Katie was in the process of brushing her hair after making her bed and getting dressed that morning, when she smelled something and followed her nose to the kitchen. Her father had made blueberry pancakes, a fruit salad and egg-white omelets. 

“You’re in the doghouse, aren’t you, dad?” Katie sighed at the familiar situation. 

Carl hung his head “I... I accidentally stole your mother’s moment yesterday. You see, honey, she’s the kind of person who takes a lot of pride in her moments being hers, so when people recognized me from my channel she felt... overshadowed.” 

“But didn’t get free appetizers, dessert and stuff because of that? And the guy from the other company wants to work with mom’s now.” Katie pointed out. 

“It's complicated, Katie. Some people really take pride in their own independence. Your mother came from a home where she really had to find her voice to make something of herself, so I think I accidentally brought back bad memories for her.” 

“I don’t know, dad. She always acts like this when you get recognized or win.” the girl was skeptical. 

“Now, that’s not true. Now, eat up before your food gets cold. You don’t want to miss your bus either.” Carl patted her shoulder and she complied. 

Veronica walked in looking stoic and professional. 

“Good morning, ho-” Carl smiled, but she walked passed him to get her keys. 

“I have to go now. Bye.” Veronica coldly stated with a hint of resentment as she headed for the door “And if this about the cabin in the woods, my answer is still NO to going. Go by yourselves. As if you need me.” 

“Veronica...” Carl was cut off by her slamming the door. 

Katie said nothing as she kept her eyes away from everything. Carl looked at her and back at the door before sighing though his expression was determined. Later that day while Carl was in school, he was furiously cleaning the floors to deal with his feelings when the phone rang. 

“Hello?” Carl answered. 

“Hi, Carl. It’s Joe. Joe Whitehawk.” Joe spoke cheerfully. 

“Hey, Dr. Whitehawk Junior. How’s it going?” Carl put the mop down and took a seat. 

“I was just calling to confirm that you are indeed coming to get settled and lay claim to your family’s property. Also, how’s life in the big city these days?” the man stroked his cat on his lap. 

“Oh, I am, but uh... well...” Carl tried to find the words. 

Joe’s smile faded “Let me guess. Trouble with the wife again.” 

“Last night, she was supposed to have a business dinner with her colleague and potential business partner for her company where spouses were mandatory.” he sighed. 

“Oh dear. Let me guess, it was a disaster and she didn’t close the deal.” Joe theorized as his cat padded off. 

“Actually, that’s just it. It went great, and she did close the deal. We got free appetizers, drinks, and dessert. And quite a bit to go. It was because the owner is a huge fan of my channel and recognized me as did half the restaurant. She’s not happy that the night became about me instead of her closing the deal by her own merit even though I know she would have if not for that, Joe.” Carl explained in a guilty tone. 

“Well, you can’t help it that you’re well-known, Carl. Also, no offense, but... Veronica tends to get very sore every time the eyes are on you instead of her even on a very small scale. Like the time she gave you the silent treatment for a week when at her office during Christmas, people admitted to liking your gingerbread cookies better than the stuff she got from the high-end bakery.” Joe reminded him. 

“Joe-” Carl began. 

“Or when you hosted Thanksgiving, she would intentionally interrupt you every time you were asked about gardening tips?” he reminded him again. 

“Now, Joe-” he tried to argue. 

“Or how she does everything to hide the fact that you’re the DIY Guy and openly shoots down your job as an influencer.” Joe went on leaving Carl speechless “Carl, I don’t want to plant seeds of doubt, but I think Veronica is jealous of you, and you need to sort that out because it isn’t going to get better. Only worse. Now, I know you don’t go around gloating or seeking attention, but keep in mind, Veronica’s upbringing was... rough. Imagine growing up in a home where validation was everything, especially if you were a girl. However, you shouldn’t need to shrink for her to feel better about herself. A good spouse is happy for their partner’s success not resentful.” 

Carl took a deep breath “I was planning on having a serious talk with her about last night as well as everything else. Also, I am coming to the cabin in two weeks.” 

“Ok. Good luck with Veronica.” Joe had concerns. 

“Don’t worry. I can talk to her. I did marry her after all.” he reassured him. 

“Alright. I have to get back to work. Let me know how it all goes and when you do come up, come on by my place with the family, Carl.” Joe smiled. 

“I will, Joe. Thanks for calling and caring.” Carl smiled as well. 

“Anything for a friend. Goodbye for now.” he ended the call. 

Carl was about to go back to work when the phone rang again “Hello, Joe? Something you forgot to say?” 

“It’s Veronica, Carl.” Veronica sounded awkward. 

“Oh... Joe just called and... What’s up, Veronica? Did something happen?” he asked. 

“Sort of. I realized how bitter I acted like last night.” she admitted. 

He was taken aback “Veronica, I didn’t mean to steal your thunder or anything. The truth is that I just wanted a private night to begin with. However, in my defense, when was the last time, you didn’t bring work into everything. You’re hard on me when I get attention due to my channel, but when was the last time we had a moment where work did not have your attention? Every time we go out, you’re either texting or getting a call, your hours have gotten longer, your business trips have become more frequent, and even yesterday, as soon as you got home, your focus was something work related. I’m proud of you for moving so high up the ladder, I really am, but you can’t be hard on me about my job when yours is moving you so high up, that Katie and I can’t reach you.” 

“... I have been pretty... distant, haven’t I? I’ve been thinking a lot about that, Carl. While I still don’t get the whole influencer thing, I can’t be hard on you about when I’ve been no better just in a different way. It's why I changed my mind. I’ll go with you and Katie to your father’s cabin for the summer.” Veronica graciously spoke. 

Carl smiled wide “Well, technically, it’s MY cabin now. More importantly, I’m glad you had this change of heart. It means a lot to Katie and me. We love you.” 

“I love you two, too.” she kindly spoke “And... I will only call or text if it is an emergency.” 

“I’m holding you true to that or sick the chickens on you.” he joked. 

“Don’t be cruel.” she teased back “Anyway, we’ll talk more tonight and plan, ok?” 

“Yes, ma’am.” he stood up straight feeling happy, but then his vision changed for a moment so that all reds disappeared “Uh, I’ve got to go now. I need to take my dosage.” 

“Alright, dear. Bye.” she ended the call. 

Carl took his shot in the bathroom as the effects that he could just never get used to, washed over him. He looked at the needle resentfully and then sighed as he heard the front door open. 

“Dad, I’m home!” Katie called out. 

He took a breath and stood up “Welcome back, Katie-cake! I got good news!” 

In two weeks, the family was on the road towards Carl’s family home. 

“Dad, did we have to go at night? It’s too dark to see anything and I’m tired.” Katie yawned in the back of the car. 

“I know it seems strange, but it was your mom’s idea because she wanted to make absolutely sure all her work was done before the vacation. Plus, it is kind of a long drive, so we’re all be tired by the time we get there. We can all sleep and really focus on having fun in the morning. I mean, Dr. Joe Whitehawk invited us to his family maple tree farm for breakfast and an exclusive tour on how maple syrup is made.” he gave her a wink as he drove. 

“So what do you have to do to officially settle the property ownership, Carl? It won’t take too much time, will it?” Veronica asked. 

“Oh, all I have to do is submit the signed documents to the local lawyer’s office and it’s official. Technically, you or Katie can even submit them because the papers are all done. Now that I’m the owner, I named you and Katie as my beneficiaries. If anything should happen to me, the cabin and everything that comes with goes to you two. And considering that land has been in the family since the 1800s, it’s worth a lot.” Carl explained. 

“I don’t like thinking about the possibility of something happening to you, dad.” Katie shuddered. 

“Don’t worry. Nothing wi-” Carl was cut off when the driver’s side window got smashed from something hitting it causing him to swerve off the road and he nearly drove down the ditch, but he managed to regain control of the car “Everyone, ok?” 

“Y-Yeah.” Katie caught her breath. 

“What the heck was that?!” Veronica panicked. 

“It's probably some dumb teenagers pulling tasteless pranks for Internet laughs.” he commented angrily her when a strange whistling was heard repeatedly from a random direction each time. 

“Carl...” Veronica went white and then yelped her side window smashed. 

Then more things banged against the car “Dad, I’m scared!” 

“Nobody panic! We’re going!” he said and drove back down the road “Don’t worry, I’m going to call the ranger right away about the punks who attacked us!” 

“What if they follow us there?!” Veronica asked. 

“That’s unlikely and even if they do, I know where dad keeps the firearms and the place is locked tight! That house was originally built to keep dangerous animals out! A bunch of punks have no chance at getting in!” Carl replied, but his vision suddenly became bright “Damn! I’m going to need a dosage when I get there!” 

Thankfully, Carl made it there in just five minutes. He stopped directly in front of the cabin and rushed everyone to get his family inside taking in only their backpacks. Once inside, he locked the outside door and double locked the inner door as they heard the whistling sounds again. 

“Make sure every window is locked, Veronica! I’ll make sure the other doors are locked tight!” he ran across his childhood home to look the kitchen backdoor, the den patio door and even the emergency trap door. 

He then proceeded to finally take his medicine “Oh no... My medication... it’s not in here!” 

“I have it, Carl. You forgot it on the dresser, so I took it.” Veronica held out the box. 

“Oh, bless you, Veronica...” he lifted his sleeve and took his dosage which relaxed him a little, but for the first time, he did not feel any of the unpleasant side effects “... What do you know? I’m finally getting used to this stuff... Now to make a call...” 

Just as his hand was over the phone, the power went out. 

“Cellphone it is.” he took out his, but there was no service “Right... If there’s no power here, there’s no power in the whole damn area...” 

In that moment, there was a horrible scraping sound heard against one of the windows and for a moment, they saw a figure with bright red eyes at one of them before disappearing. Katie screamed and pulled her hood down while hiding in her mother’s arms. 

“Oh Lord! Oh Lord!” Veronica whimpered. 

He held them both “It’s ok! It’s just a punk!” 

“Carl, you saw it too! You mean to tell that was honestly just some teenager?!” Veronica yelled. 

“I think you what you thought you saw because you were scared. I should know what it’s like to see the wrong things just because your head is in a bad place. I see, hear, and even smell things that aren’t really there all the time. So yeah, I do think it’s just a punk.” he calmly explained when he recalled something “I'll turn on the backup generator. It should be in the basement. Follow me.” 

He pinned his flashlight to his vest and led the way. As they went down, some strange sounds were heard and something flapped overhead making Veronica scream. 

Carl took a look and sighed in relief “It’s just the chickens. The basement has a chicken shelter area in case of storms or danger. One hopped the fence. Ok, here is the generator.” 

He turned it on and flipped the switch, then the basement along with some of the other electronics inside turned out. 

“That’s better.” he took the phone from the receiver “Phones are still dead, but maybe...” 

He looked around the basement and found the radio terminal. He plugged it in, put it to a specific frequency, and prayed. 

“Hello? Hello? Can anybody hear me? Hello?” he spoke while the radio terminal crackled and he adjusted it. 

After a few moments, a voice was heard “Carl? Is that you?” 

“Joe! Thank goodness...” Carl sighed in relief. 

“Carl, what on Earth are doing calling this late and on the radio?” Joe sounded worried. 

“Yes. Some weirdos threw rocks at our car, and they followed us to the cabin. I need you to send help here and... and...” Carl stopped. 

Suddenly, everything became bright, and he could only see things in blue and green yet a lot more clear than usual. Also, Joe’s voice became muffled and unintelligible. He could not even understand what Katie and Veronica were saying suddenly. He slapped himself a couple of times on cheeks to regain his focus, and he did. 

“Carl! Carl! Are you still there?! Answer me!” Joe yelled over the radio. 

“Y-Yes. I’m sorry, Joe. My schizophrenia is flaring up more than usual. Probably because of the stress of the situation. As I was saying, please send help because it’s clear that these are sick people.” Carl explained. 

“Why? What’s going-” Joe’s voice became gargled as he tried to reply. 

“Joe? Joe!” Carl called, but there was no answer and he put down the receiver aggressively before taking in a breath “... The important part of the message got through. He’s going to send help. Let’s... Let’s make this place a bit more secure until help comes.” 

With Katie and Veronica’s help, Carl barricaded the door with a chest and then, he armed himself with one of the shotguns after readying it. 

“Dad, are those things out there monsters?” Katie whimpered as they turned over the spare couch to create a fort wall of some kind. 

“I grew up here, honey. There are no monsters. These are just sick people meaning that even if they do get it, I can stop them.” Carl bravely reassured her despite his head being foggy. 

The whistling, banging and scratching continued outside which agitated the chickens too. Carl took yet another dosage and this one made him feel exceptionally woozy. So much so that while he sat up keeping the gun aimed, everything blacked out.