Day 1,041

There are three certainties you get used to on our estate.

Firstly, people tend to travel in clusters, it's harder for them to go missing when there are witnesses. It doesn't stop people from vanishing when the tapping sounds come back but fewer have gone since everyone grew into this habit.

Secondly, no matter the time of day or the weather, there's always a small group of people around the shops, huddled together and wearing hoodies. They will nod to you if you make eye contact with them but they won't leave their position. When asked they have previously said they're waiting for a friend, keeping an eye on the place or that they can't leave until they are done watching. What they watch, they never say.

Thirdly, it rains when church ends every Sunday at 1pm sharp. Not just a light shower either but a torrential downpour that leaves the ground shrouded in mist as the rain pelts the ground with such a fury we ask ourselves if we haven't prayed hard enough. If you ever see anyone in the distance through Sundays rain, you never approach them. They aren't people and they aren't friendly enough to leave you alone or unscathed.

Keep these in mind and you might last long enough to become a Resident like the rest of us.

No guarantees though.

There's always someone who forgets.