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Four years after the events that had turned Saga Anderson’s life upside down, she finds herself returning to the town that started it all: Bright Falls.
Together with the man partially responsible for the horrors, she had managed to overwrite the nightmare and bring her loved ones back from the dark.
Now, she is visiting Bright Falls again to celebrate the 85th Deerfest together with her family.
In fact, it had been the Anderson brothers who had invited her, David and Logan over. Three years, Saga had avoided the place because of the dark past. She had been happy her Tor and Odin visited her instead but now, she feels it’s safe enough to return.
Still, when they drive the familiar roads once more, the eerie sensation pricks her in her neck.
“Hey, it’s going to be alright,” David smiles.
“Of course,” Saga mutters.
Odin had told her that there hadn’t been any mysterious disappearances or dangerous shadows in the woods since she and Alan had rewritten the story.
Saga looks in the back to see Logan playing a game on her Nintendo Switch. Her little girl, safe and sound and blissfully unaware of the terrors her mother had gone through to save her from the twisted narrative only a few years ago.
The vibes are immediately different than when Saga first arrived in this town. It’s festive, colourful and even hopeful. Huge banners span across different streets announcing the annual festival that will start tomorrow.
Thanks to Saga’s connection with the Andersons and with some help from Rose Marigold, the Anderson family is welcome to stay over at the Valhalla Nursing Home.
It gives Logan more time to spend with her great-grandfather and uncle and Saga’s glad she doesn’t have to stay at the Elderwood Palace Lodge again.
Odin and Tor greet their family in the living room where it’s bustling with life. Some of the other elderly people also have family and friends come over for Deerfest.
“Logan! It’s so good to see you, girl!” Odin exclaims.
The girl eagerly greats her great-grandfather and then goes on to great her great-granduncle Tor who picks her up and tries to swing her around for a bit.
However, his old age and Logan getting bigger makes it harder than before. Tor puts her back on the floor.
“You’re becoming a young lady,” he grins.
“I must’ve grown a few inches since we last met,” Logan proudly states.
“It’s a pleasure to see you too,” Odin nods at David who returns the sentiment.
“Ah, Saga! You’re already here!” a familiar voice exclaims.
When Saga turns around she sees Rose approach in her nurse outfit. She is carrying a tray with some tea and coffee and a plate with cookies on.
“Hey, Rose,” Saga smiles.
“Here you go. I have to go again. Deerfest is always super, super busy! But I hope I’ll talk to you later in the evening!”
“It’s okay. You do your thing.”
Logan quickly takes two cookies off the plate while her parents get some hot beverages.
While Tor, David and Logan meet some of the other residents, Saga talks to her grandfather.
“So… things have been quiet?”
“Quiet as it can get. But really, Saga dear. Nothing to fear. You and Tom saved so many people from the Darkness. I haven’t seen our town as lively as this year’s Fest!”
Saga lets out a sigh in relief. “It definitely feels different now too."
In the evening, the Anderson family has dinner with the other Nursing Home residents. The atmosphere is amicable and relaxed. However, things get more excited when Tor and Odin recall their old rocking glory days after Logan requested some wild stories from them.
After dinner, the family retreats to their private room. There are two adult sized beds and a comfortable, soft couch for Logan to sleep on.
The following day, David, Saga and Logan go to the Oh Deer Diner for breakfast.
The small town is already up and alive by the time the family arrives at the restaurant. As expected, everything is themed for Deerfest.
Logan gets a special Deerfest hot chocolate and sweet, honey pancakes in the shape of a deer head. David orders a sandwich and Saga has some toast with scrambled eggs.
The waiters and waitresses wear deer masks but they’re different from the ones the Cult used to wear. These are more cartoony and less intimidating.
While they are waiting for their orders, another familiar face pops up at the Diner. It’s none other than Alex Casey.
Saga quickly gets up and waves at her colleague.
“Casey! Over here!” she exclaims.
The agent’s usual serious expression melts away as soon as he spots his friend.
“Anderson! Logan, Mister Anderson.”
Everyone gets up to great Casey and then Casey sits next to Logan.
“I thought you’d come later.”
“I didn’t want to miss out on the special morning coffee they serve here,” Casey smirks.
“You got here just now?” David wants to know.
“I booked a spot at the lodge. Yeah, I know, Anderson, that lodge. But I was rather late, else I would’ve messaged you earlier.”
“It’s fine, Casey. I’m glad you could make it after all.”
“Yeah, our boss can be a hard ass-, can be a tough nut to crack,” Casey quickly adjusts his language when his partner throws him a look.
Alex Casey only orders a coffee but with some convincing from Saga, he also orders a doughnut.
They conclude their breakfast almost an hour later and go into town. Most shops are still open and Logan wants to visit the bookstore.
In the shopping window, Alan Wake’s short autobiography is put in the spotlights.
“Waking Up, huh… Suiting title, I suppose,” Casey huffs.
“Wake contacted me two years ago about it. Didn’t he contact you?”
“He did, but I didn’t really care. I admire him asking though but I told him he shouldn’t linger too hard on my existence in whatever story he wanted to tell.”
The duo goes inside the bookstore. David is looking at some books on the local history of Bright Falls and surroundings while Logan is hold up in the teen and young adult section.
It’s a small but packed bookstore. During her stay, Saga never had the chance to visit so now she takes her time.
She doesn’t buy anything but David bought a DIY-guide and Logan wanted a book on fauna and flora of the Pacific Northwest. While the employee scans the items, she mentions Coffee World.
“I should mainly promote books, but did you know there’s an endeering discount if you visit Coffee World during Deerfest?”
Saga looks at the name tag of the employee. Charline K.
“Are you related to Ilmo Koskela?” she asks.
“That’s right. He’s my Uncle. He always wants me to promote Coffee World. That’s why I changed job but here I am, promoting the park anyways,” the girl laughs. She then looks at Saga’s daughter and winks.
“I bet you’d like to visit Coffee World. The best coffee-themed amusement park around here.”
Naturally, Logan looks at her parents. David and Saga give each other a look and in unison, agree to take her there in one of the coming days.
They say their goodbyes to Charline and head back to the nursing home until it’s time to return and watch the parade.
On their way back, Saga realizes Charline must’ve not known about her father’s demise. Or if she did, her memories must’ve been changed. It’s for the best, she thinks.
It’s going to be a bit weird, meeting the Koskela brothers again. Alive and well.
A few hours later, David drives them back to the main centre of the town. In the short car drive, Logan tries to teach Casey how to use the Switch but with not much luck.
Casey gets rather nauseous from having to multi task in a moving vehicle. He’s glad when the car comes to a stop.
“When we’re back at my great-grandfather’s place, I’ll let you have a second try,” Logan grins before getting out.
There are some vendors selling snacks and little trinkets such as fans and Deerfest flags and of course the masks but for obvious reason, Saga’s not interested in wearing the latter.
Soon, the family is joined by the Anderson brothers. Odin is in a wheelchair pushed by Tor who uses the wheelchair as his own support too.
“Agent Casey, back in town I see,” Tor exclaims.
He goes over to shake the FBI agent’s hand and shakes it fervently.
“Only because my colleague invited me,” Casey huffs but he subtly smiles.
The parade is announced and kickstarted by none other than Ilmo Koskela who is accompanied by his brother. Both men are wearing the cartoony deer masks but wear their usual outfits that make them instantly recognizable.
As the parade proceeds, Saga’s unease fades and she’s able to enjoy the moment with her family. David has Logan on his shoulders so she can see the floats better.
“This is a pretty cool town,” Logan exclaims.
“It is huh,” David says with a broad smile. He gives his wife a sweet look. Just like many people, his memories have been altered and he only remembers Saga had to go to Bright Falls due to the macabre murders. He doesn’t know anything about their ‘divorce and Logan’s death’ in Watery.
When the last parade float passes by, Logan asks her mom if they can visit again next year.
“Maybe, sweety. Maybe.”