Then they got off the plane.
The airport was crowded with people moving through the terminals, dragging luggage and talking over the constant announcements echoing from the speakers.
Henry followed Madison outside until they reached the parking area where the rental cars were lined up.
Madison tossed him the rental keys.
"You're driving," she said.
Henry caught them and raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. A few minutes later they were already on the road, the rental car rolling out of the city as Henry took the driver's seat.
Soon the buildings began to thin out.
Concrete turned into open highways, and before long tall forests surrounded the road. Dark green trees stretched endlessly on both sides while the car cut through the quiet Maine countryside.
Madison leaned back comfortably in the passenger seat while Henry kept his eyes on the road.
"So how far is Bridgton from here?" he asked.
"Not too far," Madison replied. "Another hour or so."
Henry nodded and kept driving.
The farther they drove, the quieter everything became. Traffic slowly disappeared until the only sound was the steady hum of the engine.
After some time a wooden roadside sign appeared.
WELCOME TO BRIDGTON
Henry slowed the car slightly as they passed it.
"So this is it," he said, glancing around the quiet town as they entered. Small houses, a few local shops, and long tree-lined streets gave the place a peaceful, sleepy feeling.
Madison pointed ahead.
"My brother's place is a little further in."
Henry nodded and continued driving through the town.
***
Some time later, outside Bridgton.
The road leading into town was no longer open.
Military trucks had been positioned across the highway, blocking the entrance completely. Soldiers moved around setting up barricades while helicopters circled overhead. Large metal signs were being placed across the road.
ENTRY TO BRIDGTON IS FORBIDDEN DUE TO UNFORESEEN WEATHER CONDITIONS.
MARTIAL LAW DECLARED.
TRESPASSERS WILL BE PUNISHED UNDER MILITARY AUTHORITY.
Beyond the blockade, something strange was rolling down from the mountains.
As they drove into the town, Henry noticed it through the window.
Keeping his hands on the steering wheel, his gaze drifted toward the lake beside the road. A thick wall of mist was rolling slowly across the water, creeping steadily toward the town.
"Uh… Madison," he said, squinting slightly at the lake. "Did the weather say anything about fog?"
Madison leaned forward and looked through the windshield toward the lake.
"No," she said slowly. "I mean, when I visited before there was fog sometimes, but not this thick. And it usually shows up in the morning."
She frowned, watching the mist continue sliding toward the town.
"This is the middle of the day."
Henry didn't respond immediately. He kept watching the fog for another moment, studying how it moved across the water.
"Hmmm."
Madison suddenly pointed ahead.
"Take a left here," she said. "There's a grocery store nearby. I should buy a fruit basket or something before we show up at my brother's place."
Henry glanced at her briefly, then turned the wheel.
"A fruit basket?" he asked.
Madison shrugged.
"Yeah. Showing up empty-handed to meet family is rude."
Henry parked the car in the store parking area and stepped out with Madison. As they walked inside, he immediately noticed something strange.
The store was crowded.
People were rushing through the halls carrying bags, boxes, bottled water, canned food—anything they could get their hands on and most of the lights in the building were off. Only the billing counters had power from backup generators.
Henry slowed slightly as he listened to the conversations around them.
"The typhoon must've cut all the electricity."
"Yeah, but why haven't they fixed it yet?"
"I'm telling you, something's wrong. I saw police jeeps and military trucks heading toward the hills."
The voices overlapped with worry and confusion.
Madison looked around at the tense crowd.
"Seems like we picked the wrong time to visit," she said.
"Yeah…" Henry replied.
But his face had changed.
The scene around him felt disturbingly familiar.
Why does this feel like I've seen this before…
Before he could think further, a voice called out.
"Madison? What are you doing here?"
They both turned.
A man stood a few steps away.
"David!" Madison said immediately and walked over to hug him.
"A surprise visit," she said after letting go, then pointed toward Henry. "David, this is Henry—my boyfriend and my future partner."
"Oh," David said with a friendly smile as he extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Henry didn't shake it.
Instead, he stared at David.
Recognition hit him.
"Oh… fuck."
Madison blinked in surprise.
"Henry, don't be rude," she said quickly.
"No… definitely not rude," Henry muttered.
Then he raised a hand.
"One minute… one minute."
Without another word he turned and hurried out of the store.
Once outside, he ran to the car and opened the trunk. Inside was a travel bag. He unzipped it quickly and dug through the clothes stuffed inside.
At the very bottom of the bag—
a gun.
Beside it lay two loaded magazines.
Henry grabbed the gun and slid the magazine into it before tucking the weapon behind his back. The knife went into his belt.
He glanced toward the hills in the distance.
The mist was creeping closer.
Henry exhaled slowly.
"My vacation just turned into shit."
He closed the trunk and walked back into the store.
Madison and David were still standing near the entrance talking, and a small boy stood beside David holding his hand.
Henry approached them.
"Uh… Madison," he said quietly, "we've got a little problem."
Before she could respond—
The store doors burst open.
A man stumbled inside, nose bleeding, clothes soaked and torn. He looked completely terrified.
"There's something in the mist!" he shouted wildly.
"It took John!"
*****
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