LUNA'S RISE

On the way

Almost half an hour later, We got to Michael's hometown. Ansville was a local town with little population and Michael had told me his family had always lived here and were basically settlers since the past few decades.

The town seemed a bit scanty and quite gloomy with little to no busy activities. Save for the clear air of nature and the stale smell, the place had an onerous atmosphere overall.

Looking around the place, I saw few townsfolk taking a stroll around in sturdy trousers, button-up shirts, vest and flat caps. Some even wore bowler hats.

The women were either in long skirts and regal blouse, or stylish baggy dresses. They all seemed to stop whatever business they had going on to give a long stare at us as we drove through the town.

The sky had dimmed and it neared night-time.The streets were only lit by the dim lighting that illuminated from the exterior lights of the houses by the road and could only do so much to provide a clear illustration. Even so, I could still see how they made obvious gestures of gossiping while giving awkward stares at us as we drove by.

I couldn't help but feel estranged at this as it was as though I had just entered a totally different world. I felt like we weren't welcome in the town and where seen as outsiders. Not that we weren't... At least I am.

" Welcome to Ansville, the modern industrial era. Haha!" Michael joked noticing the look of concern on my face. However, that didn't stop me from peering a puzzled gaze at him as I was still unsure about the whole scenario.

" They're only hostile towards outsiders 'cause of past matters, they're actually easy to get along with." He assured me before I could say anything.

" I hope so. Hah!" I heaved a deep sigh, convincing myself to believe him. Besides, this was his hometown.

However, I still couldn't shake the doubt that they wouldn't try to do anything harmful even though he was one of their own off of my mind.

The townsfolk seem scary and the whole of Ansville seems weirdly off-putting, and although Micheal had told me not to, I still worried. It's a crazy world we live in and it is always safe to be vigilant and cautious.

' Am I putting up too much guard or is it perhaps, a result of my nervousness?'

I had no idea. But one thing I was certain of was that if I was previously nervous, now I was more anxious and worried. There just seemed to be something off with this place.

Few minutes later...

" We're here" I was still reeling in my thoughts when I heard Micheal say in a hushed tone as he pointed with his chin towards the lonely bungalow nestled amidst tall trees at the very end of the town. I observed the building that was only by the end of the road, feeling my nerves grow intense.

It was dark already and the exterior lights of the bungalow shone dimly, conjuring creepy shadows all around. There were a couple dudes dressed in what seemed the native norm of the town, standing on the small porch and some sat on the rocking chairs, smoking and chattering away in a joyful but uninviting glee.

As I sat in the car with my gaze fixated on them, I couldn't help but feel my anxiousness build up to a greater height.

I quickly gave a questioning gaze at Michael to ask the obvious.

Are they his family or just by-passers passing the night? Does his family run an Airbnb or something? Why are there dudes who looked like rock-star bands, or bike gangs standing in the porch of his family's home?

" You can consider them brothers of mine, distant cousins as well. I'll introduce you to them first don't worry" He reached to grab my hands as he said with a reassuring smile while pulling up the car by the front yard of the bungalow.

At the moment, however, I was skeptical. Even though I knew his words just now was logical as they all just seemed to be hanging out at the porch of the house being his brothers and probably some of their friends.

I couldn't help but feel that Michael was probably right about me assessing his family and not liking them.

I was already doing so without having even met them yet!

However, I couldn't find myself at fault either... Anyone would have these thoughts being their first time right? It hadn't been a reassuring ride all the way here.

I looked at Michael and I could tell he was in his own thoughts as well. I felt a slight tinge in my heart knowing he must also be worried.

" Micheal..." I called out to him not knowing what to say next. He looked at me and just smiled sweetly cupping my chin and saying, " I understand. And it's okay, I'm here with you"

His words had a calming effect on my frivolous heart that melted and mellowed at an instant. I nodded at him, beaming with a sweet smile.

" Now let's go see my family" he said as he hopped out the car with a flashy smile that had me feeling someway I couldn't tell. But I could tell he was so happy and excited for me to meet with his family.

I wouldn't let him down!

While still in my sweet state, I noticed from the corner of my eyes through the windscreen that the guys at the porch seemed to have noticed us pulling up in their yard and they all turned around to observe. Their gleeful mood just now turned serious and frank as they seemed to down the bottle of beers in their hands and faced us in a coordinated conveyance of defense.

Grr!

My heart leaped in fright and my whole being shook as I had a sudden scare!

I could swear I heard a low growl coming from them!

" You coming?" I heard beside me and it wasn't until then that I jolted out of my thought.

Michael had pulled the door open for me and stood aside with his head corked to one side in puzzlement.

I still trembled and felt instinctual fear as I looked at him with what I believed was a bewildered expression as if to ask if he'd heard the growl just now. However, seeing the puzzled look on his face, I realized he really didn't hear the beastly growl just now.

Was I hallucinating, Am I hearing things?