Ghost Town

Chapter 3

Someone was knocking on the front door, causing Fern to jump up. "Mom! Dad!" She ran down the stairs; Fern opened the door. Her mom was standing there, pale-faced. "Mom!" Fern said just went to hug her mom, only to faze through her, like some sort Of hologram. Her mom didn't move. Fern's head was filled with Saras' voice as she heard her say "Wake up!"

"What?" Fern asked as the world faded into a blurry headroom. Her bedroom.

"Wake up!" Sara repeated. Fern got out of their tent.

"Are they here?" Fern asked.

"I don't think so sadly," Sara responded.
"They have to be!" Fern said. Surely, we just missed them? Maybe they came home late, and left early?

They sat down to think about what to do. "Maybe we will walk over to the gas station? Isn't there one right up the road? We could ask if the people there have phones, or maybe they know something about a search party."

"Beats sitting around, eating up all the snacks in the house." Fern replied. Sara began putting on a jacket. Fern Put on a hoodie. They climbed down the stairs, and outside. Outside was too cold for Fern. Shivering, they slowly began walking to the gas station. Suddenly, it seemed like such a long walk. Not to mention the ice was making it hard to walk without slipping.

"So, what have you been doing today?" Fern asked once they were outside.

"Nothing really. I walked around your house, to see if your parents were home. Then I went back up and woke you."

"Sara?" Fern asked.

"Ya?"

"Do you think, ya know, once we find them, that maybe we could have another sleepover?" Fern asked her. The truth is, Fern was slowly starting to think Sara didn't want to talk to her anymore. She always seemed to hide, or disappear when Fern was around.

Sara hesitated at first, then answered. "Sure. It's been a while since we hung out I guess." Eventually, they made it to the small little gas station. Finally! They walked in. It was just as cold inside as it was outside! "Why's it so cold in here?" Sara mumbled. Fern looked to see if there was someone behind the counter. No one. "Hello?" Fern shouted. "Anyone here?" She said, this time louder.

"I'm confused. Where are they at?" Sara asked.

"I have no idea," Fern said back, just as confused. They slowly began walking around the store. The lights were all turned out as if no one was there.

"Are we even allowed to be here?" Sara whispered.

"I didn't see a sign saying they were closed, and the doors unlocked." Fern replied. After looking around, they saw an 'employees only' door. "Maybe someone's in there?" Sara whispered, hugging Fern. Fern shared her unease. This whole situation was weird. Fern slowly walked over to the door and peeked her head inside. "Hello? Anyone there?" She asked. No answer. Fern took a breath and walked inside. "Hello?" She shouted. "Anybody here?" But still, no one answered.

"Maybe no one's here." Sara reasoned.

"I guess. But why would they leave the door unlocked?" They began walking back to the main store part, and then, back outside. For the first time since they got there, Fern noticed how empty the town was. No cars were driving, no people walking, nothing. The whole town was dead silent. Sara seemed to notice it too. She was looking around, taking in the realization. They were the only ones there.