A Pattern
The trio noticed a pattern to the townspeople’s evasiveness when it came to discussing the river. Conversations would hush as they approached, glances were exchanged, and topics were swiftly changed.
Even the most benign inquiries about the river were met with tight smiles and dismissive shrugs. It became clear to Caleb, Monica, and Jason that the river’s secrets were deeply intertwined with the town itself, and that the locals might know more than they were willing to share.