WINTER IS COMING

[Gifted]

"Have you heard about what's going on in the city?" Stephanie said in a neutral tone. "The whole freak out about gifteds?"

[Doom]

The man smirked, raising an eyebrow. "'Fraid I don't get out much. Last I checked, though, there's always some stink being raised over gifteds."

[Gifted]

"Yeah, well, it's different now. People have died." Stephanie nodded. "We're gifted ourselves. We were looking for a place to lay low for awhile. Our powers aren't exactly good for surviving in the wild."

[Doom]

Dropping the smirk, the man stepped back. "My goodness, what's happened? Where are you headed?"

[Gifted]

"It's a long story." Stephanie said, well aware Kailen was in the car. "There was a fabricated serial killer, and then a clip on the news and... just, right now the non-gifteds are on the streets in mobs. A few gifteds have already died. It's only going to get worse. It's not safe there anymore. Monique said you might be able to help us...?"

[Doom]

"Monique...?" The man scratched his scruffy face. "Blake mentioned her a few times. His niece, right?"

[Gifted]

"Yeah." Stephanie just assumed that was right to keep the conversation flowing. "I think you left her out there." She gestured to Monique with a smile.

[Doom]

"Ah, right." The man waved them forward. "Please, pull up to the cabin."

[Gifted]

"Alright. We'll pull up to unload our stuff, but I'm going to have to dump this car fairly soon." She nodded. "Thank you so much for helping us." She did as she was told.

[Doom]

Monique, flustered after feverishly knocking on the door without receiving any answer, started when she saw Stephanie driving forward.
"What are you doing?!" she called. "You were supposed to wait for me!"

[Gifted]

"Yeah, you kind of missed him, you know that? The guy came up to our window and I talked to him. He told us to drive up, so I did." She shrugged.

[Doom]

The guy Stephanie had been referring to walked into sight shortly after. Monique squinted at him, confused.
"He's not... who are you?" she asked.
"Uh, Cameron," he answered, also confused. "I go by Cam. And you're...?"
"Monique. Where's my uncle?"
"Oh dear. Let's have you all come inside. We can unpack everything soon enough."
Cam knocked on the front door, calling, "It's alright, Blake! Monique isn't in danger. They're legit."
There was a momentary silent spell, then a clattering of locks being unlocked. Cameron waved Stephanie and Kailen forward.
"Let's have you explain the situation, just like you explained it to me."

Inside the cabin was a cozy room, clashingly modern in its decor, with no signs of the prototypical stuffed mount or gun rack. In a recliner sat a small and exceedingly hairy man, bundled up tight and eyeing his guests nervously.
"Uncle?" asked Monique.
"Monique. It's good to see you," he said, whispery and unsure.
"Blake," interrupted Cam. "This young lady has some important information to share with you." He gestured to Stephanie.
Blake sat at attention.

[Gifted]

Stephanie was unsettled, but she knew better than to show the creepy weirdos how creeped out she was by them. So she just spoke in a smooth, professional voice. "There is chaos in the city right now. After a serial killer and some other propaganda on TV, public opinion has turned against gifteds again. People have died. It's not safe for any gifted to be anywhere near people anymore. We were looking for a place to hide out, and Monique suggested you might be able to help us."

[Doom]

"Oh God." Blake turned pale. "How many have died?"

[Gifted]

"One we knew personally. Numbers aren't getting reported yet, there are mobs in town."