Soon after I got back, I took a quick bath and went down for lunch. Mr Bailey seemed more refreshed and sober compared to earlier that day, as he chatted away with a friend eating there then. Like earlier this morning, Ann sat with me after getting me the food I asked for. As we chatted, I decided to ask her about her vision.

Ann however didn't seem to like the topic as she said, “I'm sorry, but can we talk about something else? I don't really like the visions, if I'm being honest.”

Her father happened to hear us, and scoffed as he said, “Bah, don't talk nonsense. Those visions are balderdash. I'll tell you mine if you like. I heard some mysterious voice I've never heard say ‘I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on earth.’ I've been forced to remember that nonsense by heart after having heard it this much. And then my head burst. A pretty stupid vision, don't you think?”

I nodded absently as I thought about it. It did sound familiar to me, but I honestly didn't care enough to look further into it. I decided to shift topics for a bit since Ann looked uneasy. Once she calmed down, I decided to take another plunge as I asked, “I've heard of another case that took place here that I'm curious about, the murder of Amy Farrow.”

Ann paled while quickly turning back to look at her father. This time however he did not hear me. Ann sighed as she turned around and said in a low, but somehow still sweet voice, “Yeah I knew her. She used to stay at this inn after all. She was a nice woman. I think she had a boyfriend at the time, or at least was seeing someone, going out at odd hours while dressed up.”

She sighed again, and continued, “She deserved to live, she was such a good person. And the way it happened… was horrible, I can't imagine what kind of person would do that.”

I wanted to ask more, but it seemed about time for me to meet the kids, and I wasn't in the right state of mind to hear more. So I thanked Ann for her time, finished my meal and left.

When I reached the park, I met the twins once more. Bobby was also present, hovering near them like a protective sibling.

They waved their hands excitedly once they saw me approach and ran over. They ran around me in excitement as they introduced themselves one after the other.

The first one twirled and then yelled out, “I'm Nora! Nice to meet you!”

The other one bowed awkwardly, likely in an attempt to be respectful that didn't fit them, and then yelled, “And I'm Noah! What’s your name, traveler?”

I smiled. They were cute. I then realized that one of them had a slightly higher pitched voice, probably Nora, and was likely a girl. They looked very similar, but their hair was styled a bit differently, probably by their parents to tell them apart.

I bowed at them with a smile and said, “I'm David Werner, it's nice to meet you too, Noah and Nora. By the way, forgive me for prying, but Nora, you wouldn't happen to be a girl, would you? Sorry if it's strange, but identical twins of opposite genders are rare.”

They shook their heads. Nora said, “Nah, we get asked that all the time, especially when we were younger.”

Noah quickly followed up, “Doesn't that mean we're super special? That's what Ms Maupin said. We have, um, Turner something.”

Bobby suddenly spoke up and said, “Turner Syndrome.”

Nora nodded energetically and said, “Yeah, that's right, Turner Syndrome.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

I nodded, and decided to look into that later on. I then asked, “Are you two close to Ms Maupin?”

Noah and Nora nodded and in unison said, “She gives us free chocolates!”

It was a bit surprising to me then, but I chalked it up to her liking kids.

I smiled and said, “I see. Well then, I guess we're done with introductions. What would you like to do now?”

The twins almost immediately yelled, “What was your vision?”

Bobby sighed and walked over with a scowl on his face as he said, “What are you two doing?”

The twins pouted adorably as they turned around to him and said, “But Bobby! You got to hear his and the other's visions at that tea party, and you wouldn't even tell us any details!”

Bobby sighed and said, “It's not for me to tell, and in the first place the visions aren't things anyone should know. But whatever, go ahead and ask him if he doesn't mind, it's not my business.”

As the two turned to me, pouting cutely while clasping their hands, I chuckled and said, “Well I don't mind. My vision involved me lying on the floor with a large poppy flower sprouting from my stomach.”

The twins' eyes blew up as they gushed over it at each other. They had strange tastes, but were still somehow endearing.

They then turned to me with serious expressions, and then Noah said, “In exchange for your vision, we will show you around the town.”

Nora nodded and added, “Yeah! It's only, um, good manners befitting mature individuals.”

They then turned to Bobby, as though seeking his approval. After a brief pause, he sighed and nodded.

And so we set off. They showed me through various parts of the town, as I jotted down the things of interest. I saw the houses of those I met at the tea party, and the various other vital aspects of the town. But I don't think I need to tell you all that though, you'd know it better than me.

The second last stop was a shabby little place with a sign that said “Prospects Orphanage”.

The twins turned to face it, pointed at it and said, “That's our home.”

I nodded and simply said, “I see.”

I suppose it made sense, and it explained aspects of their behavior. The twins didn't sound happy, angry, or sad as they said it. They were simply apathetic, which didn't fit them all that well in my opinion. Bobby on the other hand looked a bit sad.

After a brief pause, the twins turned and in a faux creepy voice said, “Alright. We left the best for last. It's time to visit the watchtower of death!”

They turned to Bobby, who looked up with a frown and said, “Alright, but let's make it quick.”

As we arrived at the watchtower, the sky began to darken. Bobby's judgment had been spot on, there were only a few hours left till dusk. As I looked at it, something about it seemed strange. According to the kids, it had a double helix staircase from the bottom to the top, with one side serving as an entrance and the other as an exit. I couldn't put a finger on what specifically rubbed me wrong about it.

I turned my focus to the watchtower. We didn't have the time to climb up, so we simply looked at it from below. It had a open viewing area like a balcony, which was a bit unusual.

Bobby then suddenly spoke up and said, “Allow me to tell you a story Mr Werner. One about the history of this town.”

I nodded, encouraging him to go ahead. The twins also listened along, even though they'd likely heard it before.

“You see, back in the day, when the fog first came to the town, it caused a lot of chaos. There was already a bit of a mafia problem, and it blew up massively. People suspected others based on interpretations of visions, often wrong ones. They acted out of fear and retaliated, unknowingly fulfilling other visions. There were those who pushed for arrests based on visions yet to come. A few came to power during this turbulent time, one of whom was the man who married Mrs Walker’s daughter, Mr Bennet. Mrs Walker herself didn't carry as much power back then as she does now. The other was Ms Maupin’s then husband, Mr Hofmann. There were a few others, most of whom are dead now. First Mr Bennet and his wife disappeared, the former last seen in this very watchtower. The latter was found hanging in the very same watchtower soon after. Ever since, this place has been regarded as cursed.”

Bobby paused there, letting his story sink in. He then continued, “You see, that's why I think of the visions as a curse, one that's plagued this town. There was also the death of Amy -”

I interrupted him here and said, “I'm familiar with that case, no need to reiterate it for me.”

It was a recent one after all, so I knew of it. It was one of the things that influenced my decision to come here.

As I was about to speak again, a loud ringing sound began to come from the watchtower. It seemed like there was some sort of bell within that rang out at certain intervals, likely every hour.

After it stopped, I said, “Shall we go back? It seems like it's time.”

Once I reached back home, I pulled over everything I'd learnt. There was a lot of new information, but what was the path that led to the truth I seek? With these thoughts in mind, I went to sleep.

By the time I woke, there had been two murders.