Side Chapter: Missing Side

Timeline: April 20, 2003

Jonathan Hugherson and Diane Gayle sat in their apartment, their lives now became couple due to the shared trauma of the events that unfolded in 2000. They watched the news coverage of the Mountain Man Festival in the town of Fairlake, West Virginia. Kaleen Webber, the reporter, spoke with clarity amidst the festival's lively backdrop.

"This is Kaleen Webber, reporting from the small town of Fairlake." Kaleen began, her voice carrying over the bustling festival scene. The camera panned across the crowd, capturing the vibrant preparations and festivities.

"Once a year, Fairlake transforms into a bustling hub reminiscent of Halloween," Kaleen explained, her tone lively. "All thanks to the 10th annual Mountain Man Music Festival." Pausing for effect, Kaleen adjusted her microphone and continued, "People from all over the country descend upon Fairlake for a weekend of music, partying, and fun at the fairgrounds just outside town."

"The festival has grown over the years to where it now rivals iconic events like Coachella and Lollapalooza," she added, gesturing to the lively scene. "But some say its free-spirited vibe and rowdy crowds remind them more of Burning Man."

Diane's expression darkened as she saw people in hillbilly costumes, triggering memories of the horrors they endured in the past. "This is like those monsters..." Diane murmured, her voice trailing off as old traumas resurfaced.

Jonathan, sensing her distress, immediately embraced her. "It's okay, Diane. It's going to be fine." he reassured her, holding her close for comfort.

Kaleen continued her report, the tone shifting slightly as she turned serious. "This unique blend of music and culture has local officials keeping a watchful eye tonight," she explained, her gaze turning towards a man in the crowd. "Here with me is one of the town's visitors, Mr. Albert Patterson."

The camera focused on Albert, a man with striking red hair and piercing red eyes. Kaleen directed her next question to him, unaware of the reaction she had just caused.

"Albert, what are your thoughts on the festival and its impact on Fairlake?"

Jonathan and Diane froze in shock, their eyes widening as they recognized the man on the screen.

"Alpha!!!" they both exclaimed simultaneously, their voices filled with a mix of fear and anger.

The trauma of the events from the early 2000s resurfaced in an instant. Jonathan vividly remembered the terror of being hunted by Alpha and his deranged followers, the gruesome deaths of their friends, and Adam's ultimate sacrifice to save them.

Jonathan's face darkened with anger and fear. "That bastard... he's a monster." he muttered through clenched teeth, his grip on Diane tightening with tension.

Diane was overwhelmed with panic and despair. "No, no, no, no." she repeated frantically, unable to comprehend the resurgence of their worst nightmares.

Jonathan acted quickly, reaching for the remote to turn off the television. He pulled Diane close, holding her tightly as he tried to reassure her amidst her distress.

"It's okay, Diane. It's okay," Jonathan repeated soothingly, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of emotions. "We'll get through this. We have each other."

Diane buried her face in Jonathan's shoulder, trembling with fear and grief. Jonathan held her tightly, his own heart heavy with the weight of their shared past and the ominous presence of Alpha once again in their lives.

...

Meanwhile

As Adam Wilson and Porter Harmss ventured towards West Fairlake in the early morning hours, their footsteps echoed softly in the quietude of the surrounding wilderness. The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it a palpable sense of anticipation and tension. Adam knew they were on the verge of confronting Alpha, the elusive and dangerous figure they had prepared to fight for so long.

Feeling the weight of responsibility, Adam turned to Porter, his companion in this perilous journey. "Porter."  he began, his voice steady yet filled with solemn purpose. Porter glanced at him, his expression a blend of determination and nervous energy.

"I have something for you," Adam said quietly, reaching into his pocket. His fingers closed around the smooth, small surface of the Revival Pill. It was Adam's contingency plan, for Porter.

Porter's brow furrowed as Adam presented the pill to him. "What is this?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the unfamiliar object in Adam's hand.

"It's a Revival Pill," Adam explained, his voice steady despite the weight of the words. "If something happens to you, if you... die..." He hesitated, the gravity of the situation sinking in, "this pill can bring you back to life. It's a second chance, but remember, it only works once. If you die again after using it, there's no coming back."

Porter's eyes widened, and he swallowed audibly. The seriousness of our mission was crystal clear now.

"How did you get this?" Porter inquired, his voice tinged with both curiosity and concern.

"I... had it in my inventory," Adam replied vaguely, choosing not to disclose the origins of the pill's availability. He thought "It was best if Porter didn't know the details of my abilities."

Porter nodded slowly, processing the information. "You mean like Doraemon's power, where every random gadgets comes out of his pocket" he mused, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You always have the unexpected."

Adam chuckled softly, appreciating Porter's attempt to inject a moment of levity into their somber conversation. "Yeah, something like that." he agreed, grateful for Porter's resilient spirit even in the face of danger.

Adam couldn't help but think to himself, "I'm glad Porter is an anime and cartoon fan, a geek. Because of that, he has such a wild imagination."

After a brief pause, Porter turned serious again, holding the pill in his hand. "So, I should take it now?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

Adam nodded solemnly. "Yes, you should," he affirmed, his voice unwavering. "Better to have it ready, just in case."

Meeting Adam's gaze with resolve, Porter made his decision. Without hesitation, he placed the Revival Pill into his mouth and swallowed it, committing himself to their mission and the risks it entailed.

Adam watched silently as Porter ingested the pill, knowing its significance in their upcoming battle against Alpha. It was a gesture of trust and preparation, a silent acknowledgment of the dangers they were about to face.

With the Revival Pill now in Porter's body, they resumed their journey towards West Fairlake. Each step forward carried with it a renewed sense of purpose and a shared resolve born from their past traumas and their unwavering pursuit of justice.

As they walked deeper into the forest, the path ahead remained uncertain and fraught with danger. Yet, Adam and Porter pressed onward, their hearts bolstered by the knowledge that they were prepared, come what may, to confront Alpha and bring an end to the terror that had plagued their lives for far too long.

.....

It was a tranquil morning in the bustling news studio of Fairville, West Virginia. Kaleen Webber, the seasoned anchorwoman, stood confidently amidst the organized chaos of the studio. Her assistant, Virginia Kelly, and George, the experienced cameraman, were gathered nearby, going through their morning routine to prepare for today's afternoon broadcasts.

"Hey, look at me." Kaleen called out cheerfully, clapping her hands to draw their attention. Virginia and George turned towards her, their expressions a mix of readiness and curiosity.

"Here's the plan," Kaleen began, her voice clear and decisive. "I'll meet you both back here for the live feed at 11. Everything better be set and ready to go." she instructed firmly, her gaze unwavering as she looked at each of them in turn.

Virginia, always diligent and detail-oriented, couldn't help but ask, "Um... Ma'am, where will you be heading off to?"

Kaleen paused for a moment, a mischievous glint in her eye as she straightened her posture. With a confident smile, she replied, "Well," flipping back her flowing hair with a flick of her hand, "I've got a date lined up." She gave them both a playful wink. "So, no distractions, okay?"

Virginia nodded, suppressing a smile at Kaleen's casual yet commanding demeanor. "Got it." she affirmed, trying to hide her amusement.

"Great then." Kaleen continued briskly, her energy infectious as she headed towards the studio's exit.

Before leaving, Kaleen glanced back at them one last time, her expression warm yet determined. "See you later." she called out casually, her voice carrying through the busy studio.

Left behind, George couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "What a bitch." He exchanged a knowing glance with Virginia, frustration evident in his tone. "Hate that bitch since day one, always acting like she owns the place just because she's the face of the news .... Fucking talent"

Virginia chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, that's Kaleen for you," she replied, her voice tinged with amusement and a hint of admiration.

As they resumed their morning preparations, the studio buzzed with renewed energy, the routine of the newsroom continuing despite the charismatic and occasionally challenging presence of their anchorwoman, Kaleen Webber.

.....

Meanwhile, deep within the dense forest, Alpha stood amidst his disfigured minions, the morning light filtering through the thick canopy above. His intense red hair and piercing red eyes stood out starkly against the shadowed backdrop of the trees.

"Be ready here, okay?" Alpha commanded, his voice low and commanding. The disfigured minions, their forms twisted and grotesque, nodded silently in response, their eyes gleaming with a mix of anticipation and a primal obedience.

"Good. Wait for my signal," Alpha continued, his tone filled with authority. "Do not come out until I give the order."

Again, the minions nodded, their movements stiff and controlled under Alpha's watchful gaze.

"Excellent," Alpha murmured, a twisted smirk forming on his lips as he surveyed his surroundings. His predatory instincts were sharpened, his hunger palpable as he anticipated the hunt ahead. "Now, it's time to find our prey." he added, his voice dripping with a dark satisfaction.

...

Meanwhile, in the hospital ward where Daniel Mullins was slowly recuperating, the atmosphere was subdued yet filled with quiet determination. Kenia Perrin, Claire Swafford, and Kyle Turner stood clustered around Daniel's bedside, their concern etched on their faces as they checked in on their friend's progress.

The hospital room was serene, bathed in the soft glow of afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows. The walls were adorned with calming paintings, and the scent of disinfectant mingled with the faint aroma of flowers from a nearby vase.

Kenia approached Daniel's bedside with a warm smile. "Hey, Daniel." she greeted softly.

Daniel returned her greeting with a small nod, his expression noticeably more relaxed than before. "Hey, Kenia." he replied, a hint of gratitude in his voice. "My day's been getting better. The nightmares have been less frequent lately."

Kenia nodded empathetically. "I'm glad to hear that, Daniel. You're doing great." she encouraged him sincerely.

Meanwhile, Claire and Kyle exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the progress Daniel had made since his breakdown. They approached him with a sense of camaraderie and support.

"Hey, man." Kyle greeted Daniel casually.

Daniel returned the greeting with a nod, appreciating their presence. "Sup." he replied, his tone more upbeat than before.

Claire joined in, offering her support with a gentle smile. "I'm glad to see you doing better, Daniel." she expressed sincerely.

Daniel nodded gratefully, looking between his friends. "Thanks to you guys, I'm getting there." he admitted, a note of relief in his voice.

Kenia's attention was drawn back to the conversation as Kyle brought up a sensitive topic. "Um, Kenia..." he started tentatively.

Kenia turned to face him, curious about his inquiry. "What is it?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

Kyle hesitated briefly before continuing. "How's Porter? Are you two still in touch... after you guys broke up?" he asked delicately, aware of the emotional weight of the question.

Kenia's expression softened, a mix of sadness and fondness reflecting in her eyes. "Yes, we still keep in touch," she confirmed softly. She paused, her gaze distant for a moment as memories resurfaced. "I... I broke up with him because I didn't want him to get involved... with that man." she admitted hesitantly, her voice tinged with regret.

Claire and Kyle listened attentively, their concern evident as Kenia opened up about her decision. They remained silent, giving her space to share her feelings.

Kenia continued, her voice filled with conviction. "I know things will be tough for Porter as he fights to defeat the monster who hurt us." she added, her gaze shifting to include everyone in the room.

Her friends exchanged understanding glances, acknowledging the complexity of Kenia's emotions and the challenges she faced.

"Even though we're not together anymore, I'm waiting for him to come back," Kenia confessed softly, her eyes glistening with hope. "I want him to have someone to come back to."

Claire reached out and gently patted Kenia's shoulder, offering comfort and reassurance. "I know it's hard, Kenia," she said empathetically. "But I believe Porter will come back to us safely."

Kenia nodded gratefully, appreciating Claire's support. "I hope so." she murmured, her gaze drifting towards the window where sunlight bathed the room in warmth. Her heart held onto the hope that Porter would return, safe and sound, ready to pick up where they left off.

To be continue