“No, no no no no no!” Oblivious to his pleas, the car’s engine spluttered out anyways.

“SHIT!” Nobody heard Sandy’s voice except the wind, carrying it as far as it would go across the flat and cracking ground.

To break down on a highway was one thing, but getting stuck on an _empty_ highway in the _middle of the desert_ was a whole new world of bad luck.

Doing the only thing he could think of, Sandy grabbed his backpack, got out of the old Ford truck, and began his trek down the long and sweltering road.

To Sandy, the walk felt like days. The sun’s rays never ceased fire, waging war against his hatless head and drying his mouth instantly after every miniscule sip of water he was so desperately trying to conserve.

Sandy hated hitchhiking. One time, when his friend was drunk and refused to let him stay at his house, Sandy had resorted to walking and sticking his thumb up. When someone finally offered him a ride, he was not the nicest of persons, and took advantage of Sandy (who had had one too many beers) and robbed him of his wallet and phone before dropping him at a random truck stop.

Nevertheless, when he heard the rumble of a car in the distance, Sandy shot his thumb as high into the air as it could go. Anything for some shade and more water.

The man behind the wheel of the Mini Cooper took pity and pulled over, letting an exhausted Sandy into the backseat.

“The next town isn’t far,” The driver (who’s name was George) said, handing Sandy a bottle of Gatorade. “Should only be a ten minute drive.”

George pulled into the parking lot of a tiny gas station on the edge of town.

“I’ll go in too; I need to fill up on gas.”

It was weird; it kind of looked like a 7/11, except instead of that, there was a giant red “2” labeling the building.

Sandy went inside, relishing the cool gust of air conditioning.

He heard George’s voice at the counter.

“$30 on pump 2, please.”

The man behind the till looked skittish; wiry salt and pepper hair, a thin frame, and a name tag that read “Gas Station”. Sandy noticed that his eyes kept flicking to the car keys in George’s hand.

“Sorry, no self pump here.” He had an accent Sandy didn’t recognize.

“But we’re in Nevada? I’m perfectly capable of pumping my own gas.”

“No. No. Store rules. Did you turn off car?”

With a flash, the man jumped from behind the counter, grabbed George’s keys, and bolted out the door.

“HEY!” George tried to pursue, but the long flares near his ankles caused him to trip.

Sandy rushed outside, and the cashier was already clambering in behind the wheel. Good thing Sandy had taken track in high school.

In a minute, Sandy had the keys. An aging man is no match for a 23 year old in his prime.

“Shit man, thanks. I guess we’re even now.” George said with a chuckle. He got into his car and sped away, before Sandy could even ask to go with him.

The hot wind whistled between the gas station pumps, a ripped up newspaper drifted across the parking lot. All of a sudden, the old man who’s name was Gas Station let out a wail.

“Jeez, you nearly scared me out of my skin! Why’d you try to steal his car anyway?”

Gas Station gave him a dirty look.

“Why you stop me? No fair! No fair at all! I stuck here for ten year! my family miss me! You deserve to stay here instead!”

_What the hell is this guy talking about? If he wants to leave, why doesn’t he rent a car? _

The man stared into Sandy’s eyes, and said in a whisper:

“_Two go in, and one comes out. _Only_ one! _ONE!”

“Umm, okay, well I’ll leave you to it.” Sandy wrenched Gas Stations’ hands off of his shoulders, and then headed down the street to what looked like an inn.

“Do you have anywhere I could rent a car?” The clerk at the inn seemed depressed. No light in her eyes, and a slumped figure. She was staring straight ahead at Sandy, and then simply shook her head.

“None at all?” Sandy was desperate. This town was making him nervous.

Again, she just shook her head dejectedly.

With a defeated air, Sandy booked a room for one night. The bed had sand in the sheets and he spotted two cockroaches in the bathroom, but otherwise it was okay.

After walking around the small and dry town, it was apparent that everyone here was either extremely scared looking, or very very sad. The worst part was that Sandy didn’t see a single car, and the deep pit of panic in his stomach was growing and consuming him.

_No car. No way to get out. I am stuck in the saddest town on planet earth. _

He passed a construction site, and the workers stared at him curiously as he walked by. They were building what looked like a house for one, and it would’ve been a wonderful abode if it were anywhere but here. The mailbox was a pleasant pale blue-

_What the fuck _

Sandy probably looked like an idiot, mouth gaping as he stared at the mailbox which had his full government name printed in blocky letters down the side.

**SANDERS TIMOTHY JAMES, 2222 TWO AVENUE, TWOTOWN **

Something was really, really wrong.

The park should have been lovely, given the climate. There were shiny benches, flowers in planters, and even an almost perfect water fountain. Sandy was freaking out too much to care.

He stood there, every bit of hope draining out of his heart, giving way to consuming panic.

On the big stone slab in front of him, something that seemed like a nursery rhyme was inscribed on the flat and smooth face.

_Two go in, and one comes out _

_ No need to fight, grapple or shout _

_ This place is perfect, spectacular, great_

_ Living here is something to celebrate! _

_ But if here is not where you wish to house, _

_ Remember! _

_ Two go in, _

_ Only _**_one_**_ comes out! _

Sandy ran. He ran past the gas station with the man named Gas Station, He ran as far as he could. His thoughts came in hordes, with every quick breath of his lungs.

_I’ve scanned every map of Nevada. This town has never existed. _

One breath.

_You need a party of two to get in. Me and George._

Two breath.

_Once the two of us were over the border, one person was allowed to leave. _

Three breath.

_The rhyme doesn’t specify it needs to be one of the people who enter. Gas Station tried to get out. _

Four breath.

_George left. Am I stuck here forever?_

He couldn’t see the town anymore — it was gone behind him. Could he escape? Would his legs take him far enough?

Something loomed ahead of him, a big and hulking shadow, obscured by the dust that was flying through the air.

As it cleared up, Sandy saw one thing facing him:

An old, beaten down gas station, labeled with nothing but the number 2.