Ghost Town

Ever since I was young, I could see and feel the dead. I never told anyone because I was afraid everyone was going to hate me and make fun of me for it. I lived in what you called a small town, no new passerbys ever came, but I was used to the same faces. It was called Lunar, Uinz. My mother was a kind soul, the same as my dad, but was weird with me. Not inappropriately weird, just seems like they were hiding something from me, but it’s not like I had any secrets of my own. I mean ghosts and humans look almost the same except when they start to fade. Their almost lifelike skin starts to crack and there is no blood or anything. Just a void where the cracks formed. Their eyes are sunken in unless they had no eyes, to begin with, then their skin turns from a warm color to more of a pale and cold shade.

After an encounter with a young boy named James, I was never allowed to leave my house. My momma claimed that the boy was a punk and a bad influence, so being young, I listened to her. I love my momma, she protected me when I needed it. My dad was a good man, the town knew him as the town's number one husband. He hates to get attention from both girls and guys. He claims that my mom was the only woman that he emotionally connected. I nodded my head and never questioned anything. I slowly noticed my momma and dad looking...pale. They must be sick and overworked. 

I was 8 and was allowed to go to school. My school was small with 20 kids in one class. I always felt out of place with my classmates wearing slacks, button-ups, and those fancy loafers that I usually see. They looked better than a white tee, overalls, and a pair of farming boots. After my first day, my momma and I got clothes similar to that. But something felt off. I see the people and they are wearing puffy dresses and tight suits, some wear dresses fixed at the hips. Some were wearing headbands and denim suits. Poodle skirts mingled and bellbottoms were on the corner with “Mary Jane”. It was like time never changed for each person. I read books from the library about history, including clothing.

I would say these people were human like me and my parents, but they were cracking and their cause of death showed. Some people have holes on their heads, a bloody line on their throats, even blue lips, and frosted fingertips. I brushed it off because it was normal yet so terrifying that people could die in ugly ways.

A decade has passed since I was 8. I grew up with ghosts and the old-timey nature of this town. I have seen the same faces never growing old. Even my classmates or parents haven’t looked older. Only me and a cat I’ve gotten years ago. I got her two years ago and named her Mimi. Mimi was an adorable Norwegian Forest Cat mix with a Ragdoll. Despite their friendly and cuddle nature, she never liked my parents or my friends, just me. But I didn’t mind, my parents felt sad, but knew Mimi was my best friend. I was graduating and applying for college. There was a place in Iowa that fit what I wanted. 

I made it in and decided to take the student loan route. I took Mimi and my things to my parents’ old car. They claimed that everything was within walking distance and that I could keep it. I never questioned them despite their different appearance. Once golden brown skin turned a color similar to a cold tortilla. My dad had a simple honey color until it slowly turned more ashy grey. I blamed that on working themselves and needing a break.

I left my small hometown of Lunar, I looked back and saw so many people waving me off. Mimi was relaxing in the backseat in a box. I never looked back, knowing that everything was okay. While in town, I worked to make sure I had the money for necessary items. I never realized there were so many eating places on the side of the road. It’s so new. I grew up on homemade, the town diners, and a hot dog cart owned by a Mr. Damon. No McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s.

I found an exit and stopped at a gas station, then a nearby motel. My mom said if I was with strange people, ‘I need to look ragged and emotionless’. People take advantage of you if you are bright-eyed and fancy. The man looked at me and gave me a room. I paid him more than fifty bucks and hastily went to my car. I covered any valuables and made it look like it was just a pile of shit. I grabbed Mimi and I’s stuff for the night. The night went fast, but I was well-rested for a shitty motel room. After putting Mimi back in the car, I went back to the desk and checked out, leaving the key. Mimi was already eating the food bowl in the back. I found a nearby diner named Joan’s, it looked similar to Auntie Rachel’s diner. I entered and a woman came up to me to seat me. I sat down and ordered some pancakes with bacon. Some OJ to go with it. It was hefty, but still delicious. I paid the bill and remembered what my dad told me. Always tip the servers, they need it.

After leaving Joan’s, I was on the road, playing a variety of music such as swing, rock, jazz, etc. I managed to make it to the University of Southern Iowa and got everything prepared. Luckily, they allowed pets or at least toilet trained pets. Mimi and I walked to my dorm rooms in Winchester Hall, people kept looking at Mimi and asking to pet her. Of course, I agreed. Mimi was pleased with them petting her. After the moments of attention, Mimi caught up to me and I set my room up. Or my side of the room. 

As I finished setting up, someone came in, their name was Jax. Jax had short periwinkle hair and black glasses. Their style was a hoodie, jeans, and a pair of shoes with a boomerang. They were kind and cute. Jax looked at Mimi and immediately melted as they called Mimi “a cute kitty”.  I smiled and we got talking. Jax was from Maire, a town not too far from here. I told them I was from Lunar, UZ. Jax looked at me confused.

“...Lunar? You mean the abandoned town that was set on fire in the ’60s? The same town where a man killed his wife and hung himself seventeen years ago? THAT Lunar?” They asked.

“What do you mean? I lived there all my life and it was booming with people and no stories of murder?” 

“Here, look.” Jax showed me photos and articles about Lunar. The town was rusty and overgrown. Houses, my friends, and the houses I lived in, were broken down and shabby. The schoolhouse I learned from was boarded up with a sunken roof. The diners and hot dog cart were ruined and busted. Then I saw the article about the rumored murder. The two people looked like...my mother and father...I was taken aback. I pulled out the polaroids I took. They looked bright and happy, but slowly turned dark. Some photos had no people, abandoned houses, and a photo of me and my parents on our couch...was just me on a broken couch. 

“I...I don’t understand. I lived there...the people I grew up with...my parents...they are all dead? How? I grew up in a ghost town, being the only person alive.” I admitted. “I mean I can see the dead, but...but…” The world slowly turned black.

My whole life was a lie. Was I dead? Was I like my mom and dad? Was my cat hissing at them a sign? What did I eat? I didn’t see any cracks on me or anything like that. I felt like everything was wrong. My parents couldn’t be dead, my town couldn’t be broken or old. 

I am from Lunar, Uinz. A supposed abandoned town. Child of a killer. Someone who could see ghosts and inhumane buildings. I am unknown.

 I was the only one alive in the town of Lunar, the infamous ghost town.