Angelmere

Disappearance of Townsfolk

Welcome to Angelmere

I saw the sign; I saw the town; yet I didn't see anyone here. I thought it was kind of strange, because even though the town was small, it wouldn't be this quiet. I stopped my car, and asked my wife.

"Honey, do you think this is the right place? Where's everybody?" I asked her. She shrugged slightly, seemingly she didn't know where the townsfolk are. Maybe they were someplace, partying.

The air was fresh, and I didn't see much cars up ahead, which means good thing. The townsfolk knew about air pollution, also global warming. I think they took one step ahead to live pollution free.

We kept driving towards inside of the town. It was pretty small, yet I didn't see a single soul here, which is quite weird. As I kept driving to search for our inn, I saw a granny sitting on her wheelchair, on her porch. She was sleeping, quietly.

"Has it always been this quiet dear?" I asked her once again for reassurance. She shook her head, indicating that she's trying to say no.

With turning right and left and went straight ahead bunch times, we finally made it to the inn. I parked my car right at the parking spot, which was quite easy since there were no cars around.

I went out from my car, getting my belongings, as I went inside the inn. It was quite small, also quite dusty as well. My wife quickly went to the front desk and tapped the bell which was sitting on it.

We waited for almost 10 minutes without any answer before she finally tapped the bell for the second time. We waited there for almost another 5 minutes, before a figure of a man came in from upstairs, smiling towards us.

He was a hunch, and his face looked like trolls you'd see in fairy tales. I tried my best to keep my cool, besides, he seemed to be very polite.

"Here you go sir, madam, have a nice stay on Angelmere inn. If you need anything, simply tap the bell on this desk. Breakfast is tomorrow at seven, don't be late." His voice was crackling; yet he was smiling towards us.

"Thank you, well, do you happen to know where does everyone go?" I asked about this anomaly.

"You know, everyone has their own business so.. yeah. I'll show you your rooms, come with me." he answered as he went upstairs, with me and my wife following him. 

He carried our luggage, even though he had a back problem, he still insists on carrying our bags. Our room was on the third floor, to the left. I asked the hunchback whether there were other guests, yet he said that we were the only guest here.

I kept wondering where did people go? maybe if we continued tomorrow, we will be able to find them deeper in town. I laid on the bed, falling deeper into the void. Into a dead end.

It's like.. something's missing..