As the young man awoke in the hospital bed, he stretched his limbs and took a deep breath. He was still confused but the cold air felt crisp and refreshing, a stark contrast to the musty stench that often accompanied hospitals. Calian sat up, glancing around the room, noticing the sterile white walls and the soft hum of the machines that monitored his vitals.
"Uh, where am I...?"
He reached for the bandages that wrapped his torso and wrists, gently pulling them away. Underneath, he found no scars, no wounds, no signs of the injuries that must have brought him here. This puzzled him, and he stood up, feeling a newfound strength in his body.
Young exited the room, the cold, hard floor under his feet. The halls were empty, the silence only broken by the occasional footstep or beep from a nearby monitor. He continued down the corridor, passing by other empty rooms, some with the same white-sheeted beds, others with machines and wires.
Then, as he approached the end of the hallway, he noticed a set of double doors. They were slightly ajar, revealing a small patch of ice-cold air from the other side. Calian walked towards them, pushing the doors open to reveal a garden blanketed in snow. A sharp breeze carried the scent of evergreens, and the crunch of snow underfoot replaced the chirping of birds.
The man stepped into the garden, taking a deep breath. It was as if he had entered a different world, one that was cold, serene, and full of tranquility. He continued to explore, discovering pathways that wound through the snow, and benches where he could rest and take in the beauty around him.
As Calian continued to wander through the snow-covered garden, he couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized the hospital. He remembered hearing about it as one of the few in the city of Millinocket. The view from the garden only confirmed his suspicion as he spotted the snow-capped Mount Katahdin in the distance.
The more he thought about it, the more his memory started to come back. He could vividly recall the events of the previous night, a night that was nothing short of a living nightmare. The cold air on his face and the sight of the familiar mountain only served to reinforce the reality of what had happened.
Calian sat down on a snow-laden bench, his mind reeling with the memories of the chaos. The pain, the fear, the confusion - it all came flooding back. Yet, despite the harrowing experience, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He was alive, and in the midst of such beauty, he couldn't help but feel grateful for this new lease on life.
As he sat on the bench, he noticed the familiar cold metal of the Atahensic's bracelet still wrapped around his right wrist. A bittersweet smile formed on his lips, a reminder of the deity that had seemingly spared his life. The snow crunched underfoot as he looked up, startled to hear his name called.
"Calian?"
The voice was Kate's, a familiar and welcome sight. She was not wearing the same patient clothing, but she had a nurse accompanying her, indicating that she too was a patient at the hospital.
"Kate, you're here too?!" Calian called out, standing up and brushing the snow off his clothes. "What happened to you? How did you end up here?"
"I was rescued by a Park Ranger patrol while I was in the cabin waiting for you to return." Kate approached, her face etched with concern, "They made me stay in the hospital for a day for observation. I'm still not sure how I'm still here and not in a worse state."
The two friends embraced, the cold air around them forgotten for a moment.
"I don't remember much either..." Calian admitted, "But I'm glad we're both okay. This place... it's strange, isn't it?"
"It's like a different world, but there's something calming about it." she nodded, her eyes scanning the snowy garden; "Maybe it's the mountain. I've always found solace in the sight of Katahdin."
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean."
The two of them continued to talk, sharing their stories and offering each other comfort in this serene, winter wonderland.
"You know... After I was rescued, the officers told me that a helicopter was heading towards the Institute to rescue the people there. Through the patrol vehicle's radio, we could hear the pilot's transmissions saying that the mansion and everything was being consumed by an inferno of flames... I almost lost hope of seeing any of you alive again.
"Kate..." the man listened intently as Kate recounted the harrowing details of his rescue. He could vividly remember the intense heat that seemed to engulf the McCarthy Institute.
"But he said he could see someone standing in a window on the second floor and proceeded to rescue them. It was you." the young woman calmly continued, becoming emotional as she recounted what had happened.
"Me too... I can't believe I almost didn't make it." he said, his voice shaking slightly. "It's a miracle that the helicopter found me."
"It was a miracle, Calian. But you're here now, and that's what matters."Catori reached out and took his hand, offering him comfort and reassurance, "The officers said that you were badly injured, but they were able to stabilize you before the helicopter arrived."
Calian couldn't help but feel grateful for the strangers who had risked their lives to save him. He glanced at the snow-capped Mount Katahdin in the distance, a symbol of hope and new beginnings.
"Thank you, Kate." he said, squeezing her hand, "I'm glad we're both safe. Let's make a promise to each other that we'll rebuild and move on from this."
"It's a promise, then." she smiled, tears glistening in her eyes; "We'll both make it through this together."
With that, the two friends continued to talk, finding solace in each other's company and in the beauty of the winter landscape that surrounded them. The memories of the horrifying events that had brought them to this place would never fully fade, but in the serene snow garden, they found hope for a brighter future.
"Mrs. Catori, your family is here to see you." a young woman in hospital garments, probably a nurse, approached Aiyana at that moment.
As the nurse interrupted their conversation, Kate's eyes lit up with joy upon seeing her little sister and mother. She waved back at them, the happiness evident on her face.
"I'm sorry, Calian. My family is here to see me... I have to go."
He gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay."
"Soon, when we're both out of here, we should meet somewhere peaceful and talk it all out. Like a therapy session between us. Only we know what we went through."
"Yeah, you're right."a smiling Calian agreed wholeheartedly; "I know of a place that has a beautiful view of the nature."
"Then it's settled. See you soon."
"See ya."
With that, Kate hurried to join her family, wrapping her arms around her sister and mother in a warm embrace. Young watched the heartwarming scene, feeling grateful for the bond they shared.
As she left, Calian took a deep breath, taking in the beauty of the snowy garden. The thought of meeting up with Kate in a peaceful, nature-filled setting gave him a glimmer of hope for the future. He knew that their therapy sessions would be a crucial part of their healing process, a time for them to process the horrifying events at the Institute that had brought them to this place.
"Mr. Young, it's a surprise seeing you out here. Shouldn't you still be in your room? Did the doctor let you go for a walk already?"
The strange older man approached Calian, wearing a trench coat and a hat that concealed most of his blond hair. The reticent Abenaki took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.
"No, I am alive and well. I don't need the machines bothering me, so I unplugged it all and left on my own."
"Hahaha, you are quite the figure!" the mysterious figure then chuckled, clearly amused by Young's defiance, "Well, I am Detective Russo. My son was one of the patrolling officers that rescued your friend. Do you mind if I ask you some questions? I know it's a hard time, but I would much appreciate the cooperation."
Calian took a deep breath, knowing that he couldn't escape the reality of the situation. He had to face the past, no matter how painful it might be.
"Sure, go ahead."
As they began to converse, the two men stood in the serene snow garden, surrounded by the winter beauty that offered a stark contrast to the horrifying events that had brought them all together. He was ready to face the questions and help bring justice to the inhumane acts that had occurred at the Institute.
After a few questions to recall and clarify some things that led to that terrible event, Detective Russo told the apathetic young man about the aftermath of the incident at the Institute's mansion.
"Apart from you two, no one else survived the fire... I'm sorry, kid."
The detective's voice held a mix of sympathy and sorrow as he shared the devastating news. Calian nodded in response, his heart heavy with the knowledge that there were no survivors from the inferno that engulfed the McCarthy Institute mansion.
"..."
"So it was all McCarthy's fault then, as you told me?"
The detective inquired, seeking to understand the full extent of the twisted doctor's depravity.
"That crazy fucker lured us all to a trap!" the young man then went a little further, involuntarily raising his voice; "If we hadn't discovered his plans in time... Then neither Kate nor I would be alive."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
He recounted the harrowing experience, the memory of the danger they had faced still fresh in his mind.
"I see." the detective slowly moved towards the snow-covered lawn, "You know, the Interpol had just let us know last week that he was a wanted man for something he did back in Japan."
Detective Russo revealed, shedding light on the global reach of McCarthy's malevolent influence.
"If it would be of any use to you now, I still have his sick diary and newspaper pieces that I took from the mansion that describes everything that psycho did." Calian offered, eager to contribute to the pursuit of justice for the countless victims of McCarthy's twisted experiments.
"Oh, we already have it all under our possession. Since you were rescued, those things were taken as evidence. They are precious to the case, and I thank you for being mindful and collecting them." the detective informed Calian, grateful for the young man's foresight in preserving such crucial evidence.
"Good." the man simply replied, satisfied that his efforts had not been in vain.
"Well then, I guess that's all for now. Take care and have a fast recovery, Mr. Young." Detective Russo bid Calian farewell, wishing him well in his healing process.
"Thank you." he replied once more, offering his gratitude for the detective's diligence in pursuing the case.
As Detective Russo left, the Abenaki descendant found himself standing alone in the snowy landscape, the winter chill biting at his exposed skin. The memories of the past few weeks flooded back to him, and a mix of emotions welled up inside. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss, not only for the lives that had been claimed by the incident, but also for the innocence he had once held.
Calian stood there for a while and it wasn't long before the sun began to sink towards the horizon, casting a hue of oranges and pinks across the sky, he remained seated on the hospital garden bench. He was now completely alone, lost in thought as he processed the weight of the past events.
The winter chill that had been present earlier intensified, but the brave man didn't move. He stood there, stoic and unwavering, in the face of the elements. As the darkness began to encroach upon the once vibrant sky, a peculiar transformation occurred. The snowy landscape, once tinged with the cold, lifeless hues of winter, was now bathed in the warm, vibrant colors reflected from the sunset.
In that moment, as if by some miraculous intervention, his life was infused with a newfound sense of color and vitality. The sunset, in its own quiet and unassuming way, had offered Calian a semblance of hope and a promise of a brighter future.
Slowly, the once apathetic young man began to accept the new reality that he now faced. The horrors of the past had not been erased, but they no longer defined him. As the darkness fully enveloped the garden, Young turned and made his way back inside, ready to embark on the arduous path of healing and self-discovery. The events of the past had forever changed him, but the sunset had reminded him that even in the darkest of times, beauty and hope still existed.
***
Almost two weeks have passed since that surreal and fateful incident that deeply marked all those who were part of it. As the sun dipped below the horizon, marking the end of another day in the heart of the Northern Appalachian region, the cold of mid-January still permeated the air. The sky, void of any clouds, presented a breathtaking display of deep blues and purples as the night began to envelop the world.
In the small town of Millinocket, the residents began to prepare for the night, bundling up against the biting chill. The full moon, an ethereal presence, slowly ascended into the sky, casting its silvery light upon the town. Its graceful form, a testament to the beauty that nature could create, captured the attention of all who witnessed it.
As Earth's pale companion rose higher, its radiance illuminated the snow-covered landscape, casting long shadows and creating a surreal, almost otherworldly, ambiance. The snow crunched under the feet of those who ventured out into the night, the crisp, cold air invigorating to the lungs.
The full moon, a symbol of peace and tranquility, provided a serene backdrop for the quiet town as it settled into the night. The people of Millinocket, huddled in their homes, were grateful for the solace and comfort the lunar presence brought, a reminder that even in the midst of the harsh winter, beauty and hope still prevailed.
In the small, cozy apartment adorned with Abenaki people's art and culture, the only sound that remained was the soft hum of the unseen heater. The television, now off, lay quiet in the corner of the living room.
A tiny TV, in the seemingly empty living room of that familiar place, had been left on and was displaying the local news channel, Channel 7, as it reported on the events that had transpired two weeks prior. The news anchor had recounted the story of how a group of young Native American descendants had been lured to the McCarthy Institute of Anthropology for a fake research trip. The situation had spiraled out of control, leading to a fire that engulfed the secluded mansion.
The screen had displayed old pictures of the deceased victims: Jalen Sunderland, 24; Chavez Amarillo, 27; Hania Waya Lee, 32; Dr. Phillip Werner, 49; and a few others as their names were read aloud. The news anchor continued, detailing the horrifying aftermath of the tragedy. The corpses had been found carbonized, their identities unrecognizable, except to the two survivors: Calian Young, 19 and Aiyana Catori, 20. The culprit was revealed to be the international serial killer and owner of the isolated Institute: the Irish madman Charles McCarthy II himself, dead at 66.
A segment of an interview with a Baxter State Park's Ranger, officer Vincent Russo Jr., was about to begin, but a young man entered the living room and couldn't bring himself to watch. The memories of that fateful day were still fresh in his mind, and he needed a moment to process everything.
Without a word, adjusting his stylish jacket, Calian walked over to the television, and shut it off. The room fell into a somber silence, as the young man stood there, contemplating the turn his life had taken. The loss of his friends weighed heavily on his heart, but he knew that he had to continue living, honoring their memories as he forged ahead on his new path.
Young finally finished adjusting his new clothes, taking a deep breath as he admired his appearance in the full-length mirror. The sleek, black leather jacket hugged his lean frame, accentuating his toned muscles. He'd paired it with a crisp, white tribal-adorned shirt, the cuffs just barely peeking out from the jacket's long sleeves.
After a final check, Calian applied a subtle hint of cologne to his neck and wrists, a light, woodsy scent that he knew Kate would appreciate. With his nerves somewhat settled, he decided it was time to focus on the evening ahead.
Tonight, he had a date with her at a local restaurant, a place known for its outdoor seating. As the full moon's ethereal light illuminated the snow-covered landscape, it created the perfect ambiance for their dinner and conversation. The young man knew he needed this break from his thoughts, a chance to connect with someone who brought joy into his life.
With a newfound sense of determination, the Abenaki left his cozy apartment, the memories of the past few weeks fading for a moment as he looked forward to the night ahead. The cold air greeted him as he stepped outside, but he welcomed it, ready to embrace this new chapter in his life.
***
In the heart of the Northern Appalachian town, a quaint winter wonderland, the snow-covered landscape glistened under the ethereal light of the full moon. The soft crunch of footsteps echoed through the serene streets as the town's residents prepared for the evening ahead.
Amidst the picturesque scenery, a small, yet popular restaurant named 'La Cucina' stood out. Its warm, inviting atmosphere and scrumptious cuisine made it a favorite among the locals and tourists alike. The cozy, rustic interior featured exposed wooden beams, flickering candles, and plush seating, all adorned with festive holiday decor.
In one corner, a table for two sat, overlooking the softly falling snow outside. A young man, named Calian, clad in a sleek, black leather jacket, his hair styled with a cheap, yet effective, hair fixer gel, sat across from a stunning woman, named Aiyana. Her light brown skin was delicate and smooth, and her silky, long hair was pulled back into a high, extravagant ponytail. Her dress, an exquisite piece, accentuated her curves and elegance.
As the waiter departed to prepare their orders, the couple sat in a comfortable silence, taking in the ambiance and each other's company. The warm glow from the candlelit table and the soft snowfall outside provided the perfect backdrop for their intimate evening, as the two remained silent for a few moments.
"So... How are you doing?" the pretty woman inquired, breaking the heavy silence that had engulfed the table.
"I'm fine." Calian replied simply, averting his gaze from Kate, not wanting to make eye contact.
"Are you sure? You have these huge bags under your eyes..." she pointed out, concerned for her friend.
"I'm fine, okay!" he exclaimed, his voice raising in irritation, but he instantly regretted his outburst and felt the need to apologize; "Oh... I-I'm sorry, Kate. I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay, Calian. I know how hard it has been for you... For both of us." she reassured him, understanding the weight of their shared experiences.
"Yeah, it's been difficult." he answered softly, a hint of shyness in his voice.
"But we are here like we promised, right?" she reminded him, their commitment to one another unwavering, "We are here for each other."
"I know and I am really grateful for this. Who else would understand what we went through back in the mountains." Calian admitted, his gaze drifting to the open part of the restaurant, where the moon and the flickering candlelight cast a soft glow on the snow-covered Mount Katahdin.
"It doesn't feel real to me yet. Like if it was all a fever dream." Aiyana confessed, mirroring the young man's sentiment as she too looked out towards the mountain, her delicate features and silky hair illuminated by the soft, warm light. Both of them bore a melancholy expression, the weight of their past experiences still heavy on their hearts.
"You can call me Cal." he finally said, meeting her gaze, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Cal?" she remarked, her curiosity piqued, "That's an uncommon one, but it sounds really nice."
"It was Jay who came up with the idea..." Calian replied, his voice trailing off as both of them momentarily looked down, their thoughts drifting to their lost companion.
"Are you alright if we talk about what happened?" Kate inquired, her concern for her friend evident.
"I think I've been running from it for far too long." Cal admitted, a newfound sense of resolve in his voice. "It's time to face it."
"You're right, Cal. And I see you're still using the Atahensic bracelet." Kate noticed, gesturing towards the ornate piece under his jacket's sleeve.
"It's always with me." the young man explained, his voice filled with conviction; "You're not going to believe this, but in fact, it's what saved me that night at the Institute. Tocho's ceremonial dagger too..."
"The gift Chavez gave you, right?"
"Yeah..."
"I think it wasn't by chance. I think the spirits were on our side in this fight, guiding us to overcome something that had been pending for generations." she promptly affirmed, showing no sign of doubt in his story.
He flashed a smile and, after a brief moment of silence, continued voicing his thoughts;
"They said he was a serial killer, Kate... McCarthy was deemed responsible for all the lives lost in the fire tragedy." Calian expressed, his tone filled with bitterness, "But I know he was more than that, more than just a psycho serial killer. He was a vile monster!"
"I believe you, Cal. I'd believe in you even if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." the angelic-looking girl reassured him, her words a testament to the unwavering trust between the two friends.
"You know... I think that with each passing day I'm forgetting everything, little by little." he continued his confession; "It's as if the spirits are sparing me the horrible memories for the rest of my life."
"Perhaps this is their way of repaying you for your bravery, isn't it?"
"Maybe you're right." he concluded and then asked, curious about his friend's new life; "... And what about you, how's it going?"
"I'm moving here with my family. Millinocket will be our new home." she revealed, a sense of hopefulness in her voice, "I dropped the studies to focus on being a nurse. And the opportunity for me is here, at the town's hospital. The people there are so nice and caring. I know it's the right thing for me, my mother, and my precious little sister. I will guarantee their future and their safety."
"Wow, that's quite the determination. And I'm happy that you found yourself after all of this mess at least..." Cal complimented, genuinely pleased for his friend.
"Are you planning on continuing your plans to the university?" Kate inquired, her curiosity awaken.
"Who knows, but definitely not this year." he answered, a hint of excitement starting to color his voice, "Starting next week, I'll be restarting my job at the reservation."
"I'm glad to hear that!" she replied, her smile growing as she listened to her friend's plans.
In the open area of that traditional restaurant, the two friends continued their conversation as if they had been inseparable since childhood. Slowly, the heavy emotions that had weighed them down began to dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of hope.
Meanwhile, outside, a single snowflake drifted gently to the ground, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. It was in that moment, as they continued to share their stories, that both Cal and Kate felt the tender touch of a winter's kiss for the first time.
As the night progressed, they found solace and strength in each other's company, the promise of a brighter future taking shape in the air. And with the snowfall painting the town in a peaceful, ethereal light, their rekindled bond served as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity. For a moment it was as if nothing else mattered except the two of them...
FIN