The Ten Night's of Mario

chapter 5

The morning after the storm felt strangely quiet, the kind of silence that comes only after something wild has passed through. Mario rubbed his eyes as he woke up in the little cabin, wrapped tightly in the blanket Auntie Mero had given him. For a second, he forgot he was lost. The smell of warm porridge drifted through the air, and the soft crackle of fire made the cabin feel almost like home.

Almost.

Then the memory of everything came back the forest, the cold wind, the December night, the fear of never being found. He sat up quickly.

Auntie Mero looked over from the fireplace.

You slept well,she said with a small smile. Good. You’ll need your strength.

Mario nodded. Are we going today? To find my parents?

She stirred the pot. Yes. The storm is gone, and I think we can follow the path down the valley.

Something in her eyes looked hopeful but worried too. Mario noticed it but didn’t ask. He was too anxious to start moving. Every day away from home felt like a whole year.

After breakfast, Auntie Mero handed Mario a thick jacket she had stitched overnight.

It was my son’s, she said quietly. He outgrew it long ago. It should keep you warm.

Mario slipped it on and felt immediately better. Thank you,he whispered.

They stepped outside into the bright snow. Everything sparkled, as if the whole mountain had been sprinkled with glitter. But something else caught Mario’s eye.

Footprints.

Fresh ones.

Large, wide, and much deeper than either his or Auntie Mero’s. They led from the forest edge straight past the cabin and disappeared behind the hill.

Mario froze. Auntie… those weren’t here yesterday.

Auntie Mero stiffened. She knelt beside the prints, brushing her hand over the edges.

These were made early this morning, she whispered. Before sunrise.

By who? Mario asked, his heart beating faster.

Auntie Mero stood up slowly. By someone who was looking for something… or someone.

Mario gulped. Is it safe?

She didn’t answer right away. We won’t follow them. We head in the opposite direction.

Mario’s stomach twisted. The idea that someone or something had been watching them while they slept made him feel cold again, colder than any winter wind.

They walked quickly through the snow, Mario staying close to Auntie Mero’s side. Though she tried to stay calm, Mario saw her glance back many times.

After a long stretch of silence, he finally asked, You know these mountains really well… don’t you?

Auntie Mero sighed. I’ve lived here a long time. Longer than most people stay.

Why? Mario asked gently.

She hesitated, then said, Because sometimes the noise of the city is too loud. Too many memories.Her voice softened. And because up here, I can help travelers who get lost.

Like me?

She nodded. Like you.

They continued walking until they reached a narrow bridge of frozen wood that stretched across a small stream. Mario stepped carefully, feeling the ice creak beneath them.

Hold my hand, Auntie Mero said.

Mario did, and together they crossed safely.

As they walked, Mario thought about the footprints again. Do you think they belong to someone searching for me?

It’s possible, she said carefully. But we can’t be sure. So we stay cautious.

They descended lower into the valley, where the mountain trees grew thicker and the trail widened. Mario recognized nothing, though he tried hard. Every tree looked the same.

Then suddenly he stopped.

Wait, Mario whispered. Do you hear that?

A distant sound echoed through the woods a rhythmic thumping, faint but steady.

Auntie Mero listened, her brows tightening. That’s not an animal.

It sounds… mechanical, Mario said.

They followed the noise until they reached a clearing. There, on the far side, something lay half-buried in snow.

A snowmobile.

Its engine is still warm.

Mario stepped closer. Someone was just here…

Yes,Auntie Mero replied. And not long ago.

How can you tell?

She touched the metal. Warm engine. Fresh tracks. Someone parked it and walked toward the north path.

Mario shivered. That same direction was where the large footprints pointed earlier.

Auntie Mero looked around sharply. We need to move. Now.

They hurried past the clearing and continued downhill. Mario’s boots crunched through the snow. Wind brushed against the trees, making them sway like tall shadows.

After an hour of walking, they reached a split in the trail. One path led down toward the city. The other wound deeper into the forest.

Auntie Mero paused.

This is important, she said. The left path is closer to safety… but I fear whoever was here might also head that way.

And the right?

It’s longer but hidden. Harder to travel.

Mario bit his lip. His heart pounded. Which one will get me home?

She looked at him with a softness that warmed the cold air. Both can. But one keeps you safer.

Mario took a breath. Then we take the right.

Auntie Mero nodded with relief.

They stepped onto the narrow path, branches brushing their shoulders. The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became.

Halfway down the trail, Mario noticed Auntie Mero slowing. She was breathing harder, her steps heavier.

Auntie? Are you okay? he asked.

She forced a smile. Just tired. I don’t walk this far often.

Mario felt bad. She was doing all this for him, a boy she had only just met.

We can rest, Mario said.

But she shook her head. No. We must keep moving before sunset.

So they pushed forward.

Suddenly, a loud c***k echoed behind them.

Both of them spun around.

Branches snapped. Snow shifted. Something or someone was moving fast along the path they’d just walked.

Auntie Mero’s eyes widened. Run.

Mario didn’t argue. They bolted through the trees, snow kicking up under their boots. The sound behind them grew louder heavy steps, fast, determined.

Mario’s breath hitched with fear. He grabbed Auntie Mero’s hand, pulling her forward.

They burst out of the thick trees and stumbled onto a flat, open stretch that led toward a frozen lake.

But then Mario slipped.

He hit the snow hard.

Auntie Mero rushed to him. Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine!

But when he tried to stand, he froze.

Across the lake, on the far side, a tall figure stood completely still watching them.

Not moving, just watching.

Auntie Mero slowly stepped in front of Mario.

Stay behind me.

Mario’s heartbeat thumped in his ears.

The figure didn’t move closer. It didn’t speak.

It simply turned and walked back into the trees, vanishing like a shadow.

Mario swallowed hard. W… what was that?

Auntie Mero exhaled shakily. I don’t know. But we’re not stopping. Not now.

Mario nodded, his hands trembling.

He had been lost for days, but for the first time, he wasn’t sure if being found was the only thing happening.

Something else was going on.

Something bigger.

Something fishy.