Chapter 1: Nightfall

The cabin’s interior was soon filled with the warm glow of lamps and the earthy aroma of pine. The heavy luggage and cooler were all put away, and the group settled into the cozy common area. Emily had taken off her jacket and was now handing out glasses and a bottle of red wine she’d brought along. She poured a glass for Noah, who was already lounging on one of the overstuffed couches.

“This is exactly what we needed,” Emily said, lifting her glass. “Here’s to a weekend of relaxation and fun.”

“Cheers!” the group responded, their voices a mix of excitement and relief.

As the evening wore on and the wine flowed more freely, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Ben was sprawled out on the floor, his laughter ringing out as he regaled the group with a story about a recent mishap at a bar. Jason and Mark had been arguing about video games. Lucy, her cheeks flushed from the wine, took the opportunity to tease Ben about his storytelling.

“You should’ve seen him,” she said, laughing. “He was so embarrassed, he tried to pretend he’d just tripped over his own feet.”

“I’m still convinced that table moved on its own,” Ben retorted, grinning.

Rachel watched the scene unfold, a smirk on her lips. Over the course of the night she had allowed herself to get... comfortable. Now she wore her red bikini as a top, with a pair of daisy duke shorts, to show off her legs. She had settled into one of the armchairs, her duffel bag now serving as a footrest. Her eyes darted between Ben and Jason, a clear amusement in her gaze. Sarah, who had been sitting quietly, began to feel more at ease, her previous nervousness giving way to a more relaxed demeanor.

As the conversation continued to flow, Emily caught sight of a board game sitting on the coffee table. “Why don’t we play a game?” she suggested, hoping to bring the group together in a more structured way.

“No objections here,” Mark said, adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful look. “What do you have in mind?”

“I brought ‘Truth or Dare,’” Sarah said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “It’s been ages since I played that.”

“Oh, I’m definitely in,” Rachel said, her tone eager. “This could be fun.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow, but her lips curled into a smile. “Alright, I’ll bite. But if it gets too wild, I’m out.” She looked witheringly at the boys. "I don't know that they need any encouragement."

Emily chuckled. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep it light. It’s all in good fun.”

They arranged themselves in a circle, and Emily pulled out the game, the card stack rustling as she shuffled them.