The platform outside, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, stretched out before him—a desolate expanse of cracked pavement and abandoned storefronts. Kez's steps were light. As he stepped onto the platform, Kez was greeted by a sight that matched the town's eerie atmosphere. Directly outside the station, a market sprawled out, its stalls lined with faded, weather-beaten canopies. The market, though ostensibly operational, felt like a ghostly remnant of a once-bustling hub. The goods displayed—rotting vegetables, dusty cans, and worn-out trinkets—seemed almost as abandoned as the town itself.
Among the few people milling about the market, Kez noticed a stark contrast to the scene of chaos he'd left behind. The locals moved with an unsettling lethargy, their thin, malnourished bodies giving off an aura of despair and resignation. Their faces were drawn and haggard, eyes hollow and distant, as if the vitality of their lives had long since been drained. Each movement seemed heavy, burdened by an invisible weight.
The air was thick with a sense of stagnation, the faint, acrid smell of decay mingling with the cooler breeze. Kez observed how the marketgoers interacted with a certain resigned acceptance, their interactions minimal and mechanical. It was as if the market was a stage where the actors had long forgotten their lines, performing out of habit rather than purpose.
Kez took in the scene with a mix of curiosity and distaste. "Aight. This is kinda boring. Should I just head back to the train?" he mused, his eyes scanning the bleak surroundings. "I stick out here more than Jeremy Colbin in Brazil. I never liked that fatass."
He muttered to himself, "I doubt I'll find anything interesting in this place other than cockroaches and dead rats. What was I even thinking? No wonder they warned us against going into the town. This place looks full of pickpockets and thieves. I guess that's not a problem since I'm not carrying any cash or even a wallet. Wait, should I be at least carrying my ID with me? Damn it, I forgot to bring my ID with me. I should've listened to Kei and talked with Nora Jolkev before leaving."
Just as he was about to turn around and head back to the station, he noticed a figure entering the town with a purposeful stride. It was Allexis, the same girl he had seen on the train. But now, she was trying to keep her face and hair hidden, her movements furtive and cautious. She pulled her jacket's hood up and ducked her head, making an effort to blend into the dreary surroundings. Despite her efforts, it was apparent she wasn't very adept at this sort of thing—her attempts at concealment only made her stand out even more.
Kez's curiosity was immediately piqued. The sight of her so determinedly trying to avoid attention in this grim setting was too intriguing to ignore. Her attempt to conceal her identity only made her actions seem more suspicious, and Kez felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of uncovering what she was up to.
"Alright then," he thought, deciding to follow her. "This should keep me from getting bored."
He moved cautiously, keeping a safe distance as he trailed Allexis through the narrow streets. Her demeanor suggested she was up to something important, and Kez was determined to uncover what it was. As he followed, he noticed Allexis glancing around nervously, occasionally stopping to check her surroundings. Many locals stared at her with curiosity, not only because of her awkward attempts at concealment but also because Kez's blatant presence made it clear to everyone that he was following her. Despite all that, she still seemed to be unaware of Kez's presence, her focus remaining solely on her cautious navigation through the eerie town.
With every step he took, the feeling of isolation in Ashridge grew more pronounced. The buildings loomed over him like silent witnesses, and the pervasive sense of neglect was palpable. He had already put on a stolen robe that was hanging on a small balcony for drying. His movements were now much more inconspicuous, almost mimicking the locals.
'Where is she even going? I think she's lost. Hey AI, have you been mapping all these so far?'
[ Beep. Mapping in progress. Would you like to view the map? ]
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