In a small cottage upon a meadow, an elderly woman walks alongside a small french girl. Her hair lays in a neat braid, her short dress trailing behind her as a timid family awaits their arrival on top of the vast meadow. The girls bright green eyes and dirty blonde hair blow heavily as a short boy, close to her age watches her approach him. His face turns sour, rejecting her arrival as the elderly woman reaches the top.
Natasha: "Mr and Mrs. Schmidt. It's a pleasure to meet you finally" she declares.
Oswald Schmidt: "Natasha, thank you for joining us"
Mary Schmidt: "And this must be Peresphone" the mother smiles.
A young Peresphone glances up, maintaining a sophisticated posture as Mary takes her to the side.
Mary Schmidt: "Peresphone, I'd like you to meet my son, Cade . . . Your new brother"
Peresphone takes in the information, her English being limited as she holds out her hand. A young Cade stares back, envious of Peresphone as he reluctantly reaches out. The two new siblings meeting for the first time.
February 21st 2010.
Peresphone and Cade lead the group through the cavern, seeking deeper passages in response to losing Keyon. Peresphone looks back at the group who have become fractured, noticing Anastasia trailing behind alone.
Peresphone: "I can't believe they trusted her, I knew something was up with her"
Cade: (Shaking his head) "I've known her for years, I didn't know she'd do this"
Peresphone takes her brothers arm, shaking him as she pulls him closer.
Peresphone: "Stop blaming yourself, how was you supposed to know?"
Cade: "I know, I just didn't want this to become a mess like everything recently"
Peresphone: "Cade!" she yells under her breath, Cade turning his head to her.
Peresphone: "You promised you wouldn't bring it up"
Cade: "I'm sorry, It's just on my mind" he frowns, moments before Bellamy and Kassidy walk up.
Bellamy: "Are you sure its safe to continue?" he asks with concern.
Kassidy: "Bellamy, we have too. We can't leave him"
Bellamy: "I know! I'm not saying that, I'm just suggesting that wouldn't it be safer to find an exit and send someone back for him?"
Cade: "Even if we found an exit, this system is too unreliable. If we did make it out the chances of also finding Keyon aswell would be limited considering the systems begun shifting"
Kassidy: "Shifting?"
Peresphone: "Altering it's path, the cave-in will inevitably cause more ruptures and we have to distance ourselves from it"
Further back into the group, Scott walks alongside Norman as he offers his condolences.
Scott: "He seems like a nice guy, Keyon right?"
Norman: (Remaining silent)
Scott: "Cade's good from what I heard, don't beat yourself up over it"
Norman: "Perhaps before offering me your sympathy, despite knowing we'll get back to him I'd like you to atleast remember his name"
Norman locks his eyes upon Scott as the group all come to a stand-still, Rosalie however noticing the disdain in Norman's posture as she heads over to the two.
Rosalie: "Scott, will you go see what's happening up ahead for me?"
Scott accepts her request, moving forward to reach the front.
Rosalie however turns to Norman, tugging at his arm as she shakes her head.
Rosalie: "I know this has turned into a shit-show but don't take it out on him, he doesn't know what he's doing. He doesn't know any of us, nobody was to blame for what happened to Keyon but taking it out on everyone here isn't going to get him back alright?"
Norman remains quiet, taking in her words as Rosalie continues forward, leaving Norman alone as he continues with the group.
--Change of Scene--
Back at the first entrance, Gabi begins examining parts of the rock decay upon the shaft that the group entered. She scratches at her head as she straps her torch to her belt.
However, from behind scuffling can be heard, a figure moving vigorously in the darkness, thus being known to Gabi who tries to remain oblivious, her weapon holstered upon her as she continues to examine the area around her.
::Scene Two::
In the abyss, Keyon remains still. his torch remains still without any light as his eyes shift gently in the small punctures of light coming from above. His feet sludge across the floor, a damp presence being felt upon his body as he tries to remain still as a shocking screech comes from all around. He breathes heavily, tapping at his head where his helmet remains positioned.
From all corners, scrambling can be heard as walls are clawed at around him. He hears a noise resembling laughing and children.
Keyon moves his head, his torch finally flickering in the darkness as large rock structures emerge through the light, heavy spikes resting above as his feet ooze with a red substance. He lowers his head, seeing a small pool of blood rotting over with green fungus that begins spreading.
Keyon: (Whispering) "Oh my god . . ." he cries out, becoming startled.
From around him however a vast valley of screeches ends. He raises his head once more to find three child like beings in the distance around a corpse of a deer. He attempts to wave his hand until one turns to the light, its eyes dark and misty as its teeth hang like razors, covering its rigid lips before sniffing the air, the creature being blind as it senses the presence of Keyon whilst its siblings continue to feast.
Keyon's eyes widen, his emerald eyes gazing into the distance as he becomes stuck in a chamber of Wendigos.
--Change of Scene--
Anastasia works her way to the front of the pact, noticing that they have found something.
As she works her way to the front, Peresphone becomes considerably excited with her findings.
Kassidy: "What is that?!"
Scott: "Sunlight isn't it? Look at it!"
Cade: "It can't be, not this far down" he questions it.
The group all join up, staring into a small tunnel that a bright light shimmers with.
Anastasia: "Guys stop . . ." she calls out, trying to reach the front as she pushes Valentino out the way.
Peresphone however becomes excited, thirsty to leave the cavern.
Peresphone: "Fuck it, it's a way out!"
Cade: "Perry wait!"
Cade tries to reach out to his sister, trying to grasp for her arm as she begins sprinting ahead. Thus however alerting Anastasia who then fiercely pushes through Melania, knocking her against a wall and onto the ground and to the front before chasing after Peresphone.
Melania: (Falling as she clutches her stomach) "Agh!" she screams out as Valentino notcies her.
Anastasia: (Chasing Peresphone) "Perry wait!"
Peresphone continues running, turning into a smaller tunnel that leads to a small chute where the light shimmers.
Peresphone: "This way, I think I've found it!"
Anastasia: "Perry! It's not sunlight!" she panics as she reaches the corner only to see Peresphone scaling the descent down.
As the group trail behind, Peresphone becomes stuck she notices her mistake as she sees a running waterfall at the bottom of the descent, only to see a major drop between her and the Cavern floor. She tries turning back, becoming wedged upon the drop down due to the slippery surface.
Anastasia: "Grab my hand!" she insists, reaching out to Peresphone who tries reaching for her.
Peresphone: "Ana, help me!" she pleads.
Anastasia: "Cade! Get here now!" she demands, losing her grip as Peresphone panics.
Her eyes widen, Peresphone sliding back as she releases Anastasia's hand, descending down hard upon several rocks, her right leg striking several rocks on the way down before snapping backwards as she hits the ground on her foot.
Her screams shatter the silence in the caves, her eyes gazing up to the running water as her head rises to see her leg, her broken bone piercing her leg as blood trickles from her wound.
September 22nd, 1997.
Peresphone is now 11, her English has strengthened as she sits inside the small cottage with Mary Schmidt. Mary requests her childrens presence for dinner as teenage Cade walks in slouched in his short stool.
Mary: "Cade, sit up" she insists.
He ignores his mother.
Peresphone: "It's alright Mrs. Schmidt, he's known to deny requests. Miss Barrington said so in school"
Peresphone giggles, Cade turning to her whilst Mary departs the kitchen as their house phone begins to ring.
Cade leans into his Adopted Sister, plucking at her hair.
Peresphone: "Stop it!"
Cade: "They didn't want you, they told me" he smiles smugly.
Peresphone: "That's not true, I would've been sent away if they hadn't"
Cade: "They felt bad! An Orphan, they couldn't send you away"
Peresphone: "Stop it Cade"
Cade: "We had to teach you English, are you dumb?"
Peresphone: "I'm french" she bellows out, rolling her eyes.
Cade: "Speak French then idiot!" he laughs, throwing potatoes at her.
Peresphone: "Si vous n'茅tiez pas tellement inintelligent, je perdrais mon temps 脿 produire une phrase r茅elle pour que vous essayiez de le faire, mais en ce moment, je pr茅f猫re vous moquer de vous en consid茅rant que je doute que vous pourrez comprendre ce que je dis en fait . . . Je suppose que je vais m'en occuper. Connard."
Cade remains oblivious, Peresphone mocking him as she laughs quietly to herself.
Cade: "Mom! Perry won't tell me what she said!"
Peresphone: "Learn it!" she demands.
Cade: "Mom!"
As the two siblings argue, Mary enters the kitchen, the house phone to her chest as she falls into her seat. Peresphone notices her discomfort first as she reaches out.
Peresphone: "Miss Schmidt, Is everything alright?" she asks.
Cade turns to his mother, his eyes glowing as he leans in, Mary raising her head to the two children.
Mary Schmidt: "It's your father . . . there was an accident at the Mill. We have to go see him"
As Mary breaks down, Cade falls back into his seat, watching as Perry takes a stand to comfort Mary.
::Scene Three::
February 21st, 2011.
Valentino reaches down to Melania, taking her hand as she stands up.
Valentino: "What's wrong with you?" he looks down, noticing her hand movements.
Melania: "Nothing . . ."
Melania attempts to walk away to follow the group only to be pulled back by Valentino harshly.
Valentino: "Tell me you silly little bitch, tell me now! Is this what I think it is?"
Melania: (Her eyes falling with great sadness)
Valentino laughs out, his smug attitude coming across as impulsive.
Valentino: "The one woman who's meant to be about God and purity is the one I get knocked up?!" he laughs proudly.
Melania: "This child is nothing. I will not have it. Not with you"
Valentino: (Pulling Melania close) "Listen here Blondie, If you're carrying my child I will cut it out of you myself before I allow you to leave me"
Melania forcefully takes her arm back, pushing her face closer to Valentino's.
Melania: "A child like this deserves better than to be raised by a maniac like yourself. I'd rather it die and be in the arms of God so it gets the best well-being it deserves than be born into a corrupt life that we live right now. No, I won't have it. I won't" she insists as she walks away.
Valentino remains alone, watching Melania enter the tunnel to the group as he begins throw his hand into a rock, fracturing his knuckle before jilting forward with pain, shaking his hand off before walking backwards away from the group.
--Change of Scene--
Gabi relentlessly tries to claw at the rocks to find passage only to come up short with no entrance. She frowns, only to hear once more of the rustling that comes behind her. Her head rises, her hair being held back in a small ponytail as she turns, her weapon drawn to see nothing.
Gabi: "Son of a bitch" she mutters, her eyes gazing around to see nothing but shadows.
She proceeds to lower her weapon until a small Wendigo crawls alongside the Cavern walls above her, an oblivious Gabi turning only to be thrown to the floor by the creature. Her screams are fierce and loud as the two engage in a small fight. Gabi remains fixed upon the ground as the Wendigo bares its teeth, its saliva drooling upon her neck as it claws at her, Gabi however managing to keep her arm at its body holding it above her as her other arm reaches out for a small rock.
Gabi: "Ugh! Come on!" she panics as the Wendigo begins to lean further into her.
Her sweat drips from her forehead as her hand wraps firmly around a small rock, bringing it to the creatures head and throwing it off of her. Gabi then scrambles along the floor on her knee's before the creature scurries up, lunging upon Gabi's back and bringing her face into the rocks on the floor, cutting her forehead as she fiercely fights back. Gabi throws her head back, colliding with the creature again before releasing it from her. She climbs up, getting to her feet as the creature once more overpowers her. She is thrown into a rock wall, pinning against as she screams out. Her eyes stare into the misty eyes of the Wendigo before throwing her leg up, kicking it in the face only to have its claws seep into her arm.
Her arm begins to bleed with a small wound of where it cut her, only to bring her sights to a small descent into a body of water below. She draws her weapon upon the creature that begins to move slowly infront of her. It sniffs the air around, bringing its head to a halt. She gazes out, breathing heavily as her sweat and blood trail down her face.
Gabi: "Come on you son of a bitch" she whales out.
The creature begins to charge at Gabi, only to have several shots fired into its skull and body, throwing it back onto the ground in a pile, thus ultimately killing the creature attacking her.
Gabi breathes heavily, examining the creature briefly before wrapping a small piece of her clothing around the wound on her arm that the creature caused. She then proceed to the descent into the body of water before lunging herself into it.
--Change of Scene--
Below in the pool of blood, Keyon hears the gunshots from Gabi above, however thus also alerting the current Wendigo's in Keyon's current shaft. He panics, his light remaining upon the creatures who are blind as he watches them scurry around.
Noticing the opening above, Keyon begins to slowly lean back, falling into the blood and pulling himself against the rock formation, his light still remaining fixated upon the departing Wendigo's that begin to trace the cavern in all directions in a pact, searching for the location of the Gunshots.
As the group finish descending the slide, Melania is the final person to reach the bottom. She watches as the group position a wounded and hyperventilating Peresphone on some rocks before tugging on the rope for Valentino to descend.
Peresphone: "Oh my god!" she panics, watching Kassidy rip into her pants to expose the bone.
Scott: "Oh my god!" he repeats Peresphone, startling her.
Kassidy: "Scott! Sit over there"
Cade positions himself by Peresphone, holding her hand as Bellamy and Anastasia assist.
Cade: "I've always hated you, you know that?" he laughs jokingly.
Peresphone: "Connard" she smiles, squeezing his hand tighter.
Cade: "I do know that it means Asshole now you do know that right?"
Peresphone: "O- . . . Only because I told you!"
Kassidy holds Peresphone's leg whilst Anastasia holds the knee where the bone is puncturing the skin.
Kassidy: "Alright on 3, Okay Perry?"
As the group prepare to shift Peresphone's bone, Lorraine notices something crawling in the water ahead.
Lorraine: "Guys?" she whispers, approaching the darkness with her light.
Rosalie: "Lorraine wait, we're about to finish"
Kassidy: "3"
Lorraine: "It's important" she holds her head steadily, turning the light to the figure"
Kassidy: "2"
Lorraine's light pauses upon an adult Wendigo that rests in the body of water, turning to the light as Lorraine's eyes widen, turning back to the group as Peresphone screams.
Kassidy: "Push!" she belts out, forcing her weight upon Peresphone's leg as Peresphone screams in pain, her leg being pushed back into place as Kassidy begins to dress the wound.
Lorraine turns back to the body of water to find nothing, she shakes her head as Rosalie approaches her.
Rosalie: "What is it?" she asks, holding up a torch to the darkness.
Lorraine: (Whispering) "There was a man . . ."
Rosalie: "Don't be stupid, it's the cave getting to you. There's nobody down here, there can't be"
Lorraine watches ahead, relaying what she saw to herself whilst Melania continues to tug on the rope with no response, growing more concerned with every tug she takes.
::Scene Four::
Above the group and outside the tunnel, Valentino walks alone momentarily taking in the information upon Melania's pregnancy before hearing a small splash. From behind another rock wall, a small opening can see through into a small room of water. Inside, he see's the figure of Gabi rise from the resting water as he sniggers to himself.
Valentino: (Calling through) "Well I say, I never thought I'd see you again Sugar Tits"
Gabi climbs up, scraping her knee's on the rocks as she holds her head in the small window of rocks to see through to Valentino.
Gabi: "Shut up!" she begs.
Valentino: "Hello to you too Sister"
Gabi: "V, I said shut the fuck up!" she demands, violently shaking her body to him.
Valentino: "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
Gabi: "There's something down here . . . I can hear it"
Valentino laughs, shaking his head before turning back.
Gabi: "V! Listen to me for once you ignorant prick!"
Valentino: (Turning back as her words begin to piss him off) "Can the entitled bitch remain quiet for me, I'm trying to take a piss"
As he begins to pull down his pants, Gabi's eyes turn to her left seeing something inside her small chute before she is thrown out of view of Valentino, being slammed to the rocks with several screams alerting Valentino who turns back, Valentino however continuing to urinate upon the rocks.
Valentino: "Come on babe, I didn't mean it . . ." he rolls his eyes.
Valentino: (Hearing no response) "Gabi? . . ." he zips up his flier before turning back to the window.
He looks inside into the darkness to hear nothing from Gabi, only to be startled by a Wendigo that appears behind him, forcing Valentino's head into the rocks in which knocks him unconscious. As the creatures surround Valentino, two of them sniff at him before Valentino is dragged away into the Cavern's darkness.
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Next Episode: "Bloodbath"
Leave your comments below and give me your thoughts on the season so far!
Apologies for the week hiatus, my vacation interrupted the season.
Thoughts Upon the Episode?
Thoughts Upon Gabi vs The Wendigo Round 1?:
What happened to Gabi & Valentino?:
Are they alive?:
Thoughts Upon the exploration of Peresphone & Cade?:
Thoughts upon her breaking her leg?:
Will she survive with this injury?:
Will Keyon Survive being in one of the Wengio's hiding points?:
Thoughts Upon Valentino finding out Melania pregnant?:
Will the group find out about the Wendigo's?:
Who'll die first?:
NOTE: We WILL see Gabi & Valentino again atleast once.
Honestly if Valentino dies I'd be pretty happy cuz Melania is a feminist icon who deserves better treatment
Melania: "A child like this deserves better than to be raised by a maniac like yourself. I'd rather it die and be in the arms of God so it gets the best well-being it deserves than be born into a corrupt life that we live right now. No, I won't have it. I won't" she insists as she walks away.
Thoughts Upon the Episode?: I fucking love how this episode begins to develop the Wendigo storyline as part of the overall plot, enjoyed seeing the past childhood moments of Peresphone and Cade, like seeing how things did not start out as all glitter and unicorns, more natural.
Thoughts Upon Gabi vs The Wendigo Round 1?: Yasss Gabi, she never gave up fighting and ultimately won out in the end, gun shots might not have been the best option knowing other Wendigos creep around in the caverns, but she did what was needed to survive the encounter.
What happened to Gabi & Valentino?: I can't professionally comprehend what officially happened to Gabi, but we know that Valentino was knocked tf out and dragged away by a wendigo, most likely to have his body fed on by the bunch of them who were feasting on a body earlier in the episode, which Keyon saw.
Are they alive?: Valentino, I'm fucking praying, is dead because Melania absolutely deserves better than scum like him. Believing Gabi will push through and continue to move along, though with no issues.
Thoughts Upon the exploration of Peresphone & Cade?: Personally loved it to pieces, Cade has always been the typical older brother type, who picks on his sister and ultimately pays for it with getting caught and in trouble. Their childhood wasn't all peachy keen, which is nice to see because it's more realistic for readers to understand better.
Thoughts upon her breaking her leg?: Ouch, the description just sounded like it was majorly painful especially having it put back into place by Kassidy and Anastasia. I'm scared it will screw her down the line and cause her downfall, along with her stubbornness.
Will she survive with this injury?: I'm going to flat out say no.
Will Keyon Survive being in one of the Wendigo's hiding points?: Please, yes. I need more Norman/Keyon development, as well him connecting with others, whether it be from the group or with Gabi after she has the chance to meet up with him.
Thoughts Upon Valentino finding out Melania pregnant?: He handled it how I expected, trying to force her about conceiving it and not receiving an abortion. While irl, I don't support the topic of abortion, Melania should do what she believes is the right choice for her future.
Will the group find out about the Wendigo's?: It's a big component to the storyline at hand, no doubt. Gabi & Valentino already have encountered them closely, while Keyon & Lorraine have seen them appear in one place or another.
Who'll die first?: Valentino due to having been taken away directly by a Wendigo or Peresphone because of her injury.
Melania: "A child like this deserves better than to be raised by a maniac like yourself. I'd rather it die and be in the arms of God so it gets the best well-being it deserves than be born into a corrupt life that we live right now. No, I won't have it. I won't" she insists as she walks away.