It's amazing how something everyone thought they wanted had the power to evoke such fear. Ever since the invention, the citizens of Eagle Ridge had bolted their doors and window shutters when the last rays of light left the sky. Those who were brave enough to venture the streets had adventures far greater than the mind could imagine, but they were never the same afterward. Those who did choose to embrace this fate are often the talk of the town. Association with these people is not recommended. After returning from an adventure a person has one mission. To get others to join them.
It was promptly six in the evening when the last door had been shut for the night. People inside huddled around the television or enjoyed a family meal. Everyone went about life as usual except they didn't even dare take a peak outside. Everyone in town knew what was there, and didn't need to see them.
Many of the residents considered leaving town and starting a new life somewhere else. Some even had children who had never seen the stars. But here, residents had the opportunity to live in luxury. The invention that brings them terror in the night also provides amazing amenities during the day. So far, not many were willing to give up their flawless daylight hours in exchange for their freedom at night. Everyone accepted their fate and learned to live the way they had been conditioned to do. Once residents left, the invention would not let them back in, it would treat them as though they had gone out at night.
The young children didn't have much difficulty with this, for they had never known any different. Grandparents would gather grandchildren and tell wonderful stories of shooting stars, lightning bugs, and fireworks. The children's eyes would widen with wonder similarly to any fantastical bedtime story a grandparent would tell. But the stories would always sadden the grandparents, for the children might never get a chance to experience these wonders.
But for everyone else, this fate had been quite an adjustment. Teenagers had early curfews, older people couldn't work night jobs. Lives were severely limited, and often times this had negative effects, which drew people out of their houses and onto these fantastic adventures.