Startingthe next morning with a nice bike ride through the town made me feel so connected to my new surroundings. I was all the more thankful that Myers had convinced me to join her in taking a bike on our trip, making it a little easier to get around when it didn't warrant taking the truck all the time. With the comfortable chill in the air thanks to the time of the year, enjoyable bike rides were at an all time high now that heat and humidity had all but left.
I spent a few hours at the local coffee shop that we'd explored after the farmer's market the day prior, having had taken my laptop and barely written two pages of notes to flesh out the novel that had refused to materialize in my writing software of choice. I'd eventually get there, and I knew that, but Myers' words from yesterday were blaring like an alarm in my head and I wanted to get some writing done. I really just needed to find some damned inspiration.
After my lackluster writing at the coffee shop and several cups of coffee later, I decided to just ride around the town and get a lay of the land.
Phoebe was an extremely small town, full of character and whimsy. People were always littering the sidewalks, walkinginto shops and conversing with strangers like they were lifelong friends. Smiles were never in short supply from what I saw, and it was nice to know that we were in a place where kindness was in abundance.
And the little details, my god. They made my heart soar. Phoebe's obsession with Halloween was even evident in their lampposts that lined Main Street, skulls the size of hands embossed into the black metal of the posts. I was beginning to think that Phoebe was a modern day version of the fictional Woodsboro from the Scream franchise but without the constant murder.
Even across town, away from the main hub of the town's shops and the farmer's market, there were Jack-o-lantern decorations cemented on the sidewalks and moon crescents and stars over mailboxes or across people's fences. The entire town had doubled down on the agreed upon aesthetic of the town and I loved to see it.
I passed by the local movie theater, seeing that they had a few recent movies available to watch but also a random ass Tim Burton film. Upon slowing down, I spotted a flyer that boasted‘A Tim Burton film available every week!'. This week's Burton film was Sleepy Hollow. My smile grew. This town was fucking perfect.
I started pedaling out of the main area of town, progressing into an area that housed businesses that needed a bit more room than the confines of what Main Street had accessible. There was a corporate electronics store, a few higher end clothing stores, all leading to this big open field area that had a single house far from the road. And there was a hustle and bustle of people carrying massive Halloween decorations and setting up canopies and makeshift buildings.
I slid to a halt on my bike. From what I could tell, around the open field was looking like they were trying to set up for the Hell-O-Ween festival.
My curiosity got the better of me, pedaling over to the sidewalk and hopping off my bike. If I could get some more information about the festival to keep my hype at an all-time high, I was going to acquire it.
As I started walking more through the field, I could see a huge massive makeshift building that looked like it was dressing up an already working haunted maze and haunted house while others worked to set up for the upcoming festival. I was getting the feel that this place wasn’t just about to open to the public for whatever horror whimsy they wanted to partake in. It really seemed like they were just putting everything back in place for another round of haunted delight. This field was fuckinghuge, completely open and the perfect place for the festival to take place.
“Hi there.”
The nicety caught me off guard as I was too absorbed in my thoughts. One of the people helping move these large ass decorations paused, letting the rest of her crew continue on without her as she addressed me with a pearly grin.
She was a petite woman, with long black hair and a pink studded nose piercing. Her eyeshadow was a stunning shade of teal and I couldn't help but register that she was quite attractive. Her green eyes were bright and vibrant, only adding to her objective beauty. The black overalls with random ass patches belonging to various fandoms was such a cool look.
“Can I help you?”
I sauntered over, abolishing the dead air remaining between us. “Sorry, I just wanted to see anything and everything up close for the upcoming festival.” I tried to deliver a smile that would deter her from turning into the stereotype of a man of a certainage and yelling at me to get off her lawn. “I didn't mean to bother anyone.”
“No worries. A lot of people are interested in the Hell-O-Ween festival.” She beamed back, nodding at me. “Unless you're looking for a job?”
Confusion initially lit my face, but I allowed it to meld into my pores as I tumbled her question around in my brain. I reallydidn'tneed a job. Myers and I still had plenty of money from our massive save to get us through the end of our road trip. However, a little more cash wouldn't hurt. And maybe helping with the festival would give me the inspiration I was searching for.
A tilted curve blanched across my face. “Maybe?”
She chuckled, stepping forward a little more so that she could extend her hand to me. “I’m Jane.”
I shook Jane's energized grip. “Krueger.”
Her eyes flashed like Christmas lights and tumbled like they'd been thrown in the dryer, equally ecstatic and erratic. “Seriously?”
“Birth name and all.” I chortled back in response.
“That's fucking awesome.” Jane matched my mild level of laughter. “We really could use some extra help running the haunted house if you're interested. The haunted maze and the haunted house are a year round thing, we just always facilitate the space for Hell-O-Ween every year.” The fact that the town held a year fucking round festivity in the form of a haunted house and maze was fucking incredible. Every single new thing I learned about Phoebe only made me love it more. “I’ve lost three people in the past week due to weak stomachs while we've been running new tests for the house.”
“Really? Well, you don't grow up with a name like Krueger and inherit a weak stomach for horror.” I preened, impressed with the level of charisma I was mustering for this exchange. Iwas generally a more introverted person, but nothing brought me out of my shell faster than spooky stuff.
“That's great.” Jane turned her head toward a small group of people that were calling after her. When she gazed back at me, her smile wavered just a sliver before it brightened. “Would you want to come back tomorrow for an interview? We have less going on and I won't be pulled in a million different directions.” Her words ended in a snicker.
“Absolutely.”
“Great! I'll see you tomorrow then, say around noon?”
“I’ll be here.” My heart quickened at the sudden burst of luck coming my way.
“Just head up to that house and I'll be around.” Jane pointed to the house that was set back beyond the limits of the open field, a sizable Victorian that looked to be recently restored or at least having been given a fresh coat of dark purple paint.
