The Barren Grounds Chapter 9

Summary

In this chilling narrative, Morgan experiences a haunting dream that blurs into reality. She awakens to find her house unnaturally cold, leading her to discover that the attic door is open and her brother Eli is missing. The attic, which houses a mysterious portal, is now a gateway to a snowstorm-ravaged world. Morgan faces a desperate choice: wait for Eli's return or brave the storm to find him, fearing the Fisher from her dream may have taken him. The story builds tension as Morgan grapples with guilt and the urgency to rescue her brother from the icy, unknown.

Takeaways

• 😴 Morgan experiences a dream-like state where she feels cold and sees the Fisher, which jolts her awake.
• ❄️ Upon waking, Morgan feels an unusual coldness in her room, suggesting something is amiss.
• 🕒 She checks the time and finds it's just before 3:00 AM, indicating a late-night or early morning occurrence.
• 🏠 The cold air is coming from the attic, which is unusual and concerning.
• 👪 Morgan checks on Katie and James, finding them asleep, and then realizes Eli is missing from his bed.
• 🚪 The door to the attic is open, and the cold air is coming from there, which is a significant clue.
• 🌨️ The attic room has become a portal to a snowy world, indicating a supernatural or fantastical element.
• 🏃‍♂️ Eli is missing, and Morgan fears he has gone through the portal into the snowy world.
• 😰 Morgan faces a moral dilemma: wait for Eli to return or venture into the storm to find him.
• ⛈ The storm outside the portal is severe, with strong winds and no visible landmarks, adding to the urgency and danger.

Q & A

What was Morgan experiencing that was between a dream and a nightmare?

Morgan was experiencing a vivid dream where she was standing outside a window to a small room, which was familiar yet not in Katie and James' house. She felt a winter storm around her, and when she touched the cold glass, she heard footsteps in the snow.

Who appeared in Morgan's dream and what did they do?

In Morgan's dream, the Fisher appeared out of the blizzard. When their eyes met, the Fisher charged towards her, causing her to jolt awake.

Why did Morgan think she had the flu?

Morgan thought she had the flu because she felt unusually cold even after waking up from her dream, and the cold sensation persisted.

What did Morgan notice was open that was causing the cold air?

Morgan noticed that the door to the attic was open, and the cold air was coming from there.

Why did Morgan rush to Katie and James' bedroom?

Morgan rushed to Katie and James' bedroom to check on them because she was concerned about the cold air coming from the attic and wanted to ensure they were okay.

Why was Morgan worried when she couldn't find Eli in his room?

Morgan was worried because she suspected that Eli might have gone through the portal to the snow-filled world, as indicated by the open door to the attic and the cold air.

What did Morgan see when she looked through the portal in the attic?

When Morgan looked through the portal, she saw a field of white with blowing snow that had caked against the walls and built up on the floor. The room no longer looked like their secret room but an extension of the snow-filled world.

Why did Morgan decide to go after Eli?

Morgan decided to go after Eli because she was worried about his safety, as he was missing and could be lost in the snowstorm. She felt responsible for what had happened.

What were the two options Morgan considered for Eli's disappearance?

Morgan considered either leaving Eli there and waiting for him to come back or going in and getting him herself.

What made Morgan feel responsible for Eli's disappearance?

Morgan felt responsible because she believed that her words might have caused Eli to open the portal and go through it.

What did Morgan see that made her think Eli might have gone towards the village?

During a brief moment when the wind let up, Morgan thought she caught a glimpse of The Village's lights, which made her think Eli might have been walking towards it.