"Mom."

"Hmm?" She hummed, looking up from her work, which is chopping carrots for lunch. I bit my lip and inhaled.

"Can I go?"

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Go? Go where?"

"Out."

She placed the knife down and looks at me curiously. "Why? Does someone want you to go?"

"No." I almost said replied, but it's better not to lie to her. She heaved a sigh and went back to her work. "Okay."

Did my ears deceive me? Did she just said 'okay'?

She looked at me and flashed a small smile. "What are you waiting for? Go."

I almost leaped in pure joy. Hugging her goodbye, I bid farewell and said I won't be long. In pure delight, I skipped to the front door. Cash in my pockets, when I reached the front door, I adjusted the yellow skater skirt I was wearing before walking away.

Without anything to do, I strolled down the sidewalk quietly, observing the houses that I have passed by. I then noticed an old lady watering her plants.

Probably sensing my presence, she looked up and stared at me. Out of respect and just being in a good mood, I continued to smile.

"Hello." I greeted with a wave. However, she just stared back at me. She didn't dare move, following my every step with her eyes only. It made my skin crawl.

"Weird," I muttered to myself and paid no more attention to her. Not planning to waste my time with a person who wouldn't greet me back. Without thinking, I turn my head back, to see the old lady still staring at me. This made my stomach churn, prompting my legs to go faster.

Before I knew it, I was running away. The house was not insight anymore and I took that as a sign to slow down. I let out the air that I didn't know I was holding, and continued down the path to the mall.

People were walking by me, cars rumbling past us as the busy business men were too caught up on their calls. The town may be small, just consist a few buildings and other structures, but it was bustling.

It's like, the residential area is bigger than the business areas. Usually, a town like this would be a huge city. I guess Blackwell Mound is different in every way.

Seeing a pedestrian lane to use, I then noticed a black shadow hovering again. This time, it was at the back of the traffic enforcer.

My steps gradually became slower, watching the officer's eye. They were brown and sharp. Suddenly, they found mine. His eyes were piercing through me, and I let out a gasp when his eyes turned black.

Beep!

I snapped out of my thoughts when a honking car was now in front of me, the driver yelling obscene words at me that I didn't get to catch.

Giving the officer one last glance, I crossed the road. Slightly embarrassed, I let out a shaky breath and entered the building. Funny thing is, a few people I noticed were wearing red and black, unlike the white top and yellow skirt I was wearing.

Just ignoring the fact, I went looking for dresses or eye-catching outfits that were displayed in each store. I was admiring a light blue dress, when I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I turn to see a guy with brown hair, which seemed like it was styled carefully, and warm brown eyes.

"Yes?" I blinked, and he smiles.

"Hi, I'm Geo, you notice the color of their clothes?" He asks, pointing at the folks around. I nodded, looking at the people once more.

"Yeah. Pretty weird, honestly." I chuckled. "By the way, I'm Lucinda." I forgot my manners and introduced myself immediately.

"Lucinda, huh." He smiled. "Nice name."

I blushed, diverting my gaze away. "T-thanks."

"You're new here?"

"Yeah."

"Me too, just arrived here yesterday." He gestured to the place. "First day here and things are already pretty weird."

"Why's that?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows in interest on what he has to say about the town.

"I think, these people are controlled."

Controlled?

"How come?"

"People here, are all wearing the same color of clothes. Or they just like to do color coding." He shrugged. "Plus, they don't act like the folks I'm used to hang around with back in the city where I used to stay at."

"People can wear whatever they want." I reasoned, and he sighed.

"Yesterday, I was gonna place my bag of garbage into a dumpster when I noticed all people walking, in the middle of the night, towards the church!"

"They want to go to church, so let them."

I'm beginning to feel a bit irritated with this man. He just met me, and now he is irritating.

"And... I saw a man." His voice dropped into a whisper, "A man with a lot of scars on his face."

This caught my attention.

"A man?"

He nodded, leaning closer to mumble it into my ear. "And he was holding a butcher knife, a big and long one too. So sharp that it could cut anything in one slash!"

"Did you see the face of the man?"

I hid my disappointment when he shook his head. "No. His back was facing me. He was really tall. The man is scary even if I didn't saw his face."

The man he's describing sounds like him.

The devil.

"And, I saw him eating crows—"

"Hey kid, I think we need to talk to you."

We turn to see a police officer, glaring at us. Confused as to what he wanted from Geo, I questioned. "What's the matter officer?"

Not bothering to reply, I winced when his partner grabbed Geo's arm roughly.

"None of your business, Ma'am." He mumbled, dragging Geo away who was screaming in confusion. That whatever they charge him, he's innocent.

I just stood there. Lost in time and place.

What the hell just happened?