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.

Outlines

00:00

🚪 Portal to the Other World

Morgan is in a race against time to rescue Eli, who is alone in another world possibly dying. She realizes she must keep the portal open to return. To do this, she decides to block the cold from entering her house by sealing the portal on the other side. Morgan gathers plywood, nails, and a hammer and braves the blizzard to nail the wood over the portal. She then ventures into the snowy wilderness, searching for Eli, but the harsh winter conditions make the journey treacherous. Despite her determination, she collapses from the cold and exhaustion.

05:00

❄️ Rescue by the Fisher

As Morgan succumbs to the cold, she experiences visions of darkness and hears a voice urging her to survive. She is found by a creature called the Fisher, who helps her and carries her to a small village. The village, consisting of seven long houses and a large thatched hut, is the only surviving settlement in the North Country. The Fisher informs Morgan of its significance as they approach one of the long houses, hinting at a deeper story and the potential for Eli's presence there.

10:01

🏡 Welcome to Misawa

The final paragraph introduces the village of Misawa, which is the destination where Morgan has been brought by the Fisher. It is presented as a place of refuge and the last surviving village in a harsh, cold landscape. The title suggests a moment of arrival and possibly a new beginning for Morgan's quest.

Keywords

💡Portal

A portal in the context of the video script refers to a magical or mysterious entrance that connects two different places or dimensions. It is a central element in the story as it allows the character Morgan to travel to another world in search of Eli. The portal's significance is highlighted by Morgan's efforts to keep it open, ensuring their return to their own world.

💡Blizzard

A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds and reduced visibility. In the script, the blizzard symbolizes the harsh and dangerous environment that Morgan must brave to rescue Eli. It also serves as a metaphor for the overwhelming challenges that the characters face in their quest.

💡Attic

The attic in the video script is a storage space in a house, often unfinished and used for keeping items out of the way. It is significant because it contains the secret room with the portal. The attic's description, with its skeletal walls and debris, adds to the atmosphere of mystery and adventure central to the narrative.

💡Plywood

Plywood is a type of engineered wood made from thin layers of wood veneer. In the script, Morgan uses plywood to cover the portal, demonstrating her resourcefulness and determination to protect her home from the cold. The use of plywood also underscores the practical aspects of the fantasy world presented in the story.

💡Familiar

Familiar in this context suggests a sense of recognition or comfort with something that is known from the past. When Morgan arrives in the new world, she feels an 'unmistakable tug' and describes the environment as 'incredibly beautiful and familiar,' hinting at a deeper connection between her and this other world that adds to the story's intrigue.

💡Village

A village is a small clustered human settlement, typically in a rural setting. In the script, the village represents a destination and a potential source of help for Morgan. The village's description, with long houses and a large thatched hut, provides a vivid backdrop to the story and contrasts with the harsh wilderness Morgan traverses.

💡Fisher

The Fisher in the script is a character who appears to be part-human, part-animal, with distinct features like black eyes and sharp teeth. This character's role is crucial as a guide and potential savior for Morgan, adding an element of folklore and fantasy to the story.

💡Misawa

Misawa is the name of the village where the Fisher takes Morgan. It is described as the 'only surviving Village in the North Country,' which suggests a sense of isolation and resilience. The name Misawa and its description contribute to the world-building and add depth to the setting of the narrative.

💡Exhaustion

Exhaustion is a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue. Morgan experiences exhaustion as she struggles through the snow and cold, which is depicted through her physical actions and internal monologue. This keyword illustrates the physical challenges faced by the protagonist and heightens the tension in the story.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. The script showcases Morgan's resilience as she faces numerous challenges, from the blizzard to the treacherous journey through the snow. Despite the odds, she continues to push forward, embodying the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity.

💡Element

In the script, 'element' refers to the natural forces or surroundings that the characters must contend with, such as the cold, snow, and wind. The elements are personified as hostile forces, adding to the story's drama and emphasizing the characters' struggle for survival.

Highlights

Morgan is racing against time to save Eli, who is alone in another world, possibly dying.

Morgan's urgency is heightened by her guilt over saying something horrible to Eli.

She devises a plan to keep the portal open for their return.

Morgan's resourcefulness is evident as she uses materials from the attic to cover the portal.

She braves the cold and enters the portal to close it from the other side.

Morgan lands in a snow-covered forest, which is both beautiful and familiar to her.

She experiences a strong emotional pull towards the forest, suggesting a deeper connection.

Morgan's determination is clear as she sets out to find Eli despite the harsh weather.

The extreme cold is vividly described, making Morgan's journey more perilous.

Morgan's physical struggle is palpable as she trudges through deep snow towards the village.

The winter's severity is emphasized, making Morgan's situation more dire.

Morgan's exhaustion and the overwhelming whiteness of the landscape create a sense of despair.

The appearance of the Fisher, a creature with black eyes and fur, introduces a new character.

Morgan is saved by the Fisher, who offers her help and carries her through the snow.

The Fisher's village, Misawa, is described as the only surviving village in the North Country.

Transcripts

hello again chapter 10 there was no time

to waste every second Morgan waited was

another a moment Eli was in the other

world alone maybe dying and all because

she had said such a horrible thing to

him the only thing she needed to do

before leaving was think of a way to

keep the portal open so that when she

found him they could come back at the

same time she needed to stop the cold

from coming in shutting the door would

not help

the blizzard would find a way to keep

pushing cold air all through the house

it would have would have to be done on

the other

side how could I close the portal on

this side if I wasn't going to just tear

the paper off she asked herself she

looked away from the secret room and

took inventory of the unfinished attic

desperate for an idea the skeletal walls

with nails and screws and wire all over

debris of drywall and plywood and that's

it

Morgan gathered up three pieces of

plywood that she thought collectively

would cover the portal grabbed a handful

of nails and took a hammer from the

toolbag with everything she needed she

stepped inside the secret room and

closed the door firmly behind her she

pocketed the nails then tossed the

hammer in scraps of wood through the

opening I guess I'm next she said she

would she took a deep breath but the air

was too cold the wind was too hot har

and she couldn't she could hardly catch

her breath Never mind take a nice taking

a nice long calming one she clutched the

sides of the portal braced her feet

against the wall and climbed up then

through the opening once on the other

side she fell a few feet down Landing in

soft untouched snow it was like falling

into feathers Morgan stood up and saw

that she had come out of a hollow near

the base of a massive tree part of a

thickly wooded forest and while the tree

she'd come out of was the thickest and

tallest the others in the forest were no

saplings they looked as old as the Earth

and it was incredibly beautiful and

familiar Morgan felt an unmistakable tug

in her chest like this was the reason

she'd actually come here she knew better

though and shook off whatever pull she

felt she was here for Eli and by by now

he could be laying in the field

somewhere alone and freezing cold she

fished through the deep snow found the

wood in the hammer and proceeded to nail

the flat pieces of wood into the tree

and over the portal this took a long

time long enough that the cold pierced

through her hoodie and her hands became

frozen stiff she had to blow on them or

stick them in the kangaroo pocket

between each hammer strike but

eventually the portal was almost fully

covered now at least the attic would be

shielded from the blizzard Katie and

James wouldn't notice the cold but but

in the morning if Morgan wasn't back

with Eli they would most certainly

notice both kids missing something she

told Katie echoed in her mind because

she had said I won't run away she needed

to find Eli and figured that they she

had three hours at most until Katie and

James woke up Morgan willed herself to

turn away from the forest the huge tree

and towards the open field the wind was

ferocious equally cold and strong and

loud and the snow was deep and

treacherous standing where she was it

already reached her knees regardless she

took a step forward then another closer

to the village and hopefully

Eli each step felt harder than the last

the wind was like fire against her

exposed face and instantly froze the

tears that fell from her eyes her

muscles and joints achd from the effort

of moving through the ever deepening

snow which crawled inside her moccasins

and gwed at her limbs Winnipeg the city

she lived in no matter what home she was

at wasn't called winter Peg for nothing

the winters there were unforgiving but

this winter was 10 times worse the only

thing Morgan could see was white a sheet

of unblemished and endless snow lay in

front of her snow lifted off the surface

and danced wildly in the air like ghosts

there was no sign yet of the forest that

Eli had drawn on the horizon no sign

anywhere of the village no footprints

that might lead her to him just white

terrible white it could have been that

she was walking for 10 minutes or hours

but she carried on kept peering through

the storm to see something anything she

carried on until her legs refused to go

one more step and the white slate in

front of her began to turn black Eli

she cried desperately she had wanted to

save him but she needed saving herself

the black came in tiny spots the spots

grew into Morgan's Vision don't just die

Morgan do something she thought she

needed to Shield herself from the wind

and somehow that cold the storm crushed

her from all sides there was only one

place to go down she shoveled snow until

her arms and hands and fingers wouldn't

move any longer she laid down in the

hole that she had made and there she

curled into a ball shut her eyes and

blacked out muttering to herself I'm so

sorry

Eli

esquis it sounded like a voice but

Morgan couldn't be sure she couldn't be

sure that she was even still alive it

was a distant whisper fighting through

the screaming wind she kept her eyes

shut tried to collapse even further into

herself her body was shaking and burning

tancy young one this time it was

unmistakable Morgan forced her head to

turn and worked even harder to open her

eyes they'd been frozen shut tears to

ice she'd super glued her fingertips

together once and needed to pry them

apart and opening her eyes felt very

much like that but gradually the black

gave to gray sorry gave way to White and

in the middle of the white stood a

silhouette Morgan blinked and tried to

focus the figure leaned towards her

extended its arm and when it did flashes

of a nightmare came into her mind it was

the Fisher he had black eyes brown fur

there's Mabel rounded ears a snow with a

black nose and white whiskers he wore

clothing too a long sleeved hooded

jacket made of light brown leather beige

pants muckluck

esquis aam come with me

when he opened his mouth she saw

something else four long sharp teeth no

she forced out asked him the Fitcher

demanded what choice was there Morgan

took the animal being's paw and he

lifted her to her feet wrapping her arm

around his shoulders he put his own arm

around her waist and urged her onward

but they'd only gone a few yards when

she collapsed sank into the snow almost

as deep as when she dug the hole herself

Morgan woke up staring at white again

and before long realized that she was

being carried over the Fisher shoulders

she didn't protest she stayed slack as

though still passed out and watched his

legs dig into the snow and then lift out

how did you come here

esquis he asked es esqu Morgan tried to

repeat the word but couldn't her Jaws

were frozen esquis he said girl

how did you come here Morgan rubbed her

Jaws to give them some warmth and tried

to speak again threw a a draw a

drawing she was too exhausted to

consider how ridiculous that

sounded a drawing the Fisher said

knowingly as if it didn't sound

ridiculous at all you came here through

the great tree that the big tree yes and

why are you here Eli was all she could

say

her jaw and mouth refused to comply any

longer Eli's name came out like a breath

she wondered if the Fisher had even

heard her but after a long time he

said the other one Morgan felt a burst

of En energy she lifted her head and

craned her neck and stared right at the

animal being have have you seen him a he

said I've seen him where where is he

here they were entering a a small

village that consisted of long houses

constructed out of poles and bark cut

into rectangular slabs with rounded

roofs of the same material each one

looked about the size to fit one family

and they were built along among pockets

of particularly thick trees to provide

Shelter From The Elements there were

seven in total and the Seven houses

circled a large thatched Hut that stood

in a perfectly round clearing the Hut

was sheltered from the weather by The

Lodges and trees and Footprints LED from

the Hut to each of the dwellings there

were fire pits outside the houses and

racks that hung over the fires used to

smoke meat but there weren't many pieces

of meat hanging there scraps if

anything where is he Morgan asked the

Fisher lifted her off his shoulders and

with great care as they neared the

entrance to one of the long houses she

wobbled a little bit and he studied her

this is the only surviving Village in

the North Country he said somberly

welcome to M

Misawa that's it