Samantha (Corrections Officer)

I stepped around the counter, calling out a casual, hello, even though I was already spooked by the emptiness. A door in the back stood half open, curious I pushed it a bit wider. A single bulb buzzed on the ceiling, flickering on and off, making the whole room strobe. A coffee mug sat on a desk, the contents dried to a thick residue.

I stepped around the counter, calling out a casual, hello, even though I was already spooked by the emptiness. A door in the back stood half open, curious I pushed it a bit wider. A single bulb buzzed on the ceiling, flickering on and off, making the whole room strobe. A coffee mug sat on a desk, the contents dried to a thick residue.

A coat draped over the chair, as though somebody would be right back to grab it.

A coat draped over the chair, as though somebody would be right back to grab it.

i tried telling myself the owner was out running an errand but who leaves their coffee half finished and vanishes for seven years or however long it had actually been a faint off-putting smell lingered near one corner something like metal shavings and spoiled meat i inched closer saw an old mop bucket filled with slimy water and backed away no thanks by that point the building felt oppressive

i tried telling myself the owner was out running an errand but who leaves their coffee half finished and vanishes for seven years or however long it had actually been a faint off-putting smell lingered near one corner something like metal shavings and spoiled meat i inched closer saw an old mop bucket filled with slimy water and backed away no thanks by that point the building felt oppressive

My stomach twisted at the idea of continuing further, like the rest of Clarkston might hold sights worse than a crusty mop bucket. I headed outside again, scanning the row of buildings across the street. They all looked similarly abandoned. Windows caked in dust, doors boarded or hanging off hinges.

My stomach twisted at the idea of continuing further, like the rest of Clarkston might hold sights worse than a crusty mop bucket. I headed outside again, scanning the row of buildings across the street. They all looked similarly abandoned. Windows caked in dust, doors boarded or hanging off hinges.

A battered sign reading restaurant creaked overhead in the breeze, but the glass was so grimy I couldn't see inside. As much as I wanted to jump back in my car and pray I had enough gas to reach the next town, I hesitated, thinking maybe there was a single living soul around who could help. That's what got me, hope mixed with dread.

A battered sign reading restaurant creaked overhead in the breeze, but the glass was so grimy I couldn't see inside. As much as I wanted to jump back in my car and pray I had enough gas to reach the next town, I hesitated, thinking maybe there was a single living soul around who could help. That's what got me, hope mixed with dread.

So I made the impulsive decision to walk across the cracked pavement and investigate. If I found someone, maybe they could point me to a working pump. If not, well, I tried not to think about the alternative.

So I made the impulsive decision to walk across the cracked pavement and investigate. If I found someone, maybe they could point me to a working pump. If not, well, I tried not to think about the alternative.

with each step toward those silent buildings the pit in my stomach deepened and i grew more certain that clarkston held secrets i might regret uncovering still i kept going telling myself i'd only peek around for a minute before getting out of there My gut urged me to turn back, but I pushed that aside. One minute wouldn't hurt, right? That's what I thought.

with each step toward those silent buildings the pit in my stomach deepened and i grew more certain that clarkston held secrets i might regret uncovering still i kept going telling myself i'd only peek around for a minute before getting out of there My gut urged me to turn back, but I pushed that aside. One minute wouldn't hurt, right? That's what I thought.

I hesitated in the middle of that cracked street, as if stepping forward might trigger something awful I couldn't undo. Every building looked so lifeless. Paint curled off the walls, and old broken signs hung overhead, swaying in a small gust. There wasn't a single working light that I could see, apart from the weak flicker by the gas station.

I hesitated in the middle of that cracked street, as if stepping forward might trigger something awful I couldn't undo. Every building looked so lifeless. Paint curled off the walls, and old broken signs hung overhead, swaying in a small gust. There wasn't a single working light that I could see, apart from the weak flicker by the gas station.

Yet I kept thinking maybe I'd spot movement in one of the windows. Somebody who could explain why this place felt like a ghost had swallowed it whole. When I reached the first storefront, I knocked on the doorframe. No echo, no answer, just a dull thud. Peering through the grimy window, I made out a few tables buried under thick layers of dust, as if time itself had quit on the place.

Yet I kept thinking maybe I'd spot movement in one of the windows. Somebody who could explain why this place felt like a ghost had swallowed it whole. When I reached the first storefront, I knocked on the doorframe. No echo, no answer, just a dull thud. Peering through the grimy window, I made out a few tables buried under thick layers of dust, as if time itself had quit on the place.

A flyer on the wall inside advertised a summer festival. the image of a ferris wheel loomed in faded colors making me wonder how long ago someone tacked it up i moved on before my mind could wander further the next set of buildings seemed to be houses small single-story homes clustered close yards choked with weeds one door stood slightly open the hinges rusted and screechy

A flyer on the wall inside advertised a summer festival. the image of a ferris wheel loomed in faded colors making me wonder how long ago someone tacked it up i moved on before my mind could wander further the next set of buildings seemed to be houses small single-story homes clustered close yards choked with weeds one door stood slightly open the hinges rusted and screechy