Quiet Mountain Town Shaken By Unforeseen Violence

“Back it up people! Come on now! Get back!” barked one ill-tempered local law enforcer as he and four other officials pushed back curious onlookers shoving for a better view. “The situation is being taken care of. There’s no cause for alarm,” one could be heard saying in a calm and reassuring manner. Some people were swaying from one side to the other or raising up on their toes in an effort to steal a peak at what was going on. However, gawking and waiting appeared fruitless as there was no indication by the authorities present that details of the goings-on were to be released anytime soon. Rumors and gossip sprang from one voice to the next snaking through the chatter in lieu of official acknowledgment.

Such was the scene in Hugel just four days ago after members of local law enforcement blocked off the area surrounding a statue that had been proudly occupying the town’s square since it was first founded.

A report that the statue had been found covered by a piece of debris yielding traces of blood was made early that morning by Jude Leilan, a native militiaman who refused to comment on the situation. Shortly after the report and the statue’s initial examination had been carried out authorities erected a tarpaulin barrier around the statue behind which they conducted an investigation for the remainder of the morning.

Citizens of Hugel gathered and gawked throughout the morning to hear news. Grocers Merian Cain and Lucinda Alucin caught sight of the statue from the second floor windows of their establishment before being asked by a lawman to remain downstairs until the matter had been resolved. When questioned about what they had seen Merian said, “We thought it was some kind of tatty clothing at first. Something swept up by the wind, you know?”

The statue was eventually removed of the unknown object and cleaned.

The need for serious investigation was left unclear until the following evening when a resident was heard shrieking in the streets. It was a landlady named Lydia Cheruce who had just come upon the unsightly body of one of her tenants, 18-year old Dahlia London. Late the previous night Lydia had heard what she thought sounded like yelling coming from one of her tenants’ houses. She assumed that she had only mistaken the sounds of harbor noise until the next evening when she decided to check up on her tenants just in case. Distraught and hysterical she raced up from the harbor and was heard throughout Hugel screaming that a body had been liberated from its skin.

The house was immediately sealed off and confirmation of death for Dahlia London was later released. Cause of death was officially stated as: “Blood loss caused by damage inflicted upon the body”. Officials refused to elaborate or comment further but it is now believed by much of the community that the “tatty clothing” found on the statue was in fact the deceased’s skin.

Dahlia was a Hugel native known for her fire manipulation which she performed routinely in the streets for tips from generous spectators. Sources say she lived on her own but was friendly and communicated to any who would watch her perform. “That’s the hard part,” admitted Colette Petre, a woman aiding investigation, “What with tourism and trade passing through here regularly it’s difficult to track people as it is.”

No word yet on how her parents, currently residing in Al De Baran, are taking the news but many hopes and prayers go out to them.

Though many people are mourning this loss, others are just nervous with fear as no reasons seem to surface as to how or why this brutal act of violence took place in their distant and quiet town.

Authorities say that among the evidence discovered was a card with the words “Alice & The White Rabbit” written upon it. A similar card was found in Rachel on the murdered body Oscar DeLune just three months ago. Any links between the two murders have not been formally addressed but judging from identical wires found in Hugel as were found in Rachel law enforcement believes the person or persons responsible for the murders are the same.

A memorial service was held for Dahlia London yesterday in Hugel. Several people showed up to honor her memory and pay respects to one of their own. The service was concluded by urging townspeople to stay safe and take care until her murderer or murderers were brought to justice.

Anyone with further information should contact the appropriate authorities.