Gradually, the people fled into their homes. They were obviously afraid of him.

,What is going on?´ he wondered.

,Why are they all afraid of me, and why do they all look like that? I don't think that's normal!´

He continued cautiously through the streets.

Now no one was outside. It was deathly silent.

Suddenly, something caught his eye.

In a side alley, there was something lying there, but he couldn't quite make it out.

He walked closer, slowly.

Just before he could get a better look at the object, someone placed a hand with long, bony fingers on his shoulder. It felt ice-cold, and a shiver ran down his spine.

He turned around. Standing before him was an old nun, her face so heavily veiled that he couldn't see it.

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"Can I help you, my child?" she asked in a fragile, brittle tone.

"I... I'm just looking around," he replied.

"Oh, that might not be such a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Well, the pirates have been attacking more frequently lately, and now the people here are quite afraid of... ahem... new faces."

"Oh, I see. But what's with their faces?"

"Well, a new, unknown disease has been spreading here recently. I hope you can understand why the people are, well, a bit more cautious."

"I think I understand."

"It's not safe out here. Come with me. There's a place where people seek refuge, and where it is, well, safe from the disease."

He hesitated for a moment.

"Can I trust her? Maybe. Her story does sound somewhat plausible. I can ask the people there where the inn is."

"Alright! I'll come with you!" he agreed.

"Good!" she replied and shuffled away.

He followed her.

The further they ventured into the city, the more desolate it looked. A fog was also beginning to rise.

After a while, they arrived at an old, decrepit church.

She opened the door and gestured for him to enter.

"Are you also infected with this disease?" he asked before stepping inside.

"Unfortunately, yes. Usually, I don't go in, but I need to explain to the dear people that you are not a threat to them," she explained.

He slowly entered the church.

,Does this still make sense?´ he wondered as the doors creaked shut behind him.