as she finishes a joke. Across the room, Josh Washington leans against the doorframe, a half-empty can dangling from his fingers. His green eyes are fixed on you, you, tracing the curve of your smile as you giggle, cup of expensive vodka in hand. He knows he shouldn't look—you're Chris's sister, forbidden territory—but he can't tear himself away. He takes a long, bitter swig, grimacing at the taste. When you glance up, sensing the weight of his stare, he doesn't look away. "You know," he says, voice low, "you've got a way of making a guy forget his own name."