What Lies Beneath

Chapter 1

Derry, Maine. A land of hopelessness where dreams go to die. It physically pained you to be back here after so many years away. You had been one of the few who had actually succeeded in leaving town after graduation to start an actual life for yourself; one that didn't consist of being trapped in a town where people had a tendency to settle for less than what they deserved. Oh, and there was also the fact that people went missing more frequently than anywhere else in the U.S.

You made damn sure to move to the opposite end of the country, knowing that you would never return of your own volition. You were one of the very few to leave and never come back. Most of the people you knew growing up were still there, settling into their own lives, forever binding themselves to the town. Marriage, kids, jobs, things that ensured a permanent hold that was almost impossible to escape.

One of these unfortunate souls was your cousin, Sara. She was the sister that you never had. You were both the same age and literally did everything together. Sara had gotten into journalism at an early age, which didn't take her very far in a town like Derry where pretty much nothing interesting ever happened- apart from the disappearances, that is. But that was old news.

You and Sara managed to stay in touch with constant communication over the years, which is why when you hadn't heard from her in over a week, you started to get worried. Low and behold, the next day, a phone call from your Aunt confirmed your suspicions and also brought your worst fears to reality.

Sara had gone missing. She was now just another addition to the ever-growing list of people who disappeared in Derry, never to be seen again.

There was no way that you were going to let that happen. No, not Sara. This couldn't be real.

You wasted no time in getting on a plane to Derry, knowing that you would be there as long as it took to find her and bring her home.

A couple of days had passed since your arrival and things were just as hopeless as when the search began. No one had seen her or heard from her in over a week. Your family was an emotional wreck, and you felt helpless after turning up empty every day, without a single clue as to where you could be.

A couple of days later, you realized that the town was hosting its annual Charity Carnival where all of the town vendors got together and set up booths, rides, and attractions for charity. It was a big event every year, and you thought that just maybe, Sara might make her way there. It was a long shot, but you had to try.

You made sure to dress down in your favorite dark gray hoodie, adorned with holes and frayed string from overuse with your favorite band t-shirt underneath, along with jeans and Chuck Taylors. You figured that this is how Sara remembered you best before you left your life behind here, and if you spotted you, you would make sure to get your attention somehow.

Instinctively crossing your arms in a defensive position, you walked through the busy booths, not being able to resist smiling at all of the happy faces that passed you by. It was nice to see people enjoying themselves rather than the sullen demeanor that had fallen over the town after the string of disappearances over the past couple of months.

A Fun House nearby drew your attention, its flashing lights enticing you to walk inside with morbid interest. You and Sara loved Fun Houses growing up, and you thought it would be nice to relive some old memories.

You couldn't help but emit a chuckle as you walked through the turning tunnels and the constricting hallways until you reached the end of the attraction: The Hall of Mirrors.

You took a moment to glance at your own reflection as the mirrored door shut behind you. Your hair fell over your shoulders in an unkempt manner. Your eyes were darkened underneath from lack of sleep and your skin was pale. It's not like you hadn't even spent time in the sun, but your skin just had a natural paleness to it that you couldn't ever seem to remedy.