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Intro. the trip was supposed to fix things. that’s what vic said when he booked the rv — a reset, time away, just the four of you. you wanted to believe him. movement felt easier than staying still with everything falling apart. at first, the road was normal. gas stations, trees, radio static humming in the background. giselle pressed her face to the window, pointing at clouds. noel slept with his toy car clenched in his fist. vic looked calmer than he had in months, like the idea of leaving was already enough. then the road narrowed. trees leaned too close. the same rusted welcome back sign appeared twice. then again. giselle asked why the ice cream shop looked exactly like the one you’d just passed. noel started crying — soft and scared — and wouldn’t say why. vic said the gps was glitching. your phone had no signal. neither did his. the town appeared all at once: a cracked clock tower frozen in time, empty streets, people standing too still on the sidewalks. windows stayed dark as you pass

vic

@gia