Sombre

He spoke in a very clear voice "How are you young son".

"Hi", Scott replied nervously.

Scott asked for some milk and cereal. Charlie walked very slowly towards the fridge to get the milk. Charlie began talking whilst walking, but Scott didn’t take any notice of what he was saying, he just stared at the milk, wishing he could just jump the bench and grab it himself, to releave him of the babbling old man and the dark smell of rotten wood. Charlie took the milk and placed it on the bench. He turned back for the cereal still talking. Scott’s attention was now fixed on the cereal which was on the top shelf, he knew Charlie would need a step ladder to be able to reach it, especially at his height. Scott couldn’t stand it any longer. He threw some money on the bench, took the milk and ran home.

The next day the town of Sombre was in shock after the news that Tim Archer had taken his own life. He left a small note in his pocket which read, "He makes us believe that Hope doesn't exist much. Fear, paranoia and distrust rule. That single night when you think nothing will ever be right again. When you do not want to wake up to see the morning. And when you really ache for sleep, from which you do not wish to wake from. That is what he makes me feel like". Scott remembered back to when he saw Tim walking from the general store looking so depressed. Scott was convinced this had something to do with Charlie Miller. Scott wanted to find out what was going on.

Scott walked to the general store certain that Charlie had something to do with the suicide of Tim. Scott slowly opened the door to the general store, he crept in without making a sound. he slowly climbed over the bench and hid in the corner behind some boxes. Scott waited for someone to enter the store and listen in on their conversation. In three hours Bob, Phill and Louie had entered the store but didn’t stay for long, about 5-10 minutes each. Charlie would begin to talk about, what he calls, his perfect life. But Charlies stories weren’t told today. Charlie would simply smile and say softly, "Come back later, you know, I have some great stories to tell". One thing he did mention though was the town of Evermore. Scott remembered reading something about this town in a newspaper not to long ago. He slowly crept out of the general store and went home to look for the article.

Scott’s dad had large stacks of old newspapers in the shed, which he used to start the fire in the woodheater. It was summer so the newspapers had piled up. Scott went scampering through the newspapers, when he came across the heading "The town of Evermore is no more". The article mentioned that the whole population of Evermore was wiped out. The article didn’t say what caused the death’s, with talk of a cover up. There was mention that it was a disease in the water, but that wasn’t confirmed. The town has since been demolished. Scott heard someone going to the front door. It was Bob, carrying his rifle over his shoulder; he never left home without it. He went running towards Scott’s parents. Whatever he told them really shocked them. They began running towards the sawmill. Scott quickly followed behind. The only person that lived down this way was Phill and his wife. As Scott approached Phill’s farm, he saw noticed Sue crying hysterically, holding on to what looked like Phill’s bloody body.