The Auction

The room was filled with everything the auction had begun I took a seat way in the back I think row thirty-one A lady sitting next to me her hair a silver grey Smiled and touched my arm, and said "you've come a long, long way" "How could you know?" I asked surprised never being here before But the Auctioneer, drowned out my words "will someone close that door!" Being closest, I obliged then returning to my chair Thinking now, how odd it was it looked so dark out there The Auctioneer began to speak "your numbers are assigned as I call your name and number now please step into the line" "Hey wait a minute" I jumped up now shouting to be heard "What kind of auction is this here? the whole thing seems absurd" "How can you even know my name? I just now came to town!" "Before you take your seat" he said "please slowly look around" So many faces, hard to tell and then they caught my eye John Bascomb and his family and Joe and Lily Fry "Oh no, this can't be happening" I heard my own voice say These people had all disappeared ten years ago last May.....