GLOWING (Joel Miller)

13 | The Town

We made it to Bill and Frank's a few hours later. I was exhausted; my feet were aching and my shoulders cramped from my heavy backpack. I could see Ellie's weary face too, but she wouldn't admit she was tired—not in from of Joel.

We stopped in front of the security gate and Joel held his arm up to stop us. "Stay ere," he instructed, before taking a step forward. I waited as he examined the keypad, before punching the code. The gate beeped as it clicked unlocked and Joel pushed it open, holding it for Ellie and I to slip past. I nodded in thanks as I followed Ellie, taking in the perfect little town within the fence,

Joel seemed to know where he was going, for he led the way towards a large White House in the centre of town. I didn't miss the wary look on his face as he opened the front door, which was just left unlocked.

The house was nicely decorate; only a thin layer of dust coated the furniture and floorboards. But that wasn't the unnerving part. I scrunched my nose as the smell of rotting food hit my nostrils. In the dining room, a full meal was laid out for two. Most of it had been eaten, but what was left had begun to grow mould and attract insects. I swatted a fly as I turned away from the stench. I turned to Joel, who still looked concerned.

"Bill?" He called out, but there was no response. "Frank?" He turned to face us, looking at Ellie. "Stay here." Then without another word, he beckoned me over and headed down the hallway.

I turned to Ellie as I followed after Joel. "Don't touch anything. We'll back in a minute. Yell out if you see anything."

"What if they're gone?" Ellie asked, causing me to stop in my tracks.

I glanced at her over my shoulder. "Just stay put."

I could hear Joel's footsteps as he climbed the creaky stairs and I hurried to catch up. I met up with him at the top of the stairs and we made our way to the end of the hallway, where there was only one door. It was closed.

"Could they be out?" I asked quietly as Joel reached up to knock on the door. "Maybe they went for a walk, or something?"

Joel shook his head, then tried the door handle, but it was locked. "Bill?"

My stomach began to churn as I started to piece it all together. "You don't think...?" Joel turned to me with downcast eyes. "Oh my god." Suddenly a door slammed loudly downstairs and I turned away from Joel. "Ellie!" There was no response, so with a quick glance at him, I tried around and made my way quickly downstairs. Joel's footsteps with close behind.

I quickly made my way back to the dining room, to find Elli sitting at the head of the table. "Are you okay?" I asked her, my eyes travelling down to the piece of paper in her hands. "What's that?"

Joel was right behind me and stopped when he too, noticed Ellie. The girl looked between us as we eye e paper curiously. With a sigh, she sat up and held it out for us to see. "It's from Bill." I looked over at Joel, who nodded for Ellie to continue. She picked up an envelope from the table and held it up. "To whomever, but probably Joel." She put it back on the table. "I figured I fall under whomever." I watched as she unfolded the letter from the envelope, taking out a key and sliding it across the table. "It came with this."

from beside me, Joel took off his backpack and approached the table, picking. up the key to examine it. "So, they're dead?"

"Ellie nodded. "Mhm mm." I shook my head, sadly as I dropped my bag on the ground. I dragged a chair from the side of the room towards Ellie and at down, ready to hear whatever message had been left for Joel. "You—you wanna?" Ellie asked Joel unsurely. 

"Go ahead," he muttered, turning away. "You do it."

I turned back to Ellie, who cleared her throat. "August 29, 2023. If you find this... please do not come into the bedroom. We left the window open, so the house wouldn't smell. It will probably be a sight." I rested my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands as I listened. "I'm guessing you found this, Joel. Because anyone else would've been electrocuted or blown up by one of my traps, hehehehehehehe."