Nothing Strange Here · published
Concept Art by Emma Granbäck
Lurchbert has been around for some time. As one of the older people in town, he knows most of the people. Not personally, but by their late relatives who rest in the cemetery that he maintains.
From childhood, Lurchbert was surrounded by death. His parents before him, took care of the cemetery in Larcenest Gap. They were charming people with lots of positivity, despite their profession. This rubbed off on little Lurchbert, who started to see the beauty in what once was. Although his enthusiasm for the cemetery grew, people around town didn’t feel the same about the place. People didn’t really understand Lurchbert's peculiar thinking, and most of them started to distance themselves from him.
On his 20th birthday, Lurchbert took over the responsibility of the cemetery, allowing his parents to retire. Ever since, he’s been living at the edge of the cemetery, only leaving it for essential errands. He loves nothing in this world more than this little spot, and his final wish is to be buried right beside his parents, in the family crypt, so he can watch over the cemetery for all eternity.
For a long time, Lurchbert has tried to bring people to the cemetery. His pleading however, seems to only scare people even more. His motivation to keep the cemetery presentable has gone with the visitors. He doesn't believe he will be able to bring life back to this once serene place that people visited to remember their lost folks.
As an involuntary loner, Lurchbert is thrilled when Bennie visits the cemetery. After talking to nonresponsive creatures for a long time, it’s nice to talk to someone alive for a change. Maybe this little journalist will save Lurchbert and the cemetery from demise?
What do you think Bennie could do to help Lurchbert out?