Evergreens and Four Hunters, October 31st, 1948

Matthew and his brothers, Mark and Johnny, are on a mission to find their mother, Martha Flurry, who has been displaced by the Iron Baron and Cannery Kook. They have been unable to find a suitable place to camp, as they had chosen to camp in a high-altitude area. The family co-owns the Flurry Butcher, Birbour's only non-canning meat-processing facility, which is owned by David Rottenburough.

Martha sent the four Flurry Boys out to hunt a day ago, wanting something big, either a bear or a moose, to practice her new hobby, wall mounting. Matthew figured this was due to their incessant fighting or perhaps the Flurry Boys' reputation at the Rope Pub, which had been thrown out for drunken brawling by Morgan Muller, the pub's owner. However, a successful hunt would change all that.

Matthew, inheriting his drunkenness from his late father, is the problem, as he often finds himself staring at the bottom of an empty bottle, not knowing how he got there. His older brothers go down with him, and his reputation doesoms them as his relatives. That's not to mention the strain it puts on poor, old, dear Momma Flurry.

The Flurry Boys finish cleaning camp, not caring to gather any trash or discarded bottles from the night's ruckus, leaving them partially buried in the ash of their campfire. Johnny, the eldest, takes the lead as they follow the mountain, carrying Boris' old M1944 carbine against the water canister secured to his belt. Mark, the simpleton, is forbidden to carry a weapon and makes himself useful by shouldering most of the team's supplies. Lucky, the third oldest and smallest of the bunch, follows closely behind Mark, with brown hair and scars from a bout of chicken-pox during his youth.

Mark carries a single-barreled shotgun at the ready, scanning the trees for things that weren't there. Matthew lagged behind, pushing his short red hair into the folds of his bucket hat. He wasn't much for hunting, preferring to fish instead. It was much easier to drink with a fishing rod than it was with an old 98 Mauser, not to mention safer too.

Hours pass as they trekked, only Johnny knowing their destination. Before long, Matthew was completely lost, relying solely on his brothers for direction. His heart fluttered as he closed the gap between him and Lucky, knowing that if he were separated he would be lost to the Alaskan wilderness. The evergreen taigas were beautiful, yes, but their cool visage was misleading. This forest, in particular, wanted them dead, and the Flurry brothers knew that they were trespassers here. The land itself fought them with every step, every snag, every root reaching out to restrain them.

Fortunately, their destination proved much closer than Matthew had at first feared. It was a little dilapidated hunting blind built by who-knows-who some twenty years ago. The previous owner was either a native or a very brave, very sneaky man.

As they continue their journey, they must navigate the treacherous terrain and the harsh realities of the Alaskan wilderness. The Flurry Boys must choose between their own interests and the safety of their mother, as their actions may have a lasting impact on the lives of those who live in the area.

Coming to a rough stop in the grassy clearing, Mark and Lucky helped him to his feet. "Are you okay?" Lucky asked worriedly.

“Y-yeah. Why didn't you help me, Johnny? I slid right past you!” Matthew shouted indignantly, searching for his brother. There was no one where Johnny had been. "Where'd he go?" Matthew