Mindy's P.O.V.

A Few Days Later, Green Oak University Hospital

I laid in front of the detective as she spoke to my doctor about my injuries. I couldn't understand it. Quinn hardly explained anything to me besides a few words about some spell he found, which was strange. That boy never believed in magic.

And then he brought me here. He was by my side often, from what I can remember. Things since the day I have been here feel hazy. It's probably from the medication I have been on. It helps with the pain. Especially with the surgery I had.

fifteen

That was the number of wounds I had on me.

And one

Directly in my heart. The doctors said I was lucky. That somehow the cold helped me live. Yet, it didn't make sense. How can I be alive when I was hurt the way I was?

Sherry's Bar

I sat with my friends as we watched the news. They have found Dr. Stokes, injured. She is alive, though, which is great. We have to have a meeting tomorrow to speak about the incident.

“She’s actually alive. After you saw her a few days ago, I thought she would return, but then yesterday I gave up hope,” Vimal said.

“I hate to agree with Mr. Negative here, but it makes sense. The police found her vehicle yesterday,” McKenzie said. Vimal's brows furrowed. “What?” Many people had reported seeing Dr. Stokes in Green Oak from the moment she disappeared.

“I think maybe an ex tried to kill her,” Xavier said.

“I was told that it was possibly her best friend,” Angelika said.

“Who said that?” Sydney asked, arching her brows.

“...My students.” Angelika sighed.

“Exactly, Ms.-” Sydney started.

“Hey, I know I am in the theater department, but it made sense.”

“From what I heard, a jealous partner of her lover tried to kill her,” Sidney finished.

“And you think what I thought was a conspiracy,” Angelika said, folding her arms.

“So the whole town believed that she was dead?” I asked. They nodded.

“How could they not?” Xavier said.

“I am getting the chills just thinking about it,” Sidney said.

“Not to mention the disappearances throughout the years,” Angelika added.

“Just know that in Green Oak, whatever you see, if you feel something you never experienced before, ignore it,” Vimal said.

No one could understand what happened to Dr. Stokes. Only her, but it may be a while until we hear the whole story. Until then, prying for information will only cause more danger. And in the mountains with woods able to drown out your voice, it is not safe to do that.  

“It’s getting late. We should call it,” I said. They nodded. We paid our tab and left. As we went our separate ways, Vimal looked at me. 

“Remember what I said!” He yelled as he crossed the street. I nodded and went on my way. 

Those four tell me about the disappearances and then leave me to walk alone. I sighed to myself. 

Man it out, I get it, but I am not going to lie, I am truly afraid. I put my hands in my pockets and began to walk towards my house. I hated walking around this town on late weekdays. 

It was not like my old home. The streets were silent, and when it snowed, it was worse. All left with you and the night are the sounds of your footsteps and your thoughts. I took a breath. 

Ignore everything, just focus on getting back. I squinted my eyes through the snow. I can hardly see. 

My mind began to drift in seconds to Dr. Stokes. She almost died. She disappeared, was seen two days later, and then disappeared again. Who is to say that something didn't happen in those two days before?

And this town. They treated her like a mystery. A mystery they wanted answers to. They were terrified for years about missing people, but it seems now their answer to who may have been doing it is solved.