Silver Lining

Coming to a quiet little stop on a seemingly forgotten stretch of highway. Giving the impression that not many travel this way. Yet we find us at a fully functional service station, where we meet Stan the owner of said service station.

" Ah another quiet day in Draehorn Vale... " Stan stated while contemplating reading his overused manga comics. The only other sound to be heard was the radio quietly playing in the background.
Not long afterwards an engine of an approaching vehicle can be heard, followed by the familiar bell ring as a vehicle ran over the trigger wire and pulled up to a bowser.
" Well, back to work." Said Stan out aloud, as he went out to meet his customer.
When he went out of the door a look of recognition and mild amusement crossed his face when he saw who was parked outside.
Stan proceded to get the trigger for the pump and as he approached the car said " Hi Harry, got yourself another van load of seniors hey?"
Harry leaned across the seat talking through the window, "Yeah Stan, more folk heading for the mountain." "Still don't quite know what the lure is of that place up there? They must have great services not to mention heating up there, that's all I can think of."
Stan stated " I get where you're coming from there, bud. I guess we will just have to sit around and wonder. Almost like some sort of secret seniors club." chuckling as he put back the trigger on the pump.
Harry then said, " How much do I owe you Stan?"
Stan tilting his head, " $50 this round... You been filling up at Oscars?"
Laughing Harry said, " Haha yeah, this time. One of the lovely ladies in the back was dropped off there by her Grandson. Makes me wonder if this was her choice after all... I mean he didn't even stay there with her while she waited for me... Some people."
" Gee rough... Can't pick ya family. She seems a nice enough lady. If she was my Grandma no way would I leave her like that, even if not much more than a cricket chirps at Oscars..." Said Stan with a look of concern.
Harry nodded, "Yeah too right. Well here's your $50 and I better be off. At least she should be looked after up there. Hopefully happy too."
"Righto, see you on the way back." Stan stated, as he waved them off and pretended to tip a hat to the lady in question. He walked away shaking his head, mumbling, "some people."

The van continued a little further up the highway taking a right turn at a sign leading to a road going up a seemingly high mountain. Written on the sign was, Silver Lining Village - Every cloud has a silver lining. Climbing up the mountainous road, past large and proud pine and spruce forest trees where you could imagine seeing creatures such as deer and squirrels. Yet none were seen on the road. As they climbed higher, the trees started getting smaller and thinning out as it seemed an age as they approached what seemed like a large hall surrounded by a large stone, and iron bar wall with a large wrought iron gate, near the summit of the mountain. Approaching the gate, it could be seen to have a great intricate design, seemingly woven into the iron, depicting leaves, acorns, clouds and what appeared to be dragon like creatures, in it's make. Braking to a stop at the gate there was a gate warden that came out to great Harry with a smile and a nod as he signalled for the gate to be opened. The gates opened up to a large round about driveway, and expanses of lawn and gardens, that seemed to be impossibly growing, at such high altitudes, announcing your arrival to the entrance of an impressive ancient looking building. If you looked above the building you could see the mountain continues behind, disapearing into an expanse of cloud, seemingly to be frozen in place.
Pulling up to the entrance at the driveway, Harry and his passengers were greeted by various staff that emerged from the building. Harry got out and approached the sliding door to start helping his passengers out of the van.