The Forgotten Town

(A Horror Novel in Episodes)

Episode 1: Arrival in Black Hollow

The bus ride to Black Hollow was eerily quiet. Vanessa Carter stared out the window, watching the landscape shift from lively suburbs to dense, foggy woodlands. She had never heard of this town before she was assigned to cover a story here—something about an abandoned mansion that had recently been rediscovered.

As the bus pulled into the town’s only station, she noticed how out of place it felt. The buildings were old, their wooden frames creaking in the cold wind. The streets were empty except for a few stragglers who walked hurriedly, their faces hidden under wide-brimmed hats.

Stepping off the bus, Vanessa clutched her notebook. She was a reporter, sent to investigate why this town had vanished from all records for over sixty years. Yet, people still lived here. How? Why?

A single inn stood at the end of the road, its sign barely hanging onto a rusted chain: The Hollow Inn. With no other options, she walked toward it, feeling the weight of unseen eyes on her back.

Inside, the innkeeper was a thin, gray-haired woman with sunken eyes.

"You must be the journalist," the woman rasped. "Room’s upstairs. Don’t go wandering after dark."

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is there a curfew?"

The woman’s expression darkened. "Something like that."

Later that night, Vanessa set up her laptop, ready to research the town’s history. But her internet wouldn’t connect. Frustrated, she turned to the stack of old newspapers she had brought.

One headline caught her eye:

"Black Hollow Vanishes Overnight – No Survivors Found."

Her blood ran cold. This was dated August 6, 1962. But the town was right here. And so were its people.

Somewhere outside, a whispering voice called her name.


---

Would you like me to continue with Episode 2?

Follow for more