Havenfell

Chapter 5: The Foundations of Fear

The morning sun cast a golden glow over Havenfell, bathing the town in a warmth that felt almost surreal after the eerie night. The group gathered for breakfast in the quaint dining room of the Havenfell Inn, enjoying the simple but delicious spread of pastries, fruits, and freshly brewed coffee.

"Did anyone else notice that weird glow last night?" Bree asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

A murmur of agreement spread through the group, with curious looks exchanged over cups of coffee and plates of food. Felicity nodded. "Yeah, Bree and I saw it from our window. It looked like some kind of shield or barrier around the town."

"Spooky," Callum said with a grin, though his eyes held a hint of concern. "Maybe we should ask around, see if anyone knows what it was."

"Sounds like a plan," Nathan agreed, glancing at Juno, who was nursing a mild hangover from the previous night. "Let's just take it easy today and see what we can find out."

After breakfast, the group split up to explore different parts of the town. Felicity, Bree, Alex, and Callum decided to check out some of the local shops and maybe pick up a few souvenirs to remember their first day in Havenfell.

The four friends wandered through the charming streets, the storefronts adorned with colourful signs and displays that invited them inside. They found themselves drawn to a small shop filled with handmade crafts and unique trinkets.

"This place looks cool," Bree said, leading the way inside. "I love finding one-of-a-kind souvenirs."

Felicity nodded in agreement, their eyes lighting up as they spotted a collection of intricately carved wooden figurines. "These are amazing. I think I'll get one for my dad."

Callum wandered over to a shelf lined with jars of homemade preserves and jams, his curiosity piqued. "These look delicious. We should get some for a picnic."

As they browsed, Felicity could feel Alex's eyes on them, a sense of tension hanging in the air. Alex had always been distant with them, and the reason for their animosity was a mystery Felicity hoped to uncover someday.

Just as Felicity was about to pay for their chosen souvenirs, a commotion outside the shop drew their attention. A frantic townsperson, wild-eyed and dishevelled, stood in the middle of the street, preaching and screaming about the end times.

"The demons come at night!" the man shouted; his voice raw with desperation. "They feed on our souls! We are all doomed!"

Felicity, Bree, Callum, and Alex exchanged uneasy glances. The shopkeeper looked on with a mixture of pity and irritation, clearly accustomed to the man's outbursts.

"Religious nutjob," Alex muttered, rolling his eyes. "There's always one in every town."

"Yeah, probably just some local folklore," Bree said dismissively, though she couldn't hide the slight tremor in her voice. "Let's just ignore him."

Felicity watched the man with a mixture of pity and unease. Part of them wanted to believe it was just religious zealotry, but a small, nagging voice in the back of their mind couldn't help but wonder if there was more to the story.

The preacher continued to shout, his voice growing hoarse as he warned of the horrors that awaited them. "You must leave this place! The demons will come for you too!"

Callum shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "Poor guy. Must be tough living with that kind of fear."

"Yeah," Felicity agreed, though they couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in their chest. "Let's just pay for our stuff and get out of here."

As they made their purchases and left the shop, the preacher's words echoed in their minds. They tried to brush it off, convincing themselves it was nothing more than religious hysteria. But deep down, each of them felt a growing sense of unease, a feeling they would come to regret ignoring as the true nature of Havenfell began to reveal itself.

Together, they continued their exploration of the town, trying to enjoy the quaint charm and picturesque views. But the shadow of the preacher's warnings lingered, a dark cloud on the horizon of their seemingly perfect new beginning.