WINTER IS COMING

[Doom]

Monique clicked her seatbelt into place. "Northeast of town, deep in the woods. I've only been there once, but I can probably remember where we need to turn." She glanced at the wheel, grinning. "I know you're like a secret agent and stuff, but you aren't technically old enough to be driving without an adult."

[Gifted]

"That's not what my license says!" She said cheerily. "But yeah, you are right. But we're all going to jail if we're caught anyway, if we're lucky. At this point it really doesn't matter."

[Raven]

"And if it gets half as bad as it did last time, crashing and dying would be better than that," Kailen said darkly.

[Doom]

Monique sank into her seat. "Yeaaah. Um, can we get going, please?"

[Gifted]

Stephanie shot a look at Kailen, but it wasn't like he was wrong. "Let's not get so demoralized yet."

[Raven]

"I'm sure Steph is a great driver," Kailen added when she glared at him.

[Doom]

Monique nodded. "Yeah, I trust you, Stephanie. And you're right, we shouldn't get all gloomy. We'll be okay."

[Gifted]

"Exactly. When things get bad, they get bad. We'll deal with that when it's coming. I'm good at getting the intel in advance."

[Raven]

"How long before we get there?" Kailen asked.

[Doom]

"About two hours," said Monique, "at least I think. It's been a while, but two hours sounds right. Before we go, though, there are a few things I want to tell you about my uncle. His name is Blake. He's pretty old from what I remember, somewhere in his fifties. He's been living alone in the woods for about ten years now. Every time I've spoken to him, he's seemed really... off. As much as I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, I honestly can't say whether or not he's dangerous. But he's our best option, so we'll be finding out either way."
Monique took a deep breath.
"Okay. Let's hit the road."

---

Monique directed Stephanie's driving, taking the three of them out of town and into the forest. A light snow began to fall as they drove. Monique became increasingly nervous as they neared their destination. The only pathway now a narrow opening in the dense woods, Monique instructed Stephanie to stop the car.
"It might be a bad idea to drive right up to the cabin," said Monique. "I'll go on ahead and let him know we're here. Be back soon..."
She bit her lip, staring into the trees.
"Actually, if I'm not back in thirty minutes, turn around and drive back. I don't know where you'll go, but it'll be better than here."
Monique bundled up in her jacket and scarf, then hopped out of the car and started trudging down the path. She waved back at Stephanie and Kailen as she disappeared from sight.

Off in the distance, obscured by the trees, but not really hidden, stood a man. He watched the car carefully.

[Gifted]

"...If she starts screaming, I'm going out there with a badge." Stephanie told Kailen.

[Raven]

"If she starts screaming, I'll try to give you a head start," Kailen agreed, his eyes following their friend. He didn't feel right letting her go, but it was more likely to work than all of them going.

[Doom]

The man standing off the road began approaching the car casually, as if going to greet an old friend who'd just pulled up.

[Gifted]

Stephanie placed one hand on her badge, using the other to roll down the window halfway so she could talk to the crazy person if that was what was going on.

[Doom]

The man, unshaven and likely unwashed, didn't seem worried. "What are you kids doing way out here in the woods?"