Chapter 1

The plan was to meet at the McDonalds on the west side of Kallal City on Saturday, September 26 at 7 am. This Mickey D’s was chosen because it was the last bastion of civilization for the next 60 miles, and thus was the closest place to the ghost town that the group of five explorers, accompanied by one of the town’s former residents, would meet at. The Mickey D’s wouldn’t open until 8, so there wouldn’t be any customers there. The weather only added to the desolate atmosphere; it was 54 degrees, windy, with a pall of clouds and a thin fog.

                Billy was the first to arrive, a man who appeared to be in his early 20s, about 6’ tall with short mousy brown hair and a medium-stocky build. He was wearing a beat-up Sonic the Hedgehog shirt and long khakis. He pulled his white 2014 Honda Accord in at 6:35 am. This was followed by Melissa, the group leader, just two minutes later, in a black 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite van, who parked two spaces to the right of Billy. She had medium-length blonde hair and was of a medium build. She was wearing a Kelly-green T-shirt, a light jacket, and khaki pants.

As soon as Melissa arrived, Billy got out of his car, and Melissa got out of her van. They met in the parking space between their cars.

“Hi, I’m Billy. Are you here for the Izzy trip?”

“Hi, I’m Melissa. I’m here for the trip.”

“Oh, you’re the organizer of the trip,” said Billy, having seen the name on the invitation. “I’ve been waiting for this day for months. I’ve been into Izzy since I was a kid. I’ve studied on it on the Internet for 15 years, and I’ve seen every picture I could get a hold of, but I’ve always wanted to go myself, but it’s been so dangerous until the last couple years. I wasn’t even born until 8 years after Izzy was abandoned, so I like the time capsule aspect, seeing a place frozen in time since before I was born. Have you ever been to Izzy?” asked Billy.

“Been to it? Oh, I just lived there the first 23 years of my life.” said Melissa, chuckling. Billy was awed.

“First off, you are not 56 years old. I might believe you lived in Izzy as a child, but no way you’re over 45. Second, I’m doing a video on Izzy, and I don’t want this to be awkward, but do you mind if I film you giving some stories from your time living there? I don’t have to put your face in it.”

“You’re more than welcome to, and you can put my face in too. Glad to help you with your video.” said Melissa.

“I’ll keep your secret about being 56.” said Billy.

“Why’s it gotta be a secret? I don’t care if people know how old I am. They’ll figure it out anyway.” said Melissa, chuckling slightly as she pat Billy on the shoulder. They’d only met minutes ago, and Billy already felt like he could be fully himself around Melissa. I’ve hit the jackpot, he thought. I never thought my trip to Izzy would be this good.

“Let me get my cameras.” said Billy, grabbing a small backpack from his back seat. He put the bag on his back.

“You can put your bag in the van if you’d like.” said Melissa. Billy opened the right rear door of the van and put his bag in the middle, between the first and second rows of seats. After a couple minutes standing, they got in the van, Melissa in the driver’s seat and Billy in the passenger seat and talked until the rest arrived.

A young woman was the next to arrive; at 6:56 am, she pulled her red 2014 Ford Escape as Melissa and Billy got out to greet her. She looked about Billy’s age. About 5’4”, with medium length brown hair and a light-medium build, Megan was rather attractive. She was wearing a “University of South Helmintoller” hoodie and jeans.

“Hey guys! I’m Megan.”

“Hey!” said Melissa and Billy, simultaneously.

“Whoa, Ms. Melissa, I didn’t know you were on this trip!” exclaimed Megan.

“Well, Murphy’s a common last name.” said Melissa.

“You know Melissa?” asked Billy.

“She’s my favorite professor I’ve ever had. She’s very nice and a great teacher. I’m looking forward to this.” said Megan.

Right at the stroke of 7, the fourth member of the trip arrived, a man who appeared to be around 40, give or take. He was about 6’2”, with short red hair and a medium build, wearing a white shirt with a pocket and jeans. He was driving a blue 2008 Nissan Pathfinder.

“Hi,” said the man. “I’m David.” he said, reaching out his right hand to do a handshake. Melissa, Billy, and Megan introduced themselves, shaking David’s hand. His handshake was sure and firm. The four got in the van, Billy getting the front seat because of his photographic equipment. To give Megan and David more room and for easy access, Billy put his DSLR, associated equipment, and flash memory cards in the glove box.

After a few minutes of talking, David revealed that he was born in Izzy. “I was actually born in Izzy, but I was just 5 when I left. All my things, my old toys and books are still in my house in West Izzy, right near the volcano. This is the first time I’ve been there since the volcano, and I just want to see what became of my old town.”

“Where’s your old house? We can go there.” asked Melissa.

“255 Balboa Road. When you get into town, you just keep going north. It’s past the two blue towers.” said David.

“I know exactly where that is. I lived on Wood Road, just across the little commercial district toward the mountain.” said Melissa.

“The blue towers, are those the Western House Towers?” asked Billy.

“That’s the one. I’d forgotten what they were called. Do you have family from Izzy?” asked David.

“No, I’ve just researched Izzy for many years, always wanted to go,” said Billy. “Never been.”

“This trip is a birthday present for me. I turn 39 next Wednesday.” said David.

“Hmmm… 9/30/81… That makes you born on a Wednesday.” said Billy.

“Wow, you’re smart.” said David.

“What day of the week was April 28, 1964?” asked Melissa.

“Tuesday.” answered Billy.

After Billy told Megan that Oct. 28, 1998 was a Wednesday, and Dec. 24, 1995, his own birthday, was a Sunday, the conversation went back to Izzy. Eventually, David noticed that it was 7:26, and they hadn’t left yet.

“Why haven’t we left? We’re almost 30 minutes behind.” said David.

“We have one more coming.” said Melissa.

“I say, if he isn’t here by 7:40, we leave,” said David. “I think a 40-minute grace period is plenty.”

7:40 came and went, and Billy, David, and Megan all wanted to leave. Finally, Melissa decided that she would leave at 8. The employees of the McDonalds arrived to start their workdays. At 7:58, a red 1998 Pontiac Firebird roared into the parking lot. It was rusty and loud, in an obnoxious way.  The Firebird parked right next to Billy. A man, about 5’10”, of muscular build, with a goatee and tattoos, came out.

Oh gosh, please don’t let this be the last member of our party, thought Billy. Melissa rolled down her driver window.

“Hi. Are you here for the Izzy trip?” asked Melissa.                                              

“Yeah bro.” said the man.

“Come on in.” said Melissa.

“Shotgun!” shouted the man. He opened the passenger door, only to find Billy sitting there.

“Sorry, if you wanted the front seat, you shouldn’t have gotten here an hour late.” said Billy.

“Billy needs the front seat for his photo equipment.” said Melissa.

Megan opened the back right door, and the man got in the third row of the van. Melissa backed out of the parking spot and started on the trip.

“What’s your name?” asked Billy.

“Dirk,” said the man. “I thought we were going to be in a bada** Jeep or something.”

“What are your plans for this trip?” asked Melissa.

“I’m going to find me some ghosts.” said Dirk, pulling an EMF meter out of his pocket.

“I don’t think there are any ghosts here. Just abandoned buildings with a lot of ‘80s stuff inside.” said David.

“Bruh. Have you ever seen that show Ghost Catchers?” asked Dirk.

“I was born in this town, and I’ve never heard of any ghosts.” said David.

“I guess there could be some ghosts, but I doubt it.” said Billy.

“This place is ****ing crawling with ghosts,” said Dirk. “It’s been abandoned for, what, 50 years?”

“33.” said Melissa.