Silent Mountain: Chapter 1-A

Elegance. If one word could describe Silent Mountain, that would be it. And, this night, more so than usual. If there was one thing Chester Winfield knew, it was how to throw a party. Droves of people filled the large hall that stood as the entrance to the luxurious main building of the secluded mountain complex. The guest list was nothing spectacular, friends, relatives, and other assorted acquaintances filled out the spacious room, mingling between the two large staircases that seemed to grow up from the ground to meet, forming a mezzanine in the center.

At the bottom of the stairs the lavish decorations melded seamlessly with the finest foods and drinks you could imagine. All things being known, this was the main reason Ian Elliot attended these events, and he was proving it here. On his third trip to the open buffet he had yet to slow down. As he filled his plate with the last couple of morsels, he took one last look around the room full of faces. He always came with the intention of meeting new people, but the simple truth was, that was never his strong point.

As Ian looked around the crowded room full of unfamiliar faces, he was overwhelmed. In each of the faces he saw the possibility of a new and wondrous relationship that he had no idea how to start. So, he fell back on his old stand-by, slipping away in to the long hall behind the double doors. He walked a short distance to another door, which he entered, balancing his plate of food as he opened the door.

He entered to a small study with a table and few scattered chairs. In the middle of the table stood a chess board, game in progress. On either end were two of the few faces Ian could truly connect with, his sister Jennifer, and her fiancé, David Primrose. Both sat transfixed, completely focused on the battle of wits before them. Ian sat himself down in one of the extra chairs and put the plate on the table.

“So, who’s winning?” He asked, glad to be with his companions again. Ian threw him an annoyed looking, displeased at having his concentration broken.

“I am,” Jennifer replied non-chalantly.

David rather took offense at this. “I’m just getting ready to make my big comeback.”

“Right,” Jennifer retorted sarcastically.

David furrowed his brow and smiled as he took Jennifer’s knight with his bishop. Jennifer chuckled, seeing the poor choice of moved. She quickly moved her queen to take his bishop.

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Back in the room, Helen Belleview, a beautiful, young woman, stood against the back wall, watching the crowds mingling. She found the staircase a good covering to keep her from being bothered. The honest truth was she wanted to join them, but the wall was always safer. From the wall she could watch and listen without taking the risk of standing out or making a fool of herself. For her, it was like being a part of the crowd without joining them. For the most part people didn’t notice her in her hiding place, but on occasion she would be disturbed.

“You’re loitering again,” came a voice from behind her. She spun around to see Perry Slack, one of her few close friends, standing right behind her. “You should mingle, get to know some people.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I don’t know. I like it here.”

“I don’t. Let go.”

At that, Perry grabbed her arm pulling her towards the center of the room. Just as they got in to the crowd, panic seemed to strike. People were whirling around pointing down towards the ground. Helen looked down, and saw her feet, now surrounded by a mist-like vapor. The room was quickly filling with it. She held close to Perry attempting to brace them against the now panicked crowd racing for the exits.

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Jennifer and David’s game had ended quickly, and David was still annoyed with the loss. He insisted on scrutinizing the board from every angle, convinced that, with enough effort, he could figure a way out of checkmate. Jennifer was now slouched in her chair waiting for him to finally admit defeat. Meanwhile Ian munched happily on his food, taking time out every once in a while to point out the futility of David’s situation.

“What if I . . .” began David.

“Nope,” Ian butted in, “She’s got you.”

David threw another glare Ian’s direction. They were however distracted from their jesting by the noise of a loud ruckus out in the main room. Ian and Dave’s expressions both turned to curiosity and then concern. The two of them, along with Jennifer, leapt up and ran through the hall back to the main room.

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Helen and Perry stood motionless, as the sea of people continued churning around them. The gas had reached their nostrils now, causing them to cough.

“We’ve gotta get out of here,” Perry yelled over the commotion.

“There’s too many people.”

“We’re gonna suffocate!”

Helen looked around again. The door burst open and Ian was hit with a face full of gas as he entered the room, coughing violently. He regathered himself and ran through the door followed by David and Jennifer. David held Jennifer’s hand pulling her along with him. Helen looked back to the door. The room was largely clear now, allowing her and Perry to head outside. They burst out the front door, breathing in the fresh mountain air. The rest soon followed. Fire truck and ambulances crowded the breath-taking mountain vista. Ian surveyed the scene searing it into his memory.

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