Crime was up, especially among the youth; simple, common trust in one's neighbor was diminishing; never had the town been so full of rumors, scandals, and malicious gossip. In the shadow of fear and suspicion, life here was gradually losing its joy and simplicity, and no one seemed to know why or how.
The community described in "This Present Darkness" by Frank E. Peretti is facing a troubling decline in safety and trust, particularly among its younger population. Crime rates are rising, leading to a general atmosphere of fear. This fear is compounded by the erosion of neighborly trust, which has historically been a foundation of the community's comfort and security.
As rumors and scandals proliferate, the town's once simple and joyful life becomes overshadowed by suspicion and anxiety. The reasons for this change remain unclear to the residents, leaving them to grapple with an unsettling transformation in their environment that threatens the bonds that once united them.
