Little Town

Tom had come to the little town with selfish intentions. Most people his age move out to gain independence. Not him. He was latched too securely to his father’s rich teat to even hope for such a thing as freedom. He’d sent Tom away to coerce the mayor of the town into letting them demolish everything. Bulldoze the houses and ruin people’s lives. It was all just another typical Sunday for the Hyde family. The only thing standing in his way was the mayor. However, he’d be an easy conquest. Seduce him with riches and he’d jump straight into his pocket.

Tom arrived in the little town by train and was welcomed on the platform by a man in a monkey costume. A bizarre first encounter, but New York had the same type of weirdos. He didn’t know. He exited the station in search for the mayor’s office. He didn’t want to waste time he didn’t have. Two months, maximum. However, he was bombarded with a loud BANG and a flash of colors. When he regained focus, he was staring into the hazel eyes of a girl, surrounded by animals. There were at least nine of them, holding the remains of the confetti crackers and clapping at him. The man in the station was one thing, but this was a cult.

“Welcome to Aquarine. I’m Mayor Nicola—”

“You?”

That had to be the most ridiculous thing about this situation. She couldn’t have been much older than him. However, instead of answering with the grit his rude nature deserved, she just smiled and nodded. He was approached by one of the dogs, before he could voice more of his outrage.

“I’m Bones! Your house is right by mine. I can show you the way.” he smiled, extending a paw for Tom to shake. His hand didn’t feel like fleece or felt, but like a real dog’s paw. Rough and furry. That’s when the realization hit. These weren’t costumes.

“That’s alright…” Tom replied. A flurried sense of danger overtook him. One of them was a wolf. “I need to use the phone.”

“There’s a booth on main street.” Nicola walked him there and the villagers went back to their own business. He was glad they were alone because he had more than a few questions for her. However, he chose his words carefully. He didn’t want to trigger her.

“Don’t you think the villagers are odd?”

“Should I?”

They arrived at the booth before he could elaborate. Tom went in and the mayor waved goodbye to him. He fumbled to dial the number. She picked up on the last ring.

“Mom? You’ve got to get me out of here!”

“Why sweetheart? What’s wrong?”

“They’re animals!”

“I know it’s a hick town, but that’s a bit much. Don’t you think?”

“No, you’re not listening. I mean they’re really animals. Walking and talking—”

“That’s nonsense, sweetie. I think you’re just tired. Why don’t you go get some rest?”

She hung up. Tom exited the booth feeling more trapped then when he’d entered. He found the mayor waiting for him on the street corner, even though he hadn’t asked her.

“Is everything alright?” she asked. He nodded, even though he’d never felt more wretched. She grew a foolish grin. “That’s good! Let’s go home.”

Home, she had called it, like he already belonged there. This concept baffled Tom. This whole place baffled him. Regardless, he stayed. The town was filled with a tranquility only found in romanticized paintings. It was littered with flowers and overgrown with peach trees. Gradually these little things became an essential part of home. The mayor helped him buy furniture and decorate his house the way he wanted. It was surprisingly easy to forget his malicious intentions and befriend her. She was built with a kindness that didn’t exist in the social circle of the upper class. His deceitful persona was genuinely adored. When his birthday came around, the whole town threw him a party. Meanwhile, his parents had a party. He wasn’t invited. He didn’t hear much from “home”. His father was too busy to call. Sometimes his mother sent letters, but they were often short and didn’t address any of Tom’s fantastic stories about the little town.

There was only so much time he could waste. More than a year later, Tom began pacing on his decision. The phone was yelling at him. Do it. The time was now. There was a barely audible knock on the door and Tom rushed to answer it. The mayor smiled back at him. For some reason, on this final day, he’d arranged to meet her. Maybe it was to say goodbye. Admit that he wasn’t who she thought he was and bribe her to leave. Upon seeing her smile, everything was clear.

“Are you going to get that?”

“No.” He ripped the phone out the wall and it stopped. “Let’s take a walk. I need to tell you something…”

The chaos started the second he’d made his decision. They’d entered an apocalyptic scene straight off the cover of a death metal album. Trees were burning. Bulldozers were trampling flowers and smashing grass. All the villagers were being rounded up in cages. The mayor was dragged away, before he could even begin to tell her the truth. He loved the little town.

Her smile felt like home.