“You… you saved me,” Rhys whispered.

The stranger softly patted Rhys' arm as he released his hold a bit, not fully letting go until he was sure the young man was standing upright on his own. Rhys tried to find his balance again.

“Are you okay?” the newcomer asked again.

“Yes, thank you,” Rhys replied.

“You were almost a Jill sandwich!”

Rhys blinked slowly a few times and furrowed his brows, “Did you just... make a Resident Evil reference?”

The other man lifted his finger and pursed his lips, “You understood it, so don’t act like I’m the only nerd in this scenario.”

Rhys chuckled. The tall, muscular stranger set his hands on his hips and smiled. He was a bit tan from long days spent out in the sun, his shoulder length, wheat blonde hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and his angular features were covered in scruff. A plaid button up was wrapped around his waist, his shirt sleeves struggled to fit around his biceps. His smile was large, friendly and warm, and his prominent canines were visible when he laughed. Rhys felt his cheeks grow hot from staring at the handsome man’s features.

He gave off strong Golden Retriever energy. Rhys swore he’d start seeing a tail wagging behind him if he got too excited. He was animated, and his smile was welcoming.

“I’m sorry, how rude of me! My name is Canaan Michaels, call me Cane. We spoke on the phone a few weeks ago! I’m the landowner, and I was s’posed t'be out here t'meet you but time got away from me. I raced over when I saw your headlights breakin' through the trees, glad I did! That could have been bad,” the stranger explained as he extended his hand.

“Oh!” Rhys gasped as he took his hand, “Of course, hello! Rhys Anderson, thank you for saving me.”

“Don’t mention it. I meant t’clean this place out before you got here but I got tied up with some projects. I'm a right mess, I apologize. It does seems a li'l soon—and too late in the day—for you t'start farmin’.”

“I was having trouble getting my boxes unloaded—they’re kind of heavy—so I was looking for something to help… and tools to put my furniture together. I realized I forgot to buy some and I need to get unloaded tonight, but I’m a bit tired from the drive. I’m having trouble grabbing—”

Rhys’ stomach growled loudly, interrupting his thought with such intensity that his cheeks flushed bright red. He was famished from the long trip.

“Sounds like you could use a bite t’eat. If you want, we can head t’my place, grab my tool box and get some dinner, then I can help you get this mess sorted out!” Cane replied as he began walking toward the cabin.

Rhys felt his heart race as he followed him back through the darkness, Oh my God, this is like a slice of life webcomic where a handsome stranger saves the protagonist from certain death and they fall deeply in love—

“My partner and I were makin’ soup.”

Rhys chuckled to himself. Just his luck.

“I don’t want to impose,” he said quietly.

“Not at all, we’re neighbors! We take care of each other here in the Wood. Let’s get some food in you and I’ll help unload your truck once we’re done. If you want, we can drive over there so you can get the lay of the land, it can be a bit confusin’ in the dark.”

Rhys nodded. As he closed the front door of his new cabin, he noticed it was immensely dark inside now that the sun had fully set. He wasn’t sure how to rectify it and, though he normally didn’t mind the dark, the unknowns made him uncomfortable without a light to help illuminate what sat beyond his property line. He sheepishly moved back toward his truck and closed up the bed.

Cane slid into the passenger seat and began giving Rhys directions back down the road. He pointed to a space where the gravel drive forked, heading off into the trees and darkness. The headlights did little to light the path, so he drove carefully per Cane’s instruction.

“How’s the cabin?” Cane inquired as he pointed to a sprawling ranch-style home.

“More modern than I expected from what you told me,” Rhys replied.

“We tried t’get it updated where we could, but the renovations are a newer project so we haven’t done much. We’re in the middle of nowhere, so it ain’t as fancy as most places, but the bathroom is functional and I’m almost done with the re-wirin’. I'm waitin’ for a new generator t'come in. I’m the resident carpenter for the town so if anythin’ seems off, let me know. I know it’s your cabin now but, honestly, the money you spent buyin’ the place’ll just go back into fixin’ it so don’t hesitate t’holler if it needs somethin’ done. Is this all you have?” Cane asked as he pointed to the half-full truck bed behind them.

“Yes, I sold most of my belongings before I moved and simplified everything. I figured it would be easiest to transport furniture in flat boxes. That way I wouldn’t have to rent a moving truck.”

“Smart call. This is us! Welcome to the Wylder Wood Mortuary and Cemetery, hopefully you don’t get too spooked bein’ neighbors with a graveyard.”

Rhys smiled and shook his head, “Not at all. I find them relaxing.”

He parked his truck near the entrance and looked at the long building. It was made of dark wood and had a massive wraparound porch. A few Adirondack chairs were placed in a way that offered a view of the cemetery, and the old wooden sign that hung from the awning was painted black. The small, flickering flames in the gaslight lamps by the stairs lit the way to the front door.

Cane pushed the door open, “Cas, we got a visitor!” he called as he showed Rhys inside. “C’mon in, make yourself at home. These two doors right here are the office and counselin’ room, this one across the way is our chapel where services are held, but our living quarters are on the other side of these French doors. Made ’em myself a few years ago to add some more modern flare t’the home.”

Rhys took in the parlor, studied the raven black hues of the furniture and how sharp it looked atop the white wooden walls and flooring. The smell of soup wafted out through the open double doors, and Rhys felt his stomach growl in delight. He hadn’t realized how hungry he truly was until food was an option. He planned on simply eating the small sandwich that was tucked inside his cooler, so the thought of warm, home made soup made him feel so welcomed.

As they stepped inside the home, Rhys caught sight of a figure standing in the kitchen. His heart stopped for a moment until he realized it wasn’t a specter, but a pale, slender person who was very much alive despite his initial belief. They looked ghostly standing in the blue-white light, absentmindedly stirring the contents of the oversized coffee mug in their hands.

“This is Cas, my partner. They’re a funeral director. This business has been in their family since the town was first founded way back when. Cas, pumpkin, this is our new neighbor, Rhys. He’s movin’ into the cabin,” Cane said softly, as if he were choosing his words carefully.

The pale figure turned to look at the newcomer behind the lenses of massive, circular glasses. Their hair was long—down to their hips even when pulled up into a ponytail—and pitch black, which did not help their complexion. Their silver eyes shimmered like full moons, and the white button up over their thin frame was accented by a tightly pulled black corset. They extended a hand for him to take, nails painted a deep purple, and tried to force a smile.

“Hello, I’m Casper Wylder-Michaels,” they said gently.

“Rhys Anderson, sorry for interrupting your night,” Rhys apologized.

“It’s fine. Cane, I had a death call come in from the next town over so I’ll need to take dinner in my office,” Cas said nonchalantly.

“Take your time, we’re goin’ t’eat right quick and I’m goin’ t’help Rhys unload his truck before it gets too late. I’ll be back in a bit,” Cane replied as he kissed their cheek. “Make sure you eat enough.”

Cas nodded and excused themself, clutching their mug tightly in their hands. The spoon inside slid from the motion, scraping across the ceramic with a soft squeal, and the smell of heavy, hearty vegetables came from within. They seemed deep in thought.

Cane watched them go for a moment before he pointed to the table in the adjoining dining room. Rhys took a seat and looked around the home. He could see rows upon rows of bookshelves—stuffed full with hardbound books and video games—in the living room across from him. A brick fireplace held a small fire to stave off the still-cool late May evening air, and a massive flat screen TV sat tucked in between the custom shelves with an unrecognized game’s pause screen dimmed on its surface.

The kitchen was full of the same white-painted wood as the funeral home side, and the countertops were black and sparkling. All of the cabinets held glass fronts, so the spotless black dishes within could be seen. It all felt very proper and quite new compared to his own lodgings.

“Do you have a dog?” Rhys inquired, noticing a slew of toys and a massive dog bed beside the leather sofa.

Cane tilted his head to the side as he set a bowl of soup down in front of Rhys, “Uh… sort of?”

Rhys wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Is Cas…” Rhys didn’t know how to formulate his words without accidentally offending his new landlord.

“Always so forlorn? Like a sad Victorian poet mournin’ the loss of their lover after the plague?” Cane offered.

Rhys hesitated, “Yes?”

“Yes, always,” Cane chuckled. “Don’t mind them, they don’t mean nothin’ by it. They prefer it when bodies don’t want t’have conversations, if you catch my drift. What all d’you need built t’night?” 

Cane sat down beside him at the black table. The soup was filled with hearty vegetables and smelled rich and filling. Even the bowls and spoons were black, the table runner was crocheted to look like a spider web, and the black candelabra in the center was made of black metal and covered with the remnants of red wax.

“The curtains need to be hung up; that’s the only priority, really. I’d like to have my bed frame set up but it’s not a huge deal if it's not done right away,” Rhys stated before he took a bite of soup. 

Cane lifted a questioning eyebrow, “Are you a vampire?” he asked with less of a jocular nature than one would expect, as if he were serious despite the ridiculous nature of his inquiry. 

It caught Rhys off guard. Though he hadn't seen it all yet, Wylder Wood felt off, and the curious way the carpenter spoke did not alleviate the sense of strangeness he felt.

“Uh… no? I have an autoimmune disease and I developed a photosensitivity allergy… a sun allergy,” Rhys replied.

“Gotcha, definitely need t’make sure we get those up, then. I don’t mind stayin’ late t’help you get settled, so we’ll do as much as you want. Like I said, the generator should be in by next week, but if you need t’charge any of your electronics or do laundry, you’re more than welcome t’do so at our place. Or, if you just want t’hang out in the AC with some wi-fi, we don't mind.”

“Is that what the previous owner did?”

Cane smiled sadly and nodded, “Yes.”

“Did… something bad happen?”

“Cassius—the previous owner—was Cas’ twin brother. If they’re a bit sensitive ’round you that’ll be why, so don’t take it too personally. For someone as in tune with death as they are, they don’t handle it well. It’s only been a year since he passed, which is why the repairs and updates aren’t done. Took a while for me t’convince them t’let it go. The cabin is one of the original buildings from the town’s foundin’; it’s been ’round forever, and it’s been maintained well but not modernized. Cash wanted t’keep it the way it was, so he just came over whenever he needed some 21st century livin’, but we knew we couldn’t sell it without some upgrades. I appreciate your patience while I work on it, and feel free t’let me know what you want since it is your home.”

“Are you sure it’s alright for me to move in?”

“Of course. Cas’ll be fine once they wrap their head ’round it. That farm is special, and the town hasn’t been the same without someone runnin’ it, so I hope you can make it come t’life again. Please, please, let me know if you need any help, especially if you have health issues.”

Rhys smiled and nodded, “Thank you.”

“No problem. I’ll pack up some soup for you t’take with you, and I’ll call a friend t’help unload so we can knock it out quick and get you t’bed! We’re happy you’re here, Rhys.”

October 24th, 2024 update: hi new folks! My name is A.L. and I'm so glad you're here! I just wanted to catch you on episode one and let you know that The Night Farm is currently on Kickstarter for its second physical volume! The campaign runs until the 10th of November, so if you like the series once you get further into it and decide you want a physical version of season one and two, definitely go check it out! The physical versions have extra content and professional proofreading, and there are lots of fun goodies, too! Thank you for being here and reading my cozy little horror series for the spooky season! I hope you enjoy your stay in Wylder Wood! You're the best! 🖤