Winchester

In the midst of the Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests, Winchester was, supposedly, beautiful. It’s hemlock trees and mountain peaks were undeniably stunning-- at least when you looked the first time. With all beautiful things, its nature was deceptive. Particularly to the inhabitants who knew it best. In the winter the snow fell so deep, it covered cars-- the summertime no better; humidity and haze could smother, too. Driving the single lane highways through the evergreens, you couldn’t help but get lost. The families who lived there for decades, must have never managed to find their way out and now tout to their unsuspecting relatives, how the birds tweet and the forest sighs-- drawing them nearer to envelop. That's why the locals here either move with such speed, they won’t breathe the same air twice, or, they don’t dare breathe at all.   In Winchester, the fog can find you, all on its own.   Downtown lays at the heart of it all and houses the local high school along with most of the public services-- police, fire station, post office-- as well as Winchester’s pride and joy-- their Historic, still working, Town Hall. Nestled in the mountains, to the west is the, new, very expensive Winchester Sports Complex where all local sports teams, including the Winchester High Ravens frequent. The woods house a surprising many animal inhabitants: black bears, bobcats, and sometimes other predators. But it’s most notable feature to the residents of Winchester, is the Allan House-- the historic home of the Allans-- the adoptive family of Edgar Allan Poe. On the southern borders of those woods, lies the Acres-- a gated community with the fanciest of the fancy houses. The river that bisects the town, also bisects the classes-- while the middle class can find places to inhabit on the west side of the river, the majority live in the suburban sprawl on the town’s opposite banks-- amongst other local businesses and the private Catholic school, “St. Margaret Mary’s”. To the northeast lays the shabbiest part of town-- where the towns shipping industry complex used to thrive but now lays abandoned and now is colloquially known as Ramshackle Row. The only industry that still survives in Winchester, is logging-- only due to the success of the Fraser family who holds a monopoly of all forestry on the eastern seaboard.