what a find (story)

January 1892.

Leaving in darkness is not the way you should spend your life. Hiding behind walls and doors is not something I'd ever choose for myself. Months have passed since I met my inevitable death, so it seems... And I've hidden far greater than I've ever expected myself to. I'm quite sure that Watson himself is moving on well, being married and all. Here I am, sitting alone in the space of my large flat, reading a newspaper. The headliner was about a mystery surrounding a town way south of here. I wanted to investigate it, but I wanted more... I wanted more information before I stake out the place. I'm going to be working alone now, with no backup, no one to save me or revive me in case I do injure myself. The sad thing really, is Watson was a great companion, sometimes I'm tended to reveal myself but I know that doing so may seem like it’s just a sick joke.

I venture out onto the town after a couple of weeks of countless hours of research, grabbing my things and boarding the train out of the hell I've been living in. The town was mysterious, there wasn't much history to it- the information I found was scarce. Dozens of papers got burnt back in 1882 making the town expendable. The town was created by a man named 'Christopher Zhang, from China. The town has then been lived in by Chinese, and Londoners alike.

I reached the town 3 hours after I boarded the train, it was a long ride but I didn't mind. I kept myself preoccupied with reading a book that Adler once told me. "There's no use to crying about it..." She said as soon as she told me the premise of the book, foolish. Anyway, it was midday when I arrived, everything seemed in order until I saw the sign.

' Doors and establishments must be locked and closed before 9 PM'

A strange sight. I've never seen anything such like it before. Why did everyone have to be locked in their homes before 9 pm...? I didn't stick around to find out, I headed towards the nearest Inn and checked myself in. I wanted to get myself acquainted with the folks at the bar before getting into the real investigation. I guess now I'd have to pick a new name since I couldn't use my real name. Shame. It was a damn good name.

'How about Lee?' I asked myself, it's a preposterous name but it'll do for now.

I walked down the steps heading towards the bar, The scent of cigars and alcohol filled the air. The stench of piss also evident-I looked around, taking in what I can before sitting myself down.

"Oh, you're the new fella, what can I get ya?" The Bartender was named… Edward, was it? Yes, Edward. I ordered some whiskey before looking around the room.

The room was lit darkly, the interior didn't match the ones back in London, it had that authentic feel to it. Wooden chairs, Wooden tables, brown carpeted floors... It was tremendous. There were 5 tables arranged, and 2 were occupied. There weren’t many people in here since it was still daylight, but then again... the 9 pm cut off still intrigued me. Maybe people just didn't like to drink around here. Edward soon came back with my drink and I thanked him.

"Where you from?" he asked while wiping down a glass.

"London, you?" I took a sip of my drink before looking back at the non-busy bartender.

"London as well, but I've been living here more years than I can remember."

"Say, Edward, what’s the deal with this place?" I questioned trying to keep my level.

"Ah, you must be one of the journalists who want to take a dab at this place ey? Well good luck, I don't think none of em's ever gotten anything." I immediately refute, shaking my head and chuckling.

"No, you've got me mistaken... I saw the sign as soon as I boarded the train. Is there any reason for it?"

"Well, my good man, there is... and you're probably going to want to head back out onto your land of wishes and dreams as soon as I tell it. "

I felt a shiver run down my spine; I immediately twitch. What was this town about? What was so scary that it'd make me run off like a wuss? I was curious as hell now, I intended to know the mysteries behind this place. I wish to uncover the truth and redeem myself from the happenings of last year.

I chug down the contents of my drink, swallowing my pride along with it. I slam it down before lending my ears to the man behind the bar.

"I'm all ears."

“It started years ago, it was the time I moved here, I thought I could start over here… since I just got out of juvie in London and just wanted to have a new life. It was nice here; the people were friendly and that god awful sign wasn’t up. But something changed, a few days before the 25th of December.”