The winding mountain road was heavy with fresh snow, the kind that muffled the surrounding area into silence, with the exception of the hum leaving Josh’s truck and the occasional crackle of static from the radio lacking any signal.

You were riding shotgun, hand warmers in each glove doing little to soothe the biting cold inching into the vehicle. Your eyes flicked occasionally to Josh, who looked more relaxed than he had in a while when engaging in joking conversation… just how it used to be before what happened to Beth and Hannah.

This trip with Mike, Jess, Matt, Emily, Ashley, Chris and Sam was supposed to be about healing — Josh’s idea. A tradition reborn in memory of his sisters. You planned on getting the bus before Josh had asked you to come up a little earlier with him in his truck, “I need the distraction” is what he had said. And you said yes with no hesitation.

Slowly but surely, the lodge, packed to the brim with lingering memories of friendship, love, and loss, came into view as the truck struggled up the icy track.

The truck slowed to a stop.

But neither of you made a move to get out.