Under the graze of blazing sunlight and blasting horns of the busses going in and out of the terminal, the shoes of the people tacking on the ground as they walk by the gloomy old terminal, the endless chatter of the people as they banter about things that is unintelligible, and the sound of people crying over the departure of their loved ones. Neera saw a vending machine just across the Terminal.
"Surely, I'll be starving later on" so she thought as she slid what little coins she has onto the vending machine, she grabbed her snacks and merrily sat on one of the benches beside the bus stop. As she sat down, a strange, old man who appears to be in his late 70s approached her. Seemingly trying to sit, Neera scooted over. She saw the Old Man slump beside her, the Old man took out a small, weathered black book from his pocket, the jet black book was adorned with gold colored intricate designs. The word "Bible", was written in a clear, simple font.
As she was happily munching her Salt and Vinegar chips alongside a canned caramel latte, which her friends thought was a strange combination, was something she'd always had as a sort of comfort food. Something tapped her left shoulder which made her jolt, toppling over the can of coffee to her side.
"Oh, I'm really sorry about that, I tend to do that to my grandchildrens, they're always ignoring me." Said the old man in an apologetic tone.
"It's okay!, I was just shocked and Oh! Don't mind my coffee, it's alright. Do you need something?" Asked Neera cheerfully while trying to dry out her brown skirt, the coffee stains blended on the skirt, which made it look like water stains.
"I'm just asking out of pure curiosity, but what's a girl like you doing here, riding a bus alone" The old man asked, "And at night too!" He added.
"It's winter break, and I'm going to visit my Grandma living on the countryside, I haven't seen her for like, 5 years? Oh man do I miss her Hot Chocolate" replied Neera as she picks up the can, crumples it, and throws it at the bin.
"So Grandpa, what's up with your attire? Are you a travelling priest? I saw you reading a Bible earlier!" Neera inquires as she inspect the bible the old man lended her
"Ah, yes I was transferring from this local parish church to the countryside, frankly, I don't think I'll be able to handle such a large number of people, say have you heard of the town of Willbury per chance?"
"Willbury! You're going to the same town as me!" She gleefully replied as the Bus came to a halt in front of them.
"We'd best be off, little missus, there are more times to talk on the road" said the priest as he boards the bus, carrying a single briefcase made out of sleek, dark leather.
The Bus' ticket seating arrangement separated Neera and the Priest, her seat was at the back of the bus. As everybody settles down, she noticed that the seat beside her was empty, she put her luggages on the seat beside her and dozed off.
The air was humid as the bus drove towards the end of the city. The tall structures and buildings of the city soon dissapeared from sight, as the trees and mountains of the countryside began to develop outside the window. She saw various trees and greenery that entices her to open the small, sliding window beside her, and so she did.
Cold brushes of wind, the fresh smell of pines and trees came over her senses, with the sun resting just on the other side of the mountains, she noticed that it is nearly 6:00 PM. As the journey was still a long way ahead, she decided to spend the remaining time dozing off as the bus speeds across the seemingly endless road.
The bus suddenly came to a halt, throwing Neera over to the floor of her seat, as the driver loudly shouts "Willbury! Willbury! Those getting off, get off quick! Wake up people!". Upon hearing those sentence, Neera quickly gathered her belongings sprawled on the seat beside her and tucked it inside her backpack. She hurriedly went off the bus. There was a hint of faint whistling in the wind that almost seems melodical, when she notices a tall figure standing at the entrance of the town.
It was the priest from before.
Neera felt relieved as she saw the warm smile of the old man waiting for her at the town's entrance. Before they parted ways, she remembered that the old man told her to call him "Father Simon".
Neera strolled across the town, scanning every house and buildings she sees. She saw various houses of differing colors and style, but still retained the same nostalgic feeling she had back when she still lives in the town.
The town was surrounded by a thick, lush forest with towering trees, which made the town look enclosed. The town was so peaceful and silent that it exudes more of an eerie and unnerving presence, rather than the calmness you'd normally expect.
At the corner of the street, she finally saw the Shingle-styled house, it can be described in two ways — The paint was too creamy, and too ragged outside.
As she approaches her grandmother's house, she started fixing her brown, curly hair, straightening her puffy, yellow jacket and her coffee stained skirt before finally knocking on her grandmothers doorstep
*Knock knock*
"Hello? It's me Grandma" Neera said expectantly as she awaits. Shortly after, she heard steps from inside the house, when the door opens, it revealed a short and plump old lady around her 80s. Wearing big, circular, thin-rimmed sunglasses. The lady sports a white hair, and a floral-patterned blouse, typical clothing worn by grandmothers at her age.
"Oh, sweetie you're here! I've been waiting for you, come on in, it's cold outside and I've made your favorite hot chocolate!" Her grandmother said happily. Neera can see a warm smile spread across her Grandmother's eye after she opened the door, her deep, hazelnut brown eyes were twinkling with happiness and excitement.
Neera went in without a second thought. As she steps inside, a couple of dolls stared at her at the top of a drawer, she saw numerous occult themed books piled up nearly at the table, "A glimpse to the Supernatural: How to Unlock your Supernatural eye" and " Dark Etiquettes" .
She suddenly remembered how Superstitious her Grandmother was, she can't say it's easy nor hard to believe, because sometimes, her grandmother speaks nonsensical words, such as "It's here" or " I can feel it here". She went upstairs after rummaging a bunch of books and plopped her luggage right on top of her Single-sized bed. After she unpacks, she immediately went down for a chat with her grandmother over food and her most anticipated beverage, Hot chocolate
She asked a variety of questions, mostly probing one — School, Family, Relationships, Life. The small chit-chats were good, she missed the times when she and her grandmother would warmly chat over food and drinks at night before going to bed. After dinner, she wanted to stroll around the old town for a bit before going to bed.
As she reaches for the door, a strong grip suddenly pulled her hand away from the door, she turned around to see her grandmother, covered in sweat, her pulse rapidly increasing and as she looks into her eyes.
She saw a glimpse of horror, fear and wariness in her grandmother's eyes.
"What's wrong, Grandma? Are you okay? Your grip is starting to hurt me", Her Grandmother, seemingly possessed, uttered words that seems to be out of her nonsensical self again.
"We don't go outside at night, not when she hunts."