Season 3 - Episode 1: Back to Business

## Synopsis

Bjorn heads to the police station to check on Judson. He finds that Judson looks more alive than ever before, though he's been puking his guts out for hours. Bjorn lets him know that if he needs help with being alive again to let them know. Henry and Sammie are recovering in the medical bay. Miguel works on Sammie's wounds and lets her know that they are magically resistant and she'll need to hang around for a couple days. Miguel heals up Henry as well and then Stanley guides him back to his room to get some rest. Soon after, Bjorn, Sammie, Stanley, and Miguel discuss what to tell Chief Hanson. They settle on H.U.N.T.E.R. coming up with a cover story and Holland breaking the news to him. About a week later, they meet to discuss the Blackout Society but Henry doesn't show. Sammie tries to get him out of his funk and out of his room but isn't successful.

## Episode Description

Welcome to a whole new season of Thornvale. The heroes are dealing with difficult loss and hard decisions. But at least there's nothing that wants to kill one of the hunters specifically, right? Right?

## Key Events

* Bjorn visits Judson and finds that, even though he's ill, he looks like a very much alive, 25-year-old man.
* H.U.N.T.E.R. creates a cover story for River's death and Holland breaks the news to Chief Hanson, handing River's remains over to him as well. He decides to retire from police work and Holland becomes interim Chief.

## Summary

Stanley and Gideon have just reunited in the oubliette, Henry introduces himself to Gideon, and Sammie needs some medical attention. Bjorn, after seeing to everyone getting to the medical bay that needs to get there, decides he needs to go check on Judson. He heads to West to the police department. As he's about to enter the morgue, he sees Holland on her phone nearby. He asks her where Judson is and Holland says that he's been in the bathroom for a while. Holland asks if Judson is gonna get better and Bjorn explains that the other person they cured of this curse, Salem, was sick for a bit then started feeling better. Given that Judson has been a zombie for a lot longer, he's probably going to feel bad for longer too. Holland asks how old Judson is and Bjorn admits he's not sure but he should probably be in his 50s.

Bjorn walks into the bathroom and hears Judson in a stall, being sick. Once Judson is done being sick, Bjorn lets him know that they defeated the creature that had cursed him. Judson walks out of the stall and Bjorn is shocked by his appearance. Judson looks around 25 years old, has color to his skin, and actually looks alive. Bjorn asks if he's feeling good now that he's alive and Judson says that he's just feeling 'more.' Bjorn asks if he's having mixed feelings then and Judson admits that all his friends, the people he knew before, are gone. So yes, he's having mixed feelings. Bjorn tells him that if he needs anything to let him know, that they'll help him through it. Bjorn mentions they have two others they're helping through this and Judson inquires about 'two,' knowing about Salem but not about Gideon. Bjorn explains and Judson looks relieved to hear it. Judson says that he'll be going to see his father once he's feeling better. Bjorn wishes him well and leaves.

Sammie is laying on a bed in the medical bay. Gideon is laying on another one nearby, looking around wide-eyed, Stanley sitting beside him. On another bed, Salem is laying on his side, covered in a blanket, with a bucket nearby. Miguel is tending to the deep shark bite in Sammie's thigh. Sammie is shell shocked, still in pain and trying to process everything that's happened. Henry is sitting in a chair in a similar state. After finishing with the wound in her leg, Miguel moves back to the organs the Empty Man had tried to disintegrate. He tells her that it'll be best if she stays here for a while as the wounds are resistant to magic and will need healed over the course of the next few days.

Oliver walks down and sits by Sammie, asking how she's doing. Sammie gestures at herself and Oliver offers that her leg at least looks better. She lets Oliver know what Miguel said about being here for a bit to heal her internal injuries and Oliver says that it looks like he'll be there for a few days as well. He gives her a smile and then Sammie gets some sleep. Eventually, Stanley grabs Henry by the arm and gently guides him back to his room, putting him to bed, and Henry gets some rest. Salem recovers in a few hours and him and Ben go fishing just to spend some time together and celebrate being alive. Henry's wounds are feeling much better by the morning and it takes Sammie a few days to fully recover.

Bjorn, Sammie, Stanley, and Miguel have a meeting to decide what to do about Chief Hanson. Bjorn starts by saying they owe it to Chief Hanson to tell him what happened and Sammie agrees, saying he deserves to know the meaning of his daughter's sacrifice. Miguel shifts uncomfortably and then admits he's not sure they should tell Chief Hanson *exactly* what happened, saying he's already going to be going through a lot with losing his daughter and dumping 'monsters are real' on top might not be best. They debate it back and forth before Bjorn suggests H.U.N.T.E.R. create a cover story that makes River out to be the hero she is. Miguel suggests they have Holland break it to him, so it sounds more official. Sammie still thinks they should tell the Chief the truth but agrees to the plan. Sammie asks if H.U.N.T.E.R. can cover the costs for the Chief and get him the remains as well and Bjorn says that's definitely something they can handle.

Over the next few days, H.U.N.T.E.R. comes up with a cover story for River, Stanley delivers her ashes to Jolene, and Jolene breaks the news to Chief Hanson. He decides to step down as Chief and retire from police work. Holland is appointed to be the interim police chief.

About a week later, Bjorn turns his attention to dealing with the Blackout Society. He remembers that Indigo suggested he try the diplomacy route. He asks the group to meet him at the Fort and they do, however Henry is still missing from the table. Sammie asks if Henry is going to join them and Bjorn says it didn't seem like he was ready.

Sammie goes to Henry's room to try and get him involved in the conversation. She knocks on Henry's door and calls through but doesn't get a response. Sammie bangs harder on the door and then opens the door, seeing Henry still in bed. Sammie tells him they need his help dealing with the Blackout Society. Henry brushes her off, saying to do what they want. Sammie tells him that he's a part of the team and she understands what he's going through. Henry rolls over in bed to tell Sammie they can deal with it themselves and then roll back the other way. Sammie tells him that she'll leave him alone as long as he agrees to at least shower and eat some food and after some pestering he agrees.

Sammie leaves him alone and joins the others in the kitchen. She tells them she at least got him to agree to shower and Stanley nods, agreeing that will help. Then, Stanley brings the conversation back to the Blackout Society.

## List of Appearances

* Bjorn Olafson
* Jolene Holland
* Judson Stone
* Sammie Overbrook
* Gideon Marlowe
* Stanley Marlowe
* Miguel Rodriguez
* Oliver Allen Evans
* Henry Marlowe