Arlene got a job at the university as an on campus tutor and a professor of occult and paranormal studies personal assistant. She was gone most of the mornings and afternoons. She was helping people with research skills, formatting of papers, as well as she was helping professor with presentations and marking. Couple of days the professor let her give a lecture. She was way on her way to becoming a part time professor.

Iris graduated college as an animator and she was still looking for a job. She aimed high but she always considered her options. At one point, Arlene asked Iris to wait until she got an offer from a big company. With much convincing, Iris decided to do just that. She stayed at home, but soon enough, she began feeling lonely and a little guilty that she did not contribute to their joint bank account.

She ended up getting a job in the very café where they helped arrest a murderer. Her boss, Anderson, he asked her to call him, was a true Englishman, born and raised in England. He was the only person so far who could be put into the "English" stereotype – he was always proper and courteous, with his fancy accent and intelligence. Even though Iris was a waitress, she often ended up sitting at the tables reading or surfing the internet, because Anderson liked her and he knew that this job was not the one she spent years studying for.

Arlene and Iris both had weekends off. The summer was coming to an end, and the dreadful weather kept them inside. Not that there was anything to do outside. Their street became so empty that it could have been considered a ghost town.

By this time, both Iris and Arlene were suspicious of their surrounding emptiness. Their neighbour still didn't find her daughter, the man across still didn't find his wife's body, and also more and more people began moving out, and no one was moving in. They lived very close to the central London, and to them, the emptiness of a very popular park was more than odd – it was very unnatural. Their suspicions were not recognized by police, but the remaining neighbours were eager to speak about it. Yet no matter how many times they discussed this mystery, no one got any closer to its bottom.

"I'm leaving early today," Arlene said to Iris. Iris was sitting in the living room, reading a book that Anderson recommended her. Today was the first day of the fall, September 1, and Arlene needed to help the professor go over the application essays. She was put in charge of creating a list of the "first cut" students.

Arlene didn't want to go. She wanted to stay with Iris. She couldn't explain why, but she felt like she needed to be with her today.

"I'll be back by 7."

"Arly, you just go and do what you have to, okay? Don't worry about me, I'll still be here when you get back." Iris smiled, giving Arlene a wink.

Arlene leaned in to hug Iris. Iris' hug was tighter than usual.

There was a sense of worry on the street today. Arlene had to walk to the main road to get a taxi, because, for some reason, they no longer drive here.

After a long day of reading essays, Arlene was eager to get back. Before she got a cab, Arlene got herself and Iris coffee from their favourite, but very expensive, coffee shop.

Every Wednesday, Arlene and Iris watched their favourite show on TV, at 8. Arlene's trip to the coffee shop made her a little late. She digged for her keys, standing at the door, with time running out.

She ran inside, throwing her jacket, boots, and purse somewhere on the floor.

"Iris! I'll be right there!" She shouted, running through the hallway. She made a sharp turn through the living room arch, and the first thing she saw was the TV. It wasn't turned on. The clock's bright glowing numbers showed 8:05 PM.

"Iris? Did you fall asleep?" Arlene asked, smiling, and coming over to the couch.

Arlene's hands shook. She dropped both of the coffee cups. The coffee spilled and bled all over the wooden floor, leaking onto the rugs and under the furniture.

In panic, Arlene ran through the house, screaming Iris' name, frantically searching for her.

The last door on the second floor was Iris' bedroom. Arlene didn't bother knocking. She opened the door and jumped inside Iris' room.

Arlene laughed nervously.

"It's not funny, Iris." She whispered. Then after reality hit her, Arlene slowly sat down on the floor and covered her wet face with her hands. "It's…not…funny…"

Iris was nowhere to be found. The silence of the ghost town consumed Iris Beige.