Infection Point: The Green Mountain Incident

Chapter 2: Into the Unknown: Navigating Shadows and Strengths

The drive home was silent, the kind of silence that held an understanding between a mother and a son. Alex clutched his backpack, looking out the window, lost in his thoughts. Valeria knew their ordeal in the Green Mountains of Vermont was just the tip of the iceberg. Whatever had gripped that place wasn’t over yet, and she had a feeling they’d encounter it sooner than later.

Over the next three days, she watched Alex, and she noticed a justifiable worry lingering behind his bravery and resiliency. She wanted to give him survival skills, fierceness, and perseverance so that he could face future problems. This was her duty.

“Alex, we need to talk about something.” She began one night after dinner,

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"I'm going to start training you." She continued.

Alex's eyes grew more prominent. "What are you talking about? Combat training?"

Valeria gave a nod. “Indeed, given what transpired in Vermont and the fact that things change constantly, you need to be ready for anything.”

Training started early the following day. Valeria began with the basics: stances, punches, and balance. Alex was an adaptive learner, his body moving with a natural agility that made her proud. In the mornings, they jogged through the forest beyond their cabin. Valeria always made sure that Alex never missed a run. They even ran through downpours so intense they were drenched to the bone.

"You may not be able to control the weather, but you can control your response to it," she asserted, her tone both firm and encouraging.

After their run, they transitioned to strength training. She showed him how to throw a punch on a professional level; the impact of his punch as it connected with the punching bag sounded like thunder. Her voice would be stern but motivating: “Focus, Alex!” or something as direct as “Each strike should have intent.”

Hand-to-hand combat sessions were intense. Valeria showed Alex holds and counterattacks, her movements fluid and powerful. Alex mimicked her, their bodies clashing in a dance of strength and agility.

"Keep your center of gravity low," she instructed, adjusting his stance. "Balance is key. If you lose balance, you lose control."

They sparred for hours, sweat dripping down their faces, every muscle in their bodies engaged in the fierce practice. The air was thick and heavy on particularly humid days, making every movement feel twice as difficult. Valeria noticed the determination in Alex’s eyes, a fire that seemed to grow stronger with each session. She felt a swell of pride and surprise at his rapid progress.

Valeria instructed Alex on how to manage a blade with respect and proficiency. They practiced slashing, stabbing, and defending methods with knives that reflected in the afternoon sun.

"A knife is an extension of your will," she told him, stern and severe. "Treat it as such. It can be your greatest ally or worst enemy, depending on how you wield it."

They discussed how to survive in the evening. They would start with something new or review what Alex had learned while sitting by the fire. Valeria narrated some of the things she had learned while in the Marines; she recounted her experience in combat.

“It's not physical strength,” she pointed out. "It is an emotional and psychological thing. You must be ready in every way. It is more than just fighting when you are out there. It’s all about change, existence, and fast reactions."

He learned to build a good shelter using fallen trees, branches, and leaves from the forest. They gathered plants to determine which were edible and which were not.

"Knowledge is power, Alex. The more you know, the better you are placed to deal with the unknown," she told him.

After a hard training day, Alex asked Valeria, “Are you sure we will ever need all of this, Mom?”

“I hope not, Alex, but the scenario is different when a person starts planning early enough. Remember, this training is not solely focused on the physical and combative aspects. It empowers you by preparing you with what is needed to survive wherever you are.”

Outside their strenuous training, Valeria and Alex established a routine that balanced normalcy with preparation. Valeria ensured Alex completed his studies by scheduling time to study and complete homework each day. They would sit at the kitchen table, with books and papers spread around them and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping them.

On weekends, they went to a town near Biloxi. They visited markets within the community where people sold freshly harvested fruits and handmade products. Alex enjoyed these visits because he considered the active scene somewhat different from their usual routine. Valeria's gentle encouragement to stay actively engaged in the community and cherish life's moments left a lasting impression.

"It's important to stay involved in the community," Valeria would remind him. "We might be preparing for the worst, but we can't forget to live."

They took trips to the beach every other evening. The beach was a time to meditate, reflect, or just be. The waves hitting the sandy shore were ideal for a therapy session. Valeria taught Alex how to fish, which she claimed was essential for life. They'd spend hours on the pier, casting lines into the water, the salty breeze ruffling their hair.

"Be patient, Alex," Valeria would advise. "Fishing develops patience and focus. Qualities you'll require in abundance."

Spending time at Keesler Air Force Base was critical to their training. The Keesler Air Force Base Marine Corps Detachment specializes in electronics maintenance, cyber operations, and communications systems. This detachment guarantees that Marines are physically prepared for combat and have the technical ability to run advanced military equipment and technology. By acquiring these skills, Marines are better prepared to support missions that require a high level of technical expertise, underscoring the detachment's role in preparing Marines for specific jobs.

They visited the physical training facilities. Marines were subjected to intense exercises to strengthen their physical and tactical ability. Alex stared wide-eyed as they practiced hand-to-hand fighting, their bodies moving with precision and power. He watched them navigate the obstacle course, leaping over walls and wriggling under barbed wire with agility. Marines navigated smoke-filled rooms and reacted to surprise attacks as they conquered challenging simulated battle scenarios.

Valeria scheduled Alex to work with suitable trainers on age-appropriate drills. Under their supervision, he learned to navigate more straightforward obstacle courses and execute basic fighting tactics.

"This is where we hone our skills," Valeria explained, her voice firm and encouraging. "It's not just about brute strength. It's about strategy, precision, and collaboration."

“Do you think we will come across those beings again?” Alex asked, fearfully and curiously.

Valeria gazed ahead while her eyes hardened. “I do not know about that, Alex. But we will be prepared. And you, of all people, will need to fight hard. You have more strength in you than you know.”

As the weeks turned into months, Alex began to run faster, hit harder, and feel surer of himself. The frightened look in his eyes began to fade, replaced by sheer determination. One day, after their morning run, Alex stopped for a break and looked up at his mother with an inquisitive smile.

"All right, what happens now, Mom?"

Valeria just gave him a little pat on the back.

"We're going to keep practicing all the stuff we learned together, and we're going to be ready for whatever life throws at us next." She gave him a playful punch in the arm. "You're doing amazing, Alex."

The morning mist slowly lifted as they finished their run, revealing the full extent of the rugged terrain surrounding their cabin. They stood catching their breath and enjoying the tranquility. Their quiet moment was suddenly interrupted by the faint sound of rustling leaves. Involuntarily, Valeria’s senses heightened, and she motioned for Alex to stay close as she scanned the area.

Appearing from the tree line was a figure clad in military fatigues. Valeria sighed deeply as she relaxed. She immediately recognized him—a fellow Marine and long-time friend, Sergeant Marcus Reed. "Reed, what are you doing here?" Valeria called out, both surprised and cautious. Reed approached, his expression serious.

"I came to warn you, Val. The infection has escalated, spreading faster than we anticipated. We need to be ready for anything."

Valeria's heart sank, but she stayed composed. "How bad is it?"

"Bad," Reed replied grimly. "We've had reports of outbreaks in neighboring states. And there are rumors that the source—whatever it is—might be moving."

Reed went into more detail about what was happening while they were having dinner.

"We're forming a special team to look things over, examine the possible spread of it. We're gonna need as much help as possible, Val." His eyes were as severe as the situation. "You're one of the greatest. Your experience and leadership are crucial. We can’t do it without you."

Valeria could feel heaviness in his words. With a deep breath, she nodded. They spent the night packing and prepping. Valeria and Alex double-checked their kit to ensure they had everything they needed. Valeria handed Alex the tactical vest and fighting knife.

"Remember everything we've trained for," she told him. "Stay focused, stay alert, and stay close. I believe you are competent. You have shown yourself to be both strong and resilient. In this situation, strength is not the solution. It all comes down to being strategic, resilient, and calm under pressure. We have to be clever."

Alex nodded; his youthful features stiffened with a resolve that belied his age. "Mom, I am prepared. Let’s do this."

Valeria gave him a gentle shoulder squeeze to reassure him that she had his back.

"No matter what, we are working together on this. We will support one another at every turn. If you need me, I shall be there. We are stronger together than alone."

"I know, Mom. We've got this." Alex’s voice reached her heart pitifully, worriedly, and admiringly.

Valeria, Alex, and Sergeant Reed went to Bennington the following day with a small squad of Marines. They were walking through the forest; the bushes were so dense that their steps were barely heard. Valeria was in front, her senses fully developed, and she was ready for the worst. The further they went into the woods, the colder it got, and the silence was deafening at times. Valeria waved her hands to stop the team and looked around.

"Stay alert," she whispered.

Suddenly, there was a low growl through the trees. The team drew their guns, and Valeria stood before Alex, her guns pointed forward. He turned to look around him and saw, in the dark, what appeared to be a monster with bright violet eyes.

The team fired at it, but the creature was surprisingly quick. The battle was fierce and chaotic. Valeria fought with skill and determination, her training guiding her every move. Alex stayed close, using the techniques his mother had taught him to defend himself. Sergeant Reed and the rest of the team held their ground. Amidst the chaos, Valeria noticed a pattern in the creature's movements. She shouted instructions to the team, coordinating their attacks to exploit the creature's weaknesses. Finally, Valeria delivered the fatal blow.

Valeria turned, scanning the tree line, and her heart skipped a beat. Standing just beyond the clearing was the exact humanoid figure she had seen when she first found Alex. Its eyes glowed faintly, and it watched them with an unsettling intensity. Valeria's grip tightened on her weapon, but the figure disappeared into the shadows before she could react. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was studying them, learning their every move. She knew it wouldn't be the last time they encountered it.