"The Town That Vanished Yesterday"
On June 27th, 2025, the town of Elmridge, Colorado—population 6,902—ceased to exist.
Not in a metaphorical sense.
The buildings still stood. Trees swayed in the wind. The sun rose as always. But everyone who lived there… was gone.
Every person. Every pet. Every trace of life—vanished.
Except for one.
Chapter 1: The Return
When journalist Maya Sloan arrived in Elmridge that morning, she was chasing a human interest piece about a retired librarian who claimed she had predicted four natural disasters—and now foresaw something even worse. But when Maya pulled into town, there was no librarian waiting for her.
No one, in fact.
The gas station pump glowed "Open," but no attendant came out. Cars were parked mid-street like their drivers had stepped out for a second and never returned.
And then, Maya's phone buzzed.
1 New Message from Unknown Number:
"Leave now. It knows you're here."
Chapter 2: Static in the Sky
Instead of leaving, Maya explored. Her instincts as a reporter took over.
She noticed strange details: clocks all frozen at 2:11 a.m., water still running in garden hoses, a baby stroller tipped over on the sidewalk—empty.
Then she heard it. A deep hum. Like a vibration in her bones, not in her ears.
She looked up.
The sky shimmered like rippling water. A black shape moved behind the clouds, too fast and too large to be a bird, plane, or anything she could comprehend.
And then, the sun blinked.
Chapter 3: The Tape
Maya found a camcorder lying on a picnic table in the town square. It was still recording.
The footage showed a man—terrified, ranting:
"It started with the dreams. We all had them. The same voice whispering numbers and names… It took my wife first. I saw her vanish into the air like dust."
Then, a flash. The screen turned to static. The man was gone.
Maya stopped the tape. Her hands trembled.
And then came the voice.
Whispering from everywhere and nowhere.
"Now you see."
Chapter 4: The Choice
Maya ran for her car. The radio switched on by itself. Every station played the same thing:
"Elmridge must not be remembered. You have seen too much. You have one choice left."
A roadblock appeared ahead—cars overturned in an X across the highway.
And standing in the middle… was a girl. No older than 7. Pale. Eyes glowing white.
She opened her mouth.
But the sound that came out wasn't a child's voice.
It was hers.
Maya's voice. Screaming.
END OF PART ONE