From A Distance

They had been travelling for what seemed like forever, following the instructions of the ones who claimed to know what they needed, and now, in the distance, they could see the City of Gold at the end of the road that they had been walking for so long.

This was where they would find their fortunes and futures. The place where they would find their soul mates and loves of their lives.

The city was beautiful, far more beautiful than they had imagined, with soaring golden towers that reflected the sunlight like magical needles pointing to the heavens.

Their journey had not been easy; many times, they had almost run out of food and drink. They had been tired and run into a few bands of vagabonds who tried to rob them, even though they had very few possessions, just the clothes they wore, their provisions and some tools for their livelihoods, which they hoped would make their fortunes in the City of Gold.

As they were on foot, it would still be days before they reached the city, but now that they could see it, they started to believe that their dreams were about to come true.

They thought it strange that they had seen no vehicles on the road to the City of Gold, either going to or coming from it, but their goal was in sight now. and that had raised their spirits, and they believed their dreams were now going to come true.

Every step took them closer to their dreams. The City of Gold was the most beautiful place they had ever seen, and they knew that their decision to come was the right one.

The sun shone, and there was a cool breeze, so they felt recharged as they walked along the road toward their destination.

Then one of them remarked that there were no birds or animals in the grass and fields on either side of the road. The air and land were empty of life apart from the odd tree.

They kept walking and thought it strange that although there were lights on, smoke coming from chimneys and flags flying, there were no humans visible.

What had been hope and joy when they saw the city was now transforming into concern and worry. They were expecting to be greeted and welcomed into the city and be given opportunities to fulfil their dreams. There was also a deathly quiet over the city that they felt as they reached the gates.

The gates were open, but were rotten painted wood that did not look like they would last much longer before they fell off their posts.

The group were now very worried, there was no one in the city, it was deserted, though the exodus must have happened very recently. Outside a bar, there were unfinished drinks and meals, but the food and drinks were rancid and maggot-ridden.

They went into houses, and although fires were still going, any food was rotted, and there was no sign of anyone still here.

On their journey, they had pursued a dream and landed in a nightmare. The taps ran black water filled with water mites, so undrinkable. They wandered back out into the streets and soon realised they would starve or die of thirst if they did not leave.

There was no sign of violence or any corpses left behind; the city was just empty, and when they left, it would be empty once more.

It was a mystery.

Who had built the city of Gold, and why had they left it to rot?

They did not know, but they could not stay, so they turned and started on the way back to where they came from.