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vmheadquarters · 4 years

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We’re still playing our game of written hot potato! Dozens of your favorite authors are taking turns to tell a Veronica Mars mystery story. Each writer crafts their chapter and then “tosses” the story to the next person to continue the tale. No one knows what will happen, so expect the unexpected!

Follow the “vmhq presents” and “murder we wrote” tags for all the installments, or read the story as it develops on AO3. --Chapter Twenty-Eight of MURDER, WE WROTE is written by @his-beautiful-girl. And stayed tuned next week for Ch.29 from @louzeyre - tag, you’re it!

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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT by @his-beautiful-girl

Logan’s brows furrowed, lips turning downward, “Just how the hell did Van of all people become a publisher? Just last year he was still principal of Neptune High.”

It was Veronica’s turn to grab her phone and do some googling. “It says here that he formed the company ‘Trident Publishing’ three months ago. My guess is that Ruby’s book would have been his first, but with as explosive as it would have been…”

“Van would have ended up a very rich man.” Logan finished for her. “I can’t speak to his personal life, but he wasn’t above taking bribes for school, Sugarpuss.” His mind drifted back to a conversation after he and Weevil had dismantled Mr. Daniel’s car and then re-assembled it around the flagpole. How a pair of Aaron’s boots had made sure that Weevil was unexpelled.

She nodded. “I knew he did it for money for Neptune High but I never got the impression that he was trying to gain anything personal from it. Well, other than the time he set it up so I would discover that Moorehead was Trina’s biological father. But that was to oust Moorehead so he could become principal. Not really any financial gain there.”

Logan rose from the couch, walked to Veronica and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the crown of her head. “Something is really bothering me, Vee. How does she know about Shelly’s party? Book you calls Duncan out for rape.” His voice turned tender, dropping low. “That’s not a detail that you could get from a source, baby.”

“I don’t know.” Veronica’s voice came out fragile, and he tightened his arms around her protectively. Rested his cheek on top of her head and rocked them slightly. “I only told you and- I- I admitted it one time during the therapy we had to take in school at Stanford. The only other person who knows is Duncan himself, and he would never admit to it being what it is.”

She turned in his arms and he cupped the back of her head with one hand while running the other up and down along her spine, letting her hide against him. Felt her drawing deep breaths in and out and centering herself again while he continued to offer her love and comfort. Logan smiled against her hair when she stood straighter and drew in a deep breath. It’s true that they differed from when they were in high school and in college. They had gotten their shit together and learned communication was the key. But some things remained the same, and he was glad for that. His girl was still strong and determined. He knew if anyone could solve this, it would be Veronica. He was there for the assist.

Logan pressed another kiss on the crown of her head before she pulled back slightly, face tilted upward, allowing him to brush his lips across hers tenderly before she murmured. “After this is over, we should go on vacation. Someplace warm and sunny and with no murder, please.”

He nodded in agreement. “That sounds perfect.”

They stayed quiet, holding each other for a few long moments before the reality of the situation broke through their peace.

“So I think the question we need to ask ourselves is whether the focus of this book is on exposing Neptune, or whether it’s a book on exposing the Kanes.” Logan finally allowed himself to break the silence. “I know there is a lot… okay, most of the focus is on us, but what if we’re just the players that are being moved around to tell the story? Especially given that we had such close ties to the Kanes or to the events meant to expose the Kanes.”

Veronica’s eyes narrowed, and her teeth sank into her bottom lip. “You could be right. Maybe we’re the red herrings. It’s about exposing the Kanes without just writing a direct book about them. That still doesn’t explain so much of the information that this source and/or Ruby has though.”

“Also, this ‘Jen’ person is still bothering me. I know we can’t find any clue she exists, and she wasn’t a roommate of Mac’s but I feel like she represents someone. This might be the one person Ruby used a pseudonym for.” Veronica stepped away from him and paced in front of the enormous windows in Dick’s living room, looking out into the ocean. “Logan, I want to get into Ruby’s apartment to see if I can find anything.”

He nodded; this request not surprising in the least. “Van first? Then Ruby’s? Then how about we pick up dinner and eat at your dad’s tonight? I’m missing my other favorite girl and you could use some Pony snuggles of your own.”

Logan’s heart jumped as her face lit up at the mention of their dog, and he knew it was the right call. Now they just had to get around town, unnoticed by the paparazzi.

***

An hour later, Logan and Veronica stood on the front porch of a nice, but modest residence. He rapped on the door sharply three times and they waited. He always found it interesting the way they stood when working on a case together. At any other time, they would hold hands or his arm would be around her shoulder and hers around his waist; however, in situations like this they stood together with their sides barely touching, both drawn to their full height. Both aware of the other and yet wanting to radiate that they were each dangerous on their own to whoever they were about to crush.

Logan was about to rap on the door again when sounds within indicated that the first knocks were being acknowledged. Locks clicked and then the door itself swung open, revealing a haggard-looking Van Clemmons. “Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls. I wondered when you would show up. Come in, please.”

“Well, you said that life had gotten boring without me.” The words dropped wryly from her mouth and the corner of Logan’s mouth twitched in response.

“Life without you is always boring, Bobcat.” He cast an adoring look at her before turning his attention back at the man waiting in the doorway.

Mr. Clemmons stepped back and gestured with his hand for the couple to enter. Placing his hand on the small of her back lightly, Logan let Veronica go first and then followed. Not that he felt Clemmons was a threat, he just felt better having her back protected.

The living room was to the right of the entryway, and Clemmons indicated they should go there. “Please, take a seat and make yourselves comfortable. Can I get either of you something to drink?”

Both shook their heads, taking a seat on the couch, before Logan smirked. “Are you getting the sense of what it felt like to be on the other side of that desk of yours, Van?”

“Mr. Echolls, I seem to remember you being on the other side of that desk more than a few times.” Van’s voice came out dry but heavy, tired beyond his years.

Veronica snorted, very unladylike, which made Logan grin. “Yeah, and how often were there actual consequences for any of those incidents? Just how much money did you make for the school? More importantly, how much of that money made it to your pocket rather than the schools?”

Clemmons held up his hands placatingly and sighed. “I know what you must think but the only time I ever did anything for my benefit was when I used you to expose Principal Moorehead. I admit to taking money in return for punishments not happening, but all of that money went to Neptune High in one way or another. I made sure the students had the best that I could give them in my years as principal.”

“Why did you retire? Why suddenly go into publishing? Not your typical career move and you don’t have the background for it. It also begs the question of the money issue. Where is the money coming from to start the business?” Veronica fired off the questions one after the other, and Logan tried to tell himself that being turned on right now was not the appropriate response.

Van dropped his head into his hands, scrubbing it hard, and muttered. “I have a silent partner who put up the money after they heard the pitch for the book.”

Logan leaned forward. “What was the pitch for the book exactly? Because it isn’t about some murder mystery, even if that is what it’s trying to pass itself off as. So why don’t you just tell us the truth. Someone is already dead. I wasn’t her fan, but I never would have wished Ruby dead, and I don’t think you did either. But you both got yourself mixed up into something deep. You know, the only person who has a chance at figuring this out is Veronica, so let her, Clemmons.”

The silence that took over the room felt heavy and oppressive. Minutes ticked on and on and he wondered if they would get the information they were after or not. After an interminable amount of time, the older man nodded in agreement, letting out a loud sigh. “Yes, maybe you are the only ones I can trust with this.”

Logan started when Veronica’s hand slipped into his, but was more than happy to thread his fingers through hers. It felt like they might finally get somewhere with this. Finally, get some answers that could make things make sense. Nothing could have prepared him for what came next.

“Della- I’m sorry, Ruby came to me with the idea she had for a book. Claimed she had been doing research for the past year and wanted to write a book about a powerful family that had their claws in everything. A family that rolled around in the dirt and was covered in mud, though nobody could see it. She also claimed that members of this family had hurt people badly, and she wanted to right some wrongs and give those that they had hurt justice. She was talking about the Kanes and I should have known better--”

Clemmons scrubbed over his face again, and when he looked up, his gaze focused on Veronica. “But I knew she was right. I knew a lot more than I could ever tell. I listened to the stories during those years at Neptune High, and I even did some of my research. I may not know all the stories exactly, but I know that the Kanes are responsible for so many things behind the scenes in this town. When she told me of the way she wanted to write the book without coming right out and accusing them I thought it would be okay. I went to Casey Gant and floated a semblance of the idea around to see if I might get him interested, but he turned it down. Then I got a surprising phone call from someone willing to not only put up the money to publish the book, but wanted me to be the face of the publisher. I let greed take over my thinking.”

Van’s head dropped into his hands again, and Logan couldn’t decide whether or not to feel sorry for him. Veronica vibrated next to him, like she would explode if they didn’t find out who this mysterious person is and within the next minute.

“Who?” The question was more a demand and came out sharp on her tongue. “Who is it?”

“Troy Vandegraff,” Clemmons muttered into his hands.

“Well, fuck me sideways. I did not expect that.” Logan breathed out, wide-eyed while turning to stare at Veronica, who looked just as taken aback.

“Who was Ruby’s source, Clemmons? You must know. She couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.” The words came sharp and to others may sound bitter, but Logan knew the truth. That hardness Veronica projected was covering the hurt that she felt over Ruby’s death. Solving this case was the only way she knew how to help find some closure in this. He squeezed her hand gently in support.

“I was, or at least I was one of them.” A familiar voice jerked their heads up and their attention to the hallway where a pale, thin figure stepped out of the shadows.

Logan felt his gut churning, blood getting hot. He pulled Veronica closer to him protectively. “Lianne Mars.” He spit out the name like a curse.

#veronica mars #veronica mars fanfic #vm fanfic #vmhq presents #murder we wrote #round robin

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skyblxssom · 5 years

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Title: Justice never sleeps! Fandom: Ace Attorney Rating: K Word count: 2974

Basically my first attempt at writing something for AA. Recently played through the games all the way to DD, and fell head over heels for Bobby! A lot of the inspiration came from @windmaedchen-aa lovely art, specifically the office baby version cause I’m a sucker for soft interaction.

This piece is chock full of attempts on grasping the characters mixed with my own hearty sprinkling of personal headcanons. Also involves windmaedchen’s OC, Kid Fox! Thanks to them also for talking and bouncing ideas with me haha. Hope I did Kid some justice!

Well, please enjoy!

As always, Detective Gumshoe left his apartment bright and early, decked in his usual jacket that had been with him through thick and thin. While some had called it ratty, he personally thinks it added a sort of charm to it.

Regardless, he made the walk to the precinct. His apartment might not be all that maintained, but its close location in relative to the precinct made the blasted icy showers and creaky elevator worth it. Half of the time.

Gumshoe gave a wave at the clerk manning the front desk, flashing her his patented ‘pal’ smile as some of his coworkers dubbed it as. She returned it with a shy smile of her own, her face flushing slightly at his hearty chuckle. He took the elevator to his floor, and it was when he stepped into the office that something immediately caught his attention.

The detective blinked, his steps drawing him closer to the small lounging area set in the right corner of the open floor space. It was a cozy little spot where people tended to sit and chat away, or sometimes eat their boxed lunches at during lunch time. No one laid claim to the sofa, as it was a who got there first sort of situation, but he had to admit that this was the first time he saw someone actually sleeping on the old, somewhat lumpy thing.

It was even more surprising that the person was none other than Detective Bobby Fulbright. One of the more dedicated detectives in the Police Department, there was nobody in the precinct who hasn’t heard about him. He carried this sort of exuberance and positivity that – while annoying at times – was honestly so genuine that one couldn’t help but become fond of, or at least tolerate after direct exposure.

He was a prime example of someone who followed the law, but Gumshoe knows that he wasn’t inflexible. Detective Fulbright walked down his own path of justice that pretty much involved helping anyone that he was able to lend a hand to. He believed in the good of people, though that doesn’t translate to naivety. He chose to spend his time and effort to make the lives of the people better, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant it may be.

A detective that examined gruesome murder scenes that also helped the elderly cross the road was a bit of a whiplash, but that was just how Fulbright is. It is only just that he lent his support to those who could use it, for their job is to maintain the peace and to assure the public that crime would not run rampant in the city.

They don’t have to necessarily limit themselves to just investigating and solving crimes. Interacting and helping the common folk, ensuring that they are happy and able to walk down the streets peacefully is an act of justice in of itself, Fulbright had once told him.

He was usually whizzing about, doing his work and other things, so it was rather unusual – and slightly concerning – to see the good detective passed out on the couch. Fulbright had taken off his white jacket, using it as a makeshift pillow to give support that the arm rest can’t hope to provide. His aviator glasses were still perched on the bridge of his nose, looking dangerously close to sliding right off. The sofa wasn’t capable of holding Fulbright’s 6'0 frame, so one of his legs dangled over the edge while the other laid motionless by his side. His right arm rested on his stomach, his left hanging off the sofa.

Gumshoe leaned in a little, his eyes quickly taking in the little details. Even with the glasses, he was able to see the dark bags peeking out, showing that Fulbright had been missing on some good sleep lately. There was a hint of facial hair smattering his chin, pointing out that he had no time to shave. If Gumshoe remembered it correctly, he did hear on how someone helped to cover one of the officer’s night shifts due to them facing a family emergency.

Even if he can be a little slow on the uptake, it wasn’t difficult to connect the dots. Ah, it seemed that Detective Fulbright had extended a helping hand, essentially pulling double shifts because the man still performed his regular duties. It wasn’t not surprising then that he pretty much exhausted himself.

Gumshoe eyed him for a moment longer before coming to a decision. The professional thing to do would be to wake him up, but the kinder option was to let him catch up on some sleep. With that in mind, he carefully leaned over the couch, being super careful not to jostle anything as he drew the blinds shut. The mild furrow on Fulbright’s brow smoothed with the absence of light.

With his mind still whirling, Gumshoe briefly left the office. The detective soon returned with a blanket that they kept on hand, as well as a Blue Badger doll that was often used for safety announcement videos. Very gently, he draped the blanket atop Fulbright’s form, covering halfway up his torso. It wasn’t able to cover his legs, but it would provide him some warmth.

Gumshoes froze when he shuffled a little, looking like he was roused from slumber but Fulbright remained fast asleep. Heaving out a quiet breath, it was a bit like surgery on how precise he had to be in planting the Blue Badger by his head. He pulled his hand back, observed for a moment longer then sighed once more.

There was no indication that Fulbright realized what he did, though he nuzzled a little into the stuffed doll before settling. Gumshoe could feel the wide smile that tugged at his lips, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Right, he knew what they should do today.

When Ema entered the office that morning, the first thing she noticed was how quiet it was. Usually, there’d be some form of noise—idle chatter, loud phone calls and the like. She paused by the door, giving the area a general sweep. His coworkers were hunched over their desks, so the silence can’t be attributed to a lack of people. In fact, it looked like they were actively trying to do their work without making too much noise.

“What’s going on…?” She mumbled, looking a bit confused. Her expression must’ve given her away, as one of the detectives jutted a thumb to his right. Ema followed it—and then she understands.

She had worked with Detective Fulbright multiple times in the past. You’d think his sunny personality would clash with hers but she did find him as one of the better detectives to partner up with. His enthusiasm for justice can be rather overwhelming, but he more than makes up for it by showing genuine interest in her own excitement about forensic science.

Once she got used to it, there really wasn’t any reason to dislike him. Fulbright reminded her of a loud, tall puppy. Kind, eager to please and – as she approached the sofa to get a better angle – right now, looking rather adorable with the Blue Badger plastered next to his face.

Ema wore a faint smile. Poor guy must be completely tuckered out to even consider the sofa as a comfortable resting spot. She figured that everyone else wanted to let him rest, thus explaining their odd behavior. Heh. She didn’t think that some of the gruffer detectives would agree to it, but everyone seemed to content to leave him.

She gave him another once over, noticing that he was still wearing his glasses. As someone who had her own pair, that was just a recipe for disaster. Ema noticed the eyes on her when she bent forward. Just like how she treated a crime scene, she was being super careful in her act of removing his glasses. She held her breath, keeping check of his expression and only exhaled when she stepped back with it in her hands.

Ema fished in her pockets for her eyeglass case. Green in color with her name etched on top of the cover, she placed his glasses into it. While the lenses were a bit rounder than hers, it slotted in without much trouble.

With an air of accomplishment, Ema placed the case on top of the arm rest. Detective Fulbright continued to snore softly, oblivious to the world around him.

Idly, she smoothened out the blanket – like how Lana used to do for her during bedtime – before fully stepping back. Well, it was time for her to get to work.

She’d make sure to keep the Snackoo munching as quietly as she possibly could.

An almost silent air greeted Detective Kid Fox when she came in for work, sending her mind into overdrive on various possibilities. It was never this quiet, so there had to be a reason for it. How was the atmosphere? Did something horrible happened within the precinct? Were her colleagues in mourning? If so, how did it happened without her knowledge? A recent happening? Had that been the case, this place would have been buzzing with activity as opposed to near stillness.

Though, her trail of thought came crashing to a halt when a quick survey of the area landed her gaze on the little lounge area close to her desk.

The proverbial light bulb lit up as she reached her answer. Truthfully, Fox found it a tad odd that all of them were being so… considerate with sleeping beauty over there. Bobby slept on amidst the quiet compromise that the rest of his coworkers granted to him. He looked real cozy on that lumpy thing, what with the shutters drawn, a blanket draped over his form and—was that a Blue Badger doll that he was resting his head against?

It wasn’t what she expected coming into the office this morning, but Fox would be stupid to complain about it. If the rest were letting him sleep, then there was no real reason to disturb it. Besides, she thinks that Bobby should sleep in the office more often, if it gave her this silence. She did love working in quietude when she dug through old case files.

Knowing that this wasn’t something to worry about, and after another quick overview of the sleeping detective, Fox silently approached the sofa. Those shoes looked quite stuffy, so she figured she’d do him a favor by taking it off.

Fox moved quickly yet carefully in the process of tugging his shoes off. Doing so revealed that he continued to be a fiend to society by not wearing socks, but she didn’t let that bother her or anything. After his feet were free from its confines, she placed his shoes on the floor in front of the sofa.

With that out of the way, Fox went back to her desk, ready to tackle on the files whilst relishing this rare peace in the office.

Usually, it was the detectives that made their way over to the Prosecutor’s office to meet up with their partnered prosecutor when they’re working on a case. This time however, Klavier personally swung by the Police Department to see Ema, as well as take care of some other business within the building. He had been to this place multiple times, though the moment he stepped into the office, being met with silence wasn’t something that he expected.

Klavier wore a faint look of confusion, wondering about the reason behind this strange tranquility. He could see that the detectives were doing their work like always, but silently. Any form of conversations involved hunched backs and whispers. It was like they were actively making an effort to do things as quietly as possible.

Before Klavier could ask someone about this admittedly strange scenario, his eyes just so happened to spot the sleeping figure on the sofa.

Ah, that made sense. He could feel a small smile tugging at his lips. Klavier recognized the other, having worked with him a couple of times. Detective Fulbright always had this larger than life sort of personality; a brightness that drew attention to him like when he used to perform on stage with the Gavinners. Only with the detective, it was purely a solo gig.

Still, he found it mildly surprising that the other detectives were allowing this. It showed a camaraderie that he privately found to be quite outstanding. Clearly they looked out for one another. This might come across as unprofessional, but they cared more about Fulbright’s wellbeing to let him get sleep.

Now wouldn’t that be a good muse to write a song about? The tale of a tired detective who endlessly pursued justice, but could fall back into the support of the friends around him. That, or some form of rocking lullaby. Maybe taking the classic lullaby and putting a rock twist on it?

That was something he’d entertain more on later. Right now, he wanted to see the Fräulein detective regarding the case they were working on. Until he found the surprisingly amicable Ema, Klavier hummed a soft tune beneath his breath.

A gentle tug at his consciousness was enough to slowly rouse Bobby from slumber. Initially, he was in a groggy state of confusion, his brain taking its sweet time to boot up. Shifting slightly, he started to realize multiple things.

His neck felt stiff while the rest of his body resembled a giant ache. The surface he apparently slept on was not his bed—too small and lumpy. Slowly, he pried open his gummy eyes, blinking multiple times through the blurriness. In an absentminded gesture, his finger touched nothing when he tried to push up his glasses.

Bobby settled with pressing a hand against his forehead as he tried to recall where he was. The last thing he remembered was going back to the office at night to cover for Detective Russel’s shift because he had a family emergency to attend to. Then he decided to take a break when it was getting difficult to keep himself awake. Bobby shuffled to the sofa and laid down with the intention to get back up after a few minutes but—

Wait, did he fall asleep!?

That thought pierced through the fogginess and with it, a sudden rush of panic filled him. Bobby hastily tried to push himself up, which was easier said than done when his legs dangled over the edge of the couch. Something fell by the side of his face, but he didn’t notice it in his hurry to get up and get back to work--!

“Woah pal! Take it easy!” A familiar voice greeted him, which effectively halted his attempt. Bobby harshly rubbed at his eyes before he looked up to find Detective Gumshoe standing by his side. Wait, when did he get here? Wasn’t it supposed to still be the night shift?

“D-Dick?” Bobby uttered, the confusion noticeable in his voice.

“Yep! Did ya get some good sleep?”

“Sleep?” The detective looked around, finally noticing that it wasn’t night time after all. “Wait—how long was I asleep for!?”

“Well, it’s just about noon, pal! About time to grab lunch, so you woke up at the right time!”

Bobby felt something icy course through his veins. Not only did he fall asleep, he practically overslept! That was unacceptable! While everyone else was hard at work, here he was, sleeping like he didn’t have responsibilities in this department! Hardly a good example to show his fellow detectives, nor was it fair!

It was… it was unjust! Bobby sported a horrified look, hands gripping the side of his face.

“Oh my god—I’m so sorry Dick! I didn’t mean to fall asleep! I promise I’ll get right to—“

“Hey, it’s fine pal!” Gumshoe interjected, placing his large hands atop his shoulders for emphasis. Bobby’s mouth snapped shut as his wide eyes looked into his senior’s kind ones.

“We knew you were running yourself ragged pulling double shifts like that. Of course it’s understandable that you’d just be out like a light! You needed some sleep, so we let you catch up on ‘em!” A hearty laugh. “I can’t imagine the sofa being all that comfy but hey, it’s better than the floor, I guess!”

Bobby felt his jaw dropped at his words. They knew he was literally sleeping on the job, and they left him be?

“But I’m missing out on work—“

“Which ya can get back to, after you’ve charged up.” Gumshoe wore a warm, friendly smile. “You’re real dedicated to your job, Bobby. One of the most hardworking fella I’ve had the pleasure to be friends with! You needed the rest before you risk worsening yourself. Last thing you want is to get sick!”

Bobby felt an assuring squeeze on his shoulder. “Trust me. Everyone understood it, which is why we’ve been working real quiet so you’d be able to sleep peacefully.” Another chuckle. “From the looks of it, seems like it worked!”

He was still processing everything, but one thing surged to the front of his mind—and made his eyes sting with tears. Bobby just felt… touched, that everyone seemed to have put in effort to let him sleep, even when they should have woken him up.

They… cared about him and his wellbeing. That thought alone made his lips quiver into a wobbly grin, the tears finally slipping out in a rush of happiness. Amidst Dick’s sudden worried questions, Bobby realized that he learnt something valuable today.

Justice never sleeps—but he needs to so he could be in good condition during his endless pursuit for it.

And preferably, back in the privacy of his bedroom and on actual bed.

#Ace Attorney #Bobby Fulbright #Detective Gumshoe #Ema Skye #Klavier Gavin #Hana writes stuff #this is a mess and a half but might as well jump into the pit guns blazing #i'll definitely be writing more pieces bout the good detective in the future!

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aion-rsa · 4 years

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How Hunt A Killer Expands the Blair Witch Universe with New Horror Game

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The manila envelope is unmarked and tightly sealed. It takes some effort to tear it open, as if the envelope itself is warning me: “Are you sure you want to see what’s inside? Are you entirely certain you’re up for this?”

I answer the question by tearing the package open. As the 10 objects within slide across my desk – a journal, incident report, map, newspaper clipping, and more – it would seem I’ve accepted my role as a detective on the case.

And it looks like I’m delving into the dark history, and ongoing mystery, of Burkittsville, Maryland, the home of the Blair Witch.

This is the Blair Witch tabletop experience by Hunt A Killer in partnership with Lionsgate and marks the first time the interactive murder mystery subscription box company has invited players into a story tied into an existing franchise. And with the first of six monthly “episodes” of Hunt A Killer: Horror – Blair Witch available now, a yarn is unfolding in real time that references the Blair Witch movies – and shares several characters with the Blair Witch video game — while still remaining accessible to the uninitiated.

Speaking of yarns, whether you choose to crack open the case each month on your own (as I did with this episode) or with a group of friends, you don’t need a corkboard with red yarn to connect the dots in this story — but it might be fun to have nonetheless.

“Blair Witch has a rich playground of storytelling,” says Melissa LaMartina, Hunt A Killer’s Director of Production, and someone who grew up in Maryland close to the real-world Burkittsville. “And there is this sense of mystery and exploration and discovery sort of inherent in the world of Blair Witch.”

When developing the Hunt A Killer: Horror – Blair Witch story, LaMartina says showrunner Elinor Haney – along with writers Travis Madden, Tatiana Nya Ford, and Will Rogers, and designer Alaska S. Kellum – revisited the franchise installments and identified commonalities within the universe. And while observing guidelines and rules to the universe, she said she and the team viewed Blair Witch as a “perfect metaphor of just walking into a dark wood,” with all the fears and mystery humans carry about wild, unknown reaches of nature.

But ultimately LaMartina said this Hunt a Killer series is about plucking out a single person, or single family, and exploring how they might fit within this established mythology.

So who is this family?

As the detective on this first installment, I learn about Rosemary Kent, a woman who lives on the edge of the infamous Black Hills Forest. Her son Liam has gone missing under mysterious circumstances, and the Burkittsville Sheriff’s Office has failed to turn up any information. Rosemary has asked me (and all players) to investigate the events of the day Liam went missing, as well as Liam’s connection to the legend of the Blair Witch, to move the case forward.

To reunite the Kent family I will need to explore the mysterious forest, uncover the truth about recent disappearances, and learn about the supernatural forces behind them. However, to do so, as the story’s logline challenges, I must be willing to “face down the wrath of the Blair Witch and those loyal to her.”

The Hunt a Killer: Horror – Blair Witch experience intrigues me straightaway. To preserve the mystery, I don’t want to reveal every item in that Episode One manila envelope. But if you look at the main image on the Hunt A Killer website for this series, you’ll get a sense of what to expect.

Players are dropped in the middle of this narrative-driven drama, and everything is a clue, but there is no map of where to begin. Well, there is a map, but that’s a literal map of Burkittsville.

Where to begin?

The first thing I read is a letter from Rosemary, which begins with:

“It’s been weeks since I’ve felt any sliver of hope, and frankly, I was starting to lose my mind a little before I found you.”

The words sound like a concerned mother, and she draws me in as she breaks down what she knows. Everything looks and feels legit, like what a Sheriff might say during a press conference or witness interview, or how a magazine or teenager’s journal might read (down to the chicken scratch handwriting).

My approach is to read and absorb everything before trying to piece it together. Before I get to know Liam, I want to learn about the town, and what others might have to say about the Kent family. As for Liam himself, some of his belongings included in the packet give me a sense of who the missing boy is.

In addition to the artifacts and documents mailed to me for the first episode, I also discover an in-world website where I gather more evidence, interact with characters, and access digital files. (There is also an out-of-world site where hints, recaps, and solutions can be accessed if a detective gets stumped).

There is a verisimilitude to the items in the Hunt A Killer kit. And designer Kellum – who has likewise created a very cool “Creepy Baltimore” print on her own site – leans into the horror elements, and the aesthetic of the foreboding woods (and what may be lurking in them) without straining the reality of the proceedings. There is a hidden Episode One clue that particularly struck me with its eeriness when I discovered it.

Go back to Burkittsville with Hunt A Killer: Horror – Blair Witch

Names, locations, and little details begin to recur, which all spur questions. Where was this person at this time of day of Liam’s disappearance? And how does that person quoted in one document connect to the landmark and date on the map?

I find myself having a moment like Charlie’s Pepe Silvia meme from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I’m piecing it together when I discover THE clue, the detail that opens up the door to answers in this episode, and then subsequently presents more questions.

Over the course of a couple of hours of investigating (Hunt A Killer anticipates between 90 minutes to three hours of gameplay experience per episode, depending on number of players, and other factors), I find a sense of escalation and anticipation setting in. Yes, I am uncovering clues, but things feel like they are just beginning.

That is intentional, says LaMartina. When approaching the story, she says they set out to recreate the feeling of having senses engaged while watching a horror movie in the dark. But, like any compelling narrative, she adds that “a lot of that comes from the way you’re engaging with the characters” over the course of six months.

“You really come to care for the fate of these people with whom you’re interacting,” she says. “You’re not only getting the story of this individual and this woman who’s desperately reaching out to you for help, but you are also really, immediately, fully immersed in that larger world of the Blair Witch….And I love the idea of people opening these boxes and starting to sift through these documents and just getting this uneasiness settling in, because it’s very much a world in which things just are not right, you know?”

I find this to be true in my own adventure with the first episode. While I feel empathy for Rosemary, I am already suspicious of other characters who are popping up in the story. And then I find myself questioning those suspicions, because of course any good mystery will involve some sleight-of-hand and misdirection where a person is looking one way, while the real villain can operate undetected. And in a town like Burkittsville, I develop a keen sense that everyone has something to hide.

For the two hours I was working the Blair Witch case, and then when I interacted on the 132 thousand-strong Facebook Group, I did feel like the immersive nature of the Blair Witch experience taps into something I’ve been craving during the long months of a pandemic where I’ve been unable to go to the cinema or gather in large groups. The sense of discovery is cinematic at times, and I found it exciting to compare notes with players online to see who had trouble with certain clues, and who solved the episode faster than I.

Can you survive the woods?

“There is a shared sense of unfolding the mystery, and a shared human experience when we’re living our lives so much more online now, in Zoom meetings solid for eight hours a day,” said LaMartina. “I think this is a way of feeling more connected and knowing that as you are playing this game, we have a whole community of people who are also playing; it’s just another way to reclaim some of that human connection.”

And that is a connection that can be pursued over the next six months for any player who chooses to take on the strange case of Liam Kent and the Blair Witch story in Burkittsville, Maryland.

But as I learn, the mystery is just beginning. At the end of my investigation, I reach a cliffhanger. There is much more detective work ahead of me over the next several months before I get to the other side of this case.

However, if you go down this rabbit hole, or have already cracked Episode One of Hunt A Killer: Horror – Blair Witch, then perhaps you can make use of this exclusive Episode Two clue provided by the game company.

But first, ask yourself, are you certain that you can handle a horror story where you are the main character?

Hunt A Killer: Horror – Blair Witch Episode Two Tease…

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

In Episode 2, you’ll be introduced to a mysterious figure with strong ties to the Black Hills Forest. Who is this figure, and what could they want with Liam Kent? The clue raises questions of how they were communicating and what their relationship is.

The post How Hunt A Killer Expands the Blair Witch Universe with New Horror Game appeared first on Den of Geek.

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jamesed97 · 7 years

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Zootopia: Under the Red Hood

So what happens when I see Batman: Under the red hood, Zootopia and read fic I was not expecting to be so good? The answer is this, please enjoy!

It was a dark and rainy night. The type of night that anyone would just want stay home. Through the road, a sole SUV from the ZPD was making his way to a destination that only one of the two mammals that were inside the police vehicle knew. The other one wasn’t particularly excited to arrive to it.

One of the mammals inside the vehicle was none other than Nicholas Piberius Wilde, first fox officer on the force, one of the two best officers in the ZPD, important key to solve the “Missing Mammals case” and the “Night Howlers case”, his gaze fixed on the window, watching the rain silently while he was silently laid in the backseat of the vehicle, his police uniform covered in blood, the badge that he proudly carried in his chest for 2 years by now was nowhere to be seen, his right eye swollen and finally, to put the cherry on the top of turd this day end up, a pair of cuffs restraining his paws and a collar strapped on his neck, in other words: Nick was looking like shit, which was fine to him, because that’s exactly how he was feeling.

“I can’t believe it Wilde” Wolford, an officer which Nick had worked with before to the point where they became good friends, was currently looking hurt, anger but most of all: betrayed “the ZPD and the city, all of us decided to trust you and yet, you chose to spit on that trust, you filthy good-for-nothing fox” Wolford spat with rage.

Nick moved his gaze from the window to Wolford, and scoffed “Unsurprisingly howlie, that’s not the worst I’ve been called for, but hey! Nice try though” Nick answered with a grin, even he didn’t want to, he won’t let them see, that they got to him, his mask hiding all the pain, all the hopelessness, all the events of this day behind an infuriating grin.

Wolford growled at the fox “Shut up, don’t talk to me as if we’re friends! I knew you have a not-so-bright past, but what we found at that storage” Wolford took a deep breath ”It was sickening and utterly disgusting, but who would have thought that the first fox officer in the ZPD was a damned heartless murderer”.

Nick’s mask almost fell at the comment of the wolf. Yeah, he also remembered. The storage. The smell of blood lingering in the air. The lifeless corpses of 21 mammals. It was something that must have come out from a horror movie, and that wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. When Nick arrived at the scene of the crime, shortly after other officers arrived too, well, take a fox, add a scene of the crime, add 21 dead bodies and finally the police, the sum of that is the shitty mess Nick is involved.

Funny thing is, no matter how many times Nick pleaded that he was innocent, no one listened to him, despite the years working for the ZPD, arresting thieves, helping in the biggest conspiracy that could have divided Zootopia in prey and predator, the fact the ZPD -his so called “brothers in blue”- didn’t trust him nor were there for him when he need them, at the end of the day it was the word of a criminal in a police’s disguise against the word of the most famous police officer in the force and that black stripped bastard. Nick had to suppress the growl that rumbled in his throat. He got in his hustling character again, grin in check and smartass tone in place.

“Up to this point, will it matter if I said again how I’m innocent . . . .?” Nick stated, Wolford just scoffed at the fox, having plenty of his lies “How about I say I’m sorry, how about an apologizing howl?” as Nick began to make a slight the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. Wolford turned to face him, his face contorted to one of a savage mammal, snarling furiously. Nick shrunk in the backseat, the fur on his neck bristled and his tail wrapped itself between his legs.

“Shut your goddamn mouth fox!” Wolford yelled to the fox “If you don’t, I will muzzle you back, so go on and try me Wilde” the wolf sneered, watching over the fox.

Panic showed itself in Nick’s face. The very thought of wearing the muzzle again was unbearable. His breathing increased. His heart began pumping faster. The color of the collar glowed a dangerous orange and just before he could hyperventilate . . . .

BZZZZT!

Nick grabbed the collar as it shocked him, trying to slow down his heart rate, he took deep breaths until the light in the collar turned a bright green. Nick grunted in pain, panting slightly he look up to see Wolford looking him back.

“Was it painful Wilde?” Wolford asked rhetorically “Now you can feel a small part of the pain all those families are going to feel when they know their loved ones are never going to return to their side”.

Nick has always had the ability to tell what others mammals are thinking, he knew the body language, the movement of the face, an ability from his hustling days that even as a cop came in handy. However Nick didn’t need any of that to see the expression the wolf was giving him and it pained him.

Disappointment. Betray. Pain. And worst of all: distrust.

“Thanks God officer Hopps and agent Savage stopped you” Wolford said solemnly “The ZPD doesn’t need more blood on its paw”.

Nick let a low growl “Yeah, thanks God for officer Hopps and agent Jack-ass for stopping the big bad fox” Nick closed his eyes and sighed sadly “Wolford, come on man, Do you really believe I did it? I have worked for the ZPD for 2 years, I have helped a lot of mammals and I loved every second of it, you know me, do you really think I’m a murder” Nick asked with and sorrowful expression.

Wolford hear Nick, he heard the sincerity in his words, but the evidence and facts told otherwise, so as much as he wanted to believe it, it was evidence and the words of the best officer in the force and the best agent of the ZBI against his, why would them lie?

“I want to believe you Wilde, I really want to, but both Savage and Hopps saw you with their own eyes” Wolford paused for a moment sighed sadly “I read you your Miranda rights Wilde, please don’t make this more complicated”

Nick kept quiet, there wasn’t any more left to say, in retrospect what was he expecting from society, the same one that deemed him as nothing more than a fox, unable to be trustworthy. No matter how much he pleaded, no one believed him, not even his partner and best friend.

‘Funny’ Nick thought ‘you only need one bunny to give you a new life; and another one to screw it’.

Nick let out a humorless laugh, so short lived that he his mind began to wander in places it shouldn’t go. Reliving his memories from the past few months. In that moment Nick fell victim of the weariness, his eyelids were growing heavy, keeping his eyes open was becoming a huge deal, so Nick laid his head in the backseat of the vehicle and drift away to sleep. In his last moments of consciousness a wander thought popped in his mind.

‘Maybe this is a dream, a REALLY bad dream and when I wake up everything would be fine’.

Another more cynical one also popped.

‘Or maybe you’ve been dreaming all this time and now you’re waking to face your reality’.

And with that Nick fell asleep.

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It was a bright sunny day in the city of Zootopia, the city was bursting with life. All kind of mammals were walking on the street to reach for their jobs, or going to find someone and so. The morning promised this day would be an eventful one.

One fox was making his way to the ZPD building, his pace was slow, a yawn escaping his muzzle, and he looked like he was on autopilot. Most of his self was still in bed sleeping while the other one told him that it was time to scram to work.

That and the insufferable ringing of his best friend’s tone in the tone and the message that she left threatening him with going to his apartment and kick his butt to work…

…Again.

Finally arriving at his destination, he opened the door and was greeted by a sight he would never get tired of.

The smile of the ZPD’s first rabbit officer and partner in crime: Judy Hopps. He was talking animatedly with Clawhauser about God knows what, knowing the cheetah some new gossip about the ‘angel with horns’ as the bubbly cheetah always referred Gazelle as. He couldn’t help but wonder how someone can look that happy so early in the morning while he would gladly stay in bed for the rest of the day. But Judy was one in a kind, her drive to make the world a better place, her cheerful personality and the kindness that lies in her heart.

How does such big heart such as hers fit in such a tiny rabbit? He wouldn’t know.

Said rabbit turned her head to the direction where said fox was coming and her face automatically lit up.

“Good Morning Nick!” Judy greeted “Ready to make the world a better place?” the doe extended her fist.

“Coffee first, world, make, better, later” Nick deadpanned.

The rabbit gave the fox a smug grin “why Good morning Judy, Yes I’m ready, how can you be so grumpy in the morning Slick?” Judy shook his head while still grinning and reached out a coffee to the fox.

Nick only grunted in response and moved his paw to grab his much needed source of caffeine only for the bunny to hold back the cup of coffee.

“Ah ah Slick” Judy teased while shaking her finger “say: Judy, Would you please give this dumb fox his coffee?”

If Nick was in the mood of teasing and playing he would be proud of the smug grin Judy was showing, definitely a hustler grin; since this wasn’t the case, Nick muttered something under his breath, Judy could hear something among the lines of ‘stubborn bunny’.

Without his much needed coffee his witty remarks arsenal was off.

“Judy, would you please give this dumb fox his coffee” he could still muster a sad-puppy eyes look “pretty please”.

Judy looked at Nick with a warm smile “Alright Nick, you’ve earned it”.

Nick took his coffee and sip it, letting the coffee do his work his usual grin returned to his muzzle.

“Thanks Carrots” Nick gratified “What would I do without you?”

Just when Judy was about to answer Nick put a finger in her lips to hush her.

“That was rhetorical fluff” Nick interrupted “I don’t want to know the answer, because I’m planning to be a constant in your life”.

Judy’s ears turned red and fell so he couldn’t see the blush.

For a moment they stood there looking to each other’s eyes. Green lost in amethyst; amethyst trapped in green…

And then their moment was broken by a squealing cheetah.

“OH EM GOODNESS THAT IS SO CUTE!” Ben gushed.

After hearing the C-word Judy sent the bubbly cheetah a stern look while Nick thanked God for his red fur or else everyone in the precinct would catch a glimpse of the blush he was having.

“Ben…” Judy said disapprovingly.

Ben knew that tone, it was the same tone she used when he used the word cute or something among the lines.

“I’m sorry Judy” Ben apologized “But it’s just that the two make such an adorable couple!”

Judy kept staring at the cheetah until the latter shrunk in his seat, but Judy couldn’t hold it against Clawhauser. He was just being…him.

“It’s okay Ben” she sighed “BUT, you need to pay more attention, I won’t always let it slip, understood?” the cheetah nodded meekly and Judy once again smiled at her friend “Good”.

Nick couldn’t help but chuckle, even she was the tiniest officer in the force, every mammal in Precinct One knew that you shouldn’t mess with Judy Hopps.

“Come on Nick, we are going to get late to roll call” Judy yanked Nick by his tie to the bullpen.

“See you later spots” Nick shoot Clawhauser a lazy two fingers salute.

Judy and Nick arrived to the bullpen, Bogo hasn’t arrived yet, so the room was filled with laughter, shouts, mammals talking lively and some others arm wrestling.

“I hope the chief has something special for us” Judy exclaimed excitedly.

“What, craving for some parking duty action?” Nick sent her a smug grin. Judy glared her partner for bringing her least favorite duty in the line of work.

“Har har Nick, by now you have been in parking duty more times than me” Judy smirked “In fact, you totally owned the vest and the joke mobile has already your name in it”.

“Not my fault that chief Buffalo Butt wasn’t born with a sense of humor or that the word ‘prank’ is foreign to him” Nick shrugged nonchalantly.

Judy tried to frown at Nick, but the smile that crept in her muzzle gave her away, in the end she just laughed at the fox antics.

As if summoning, the water buffalo entered the room, fist banging onto the tables until Chief Bogo silenced them and handed everyone their assignments.

“Hopps, Wilde. I want both of you in my office now” Chief Bogo said with his usual authoritative gruff voice.

They exchanged nervous glances before facing his boss and give him a nod.

The water buffalo just grunted in response and left the bullpen.

Judy glared at Nick “What did you this time Nick?”

Nick put a paw in his chest feigning being hurt “Why Carrots, your accusations hurt me”

Judy rolled her eyes “Well how about I’m not the one who prank him, antagonize him and call him Buffalo Butt” now it was Judy smirking.

Nick frowned “Well, what if he called us because you ticketed another ZPD vehicle again?” smug grin in place.

Judy’s ears turned red and fell to her back “That was a one-time thing!” Nick raised a brow “Ok! Fine! It has happened more than one time, but not even the law is above the law!” Judy pouted.

Nick couldn’t bare how adorable she looked when she pout, the way her cheeks inflated and her foot thumped the floor was just too cute, not that he was going to say that aloud ever, Nick appreciated his life after all.

“Sure thing” Nick shrugged “Well let’s not make the chief wait, so hop onto it Hopps, maybe a raise, a medal or any other award is waiting for us, you know for being the best in what we do”

“You mean you slacking off while I’m doing the best in what I do” Judy grinned.

“Well look at you, don’t know what is bigger, your drive to help others, your ears, or your ego” Nick snarked.

Judy punched Nick in the arm, but the slight smile was making any attempt to look stern useless.

Judy knocked the chief’s door and instantly a gruff voice boomed inside “Come in.”

“Sit down” Bogo said in his monotone voice, once sit the police chief began “I got a special assignment to both of you”.

If Judy could muster an even bigger smile, it would be so bright it could have lighted all the precinct during a blackout. Nick remained silent so the water buffalo could continue, but was alternating his sight between his boss and the reactions her partner was giving. The smile in her face, her nose twitching with excitement, her eyes shining with joy, so beautiful he could get lost in them.

‘All right Slick, now it’s not the time to ogle your partner’.

“During the past few months there had been numeral cases of missing mammals, in total 21 cases” Bogo briefed them “There isn’t any pattern. Mammals both predator and prey were abducted, I put my better detectives in finding them, but whoever is behind this is very meticulous, in all the last places each one of them were seen wasn’t a single clue of who did it”.

Nick and Judy’s full attention was now on the words Bogo was saying.

“2 days ago a pair of detectives found 2 of the missing mammals””

Judy sighed in relief, however from t

And he didn’t like it, and neither will Judy.

“They were found dead” Bogo stated solemnly.

Judy’s ears fell to her back, her eyes lost the brightness just a second ago were shining.

Nick looked this and placed a comforting paw in her back, and gave her a reassuring smile, a real smile. Judy smiled back and her face was only determination now, she had entered n cop mode.

“I’m telling you this because you have the biggest crime-catch rate in the whole precinct” Bogo avowed “You two are my best officers now, so I’ll be giving you permission to part of this case”. Nick couldn’t help but feel proud, all his life he only things that made others be ashamed of him, but now he was doing what was right for once in his life and he wouldn’t change any of it.

“Don’t worry chief, we won’t let you down” Judy stated boldly and hopped off the chair to get the file.

“I didn’t say you were dismissed officer Hopps” Bogo grunted. Judy who had a paw in the doorknob stopped like a deer in headlights, awkwardly returning to the chair which Nick never left, there he was grinning at her.

“Eager bunny” Nick whispered. Ears red from embarrassment she punched the tod in the arm lightly.

“Sorry chief, continue please” Judy said without looking at the buffalo.

The chief exhaled air through his nose. “Anyway, this case apparently became of interest to the city hall, so you are going to be working under the supervision of an agent of the ZBI, and let me stop you right there Hopps” the chief commanded as the bunny officer was about to interrupt “you aren’t trained as detectives, even if you are outstanding officers it would be irresponsible for me to put you in this case without supervision”.

“So when you say you don’t care you’re just bluffing, you do care chief” Nick smiled smugly.

Bogo sighed “Yes Wilde, I DO care about my officers, even about you”. Nick faked hurt by putting a paw over his heart.

Both of the officers felt some sort of respect towards the buffalo, even if Judy was the only one showing it.

“Let’s not prolong this meeting, from now until the case is cracked, you will be under the supervision of special agent, Jack Savage. Clawhauser will give you the file you are going to be working with. Dismissed”.

Nick amusedly thought of what kind of mammal this ‘Savage’ was, by his name he imagined a hardened-looking wolf, or jaguar, or a lion. He didn’t even register the thrilled look on her partner’s face.

“Carrots, by your smile and the fact that you are endangering the whole precinct by beginning an earthquake with your foot thumping” Nick said dismissively earning a blush from the doe which led to a punch in the arm “I suspect you know this guy”.

“What?” Judy gasped “Mr. I-know-everyone doesn’t know Jack Savage”

“Well judging by his name I believe he’s a stripper, but I hardly doubt that so, no” Nick smirked.

Judy snorted “Well, I do and don’t know him” earning a puzzled look from his fox partner she continued “back when I was in the academy, the instructors at the time talk about how a single agent solved many cases, stopped many drug dealers and even has prevented many crisis to fall on Zootopia”.

“So what, we do that on daily basis and I don’t get such apprises or Bogo to roll the red carpet when we arrived at the station”.

Judy rolled her eyes “true, but I would like to know how is he, I mean no one is really that praised in the police if they aren’t chief or something like that, so I guess I’m excited because of that”.

“Well, just don’t be disappointed if he isn’t as high and mighty as your old academy rumors make him look like” Nick commented.

“Not promising” Judy sing-sang. “Hey Clawhauser, can you give us our file?”

“Sure thing Judy” Ben smiled broadly “oh, you guys need to see this” Ben showed them some news about Gazelle’s next concert and time went by idling chat. No one noticed the rabbit with black stripes in a tux that entered.

“Excuse me, are you officer Judy Hopps” the stranger questioned in a smooth voice.

Judy’s mind went blank, here in front of her stood the most handsome buck she had ever seen. He was tall for bunny standards, sharply dressed in a black tux with a white shirt and a dark blue tie; he looked well trained, but his more enticing features were his striking blue eyes, she could get lost in that sea of blue and got lost in them because she wanted to answer, but her mouth had other plans “I-I um…” Judy uttered.

“Carrots if you could stop drooling and give this gentlemammal an answer, that would be great you know” Nick whispered in her ear.

That snapped Judy from his stupor, ears perked up, hands on her hips “Yes, I am officer Judy Hopps and this is my partner officer Nick Wilde and who might you be sir?” At the mentioned of his name Nick tilted his head.

“Savage, agent Jack Savage”

Nick and Judy were speechless, Judy because she had never seen a rabbit like Jack before, Nick because a rabbit with such a last name was quite abnormal, and he wasn’t even a predator. He imagined an intimidating looking predator, not a bunny of all things.

”we are going to be working together, I hope we could get along” Jack said in a charming voice.

“I know we will” expressed Judy happily.

Nick however couldn’t help but feeling uneasy around the rabbit, every time he said ‘we’ he never made contact visual with Judy and there was something…off about this rabbit, something he quite couldn’t pinpoint. Nick always felt proud for his ability at reading people, it was one of the many useful tools his life as a con artist left him and his instinct told him something about this Savage was wrong.

The fact that her partner was ogling him wasn’t helping either…

“Say, did you have breakfast?” Jack questioned. Judy shook her head “Would you like to come with me? You are also invited to come Officer Wilde, so we could all talk about how we are going to work and get to know each other better”.

“Okay, that would be great agent Savage” Judy expressed effusively.

“Excellent, let me go for my car, I know a place where we could find delicious food”

Watching Jack heading out of the police Judy faced Nick “You know something, I’m not disappointed, not even close to it” Judy said with a dreamy look on her face and followed Jack next.

Nick frowned at that. He didn’t like this. ‘At least he is only going to be with us until we solved this case’ Nick thought.

“Looks like someone has competition” Ben was smirking at his tod friend “You better up your game Nick”.

Nick just rolled his eyes and gave Clawhauser his usual confident smirk “As if spots, see you later” and went to find Judy and Jack.

“You coming or what Slick?” Judy asked.

Nick smiled and continue walking until his feet didn’t move. Nick struggled to move them, but everything was fruitless, slowly the floor under his feet began melting turning into some black abyss which was slowly dragging him down.

“Spots, a little help big guy?” Nick gulped, feeling panic rising, but when he looked behind him Clawhauser was gone, the cheetah, the lobby, everything fade. Some ominous darkness was increasing and the abyss that was engulfing him began to drag him down faster.

Panicked now “Carrots, Carrots help me!”

Judy didn’t turn. She kept walking straight to Jack; completely ignoring the pleads of his best friend.

“JUDY! Please don’t leave me! JUDY!” Nick begged desperately, now his right paw and his head only visible.

The last thing he could see before being completely engulfed was the smirk of a black stripped rabbit…

Numbness. Darkness. He felt like everything and yet anything was surrounding him.

‘I should have trusted my instincts, I shouldn’t let them see that they got to me’ nick thought glumly.

‘Yeah, you should and shouldn’t’

‘Is it too late to have my life back?’

‘Yes…but not too late to fix it, also, you might want to wake up’

‘Why should I?’

‘Seems the wiser choice’

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BZZT!

Nick awoke when an intense pain ran through his body. The collar attached to his neck blinking in a dangerously red color.

‘Best. Alarm clock. Ever.’

Nick looked through the window to get a hold of his surroundings, wherever Wolford was taking him, he sure was taking his sweet…

‘Wait a second’

After gathering his surroundings Nick knew where they were going and dread filled him.

‘Shit, shit, shit, I should have known!’

Nick knew this place, he had been here before during the missing mammals’ case. He didn’t like being then and the feeling was the same.

The Cliffside Asylum. The place where former mayor Lionheart kept the savage mammals in the dark, now turned into a prison of maximum security. Mob bosses, drug dealers, all kind of dangerous criminals and very angry ewe, some of them were even there thanks to Nick.

He was going to be very popular the moment one paw was set in there and that popularity will cost him…

A lot…

‘No, no, no I must find the way out of this!’

Nick unsheathed his claws and quietly began picking the pawcuffs, aside from his ability of reading people and know Zootopia as the back of his paw, picking locks was a really useful, though in these 2 years he worked in the force, the opportunity of using it never showed.

With a click Nick freed his paws, but remained silent in case Wolford heard it. Nick breathe in relieve knowing it wasn’t the case. Nick’s gears started to run, thinking of a plan to escape, being inside a cell and then flushed in a toilet to freedom idea was out of question, so his best plan was make the jump from the cliff and hope that Karma was on his side.

The vehicle was slowing signaling that it reached its destination. Nick curled in to a ball so his back was facing Wolford and put the pawcuffs back but now without securing them.

“We’re here” there was a slight hint of sadness in the wolf’s eyes. “Come on”.

Nick was escorted by Wolford and another wolf that came out of the building.

“You are doing a huge mistake, I’m not guilty” Nick said

“I wished I could believe you” Wolford sighed “I hope you find redemption”.

“Not going to find it out” Nick muttered.

Nick released himself and with incredible speed took Wolford tranq gun and shoot the other wolf with it and with the momentum kicked Wolford in his left shin making him lose balance and delivered a powerful uppercut that knocked him out.

Blood pumping. Adrenaline rushing. The shock collar blinking a warning yellow. Nick breathed in, and dashed to the…

A bullet flied past him grazing his shoulder slightly, Nick grunted until he heard a shout.

“Nicholas Wilde, stop in the name of law or you won’t be lucky next time” and an alarm started to sound.

‘Guns, of course they have guns, of course they would geared up with guns the sentinels of a reclusive of psychos’.

In a matter of seconds Nick was facing officers in front of him while his back was pointing his ticket to freedom.

“Resisting an arrest, assaulting two officers and held possession of the ZPD property. If you keep making the list larger, you will just make it worse for you, so I’m not going to repeat it: paws in the air”.

Nick was beginning to sweat as his rate of escape diminished. He slowly raised his paws, but noticed something that might help him. All officers in front of him were wolves except for two, one a tiger, the other a bear.

‘Time to pull one last hustle’

“All right, just let me said one more thing” Nick hold his paws up and then he howled.

All the wolves’ ears straight up and howled too, the bear and the tiger winced and cover their ears, without thinking once Nick sped to the cliff as his life depended on it. The bear was the first to react and chased Nick but soon realized he was not going to catch him, bears have their strength in raw force, not speed, so he drew his tranq gun and aimed it to the fox.

Nick’s mind was in overdrive, he run as fast as he had never run before, and once in the he was inches from the cliff he jumped. It was like the world was moving in slow motion. He could feel his fast heartbeat, the collar attached to his neck bleeping in a dangerous orange and a sting behind his neck.

His vision turning blurry, his eyes closing, his breath slowing.

The fall felt like an eternity. Memories relieved during it.

The hustling years, the police academy, his time with Judy, the fun, the pain, the heartbreak, the happiness all of it.

Nick mustered a weak smile.

‘Looks like Carrots was right all along, I really am a dumb fox’

Nick’s body hit the water, and suddenly the world turned black.

A/N: so yeah, here it is, my first attempt at writing a fic, please tell me if you like it, tell me what mistakes I did, what can I improve, reviews are welcomed, but please be gentle with me :’) oh and if you know spanish, the fic that inspired this fic it’s called “Zootopia Noches Lluviosas” by apheront, I highly recommended it, well then, see you at next chapter!

#Zootopia #zootopia fanfic #Nick Wilde #judy hopps #firstwritingattempt

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kansascityhappenings · 5 years

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Unsolved mysteries in Kansas: the bloodbath Bender family escapes into thin air

CHERRYVALE, Kan. — Kansas in its earliest history was a haven for violence and bloodshed. Intense rivalry between abolitionist and pro-slavery forces earned the then territory the nickname “Bleeding Kansas.” Years after slavery ended, southeast Kansas still maintained a reputation as a violent and distressing place to live. One early case of deception has remained unsolved.

The murdering “Bender Family of Cherryvale” consisted of a mother, a father, a son, and a daughter who settled into the infinitesimal prairie community back in 1870. They’re considered America’s first family of serial killers.

In the isolated and vigilant old west

Cherryvale is in southeastern Kansas about 20 miles north of the border with Oklahoma. In the present, the town is allocated to Montgomery County. It is home to a slew of museums. The last real footnote from the city’s website is in 1987: when the National Register of Historic Places included in its listings the town’s brick factory buildings, its Carthage cut stone pillars, a concrete foundation, some oak floors, and some beamed ceilings.

Cherryvale boasts a population of some 2,360 people. It’s about 150 miles southeast of Kansas City. The town is kind of in the middle of nowhere – the closest larger hub to it is Joplin about 75 miles east.

Old sketches of the family. Wikipedia

The Bender family left an ominous stain on Cherryvale and the surrounding area. The Bloody Benders included: John, Sr., his wife Elvira, their son John, Jr., and their lovely daughter Kate. There are no documents available that confirm where the family emigrated from, but it is widely speculated they came from Germany. Some have questioned whether John and Kate were actually siblings but were instead husband and wife. There’s also rumors that Elvira got into the murder business before she married John Bender — and that she killed her previous husbands.

Homestead as a grifting and murder trap

In October 1870, five families of spiritualists settled in and around the township of Osage in northwestern Labette County, which is about seven miles northeast of where Cherryvale would be established seven months later.

The Benders built a small inn for travelers crossing the Osage Trail — it was the only route at the time for traveling further west. They offered shelter and food for guests and their horses. The Bender men registered some 160 acres of land. The family also setup a general store where they sold dry goods.

Innkeeping was a lucrative business in the late 1800s, but it wasn’t enough for the Benders. They supplemented their income by taking advantage of their guests.

Historians argue that when travelers entered their home, the Benders would position themselves at a dinner table with their backs to a canvas curtain. They had a special chair where the traveler, the guest of honor, would sit.

The guests often got caught up in conversation with the young and attractive Kate. The parents spoke little English, but the second generation, who was approximately in their 20s, could speak it proficiently. The son had a slight German accent, and people often underestimated his intelligence for the way he sounded. During the conversations with Kate, the unsuspecting traveler would be taken over by one of the two Bender men. A hammer brutally came down multiple times on the skull of the guest until the person died. The women then slit the victim’s throat.

After the attack, the four Benders would loot the body for money and other possessions. They would mutilate the body and dump the remains through a trap door into a cellar beneath their house. During the night, the family would move the body and bury it in a nearby apple orchard.

Cravings for more money and bloodshed

The elder Benders mostly kept to themselves, but the adult children regularly attended Sunday school in nearby Harmony Grove — they likely wanted to learn more about their neighbors and to scope out new victims. By 1873, reports of missing people became so common that travelers avoided the trail through the Osage township. The area was known for horse thievery and violent crimes. Law and order was thin — vigilance committees took matters into their own hands dolling out justice willy-nilly.

The Benders craved more victims and eventually targeted Cherryvale’s locals and not just the travelers. Kate hung up posters in town claiming she had supernatural powers that could heal blindness, deafness, and other ailments. She also claimed to be a psychic who could communicate with the dead. She called herself “Prof. Miss Katie Bender.” She gained notoriety for conducting séances and for advocating free love. People heard rumors about the attractive woman and this put the bed and breakfast into the limelight.

Those who fell for the poster bait became victims of the Bender family. They murdered at least 11 people. It’s probable they killed more than 20 altogether.

Historical poster claiming psychic abilities

It’s important to keep in mind that the widespread national attention on the Bender family in the late 19th century makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. Today we’re left with a handful of documents and artifacts to piece together. This makes the story elusive – but the Bender family when they were living was difficult to peg down.

The Kansas City Times described the discovery of one of the victim’s bodies as grisly:

“The little girl was probably eight years of age, and had long, sunny hair, and some traces of beauty on a countenance that was not yet entirely disfigured by decay. One arm was broken. The breastbone had been driven in. The right knee had been wrenched from its socket, the leg doubled up under the body. Nothing like this sickening series of crimes had ever been recorded in the whole history of the country.”

A couple of men narrowly saved themselves from death. William Pickering refused to sit with his back to the curtain canvas because it had stains all over it — and at the height of a seated man’s head. Kate Bender became angry when he didn’t follow directions – she threatened to kill him with a knife. He somehow escaped and lived to tell his tale.

A Catholic priest stopped by the inn to tend to his horse. He saw one of the Bender men hiding a large hammer in a room, so he left quickly.

A well-known doctor disappears

After a prominent local doctor disappeared in 1873, residents started to suspect something questionable was happening at the Bender property.

Dr. William Henry York had gone to question homesteaders along the trail after his neighbors George Newton Longcor and his infant daughter disappeared. They had lived in Independence, Kansas about 11 miles southwest of Cherryvale. Dr. York reached Fort Scott, and on March 9 he went on a journey back to Independence, but he never made it home.

The doctor’s brothers were powerful people – Colonel Ed York living in Fort Scott and Alexander M. York, a member of the Kansas State Senate. Both knew about the doctor’s travel plans, and when he failed to return home, they had an all-out search for him. Colonel York led a company of some fifty men. Together they questioned every traveler along the trail and visited the homesteads along the route.

On March 28, 1873, Colonel York arrived at the Benders’ bed and breakfast inn. The Benders told the colonel the doctor had stayed with them; they suggested he may have run into trouble with indigenous tribes. The colonel didn’t investigate further that day.

On April 3, the colonel returned to the inn with a small army after hearing about a woman who escaped from the inn after Elvira threatened her with knives. Elvira acted like she couldn’t understand the accusation made against her because of her limited English, but the younger Benders denied the claim.

When the colonel repeated the story about the knives, Elvira allegedly became aggressive. She accused the female guest of witchery claiming she had cursed her coffee. Elvira ordered the men to leave the property — this was the first time they got the sense her English was better than she portrayed.

The Weekly Kansas Chief posted the following in an article on May 22, 1873. The article is kept in the Library of Congress.

“While going and coming from the creek, John told Col. York that his sister Kate could do anything, that she could control the devil, and that the devil did her bidding. When they returned to the home, Col. York tried to induce this wonderful mistress of the devil to reveal where the body of his brother was. She positively refused her satanic aid at this time, giving at her reason therefore that she could not do so in the day time, and while there were so many men and so much noise about.”

The article continued that before Colonel York left, Kate persuaded him to return Friday night; she suggested she could use her clairvoyant abilities to find his brother. He denied this request. The colonel and the small army were under the impression that the Bender and a neighboring family, the Roaches, were guilty in the string of disappearances. They wanted to hang the whole lot of them, but the colonel insisted they find evidence first.

Around that time, neighboring communities became increasingly concerned with the evolving number of malevolent accusations in the area, particularly around disappearances. The Osage township scheduled a meeting in the Harmony Grove schoolhouse. At least 75 people attended the emergency meeting, including Colonel York and both John Bender, Sr. and John Bender, Jr.

The community agreed that a search warrant would be obtained to search every homestead between Big Hill Creek and Drum Creek. They hoped a full examination of the area would solve the crisis.

The Bender family got word that people suspected them of nefarious play; they up and left days before anyone noticed their absence. Rancher Billy Tole noticed something was wrong when he was driving cattle past the property: the Benders’ animals appeared sickly and unfed. He alerted others.

Secrets left at the abandoned property

Bender family house | Kansas Historical Society

Several days lapsed before investigators combed through the Bender property — in part because of bad weather. The search party included Colonel York. The group found the Bender property empty of food, clothing, and personal possessions. A bad odor lingered from the trap door underneath a bed; it was nailed shut. After opening the trap, the team found a blood splattered room — the floors in particular needed seriously cleaning. The team broke up the flooring — they didn’t discover any bodies or remains there.

The Kansas City Times wrote an article that described the initial investigation. The article detailed the trap door and pit beneath the Benders’ home:

“[The men] groped about over these splotches and held up a handful to the light. The ooze smeared itself over their palms and dribbled through their fingers. It was blood–thick, fetid, clammy, sticking blood–that they had found groping there in the void. Blood perhaps, of some poor, belated traveler who had laid himself down to dream of home and kindred, and who had died while dreaming of his loved ones.”

Detectives discovered more than a dozen bullet holes in the roof and on the sides of the cabin – many have speculated that some of the victims tried to fight the Benders back.

Authorities found eleven shallow graves in the apple orchard. The nature of the murders became clear as the search party excavated the graves. The crew first found Dr. York’s body — his feet barely underground. They also found George Longcur and his infant child.

Bender Family property. Excavating graves. | Kansas Historical Society

Almost all the bodies had similar injuries: heads bashed in with a hammer and their throats cut. A young girl’s body had no injuries severe enough to cause death – investigators speculated one of the Benders strangled her or buried her alive. Some historians theorize the Bender family killed people not just for money but for sport.

Word of the murders spread through newspapers. Reporters from as far away as New York City and Chicago visited the property, but it’s unknown what exactly happened to the Bender family from there.

A Weekly Kansas Chief article described the garish setting in pristine detail:

“On last Sunday there were about one thousand men, women, and children at the Bender grounds, gazing with mingled emotions of horror and curiosity. The graves even yet sent forth a sickening stench, and women held their noses as they peered down into the narrow tenantless holes. Two special trains were run, one from Independence and one from Coffeyville, to a point on a railway line about two miles from the house, and teams were busy running to and from the house, and teams were busy running to and from the cars to the grounds, while the greater portion of the crowd was compelled to walk: these trains brought about 600 persons. There were about six or seven hundred persons from all parts of the surrounding country, in wagons, carriages, buggies, and on horseback.

The curiosity of many seemed to master their repulsion, and hundreds brought away some memento of the dreadful place. The blood-stained bedstead was smashed to pieces and divided in the crowd, all the shrubbery and young trees were broken or torn up and carried away, and pieces of the house torn off by the curious. Such another raid would not leave much of the shanty.”

Never finding the Benders

Detectives worked for years to try to find the Benders. Early in the investigation they discovered the Benders’ wagon. It was abandoned with a starving team of horses on the verge of collapsing outside the city limits of Thayer — a town about 12 miles north of the bed and breakfast.

Reward Poster | Kansas Historical Society

Records indicate the family bought train tickets in Thayer for the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Raildroad for Humboldt. At Chanute, about 15 miles north of Thayer, the siblings left the train and caught the MK&T train south to Red River County, near Denison, Texas. The siblings traveled to an outlaw colony somewhere between Texas and New Mexico. Authorities didn’t pursue the pair — officers who followed outlaws into this region were often killed or never returned home.

A detective claimed he traced the pair to the border where he found John Jr. died of apoplexy — a sudden death often resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke.

The elder Benders did not leave the train at Humboldt. Records indicate they continued north to Kansas City; they likely bought tickets there and headed to St. Louis.

Police arrested several people over the years matching descriptions of the Bender family. In 1884, police arrested an elderly man in Montana. They accused him of murdering someone by using a hammer on the person’s head in Salmon, Idaho . The man matched a description similar to John Sr., Bender. It was never confirmed if he was that man — a deputy from Cherryvale went to look at the detainee, but the suspect had severed off his foot to escape irons. He bled to death. By the time the deputy arrived, decomposition had already made it too difficult to identify the person.

A Salmon saloon displayed the skull with the caption “Pa Bender” — that was until prohibition forced the pub’s closure in 1920. The skull was lost to time.

In the early 1880s, authorities took two women into custody. Officers brought the ladies to Kansas from Illinois, but police released them shortly. They found it was impossible to prove whether they were in fact part of the murderous family.

Remaining artifacts from the “devil’s kitchen”

Today little remains of the original site. Authorities destroyed the inn shortly after the discovery of the bodies. Souvenir hunters combed through and dismantled the building. A marker does stand on U.S. 169, near the former site. The sign describes the fate of the Benders as “one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Old West.”

A search of the Bender property turned up three hammers: a shoe hammer, a claw hammer, and a sledgehammer. The items matched indentations in some of the victims’ skulls. The son of LeRoy Dick, the Osage Township trustee who headed the search of the Bender property, donated the hammers to the Bender Museum in 1967. The Cherryvale Historical Museum now has those artifacts in a wall-mounted display case.

Picture of a bloody knife found on the Bender family property. Kansas Historical Society

Colonel York reportedly found a knife with a four-inch tapered blade inside a mantel clock in the Bender House. In 1923, his wife donated the knife to the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. The knife has reddish-brown stains on the blade. Upon request, visitors may see the weapon. The Kansas Historical Society has a podcast up on their website about the knife.

from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports https://fox4kc.com/2019/11/09/unsolved-mysteries-in-kansas-the-bloodbath-bender-family-escapes-into-thin-air/

from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/unsolved-mysteries-in-kansas-the-bloodbath-bender-family-escapes-into-thin-air/

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