The Charmer

Long

der the hood of their car. "We should have stayed in the cabin and demanded for our fri

against the sunlight. The storm had passed

ed back when a hissing soun

e're going to die!" Vi

st an hour now with unreliable reception and no food. It was about t

ou doing?"

for a k

sychopaths who feed on young ladies

here without food. We've been stuc

canned goods. I want to eat a bu

id, jumping up and down, wa

" Viole

y n

hing the news? There ar

haired couples

r eyes. "Well, if they are a couple of old pe

at rolled down her window with a smile. "What are yo

ver and asked, "You

et said. "We can't g

old woman. "There's a great stop not far fro

by that stop on their way to the cabin two

abbed their things. Valerie carried the o

them as they struggled t

"I'm Valerie, by the way. A

fered with a smile, looking at their bags. "It's the

ith these books. We found the

perk for writing stories. She

people are quite surprised to discover their grandparent

iolet said. "And she has a memoir t

shoulder. "Will it be r

ok at Violet. Her tw

eally," Valerie said. "So far they all t

irror, his face interested. His wife was a

time, I guess, but they have actually managed to conserve some sort of an era-Victoria

resting," Pa

far and has just started wi

she likes the first one," Vio

place-The Town?

d, such holes are protected with walls. The holes give them ventilation, light for their crops. They

ts but we can never be certain-and have been in constant contact with some of the men in the Town who guard the Town's secrets and ensure their safety. These men from the Town are

ening the lines on her forehead. "Their

ience snow and rain, watch the stars and even hear the noise we make above here. But then these are the only things they know of our liv

sting. I really like the era they live in. It is quite intoxicati

f there are passages out of the Town, why can't

ust go right through the passages without getting killed. The Founders, the ones who built the Town, made it certain that they will forever be safe from the changes in our world. The Passage Guar

sure did make things difficu

e get to her," Valerie said, "Which we ar

he Town," the lady said, looking at her husba

" said Violet. "You are welcome to read the s

the old woman's features as

books deserve more

ened the first page. "Read it ou

e women

Patrici

or feel the breeze. Some knew there was a way out of the Town, while some had no idea at

the list went on. The world aboveground was but a mere illusion to the people below. It was a passing fancy that would cross a scullery maid's mind from time to time, or fill the dreams of a po

livable and safe in the event of natural and human threats. Buildings were erected, water

and service people alike

have nobles? Only g

ed at the twi

They call them lords and ladies, but no specific title. I

own with the Founders married down into gentries and so the status has changed. But then, the gentries in these stories have so much po

Dave said

he Founders envisioned centuries ago. They lived in a place frozen in time, a time long c

to tell-stories of love, adventures and mysteries; of handsome and not-so-handsome lords; of beaut