Dead of Winter (CA - Robin, Uno, & Bob)
Quote from Adriana on November 6, 2023, 12:50 pm(10 days later - 2 days before the full moon)
Chapman, along with his wife and daughter, got Robin and Val situated on a remote ranch property outside of Middlecrest.
It was a large piece of land, nestled between the foothills of mountains. The cabin had two bedrooms, and each bedroom had an extra pull out bed. Robin and Rebecca were set up in one room, and Val in the opposite. The cabin ran on gas and air power, and was thoroughly stocked with meat and firewood.
The two were provided new sets of clothes. Robin requested card game and board games, along with a Bible and a few books. Val was encouraged to ask for what he might like, and everything was given to them in boxes with Christmas paper wrapped around them. Christmas did pass while they were at that cabin, and their caretakers did everything to give them a reason to enjoy the holiday. Chapman brought out a prime rib roast and several sides Eleanor had prepared in casserole dishes.
Rebecca took on their care seamlessly. She was an attractive woman of thirty, and the perfect balance of her parents-attentive like her mother, and energetic like her father. She made them hearty meals three times a day. She would ask question about the extent of their knowledge of werewolves and cover various subjects on them-Val might be surprised to know that not even Steele seemed to possess all of the knowledge of their race.
None of these things could be safely recorded in books, so she spread out the lessons carefully like a teacher, and made sure they understood them.
Now it was two days before the full moon. It was terribly cold and miserable outside, and they had been in a white out for the past two days.... the power from the windmill was out, and the cabin was lit with candles and oil lamps. The wind roared down the chimney.
(10 days later - 2 days before the full moon)
Chapman, along with his wife and daughter, got Robin and Val situated on a remote ranch property outside of Middlecrest.
It was a large piece of land, nestled between the foothills of mountains. The cabin had two bedrooms, and each bedroom had an extra pull out bed. Robin and Rebecca were set up in one room, and Val in the opposite. The cabin ran on gas and air power, and was thoroughly stocked with meat and firewood.
The two were provided new sets of clothes. Robin requested card game and board games, along with a Bible and a few books. Val was encouraged to ask for what he might like, and everything was given to them in boxes with Christmas paper wrapped around them. Christmas did pass while they were at that cabin, and their caretakers did everything to give them a reason to enjoy the holiday. Chapman brought out a prime rib roast and several sides Eleanor had prepared in casserole dishes.
Rebecca took on their care seamlessly. She was an attractive woman of thirty, and the perfect balance of her parents-attentive like her mother, and energetic like her father. She made them hearty meals three times a day. She would ask question about the extent of their knowledge of werewolves and cover various subjects on them-Val might be surprised to know that not even Steele seemed to possess all of the knowledge of their race.
None of these things could be safely recorded in books, so she spread out the lessons carefully like a teacher, and made sure they understood them.
Now it was two days before the full moon. It was terribly cold and miserable outside, and they had been in a white out for the past two days.... the power from the windmill was out, and the cabin was lit with candles and oil lamps. The wind roared down the chimney.
Quote from Indy on November 6, 2023, 4:03 pmAs winter pressed onwards, Valentine's mood plummeted. For his part, he had been a poor student to Rebecca. His attention was ever diverted from the subject matter, and what times he did interject was only to bring up his own misunderstandings he had taken (and still took) as fact. Several times he had been swatted at the back of the head to pay better attention - and usually after these reminders, he did under Robin's watchful eyes.
He didn't ask for much for Christmas. The concept seemed alien to him that Christmas would still exist. When pressed, he had added sarcastically 'a magic kit'. And when the boredom of the cold and dreary winter had set on, he had asked smally for a few science fiction books. Both were received for Christmas. And both were well-received. It was easier to read the fictional struggles of imaginary people than his own. The magic kit was more amusing than he expected it to be; it served well to while away the many hours ahead...
When distraction failed him, his attention would ever drift to unpleasant matters. He still avoided his reflection in the mirror where he could help it. Save for one night where, unnervingly, he could not stand to possess the eyes of a stranger. He looked at every inch of his face in the mirror, yet still the alienness of it would not fade. In a burst of courage, he removed the bandage from his right eye - having a fair idea what would lay beneath - yet even so found himself surprised for it. The pink puckered scars that extended from the bridge of his brow to the empty socket left little imagination what had occurred. Rebecca had to help him replace the bandages. He decided to continue avoiding mirrors for as long as possible.
As the greyness of winter settled to the bleak, there was not enough books, magic tricks, board games, or lessons that could keep his mind occupied. He didn't need a calendar to know what he had begun to feel now. The moon approached. Once it did, there would be no turning back.
An earlier plot of his resurfaced. If only he could find Steele, things would make sense again. The police officer had said he was alive. If he could just find him, somehow this nightmare would end...
The white-out provided the perfect opportunity. It was late. The inhabitants of the cabin were sleeping. He found Rebecca's keys on the counter, where she always left them. Quietly he tiptoed, although it felt a little foolish. If either Rebecca or Robin were anything less than sound asleep, they would hear them. He knew that now, and yet still he hoped. When he made it to the door, he carefully eased it ajar. The cold wind blew inside, sending one of the oil lamps to flicker out. He grit his teeth (for in spite of the man layers of coats and the thick boots he wore, it felt too little), stepped outside, and eased the door shut as softly as he could. He turned the lock to the door and only then felt safe.
Even a werewolf would have a difficult time tracking him in a blizzard. He did not delay starting the car. While it warmed, he quickly scooped the snow off the windshield. And then he shifted it into gear and followed the road as best as he could remember it.
As winter pressed onwards, Valentine's mood plummeted. For his part, he had been a poor student to Rebecca. His attention was ever diverted from the subject matter, and what times he did interject was only to bring up his own misunderstandings he had taken (and still took) as fact. Several times he had been swatted at the back of the head to pay better attention - and usually after these reminders, he did under Robin's watchful eyes.
He didn't ask for much for Christmas. The concept seemed alien to him that Christmas would still exist. When pressed, he had added sarcastically 'a magic kit'. And when the boredom of the cold and dreary winter had set on, he had asked smally for a few science fiction books. Both were received for Christmas. And both were well-received. It was easier to read the fictional struggles of imaginary people than his own. The magic kit was more amusing than he expected it to be; it served well to while away the many hours ahead...
When distraction failed him, his attention would ever drift to unpleasant matters. He still avoided his reflection in the mirror where he could help it. Save for one night where, unnervingly, he could not stand to possess the eyes of a stranger. He looked at every inch of his face in the mirror, yet still the alienness of it would not fade. In a burst of courage, he removed the bandage from his right eye - having a fair idea what would lay beneath - yet even so found himself surprised for it. The pink puckered scars that extended from the bridge of his brow to the empty socket left little imagination what had occurred. Rebecca had to help him replace the bandages. He decided to continue avoiding mirrors for as long as possible.
As the greyness of winter settled to the bleak, there was not enough books, magic tricks, board games, or lessons that could keep his mind occupied. He didn't need a calendar to know what he had begun to feel now. The moon approached. Once it did, there would be no turning back.
An earlier plot of his resurfaced. If only he could find Steele, things would make sense again. The police officer had said he was alive. If he could just find him, somehow this nightmare would end...
The white-out provided the perfect opportunity. It was late. The inhabitants of the cabin were sleeping. He found Rebecca's keys on the counter, where she always left them. Quietly he tiptoed, although it felt a little foolish. If either Rebecca or Robin were anything less than sound asleep, they would hear them. He knew that now, and yet still he hoped. When he made it to the door, he carefully eased it ajar. The cold wind blew inside, sending one of the oil lamps to flicker out. He grit his teeth (for in spite of the man layers of coats and the thick boots he wore, it felt too little), stepped outside, and eased the door shut as softly as he could. He turned the lock to the door and only then felt safe.
Even a werewolf would have a difficult time tracking him in a blizzard. He did not delay starting the car. While it warmed, he quickly scooped the snow off the windshield. And then he shifted it into gear and followed the road as best as he could remember it.
Quote from Adriana on November 6, 2023, 8:02 pmRobin stared with sleepy, squinted eyes out the window. She yawned and scratched behind an ear. Rebecca blinked heavily twice.
"How long do you think before he goes into a ditch?" Rebecca asked groggily.
"Uh... I'mma just get a shovel now to dig him out." Robin replied, already having moved away from the window and putting boots on.
"Prob'ly before he gets to the main road."
Robin stared with sleepy, squinted eyes out the window. She yawned and scratched behind an ear. Rebecca blinked heavily twice.
"How long do you think before he goes into a ditch?" Rebecca asked groggily.
"Uh... I'mma just get a shovel now to dig him out." Robin replied, already having moved away from the window and putting boots on.
"Prob'ly before he gets to the main road."
Quote from Indy on November 6, 2023, 11:13 pmThe snow was thick. It was not a well-maintained paved road he drove on, but one that had been dumped on continuously for several days. Though they would occasionally shovel the area by their house, the present conditions had made it an impossible proposition. The car sunk into the snow and struggled. He eased it onwards. Simultaneously, the small port out the window was like a portal to another world. Everything else was obscured by the white snow. And that thin portal was rapidly diminishing as a thin layer of snow began to dust even that...
But he couldn't go back. Wouldn't go back. Half blind in more ways than one, he continued. If he could just make it out of the woods... He'd paid enough mind to the route on their way up. Steele's closest hideout was at least two hours by good road conditions. He could make it. He could make it.
More through willpower than any true skill, he made it half a mile. And then his memory of the road faltered. The snowbank became steep. And then impossibly steep. The car stalled. Precious seconds ticked on, but no urging of the engine would bring the vehicle forward. Panic crept in. He starred outside into the white world and imagined at any moment his 'captors' would bend the corner.
He got outside of the car. He had to force the door open against the snowbank. Snow crumbled inside and he squeezed out. It was so cold he could feel himself already numb for it. But he pushed anyways against the snow bank. It was a hilarity in futility - his little body trying to push back the snow where a large car had already failed.
And as he pushed with more urgency, the snow merely absorbed him with a wumph. He fell through the snow, as though winter had declared 'hah take that'. As he rolled several times, he finally fell flat to his back. The snow surrounded him at every direction. Impossibly cold.
He'd fallen through a snowdrift and landed at the bottom of a ditch. As he tried to move, the cold had already crept in to make his fingers nonresponsive. Maybe he could just lay here, was the passing thought that came to mind, he wouldn't have to worry about the moon anymore...
The snow was thick. It was not a well-maintained paved road he drove on, but one that had been dumped on continuously for several days. Though they would occasionally shovel the area by their house, the present conditions had made it an impossible proposition. The car sunk into the snow and struggled. He eased it onwards. Simultaneously, the small port out the window was like a portal to another world. Everything else was obscured by the white snow. And that thin portal was rapidly diminishing as a thin layer of snow began to dust even that...
But he couldn't go back. Wouldn't go back. Half blind in more ways than one, he continued. If he could just make it out of the woods... He'd paid enough mind to the route on their way up. Steele's closest hideout was at least two hours by good road conditions. He could make it. He could make it.
More through willpower than any true skill, he made it half a mile. And then his memory of the road faltered. The snowbank became steep. And then impossibly steep. The car stalled. Precious seconds ticked on, but no urging of the engine would bring the vehicle forward. Panic crept in. He starred outside into the white world and imagined at any moment his 'captors' would bend the corner.
He got outside of the car. He had to force the door open against the snowbank. Snow crumbled inside and he squeezed out. It was so cold he could feel himself already numb for it. But he pushed anyways against the snow bank. It was a hilarity in futility - his little body trying to push back the snow where a large car had already failed.
And as he pushed with more urgency, the snow merely absorbed him with a wumph. He fell through the snow, as though winter had declared 'hah take that'. As he rolled several times, he finally fell flat to his back. The snow surrounded him at every direction. Impossibly cold.
He'd fallen through a snowdrift and landed at the bottom of a ditch. As he tried to move, the cold had already crept in to make his fingers nonresponsive. Maybe he could just lay here, was the passing thought that came to mind, he wouldn't have to worry about the moon anymore...
Quote from Adriana on November 6, 2023, 11:19 pmNot five minutes passed by the time a strong arm came to hoist Val out from his white tomb. First by the collar of his coat, then grasping his arms. Robin threw another coat over him and pulled him through the snow with unbreakable force. She didn't dare speak or the brutal wind would take away the air in her lungs.
Not five minutes passed by the time a strong arm came to hoist Val out from his white tomb. First by the collar of his coat, then grasping his arms. Robin threw another coat over him and pulled him through the snow with unbreakable force. She didn't dare speak or the brutal wind would take away the air in her lungs.
Quote from Indy on November 6, 2023, 11:53 pmHer charge offered neither resistance nor assistance and merely stared up at her dazed. He seemed confused - as though pondering how everything had just led up to this very moment.
Her charge offered neither resistance nor assistance and merely stared up at her dazed. He seemed confused - as though pondering how everything had just led up to this very moment.
Quote from Adriana on November 7, 2023, 3:57 pmThey got back to the cabin. Rebecca had laid out dry clothes for Val, and had warmed up broth for him to drink. Robin escorted him to his room to change and waited in the living room near the fireplace, throwing off her boots and gloves so they landed by the front door.
"WHAT were you thinking?" she shouted, and surely it could be heard from the living room, even down the hall and behind closed doors.
"You just gon' drive-the lord knows where?-in a blizzard? Boy. Everyone knows you get stuck in a blizzard, you stay inside your vehicle." she rubbed her face and threw off the hat and coat, standing. "Lord, give me patience." she uttered under her breath in a prayer.
Rebecca let her get her anger out and didn't interrupt presently.
"What were you thinking? Were you?"
They got back to the cabin. Rebecca had laid out dry clothes for Val, and had warmed up broth for him to drink. Robin escorted him to his room to change and waited in the living room near the fireplace, throwing off her boots and gloves so they landed by the front door.
"WHAT were you thinking?" she shouted, and surely it could be heard from the living room, even down the hall and behind closed doors.
"You just gon' drive-the lord knows where?-in a blizzard? Boy. Everyone knows you get stuck in a blizzard, you stay inside your vehicle." she rubbed her face and threw off the hat and coat, standing. "Lord, give me patience." she uttered under her breath in a prayer.
Rebecca let her get her anger out and didn't interrupt presently.
"What were you thinking? Were you?"
Quote from Indy on November 7, 2023, 4:14 pmValentine was still laying where he had been deposited, face-up at the ceiling. He had such a vacant look about his face, like a lost ghost she had brought in rather than a breathing teenager. He had to be prodded repeatedly to make his own way to the fireplace, and even this he did like the sulking teenager he was. The warm fireplace had thawed his thoughts some, but the formulations of what had led him to the snow still felt murky. He turned to Robin, feeling distant from her anger - because to connect with her anger would mean his body wasn't a thousand miles away.
"I'm done," he muttered starring at the ceiling, "Done. I'm not going to spend my life like this - I'm not going to be a- a werewolf".
The word caught. It was progress, however a small one. Always his words had skirted that simple definition. Even in Rebecca's lectures on their kind, he had given the impression he was somehow removed from it.
"One way or another it's gotta end... if I find Steele, it'll end real quick".
Valentine was still laying where he had been deposited, face-up at the ceiling. He had such a vacant look about his face, like a lost ghost she had brought in rather than a breathing teenager. He had to be prodded repeatedly to make his own way to the fireplace, and even this he did like the sulking teenager he was. The warm fireplace had thawed his thoughts some, but the formulations of what had led him to the snow still felt murky. He turned to Robin, feeling distant from her anger - because to connect with her anger would mean his body wasn't a thousand miles away.
"I'm done," he muttered starring at the ceiling, "Done. I'm not going to spend my life like this - I'm not going to be a- a werewolf".
The word caught. It was progress, however a small one. Always his words had skirted that simple definition. Even in Rebecca's lectures on their kind, he had given the impression he was somehow removed from it.
"One way or another it's gotta end... if I find Steele, it'll end real quick".
Quote from Adriana on November 7, 2023, 4:34 pmRobin came to stand in front of Val. She lowered herself so her eyes were level with his.
"Look at me," she said, her tone that controlled, fierce kind of anger that, in spite of not being a yell, was severely more effective, "If you ever, speak about yourself like that again-look at me-you're gonna have much bigger problems than being a werewolf."
Robin came to stand in front of Val. She lowered herself so her eyes were level with his.
"Look at me," she said, her tone that controlled, fierce kind of anger that, in spite of not being a yell, was severely more effective, "If you ever, speak about yourself like that again-look at me-you're gonna have much bigger problems than being a werewolf."
