Name: Hyacinth Valley, Colorado
Population: 300
Established: Early 1900’s
Setting: Small town in Colorado.
Time Period: Present Day 2013- April
Identifying landmarks: Hyacinth Hill, Lake Vanquish, Grey River, mountains that can be seen in the horizon all around the town.
Town Flower: Hyacinth (According to some, there are some interesting qualities of the Hyacinth flower that can save or ruin this town).
History:
Hyacinth Valley is a small town located in Colorado. In any one place you are standing in Hyacinth, you should see mountains in the distance. Unfortunately, since 2003, Hyacinth has been covered in smog, and the people can no longer see the mountains except for when the smog thins, which only happens roughly once a year. The smog is believed to be pollution and is everywhere.
Years before the smog, the town built a wall around the town on three sides. The large lake at the edge of town acts as a barrier on the remaining side. The wall was created to protect not only the people on the inside of town, but the people on the outside of town because prior to 2003, the town had alarming incidences of violence: people would get angry really easily and commit acts of violence, even senseless killings. The wall helped to keep others out and the violent people in.
It is interesting to note that the town put in three gates. The gates' names are Peace, Tranquility, and Pride. Pride protects the Hyacinth Hill where the town council and elite members of society live. It is also the location of the mysterious power plant.
Now, in 2013, the townspeople believe the wall is important to keep them safe as as they are fearful of what might be lurking outside due to the thick layer of smog.
Incidentally, when the smog started to roll in, the townspeople had to come together, and much of the violence stopped. On rare occurrences, people do go crazy because of living in the constant smog and are sent to the asylum, but the people of Hyacinth Valley are way more temperate and peaceful now, living in the smog.
On occasion, roughly every year, there is a random thinning of smog. Some people tend to get irritated during this time, and their violent tendencies come back. Others get become extra cautious, knowing that the smog lifting means better vision and envy of what they may have, which can lead to possible theft/robbery.
It is now spring of 2013, April, ten years after the start of the smog, and the smog is thinning once again. But now most everyone is tired of living in the smog, and some are growing suspicious that they are being lied to...
Hyacinth Valley Town Project is a product created entirely by students enrolled in Creative Writing at Mundelein High School, Mundelein, Illinois.
©2021 by Mundelein High School Creative Writing Students
Mrs. Teuber (Teacher), Ms. Babowice (Instructional Aide), Ms. Klemstein (Instructional Aide)