Lynn returned to his little cart.
The town was peaceful and tranquil at night, but in Lynn's eyes, it was like a demon from hell, its abyssal maw wide enough to swallow a person whole, bones and all.
The town was not closed off. Cars occasionally drove in and out along the highway.
A pickup truck heading out of town stopped in front of Lynn.
A middle-aged woman leaned her head out of the vehicle.
"Hi! Kid, you look like you need help."
She was speaking English too, though her accent differed from the one Lynn knew.
Lynn replied without giving anything away.
"Thank you, ma'am, but I'm fine. My dad went to a nearby shop to buy cigarettes and told me to watch the luggage here while I wait for him."
The woman nodded, unable to tell that Lynn was making it all up.
"It's good that you're all right, but even if security is pretty good around here, it's terribly irresponsible of your father to leave you here alone at night."
She muttered as she restarted the car, seemingly about to leave, but Lynn called out to her again.
"Sorry, ma'am, could I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
Lynn looked somewhat embarrassed, with a shy smile on his face.
"My dad and mom got divorced, and they live apart. I live with my dad in London, while my mom lives here. I haven't seen her in a long time since they separated, and Dad never tells me where she went. It was only recently that he agreed to bring me here to visit her, but he still refuses to tell me where this place is. Could you tell me where we are? Then, when I grow up, I can come find her myself."
The woman's expression became