No One Leaves Purple Hill
Becky wanted to see why
The town of Purple Hill barely made the state map. It was the very definition of a small town. Main Street consisted of a few shops and a diner. It was small, but it was clean. And people were mostly pleasant. It was ideal in many ways.
The town was ringed by farms. The farms, in turn, were surrounded on all sides by a hill. In the springtime, the hill was covered in purple wildflowers, earning the hill and the town the same name.
There wasn’t much to do in Purple Hill besides chores and a few social activities arranged by the town council. The annual town picnic in the spring was always a popular event, as was the yearly harvest festival. Despite the lack of regular excitement, most kids stayed and made Purple Hill home for life.
From an early age, children were warned that the world beyond the hill was dangerous. That people beyond the hill were savage, and they would only find trouble and ultimately meet their doom if they crossed into that world. The horror stories of the savage people’s wild and murderous ways were shared around many a campfire. So, folks stayed safe in their purple cocoon.
Now you may be wondering how the town got its supplies. It’s a fair question. And I will answer it.
Every generation, two young people were chosen to join the Travelers. Travelers were trained in the ways of the savage people. They learned to speak their language and how to trade with them. They were the only ones allowed to crest Purple Hill and bring back supplies.
Most residents wouldn’t go near the hill. But every year, kids, being kids, would dare each other to crest the hill. Some made it almost to the top before fear overtook them, and they ran back to safety.
Becky Parker had tried almost every year and failed. But this year, she was determined to make it over. Becky had natural curiosity, and the thought of not seeing what was on the other side of that hill was too much for her to bear. Surely a quick look wouldn’t hurt, she thought.
Becky got up early on the Saturday after high school graduation. She knew the boys would be coming around trying to court her, and she wanted to get out before they arrived. She packed some snacks and a bottle of water in a backpack and headed for the hill.
As she climbed the hill, her resolve was firm. When she neared the apex, she paused for a moment to check her determination. Yup, still good. Over the top she went.
At first, she was disappointed. It was just the other side of the hill. Also covered in purple wildflowers. There wasn’t much to see — no giant monsters or rampaging savages. In fact, it looked much like the place she had left. But having made it that far, she was determined to keep going. Becky followed the road the travelers used to buy supplies.
When she reached the bottom of the hill, there was a gate across the road with a sign on it. She walked around the gate and read the sign. It said Warning: Toxic Waste Area. Do Not Enter.
Becky kept walking. A couple of hours of walking and a few snacks later, she saw a building in the distance. She had a goal.
When Becky arrived at the building, she saw a sign that read “Big Wind Casino.” Becky didn’t know what the word casino meant, but she was running out of water, so she decided to go inside.
Once she entered, she was amazed by the cacophony of sounds and sights. There were people everywhere. Some were walking around, and some were seated at machines with flashing lights. Then, to her amazement, she saw Ben sitting at one of the machines. Ben was a traveler from Purple Hill. She started walking toward Ben.
A man in a gold jacket asked her for identification.
“I am Becky Parker.”
“Sorry, I need to see a driver’s license before I can let you into the casino. You have to be 21.”
“I don’t have a driver’s license.”
“Then you can’t go in.”
“But I see my friend, Ben. I need to talk to him.”
“Stay here. I will go get him.”
A couple of minutes later, Ben walked over to Becky.
“What are you doing here?”
“I walked here from Purple Hill.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to see what was on the other side of Purple Hill.”
“Wait for me outside. I will get Harold and Claude and meet you there.”
Becky did as she was told. About five minutes later, the three men exited the casino.
“Becky, you have broken the first rule of Purple Hill. You crossed over the hill. There is only one choice for you now. You must become a Traveler,” Claude said.
“Why?”
“You have seen the outside world. You must become a Traveler and keep the knowledge of it secret.”
“I don’t understand. The people inside the building didn’t seem savage.”
“Most aren’t. But the residents of Purple Hill don’t need to know that.”
“Why?”
“They would leave. Purple Hill is an oasis. There is a lot of corruption and evil in the outside world. We shield Purple Hill from it.”
“By lying to them.”
“It is a necessary lie. Fear and ignorance are the only way to keep Purple Hill safe. We are doing them a favor.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Then you can’t return to Purple Hill.”
“Don’t worry, Becky. Being a Traveler is great. You get the best of both worlds. There is so much to see out here. Things you can’t imagine,” Ben said.
Becky thought about walking away and taking her chances. But she knew she would stand little chance of survival in this unknown world on her own. So she agreed to become a Traveler. She was sworn to secrecy.
People were amazed that Becky had been selected to be a traveler. As the days passed, Becky began to hate the life she was living. Every conversation was a struggle. She felt as though she was lying to everyone in town. So, she decided to tell everyone the truth at the annual Spring Picnic.
The Spring Picnic came, and Becky took the stage to be introduced as the newest traveler by Claude, the oldest of the travelers. Becky stepped up to the microphone.
“People of Purple Hill. You are being lied to by the Travelers. The outside world is not full of savages. The people there are just like us. The land is just like ours. You are being kept prisoners here.”
“Liar!” One man shouted out.
“You’re crazy!” A woman yelled.
Soon, the whole town was in an uproar. Claude took the microphone.
“Citizens! Listen to me!” Claude shouted. Once the crowd settled down, he continued. “Becky suffered a traumatic experience during her first trip to the outside world. I fear it has affected her mind. Making her delusional. Of course, the outside world is full of savages. Has this not been the case for generations? Did our great-grandparents lie to us? No. Did our grandparents lie to us? No. Did our parents lie to us? No. Don’t believe the words of a child. The outside world is as you have been told. I have seen it with my own eyes. And I promise you, you don’t want to go there.”
Becky was taken to the diner, where her parents tried to comfort her and get her to see reason. But Becky continued to swear she was telling the truth.
That night, Becky knew she would have to leave Purple Hill. She couldn’t stay and be thought of as a crazy person. Nor could she live a lie. She would be miserable the rest of her life if she remained. So around midnight, Becky took her backpack, stuffed it full of food and water, and snuck out the window.
Ben was waiting for her at the top of the hill.
“Leaving?” Ben said.
“Do I have a choice?”
“Not really, I guess.”
“How can you do it? How can you live a lie like that?”
“It’s for their own good. And I enjoy the freedom of the outside world. Come on, I will give you a ride to the casino and get you a room for the night. But then you are on your own.”
“Thank you, Ben.”
“Claude would be furious if he knew I was helping you.”
“I know. What should I do now?”
“Don’t know. You made your bed. Now you will have to sleep in it.”
Becky got into the pickup, and Ben drove her to the casino.
Ben gave Becky the key to her room and some money and said, “There is a big town about an hour drive east. If you are lucky, you can get a ride there and make a new life. I’m sorry it has to be this way, Becky, but that’s just the way it is.”
The next morning, Becky ate breakfast in the casino restaurant and then walked out to the freeway. She started walking east. Several cars drove by, and Becky waved at them, but none stopped. Eventually, a woman driving a pickup with a horse trailer attached saw Becky and stopped.
“You shouldn’t be out on the road alone, Sweetie. It’s not safe,” the woman said as Becky got into the pickup.
“My name’s Beth,” the woman said.
Becky started to cry and told Beth the story of Purple Hill. Beth listened quietly. When Becky finished, Beth wasn’t sure what to think. The tale was too unbelievable to be real. She figured Becky was likely a runaway, making up a story.
“Do you want me to take you to the police?” Beth asked.
“No. I just want to get away and start a new life.”
They rode for a few minutes in silence.
“So you’re a farmer?” Beth asked Becky.
“All my life.”
“I own a farm about two hours from here. My husband just passed away a few months ago. I could use some help around the farm. I can’t pay much, but I can offer a place to stay and food. Are you interested?”
“I would be very grateful.”
“Alright. We will give it a try. If it works out for both of us, you are welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“Thank you, Beth. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“No need. You will be helping me out. And I could use the company.”
A couple of hours later, they arrived at the farm. It was beautiful. As they pulled up to the house, Becky saw a handsome young man feeding chickens.
That’s my son, Charlie. He just graduated from High School. He’s a little quiet, but I am sure he will warm up to you in time.
Becky smiled.
Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.
Mark
Great story, Mark.
I couldn't resist thinking of a couple of tunes that could be parodied in order to write about this place...