| October 5, 2023 – 9:30 PM
Lin sat at the dining table, a notebook in front of her, pen tapping against the page. Around her, the house had settled into the kind of comfortable quiet that came after a long day.
Jake was curled up on the couch, half-asleep with Rex stretched out beside him. Roxanne lay near the door, watching everything like the quiet guardian she was. Bob, somehow, was still in Jake's lap, despite Lin's very clear no pets inside rule.
Helen was finishing up in the kitchen, humming softly. Richard Fang had taken his tea to the porch, watching the land like he was already working on a security plan. Lin's dad was in the garage, probably rearranging tools again.
Lin exhaled, flipping to a clean page in her notebook.
Then she started writing.
Immediate Priorities
Finish installing security cameras (Dad's handling it, but I need to check placement)
Finalize fencing around the glamping site (Ethan's crew needs another two days)
Hire a local farmhand (handling all the animals alone is getting ridiculous)
Order bulk animal feed for winter storage
Get a proper storage setup for medical supplies (Mom's clinic needs a clean space)
Finish basic landscaping—trees, plants, anything to make the farm look polished
Business & Listings
Take updated photos of the glamping site & petting zoo
Finish the website setup (Sophia was handling design, but I need to finalize pricing)
Schedule a "soft opening" to test the glamping site with a small group
Reach out to local schools about field trips to the petting zoo
Set up a long-term partnership with local grocery stores for farm products
Personal Projects
Check in with Lucas (his life is currently a disaster, and I need an update)
Figure out what's actually going on with people quitting/moving (something feels off)
Keep an eye on the missing girl case (Eric's right—this doesn't feel random)
Find time to sleep before I drop dead from exhaustion
She leaned back, staring at the page.
Too much to do. Not enough time.
Typical.
She rolled her shoulders, stretching before grabbing her phone. First thing tomorrow, she'd start checking these off.
One by one.
| October 6, 2023 – 8:00 AM
Lin pulled into town just as the early morning light cast long shadows across the quiet streets. Most people weren't up and about yet, but the kind of folks who ran feed stores? They started early.
She parked in front of Grayson's Hardware & Supply, the go-to spot for anything farm-related in Maep's. Tom Grayson, the owner, was the kind of man who knew everyone's business but didn't bother pretending he wasn't nosy.
As she stepped inside, the familiar scent of hay, sawdust, and old wood filled the air. The store was cluttered in that oddly organized way—shelves lined with bags of feed, tools, work gloves, and an entire section dedicated to things she was 90% sure were just 'fix-it-yourself' disasters waiting to happen.
Tom, a broad-shouldered man in his mid-forties, glanced up from the counter, pushing his glasses up his nose."Zhang."
Lin nodded."Grayson."
He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "Didn't take you for a farmer."
Lin smirked."Didn't take you for a morning person."
Tom snorted."Fair. What do you need?"
She pulled out her list. "Fifty bags of grain feed, twenty of alfalfa pellets, thirty of mixed livestock feed, two pallets of hay, and a bulk order of bedding straw."
Tom let out a low whistle."That's a lot. You adopting half the town?"
"I like to be prepared."
Tom gave her a long look."You're buying like winter's gonna be a hellstorm."
Lin tilted her head."And if it is?"
Tom grunted."Then you'll be the only one sitting comfortable." He grabbed his clipboard. "Alright, I'll have the boys load it up. Anything else?"
Lin eyed the shelf behind him."Got any good deals on fencing supplies?"
Tom smirked. "For you? Only the slightly overpriced stuff."
Lin rolled her eyes."Put ten rolls on my tab."
As Tom marked it down, she checked her phone. One thing off the list. A hundred more to go.
| October 6, 2023 – 8:45 AM
With her bulk order handled and the feed getting loaded onto her truck, Lin headed to Porter's Café, figuring she might as well get caffeine before dealing with the rest of the day.
The café was already busy—locals scattered around small wooden tables, chatting over coffee and breakfast. The smell of fresh pastries and roasted beans filled the air, warm and familiar.
Mrs. Porter, as nosy as ever, spotted Lin the second she walked in."Well, if it isn't our newest farm tycoon."
Lin snorted."Morning, Mrs. Porter. Black coffee, no sugar."
The older woman smirked as she grabbed a mug. "You know, most people come in and order something a little sweeter. Maybe a pastry. You, on the other hand, drink coffee like you're preparing for war."
Lin grinned."You run a business. You know how it is."
Mrs. Porter nodded knowingly."True enough." She slid the coffee across the counter. "So, what's the verdict on your place? You settling in?"
Lin took a slow sip before answering. "Busy. Just stocked up on a few thousand pounds of feed."
Mrs. Porter let out a low whistle."Expecting to feed an army?"
Lin smirked."Something like that."
Before Mrs. Porter could pry further, someone slid into the seat next to Lin at the counter.
"So, you're the one making all the noise up at the old hotel."
Lin turned slightly, only to find Deputy Eric Porter sitting beside her, coffee in hand, watching her with mild amusement.
"Morning, Deputy," Lin said, taking another sip of her coffee.
Eric raised an eyebrow."Morning, Zhang. You're buying supplies like you're prepping for the end of the world."
Lin smirked."I like to be prepared."
Eric sipped his coffee, studying her."You and half the town, apparently."
Lin stilled."Oh?"
Eric tilted his head."You haven't noticed? People are stocking up more than usual. Buying generators, non-perishables. And not just farmers—people with no reason to be panic-buying are suddenly acting like winter's coming early."
Mrs. Porter huffed, crossing her arms."I said the same thing last week. Something's in the air."
Lin hid her frown behind her coffee mug.
This didn't happen last time.
She set her mug down, glancing at Eric. "And what do you think, Deputy?"
Eric leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable."I think I'd like to know what you know, Zhang."
| October 6, 2023 – 8:50 AM
Lin didn't break eye contact as she took another slow sip of her coffee. Then, just as casually, she set the mug down and turned fully to face Eric.
"Then maybe you should stock up too."
Eric tilted his head slightly."That so?"
Lin shrugged."You're a smart guy, Deputy. You see what's happening. People are leaving, jobs are getting abandoned, and no one's saying why. They just have a feeling." She tapped her fingers against the counter. "Maybe you should listen to that feeling too."
Mrs. Porter, who had been eavesdropping shamelessly, let out a low hum."You know, I never did trust the government much. But if people in suits start disappearing, that's when you really gotta worry."
Eric watched Lin carefully, fingers drumming against his coffee cup."You talk like you know something."
Lin smirked."I talk like someone who believes in common sense."
Eric exhaled, leaning back in his chair."Alright, Zhang. Let's say I take your advice. What am I stocking up on?"
Lin grinned."That depends. You looking to survive comfortably, or just survive?"
Eric let out a short laugh."You're a piece of work."
Lin picked up her coffee again, smirking over the rim."And yet, you're still sitting here listening."
Eric watched her for a beat, then shook his head."Fine. I'll stock up. Happy?"
Lin grinned."Very."
Because if even the local deputy was starting to prepare? That meant the shift was real.
And she wasn't the only one who felt it.