Chapter Text
Day One
Josie pinches the bridge of her nose. “Okay dipshits, that’s it! In the car, now!”
The dipshits in question barely acknowledge her. At least they follow her instructions, piling in various seats of the van, still shouting over each other. Landon, Jed, Raf, MG, and Kaleb are arguing over who has to ride in the trunk. There are two rows of seats behind the driver’s, fitting three each. Since it’s Josie and Lizzie’s van, they get the front. Hope and Penelope threaten to light the boys on fire if they try to take the second row seats, which leaves the last row and the trunk. Kaleb and Jed pick up MG and Landon and throw them into the trunk, high-fiving each other and Raf and taking the seats before Landon and MG can escape.
“Cmon, K!” MG protests. “What happened to vamp solidarity?”
Meanwhile, Hope and Penelope are squabbling over the aux cord. It’s a disturbing sight, watching two of the strongest people in school bitch-slap each other over who has the better taste in music.
Lizzie strolls up behind Josie, fashionably late as always. “Oh dear,” she says, taking in everything. With that, she climbs into the passenger’s seat.
Josie sighs. She did not sign up for this.
Approximately seven minutes in, Josie truly believes this is one of the worst decisions they’ve ever made as a group.
And that’s saying something.
As several Taylor Swift songs switch between each other rapidly, and Hope and Penelope argue over which albums are better, Josie resists smashing her head into the steering wheel.
“Okay. That’s enough of that,” she says, yanking the cord so it pulls out of Penelope’s phone.
“JoJo!” Penelope whines. “How am I gonna survive a 9 day road trip without Reputation?”
Hope sticks her tongue out. “Ha, loser. Jo, play Lover.”
“I’m not a fucking echo dot,” Josie grumbles. “And no. Why don’t we let Jed or Kaleb pick, they get sidelined enough in the show.”
In the rearview, Josie can see Jed and Kaleb nod in appreciation.
“But then we’re gonna get stuck listening to weird-ass emo bands that aren’t even good!” Hope complains.
“Oh my fucking God,” Lizzie says, twisting around in her seat. Josie suppresses a snicker. Maybe now Hope and Penelope will listen. “First, Taylor Swift is overrated. There, I said what I said, fight me. Second, all of your useless bitchy banter is way louder than the music. Third, you keep switching songs every second, making it actually impossible to enjoy them. And fourth, you two are acting like the biggest fucking babies ever. What happened to maturity? You guys are literally the only adults in this van right now!”
Penelope opens her mouth, then closes it. Hope just stares. Satisfied, Lizzie turns back around. Josie mouths a ‘thank you’ in her direction. Jed wordlessly passes his phone to Josie, and she plugs it in. Surprisingly, the music isn’t bad, and it fills in the awkward silence as they continue to drive to the first hotel.
Josie’s headache calms and she can finally start to drive without being in total constant worry for everyone’s lives. Of course, that only lasts about five minutes, because there’s thumping in the trunk and a string of several curses.
MG never curses.
“Pull over!” Landon suddenly shouts. The tires screech as Josie slams on the breaks.
“What happened?” Hope asks, already getting out. The childish Hope from before is gone, replaced by what Lizzie has affectionately dubbed “Mom Hope”.
Josie unlocks the trunk and Landon nearly falls out. He’s pulled back at the last second by MG, who has his other arm around a small figure. By now, everyone else is out of the van, staring at MG and the small child in his arms.
“Pedro? What the hell are you doing here?” Penelope asks, lifting him out the trunk.
“I wanted to come along,” Pedro says, innocently blinking his brown eyes at the witch.
“Jesus Christ, little man,” MG says. “You scared the shi- heck out of me. I thought you were like, a dead body or something.”
“We have to turn back,” Jed says. “Knowing our luck, something fucked up-” Hope and Penelope glare at him- “I mean- messed up, will happen. We can’t have him in danger.”
“The entire school is in danger every other day,” Pedro argues. “I’m not any safer there than here. Plus, you guys are the heroes of the school.”
The Super Squad all look at each other, then look at Pedro, then back. Hope pulls Josie, Kaleb, Raf, and Landon into a circle. “We vote,” she says. “I vote for us to turn back. It won’t take long, we’ll only lose a half an hour or so.”
“I’m with Hope,” Josie immediately agrees. “Plus, dad put me in charge of all of you, and I might go insane if I have to look after another child of chaos.”
“I think it’s fine if he stays,” Raf says, uncertainly. “Like he said, he has the strongest people available to look after him. He’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, plus the smaller kids never get to go out that much. The poor guy is probably dying for an adventure. And all of us are relatively good with him,” Kaleb agrees.
Hope glances between the five. “Okay, that’s two to two. Landon?”
The phoenix blinks, not used to being the final decision maker.
“Hey, how come we weren’t invited to your little Round Table discussion?” Penelope complains in the background. No one pays her any attention.
Landon flicks his eyes between Hope and Rafael nervously. “Uhhh.”
Lizzie rolls his eyes. “You’d think Fanon!Landon would be more useful.”
“I am useful!” Landon protests. “It’s not my fault the writers made me a Mary Sue!”
“Landon! Focus!” Hope says, snapping her fingers in front of his face.
“Sorry. Pedro can stay, what’s the worst that can happen?”
Hope sighs, rolls her eyes, and pinches the bridge of her nose. Everyone stares as they wait for her to say something, because even though the little shits are Josie’s responsibility, Hope is still the unspoken “leader”. “Fine. But he’s not riding in the trunk, give him here.”
Kaleb picks Pedro up and Hope hands him to Penelope, who plops him between her and Hope’s seats.
Raf and Kaleb go to the other side of the van, and as Landon and MG reluctantly climb back into the trunk, Jed claps Landon’s shoulder on the way. “You just jinxed us, man.”
Eight indie songs, three mild arguments, and half a migraine later, Josie pulls up to the first stop on their trip. Because the author is too lazy to research Virginia and its towns, please ignore any geographical errors.
“Jesus, this place is a ghost town,” Penelope mutters, carrying Pedro out on her shoulders. “Where’d you find this place, Lizzie?”
“Umm…” Lizzie looks at their barren surroundings. “I’m not actually sure.”
“Are we in the right place?” Josie asks, squinting at the GPS on her phone.
“Seems like it,” Hope says, leaning over her shoulder.
“This place gives me the heebie-jeebies,” Pedro shudders, wrapping his arms tighter around Penelope’s neck.
“No one asked you to come, little man,” Kaleb chuckles. “C'mon guys, it’s just a little quiet. We’ve killed literal demons and y’all are scared of an empty town?”
“Fair enough,” Hope says, pulling six bags out of the trunk, three in each hand. It’s a wonder how two whole boys and one small boy fit with nine bags, but whatever. Kaleb, Jed, and Rafael take the other three, and they set off.
By the time they reach the hotel, they’ve seen three people all together. All of which slammed doors as soon as they saw the strange group of teens.
“Okay, I see your point,” Kaleb says to no one in particular. “This is making me very uneasy. Should only a few of us go in to see if this is safe and not some monster or something?”
“I’ll go,” Hope says. She shoves the six bags into Landon, MG, Lizzie, and Josie’s arms.
“I’ll come too,” Josie says, dropping her bag on the ground.
The hotel is as empty as the surrounding town. Josie and Hope look around.
“Hello?” Hope raises her voice. “Anyone there?”
“How can I help you?” A young woman seemingly appears out of nowhere, right behind Hope.
“What the fuck,” Hope curses, jumping. Josie instinctively places a comforting hand on Hope’s shoulder, which also gives her a large source of magic if this lady gives them any trouble.
The woman has brown hair tied back into a ponytail and unsettling green eyes. Not Penelope green. More of a piercing green, not a soft glow. She also has an off-putting smile, like something isn’t right.
“I’m sorry for startling you,” the woman says. “My name is Rosaline. Welcome to the Fog Hotel.” She offers a hand, and Hope tentatively shakes it.
“Hi, we reserved two double rooms with a couch? Party of nine under Saltzman?” Josie says. She mentally pats herself on the back for keeping her voice steady, because waves of fear and distrust wash over her.
“Saltzman. Yes! Right this way!” Rosaline says, briskly turning around.
Hope and Josie look at each other before following, Josie slipping her hand into Hope’s. For comfort and for safety.
“Here you are!” Rosaline says, with the same creepy-but-cheerful smile on her face. She hands Josie the room keys and in the same swift manner, goes back the way she came.
“Oookay then,” Josie says, untangling her fingers from Hope’s. She clenches them, not realizing how tight she was holding on. The feeling of dread recedes, and she looks at Hope. “Should we get the others?”
“You go do that,” Hope says. “I’m gonna look through the rooms, make sure this isn’t like, an illusion or some shit. Knowing our luck, it probably is.”
“Alright, text us if you find anything,” Josie says. “Be right back.”
Josie climbs down the stairwell, greeting her friends at the front door. “It’s all safe for now,” Josie says, beckoning them in. They follow her, taking in the rundown building.
“Lizzie, I thought you said this was a high-quality hotel,” Jed whispers.
“I said it had doubles with couches,” Lizzie responds. “Usually that means they’re high quality.”
“That’s… not how that works,” Landon says.
“No one asked you, Bird Brain,” Lizzie glares. “Look, it’s only today and tonight. Josie planned tomorrow, if today sucks, tomorrow won’t.”
Jed’s the first to walk into one of the rooms. He tries to hold the door open for the rest of the boys, but it shuts behind him, and that same pit of dread settles in Josie’s stomach. Looking around, she can see the others look the same way she feels.
“Guys,” Landon gulps. “Why am I all sweaty all of a sudden?”
Nervously, MG raps against the door Jed just disappeared behind. “Jed? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Jed’s voice floats from inside the room. “Come in guys, everything’s fine.”
But Josie can hear a dangerous edge to his voice. Before she can say anything, though, MG’s already opened the door.
“Wait!” Josie yells, pulling MG back at the last minute. “I don’t think that was Jed.”
“Hello?!” Hope shouts, pounding on the door. “Lizzie? Landon? Josie?” It doesn’t budge. “Dimiterre!” Nothing. “Damnit!” Hope punches it, which accomplishes nothing. Her phone died the second she walked in the room, so calling for help was out of the equation.
Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Hope is thrown backwards. Her back hits the opposite wall, and Jed casually walks through. Behind him, a thick wall of fog is visible, some wisping through the door with the werewolf.
“Hope?” he asks, confused. “Didn’t I walk through the other door…?” He trails off, noticing Hope’s state of distress. “Are you okay?”
“Jed,” Hope says carefully. “Try opening the door.”
“Um. Okay?” Jed tries to twist the handle. Nothing. He tries harder. “What the hell?” He rams his side into the door, and not even a single hinge squeaks.
“Normal fucking doors can’t withstand a werewolf pounding into it, much less a Tribrid,” Hope says. “Something is very, very wrong.”
“Did you try your witch shit?” Jed asks.
“It was the first thing I did,” Hope replies. “Everything here is magic-proof or something.”
“Let's look around the room to see what we can find,” Jed suggests.
“I did that.”
“Well, look harder.”
Hope rolls her eyes. “Okay, fine.”
They start on opposite sides of the room, rummaging through drawers and checking under furniture. Jed yanks one of the blinds open. No light floods the room, even though it’s midday.
“...Hope?” He asks, pointing. “Where the hell are we?”
Hope follows his eyes. Everywhere outside is shrouded in the same thick, white fog that Hope saw before. “Jesus,” she mutters. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
“All of us followed Josie up here. I was the first to go in one of the rooms, and I tried to hold the door open for Raf and the rest of them, but it shut behind me. I figured it was just the wind, but then I walked in and you were here, and I could’ve sworn I walked into the other room. I think… I think I heard MG say something through the door, but I couldn’t hear him clearly,” Jed explains. “What’s the last thing you remember? What happened when you and Josie scouted the place?”
“At first no one was there. Then there was this lady, Rosaline, and she was super creepy. She had this weird smile. Anyways, she brought us up here, and I told Josie to go get you guys while I checked this place out. Next thing I knew, I got trapped and the door wouldn’t move, until you came in.”
“So definitely a monster,” Jed says, running a hand through his hair. “Damnit, Kirby. I told him he’d jinx us.”
“Not the time,” Hope grunts. “Do you know of any creature that does anything like this?”
“No, that’s up MG and Landon’s ally,” Jed says, looking down. “I’m honestly not sure why you guys invited me, I never felt like you thought of me as part of the group.” He sits down on one of the beds, curling his body. He looks unnaturally small and timid.
“You are a part of the group,” Hope assures, patting his arm awkwardly. “Sure, you’ve had some… rough patches. But you’ve proven yourself, and all of us appreciate you.”
Hope listens to herself, surprised. “Okay. Wait. I would never say that out loud.”
Jed nods in agreement. “Yeah, that was weird. Do you think it has something to do with the room?”
Fog seeps from under the door, and Hope jiggles the doorknob again. This time, it’s definitely looser. “We’re doing something right,” Hope says. “The door isn’t as firm. What did we just do to make it loose?”
“We were vulnerable,” Jed says, snapping his fingers. “Maybe this place feeds on emotions?”
“Unoriginal, but okay,” Hope says. “Any other burning insecurities you have?”
“I bullied Landon because I was threatened by him. He was everything I wanted to be. He had a normal life, no responsibilities here. He made friends quickly and he has someone who cares about him more than anything, a brother that would kill and die for him. My brother overdosed when I was seven, right before I came to Salvatore because I killed his dealer. I missed him so much, and I saw how Raf was willing to fight tooth and nail for Landon. I guess that’s why I went after Raf too. I just… really wanted what they had. And once Raf took over the pack, I saw how no one cared to ask how I felt. And I realized that maybe the reason Landon and Raf are so tight with each other is because they genuinely cared, and it wasn’t just for the sake of having someone by your side or at your feet. And once I started being nicer to you all, I got better. But I still feel super guilty about everything and even though both of them have forgiven me, a part of me thinks I don’t deserve it.” Jed finishes by taking a huge breath in. “That’s about it.”
“Damn,” Hope says, processing. “I’m… wow.”
Jed clears his throat. “Try the door again,” he says, changing the subject.
“It’s working,” Hope says, the doorknob actually moving up and down now.
“Okay,” Jed says, a smile breaking out. “This is working. Your turn, bro.”
“Wait, am I supposed to share my insecurities?” Hope asks. “Nu-uh. Not to you, no offense.”
Jed shrugs. “Okay then, I’ll wait it out. This room makes keeping words in very hard.”
Hope rolls her eyes and sits next to the wolf. “I’d like to see this stupid place get through me.”
“Might I remind you that a tiny slug lowered your inhibitions and you ended up nearly blowing up the kitchen trying to bake a cake?” Jed says. “Also, who knows how much time has passed since we got in here? The others could be in danger.”
“Ugh, fine!” Hope says, exasperated. “Everyone I love dies, I can’t stop it, it’s only a matter of time until the people I love outside that door do too. Josie and Lizzie have the merge, Landon dies like every few days but one day it’s destined to be permanent, and Penelope is an idiot, she’ll find a way. Even though I’m the world’s only Tribrid, I can’t save anyone!” The words pour out over her just like Jed said they would. Hope struggles to hold back tears. “I’m sorry, you’ve probably heard this from Lizzie or someone before. It’s not unknown that I have issues with this.”
“You’ve saved the school countless times,” Jed comforts. “You’ve saved hundreds of lives, and sacrificed yourself way too many times to be healthy. Everyone in Salvatore is grateful for you, because if not for you, we’d all be dead. Josie and Lizzie and Landon and Penelope are strong, as well as fucking stubborn, there’s no way any of them will let death come for them any time soon.”
“...Thanks,” Hope says, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
“Will you murder me if I hug you?” Jed asks.
“You may have a three-second hug,” Hope laughs. Jed wraps his arms around her, and maybe Hope lets him have more than three seconds.
They’re interrupted by the door creaking open.
“We did it!” Jed says, running towards the doorway. Past the door though, they can’t see anything. The fog is too dense.
“Wait, don’t go out there yet,” Hope says, standing up and putting her arm out in front of him protectively. “We don’t know if it’s safe.”
Right on cue, an ear splitting screech comes from the thick layers of fog.
“Okay, any ideas, people?” Lizzie asks, assuming leadership position in Hope’s absence.
It’s been five minutes of pounding on the doors, yelling for Hope and Jed, to no avail.
“This town is fucking weird,” Penelope mutters, patting Pedro’s leg in apology at the kid’s indignant gasp. “The people around here might know something about this place. I’m gonna go ask around”
“I’ll go with Penelope,” Landon perks up. “I think the buddy system is a smart idea.”
“I’m gonna stick around here,” Kaleb says. “Just in case Jed- or Hope- comes out. Or if I hear anything weird from the doors.”
“I’ll stay too,” Raf puts in. “I’m Jed’s alpha, it’s my job to make sure he’s safe.”
“And I will also stay,” Lizzie says, avoiding eye contact with everyone. “For Hope. Since you boys only seem to care about our resident himbo.”
Josie takes a second to smirk at her twin’s obvious blush before getting back on track. “I’m gonna go question Rosaline,” she says. “Something was definitely up with her. MG, can you come with me? Just in case she’s human and you can compel her.” MG nods.
“Then it’s settled,” Lizzie says, clapping her hands together. “Everyone come back here in 45 minutes. If there’s any emergencies, text the group chat.”
“Are we sure they’ll be okay for 45 minutes?” Josie asks.
“It’s Hope. She can handle herself.”
“Why did you want to come with me?” Penelope asks, leaves crunching beneath her feet. Landon’s a pace behind her.
“I dunno,” Landon shrugs. “We’re friends?”
Penelope snorts. “Barely.”
“Okay fine. I’m burnt out on Rafael, I spend almost every second with him. I love him, but I would like a change of pace. Josie and I are still in kind of an awkward phase around each other. I barely know Kaleb. It’s been hard for me to be around MG in a small group since he accidentally killed me. The whole ride hear I was terrified, and not just because I fucking hate being in small spaces. And Lizzie can barely tolerate me. I do know she cares, but sometimes her insults cut a little too deep.”
“You do know Lizzie and I are two sides of the same coin, right?”
“Yeah, but you can’t use your worst insults on me with Pedro on your shoulders,” Landon smirks.
Penelope looks at him. “Yeah, that’s actually smart.”
“So why are you?”
“Hm?”
“Why are you so mean?”
“Shouldn’t we be focused on the issue at hand?” Penelope asks. “You’re supposed to be interrogating the townspeople, not me.”
“You’re deflecting.”
Penelope turns around quickly, and Pedro lets out a yelp of surprise. Penelope grabs Landon’s shoulder. “Listen, Muppet. We are here to do a job. Two of our friends could be in danger right now, and all you can think about is psychoanalyzing me? Check your priorities, dude.”
“He didn’t really do anything,” Pedro’s small voice comes from above.
“I know. I’m sorry. Just… Can we please focus on what’s important right now?”
“Damn, the girls really did turn you into a softy,” Landon mutters under his breath. He’s thankful Penelope doesn’t have super hearing. “Hey look, over there!” he says, louder.
A small boy is visibly playing in a patch of fallen leaves. He has long, dirty blonde hair, and it stands out against the bleak background.
Pedro carefully climbs down Penelope and drops onto the ground. “If you guys don’t wanna talk to him, I can,” he offers. “He might trust another kid more than two edgy looking teens.”
Penelope and Landon look at each other. “I think one of us should go first. If that doesn’t work, you can help out, little man,” Penelope says.
“I’m shit with kids,” Landon confesses. “I’m better with adults. Maybe Pedro should go first.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m great with them,” Penelope says.
“You?” Landon asks, the edges of his lips curling upward. “But you’re so…” He flaps his hands uselessly. “Unfriendly.”
“Not with kids. I-” Penelope clears her throat. “I had- have. I have siblings. Anyways, it’s fine, I’ll do it. Stay here, stay out of sight, and make sure Landon doesn’t get into any trouble.” She directs her last instruction towards Pedro in a playful manner, and the kid smiles cutely.
“Aye aye, captain,” Landon salutes. “Good luck.”
Penelope carefully approaches the kid. “Hey, you okay?”
He turns towards her, and his blue eyes sparkle in the daylight. “Hi,” he says. “Who are you? Dad told me not to talk with strangers.”
“Your dad is very smart,” Penelope chuckles. “My name is Penelope. I won’t take up much of your time, I promise.”
“I’m Jacob,” he says cautiously, taking a step forward. Penelope crouches down and shakes his hand. “I haven’t seen you before.” He tilts his head. “Are you one of the people who came here today?”
“Yes, I am,” Penelope says. “I was wondering if you could tell me why barely anyone here goes outside?” Jacob suddenly tenses up, and Penelope can see tears form in his eyes. “Is there something wrong? Are you in danger?” Penelope’s motherly instinct kicks in.
“I’m sorry, I have to go. Dad told me not to talk with strangers,” Jacob repeats. He starts to scuttle away, but another small figure steps in front of his path.
“Hi!” Comes Pedro’s cheery voice. Almost instantly, Jacob’s shoulders relax, if just a little.
“Hi, I’m Jacob,” Jacob greets, with slightly less suspicion in his voice.
“I’m Pedro! Would you like to be friends?”
Penelope chuckles at Pedro’s directiveness and walks back to Landon to view the interaction from afar.
“Really?” Jacob asks, his eyes brightening. “No one has ever asked me that before.”
“Yes! All my friends are grown ups!” Pedro says, gesturing in Penelope and Landon’s direction. “It gets boring sometimes. Grown ups are boring.”
“Are they your parents?”
Penelope blanches and Landon coughs.
“Um…” says Pedro. “Yes?”
“Cool! Is it okay with them if we’re friends?”
“Of course.”
“Then we are!”
“Awesome! Where do you like to play around here? Can we go play around the hotel?”
Penelope’s impressed with Pedro’s strategy. Maybe as a friend, Jacob would tell him what the hell is wrong with this place.
“Nooo, we can’t go there,” Jacob explains. “That hotel is a bad place.”
“Why? What happens there?”
“There’s a scary lady there,” Jacob lowers his voice, and Penelope has to strain her ears to hear. “She- she takes people. She took my other dad two months ago. She’s cruel and terrible and the only reason she takes people is to feed her pet.”
“Who’s her pet?”
“The hotel.”
“What?”
“She needs humans to feed her hotel so the hotel can grow and become successful.”
“How do you know all this?”
“I snuck in there one day to play,” Jacob says, suddenly on the verge of tears. Pedro stretches out his little arms, and Jacob accepts the hug. “I saw a book, it had weird words and creepy pictures. One of the pages had something about sack-riff-icing people for money.”
Penelope has heard enough. If Hope and Jed are in there, they need to act fast. “Pedro! Time to come home!” She calls.
“Yes, Pen-... mom..?” Pedro responds, running over. “Bye, Jacob! See you around!”
Jacob waves his little hand excitedly.
Once out of earshot, Penelope swings Pedro back on her shoulders. “We have to tell the others,” she says to Landon. He nods his head.
“It sounds like a deal with the devil to me,” he says. “Like, witchcraft or something.”
“Yeah, I agree. And if Hope and Jed are in there, who knows if they’re dead or not?”
MG scolds his body as it shakes way harder than it should as he and Josie descend the stairs. He likes to think he’s the most empathetic and in touch with his emotions out of the group, which is good about 99% of the time. Now, it’s just amplifying his feeling of fear.
“Hey, Jo?” he asks, wiping sweat off his brow. “What if we can’t save them?”
“Don’t think like that,” says Josie. “It’ll all work out. It always does.”
“Maybe we should call your dad.”
“Let’s be honest, when have the adults ever helped any situation other than being a walking monster encyclopedia?”
“...Yeah that’s fair.”
They make it to the lobby, and like Josie’s first time in there, it’s completely empty and silent. MG gulps.
“Rosaline? Hello? Room service?” Josie asks, looking around. MG refrains himself from just latching onto the siphoner.
“Yes?” Rosaline responds, appearing behind MG. Josie barely flinches, while MG jumps three feet in the air.
“I have a few questions about this place,” says Josie, holding MG’s arm. This grounds him a little, and he shoots her a thankful glance.
“What would you like to know?”
“Do the doors automatically lock from the outside when they close?” Josie starts off, nice and easy.
“Yes.”
“Are they heavy?”
“Not particularly.”
“So how come they swing shut with so much force?”
There’s a ripple of something across Rosaline’s face at the question, her smile breaking for a split second before the mask falls back in place. “Must’ve been the wind.”
“That’s what I thought,” Josie continues, searching Rosaline’s face for any other hint of emotion. “But I tried again when it wasn’t breezy out, and no windows were open, and it slammed shut again with a lot of force for a light door.”
“I’m not sure what’s wrong then,” Rosaline shrugs.
“Excuse us for a second,” MG says, finding his voice. “What are you doing?” He whisper-shouts to Josie. “Do you have any idea what you’re talking about?”
“No!” Josie responds, frantically. “I don’t know, MG! I’m just making shit up as I go and hoping she’ll break! Do you want to try compelling her?’
MG nods, attempting to shove down his panic. It doesn’t really work, but Josie’s pushing him forward, and Rosaline’s looking at him expectantly. He puts his hand on her shoulder and looks into her eyes. “Tell us the truth about this place. Tell us what’s happening to our friends, and tell us how to save them.”
Rosaline shoves him off, her pleasant-but-eerie smile finally slipping off her face. In its place is a sinister grin.
“So you are supernatural,” she says, her voice smooth as silk. “Interesting. I had a hunch.”
She launches after MG, who’s taken by surprise. He yelps as she grips his face so tightly he can hear his bones crack.
“Icaeus!” Josie shouts, blasting Rosaline back. A fireball starts to form between her hands, and she stands over Rosaline, who is now crumpled against a wall. “What the fuck did you do to our friends?” she snarls. MG watches in awe and horror, massaging his face.
Rosaline chuckles. “You aren’t getting them back. Granted, if they were human, they would’ve been dead by now. But they’re not.”
Josie takes a step closer, and Rosaline flinches. “I’ll repeat myself, but my patience is wearing thin. What. The fuck. Did you do to them.” The fire inches dangerously close to the other woman. MG can see the air around it shake with heat. And people think Lizzie’s the scarier twin, he thinks.
“They’ll be trapped in there until they starve, or go crazy, or both. If they found the only way to get out, they’ll get lost in the fog. I couldn’t let them out if I wanted to.”
“Dammit!” Josie roars. She brings her hands back, getting ready to shoot the fireball. Rosaline cowers.
“Jo!” MG yells, speeind to her. “Don’t. She’s not worth it.”
“She’s a monster.”
“We got what we wanted from her.”
“We don’t need her anymore.”
“That doesn’t mean you kill her!”
Suddenly, both Josie and MG are flung back into the opposite wall. It rotates around, spinning them into a whole new room entirely.
It’s pitch plack at first, until Josie casts a light spell. Then she turns to bang on the wall, while MG looks around.
“Josie…”
Josie turns around. “What the fuck?” She whispers, horrified.
Around them are seven corpses, all perfectly intact. MG would think they’re just sleeping if it weren’t for their blue lips and the flies. Dear God, there were so many fucking flies.
“Jesus Christ,” MG cries. “This is scary. Josie, I’m scared.”
“I know. Me too. One second-” She starts to whisper a spell, but MG whimpers and turns around. Josie stops. “Are you alright?”
“That’s gonna happen to Hope and Jed. Oh my God. That’s gonna- they’re gonna-”
“Hey hey hey,” Josie says, grabbing his face. “They won’t. I promise. We are nine of the most powerful people on this planet, no way in hell are we letting them die, you understand me? No fucking way.”
MG nods.
“Good. Now, do you think I could burn down this wall…?”
“Wait, Josie, before you do,” MG says. “Why were you about to kill that crazy bitch outside?” He jerks his thumb towards the wall. “That wasn’t like you.”
Josie sighs. “I lost control. I was- I am- worried about Hope and Jed. When my emotions get too out of control, I get really angry. Well, you saw Dark Me.”
“Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, someone who doesn’t have a direct impact on your life, I’m here,” MG smiles. “I’m always here.”
“Thanks, MG,” Josie says, her posture relaxing a little. “Now stand back.”
A loud boom later, and the wall has a steaming hole in it.
“Damn, girl,” MG says, his eyes travelling around the shape of the damage.
“Let’s go, we need to tell the others what just happened.”
“We should give those guys a proper burial,” MG says, pointing to the bodies but refusing to look at them.
“And we will. After we save our friends.”
Kaleb clicks his tongue awkwardly. He’s sitting in between Lizzie and Rafael, and as every second passes, he’s deeply regretting that decision. The three of them have nothing in common, and even then, it’s hard to have small talk when your friends are in danger.
But it’s been 40 of the 45 minutes and radio silence from all parties, and Kaleb can’t stand the quiet. Especially since Lizzie and Rafael have that awkward vibe about them since they… you know.
Luckily, Kaleb’s saving grace comes in the form of a witch, a child, and a chicken, as Landon, Penelope, and Pedro skid into the hallway.
“What do you know about witchcraft?” Landon pants, out of breath. Penelope puts Pedro down and smooths out her clothes.
“Dude, what?” Lizzie asks.
“This place- it was cursed by the devil or some shit,” Landon explains. “That weird lady- she made a deal with the devil- anyone who enters the rooms are sacrifices. The hotel feeds off the souls or whatever, and that grants her power and money.”
“So why isn’t this place a five-star hotel or something?” Kaleb asks.
“Man, I don’t know!” Landon says, throwing his arms up. “Maybe she doesn’t have enough yet? Don’t question the plot!”
Just then, MG and Josie come barreling up the stairs, covered in ash. Josie pelts forward into Penelope and yelps in surprise. Penelope just barely catches her. “Woah woah woah, what’s happening? Are you two okay?”
“There’s seven fucking dead bodies in a hidden room in the lobby,” Josie says. “Rosaline- the receptionist-slash-Satan-worshipper shoved us in there. We got out- clearly- but she said something about getting lost in the fog? Either way, Hope and Jed aren’t gonna die any time soon. Rosaline said they’d either starve to death or go crazy, and I don’t see that happening to them anytime soon.”
“Jesus,” Rafael mutters. “What happens if we open the door, but don’t go in?”
Everyone pauses.
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” says Lizzie. “Who wants to do it?”
“I will,” Kaleb says, glad to finally do something. He scoots away from the door he’s leaning on and stands up. “Don’t freak out if I get yanked in or something, hopefully I’ll just end up where Jed and Hope are.” He opens the door. Nothing happens.
A thick wall of fog is inside what should be the room, and Kaleb can hear talking from inside.
“Jed?! Hope?!” He calls. The door struggles against his grip, but he adjusts his stance and refuses to let it close. “Are you in there?!”
“Human chain!” Landon says, snapping his fingers.
“What?” Kaleb hisses, looking behind him.
“Everyone grab hands, the strongest one stays in the doorframe,” Landon instructs, shooing everyone up. “Like that scene in Mulan. We all go in, holding hands, and see if we can pull Hope and Jed up and out.”
“And if that doesn’t work?” Lizzie asks, but she’s already grabbing Josie’s hand.
“Does anyone have any better ideas?”
“Oh my fucking God,” Penelope grunts, getting shoved between Kaleb and Landon.
“Okay, so Kaleb stays to hold us all. Rafael, you go in first, we need you to be the one who pulls them in. Everyone else, hold fast.”
“Good luck guys!” Pedro shouts as they cautiously walk in.
“Here goes nothing.”
“Ow! Jesus, what the hell was that?” Jed yells, covering his ears.
“That sounded like Josie,” Hope says.
“What?”
“That scream, it sounded like Josie.”
“How do you… you know what, I’m not gonna ask.”
“Do you think they’re in danger? I’m gonna go che-”
Jed grabs her arm. “That’s not a good idea, Red.”
“Do you have a better one? We either brave the fog, or die here. What would you rather do, Alpha?”
Jed sighs. “Fine.”
Hope links her arm through his. “Ready?” she asks.
“No.”
“Too bad.”
She yanks them through the door.
Some time later, Jed speaks. “Welp, I’ll say it. We’re officially fucked.”
“It’s literally been five minutes,” Hope says. “Didn’t take you for a coward.”
“I’m not,” Jed replies, just barely turning his tone away from a whine. “But the door just vanished, and I can’t see jack shit other than your abnormally red hair.”
“Shhh, do you hear that?”
They listen for a second to hear voices. This time, they both can definitely recognize them as their friends. “HEY!” Hope shouts. “OVER HERE!”
A hand blindly yanks Jed’s shirt with enough force to untangle his arm from Hope’s. He grabs her hand at the last minute, and hands start pulling them forward, and they let it happen. Whatever’s on the other side of the fog, they’ll deal with, as long as they’re in the real world again.
Finally nine figures collapse on top of each other as the door shuts. Jed blinks and looks around, sighing in relief when he sees he’s back at the hotel.
“Are you guys okay?”
Jed gets two seconds of rest before he’s getting pulled up by Kaleb. “Yeah, we’re fine. Had a little heart-to-heart, nearly died of fear, nothing new,” Jed replies. “What about you?” He eyes Josie and MG. “You guys look like shit.”
“We had a run-in with this witch bitch,” Josie explains. “Which- by the way- we should really apprehend. Can’t have her running around, feeding more people to this building.”
“What-” Hope starts. “You know what? That’s actually pretty on brand. Any idea where she went?”
“I have a hunch,” Pedro says. Everyone looks to him, and he’s pointing out the window. Rosaline stands in front of the hotel, her face alternating between the shock of two of her victims getting out and her weird-ass calm smiley face.
“Come out and play, losers!” she shouts at the window.
The ten of them scurry down the stairs and basically break down the front door, lining up in a formation they know all too well from fighting countless battles.
Landon, Rafael, and Penelope are to the left of Josie. Jed, Kaleb, and MG stand to the right of Lizzie. In the center is Hope, holding hands with the Gemini Twins, who are siphoning large amounts of magic.
Except they fucking forget Pedro.
Pedro, who’s not a part of their normal save-the-world routine.
Rosaline sees the opportunity presented and seizes the boy, putting pressure on his neck. Everyone’s eyes widen, and they temporarily let their guard down.
“Stand down or I snap his neck,” Rosaline warns.
Everyone powers down.
But Pedro doesn’t look scared. In fact, he looks perfectly normal. “Guys, don’t worry I got this,” he chirps.
Then his eyes start to glow, and Rosaline screeches and throws herself off. Pedro’s mouth begins to unhinge, and she hurries to scramble away, but something catches her leg. Tentacles shoot out from Pedro’s mouth, curling themselves around Rosaline before retracting.
Then he swallows her whole.
The Super Squad stares in horror.
“...Pedro?” Lizzie finally asks.
“Yes?”
“What kind of supernatural are you?”
“Oh, my dad is Cthulhu.”
“YOUR DAD IS AN ELDRITCH GOD?!”
“Goddamn, what a day,” Jed sighs.
“That’s an understatement,” Hope snorts.
The ten of them are sitting around a fire, having pulled off to the side of the road and setting up camp in the nearby woods for the night. They just finished burying the seven bodies from the hotel, and you know, fighting to save their friends from an untimely death, so they’re all pretty wiped.
Penelope and Hope are huddled under a blanket (even though Hope naturally runs warm) and Josie, Lizzie, and Landon are sat in a pile with Pedro in Landon’s lap. MG and Rafael are making sure the tents are set up properly, and Jed and Kaleb are poking at the fire, making sure it doesn’t go out.
“We should turn back tomorrow morning,” Landon suggests. “It’s been a long day, and we should probably tell Dr. Saltzman about the offspring of the Great Old One.” He ruffles Pedro’s hair.
“No,” Lizzie snaps, turning to Landon. “No, we are now committed. Sure, we had one shitty day, but this road trip? This was supposed to be our vacation. We do enough for the school, we deserve some time off.”
“She’s right,” Josie nods. “Plus, I actually do my research. Tomorrow will be fun, I promise.”
“Ah, fuck it,” Landon says. “What could possibly be worse?”
“Kirby!” Jed scolds, shaking his head. “You just fucking jinxed us again!”
“Oops.”