Page 54

They found more open doors, numerous tables laden with dishes and food gone fuzzy from being left out. Not all of them were at the same stage of decay, as if some had been sitting for longer. As they strolled about, poking their noses into the houses, not a single soul challenged their curiosity. They also did not come across any bodies. They did, however, find a few homes showing disturbances. Chairs knocked over. Some dishes shattered on the floor. The few weapons the townsfolk owned appeared to still be standing in corners or hung on walls. They also didn’t find any blood or vomit or signs of diarrhea which would have been the confirmation of a plague sweeping through.

As they finished their first pass through the town, Josslyn pursed her lips and said, “Where’s the animals?”

Only then did they realize not only were the usual cats and dogs absent, but they also heard no birds or insects. Even the chicken coops were bare.

“What happened? How does every living thing in a town simply disappear” Avera mused, hands on her hips as she turned in a full circle in the town square.

“It is odd we didn’t find any bodies. While the stalls for the horses are empty, the wagons are still parked. Can’t see folks fleeing without them.” Gustav rubbed his chin.

“Seems to me the only reason people would run away from everything they own is if something scared them.” Josslyn hugged herself as if chilled despite the shining sun.

“But that doesn’t explain the animals.” Avera pointed out.

Gustav slapped his hands together and rubbed them. “Well, there’s one good thing about it being empty. We’ll be able to find some clothes and probably even some food that hasn’t spoiled. We’ll take the rest of the day to outfit ourselves, get a good night’s sleep in a bed, and tackle the spire in the morning.”

“You want us to sleep here?” Josslyn squeaked. “Is that wise, seeing as how the whole town disappeared?”

“Where else you wanna go?” Gustav drawled, sweeping a hand. “Back into the woods? Straight into the mountain? We don’t really have many choices.”

Josslyn’s lips pinched tight, and Avera felt sorry for her. She’d not asked to be dragged into Avera’s drama or danger. If not for Avera, Josslyn would be at home, managing her winery.

“Neither of you have to stay. My mother said only I should visit the spire. Gustav, why don’t you take Josslyn away from here and I’ll meet up with you the day after tomorrow once I’ve done whatever it is I’m supposed to do on that mountain?”

“I am not leaving you,” Josslyn huffed. “I’m just pointing out that we need to be cautious.”

“Agreed. We can find a house with a large room we can barricade and take turns keeping watch,” Gustav suggested.

“Assuming it’s an outside threat. For all we know the food is poisoned.” Josslyn’s tart reply.

“If it were poison or plague there’d be dead bodies all over,” Gustav reminded.

“Maybe it made them hallucinate and they ran into the woods,” Josslyn snapped back.

“More like fled to the mountain, since we saw no one on the way in. And I doubt it was the food. Everyone would have been eating something different. Only way something would hit everyone is if it got into the town’s water supply.” He glanced at the fountain with its unrippled and clear liquid surface.

“Are you saying we can’t have a drink?” Avera’s mouth suddenly went dry as if the mere suggestion could parch.

“I’m sure we can find some wine.”

Avera grimaced. “You know I’m not fond of the stuff.”

“I am,” Josslyn murmured. “And I’d like several cups of it, please.”

“We could boil the water first,” Gustav suggested.

Avera shook her head. “No point, because I won’t drink it. Not if there’s a chance it will harm me.”

“Technically, we’ve seen no signs of injury.”

“Still not drinking it.” Avera wouldn’t take any chances.

“If it helps, I could tether you in case you tried to wander.” Gustav offered a solution.

“Or we could backtrack to the stream we saw in the woods,” Josslyn suggested. “I saw a deer drinking from it before it ran away when it scented us.”

“Are we all going, or just me?” Gustav asked.

Avera bit her lip. Before she could reply, she noticed Luna drinking from the fountain.