Chapter 38: The Town That Time Forgot
The forest eventually loosened its grip on the road, and Adam and Henry emerged into the open air, blinking against the sudden brightness. The road led to a small town nestled in a valley, its cluster of old-fashioned buildings looking like something out of a faded postcard.
"This… is it?" Henry asked, his voice filled with skepticism.
Adam surveyed the scene. The town's main street was lined with narrow shops, their signs painted in peeling letters. A few classic cars were parked at odd angles, their chrome surfaces glinting dully. The place seemed almost too perfect in its dilapidation, like it had been preserved intentionally.
"Looks like a set for a movie," Adam said.
Adam pocketed the phone and glanced at Henry. "There's definitely someone here."
"Great," Henry said. "Let's just hope they're not as weird as that guy back in the forest."
As they walked into town, the silence felt oppressive. Even their footsteps seemed muffled. A few of the shop windows were dusty but intact, displaying items that looked decades old—typewriters, rotary phones, and shelves of canned goods with retro labels.
"Either they really love vintage," Henry muttered, "or this place hasn't seen the modern world in a while."
Adam stopped in front of a diner. Its neon sign flickered faintly, struggling to spell out "Eats." The smell of something greasy wafted through the air, making his stomach growl.
"We might as well check it out," Adam said. "Maybe someone inside can give us directions."
Henry hesitated, eyeing the diner suspiciously. "You really think this is a good idea?"
Adam shrugged. "It's either this or wandering around aimlessly. Besides, I'm starving."
The bell above the door jingled as they stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, the booths upholstered in cracked red vinyl. A lone jukebox sat in the corner, its buttons worn smooth. Behind the counter, a woman in her sixties was wiping down a coffee pot.
"Well, I'll be," she said, her voice warm but laced with curiosity. "Haven't seen new faces in ages."
"We're just passing through," Adam said, offering a polite smile.
The woman set the pot down and leaned on the counter. "Passing through? Honey, not many people come out this way anymore. You boys lost?"
Adam hesitated. "Not exactly. Just… looking for the main road."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile didn't falter. "Main road's a ways back. You must've taken a wrong turn."
Henry gave Adam a pointed look, but before he could speak, the woman continued.
"Why don't you sit down? I'll get you something to eat. On the house."
Reluctantly, they slid into a booth near the window. The woman disappeared into the kitchen, leaving them alone.
"This feels like a trap," Henry whispered.
Adam pulled out his phone under the table.
"She's just making food," Adam said, keeping his voice low.
"Yeah, but why is she so friendly? This place is giving me serious Twilight Zone vibes."
Before Adam could respond, the woman returned with two steaming plates of food. Eggs, bacon, and toast, all cooked to perfection.
"Here you go," she said, setting the plates down. "Best breakfast in town."
"Thanks," Adam said cautiously.
She lingered for a moment, her eyes flicking between them. "You boys seem like you've had a rough time. Anything you want to talk about?"
Henry shook his head quickly. "We're fine. Just passing through, like we said."
She nodded slowly, her smile fading slightly. "Well, if you change your mind, I'm here."
As she walked away, Adam took a bite of the bacon. It was surprisingly good—crispy, with just the right amount of salt.
"Okay, maybe it's not poisoned," Henry admitted, digging in.
They ate in silence, their paranoia gradually subsiding. The food was comforting, and the diner's quiet atmosphere almost felt normal.
But then Adam's phone buzzed.
He froze, glancing out the window. A black car was rolling into town, its sleek exterior out of place among the town's vintage charm.
"Henry," Adam said quietly.
"What?"
"We've got company."
Henry followed his gaze and stiffened. "That doesn't look good."
The car stopped in front of the diner, and two men in dark suits stepped out. They exchanged a few words before heading toward the entrance.
Adam slipped his phone into his pocket. "Let's go."
They slid out of the booth and made their way toward the back exit, keeping low. The bell jingled as the men entered, their footsteps heavy on the diner's tile floor.
"Excuse me, ma'am," one of them said. "We're looking for two men who came through here. Have you seen anyone?"
Adam and Henry didn't wait to hear her response. They pushed through the back door and into the alley, the midday sun blinding after the diner's dim light.
"Run," Adam said, his voice tight.
They took off down the alley, their footsteps echoing against the brick walls. Behind them, the diner door slammed open, and the sound of pursuit followed.
End of Chapter 38