Population 436

Rockwell Falls is a remote village in North Dakota where the population has stubbornly remained at 436 for over a century. The town is tightly knit and quiet, but an eerie mood hints at a hidden purpose behind its sanctuary. Outsiders are kept at bay by ritual rules and fear, giving the place a guarded, almost sacred aura.

🔒 Control

Rockwell Falls maintains its secret by strict social rules that punish anyone who tries to leave. The community enforces conformity through fear, rumor, and selective medical or legal actions, making outsiders an existential threat. The repeated insistence that the town's fate rests with a higher power underscores how control is justified.

🔢 Numerology

A century-long fixation on the number 436 drives decisions and rituals. The residents interpret this figure as a divine safeguard, using dreams and symbolic cues to reinforce the boundary between inside and outside. This numerology shapes behavior and cements the town's guarded identity.

🧭 Escape and Sacrifice

The protagonist's attempt to escape triggers a chain of deadly consequences for those who seek freedom. The plan relies on deception and fire to divert attention, but it culminates in tragedy as key figures die and the town's secret remains intact. The ending reinforces the price of leaving and the town's unwavering resolve to protect its sanctuary.