Welcome to the Neighbourhood

Thomas and Wilma walked along the path that led from the hotel to the center of town. The path was overgrown and beginning to surrender to the grass. Wilma glanced at the nature around them flabbergasted. She was amazed at how untouched the area was. There weren’t even any telephone poles in sight.

  “I am surprised that this isn’t a tourist hot spot.” Wilma said.

  “We try to keep the town secret.” Thomas said, “The mayor has kept advertising to a minimal. He believes the outside world will taint the quaint little nestling of ours.”

  “That’s understandable.” Wilma replied.

  “We get the occasional visitor like yourself.” Thomas said, “Usually people who will appreciate a town like ours. We have in the past received visitors who did not appreciate the tranquility. They were shown the way out. In some instances a few of our guests stayed on permanently. If you don’t mind me saying so, you look like the kind of person who would fit in quite easily here.”

  Wilma smiled and glanced at the nature around them. It was so peaceful. She could picture herself growing old in a place like Iniquity Falls.

  As they walked, the town came into sight. It consisted of a single road lined with a couple of houses and buildings. It was so quant and tranquil. A girl was playing hopscotch on the table she drew in the road outside her house. There were no cars in town except for a rusted old pickup truck parked outside the general store. The owner of the store most probably used it to collect supplies from the bigger towns.

  Wilma was amazed at the serenity of the town. Everything about the little town seemed just right.

  “Wow. I simply adore this place.” Wilma said.

  “I don’t blame you.” Thomas said, “The quietness can capture and mesmerize you.”

  They walked down the street and then Wilma saw a footpath to the left leading into some shrubs and trees. It seemed ominous and cold. It was as if the shrubs were screaming at her.

  “What’s down there?” Wilma asked

  Thomas glanced at the footpath and said, “It’s the old cemetery. Come on, I’ll take you to the museum.”

  ”Cemetery?” Wilma said surprised, “It must be really small if the town is so small.”

  “A few graves, yes.” Thomas admitted. “Mostly family plots.”

  Thomas continued walking towards the museum, Wilma followed. As Wilma walked, she could not help but feel drawn to the cemetery in a macabre way. She wondered what untold stories and secrets the graves kept. She knew that she wanted to visit it at some point during her stay.

  “The museum carries the history of the town.” Thomas said.

  They reached the museum and Thomas waited for Wilma to catch up.

  “Everything you need to know about our little town will be in here.” Thomas said proudly.