Alex Winter
6pm, Saturday, July 8th, 2023
Train tracks ran along to no end. Much like life, they continued down a linear path. How it sped up or slowed down was entirely circumstantial. Fields of grass stretched over the horizon along both sides of the train. Sleeping against the window was a man named Alex Winter. His glasses pushed against his nose as he grimaced. A soft hand tapped his shoulder. "Excuse me," a young woman stood next to him.
Alex showed little signs of waking. Whispers plagued his sleep. Images of a dark room and a smiling silhouette flashed in and out. His duster felt like it was suffocating, wrapped tight around his body. Sweat ran down his brow as he trembled. "Excuse me, if you don't wake up..." the woman said, her head turning to the window ever so often. The station was coming into view.
A pamphlet that read Diaedem Harbor rested a few inches from his right hand. The woman shook him harder, leaning forward. The train had stopped. "Wake up!" she cried.
Alex's eyes snapped open, jumping out of his seat. Their heads knocked together and he fell back. "Shit... that hurt," he muttered, grasping his forehead.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I appreciate the help," Alex said, sitting across from the woman.
Had he awoken any later, he'd have been going the wrong way. It took two trains to get to town, and he had to transfer at the last station. "Why'd you stop to wake me up though? You almost missed your stop for a stranger."
The woman smiled as she twirled her hair around her finger. "I noticed your pamphlet and figured we were going the same way," she said, extending a hand. "The name's Rinoa Valentine in case you were wondering."
image [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczObjvQOxmP9j6-NRmcjjqfyQ9EMrNCZ6ntUMyCHodYDV-EC8sq6gZ21H6OoXmnsgqMKhDxj9FCqAMPqgVK9xSzkLMdXqsjmzxM3okcFI6Hq3rJw5QvBT0FXBy6vX4MpT0JNuquf9zViZWpGa4D27O7dcGNG7BJP06Czl6bBqmk6TFBoiG5MvY2yxyHIo_Lbk1LE5otSqIAkKr-3uQnBjiPHPzL6gn65fUEQu2VgZlrdPkM9YzndO_A1VbU0GTXtBBwiIQAUeSTt6id-d4DbEXT8xJ1bLnbBWnOqHTiG5qSsB5MQkiV-fLnpqzPblQy3VSBdOLM23ZN67snUnHU0oTl11XGkyxH4nW3tpKmpxonEaTs8jWLPIINf3CHGjA75_sbkXWkB44rlIjsOa8GA2XGQtmimhtnVdzGbFS1KmD6aDfB0roZ8MUAJJWX5BPYhw9koWDEuQjpP2Yapz4ZT_QsEp5oZveHxeYCYtyOiocWwFuFb9zmJTVZRK3Cxm0u0XfIgyD9viBVwmdqTIP_yEcLkOFgY4B63-60nE1PiEM5nWLHvkcEvGp0EBew4ulDFg8p1QbEAtE_E9tGujN6m_DYnYe3skz3ZJiEoBFl65lm3vYWGr4bI-Gd31a6x6rFK5vOD-OvP1XhK7cHNcn8DalcbzcHqp_JDD19fbz7RHNNabvl6vOzM7Ng4oliW4lOA2lLo3s866tXHvpzfYEe6aghbEw_g9ifwvucVw-kBOqTDeXkhckbMAE9yEhCe4bSOiJ3jS9cRx1A9vYIyvjnGoXg7-kVjSAw-cf7nTovgH3E4sDlld8MQu4hqMfQrpZmaaWICvbtUwV-VMxBF4GNqP92rxIhwwH3aqPKdQr0y_us8lxNaUELHnEQ2U4h2hjlrbwcsRnEZJIDQIw4-xCvoAwA8CtsSVJUrBeinxG2TlYbhvQpXKZoepoitAXAXO_o=w461-h654-s-no-gm?authuser=1]
(Concept of Rinoa Valentine)
"Alex Winter," he responded, shaking it.
Her eyes were a sharp sapphire blue. A black ponytail hung over her shoulder, its darkness matching her tight silk shirt. The orange highlights in her hair made it look like embers dancing in shadows. Her accent sounded British, but her golden tanned skin gave her a divine look. She could be from anywhere and I'd never guess without asking... The way she stared pierced him. It was welcoming and yet intimidating in its sharpness. "Do you normally help random people?" he asked.
She shook her head. "From time to time, perhaps. Is it that strange to show an act of kindness?"
"Not necessarily. Though it wouldn't surprise me if it was entirely in self-interest," Alex said, leaning back against his chair.
The wheels below the train bounced against the tracks. Birds flew over them, trailing toward the ocean that grew in sight with every passing second. He turned his eyes to them. The sight of the water made him sigh. Rinoa smirked, tilting her head to the side. "Whatever gave you that idea?"
He grabbed his pamphlet and flipped to the last page. He pointed to her name at the bottom. "Might have to do with the fact that you helped write this little article," Alex said, placing it next to him. "And as a fellow writer, I imagine you already know who I am."
She giggled, clapping her hands over her mouth. "Wow. You certainly live up to my expectations so far."
"Your expectations?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You're not a bore, to put it bluntly. Calculated and no lack of confidence either," she said, turning her gaze to the sea. The sun was sinking closer and closer to the horizon. "What brings a man of your caliber to Diaedem anyhow?"
Alex frowned. "I suppose you could say it's a means to a new beginning. My old man left me a house in the forest," he responded, crossing his arms. "Mainly, I intended to start college in this town. I was out at sea when he passed... I was hoping to pay my respects at his grave and start my new life here."
Rinoa's smirk faded at the mention of his loss. "Well, I'm sure you didn't come to be soaking in the sun. Diaedem is a beautiful place," she responded, leaning forward. "You never know who you might meet..."
Their eyes met as she said this. Alex shifted his gaze. "What about you? Why are you here?"
"Me? No special reason, really. I'm merely covering the story of a local urban legend," Rinoa said, turning her eyes to the window again. "Diaedem is home to the Undead. Random spirits are said to return to life every 1000 years, only they aren't rotting and decomposing like a corpse. They look as healthy and as clean as you or me. It can be anyone or anything."
Alex sighed. "Let me guess. All who meet them suffer or meet misfortune of some crazy horrific proportions," he said, throwing his hands up at the word horrific.
"A massacre is what happens. All who meet it wind up dead, butchered in ways that no one can ever explain," Rinoa said, slamming her hand against the window. Her eyes were wide as Alex snapped his head in her direction. They sat there in a frozen silence. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a chill from her gaze. But then she smirked and flicked his forehead. "It's a load of crap of course. That's why it's called a legend. No one has any proof it ever happened."
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
This made him take a breath of relief. "Are you some sort of ghost hunter or something? What makes you think this is worth researching? Is that why you're here?"
"Well, everyone is due a good vacation now and again, I'd say, wouldn't you agree? Though I suppose calling this a vocation would be more accurate. Might inspire a novel of my own."
Alex smiled. "Well, I'm sure it would be an interesting read. Need any help writing it?"
"My... Is the infamous Mr. Winter offering to be my co-writer?"
"Only if Ms. Valentine asks politely, he might." They exchanged looks and shared a little chuckle. He'd felt wary at first, but now that he looked at Rinoa closely, he felt more at ease. Perhaps this could be the start of something new.
The train was beginning to slow as they drew closer. His eyes widened. Didn't realize we were so close already.
"Oh, thank goodness. I'm positively famished!" Rinoa said, feeling her stomach.
"Same here. Care to grab a bite before we settle in?"
Her eyes widened. "I'll have you know, Mr. Winter, I'm a well respectable woman. I don't do dates with coworkers or co writers I'll have you know. Wouldn't want you getting distracted during our project," she teased, glancing at him as she pulled down her bag.
He raised an eyebrow. "Well, if Ms. Valentine is intimidated, I won't intru-" She flicked his head again, making him go, "D'ow!"
"But for you I suppose I'll have to make an exception, won't I?" Rinoa added, to which they shared a smile. She gripped his shoulder and frowned. "I'd love to, really. I can't remember the last time a man had the courage to ask me out, but unfortunately I'm wanted for a meeting of sorts. I don't suppose you know Steven Whitman do yo-"
Alex's eyes widened. "You know Steven Whitma-!" he almost shouted when she covered his mouth, shushing him.
"Yes, yes. He promised to help provide locations that hold historical value to the myths. Any chance our dinner date could be rain checked into breakfast tomorrow? If you're interested in Steven, I'm sure he'd love to meet you as well. He is quite a fan of that book of yours."
"Are you serious? Hell yeah, that sounds great!" Alex froze as he felt a vibration from his phone. Looking at it, he saw she'd sent her phone number.
Wait, how did she- Winking, Rinoa walked toward the doorway with her things. "I'll stop by in the morning. We can talk about everything more in length when I'm not in a crunch." She made to walk out before Alex could even refuse. Just as he had his own suitcase, she threw her head back into the doorway. He had to take a step back before they knocked heads again.
"For the record, the legend of the Undead might not exist but the massacre does. The Diaedem Harbour Bloodbath. It's on Google. On that note, night!~" She dashed out of sight before she could watch the color drain from his face.
9pm, Saturday, July 8th, 2023
After parting at the train station, Alex had a long and quiet walk. The streets outside were isolated. Lamp posts around him kept various areas well lit, other areas hidden further in the dark corners of the buildings towering over him. How did she get my number? Did she look through my phone while I was sleeping? He looked at her smiling photo. Guess I shouldn't be one to complain. Not every day I meet a pretty woman on my first night in town willing to go out with me.
...And then there's all this talk about the Undead. His eyes wandered as he walked forward. It's not close to Halloween, so I'm going to presume that's not the reason they're talking about this. It's not like it's some sort of zombie though... Why am I wasting my time thinking about this?
Nothing answered his thoughts naturally. Nothing but the silent night, low chirping of crickets surrounding the town, and waves crashing along the beach. Alex took a look at the map on his smartphone and groaned. It's an hour walk away... normally that'd be nothing for a guy like me. I'm tired as hell. At the very least, the sky looks clear for a change... Wait, did I just jinx myself?
The car dealership was closed for the night, so that robbed him of any chances in renting or buying one for a nice ride there. No buses ran at this time either. Crying about it won't get me and my shit there any faster. This town doesn't have Uber, Lyft, or taxis either if I read that pamphlet correctly. Does make me feel a little better though.
Ten minutes down the road Alex heard voices in a café across the street. Few cars passed, but at least he didn't feel completely isolated. Glasses clattered and roaring laughter filled the air. A bright, neon sign read The Blue Field's Tavern.
Hmm, maybe I'll give it a look tomorrow. He smiled, dragging his suitcase. Its wheels banged against the sidewalk when a blue butterfly passed his eyes, making him flinch. It glowed eerily as it flew through the alley to the left. Lights around him started to dim.
Huh? Alex turned his eyes to the street. Across from him was a bus stop, isolated with a single light shining down upon it. There was a poster that stood out to him. It was a missing poster, a smiling woman named Cherie Mousie. His eyes narrowed.
The light flickered with a loud hum. Sounds from the café were drowned out, as if someone had turned the volume down with a TV remote. One car beside him moved at a snail's pace, driving past too slow to possibly be normal.
Alex couldn't move. Distorted breathing was all he could hear. It grew louder with each passing second. Just as the world was growing its darkest, Alex could blink. He did.
The car drove past quickly and normal at last. Laughter from the café returned along with the crickets who competed against it. Alex took a step back and clutched his chest. His heart was thudding out of control. Am I hallucinating? Never thought I'd see the day I have nightmares standing up... Alex's eyes felt droopy as if he'd been sleeping on the spot. It wouldn't be the first time it had happened while he was standing. Life in the Navy had tended to make it more common than he hoped to admit. Only it had been years since it ever happened. That didn't feel normal though... I know I didn't fall asleep-
He froze. The breathing he'd heard never left. It was louder. Alex looked left and right, but nothing was seen. The voice was hollow and scratchy, an unsettling malevolence behind it. As if any moment it would erupt into a screech. Without turning around, Alex walked away from the spot.
9:38pm, Saturday, July 8th, 2023
Half an hour later, Alex was treading through the forest. The experience from earlier still had him trembling. It's just a dream... Relax. Despite these thoughts, he kept speed walking through the fields into the fog. Peace and quiet was normally something Alex cherished. Right now, the silence was maddening.
He tried to distract himself by thinking. Just what is the deal with that missing woman, Cherie? Not exactly the most welcoming thing to see on my first night... Hopefully it's nothing serious.
He entered the forest, ignoring the shapes he imagined on the grassy fields. The streets ended here, met with a stone road. Even the stars seemed to abandon him in the dark.
His phone light was all he had to see the path. Trees towered over him. Owls hooted in the distance. This is the best fucking forest ever. Alex grimaced, reaching for his headphones. The idea of listening to music in attempts to drown out the fear was tempting.
Intuition told him it was a horrible idea. The random branches crunching around him did little to help. Even wolves howled in the distance, echoing throughout the area. Corner after corner, he turned along the road. It was getting to a point where he never thought he'd find his house. He was wrong.
Just a little past a clearing, a two story structure grew and grew as he walked toward it. If his little light was shined on a face hidden amongst the trees and branches, he might've died of a heart attack. His imagination did little to help make this painfully long walk any less disheartening.
Alex jumped when the lights on the porch flashed on. It's just lights. Get a grip. I have no reason to fear the dead. Steeling his nerves, Alex pulled out the key. It was small and worn, almost like it was made for opening a treasure chest. The door unlocked with a loud clunk. He stepped over the threshold quickly.