Katie walked outside as the snow was beginning to fall lightly to the ground. She cringed.

"Why does it have to snow?" Katie said getting her suitcase in the SUV.

"Katie, we are going skiing.  Snow is what we need," Justin said helping to pack the car.

"You can go skiing, I'm going to go to the spa all day."

He shot a look at her.  "I don't believe that for a second."

"Yea I know." Katie said smiling.  She loved skiing, but hated the snow.

"Sharon honey, let me help you," Justin said quickly going to her side and taking her bag. "Holy crap this thing is heavy!"

"Oh shut up I took some stuff out." Justin just laughed and put the bag in the back.

"Come on Jc! We need our driver," Justin called.  Everything was packed and ready to go.

"I'm coming. I was just putting the information into the gps," Jc said walking out.

"How long is it going to take us?" Sharon asked.

"About ten hours.  Hopefully we won't have to stop for the night."

"We will see how it goes Josh," Katie said putting her hand on his arm.

"I know." He lightly kissed her cheek.

"Ok so is everyone ready?" Justin asked opening the door for Sharon.

"Why thank you," Sharon said getting in.

"You're welcome my lady," Justin said bowing.

"Oh brother," Katie said rolling her eyes.

"Oh hush," Justin said opening the passenger door for her.

"Thanks dorky brother."

"Yep." He shook his head and got in next to Sharon.

"Alright is everyone ready to go?" Jc asked starting the car.

"Yes let's roll," Katie said answering for everyone.

Jc started driving and their journey began. A few hours past and they were still driving. They had stopped for some dinner and gas then they were right back to making their way to the resort. As a few more hours past, the snow was started to come down harder. Sharon was starting to get  concerned.

"Jc we should stop."

"It's fine Sharon." Jc said never taking his eyes off the road.

"But it's getting worse and its getting dark."  She got easily nervous driving in bad weather, especially at night.

"Why don't we give it another hour and see what it's like," He suggested. Jc really didn't want to stop for the night.  "If it's still bad we will stop."

"Alright, fine."

Sharon looked at Justin who was fast asleep. She snuggled up next to him and closed her eyes. Not long after, Katie opened her eyes and looked at out the window. She couldn't believe how fast the snow was coming down.

"Josh we should stop."

"It's fine sweetheart," Jc said putting his hand on her leg to reassure her.

"Please Josh it's really bad out."

"I don't know when the next place to stop is. We are out in the middle of nowhere Katie.  Check the gps."

"Ok."

Katie sat up and started looking at the gps. She wanted to stop, not liking the driving conditions they were facing.  She figured out the next place was about 30 miles.

"You will be stopping in 30 miles."  Katie said with authority.

"Ok fine," Jc agreed reluctantly.

Katie sat back and looked out the window. They were coming around a big bend in the road. Katie didn't know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but she thought she saw something but couldn't make out what it was. As they started to come closer she realized what it was.

"Josh look out!" She screamed, finally realizing it was a deer.

"Oh shit!"

Jc slammed on the brakes but lost control. He couldn't get back on track. The car tires squealed as they lost contact with the road.  Katie gripped the door handle.  Jc tired to gain control, but the road was ice, and the tires slid across the road.  In seconds, the car started to roll down the side of the road, down a large hill. Finally after what seemed like minutes the car stopped at the bottom.

No one knew how much time past when Justin finally opened his eyes. He could feel the blood running down his forehead. Soon the panic started sinking in. He turned to Sharon who was sitting there not moving.

"Sharon honey, please wake up."

But there was nothing. He moved her head closer to him.

"Sharon please..."

He looked around and could see they were off of the highway. The snow was still coming down hard. Justin tried remembering what had happened, but he was asleep when it all happened.  He heard his sister scream and then the car just started rolling. Suddenly, Sharon moved so he quickly turned his attention back to her.

"Sharon." He put his hand to her cheek and kissed her lightly.

"Justin," Sharon said her voice shaky.

"Honey it going to be alright. Does anything hurt?"

"My arm and my head."

Justin looked at her arm and could see that it was clearly broken.

"Ok." He tried to hold the tears back.

"Justin what happened?"

"I don't know honey."

"We aren't on the highway anymore are we?"  All Sharon could see out the window was darkness and snow.

"It doesn't look like it."

"I'm scared J."

"Me too, but we are going to be ok." He held her a little tighter and kissed her head. He had to believe that they were going to be ok. They couldn't be too far from somewhere.  Looking around again he noticed Jc moving his head.

"Don't move ok?" Justin said kissing Sharon again.

"Trust me I won't."

Justin moved closer up to the front. "Jc."

"Justin, are you alright?" Jc's voice was weak.

"Yea I think so. You?"

"I hmm..... Don't know."

Justin leaned over and noticed a large piece of glass in his stomach.

"Oh shit man."

"It's bad isn't it?" Jc said as the tears started coming down.

"Hey you're going to be fine. We will get through this. Just try not to move."

 

"I'm sorry Justin. I should have stopped when Sharon told me to."

"We aren't going to play the blame game Jc. It was an accident."

"The deer just came out of nowhere. I didn't have time to stop," Jc whispered trying to explain.

"It's alright Josh," Justin told him.  He didn't want to think about how they got in the accident, just how to keep everyone alive and well.

He turned to his sister. She wasn't moving and blood was everywhere.

"Katie?" Justin asked softly.

He moved closer to her, but he knew that his sister was gone. Checking for a pulse, he was right. Sighing he tried to not let the tears come to his eyes. He couldn't let the other two know that she was dead. Brushing her hair out of her face he kissed her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered.

"She's ok J, right? Jc asked.  He was afraid to move any part of him for the pain ripping through his body.

"I think so Josh." Justin lied.

"Justin are they alright?" Sharon asked concerned.

"Yea they're alright," Justin said moving back to her side.

He suddenly felt really tired. He closed his eyes thinking he would open them again, but he must have fallen asleep.  When he opened again the sun was shining through the windows.

"Sharon?"

"Yea I'm ok." She answered as best as she could.

"Ok." Justin sat up wincing a little. His stomach was killing him, but he knew that he had to ignore it.  Turning to Sharon he put a brave smile on his face.

"How you feeling baby?"

"Like shit." Sharon confessed as a few stray tears started coming down.

"Hey it's going to be alright." Justin tried his best to be optimistic.

"You keep telling me that but I'm having a hard time believing you."

"Why? When have I ever told you otherwise?"

"I know.  I'm just thinking the worst right now."

"Well stop." He pulled her closer and kissed her.

"I love you J.  So much."

"I bet I love you more."

Justin held Sharon close to him. Then his bladder started acting up. He tried to ignore it but as the time went by it just got worse.

"I have to go to the bathroom honey I'll be back in a minute."

"Ok don't go too far."

"I won't."

Crawling over Sharon he opened the door and walked out. Looking around he found a group of trees and headed towards them. It took a lot of effort to go to the bathroom and he couldn't ignore the blood that came out.

"It will be over soon J."

He quickly zipped up and turned around to see his sister standing there. She looked fine, like nothing had happened.

"Katie, I don't understand." Justin gasped, confused.  He looked back to the car.

"I'm waiting for you J, I'm waiting for all of you."

Justin looked at the car again, then back to Katie. Were they really not going to get out of this? Was this it for them?

"We will be together soon. It won't hurt anymore."

"But..."

"It will be alright.  Go back to Sharon and Jc," Katie said touching his cheek.

"I love you Katie," Justin said starting to cry.

Katie smiled. "I love you J."

Katie then turned and walked away. Justin blinked and Katie was gone. He made his way back to the suv.

"Are you alright honey?" Sharon asked when he crawled over her.

"Yea I'm ok, how are you feeling?"

"Cold."

"Here, I can get you some clothes," Justin said opening a bag and taking out some clothes and laying it on her. "How's that?"

"A little better."

"Ok good."

Justin pulled her close and kissed her.

"I love you."

"I love you."

As the day went on Justin couldn't help but think about what Katie had said. Was she really waiting for them?

"What are you thinking about Justin?" She wanted him to take her mind off all the crazy thoughts that were running through her mind.

"Just random stuff."

"We have lots of time you know."

Justin chuckled. "They will find us."

"I hope so."

"Why?" Justin wondered.

"Why? What!" Sharon gasped at him.

"What if this is it Sharon?" She could tell by his tone how serious he was when he asked.

"Then I would tell you that I love you and that I had a great life with you."

Sharon couldn't help but let a tear roll down her cheek. She didn't like Justin talking like this.

"Why don't we try to get some sleep."

"Ok."

They snuggled close to each other and fell asleep.

 

Hours later, Justin woke up. He could hear someone crying. At first he looked around he could tell the sun was starting to set. It was going to be another long cold night. He looked to Sharon and was thankful that she was still sleeping. Then he heard the crying again.  Slowly he sat up and moved towards the front of the car. He stopped and looked at Katie.  The tears started making their way back to his already burning eyes. At least he knew that she was at peace and not in pain anymore.

"Justin is Katie ok?  She won't answer me," Jc asked trying to stop crying. He was panicking.

"Yes Jc, she's just sleeping."  Justin didn't see how telling him the truth right now would help him.

"Ok good. When she wakes up tell her that I love her."

"She knows Josh, she knows."

He tried to stop the tears. "Just try to get some sleep Josh.  Tomorrow we will think of how we are going to get out of here."

"Don't leave me J."

"I'm right here man, don't worry, I won't leave you," Justin said taking Jc's hand in his. He noticed that it was cold.

Justin sat there and watched as his friend struggled to breath.

"It will be over soon Josh. Don't fight it."

"You were always there for me Justin."

"Everything is going to be fine, Josh."

Jc started sobbing. "I want to be with Katie. I love her."

"She loved you Josh, more than anything."

Jc took a deep unsteady breath. Justin knew it wasn't going to be much longer.

"I'm so sorry J."

"Just let go Josh. Katie's waiting for you," Justin whispered into his friend's ear.

Jc slowly closed his eyes. Justin noticed the slight smile on his face and he knew he was with Katie now.

Jc felt something weird so he opened his eyes. He was outside of the suv staring at Justin holding his hand and crying over him. Was he dead?  Looking at his stomach, he saw the glass was gone, the blood was gone. He started to panic. No, he couldn't be dead!  This just couldn't be happening. Putting his hands to his face he started crying. This was his fault.  He did this to them.  And now, they were in the middle of nowhere, and nobody was ever going to find them in time. What had he done to his friends?  To Katie?

"Josh."

Slowly, Jc turned around and there in front of him, stood Katie.

"No," he said shaking his head.  Closing his eyes, he knew he was dreaming this all.  It wasn't real.  He willed himself to wake up, but Katie's voice brought him back.

"Hey it's alright," Katie said walking to him and placing her hand on his arm.

"No it's not. We're dead aren't we?"

"Yes we are, but we are together now."

"This is all my fault."  Jc looked to the snowy ground.  He knew in his heart, he would never be able to forgive himself.

"Josh, there was nothing you could have done differently. This was our destiny."

"When?" Jc asked looking in her eyes.

"I was gone before the car stopped moving."

Katie could see him struggling and it pained her.

"Josh look at me," she commanded intently.

Jc looked at her and suddenly felt relaxed.   

"It's all over.  There's no more pain and we are going to be together forever.  Nothing can get between us now," Katie reminded him.

"I love you Katie, so much," Jc said placing his hand on her cheek.  Katie leaned into his touch, closing her eyes.

"And I love you," she whispered.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, Jc pulled his love close to his body, their warmth comforting each other.  Katie looked up in his blue eyes and smiled.  Going on her tip toes she kissed him deeply. It felt so good to be back into each other arms.

Then they both turned back to the car.

"Is there anything we can do for them?" Jc asked softly.

"No, we just have to wait."

Justin could feel Jc's hand become loose in his. He couldn't stop the tears from coming now.

"Goodbye my good friend. I will never forget you. We will be together soon."

"Justin what's going on?" Sharon asked waking up, and noticing that he was crying really hard.

Before turning to her he kissed the top of Jc's head and let go of his hand.  He sat next to Sharon.

"Jc?" Sharon called, wishing for him to answer her.

"He's gone Sharon."

"No," Sharon said shaking her head and starting to cry.

"It's going to be alright," Justin said pulling her closer to him.

"How can you say that?! We don't know where we are.  How we are going to get out of here?"

"I will let nothing more happen to you. I promise."

Sharon knew Justin would keep his promise. But right now she just wanted to get out of there. She looked at Katie.

"What are we going to tell Katie?"

Justin looked away from her as he brushed a tear away.  "They're together Sharon.  We don't have to worry about them anymore."

Sharon felt her chin start to quiver. More tears started rushing down her cheeks. She closed her eyes and wished she was dead. She wished she could have said goodbye. To tell Katie that she loved her and that their friendship meant everything to her.  How was she suppose to keep going on without her best friend?

"Sharon, look at me," Justin said making her look at him.  He saw so much pain in her eyes.  "There was nothing we could have done for them. I can tell you for a fact that they are together and very happy. They aren't in any more pain."

"But she was my best friend and your sister," Sharon sobbed.

"I know.  We will both miss them very much."

He hugged her tighter and kissed her head. Soon it was dark again. Justin sat and watched Sharon fall asleep. He would do anything for her. He didn't want this for her. Why couldn't he have the strength to get her out of this? He turned towards the front. Why couldn't he have saved his sister and best friend? Tears started falling again. Quickly he tried to wipe them away, but they just couldn't stop. He was dying and he couldn't stop it. Sharon was dying and he couldn't stop it. Sharon opened her eyes, hearing the love of her life sobbing.

"You can't beat yourself up Justin," Sharon said reading his mind.  She put her hand through his hair.

"They're dead and I didn't do anything to help them."

"You couldn't help them. It was out of your hands," she said putting her hand on his.  He squeezed her hand tightly, and looked in her eyes.

"We should get married."

"What!"

"I don't have a ring...well, technically I do, but it's not here."

"You bought a ring?" Sharon's mouth dropped.

"Yea, a while ago.  Katie helped me pick it out."

"You were really going to ask me?"

"Sharon, I should have asked you a long time ago. I was in love with you from the day we met."

Sharon smiled at him.

"I know what we have is something special that no one could ever compare to you."

"Justin please stop," Sharon said starting to sob.

"Will you marry me Sharon?"

"Yes I will marry you." She nodded her head as Justin pressed his lips against hers.

"Ok good," he whispered pulling apart.

Their foreheads touched and tears fell down their cheeks. They both knew that after that moment nothing would ever be the same. Justin touched his lips to Sharon's and they shared a kiss that was pure passion and love. Sharon laid her head against his shoulder, and before they knew it both of them were sleeping again.

Slowly Justin opened his eyes. He didn't feel the pain anymore. He looked at Sharon and kissed her forehead.

"I'll be waiting for you. I love you."

He then turned to the front.

"I hope you two found each other," Justin whispered taking their hands and putting them together.

Kissing each of their heads, Justin sat down on the floor in the second seat. Reaching up he put his hand on theirs. Then, he took Sharon's hand in his, and as he gently brushed his thumb across her hand, he leaned his head against the front seat. Taking a deep breath, Justin closed his eyes. Hours later Sharon opened her eyes.  She looked at Justin sitting on the floor of the car. "Justin."

But there was no answer. He didn't even move. Pain ripped through Sharon's body.

"Justin wake up!" she yelled nudging him.

Again there was nothing.

"God damnit, Justin!  Wake up!"

Soon tears flooded down her cheeks. Sharon looked around.  She was the last one left. The love of her life was gone and her two best friends were gone as well. How did this happen?  Could things have gone differently?   Her body began shaking, only increasing the pain.  She knew God had a plan for her.  Was it this?  Did he want her to survive this to tell their story? To be alone for the rest of her life?  No, that's not what she wanted, she prayed to him to not let that not happen.

It was then Sharon noticed that they were all holding hands. Wiping her tear soaked eyes she reached down and took Justin's hand in hers again. She thought that it would feel cold, but if felt the same as hers like they were one. Sharon wanted to be with them, she wanted to see Justin smile at her, to reassure her that they were going to be together forever. Closing her eyes she heard a voice a soft voice. A voice that told her she was going to go home.

"Sharon, you can let go now."

She had heard Katie. Sharon felt her heart begin to slow and she drifted off to sleep. But when she opened her eyes she was on the outside of the car looking in. What had happening? She was so confused. She didn't understand what was happening. Looking down at herself, Sharon didn't see any more blood.  She didn't hurt anymore.

"Hi baby."

Sharon jumped at the sound of the voice, but she turned around.

"Justin!" She exclaimed.

"Come on honey it's time to go home."

Justin held out his hand. Sharon slowly reached out and took it.

"I'm afraid Justin."

"Don't be.  Everything is fine now."

They walked towards the forest. Sharon stopped and looked back at the suv.

"Do you think someone will find us?" She asked.

Justin shook his head yes, but continued to look into the forest.

"They are waiting for us honey."

Sharon looked forward and saw two people in the distance holding hands. Immediately, she recognized them and smiled. When they reached Katie and Jc she let out a huge sigh.

"I thought I was never going to see you again," Sharon said wrapping her arms around Katie.

"I wasn't going anywhere without you," Katie told her smiling.

"Will we be together."? Sharon asked squeezing Justin's hand tighter.

"Yes, forever," Justin said kissing her.

The four of them turned around and walked away from the pain and suffering that had been upon them.

 

Hours later, a motorist found the car tracks off the road and followed it to their car.  The man made the discovery that the four friends had died together. He couldn't help but notice that they were all holding hands, and he couldn't help but wonder what story they could have told him.

Before going back up to his car to call for help, he felt compelled to turn around.  When he did, his gaze turned to the forest. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the four friends standing there holding hands. Standing there, he watched the four of them walk towards a bright light in the forest. He knew they would be together forever.

 

The End.