Chapter 32: The Village of Carrots
The village looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
After the chaos outside Asphyxia, the sight was almost comforting.
Warm lanterns illuminated dirt roads.
Small homes lined the streets.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
People chatted outside buildings as if the world wasn't falling apart.
Children ran through the fields.
Farmers carried baskets filled with freshly harvested carrots.
Everything felt normal.
Yet something bothered Kai.
He couldn't quite explain it.
Maybe it was because everyone wore hoods.
Even inside the village.
Even at night.
Harun guided the carriage through the main road.
Several villagers waved.
He waved back.
"Friendly place."
Kai commented.
"Looks that way."
Harun replied.
The carriage eventually stopped near a small inn.
The building looked old but well-maintained.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance.
The paint had long faded away.
Harun climbed down.
Stretching his back.
"I'll stay here tonight."
Kai nodded.
"Same."
The two entered together.
The innkeeper greeted them warmly.
A little too warmly.
But Kai ignored it.
He was tired.
Hungry.
And still sore from getting thrown around by the Red Imp.
Several villagers sat at nearby tables.
All hooded.
All smiling.
All strangely interested in the newcomers.
Kai noticed it immediately.
They were staring.
Not aggressively.
Just watching.
Like curious animals.
Harun sat beside him.
"Try not to think about it."
"You noticed too?"
"Everyone notices."
That somehow wasn't reassuring.
A waitress approached.
"What can I get for you?"
"Anything edible."
Kai replied.
The waitress laughed.
"We have plenty."
Several minutes later food arrived.
A large stew.
Fresh bread.
Cooked vegetables.
And carrots.
Lots of carrots.
Kai stared.
More carrots.
Harun laughed.
"You're still thinking about that?"
"The entire village grows carrots."
"So?"
"They also eat carrots."
"Yes."
"They decorate with carrots."
"Still yes."
Kai pointed toward a painting on the wall.
The painting contained carrots.
Harun finally paused.
"...Okay, that one is weird."
For the first time that night, Kai genuinely laughed.
The food tasted surprisingly good.
The stew especially.
Rich.
Warm.
Comforting.
Exactly what he needed after the day he'd had.
Several villagers approached their table throughout the evening.
Mostly making small talk.
Asking harmless questions.
Where they came from.
Where they were going.
Whether they planned to stay.
Kai answered carefully.
Harun answered honestly.
Eventually the conversations died down.
The villagers returned to their own tables.
The inn became quieter.
Outside, the wind howled softly.
Inside, the warmth made Kai feel comfortable.
Maybe too comfortable.
His eyelids felt heavy.
Very heavy.
Kai blinked.
Something felt wrong.
He tried standing.
His legs almost gave out.
Across the table, Harun looked equally confused.
"You feeling..."
Harun stopped.
"...weird?"
Kai nodded.
The room suddenly tilted.
The conversations around them sounded distant.
Muffled.
As if he were underwater.
Someone laughed.
Not Harun.
One of the villagers.
Then another.
The sound spread throughout the room.
Kai forced himself to look up.
The smiles were gone.
Every hooded villager was staring directly at them.
Watching.
Waiting.
The waitress from earlier stood nearby.
Still smiling.
But the smile felt different now.
Predatory.
Kai tried reaching for the table.
His arm refused to cooperate.
Poison.
The realization hit immediately.
He tried to warn Harun.
Tried to stand.
Tried to do anything.
But his body no longer listened.
The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him—
Was one of the villagers lowering their hood.
And a strange silhouette standing behind them.
Then everything went black.