Highland Tangle

CARTER #5

  The sun is high, but the air is still. The road is a ribbon of cracked asphalt snaking through overgrown fields. The trees on either side are dense, casting long, dappled shadows. Our three bikes ride in single file. They are standard teenage bikes, a bit scuffed, but functional. We are riding down Route 9. I lead the pack, my head swiveling, scanning the surroundings. I'm wearing my dad's jacket, a bit big on me but gives me comfort.  Behind me is Derrick, his posture upright, observing the landscape with a critical eye. Faith brings up the rear, her gaze sharp, taking in every detail, her expression watchful. She occasionally glances back, ensuring no one is following us.

  The silence of the countryside is broken only by the whirring of our bike chains and the occasional chirp of a bird. After a few minutes, I slow my bike. We approach a weathered, faded building – an old general store. The sign above the door is barely legible, but the words "VILLAGE MART" can be made out. I point ahead, grinning, "There it is! Operation Nostalgia is a go!" Derrick adjusts his hoodie, looking a bit hesitant, "Are you sure about this, Carter? It looks... unstable. Like it could fall down if a strong breeze hits it."

Faith scoffs, leaning back on her bike, "Oh, don't be such a scaredy-cat, Derrick. It's just an old building. Besides, Carter's dad is maybe gonna be here. Maybe we can get some intel on our weird town history Carter said he was always droning on about." I get off my bike, "Exactly! Dad said he was following some clues about the town's... past. And this place is practically dripping with history. Come on!" I start walking my bike towards the entrance. Derrick and Faith follow, with Faith giving a final, slightly weary sigh.

The air inside is thick with the scent of dust, decay, and something faintly metallic. Sunlight streams through gaps in the boarded-up windows and a few gloriously broken panes, illuminating the chaos. Shelves are overturned, merchandise is scattered and rotting. It's a testament to time and neglect. Derrick, Faith, and I enter cautiously, our bike tires crunching on debris. I whisper, awestruck, "Whoa. It's like a time capsule." Derrick examines a faded label on a jar, "This looks like it's from the early 1900s. Imagine what people used to buy here."

Faith, meanwhile, is peering into the shadows at the far end of the store. She notices a faint glow of light, "Uh, Carter? Derrick? I think we have company." Derrick and I turn. In the dim light, we can see two figures huddled over a makeshift table at the back, illuminated by a battery-powered lantern. It's my dad, Glenn Connors, in a slightly rumpled suit, and his assistant, Valery Bryner, who is meticulously sifting through a pile of papers and old books. There's a distinct air of concentration around them. My eyes widen.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" He looks up, startled by the sudden intrusion. He blinks, his P.I. instincts kicking in for a split second before recognition dawns, "Carter? What are you kids doing here? This is an active investigation." Valery glances up, her expression cool and appraising as she takes in the three teenagers. Faith smirks, "An investigation? In a tetanus-fest of a building? Sounds thrilling. We, on the other hand, are here for some ghost hunting. Or at least, some dust sniffing." Derrick nudges Faith, a little embarrassed by her directness, "We just... followed Carter. He's always so sure you've been on the verge of solving some huge town mystery."

Glenn sighs, running a hand through his hair, "Well, Carter, your dad is on the verge of something. And it might be bigger than any of us expected. Valery, what have we found in this section?" Valery gestures to a worn, leather-bound journal, "This journal, belonging to the original owner, mentions... unusual occurrences. Strange disappearances, whispered legends that were dismissed as folklore. And recurring symbols." She points to a symbol drawn in the margin. It's intricate and unfamiliar, "We think these symbols are connected to the town's founding, and perhaps, to why so many people seem to have simply... vanished over the years. Also, we have 5 names inside the journal on a Post-it note. Verona Gaston, Zackary Vautier, Sabrina Courts, Kay Larkin and Nathan Morris."

  Derrick, Faith, and I exchange wide-eyed glances. The dusty old general store, with its peeling paint and broken windows, suddenly feels a lot more significant. Faith, despite her earlier sarcasm, looks genuinely intrigued. I look on as Valery tells of the findings, "Vanished? Symbols? Dad, those names were in Wade's office. All but Nathan Morris...he was not on the list." Faith says to Valery, a glint in her eye, "So, you found his notes, huh? And his clues? What else did old Mr. Mysterious leave behind in this delightful dust trap?" My dad looks at me, then at Valery, who gives a small, almost imperceptible nod. They're piecing together something substantial.

"Let's just say, the past of this town isn't as quiet as it seems. And it looks like we might have some... unexpected junior detectives on our hands." The sunlight catches the dust swirling around them, making the air shimmer with unspoken secrets. The whispering walls of the old general store seem to hold their breath. My dad continues, "I think it's time you all know some things, I know you three were at the meeting so you are aware of The Council. Nathan Morris is the Council Leader. Now as for the other names, the current Council wasn't the first. I'm not sure if those names are dead or alive but I have friends in many places around this town just like The Council not everyone in this town is an enemy but these symbols they mark, in plain sight, who is an ally of The Council...and those names they were The Family at the time if they are alive they are in grave danger. We must find them before The Council does."

WELCOME TO THE END OF CARTER'S CHAPTER!!

Who are Glenn's allies?

Are the members of The Family still alive?

FIND OUT IN THE UPCOMING CHAPTERS OF HIGHLAND TANGLE!!

"I shall leave you with this, a quote by Baltasar Gracian. 'Know when enough is enough. People who enter the house of fortune through the gate of pleasure, leave it through the gate of sorrow.' Til we meet again." - Ethan