It was packed with cars, and given the lack of options in town, it was kind of easy to see why. Still, I thought it was strange that I hadn’t actually seen anyone driving around, or any other people yet at all. And when I went into the restaurant, I found that there were only a couple of handfuls of people sitting at the various tables and booths inside—less than half of what I would have expected based on the cars outside. But that thought fled as soon as I realized that everyone in there was wearing the same sunglasses too.

I almost bolted right then, but something made me stay. I think part of it was a slowly building, sullen anger. I felt like I was the target of some weird, elaborate practical joke and I didn’t like it. Didn’t like reacting to it. So I forced myself to approach the hostess and ask for a table for one.

When my waitress came over, she told me her name was Holly and she’d be taking care of me tonight. What could she start me out with? I surprised myself by pointing at her sunglasses.

“Well, Holly, not trying to sound like a bitch, but can you tell me what the deal is with all the sunglasses? It’s dark outside and everyone I’ve seen in this town is wearing them. Is it some kind of town fashion trend or joke or something?”

The girl visibly paled at my questions, clutching tightly at her order notepad. “Well, I guess it looks funny to someone not from here, but it’s part of a special treatment we have here. It helps a lot, but it makes your eyes real sensitive like.”

I frowned at her, my curiosity supplanting my irritation and anxiety for the moment. “Treatment? What kind of treatment? And what does it help?”

“Um…well, I…” A man that looked to be in his thirties, as best I could see around his stupid fucking glasses at least, came up and patted Holly on the arm. “Now Holly, don’t hold this nice lady up with your chit chat. Go get her a water and let her ponder the menu for a minute.” Holly looked between the man and me before nodding and hurrying out of sight. The man looked back at me with a yellow-toothed smile. “You have to forgive her. She’s a good girl, but she does love to talk.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Actually I was the one doing the talking. I was asking about everyone wearing sunglasses and what kind of treatment you all are getting.”

His smile widened slightly, or at least he showed more teeth. “Oh, it’s a private matter, you understand. We’re lucky enough to have a talented doctor around these parts and she’s helped us all greatly, but it’s not my place to divulge other people’s business.”