apocalypsehowcomm | Event - Appalachia: Into the Pines

Appalachia: Into the Pines

Footage plays on the television as a new story comes on, showing a series of sweeping vistas, intercut with clips of wolves that have clearly been filmed at some local wildlife sanctuary. "As far as anyone knows it, the last wolf to ever freely roam the Allegheny Mountains was slain in West Virginia in 1897. Daniel Stoffer Hamrick saw to the beast's passing, and the woods in our part of the world have gone quieter ever since. Appalachia does not forget its history, though. It buries it beneath coal and flyash, debts and white powder and pills. And the blood of people taken before their time, by the mines, by the mountain, by things we don't have names for, just hurt. But Appalachia does not forget.

"This is Cindy Parsons with Channel 5, Wolf News." Footage cuts to a newscaster standing outside a gated apartment complex with FYRE's logo emblazoned on it. "As we know, our beloved Wolf Pen is home to one of the biggest FYRE worker housing complexes in Wyoming County. It is a monument to the history of our town, and this week, we'll be on the lookout for visitors from all over the country, coming to see the grand re-opening of the historic Bluestone Mine as a museum."

Footage cuts to a nondescript businessman, identified by the news footage as Carl Watts, CEO of FYRE. He's smiling blandly as he stands at a podium and gestures to the entrance of the mining tunnel behind him. "The Wolf Pen community has been a partner to us for decades now, and we knew it was finally time to give something back to all y’all. We'll have our soft opening on Monday with a full Rumble Down Under party in the old mines scheduled for June 15th. We'll have a live bluegrass concert and anticipate a huge influx of tourists to the area to help out our neighbors itching for a few more pocketbooks to tend to." A wink.

The footage returns to Cindy. "FYRE has stated that this new museum will provide an educational tool and tourist attraction for those wanting to learn about West Virginia, Wolf Pen, and the hard-working men and women who have made this beautiful part of our nation their home. Time will tell. Time is always telling when it comes to the promises of people who have used our land and our bodies to line their pocketbooks. They fill our blood and our lungs with black tar and-"

Cindy cuts out and is replaced by in-studio anchors. "Thank you, Cindy!" a blonde woman says, smile just a little strained. "I think we're all looking forward to seeing the big opening by FYRE on Sunday and that rocking good party next month. It should be a gneiss one! Now to Tim with the weather. Tim?"

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Jimmy reels back. "What the hell?" It's the most visceral and irritated reaction he's gotten out of the man so far. It's also one where Jimmy's accent shifts for no apparent reason. Hickey might catch the disgust and anger on Jimmy's face before that's smoothed over and the more anxious, stuttering persona settles back in place.

"Oh-oh, god! I'm sorry. I was just- I think we should get you back up out of the mine, Mr. Hickey. You need some fresh air." He motions with his hands as the tunnel is too small for him to get past Hickey.

"Blame that rickety elevator of yours," Hickey snaps back, his calm and capable persona that he's been putting on vanishing for a moment as well. He can still smell the scent of the fire, lingering around in the back of his head.

"It'll make a man get sick," he grumbles, turning around as he moves out of the small tunnel. But the fact that he's got to go before Jimmy is good, as it gives Hickey a moment to catch his breath and force himself back into the role he's supposed to be playing.

When he moves out of the tunnel, he waits for Jimmy before giving him an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Suspect I'm a bit more prone to motion sickness than I thought. But you don't need to worry, my failings certainly aren't going in my report."

"Glad to hear that, sir!" Jimmy motions again for Hickey to get into the lift and steps in quickly after, getting them moving upward. "I'm really sorry about this old thing. I-I'll get someone to clean up the mess just as soon as we get you outside. It should all be fine just as soon as you're out."

Hickey is getting in that lift the moment it's available. Nope, he's figured out everything here, let's get away from the thing that smells a bit like fire. "A little bit of fresh air will do me good," he agrees.

It's a long and rickety ride up with Jimmy side-eyeing Hickey along the way, clearly ready to dodge if there's another round of sickness. But they make it without incident and Jimmy ushers the other man into the fresh air. The oppressive and draining sensation vanishes almost immediately. Hickey might still feel exhausted, but it's not getting worse.

"I should definitely get back down there to sort out, um... the mess. If you want to tap out and just give your badge to Gina? Thanks!"

"I'll do so," Hickey says, with a nod. "And, again, sorry about all the mess. I'll pick up some medicine from the pharmacy in town so it doesn't happen again."

He gives Jimmy an apologetic little smile before turning to head out of the mine. And while he will tap out, if given the opportunity, he's keeping that badge for himself. This could be useful, like hell he's giving it back.

Event - Appalachia: Into the Pines

ew...

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