Page 57 of Hollow Valley

“Fair enough, I suppose,” Boden agreed, sounding reluctant.“I guess I don’t have much hope for civilization anymore.”

“As long as Fae is here, and there’s people like you and Edie and Fergus and Dougal and Leandro and Alphie and all the countless others who have helped us along the way, then there is stillhope,” I said.“There has to be.”

His smile was proud but his eyes were sad.“You’re right.Thanks for reminding me.”

“So we look around for a few more minutes, then get out of here?”I suggested, since breaking and entering didn’t sound like a way to ingratiate ourselves to the community.

He nodded in agreement, and the two of us set about searching through what appeared to be little more than haphazard junk.Atop one of the shorter towers of books that dominated every corner of the room, my gaze caught on one with a glossy cover calledThe Willowbrook Files: Ethics, Experiments, and Medical Abuse.

I flipped through the pages, and a folded piece of paper slipped out, fluttering to the floor.While Boden rummaged through the kitchen drawers, I stooped to pick it up and saw it was a letter.

It was dated over two years ago, before the fall of Emberwood, and it was addressed to a doctor at the Cold Shore Contingency Outpost in Glacier Valley.It mostly discussed some concerns between two scientists, but a couple things especially stood out to me.

The first was that the letter had been sent from the main Cold Shore headquarters, which was listed as being located in the Alaska Territory.

The second, and as equally concerning, was a sentence written in Remy’s familiar handwriting:Cold Shore is just to the west of Point Barrow and can only be accessed by ship.

“Boden,” I said.“You should see this.”

“What is it?”he asked, but instead of explaining, I handed the letter to him.He scowled as he finished reading it.“So… Remy left weeks ago with the goal of boarding ashipto get to fucking Alaska?She might already be gone.”

“We don’t know that yet,” I said, because it seemed like the thing to say, and because it was true.

“I guess we’ll find out when we get to Glacier Valley,” Boden said with a heavy exhale.“But I might have to go a hell of a lot farther than I originally planned.”

34

Pyotr

To: Leila Lund, Ph.D.

Neuroethologist and Chemical Biologist

Cold Shore Contingency

c/o Glacier Valley Outpost

Western Reach, Former British Columbia

In respect to your recent inquiry about our supply chain of samples, I am in agreement with you.We have become far too reliant on the Loth Family Ranch, especially considering how unreliable they have been as of late.

In the interest of full disclosure, my son Dmitry has assumed responsibility for the supply run and has expressed growing concern over instability at the ranch.While rumors persist of depraved and possibly heretical acts, I’ve yet to verify them.

It should be of the utmost priority for all of us who work for Cold Shore – whether here at the main base in the northernmost Alaska Territory or at one of the outposts, like Glacier Valley – to find other sources for specimens.The Loth Family simply cannot be considered either a reliable or ethical source.

We still have a limited supply of samples from Subject HF-05102010 and Subject HM-01101968.Dr.Daniels’s notes underscore their significance, so if we hope to counter this virus, our focus needs to be on obtaining more samples.

Dmitry has expressed an interest in expanding his search throughout the western reach in order to find more valuable specimens.I urge us all to remain vigilant as we shift our approach and seek alternative, more trustworthy sources for our ongoing research.Collaboration and transparency will be key as we navigate these challenges together.

Please keep me informed of any progress or new leads regarding specimen acquisition, and do not hesitate to reach out with further questions or concerns.

With utmost respect,

Pyotr V.Popov, PhD, DSc

Pathogen Geneticist and Viral Biologist

Cold Shore Global Contingency