The Deadly Epidemic

The year was 1819, and a deadly epidemic swept through the Pine Valley frontier. Located in an area now known as Yellowstone National Park, the country surrounding Pine Valley was vast, rugged, and mountainous. The epidemic lasted over three years, weakening some and killing many others. When the virus finished its deadly cycle, four hundred men, women, and children had lost their lives. Among the fifty survivors were five children, now orphans.

The people of Pine Valley were devastated by the loss of so much life. They couldn't comprehend how something so terrible could have happened to their small town. Due to their fragile state — and intense grief — many of the townsfolk couldn't think clearly. They became distrustful of one another and believed evil or sorcery lived among them.

Farming was their way of life, and the devastation from the epidemic had severely impacted every farm in town. In fact, many families didn't know how they would make it through the approaching winter with their low food stocks and diminished wood supply. Most of the surviving adults had been too ill to plant crops, while the healthy adults had cared for the sick or dying. This meant fewer crops to be harvested.

Making matters worse, most of their livestock had been killed by the area's growing population of wolves that roamed the countryside unchecked, and in unusually high numbers. The people of Pine Valley knew they were in a dire situation and there was little left to sustain them through the upcoming winter.

Several of the townspeople were concerned the worst wasn't over. They were convinced that although the epidemic had ended its deadly cycle, someone amongst them must be cursed and would continue to bring hardship to Pine Valley. This belief created tension and distrust as the townspeople scrutinized each other.

But the townsfolk of Pine Valley also knew they needed each other to survive. Putting their suspicions and distrust temporarily aside, the townsfolk gathered at the church to discuss how to survive the oncoming winter. They knew many more would die if they couldn't provide enough food and heat, especially for those already weakened from the epidemic. Wood must be stockpiled as winter would bring months of subzero weather.

Knowing they had little time before heavy snows arrived, they agreed to split into four groups to prepare for winter. The first group would gather the remaining food and livestock and create a stockpile of supplies in the town's largest barns. The second group would hunt the forest and surrounding mountainside for game. Big or small, the game would be harvested, and the meat smoked. The third group would care for those who were still weak from fighting the epidemic. The fourth group would gather as much wood as possible before deep snows made travel into the forest by wagon impossible.

Their survival plan was in place. The town was now prepared for winter — except no one gave any consideration to who would care for the town's five new orphans.

Huddled together at the back of the church, the five children — three boys and two girls — sat quietly and wondered what would happen to them. Their names were Joey, Christopher, Laura, Michael, and Kristy.

* * *

At twelve, Joey Parson, a quiet and polite boy, was the smallest of the group. Joey was a foot shorter than most children his age, had sandy-brown hair, large gopher-like teeth, and green eyes. Joey was also very bright.

Joey's father was a teacher and his mother a seamstress, and they were some of the nicest people in the area. Dedicated parents, they spent most of their time doting on Joey as he was their only child, and their pride and joy.

When Joey was five years old, his parents observed strange characteristics, which amazed and frightened them. Joey could somehow see into the future.

For example, Joey would be doing chores or playing and suddenly become quiet and rigid, as if in a trance. After a few seconds, Joey became alert and normal again but spoke of things his parents had no recollection of happening. After more and more of these events, Mr. and Mrs. Parson realized he was seeing the future.

Making matters more complicated, Joey had no control over this ability, so his parents often commented that Joey had occasional daydreams when the townsfolk noticed his odd behavior. As time went by, several of the townsfolk grew suspicious of Joey as they wondered if he was strange or cursed.

One Saturday afternoon years later, as Joey played on the grass with toy horses his father had carved for him, Joey's mother was busy doing her least favorite chore — laundry. The laundry had piled up the past week, and Joey's mother had an unusually large load in her arms as she walked down the stairs.

Mr. Parson had been doing outdoor chores and noticed Joey had stopped playing and was in a rigid, trancelike state. Joey remained like this for a long moment before he got to his feet and ran across the yard with speed Mr. Parson had never seen before in his life. In fact, Joey was nothing more than a blur as he ran across the yard and into the house. In a millisecond, he was midway up the stairs and catching his mother who had just started to fall from the top stair. Mrs. Parson had tripped over a bedsheet, which dangled from her laundry basket, and was about to fall.

As Mr. Parson rushed into the house he witnessed Joey catch his mother. Joey turned to his father and said, "I, um, saw her trip."

"Thank goodness you did, son. And did you ever skedaddle to get here!

I've never seen anyone move that fast!" Mr. Parson said.

Joey's parents hugged him for a long time before his mother said, "Joey, we've never discussed this before, but your father and I think we need to keep your special abilities a secret."

"How come, Ma?"

"Because we're concerned that some of the people...