Well there's more people here that can help, and you can call the police while doing your best to delay them so that the police can handle it. Shooting dangerous-looking things is one thing we can count on police to do.

They wouldnt dare come and pull something here in public. Also, We could probably get the police involved. Worse comes to worst, she may have to go into a witness protection program. Gonna be a pain yes, but better than having stalkers trying to kidnap her again

They followed a wheelbarrow trail through the snow, following a car on roads will be much harder.
And if worst comes at least we are somewhere with food, fuel, and a castle themed roof you hold up in.

>>1096041
Well...I probably wouldn't stay alone for a while, but I imagine that with three witnesses, we can probably contact the police.

Let's just hope this isn't one of those horror movies where the police is also in on it.

"Your dad has mercenary guards, right? If we can get to them, we'll survive."

>>1096041
Point out the solid doors, staff, any other customers.
Remind her youre at a central, public location.

Its understandable to be wary.
Afraid even.
Her mind is probably only just starting to catch up with her body thats been running on instinct and short term survival thinking for too long.
Situations like the one she was in dont leave much room for anything else.
Now shes got enough quiet to afford some mental energy to worry.
So, reassure he.
Shes been through a lot and it will catch up with her a bit at a time, but youre out of the woods now.
Literally and figuratively.

1/2 Buckwheat 2024/08/26(Mon)17:41 No. 1096530 ID: 15a025
File 172471928076.png - (246.02KB , 500x500 , 60.png )

>They followed a wheelbarrow trail through the snow, following a car on roads will be much harder.
Gretchen: “Wheelbarrow tracks in the snow are a lot easier than trying to follow a car. Not to mention, we’re in a ‘castle’ with lots of food and eyes around. No one is busting in to take you away here.”

Gretta: “Well… what about after we leave? What if they’ve got someone waiting for us in the parking lot?”

> you can call the police while doing your best to delay them
> I imagine that with three witnesses, we can probably contact the police.
Gretchen: “We should probably call the police and report what happened. Come on Gretta, lets get to the payphone.”

I dig a dime out of my purse and make a call. I explain the situation to the operator; they assure us an escort and lookouts will be dispatched.

Gretchen: “Right, okay then. We'll watch for them to come in then, thank you.”

As I hang up the phone, I hear an cacophony of cheering, chanting, and booing at the bar. Guess it’s time to face the music.

2/2 Buckwheat 2024/08/26(Mon)17:46 No. 1096531 ID: 15a025
File 172471960549.png - (318.09KB , 500x500 , 61.png )

I squeeze my way around the crowd and sit next to George at the bar. He’s sure cheering up a storm.

George: “YES! YES!!! WE WON! WE WOON! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"

Gretchen: “I take it someone's happy now?”

George: “You bet! Ah, the ol home team always puts on a good- oh, it’s you.”

Gretchen: “What do you mean ‘Oh it’s you’?”

George: “So you’ve come crawling back for me now that I just won my big bet. I see how it is.”

I grab my wedding earrings from him and put them back on. Part of me has hard time looking him in the face still, but I still end up shooting a dirty look his way.

I don't even know what to say or tell him.

>>1096531
Tell him you meant what you said. You're not going to leave him but that doesn't mean you're happy about what he did. He cannot do it again, and whatever winnings he made were not worth the risk of losing everything.

Why the HELL did you forget the five golden rules of gambling?!

-Don’t forget that if you play, you can also lose.
-Don’t spend more money than you can afford
-Set yourself a budget and don’t exceed it.
-Never borrow money to be able to gamble.
-Do not gamble to win back money you have already lost by gambling.

>>1096531
"Next time you think about betting on a game without telling me then atleast don't bet enough to screw us both over"

>>1096531
Tell him to look you in the eye and stop being an idiot for a singular second and really, really think about these events. I mean *really* think about how he's treated us.

Is he drunk?

>>1096531
There is something seriously wrong with your husband's mind.
Stay with Gretchen for now. When the time comes, have him knocked out and use Gretchen's money to scan an MRI of his brain.
I suspect these woods are cursed - with lead and mercury.

A bet's a bet. You said you wouldn't leave him if they won, and they won. You and him are going to have a talk about betting other people's lives away, but you two need each other together more than ever now, with all those masked lunatics on the loose.

Since he bet the house, he better be getting two houses out of this, in his winnings.

Buckwheat 2024/08/27(Tue)19:26 No. 1096586 ID: 15a025
File 172481201720.png - (235.27KB , 500x500 , 62.png )

>A bet's a bet. You said you wouldn't leave him if they won, and they won.
>Tell him you meant what you said. You're not going to leave him but that doesn't mean you're happy about what he did.
Gretchen: “I meant what I said earlier with that beat. Don’t think I’m going to be happy about what you pulled though George!”

George: “What part of sure fire bet do you not get? The home team creamed those losers!”

Gretchen: “What if their quarterback got injured? What if the fastest runner on the team broke their leg? Literally anything could have happened.”

>Tell him to look you in the eye and stop being an idiot for a singular second
I give him the most wretched Gretchen look I can possibly muster up.
Gretchen: “I want you to stop and think, and I mean THINK, for a moment. Do you even realize how you’ve been treating me tonight?”

He slams his fist on the table,
George: “How about you shush woman! I’d say shooting off two robbers in our house and taking you out to the bar is quite the treat.”

I can’t tell if he’s trying to dance around his gambling issue here or what. I hate to say he isn’t making a bad point, but that doesn’t excuse risking our livelihood and home on a football game of all things, or disrespecting me like that! Treating me like I’m just being an annoyance to him instead of taking this more seriously. It’s just making my blood boil but maybe this isn’t a good time or place for an intervention. Maybe I shouldn't even bother pressing it further for now.

Great, now I'm tearing myself up about it. What should I do? Is it better to keep pressing him or should I walk away from it for now and try to find out what happened to my order?

>>1096586
If you let up on it, he won't learn...this is serious here. Maybe see if he's not just being awkward in public, but if you're in private enough, just...try to really get through to him? I wouldn't know your full history, but really try to make him understand how many years of marriage he almost ruined. For serious. And i don't just mean "be angry". I mean summon every ounce of depth and history.

Unless he's drunk. If he's drunk, there's no use.

There's no use talking if he's not in a headspace to listen. More immediate concerns, like weather a cult is targeting you, or where your salad is.

But you should be planning what you can do to support yourself, because this relationship is not looking healthy.

Time to put this anger to good use. Let it flow through you.

Does he worship his friends?
I'm worried he might worship his friends and treat their 'advice' as gospel.
In the late stages, God is his friend. Who he worships.

>>1096586
Are you really sure hes a good guy underneath or is that something you started telling yourself more and more as the years went on?
What was the last thing he did that reminded you that you love him?
Maybe...
Maybe its just been a crazy night.
Maybe hes a good guy like you say but youll need a drilling team to dig deep enough through the compacted asshole layer and fossilised totalfuckingdickheadium to reach the good right now.

Give yourself space from him and any sharp objects that might just end up planted in his forehead.

There are thousand, dare I say a million better ways to adress the issue, and we likely should do it at a much less pressing time, especially with the police on the way.

But publicly emasculating your big meanie husband might still teach him a lasting lesson is way funnier.
KICK HIM IN THE UNDERBELLY!

You have a counterpoint about saving his wood. Without you, you'd be going back to a cold house with no way to stay warm. Actually, will you be returning to a warm house? Having run off to town, there's nothing stopping the harvesters from harvesting your wood again.

But you can totally make a loud, emasculating joke about this. "Yeah? Well, if I hadn't spent all that time looking for it, I wouldn't think you had any wood at all!"

This isn't about me George. You have a problem. I need you to help me fix it, so we can get past this and maybe survive the night. Just think about it! We can talk later.

1/3 Buckwheat 2024/10/30(Wed)19:23 No. 1099223 ID: b6ea64
File 173034143164.png - (453.09KB , 500x500 , 63.png )

>What was the last thing he did that reminded you that you love him?
Well, he bought me the very ax I use to chop wood for my birthday. He’s a very thoughtful gift giver when he uses that thick skull of his. Wait, no that’s a bit materialistic…

Okay, I’m not sure it was the ‘last’ thing he’s done to stoke our feelings for each other; it certainly is a fond memory.

Last spring, George invited me out for a walk one night. It was dark and chilly, but he insisted. He led me all the way up this hill about a mile away from the house. When we reached the top he laid down onto his back and asked me to join him for some stargazing. It was stunning; the stars were so bright and beautiful. I wish I could describe it better but it felt like we were the only couple left on the whole planet. Just the two of us admiring the vast beauty of the outdoors.

2/3 Buckwheat 2024/10/30(Wed)19:24 No. 1099224 ID: b6ea64
File 173034145615.png - (7.03KB , 800x800 , 64.png )

Gallop: “Sorry for the wait, here’s your salad Gretta and…friend?”

Gretchen: “Oh thanks!”

I think to myself while I chew on my salad…

>Does he worship his friends?
No, at least not like he worships football.

>More immediate concerns, like weather a cult is targeting you.
That’s a concerning thought. Seems like they’re after Gretta, but now that I’ve interfered they might be coming for me too!

>Having run off to town, there's nothing stopping the harvesters from harvesting your wood again.
That’s the least of my concerns now! They know where I live, instead of wood, it’s me or George that could be harvested next! We might have to move into my mother or sister’s house after all.

3/3 Buckwheat 2024/10/30(Wed)19:25 No. 1099225 ID: b6ea64
File 173034150642.png - (263.69KB , 500x500 , 65.png )

I don’t have time to worry though, not even enough to finish my salad! A group of officers escort us to the parking lot. Gretta and I sit in the back of the cop car and George stays behind to wait for a cab.

At least he’s being responsible in some form tonight.

It’s a long drive and I lose track of time. I’m knocked out of my daze as a loud crash thunders through the night and the car comes to a screeching halt.

Gretchen: “Huh?! What’s going on???”

Gretta: “There’s a big tree in the road blocking the way!”

Gretchen: “What?! Ah shit!”

Nope nope nope get the fuck out of there this is an ambush for sure.

"This is an ambush. Back up and stop wayyyyy becore the tree, see if we can spot where it will come from "

>>1099228

Under no circumstances do we get close to that tree, that's the killzone for sure. Are there binoculars in here?

Well, let's make a U-turn and let's look for a different road. Do you know any that is more in the open and not through the woods?

>>1099223
A sweet moment.
Proof he still has a hart.
There's hope for the buck yet.

>>1099225
Oh hell.
Eyes on swivel deer.
If the officer tries to step out, tell him you can see things in the treeline, moving into position.
Whether you do or not.

Spare a glance for gretta.
Where is she looking?
How is she reacting?

2/2 Buckwheat 2024/11/01(Fri)19:00 No. 1099271 ID: b6ea64
File 173051282324.png - (7.53KB , 800x800 , 66.png )

>If the officer tries to step out, tell him you can see things in the treeline, moving into position.
Gretchen: “Don’t get out of the car!”

The front seats are empty.

Gretta: “Should have said that before they got out to move the tree.”

This isn’t good.
>Are there binoculars in here?
I can’t reach for the front to look. There’s a partition blocking our access.

>get the fuck out of there this is an ambush for sure.
>make a U-turn and let's look for a different road.
I reach for the door handle aaand of course there isn’t one. I slam my hoof against the window in frustration.
Gretchen: ”Fuck…

Gretta: “W-what’s wrong?”

Gretchen: “There’s no way to open the door, we’re stuck inside!”

I pound on the window and start shouting,
Gretchen: “Get back! Get back in the car and turn around! It’s an ambush!”
Gretchen: “Hey! AMBUSH! WATCH OUT!!”

Gretta: “G-gretchen!”

Gretchen: “Gretta, we’re getting out of this. Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.”

Gretta: “Gretchen they’re gone! It’s gone!”

Gretchen: “What?”

2/2 Buckwheat 2024/11/01(Fri)19:00 No. 1099272 ID: b6ea64
File 173051285416.png - (158.15KB , 500x500 , 67.png )

We need to get to the front seat and pull out of here NOW.

>>1099272
Um... well, you can try kicking the window out?

>>1099274
Arent cop cars specifically designed against that?

Seems simple enough. Get in the front seat and pull out of here NOW.

>>1099278
Well if we can't open the doors and we can't get past the barrier and we can't kick out the window, then we're completely trapped.

George's taxi would have to take the same route though wouldn't it? So eventually someone else will arrive. Or the cultists will attack the cop car.

Do we have any tools with which we can break the glass? Anything sharp, that can be used as a weapon or anything?

>>1099283

In general it's the non laminated side windows which are easiest to break. Use a car key at the corner of the window.

>>1099272
Cop cars are resistant to escape but not intended for holding.
Resistant enough that you could not get out quickly enough to cause trouble without your escort noticing. Not so resistant the cop could fuck off for donuts or WALKING INTO AN OBVIOUS TRAP...
Sorry.
Anyway...
Persistance and applied fury will eventually work, but before tapping your anger, take a look and see if theres anything you can jimmy or work free or reach through.
A little unsecured speaking grill perhaps.
Even if its too small its a starting point for breaking out.

1/3 Buckwheat 2024/11/03(Sun)18:03 No. 1099329 ID: b6ea64
File 173068581590.png - (8.08KB , 800x800 , 68.png )

>Do we have any tools with which we can break the glass? Anything sharp, that can be used as a weapon or anything?
>In general it's the non laminated side windows which are easiest to break. Use a car key at the corner of the window.
I dig around my pockets and I find my house key!
Gretchen: “Turn around and cover your eyes Gretta, I’m busting the window open!”

I smash the key into the corner of the window. Each strike with more anger and desperation than the last. When it finally gives in and shatters, the car alarm starts blaring. I fling the door open and rush for the front seat. Keys are thankfully still in the ignition.

2/3 Buckwheat 2024/11/03(Sun)18:04 No. 1099330 ID: b6ea64
File 173068584663.png - (4.12KB , 800x400 , 69.png )

I glance and see one of those masked freaks in the rearview mirror.

Gretchen: “You’re messing with the wrong deer, assholes!”

I shift into reverse and run’em over! Afterwards I swing around and u-turn out of this death trap.

3/3 Buckwheat 2024/11/03(Sun)18:08 No. 1099331 ID: b6ea64
File 173068611354.png - (154.38KB , 500x500 , 70.png )

Gretchen: “Gretta, is there some other way to get home?”

Gretta: “We could go off-road and down the hill. There’s another route that way.”

Gretchen: “Anything that doesn’t involve driving down a dangerously steep hill?”

Gretta: “Well if we go back to town and drive out through the paper mill, there’s a long bridge over Broken Rods River we can take.”

Rubbish options, both. Find the nearest commercial area and make a scene, you can paper over the scandal with money later.

If they set up an ambush here, then they definitely did on the bridge too. But they couldn't cover the whole forest, so I think you're gonna need to go down that hill.

...drive to the police office? It's probably more fortified than your cabin. Might not have any firewood though.

You’re in the front seat now? You should be able to radio in that the situation has escalated, and that multiple officers are down from walking into an obvious ambush. Whether that’s effective or not, down the hill seems like the best option.

>>1099338
No firewood, but maybe firearms.
Lets go.

>>1099339
That could work, but only if none of the police are in it. If they are, we'll be hunted by them too. It doesn't even need to be all of them, since that's clearly not the case. But just a few in the right place would really complicate things.

Probably better than nothing, though.

Don't a bunch of gas stations have firewood to buy? Aren't there probably gas stations near where the police station is?