The Barren Grounds Chapter 10

Summary

In a race against time, Morgan ventures into a perilous, snow-swept world to rescue Eli, who is stranded there. She must keep a portal open to ensure their return, battling fierce cold and blizzards. After securing the portal, she faces the harsh elements, nearly succumbing to the storm's wrath. Rescued by a mysterious creature called the Fisher, she learns of the last surviving village in the North Country, Misawa, where she hopes to find Eli.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Morgan is racing against time to rescue Eli, who is alone in another world, possibly dying because of her harsh words.
• 🚪 She needs to keep the portal open for their return and prevent the cold from the other world from entering her house.
• 🏠 Morgan uses materials from the attic to cover the portal, ensuring it stays open and protecting the attic from the cold.
• ❄️ After crossing through the portal, Morgan finds herself in a snowy, forested area, which feels strangely familiar and beautiful.
• 🌲 She experiences a strong emotional pull towards the forest but reminds herself of her mission to find Eli.
• 🔨 Morgan struggles to cover the portal on the other side, enduring the cold and physical hardship.
• 🏡 The cold from the other world seeps into her home, and Morgan is aware of the limited time before her absence is noticed.
• 🚶‍♀️ Morgan ventures into a treacherous snowstorm, searching for Eli, facing extreme weather conditions that test her endurance.
• 🐾 Despite the harsh environment, Morgan presses on, guided by her determination to save Eli, until she can no longer move.
• 👹 She encounters a creature called the Fisher, who offers her help and carries her to a village called Misawa.

Q & A

What is the main problem Morgan is trying to solve at the beginning of the script?

Morgan is trying to find a way to keep the portal open so that she can return with Eli from the other world.

Why is Morgan concerned about the cold coming into her house?

Morgan is worried that the cold from the other world will enter and affect the house, and she needs to prevent it while also keeping the portal open.

What materials does Morgan gather to cover the portal?

Morgan gathers three pieces of plywood, a handful of nails, and a hammer to cover the portal.

How does Morgan feel when she first arrives in the other world?

Morgan feels an unmistakable tug in her chest, as if she belongs there, but she shakes off the feeling to focus on finding Eli.

What is the condition of Morgan's hands after nailing the wood over the portal?

Morgan's hands become frozen stiff from the cold, making it difficult for her to continue working.

How much time does Morgan believe she has before Katie and James notice she and Eli are missing?

Morgan estimates she has three hours at most before Katie and James wake up and notice they are missing.

What is the weather condition like in the other world that Morgan experiences?

The weather in the other world is extremely harsh, with a ferocious wind, deep snow, and temperatures so cold that it feels like fire against her face.

What does Morgan do when she can no longer move through the snow?

Morgan digs a hole in the snow, curls into a ball, and eventually blacks out, muttering an apology to Eli.

Who is the Fisher and what does he look like?

The Fisher is an animal being with black eyes, brown fur, rounded ears, a snow-white snout with black nose and white whiskers, and he wears clothing resembling a hooded jacket and pants.

What does the Fisher ask Morgan when she is unable to speak clearly?

The Fisher asks Morgan how she came to the other world, and she is able to communicate that she came through a drawing.

What is the significance of the village of Misawa?

Misawa is the only surviving village in the North Country, consisting of seven long houses and a large thatched Hut, which is significant as it is where the Fisher takes Morgan.