You might be far away from anything resembling Arbor Isle as you know it, but it doesn't feel lonely here. It's not even quiet if you truly listen. There are birds, and squirrels running up the trees, the sound of the water, and the wind blowing through the leaves. You are surrounded by living things, only barely touched by people in comparison to the time you live in. It's magical.
Sure enough, like the man said, a fog bank sits on the water, rolling lazily across the tiny islands towards you. You wait for the atmosphere to change as it creeps up the bank and covers the land in all directions. It's impressive, but only in the way a thunderstorm is impressive. It smells like autumn air and soil. It's thick still, yes, but somehow lighter than you're used to, like it isn't weighing you down.
Is this how normal fog is supposed to feel? You realize you wouldn't know. You've never encountered fog outside of Arbor Isle.
"Judith?" the eldest girl calls out.
You bring your attention back to the children. Only two of them are there.
"Judith!" the girl calls again. "Abel, where is your sister?"
"She's your sister too, Tabitha," he tells her, then joins in calling out Judith's name.
You follow them as they search for their missing sister, their voices growing more scared each time they call for her.
"I'm going to tell Father," the boy named Abel says, scurrying up a hill towards the house.
"Wait!" Tabitha says, chasing after him.
Both parents are just beyond the crest of the hill. Their faces are harsh. Judging. Cruel, even.