The minivan bounced along the winding dirt road, filled with the laughter and playful insults of six college friends on their way to a secluded lakehouse for the weekend. Sarah, the confident and assertive driver, cranked up the music and sang along off-key, earning her a chorus of groans and good-natured teasing from the back.
"Sarah, you couldn't carry a tune in a bucket," Jess, her sarcastic and witty best friend, called out from the middle row.
Sarah stuck her tongue out at Jess before turning her attention to the passenger seat. "And you, Tim, couldn't dance your way out of a paper bag," she said, grinning at the shy and nerdy guy sitting next to her.
Tim blushed and stammered, "I-I can dance just fine."
Sarah laughed. "Oh, really? Prove it."
Tim shook his head and sunk down in his seat, earning more laughter from the group.
As the minivan pulled up to the lakehouse, the friends fell silent, awestruck by the size and seclusion of the place. Sarah was the first to snap out of it, taking charge and leading the group in unloading the van and exploring the house.
They settled in quickly, each claiming their own room and unpacking their bags. Sarah and Jess opened a bottle of wine and settled on the couch, making fun of Tim's choice in music.
"This is what you call good tunes?" Jess asked, raising an eyebrow at Tim.
Tim shrugged. "Hey, it's better than Sarah's singing."
Sarah threw a pillow at Tim, but she was smiling. Jess laughed and topped off their wine glasses.
Feeling left out, Tim decided to go for a swim in the lake. Sarah and Jess watched him go, calling out teasingly, "Don't go too far, Tim!"
As Tim swam, Sarah and Jess made fun of his "dad bod" and lack of swimming skills. Tim, feeling embarrassed, decided to show off by diving off a dock.
Sarah and Jess cheered him on, but their cheers turned to screams as Tim's head emerged from the water, covered in blood.
The group rushed to Tim's aid, but it was too late. He had been killed by a masked killer.
Sarah took charge, leading the group in finding a way to call for help. But their efforts were in vain. They had no cell service and were truly isolated.
The chapter ends with the group huddled together, scared and unsure of what to do next. Sarah's strong and controlling nature shines through as she takes charge, but the group is still in danger as the masked killer is still on the loose.
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