Hard cider, cheap whine, generic beer, really? No hard liquor? like whiskey, gin or tequila. I question while searching through what remains in the abandoned bar. Which smells of musk, carbonation and beer with the only light coming from the front door I left open.

I suppose I never checked to see if the electricity worked here. But the behind the bar ice freezer which is holding about a gallon of water is indicator enough. Also an indicator of no ones been here for quite some time. Which I find incredibly unnerving while sober, especially surrounded by all these lifeless buildings.

Not a single bottle of hard liquor, so strange. I stare out to the rest of the bar venue with a few tables and chairs, a singular billiards table and a stage to the left towards the entrance for karaoke nights. Nice place, overall.

I leave the bar, unsuccessful in my quest for some smooth liquid courage. I take a seat on the curb, sighing on the way down. I reach for my phone, but think otherwise. It’s probably dead anyways... just like this town. HA HA

Hands over my face, I regather my thoughts. Middle of fucking nowhere, with a dead phone, no electricity and nothing to drink.

“FUCK me…” and all because I drove here haphazardly wasted as-

Prior to finishing that thought, I notice a noise I hadn’t heard before. Something creaking, not as loud as the screen door or as high pitched but still notice-able. A soft creak and consistent, like in a rhythm.

I hustle my way down the street, looking at all the buildings I had been in. While also looking past them using the little alleyways in between, filled with nothing more then garbage cans, bags and in general, garbage.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Then I see it, a few houses down and past the initial row of buildings I had inspected. A fella, creaking his happy ass in a rocking chair.

“Hello?” I call out, while making my way through the absolute trash pit of an alley. “Oh, god… that’s vile.” I gag and rush through the rest of the alley. I take a minute to regain my composure, then I notice the creaking had stopped. Looking back at the man in his chair. No longer rocking but just sitting there, glaring at me.

“Um… hello?” I say, his gaze like daggers piercing me. Wearing overalls and a cap, his green eyes are seemingly caved in. Nothing around them but darkness. That combined with his fucked up nose, he isn’t the best looking of fellas. “Um, you don’t happen to know where I can charge this, do you?” I ask, phone in hand.

The man, statue esk in his movements begins to move. Slowly placing his old fragile looking hands on the arm rests of the wooden chair, and slowly pushing himself up to a standing position. Creeping forward towards the railing of the porch, and grabbing a cane that I had only just noticed. With one hand on his cane, he points towards the direction of where I entered town. His bone thin, crooked finger and his shaky hand noticeably move with the slight breeze.

“Um…. yeah that’s where I entered town.” I stare towards where he was pointing. “Look, I just need-” I look back towards the rocking chair and he’s just gone.

“What the fuck? Hello?!” I call out. Taking out my 9mm I head towards the house. Each step of the worn porch groans as I apply weight to it.

“Sir… I just want to know if there’s maybe a payphone I could use” A payphone in 20XX that’s hilarious. “Or a place with some electricity so I can charge my cell phone.” I reach the second step as I near a noise, a voice.”

“Leave. Just go back to where you came…” A soft, tired, old voice leaks from the walls of the home and the cracked window.

“I want too, but I-” BANG!

An ear wrenching, sound tears through the air. Stunned with ears ringing, I lose balance and fall on my ass down the two steps. The birds crying out from the loud noise, fly away from their nests nearby in panic.