Setting: Spring of 2001 (April 20th and onwards)
Population: ≈133 (on the decline as of late)
Town Established: 1901
Meteor Hit: July 13, 1975
The town of Aurora Springs is located in the Appalachian Mountains in northern Georgia. It used to be known for the underground springs that gave it its name; some once believed that they had mystical qualities. People used to come visit the town from all over to get an opportunity to sip from the springs, believing it would cure their afflictions or make them young again. Tourists from grander cities like Atlanta, aside from the mines, were a large source of revenue for the community.
Unfortunately, the town was hit with a meteor on July 13, 1975, leaving it devastated. Homes, establishments, and lives were all lost in the impact, and the famed springs have long since been hidden among the rubble.
The townspeople that still remain, led by the mayor, have been working on redeveloping the town, which has been split into Upper and Lower Aurora Springs. Those that live in Upper Aurora Springs have more power and are able to control the people that live underground, building on a long-growing relationship of enmity between the two communities.
As a consequence of the location of Aurora Springs, and as a side effect of the meteor impact, the town has not often seen the sun; there is a constant state of fog looming over the skies. The only place the townspeople are able to occasionally see bits of sunlight is the Oleander Sunflower Field, which is the closest thing to the past for some.
The impact crater is two miles across, with buildings lined all around its edges. There is a singular bridge that crosses the empty space, allowing people and vehicles to move from one side to the other and/or go to the Capital Building.
Due to the loss of the springs, possible radiation effects, and fear of illness from the meteor fallout, there is no longer any interest for people to come to Aurora Springs - whether it is to move there or to visit. The people that already live in the town are unable to leave due to ailing bodies, a supply shortage, and a broken railway.
News Bulletin:
There has a been a recent attack on the children of Aurora Springs. The kids are disappearing, leaving a red X and an article of clothing or an object that was important to them in their place. What is happening to them? No one knows. Are they disappearing into the forest or possibly underground? Why are the kids disappearing? Why are they so valuable? Who would be taking them? How can we stop the disappearances and keep the future of our town safe?
The Missing:
Violet (10) - last seen at school January 3, 2001.
Emma, James, Ellie - disappeared from the Aurora Springs Adoption Center on April 15, 2001.
Luna (7), Theodore (11), Luke (9), Sofia (5), Ava (13), Mila (5), Lucy (16), Jack (10) - all disappeared from the Aurora Springs Hospital.
Rowan (45) - disappeared from the Oleander Greenhouse.
David (6), Alonso (7), Anna (5), Nora (6), Lia (6) - all disappeared from Aurora Springs Elementary School.
Brianna (23) - disappeared on a walk towards the animal shelter.
Valeria's missing brother left a note claiming that he was going into the forest, but never returned.
Rose (10) - last seen at Scoops Ice Cream Shop.
Liam (10) - last seen near the mine's elevator shaft.
Three rules have been established for the safety of the town.
1. Never be in the woods from dusk till dawn.
2. Never whistle or sing in the woods - nothing that could seem like you're mocking it.
3. Never look too hard at the trees.