Livestream pt:1

Becky's Diner was a gathering place for folks from all walks of life. During the summers it would be the next stop for road warriors traveling across the countryside. In the winters, a place for people to get hot cocoa with mini marshmallows. But today during the middle of fall it would play as the meeting ground for a group of teenagers trying to make it big in the world.

"So, how's our channel looking Bobby?" One teen said, rubbing his hands with enthusiasm.

"Well let me put it to you this way," Bobby replied from across the table "Considering that we lost some followers, then gained some, then lost some more after Daniel's little incident at the park. We are no better off than when we first came here."

"I swear that cop had no class." Daniel said, crossing his arms.

"At least be thankful Lucas here bailed you out." Bobby answered with a hint of annoyance.

Daniel straightened himself out before looking over to Lucas.

"Thank you Lucas for saving my ass, again."

"Don't worry about it, you'd do the same for me."

Turning back over to their channel it was clear to see that things barely improved. The three were co-owners of a channel called Horrors of North America, the idea was that they would travel around the United States visiting places that were allegedly haunted. They started off simply visiting some of the local legends in their home town. An old building here, a forgotten site there, sadly nothing really caught people's attention. So in a desperate move they decided to check out some other places in the state, sadly that didn't pan out too well.

“Every place we’ve been to either had nothing spooky about it or dozens of other channels already checked it out.” Bobby continued. “What we need to do is find some place that’s really off the maps, somewhere nobody has been to or even heard of, that will at least get us noticed.”

“But is there anywhere else we can check out?” Lucas asked.

“We could always check your mom’s place.” Danial replied.

“Shut up.”

“If you kids are interested in abandoned places,” A gruff voice called from the bar. “Then I know just the place for ya’ll.”

The three turned to an overweight man. He wore a jacket over an old Beatles shirt, a trucker’s hat, and a pair of jeans that just seemed to fit him. His face was cherry red which almost matched the color of his beard.

“What are you talking about Mister?” Lucas asked.

“I couldn’t help but overhear your little dilemma, and I just so happen to know a place where nobody has ever been to.” The large man said. “Oh, my name is Chris.”

“Nice to meet you Chris.” Bobby replied. “So, what is this place that you know of.”

“Well honestly I shouldn’t really be telling you about it considering that it's abandoned for a reason, but I might be willing to for a meal.”

“You sure don't look like you need a meal.” Daniel retorted, which got him a mean eye from Lucas.

They ordered the breakfast deluxe meal and while the chef cooked in the kitchen Chris told them of the place.

“Now back when I was growing up here there was a cement factory a few miles outside of town, a few years ago it was shut down due to some union problems. I don’t exactly know what happened, and whatever went down folks don't really want to talk about it.”

“Where is it?” Lucas asked.

“There’s a long stretch of road called Broken Avenue, the sign fell off a while back but if you see a warehouse store next to an old gas station you’ve reached it.”

“Why was it abandoned exactly?” Bobby asked

Chris fiddled with his thumbs for a moment. “I think the story was, and you didn't hear this from me, that the owner was a shady person. He had some connection to the criminal underworld and simply used the factory as a cover. Well along with that he wants exactly a good boss. Folks working under him got shitty pay, terrible hours, the whole was just waiting for trouble.”

“Sounds like he was just ahead of his time.” Lucas said.

Chris continued. “Well eventually the workers got fed up with the conditions and went on strike. For half a month the strikers demanded better pay and the owner just won’t budge. Then, on the final day of the strike the guy gave in and met with their demands.”

“So he gave into their demands and that led to it being abandoned, doesn’t really sound like a good story.” Danial said.

“I was getting to that part, a week after the strike a huge downpour came in and the factory collapsed on itself. Turns out it was built on a limestone deposit that gave out. About thirty people lost their lives in that accident, less than half the bodies were recovered and the owner was nowhere to be found.”

“Now that is what I’m talking about, It’s exactly what we need for our channel.” Damien said with a smile on his face.

Bobby agreed, “That certainly sounds like something we are looking for.” 

Lucas scratched his head, “I don’t know you guys, it might be a bit dangerous. Chris, did they ever clean up after the incident?”

“I heard at one point the city council was thinking of making a memorial out of it, until they gave up.”

“Why is that?”

“I honestly don’t know all I know is they tried and failed, it could have been just about anything. Though I did hear from one of the workers that saw figures walking around after hours, but I'm sure it was just a bunch of teenagers.”

Lucas got off his seat. “Well I for one wanna check this place out. If you guys want to be a bunch of scaredy cats then don’t keep me waiting.”

Bobby followed him out into the evening air, leaving Daniel alone with Chris.

“Do you think they're still there, the bodies I mean.” Daniel asked.

“Oh I'm sure of it, I just hope they aren’t still alive, otherwise I don't think they’ll be happy to see you.” Chris said, then got off his. “Well if you excuse me i got to go and use the boy’s room. Oh, and don't worry about paying for the meal. I’m happy enough to have someone to talk to.” He then made his way to the bathroom and Daniel made his way out to his friends.

The three made their way out to their van till Bobby looked up and noticed a murder of crows circling over the diner, cawing as they did so. The scene reminded him of how vultures flew around a dead animal before eating.

“Stupid birds, ever since we left Kilton it's like they're chasing after us.” Lucas muttered.

“Crows aren’t stupid, they're actually pretty smart for having brains the size of a walnut.” Bobby replied.

“Oh yeah, where did you hear that from mister smarty?”

“An Animal World episode. They talked about how they can adapt to human environments and can even memorize things in great detail. However the one thing they are certainly known for is their ties to superstitions.”

“What, like witches?” Daniel said catching up with the two.

“Something like that. It is said that crows are the messengers of change or symbolic rebirth, but in older cultures they are believed to be the bringers of bad luck or doom.” Bobby answered.

“Well I don't know about you two but I certainly feel a change coming and it’s a good feeling, so let's check out this factory and make history.” Lucas triumphantly called out as they entered into the red van. 

The three seekers left the diner’s parking lot and drove off down the road. Meanwhile the chef had finally finished his order only to find that no one was left in the diner. He simply shrugged, it wasn’t uncommon for people to disappear sometimes. So he simply left the meal on the counter for its customer.

But no customer ever came back.