Jake Matthews needed a break. His job as a city worker had granted him some much-needed paid leave, and he decided to escape the noise and stress of urban life. A road trip seemed like the perfect remedy. Driving through the forested backroads, he felt the weight of his everyday worries lift with each mile. The dense canopy above formed a tunnel of greenery, the sunlight dappling the road in a calming, hypnotic rhythm.
As evening approached, Jake found himself low on gas. The last sign of civilization had been miles back, and his fuel gauge was inching towards empty. Relief washed over him as he spotted a sign: "Delvia - 5 miles." He hadn't planned on stopping in a town, but he had little choice.
Delvia appeared as if from nowhere, a quaint village nestled between the trees. The setting sun cast long shadows across the quiet streets. Jake pulled into a gas station, which was conveniently attached to a small motel. He stepped out of his car and took a deep breath of the fresh, pine-scented air. The place seemed idyllic, but something felt off. The few townspeople he saw gave him wary, almost hostile looks.
Jake shrugged it off. He was just passing through. He filled his gas tank and headed into the motel's reception area. The receptionist, a middle-aged man with graying hair and tired eyes, looked up as Jake entered.
"Need a room for the night," Jake said, trying to sound cheerful.
The receptionist hesitated. "You sure you want to stay here?"
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Before the receptionist could answer, a group of locals lounging nearby interjected. "You know what day it is tomorrow, right?" one of them asked, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek.
Jake shook his head. "No, what day?"
The man leaned closer, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "Tomorrow is Wednesday."
Jake frowned, confused. "So?"
The locals exchanged uneasy glances. "You should leave town before midnight if you don't want trouble," the man continued.
Jake's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of trouble?"
The receptionist sighed. "Just... don't stay here. Trust us."
Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, Jake ignored their warnings and booked a room. He needed a shower and a meal. After freshening up, he decided to explore the town and find something to eat. As he walked towards a small diner, the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, the sun just a sliver on the horizon.
The diner was nearly empty, save for a few patrons who barely glanced at him as he entered. He took a seat at the counter and ordered a beer and whatever the special was. The waitress, a young woman with tired eyes and a forced smile, brought him his food.
"Why are you still here?" she asked bluntly, setting the plate down.
Jake was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"You should leave town," she insisted. "Before it's too late."
Jake frowned. "I've heard that a lot today. What's going on tomorrow?"
The waitress looked around nervously before leaning in. "Tomorrow is the one day when... things come out. Things that aren't human. If they find you in the dark, you're as good as dead."
Jake tried to process this. "Things? What things?"
She shook her head. "We don't know what they are. But they're real, and they're deadly. If you want to survive, find a safe place with lots of light. Or better yet, leave."
Before Jake could ask more, a bell above the door jingled, and the burly man from the motel entered. "Still here, I see," he grumbled, glaring at Jake.
Jake sighed. "Look, I just want to understand what's happening."
The man softened slightly. "Fine. Follow me."
Jake followed the man outside and down the street. As they walked, the man pointed out various buildings. "That's Henry's place. He used to be the town's hero, tried to fight off whatever these things are when it all started. Lost his family. Now he just helps out during Wednesdays, waiting for his time to come."
They passed a small clinic. "That's Melida's clinic. She's the only doctor in town. You should meet her."
They entered the clinic, where a woman in her forties was organizing supplies. She looked up, clearly distressed. "Who's this?" she asked, eyeing Jake warily.
"A visitor," the man explained. "Got caught up in this mess."
Melida sighed. "Be careful," she warned Jake. "This town isn't safe on Wednesdays."
As they left the clinic, Jake noticed a small tent with food cooking inside. "What's that?" he asked.
The man quickly pulled him away. "Don't be too curious. Just follow me."
As they returned to the diner, a bell rang, signaling the town's curfew. The man turned to Jake. "Two hours until sundown. Get what you need and head to the diner. Diana will take care of you."
Back at the diner, Diana was closing up for the night. "We're going to the base," she said, locking the doors behind them.
"Base?" Jake asked, following her and the man down a series of alleys.
"You'll see," she replied.
They arrived at a large, brightly lit area filled with townspeople. Massive lights were positioned at every corner, ensuring there were no shadows. Jake looked around in awe as people bustled about, preparing for the night.
Tom, the burly man, led Jake to a small group of people, including his father and Henry. Tom handed Jake a beer, and they sat down together. "Stick close," Tom advised. "You'll be safe here."
As the bell struck again, signaling sundown, the atmosphere grew tense. People checked for any faults in the lighting, ensuring every corner was illuminated. The night was about to begin, and Jake could feel the fear and determination in the air.
In the middle of the gathering, Henry stood up and addressed the crowd. "Remember the rules: never go into the dark. If you find yourself in darkness, get to the nearest light source immediately."
Jake listened intently, gripping his beer tightly. The night had only just begun, and the shadows of Delvia were about to reveal their darkest secrets.