Introduction
This is a traditional murder mystery game, with a blend of slasher horror elements, and some implied supernatural undertones (but nothing too heavy in that regard). It focuses around the people of a small farming town in the American Midwest who are snowbound during the celebration of their town's one hundred year anniversary.
This snowstorm coincides with the arrival of a tiny group of college students (journalism and film majors) from Chicago, intent on making a 'Blair Witch Project' style documentary about the Shermen House, the scene of a notorious triple murder back in the 1920s that remains unsolved to this day.
Formerly the home of an influential family of refrigeration magnates, the Shermen house has since been converted to a bed and breakfast which mostly caters to thrill seekers searching for ghosts...essentially, people like this college-age film crew.
The storm manages to close off the entire town indefinitely, which is bad enough as it is but is made worse when people start being murdered. One by one members of the film crew and townspeople alike find themselves being picked off by a mysterious killer. They must work together to find the killer in their midst, before its too late.
There isn't a set character limit for this roleplay. We can have as few as ten or as many as fifty, however it turns out. You can apply for up to five characters; I will be playing three.
There are specific categories of characters, to make this a little easier. To wit:
As for the character applications themselves, you can do as you will, so long as you keep them realistic. You may include a brief physical description, a faceclaim (no anime, pretty please?), and a summary of your character's history, and any relationships they may have with other characters. It goes without saying, I think, but no Mary Sues/Marty Stus will be accepted under pain of death.
Since this IS a murder mystery, the plot of this RPG is driven by character death. Because of this, it is highly recommended you make at least two characters so you don't end up being booted from the game in the first round. Murders will occur on a weekly basis, once enough people have joined for us to start the game (three players at least, including me), and victims will be picked by random drawing. Once the victim has been decided, I will message the person playing that character, so we can deliberate on the death scene.
Now there can't be murders without someone doing the murdering. Generally, any character is a suspect by default, so by submitting a character, you ought to be aware that they might be selected as the killer. If your character ends up being the killer, I'll send you a message. If you're cool with that (I hope you will be, if it is you), simply say so, and if not I'll try and find someone else. Obviously, the killer must keep their identity secret from the rest of the players until the end game.
In order to more cohesively make this a 'mystery' and not just a random slasher rest, there will be clues and hints scattered throughout the game, at intervels. In order to do this as neatly as possible, I've devised a makeshift weekly schedule (subject to change):
On top of all that, remember to have fun! Your characters are more than just meat sacks awaiting their deaths...you can use them in any sort of storyline you see fit. Let them have affairs, argue, beat each other up... It all adds spice to the soup.
Oh, and there will be at least one survivor, possibly more depending on how the game works out. Just thought you'd like to know. Please message me with any comments, and I look forward to reviewing your character applications!
-Aggie
This snowstorm coincides with the arrival of a tiny group of college students (journalism and film majors) from Chicago, intent on making a 'Blair Witch Project' style documentary about the Shermen House, the scene of a notorious triple murder back in the 1920s that remains unsolved to this day.
Formerly the home of an influential family of refrigeration magnates, the Shermen house has since been converted to a bed and breakfast which mostly caters to thrill seekers searching for ghosts...essentially, people like this college-age film crew.
The storm manages to close off the entire town indefinitely, which is bad enough as it is but is made worse when people start being murdered. One by one members of the film crew and townspeople alike find themselves being picked off by a mysterious killer. They must work together to find the killer in their midst, before its too late.
There isn't a set character limit for this roleplay. We can have as few as ten or as many as fifty, however it turns out. You can apply for up to five characters; I will be playing three.
There are specific categories of characters, to make this a little easier. To wit:
- The film crew: A group of twenty-something college students making an amateur documentary about the purportedly haunted Shermen guest house, where they're staying. One of my characters, Kim Austin, is the organizer of this little experiment.
- The Shermen family: The descendants of the original wealthy speculators who were murdered all those years ago. They've worked for quite some time to put their family's sordid history behind them, to varying degrees of success. Another of my characters, Miriam Shermen, is the family's grizzled old matriarch, and the owner of the guest house.
- The town council: Important members of the Wichita Falls community, who have teamed up to organize the centennial celebration. The last of my three characters, Bill Fleetwood, is the town sheriff. (other positions for this category could be local doctor, priest, schoolteacher, etc.)
As for the character applications themselves, you can do as you will, so long as you keep them realistic. You may include a brief physical description, a faceclaim (no anime, pretty please?), and a summary of your character's history, and any relationships they may have with other characters. It goes without saying, I think, but no Mary Sues/Marty Stus will be accepted under pain of death.
Since this IS a murder mystery, the plot of this RPG is driven by character death. Because of this, it is highly recommended you make at least two characters so you don't end up being booted from the game in the first round. Murders will occur on a weekly basis, once enough people have joined for us to start the game (three players at least, including me), and victims will be picked by random drawing. Once the victim has been decided, I will message the person playing that character, so we can deliberate on the death scene.
Now there can't be murders without someone doing the murdering. Generally, any character is a suspect by default, so by submitting a character, you ought to be aware that they might be selected as the killer. If your character ends up being the killer, I'll send you a message. If you're cool with that (I hope you will be, if it is you), simply say so, and if not I'll try and find someone else. Obviously, the killer must keep their identity secret from the rest of the players until the end game.
In order to more cohesively make this a 'mystery' and not just a random slasher rest, there will be clues and hints scattered throughout the game, at intervels. In order to do this as neatly as possible, I've devised a makeshift weekly schedule (subject to change):
- Monday: Murder committed
- Tuesday: Body discovered. Any character may discover the body. There will always be a description of the scene of the death and any evidence/clues/what have you scattered about. Characters may investigate as they see fit.
- Wednesday-Thursday: Normal days. Characters can go about their own little drama, as the plot dictates.
- Friday: Next victim selected. Death is deliberated over the weekend.
- Saturday-Sunday: Normal days yet again.
On top of all that, remember to have fun! Your characters are more than just meat sacks awaiting their deaths...you can use them in any sort of storyline you see fit. Let them have affairs, argue, beat each other up... It all adds spice to the soup.
Oh, and there will be at least one survivor, possibly more depending on how the game works out. Just thought you'd like to know. Please message me with any comments, and I look forward to reviewing your character applications!
-Aggie
- 24 posts here • Page 1 of 1
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 3 authors
They had set off from the last truck stop about three hours ago. Most of them were still asleep...or at least not lucid enough to talk. Under normal circumstances, Kim might have berated them, scolded them for being lazy or uncooperative.
But she was tired too, and couldn't blame them. The paper coffee cup from the truck stop trembled precariously in its cup holder, the murky brown liquid sloshing about unpleasantly. Kim didn't like coffee very much, but on days such as today, when she was driving at the crack of dawn, she needed it.
"Exit 16B, 16B..." she muttered to herself, nervously checking the crumpled up MapQuest directions she'd printed out before they left Chicago. She had distributed copies to the others, but they needed their rest. God help her, if they started rebelling over lost sleep. She'd never survive.
At last the exit appeared on the side of the road...across four lanes of traffic.
"Crap! Crap, crap, crap..." Instantly shifting to 'panic mode', and already hopped up on overly sweet coffee, Kim did the only thing she could think of, and cut across four lanes of traffic, inspiring angry honks from other interstate commuters, but not causing any immediate damage.
Safely on the exit ramp toward town, she chuckled to herself, and said in a slightly louder voice, "That's a way to start the day, eh?" Figuring that at least one of them would have been woken up by her unseemly display of automotive safety.
-Kim
But she was tired too, and couldn't blame them. The paper coffee cup from the truck stop trembled precariously in its cup holder, the murky brown liquid sloshing about unpleasantly. Kim didn't like coffee very much, but on days such as today, when she was driving at the crack of dawn, she needed it.
"Exit 16B, 16B..." she muttered to herself, nervously checking the crumpled up MapQuest directions she'd printed out before they left Chicago. She had distributed copies to the others, but they needed their rest. God help her, if they started rebelling over lost sleep. She'd never survive.
At last the exit appeared on the side of the road...across four lanes of traffic.
"Crap! Crap, crap, crap..." Instantly shifting to 'panic mode', and already hopped up on overly sweet coffee, Kim did the only thing she could think of, and cut across four lanes of traffic, inspiring angry honks from other interstate commuters, but not causing any immediate damage.
Safely on the exit ramp toward town, she chuckled to herself, and said in a slightly louder voice, "That's a way to start the day, eh?" Figuring that at least one of them would have been woken up by her unseemly display of automotive safety.
-Kim
The setting changes from The Road to Shermen House Bed & Breakfast
Miriam could never quite get herself to sleep late on any given day. It was even worse when they were expecting guests, which they were.
She felt silly about it, but she simply had to make sure everything looked decent. The last thing she needed as a small business owner was people thinking their rooms were dirty or their sheets hadn't been changed recently.
Normally, she would have asked Willa to help her set the breakfast table, but the girl was young and needed sleep much more than Miriam did. What was it they said...that sleep kept wrinkles away.
"God knows, it might even be true." she sighed to herself, prodding uncomfortably at her own skin, but then stopping herself, "No time for elderly regrets, Miriam dear, we have work to do." she told herself.
So she put some eggs and bacon on the stove, opened a few windows in the dining room (it was terribly cold outside, but the house was always so stale and musty-smelling) and sat at the dining room table, a copy of the morning's paper in front of her.
It would be a long day, with new guests and all, and she must be prepared.
-Miriam
She felt silly about it, but she simply had to make sure everything looked decent. The last thing she needed as a small business owner was people thinking their rooms were dirty or their sheets hadn't been changed recently.
Normally, she would have asked Willa to help her set the breakfast table, but the girl was young and needed sleep much more than Miriam did. What was it they said...that sleep kept wrinkles away.
"God knows, it might even be true." she sighed to herself, prodding uncomfortably at her own skin, but then stopping herself, "No time for elderly regrets, Miriam dear, we have work to do." she told herself.
So she put some eggs and bacon on the stove, opened a few windows in the dining room (it was terribly cold outside, but the house was always so stale and musty-smelling) and sat at the dining room table, a copy of the morning's paper in front of her.
It would be a long day, with new guests and all, and she must be prepared.
-Miriam
The setting changes from Shermen House Bed & Breakfast to Wichita Falls, Oklahoma
(Ooops, messed up, please disregard)
The setting changes from Wichita Falls, Oklahoma to The Road
Setting
0.00 INK
Charlotte Calloway
Charlie was surprised by being awoken so suddenly, and was even more surprised to find that she had dozed off. She was wrapped up in a faux fur jacket and felt as if her skin was melting off along with the ridiculous amount of make up she wore. Usually Charlie was a light sleeper but the mixture of being in a car for so long and running on nothing more than nervous energy had finally caught up to her.
"That's a way to start the day, eh?" She heard Kim say.
"Yes, and what a wonderful way it happens to be," Charlie answers as sarcastically as she can manage. Scowling as she shifts to a more comfortable sitting position and forcing the jacket off of her. "Do you always drive this way or is it just when your responsible for passengers?"
Though Charlie says it in a joking manner there's still a little edge to her tone that suggests annoyance. She was almost, almost, already regretting agreeing to this trip anyways. Not that it mattered she needed the experience and she had already slacked off on too many other projects.
"How close are we?" Charlie asks curiously.
She waits for the answer by searching through her purse for her compact. Once found she sets to work reapplying her make up dutifully. Wondering in her mind what exactly this trip would hold in store for them.
Kim turns to Charlie in the back and smiles, "Good, you're awake. It was so quiet in here, I almost fell asleep."
Charlie didn't look very glad to be awake at this hour. Not that Kim blamed her; if it wasn't for copious amounts of Red Bull at the truck stop last night, they would have done much worse than skid across four lanes.
"Yes, and what a wonderful way it happens to be," Charlie answers as sarcastically as she can manage. Scowling as she shifts to a more comfortable sitting position and forcing the jacket off of her. "Do you always drive this way or is it just when your responsible for passengers?"
"I'm not used to driving, to be honest. My mom wouldn't let me touch our station wagon after I almost killed our dog." she smiled at Charlie in the rear view mirror, hoping she would perk up if only for a minute.
"How close are we?" Charlie asks curiously.
"Well..." Kim hesitated, "not quite an hour away." Which seemed the safest estimation she could make, given that the not-so-picturesque acres of shriveled corn stalks didn't seem to be ending anytime soon, "In the meantime, we can chitchat. You know how men are, they can sleep through anything," she glanced in either direction at Gerard and Monroe, winking at Charlie, inviting her to share in their little bit of female commiseration.
"Oh, and there are some funky granola bars in the box, under your seat..." she nodded toward it with her neck, "In case you're hungry."
Those bars weren't very good, but they were only two bucks each for a box of six...which was very good indeed.
Charlie didn't look very glad to be awake at this hour. Not that Kim blamed her; if it wasn't for copious amounts of Red Bull at the truck stop last night, they would have done much worse than skid across four lanes.
"Yes, and what a wonderful way it happens to be," Charlie answers as sarcastically as she can manage. Scowling as she shifts to a more comfortable sitting position and forcing the jacket off of her. "Do you always drive this way or is it just when your responsible for passengers?"
"I'm not used to driving, to be honest. My mom wouldn't let me touch our station wagon after I almost killed our dog." she smiled at Charlie in the rear view mirror, hoping she would perk up if only for a minute.
"How close are we?" Charlie asks curiously.
"Well..." Kim hesitated, "not quite an hour away." Which seemed the safest estimation she could make, given that the not-so-picturesque acres of shriveled corn stalks didn't seem to be ending anytime soon, "In the meantime, we can chitchat. You know how men are, they can sleep through anything," she glanced in either direction at Gerard and Monroe, winking at Charlie, inviting her to share in their little bit of female commiseration.
"Oh, and there are some funky granola bars in the box, under your seat..." she nodded toward it with her neck, "In case you're hungry."
Those bars weren't very good, but they were only two bucks each for a box of six...which was very good indeed.
Light snores drifted from the sleeping form of Monroe, his body was covered in a makeshift blanket composed of his tattered jacket and empty to semi-empty potato chip bags he had gotten from the truck stop. Flecks of crumbs dotted his dark shirt, a small dribble of drool trickled down the corner of his wide open mouth, and his glasses hung crookedly on only one ear. Suffice to say, the young man looked like a complete mess.
Though the sudden jerk of the car and multitude of blaring horns didn't wake him right away, the sound of conversation somehow did. "Wa's goin' on?" was the first thing Monroe mumbled, his mind still numb from sleep. He fumbled with his glasses to set them straight, and wiped away the waterfall of drool before glancing out the window. His eyes began to focus as most of his fatigue began fading away.
"What's going on?" he repeated a bit more clearly. He glanced out the window, suppressing a small groan. Nothing but dying corn plants. Lots and lots of corn plants. "Wait don't tell me. I think I already know the answer: absolutely nothing. Nothing is going on." They were probably close to their destination, but not close enough to bring Monroe relief. He was getting sick of being cramped inside this stupid car.
Monroe pulled his jacket over his face, trying and failing to get back to sleep. Giving up, he pulled the jacket down and halfheartedly extended a hand. "Pass me a bar," he mumbled. He was pretty sure that those granola bars were a quick one way ticket to food poisoning, but he was at this point too hungry and tired to care.
Though the sudden jerk of the car and multitude of blaring horns didn't wake him right away, the sound of conversation somehow did. "Wa's goin' on?" was the first thing Monroe mumbled, his mind still numb from sleep. He fumbled with his glasses to set them straight, and wiped away the waterfall of drool before glancing out the window. His eyes began to focus as most of his fatigue began fading away.
"What's going on?" he repeated a bit more clearly. He glanced out the window, suppressing a small groan. Nothing but dying corn plants. Lots and lots of corn plants. "Wait don't tell me. I think I already know the answer: absolutely nothing. Nothing is going on." They were probably close to their destination, but not close enough to bring Monroe relief. He was getting sick of being cramped inside this stupid car.
Monroe pulled his jacket over his face, trying and failing to get back to sleep. Giving up, he pulled the jacket down and halfheartedly extended a hand. "Pass me a bar," he mumbled. He was pretty sure that those granola bars were a quick one way ticket to food poisoning, but he was at this point too hungry and tired to care.
The setting changes from The Road to The Sheriff's Station
It was Sheriff Fleetwood's custom to arrive at work early, and he detested the feeling of being late. It was something impressed upon him when he was a deputy... Grimacing as he sipped from his mug of dishwater based coffee (the station didn't have the budget to upgrade appliances), he settled down at his desk and glanced sparingly over the front page of today's 'Gazette'.
"Hmph." he grunted dismissively. Just more news on the upcoming centennial celebrations. It was an improvement over yesterday's story, at least, which had reported on a tennis shoe found a few miles from the Refrigeration Plant. They'd made it sound like the freaking crime of the century...not that his deputies didn't treat it as such as well.
Speaking of which...the radio on his desk buzzed to life, crackled like a campfire for a good three minutes, and then emitted the distorted voice of Deputy Corville one of his more...eager associates.
"Sheriff! Sheriff Fleetwood! Are you there..."
"Yes, Jim, I'm here," said Bill into the radio, wishing he weren't, "What is it?"
"We've got reports of an incident down by the interstate."
"Oh?" He didn't see what problem that was of his department. Besides, he was almost certain the highway police made more in a month than he made in a year.
"Yeah, we got a few calls from drivers on the road. Said some car drove the width of the whole highway to get to our exit."
Bill raised his eyebrows, "Anyone hurt?"
"No, but apparently a bunch of people were late to work because of it."
Bill shifted tiredly in his seat, "Got a license plate?"
"Er..."
"No, then. Alright. They'll have to be ticketed."
"Of course, Sheriff, I'm right..."
"Never you mind, Jim, I'm on it." Bill was already getting up.
"But Sheriff..."
"It's fine, Jim." he tuned the radio out, put on his jacket, and got the keys to his truck. Better he go and confront the anonymous reckless driver than his upstart deputy. The exit ramp was dangerous enough already in the frosty season... It had to be some kind of lunatic who would do anything like that behind the wheel.
Uncomfortably he thought of his own past experiences on that ramp, but just as quickly shook the thought away. Self-consciously holding his hand to his bad leg, he limped steadily out of the station and toward his truck.
[OOC: Just a note to everyone: Deputy Corville is just some random one-shot character that any of you can control as you need. Just to avoid confusion.;) ]
"Hmph." he grunted dismissively. Just more news on the upcoming centennial celebrations. It was an improvement over yesterday's story, at least, which had reported on a tennis shoe found a few miles from the Refrigeration Plant. They'd made it sound like the freaking crime of the century...not that his deputies didn't treat it as such as well.
Speaking of which...the radio on his desk buzzed to life, crackled like a campfire for a good three minutes, and then emitted the distorted voice of Deputy Corville one of his more...eager associates.
"Sheriff! Sheriff Fleetwood! Are you there..."
"Yes, Jim, I'm here," said Bill into the radio, wishing he weren't, "What is it?"
"We've got reports of an incident down by the interstate."
"Oh?" He didn't see what problem that was of his department. Besides, he was almost certain the highway police made more in a month than he made in a year.
"Yeah, we got a few calls from drivers on the road. Said some car drove the width of the whole highway to get to our exit."
Bill raised his eyebrows, "Anyone hurt?"
"No, but apparently a bunch of people were late to work because of it."
Bill shifted tiredly in his seat, "Got a license plate?"
"Er..."
"No, then. Alright. They'll have to be ticketed."
"Of course, Sheriff, I'm right..."
"Never you mind, Jim, I'm on it." Bill was already getting up.
"But Sheriff..."
"It's fine, Jim." he tuned the radio out, put on his jacket, and got the keys to his truck. Better he go and confront the anonymous reckless driver than his upstart deputy. The exit ramp was dangerous enough already in the frosty season... It had to be some kind of lunatic who would do anything like that behind the wheel.
Uncomfortably he thought of his own past experiences on that ramp, but just as quickly shook the thought away. Self-consciously holding his hand to his bad leg, he limped steadily out of the station and toward his truck.
[OOC: Just a note to everyone: Deputy Corville is just some random one-shot character that any of you can control as you need. Just to avoid confusion.;) ]
The setting changes from The Sheriff's Station to The Road
Kim noticed Monroe stirring in his seat, covered in food shavings and saliva, and therefore looking kind of like her mother's shag carpet which she'd kept since the late 70s.
"'Morning, star-shine." she smiled at him. Personally she thought Monroe was well-meaning but slovenly...and a hopeless flirt, to boot. But he'd been nice enough to volunteer to come on this little road trip with her, and Kim didn't want a mutiny on her hands.
"Charlie, could you get him a bar?" she asked her, "I don't want to get distracted again. You know how terrible those insurance claim forms are."
She was much too happy for this early in the day. She dreaded what might happen when she got off her caffeine high.
At Monroe's "lots of nothing" comment, she said, "If you look really closely, you might seen aliens with hedge cutters making crop circles. We can add it to the film for extra credit." she laughed if only to herself. She was much too happy...and besides, she didn't even believe in aliens. Ghosts were different. There was evidence for ghosts. All the 'aliens are out there!' people had were photo-shopped videos and the fourth Indiana Jones movie.
"'Morning, star-shine." she smiled at him. Personally she thought Monroe was well-meaning but slovenly...and a hopeless flirt, to boot. But he'd been nice enough to volunteer to come on this little road trip with her, and Kim didn't want a mutiny on her hands.
"Charlie, could you get him a bar?" she asked her, "I don't want to get distracted again. You know how terrible those insurance claim forms are."
She was much too happy for this early in the day. She dreaded what might happen when she got off her caffeine high.
At Monroe's "lots of nothing" comment, she said, "If you look really closely, you might seen aliens with hedge cutters making crop circles. We can add it to the film for extra credit." she laughed if only to herself. She was much too happy...and besides, she didn't even believe in aliens. Ghosts were different. There was evidence for ghosts. All the 'aliens are out there!' people had were photo-shopped videos and the fourth Indiana Jones movie.
The setting changes from The Road to Wichita Falls, Oklahoma
Charlotte Calloway
"Well..." Kim hesitated, "not quite an hour away."
Great.
Charlie sighs and smoothed her hair away from her face. She's about to continue their conversation when Monroe pipes up, having been woken up in the same manner as her. She looks him over for a moment and rolls her eyes when she notices he had been drooling.
"What's going on?" he repeated a bit more clearly. He glanced out the window, suppressing a small groan. "Wait don't tell me. I think I already know the answer: absolutely nothing. Nothing is going on."
Nothing was a little bit of an understatement in Charlie's opinion.
"Charlie, could you get him a bar?" Kim asked her, "I don't want to get distracted again. You know how terrible those insurance claim forms are."
"Sure, why not." Charlie mumbles. She snaps shut her compact with a sigh and grabs one of the bars. She tosses it to Monroe with little care whether he catches it or not. She isn't trying to act disdainful towards her fellows purposely, but Charlie never really knows how to act when it comes to everyone else.
"You know guys this is usually how horror movies start," Charlie comments. "I'd prefer Vampires over Aliens and crop circles though."
The setting changes from Wichita Falls, Oklahoma to Shermen House Bed & Breakfast
Three buses, ten taxis, two hitch hiked cars, and more than fifteen thousand steps later, here she was. A girl with only fifteen bucks in her pocket and all her clothes in a duffel bag, standing before a bed and breakfast to meet a relative she hadn't heard of until now. Well, it could be worse,
Penny clutched her blue bag and stared at the building nervously. It looked like a friendly enough place. That is, if "friendly" was to be used very loosely. Still, she wouldn't mind living here when her aunt was going to take her in.
Wait, no. Not when. If. Penny still wasn't sure if this lady was gonna take her in, or dump her in the streets. In fact, she hadn't even thought about the latter. Where was she going to stay then? Would she go back to her parents? Live on the streets?
Penny shook her head, clearing away the thoughts. "Focus. She's family. She can't just throw me out," she mumbled, mainly to herself. She straightened up, and slowly walked to the entrance of the bed and breakfast. She could do this. She was going to do this. This was going to change her life, just as she wanted. Hopefully.
She took a deep breath, and stepped in.
Penny clutched her blue bag and stared at the building nervously. It looked like a friendly enough place. That is, if "friendly" was to be used very loosely. Still, she wouldn't mind living here when her aunt was going to take her in.
Wait, no. Not when. If. Penny still wasn't sure if this lady was gonna take her in, or dump her in the streets. In fact, she hadn't even thought about the latter. Where was she going to stay then? Would she go back to her parents? Live on the streets?
Penny shook her head, clearing away the thoughts. "Focus. She's family. She can't just throw me out," she mumbled, mainly to herself. She straightened up, and slowly walked to the entrance of the bed and breakfast. She could do this. She was going to do this. This was going to change her life, just as she wanted. Hopefully.
She took a deep breath, and stepped in.
Zachary Benett
These past few days had been grueling for Zach, as his careful planning began to go awry. He was supposed to be in Wichita Falls more than two weeks ago but delays with his car breaking down and not having enough money afterwards had put a damper on all of those plans. He had finally managed to get things settled and arrived mere hours ago. He didn't quite know where to go from there though. It wasn't like he had called ahead and spoken to Miriam Shermen, he had just shown up out of the blue carrying on him a single bag of old ragged clothes and a faded Polaroid of Audrienne.
Now he was simply stuck staring nervously at the Bed and Breakfast, wanting nothing more than to turn around and disappear. But he just couldn't do that. Not now that he's this close. So, without further procrastination he knocks on the front door, unsure if he was simply supposed to go in or not. He opens the door and stands awkwardly at the threshold.
"Hello?" He calls.
He belatedly realized that they may not be open, but shook his head.
"No, they have to be." Zach knew, he had been watching the house for a while and had seen a girl enter not too long ago.
Zach waits, though not very patiently as he begins shifting from foot to foot and drumming his fingers against his leg. Nervous and jittery, but most certainly ready for whats coming.
The setting changes from Shermen House Bed & Breakfast to Wichita Falls, Oklahoma
"What about ghost-alien-vampires?" said Kim, snorting in an unseemly fashion, "Like, you know the ghosts of aliens who suck blood?" She couldn't help thinking how absolutely wasted she must sound. This drive was much too long, and her eyes kept forcing themselves shut.
"I am so tired." she said at last, "But look, if you really, really squint, you can kind of see the tops of some houses. And it looks like the sunrise is finally starting."
It was, thin rays of pale purple dawn light creeping in through the east-facing windows of the car and shocking Kim with their brightness.
"Crap, I can't see." she fumbled for the drop down sun-screen over the steering wheel, remembering very well her mother's warnings not to ever touch it when she was driving. But she needed some way to block out the sun, or else they'd crash anyway.
*************************************************
It wasn't very difficult for Bill to figure out where the interstate-havoc car was. The gray van was the only car he'd seen on the road since he'd started out in his truck, and it seemed to be driving very erratically indeed.
Bill sighed. It wouldn't be the first time he'd have to deal with some drunk farmer who'd been out to late. But he didn't recognize the car...
He didn't have much more time to reflect on this, however, as he realized the car was in the wrong lane, coming right toward him.
Swearing loudly, Bill pressed on the horn with bodily force, swerving around the car, and braking as efficiently as he could on the side of the road.
*********************************
Kim managed to get the sunshade down just in time to see a very large pick-up truck coming right toward her.
"Jesus!" she screeched, stepping as hard as she could onto the brake and then frantically looking around at the others, "Oh my God, is everyone okay?" Suddenly she wasn't feeling so tired, "Christ...I didn't even..."
She heard the slam of a car door. The driver of the truck had pulled up just behind them and was now approaching them, looking like he meant serious business. In the bright light, Kim could plainly see the badge on his jacket.
"Oh crap, it's the cops."
"I am so tired." she said at last, "But look, if you really, really squint, you can kind of see the tops of some houses. And it looks like the sunrise is finally starting."
It was, thin rays of pale purple dawn light creeping in through the east-facing windows of the car and shocking Kim with their brightness.
"Crap, I can't see." she fumbled for the drop down sun-screen over the steering wheel, remembering very well her mother's warnings not to ever touch it when she was driving. But she needed some way to block out the sun, or else they'd crash anyway.
*************************************************
It wasn't very difficult for Bill to figure out where the interstate-havoc car was. The gray van was the only car he'd seen on the road since he'd started out in his truck, and it seemed to be driving very erratically indeed.
Bill sighed. It wouldn't be the first time he'd have to deal with some drunk farmer who'd been out to late. But he didn't recognize the car...
He didn't have much more time to reflect on this, however, as he realized the car was in the wrong lane, coming right toward him.
Swearing loudly, Bill pressed on the horn with bodily force, swerving around the car, and braking as efficiently as he could on the side of the road.
*********************************
Kim managed to get the sunshade down just in time to see a very large pick-up truck coming right toward her.
"Jesus!" she screeched, stepping as hard as she could onto the brake and then frantically looking around at the others, "Oh my God, is everyone okay?" Suddenly she wasn't feeling so tired, "Christ...I didn't even..."
She heard the slam of a car door. The driver of the truck had pulled up just behind them and was now approaching them, looking like he meant serious business. In the bright light, Kim could plainly see the badge on his jacket.
"Oh crap, it's the cops."
The setting changes from Wichita Falls, Oklahoma to Shermen House Bed & Breakfast
Miriam didn't know exactly how long she sat in front of the newspaper, reading little bits and pieces here and there, and only getting up occasionally to make sure the bacon on the stove wasn't burning. Willa must still be asleep. That was one of the perks of being young and willful, she supposed...it was easier to stay asleep.
She heard an insistent knocking on the door. Odd. It was much too early for the college students, and she never really had visitors of any other sort.
"Be right there!" she called, knowing they probably couldn't hear her. It took some time for her to get out of her seat, but she was still a fast enough walker that she didn't lose too much time getting to the door.
When she reached the lobby (formerly the entrance hall, back when the old place was just a house) Miriam gave a start to find there was already someone waiting there, a girl looking like she'd lived here her whole life.
"Hello." she said, her voice sharp but not quite unkind, "And who might you be? And how long have you been standing here?"
She reached into her cardigan pocket and pulled out her wire-rim reading glasses so as to better inspect the girl. She didn't look sinister, and she had a bag with her.
But there was still someone at the door, wanting to come in.
"I'll be with you in a moment." She hastened to the front doors, saw that they were not locked (which explained how her visitor had gotten inside), and opened it onto the front porch.
There was a young man standing on the patio, looking much the worse for wear. He also didn't have much luggage, which immediately discounted him as being one of the college people.
"Hello." she said, a trifle suspicious, "Er...who exactly are you?"
She heard an insistent knocking on the door. Odd. It was much too early for the college students, and she never really had visitors of any other sort.
"Be right there!" she called, knowing they probably couldn't hear her. It took some time for her to get out of her seat, but she was still a fast enough walker that she didn't lose too much time getting to the door.
When she reached the lobby (formerly the entrance hall, back when the old place was just a house) Miriam gave a start to find there was already someone waiting there, a girl looking like she'd lived here her whole life.
"Hello." she said, her voice sharp but not quite unkind, "And who might you be? And how long have you been standing here?"
She reached into her cardigan pocket and pulled out her wire-rim reading glasses so as to better inspect the girl. She didn't look sinister, and she had a bag with her.
But there was still someone at the door, wanting to come in.
"I'll be with you in a moment." She hastened to the front doors, saw that they were not locked (which explained how her visitor had gotten inside), and opened it onto the front porch.
There was a young man standing on the patio, looking much the worse for wear. He also didn't have much luggage, which immediately discounted him as being one of the college people.
"Hello." she said, a trifle suspicious, "Er...who exactly are you?"
The setting changes from Shermen House Bed & Breakfast to The Road
Charlotte Calloway
"What about ghost-alien-vampires?" said Kim, snorting in an unseemly fashion, "Like, you know the ghosts of aliens who suck blood?"
"Hah!" Charlie laughs, "I wouldn't mind that." She yawns and is echoed by Kim's comment about being tired. She nods, and watches Kim fumbling for the Sun-Shade screen. "Uhm, Kim should you really be messing with that rig-" Charlie didn't get to finish her sentence as she jerked forward suddenly, without the aid of her seatbelt she had collided with the seat in front of her and managed to jam her foot up under it. "Jesus Christ Kim!" She yells out furiously.
She forced herself back, foot throbbing a little bit from being twisted but otherwise uninjured. She doubted any of them were seriously hurt from the quick halt, but she still feels a little stupid over having forgotten her seatbelt.
"Oh my God, is everyone okay?"
"Relatively, maybe a little shaken up though," Charlie answers without any of her earlier anger behind it. Now she was just grateful that it wasn't worse, her heart hammering in her chest.
The setting changes from The Road to Shermen House Bed & Breakfast
Zachary Benett
He hadn't exactly known how long he was standing there, but his head was swarming with thoughts as the time passed. Once the older woman opened the door his breath stopped. She looked like Audrienne, an older version but they had similar facial features. Though Audrienne had brown.
"Hello." The woman who answered the door said "Er...who exactly are you?"
Zach could tell she was suspicious, and that made all of his doubts grow all over again. He felt his mouth grow dry and his hands shook. He started to dig around his pocket for the picture of Audrienne but lost the nerve. No, he would say something later. When it was just the two of them and they could talk privately.
"Um, I ah, wanted to see if there was a room open?" He answers, lamely. "I have plenty of money, I just need a place for a while."
He looked at the younger woman.
"I uh, came here alone actually, we aren't here together." Zach tells the woman, "I mean, like we don't know each other. I just need a room." He falters a little bit in his smile, trying not to seem overly suspicious.
The setting changes from Shermen House Bed & Breakfast to The Road
Bill crossed to the van in three quick strides, glowering as mightily as he could manage. He wasn't sure if the blame should rest entirely on the people in the van, however...it had been year's since they'd touched up the road, and the line dividing the two lanes was almost invisible most of the time. Complain to the state all he wanted, they were never going to do anything about it.
With horror, Kim noticed the cop approaching them was limping. Barely registering Charlie's comment, she said, "Oh God, I think we hurt him! Crap, I need my I.D..."
She reached at once for her book bag, which was wedged down beneath the seat, next to a duffel bag full of extra lens caps.
Bill was not surprised to find that the passengers of the vehicle were all kids... well, young people who might as well have been kids. No apparent injuries were visible, so that was good.
"Ma'am, is this your car?" he addressed the woman in the driver's seat, who was currently rifling through a bag at her feet.
"Oh! Um..." Kim looked around frantically, "Yes. Um...well, actually it's on loan from my...from our school..." she beamed at the cop and gestured to her friends, "We're coming down here for a school project. College," she added the last word quickly, lest he think they were high school teenagers who'd stolen a car or something, "College project. University."
Bill looked at each of the passengers individually, "I'll need to see some I.D." He was ready to believe there wasn't any.
"I.D!" gasped Kim, "Yes, of course..." she looked urgently at Charlie and whispered, "Distract him. I think my wallet got stuck under the brake pedal." Which would explain an awful lot.
"I'll be just a second!" she hastily told the cop before digging back into her bag.
With horror, Kim noticed the cop approaching them was limping. Barely registering Charlie's comment, she said, "Oh God, I think we hurt him! Crap, I need my I.D..."
She reached at once for her book bag, which was wedged down beneath the seat, next to a duffel bag full of extra lens caps.
Bill was not surprised to find that the passengers of the vehicle were all kids... well, young people who might as well have been kids. No apparent injuries were visible, so that was good.
"Ma'am, is this your car?" he addressed the woman in the driver's seat, who was currently rifling through a bag at her feet.
"Oh! Um..." Kim looked around frantically, "Yes. Um...well, actually it's on loan from my...from our school..." she beamed at the cop and gestured to her friends, "We're coming down here for a school project. College," she added the last word quickly, lest he think they were high school teenagers who'd stolen a car or something, "College project. University."
Bill looked at each of the passengers individually, "I'll need to see some I.D." He was ready to believe there wasn't any.
"I.D!" gasped Kim, "Yes, of course..." she looked urgently at Charlie and whispered, "Distract him. I think my wallet got stuck under the brake pedal." Which would explain an awful lot.
"I'll be just a second!" she hastily told the cop before digging back into her bag.
Charlotte Calloway
"Distract him. I think my wallet got stuck under the brake pedal."
"What?" Charlie asks incredulously, "Oh Jesus, fine." She whispers hastily, moving to roll down the backseat window and peering out at the cop. "Excuse me sir," She says to the cop, flashing her most concerned look at him.
"Are you all right?" She asks, referring to the limp. "It would be horrible if you were hurt because of us, I would just feel so guilty about it." She rambles on, a complete and utter lie but hopefully the cop didn't notice this. Charlie wouldn't be surprised if he did believe her though, she had often used this sort of tactic when she was younger to get her way.
"We should have been more careful, I just can't believe this!" Charlie puts a hand to her face, attempting a more guilty face, simply just trying to buy Kim some time now. "I promise we never meant for this to happen." That was probably laying it on a little thick and Charlie had to bite back a wince as her voice faltered. Maybe she wasn't as good at this as she was when she was younger.
The setting changes from The Road to Shermen House Bed & Breakfast
Miriam looked the boy up and down. Well, at least he and the girl weren't lovers eloping from some distant city...and he looked innocent enough, not to mention that he was irregularly polite for someone so young. Generally that meant he was honestly in need of help.
"Well, of course you can have a room." she said brusquely but not unkindly, "I've only two rooms booked at the moment, for a large party...er...some college students making a film." She wasn't sure why she was telling these people about that; maybe she found it odd that she hadn't had multiple parties staying at the same time in years, and now she would have three.
I'll have to head to the market straight away... she thought to herself, fretting, I'm already half out of eggs!
"Please, follow me...both of you." she looked inquiringly at the girl in the lobby, "I suppose you want a room too?"
She started off into the foyer, where she was at once greeted with the refreshing, warm and salty aromas of an old-fashioned Continental breakfast, "Can I interest you two in a meal? It's all part of the bill, anyway."
They both looked like they could use a bite to eat. Young people nowadays always looked so skinny...it wasn't healthy.
"May I have your names?" she asked as she led them toward the dining room, "For the register. We'll discuss your rooms over breakfast."
"Well, of course you can have a room." she said brusquely but not unkindly, "I've only two rooms booked at the moment, for a large party...er...some college students making a film." She wasn't sure why she was telling these people about that; maybe she found it odd that she hadn't had multiple parties staying at the same time in years, and now she would have three.
I'll have to head to the market straight away... she thought to herself, fretting, I'm already half out of eggs!
"Please, follow me...both of you." she looked inquiringly at the girl in the lobby, "I suppose you want a room too?"
She started off into the foyer, where she was at once greeted with the refreshing, warm and salty aromas of an old-fashioned Continental breakfast, "Can I interest you two in a meal? It's all part of the bill, anyway."
They both looked like they could use a bite to eat. Young people nowadays always looked so skinny...it wasn't healthy.
"May I have your names?" she asked as she led them toward the dining room, "For the register. We'll discuss your rooms over breakfast."
The setting changes from Shermen House Bed & Breakfast to The Road
Bill had to admit, he was impressed. No one had ever feigned concern for him to get out of a questioning before. He smiled despite himself at the blonde girl, "No need to worry about that, ma'am, I've had this limp for a while."
Involuntarily he glanced up the road a bit, to where the path curved sharply to the right to make way for a row of telephone poles. If you looked closely at one of them, the third down from where they were standing, you might still see the groove marks from when he'd run his own car into the damn thing.
"I don't suppose you're the same car that cut across the interstate earlier and almost caused a major accident?" he asked, already knowing the answer was yes, "That's why I was coming down here in the first place."
"Oh...yeah, that was me." said Kim sheepishly, at last wresting her wallet from its prison (she noted with distaste that there seemed to be a wad of gum stuck to it now), "It's not their fault at all... You see, we'd been driving since yesterday afternoon, and we only stopped once...in Kansas, I think." she took her driver's license from her wallet and handed it to the cop, smiling, "I hope no one was hurt." She really hoped no one was hurt. Her mom was a retired cop...she'd give her hell when she heard about this.
Bill examined the I.D caustically, "Kim Austin, age 23, from Chicago Illinois."
"Yeah, that's me." Kim realized she'd had her hair grown out since then, so the resemblance in the picture might not be as good.
"Alright, fine." Bill handed the license back to her, "And no, no one was hurt. Take this as a warning, alright? We might be a small town, but that just makes driving that much more dangerous."
"Wait...you're not arresting us?"
Bill shrugged, "I could, maybe I should. But no one did get hurt, and apparently you're down here for school." He'd heard a bit of gossip in town about some yuppie film students coming down to shoot a documentary about the old Shermen house. Not a very flattering depiction of modern-day Wichita Falls, to be sure, but at least it would boost the town's economy slightly in the midst of the centennial.
"Just take care in the future," he warned firmly, "I won't be so lenient next time."
"Thank you!" Kim could have run out of the car and hugged the grizzled old man right on the spot, "Thanks so much, officer, I promise it won't happen again."
"I'll hold you to that," Bill turned to go, but decided it was best he tell them one more thing, "And it's not 'officer', it's 'Sheriff'. Sheriff Fleetwood. Town's right up ahead."
He started for his truck again, saying as he went, "Enjoy your stay!"
Once he was gone, Kim breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh my God, that was the Sheriff! I didn't even know they still had Sheriffs! Oh my God..." she grinned at the others, "See, that wasn't so bad. They're nicer in these little towns, good ole' Americana and all that."
She put the car back into gear and set off, first putting the sunshade back up, just in case.
Involuntarily he glanced up the road a bit, to where the path curved sharply to the right to make way for a row of telephone poles. If you looked closely at one of them, the third down from where they were standing, you might still see the groove marks from when he'd run his own car into the damn thing.
"I don't suppose you're the same car that cut across the interstate earlier and almost caused a major accident?" he asked, already knowing the answer was yes, "That's why I was coming down here in the first place."
"Oh...yeah, that was me." said Kim sheepishly, at last wresting her wallet from its prison (she noted with distaste that there seemed to be a wad of gum stuck to it now), "It's not their fault at all... You see, we'd been driving since yesterday afternoon, and we only stopped once...in Kansas, I think." she took her driver's license from her wallet and handed it to the cop, smiling, "I hope no one was hurt." She really hoped no one was hurt. Her mom was a retired cop...she'd give her hell when she heard about this.
Bill examined the I.D caustically, "Kim Austin, age 23, from Chicago Illinois."
"Yeah, that's me." Kim realized she'd had her hair grown out since then, so the resemblance in the picture might not be as good.
"Alright, fine." Bill handed the license back to her, "And no, no one was hurt. Take this as a warning, alright? We might be a small town, but that just makes driving that much more dangerous."
"Wait...you're not arresting us?"
Bill shrugged, "I could, maybe I should. But no one did get hurt, and apparently you're down here for school." He'd heard a bit of gossip in town about some yuppie film students coming down to shoot a documentary about the old Shermen house. Not a very flattering depiction of modern-day Wichita Falls, to be sure, but at least it would boost the town's economy slightly in the midst of the centennial.
"Just take care in the future," he warned firmly, "I won't be so lenient next time."
"Thank you!" Kim could have run out of the car and hugged the grizzled old man right on the spot, "Thanks so much, officer, I promise it won't happen again."
"I'll hold you to that," Bill turned to go, but decided it was best he tell them one more thing, "And it's not 'officer', it's 'Sheriff'. Sheriff Fleetwood. Town's right up ahead."
He started for his truck again, saying as he went, "Enjoy your stay!"
Once he was gone, Kim breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh my God, that was the Sheriff! I didn't even know they still had Sheriffs! Oh my God..." she grinned at the others, "See, that wasn't so bad. They're nicer in these little towns, good ole' Americana and all that."
She put the car back into gear and set off, first putting the sunshade back up, just in case.
The setting changes from The Road to Shermen House Bed & Breakfast
Zachary Benett
"Can I interest you two in a meal? It's all part of the bill, anyway."
Zach nods, feeling a little helpless now as he peers wearily around the house. Its pretty big, and has a more homey feeling than what he's used to. His parents house never felt lived in, even though he was there all the time. They never were home and when they were it felt more like hell than home. This place sort of made him feel more at ease.
"That would be lovely ma'am," He answers her.
"May I have your names?" she asked as she led them toward the dining room, "For the register. We'll discuss your rooms over breakfast."
"Zachary...." He trails off, visibly spacing out for a moment before snapping back. "Benett, is my last name." He remembers that he must not do that too much, spacing out usually made people think he was odd. Sometimes it even scared them and he didn't like people being afraid of him.
They reached the dining room, which by now was warm and suffused with the smells of breakfast food. First drawing open the curtains to let in some sunlight, Miriam turned to regard her two guests, "Zachary, you say? Very good." She committed it to memory which, despite what some of her contemporaries might think, was not failing in the slightest, and told herself to mark it in the registry later.
Ma'am! He called me ma'am! She was very curious about this boy...he looked quite young, and maybe she should have asked for I.D or proof that he was able to pay for a room. But it felt like a wretched thing to do, turning a young man out into the cold. She didn't want to act like the old harpy the whole town already thought she was.
"Please, sit down, sit down..." she began to move toward the kitchen, "I'll have food out in a moment. I'd have already set the table, but my niece is still asleep and she usually helps me with meals." she hurried into the kitchen, still talking as she went, "Never mind, though, I'll be ready in a moment."
Ma'am! He called me ma'am! She was very curious about this boy...he looked quite young, and maybe she should have asked for I.D or proof that he was able to pay for a room. But it felt like a wretched thing to do, turning a young man out into the cold. She didn't want to act like the old harpy the whole town already thought she was.
"Please, sit down, sit down..." she began to move toward the kitchen, "I'll have food out in a moment. I'd have already set the table, but my niece is still asleep and she usually helps me with meals." she hurried into the kitchen, still talking as she went, "Never mind, though, I'll be ready in a moment."
Penny looked around, giving a low whistle. Oh yeah. She definitely wouldn't mind staying here. Her attention was caught by a woman walking towards her.
"Hello." she said, her voice sharp but not quite unkind, "And who might you be? And how long have you been standing here?"
Penny fiddled with her bag's strap nervously. This had to be her aunt. "Um, I just arrived a few minutes ago, actually. And my name is Penny Sher..." she drifted midsentence as the woman excused herself to take care of a boy on the porch. The boy looked exhausted; even more so than Penny.
"Please, follow me...both of you." the woman said as she accepted the boy's request for a room, and looked inquiringly at the girl in the lobby, "I suppose you want a room too?"
Penny nodded eagerly. "Yes, please." The last decent rest she had was when she stayed at a motel two days ago; even then it was more of a fitful nap than anything refreshing.
She followed the woman, her nose twitching in delight as a wonderful smell wafted around her. Breakfast! Real breakfast! Not the crappy granola bars and semi rotten apples bought in convenience stores while traveling, but actual bacon and eggs breakfast! Penny inhaled deeply and patted her rumbling stomach.
"May I have your names?" the woman asked as she led them toward the dining room, "For the register. We'll discuss your rooms over breakfast."
Penny settled into the nearest chair, watching as the woman hurried around. This was it. Her chance at telling her aunt who she was and why she was here. The moment she had been waiting for. "My name is Penny, miss. Penny Sherman."
"Hello." she said, her voice sharp but not quite unkind, "And who might you be? And how long have you been standing here?"
Penny fiddled with her bag's strap nervously. This had to be her aunt. "Um, I just arrived a few minutes ago, actually. And my name is Penny Sher..." she drifted midsentence as the woman excused herself to take care of a boy on the porch. The boy looked exhausted; even more so than Penny.
"Please, follow me...both of you." the woman said as she accepted the boy's request for a room, and looked inquiringly at the girl in the lobby, "I suppose you want a room too?"
Penny nodded eagerly. "Yes, please." The last decent rest she had was when she stayed at a motel two days ago; even then it was more of a fitful nap than anything refreshing.
She followed the woman, her nose twitching in delight as a wonderful smell wafted around her. Breakfast! Real breakfast! Not the crappy granola bars and semi rotten apples bought in convenience stores while traveling, but actual bacon and eggs breakfast! Penny inhaled deeply and patted her rumbling stomach.
"May I have your names?" the woman asked as she led them toward the dining room, "For the register. We'll discuss your rooms over breakfast."
Penny settled into the nearest chair, watching as the woman hurried around. This was it. Her chance at telling her aunt who she was and why she was here. The moment she had been waiting for. "My name is Penny, miss. Penny Sherman."
Miriam was just emerging from the kitchen, her hands laden down with dishes. She'd have to make two trips... Ah, but it was something to do at least, to keep her from having a nervous fit when those college students showed up.
"There's bacon, eggs, potatoes, and coffee or tea, as you like it." she said, mustering up a smile for the young peoples' benefit, though the plates were quite heavy, she hated the idea of looking inept in her own place of business.
The red-headed girl spoke up as Miriam was laying the plates, "My name is Penny, miss. Penny Sherman."
Miriam, who at the moment was rearranging the cream and sugar on the table, slowly raised her head to face the girl.
"Penny Sherman?" It could have been a coincidence, sure enough, after all it wasn't a very uncommon name, or anything like that. But the way Penny said it, pointedly and with meaning, suggested that Penny knew and wanted Miriam to know.
"My, my," Miriam said at last, not quite sure what else to say, "You'll forgive me, I hope, but...am I supposed to know you?" She'd never met any younger members of the family. She knew that some of her younger brothers and sisters had had children, Willa being one of them of course...but she'd never bothered herself to know their names, and she'd never heard anything about them.
"There's bacon, eggs, potatoes, and coffee or tea, as you like it." she said, mustering up a smile for the young peoples' benefit, though the plates were quite heavy, she hated the idea of looking inept in her own place of business.
The red-headed girl spoke up as Miriam was laying the plates, "My name is Penny, miss. Penny Sherman."
Miriam, who at the moment was rearranging the cream and sugar on the table, slowly raised her head to face the girl.
"Penny Sherman?" It could have been a coincidence, sure enough, after all it wasn't a very uncommon name, or anything like that. But the way Penny said it, pointedly and with meaning, suggested that Penny knew and wanted Miriam to know.
"My, my," Miriam said at last, not quite sure what else to say, "You'll forgive me, I hope, but...am I supposed to know you?" She'd never met any younger members of the family. She knew that some of her younger brothers and sisters had had children, Willa being one of them of course...but she'd never bothered herself to know their names, and she'd never heard anything about them.
The setting changes from Shermen House Bed & Breakfast to The Sheriff's Station
The station was quiet when Bill arrived from his little meeting with the college students. There was a faint smell of burning coming from the kitchen, and Bill remembered with mild horror that he had forgotten to turn off the coffee machine.
"Aw, dammit." he muttered, crossing over to unplug the old, crippled pot, which was now smoking like Vesuvius. He'd have to wash it heavy duty in the sink...or get Jim, or one of the other eager-to-please deputies to do it.
He cast a cursory glance at the clock on the wall. 6:30, on the dot. So far it had been very eventful for a Monday morning which, according to Bill's years of small town police experience, meant the rest of the day would be as dull as dishwater.
"Sheriff Fleetwood!" Jim Corville, a big-eyed, boyish upstart who fancied himself the next Jack Bauer just because he had a badge, strode into the station like he owned the place, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, "Did you find out what the trouble was on the exit ramp..."
"It wasn't trouble at all, Jim." said Bill dismissively, "But thanks for telling me about it." That little acknowledgement of praise would keep Corville in a state of euphoria for a week, he knew.
"Is there anything else I can..."
"Yeah, actually there is," Bill stood up, gesturing to the coffee pot on the counter, "Clean that out, will ya? And watch the phone, see if there are any calls."
"Where are you going?"
"Out." Bill was out the door before Corville could do anything else about it.
As he got back into his truck and started it up, Bill reflected that he had probably not been the best sort of "superior officer" just now, but quickly silenced the reprimand.
His little adventure on the road had made him restless, and he didn't relish the idea of sitting absently at his desk all day, listening to that infernal clock ticking. So he pulled out of the driveway and started off down Main Street, not knowing where he intended to go, but knowing it was better than what he usually did at 6:30 Monday morning.
"Aw, dammit." he muttered, crossing over to unplug the old, crippled pot, which was now smoking like Vesuvius. He'd have to wash it heavy duty in the sink...or get Jim, or one of the other eager-to-please deputies to do it.
He cast a cursory glance at the clock on the wall. 6:30, on the dot. So far it had been very eventful for a Monday morning which, according to Bill's years of small town police experience, meant the rest of the day would be as dull as dishwater.
"Sheriff Fleetwood!" Jim Corville, a big-eyed, boyish upstart who fancied himself the next Jack Bauer just because he had a badge, strode into the station like he owned the place, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, "Did you find out what the trouble was on the exit ramp..."
"It wasn't trouble at all, Jim." said Bill dismissively, "But thanks for telling me about it." That little acknowledgement of praise would keep Corville in a state of euphoria for a week, he knew.
"Is there anything else I can..."
"Yeah, actually there is," Bill stood up, gesturing to the coffee pot on the counter, "Clean that out, will ya? And watch the phone, see if there are any calls."
"Where are you going?"
"Out." Bill was out the door before Corville could do anything else about it.
As he got back into his truck and started it up, Bill reflected that he had probably not been the best sort of "superior officer" just now, but quickly silenced the reprimand.
His little adventure on the road had made him restless, and he didn't relish the idea of sitting absently at his desk all day, listening to that infernal clock ticking. So he pulled out of the driveway and started off down Main Street, not knowing where he intended to go, but knowing it was better than what he usually did at 6:30 Monday morning.
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The Student Film Crew
A group of seniors from the University of Chicago heading to Wichita Falls to make a documentary about the Shermen House and the tragedy that surrounds it.
The Shermen Family
The scattered descendants of an ill-fated family of refrigeration magnates, trying to live normal lives despite the rumors and controversies that are still attached to the Shermen murders even today.
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While not required, locations can be organized onto a map. More information soon!
Collectibles
By creating Collectibles, you can reward your players with unique items that accentuate their character sheets.
Once an Item has been created, it can be spawned in the IC using /spawn Item Name (case-sensitive, as usual) — this can be followed with /take Item Name to retrieve the item into the current character's inventory.
Mobs
Give your Universe life by adding a Mob, which are auto-replenishing NPCs your players can interact with. Useful for some quick hack-and-slash fun!
Mobs can be automated spawns, like rats and bats, or full-on NPCs complete with conversation menus. Use them to enhance your player experience!
Current Mobs
No mobs have been created yet.
Spawns
Locations where Mobs and Items might appear.
Events
You can schedule events for your players to create notifications and schedule times for everyone to plan around.
The Forge
Use your INK to craft new artifacts in The Wichita Falls Murders. Once created, Items cannot be changed, but they can be bought and sold in the marketplace.
Notable Items
No items have been created yet!
The Market
Buy, sell, and even craft your own items in this universe.
Market DataMarket conditions are Quick Buy (Items Most Recently Listed for Sale) |
Open Stores
View All » Add Character » 13 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Karma Logan
Local Librarian And Tutor
Evan Denne
A quiet man with a few secrets.
Penny Sherman
A spunky girl willing to do what she believes is right.
Bill Fleetwood
The small town cop sworn to defend our titular small town
Marcus Fitch
The Local Doctor
Charlotte Calloway
"Says the spider to the fly."
Zachary Benett
A young man who just wants to know his true family.
Miriam Shermen
A lonely old woman who's lived her entire life carrying the burden of her family's misfortunes
Rachel Denne
A kind teacher who's too trusting for her own good.
Monroe Lorren
An artistically sarcastic Casanova who pretends to know more than he really does.
Trending
Rachel Denne
A kind teacher who's too trusting for her own good.
Miriam Shermen
A lonely old woman who's lived her entire life carrying the burden of her family's misfortunes
Karma Logan
Local Librarian And Tutor
Bill Fleetwood
The small town cop sworn to defend our titular small town
Penny Sherman
A spunky girl willing to do what she believes is right.
Evan Denne
A quiet man with a few secrets.
Kim Austin
A 23 year old film student both too ambitious and too curious for her own good
Marcus Fitch
The Local Doctor
Zachary Benett
A young man who just wants to know his true family.
Most Followed
Wilhelmina Shermen-Watts
Orphaned at the young age of 7 and lives with her aunt while helping around the B&B
Bill Fleetwood
The small town cop sworn to defend our titular small town
Monroe Lorren
An artistically sarcastic Casanova who pretends to know more than he really does.
Miriam Shermen
A lonely old woman who's lived her entire life carrying the burden of her family's misfortunes
Karma Logan
Local Librarian And Tutor
Evan Denne
A quiet man with a few secrets.
Charlotte Calloway
"Says the spider to the fly."
Rachel Denne
A kind teacher who's too trusting for her own good.
Kim Austin
A 23 year old film student both too ambitious and too curious for her own good
View All » Places
2 posts · 1 characters present · last post 2014-09-15 00:12:05 »
Home to the small town cops who defend our titular small town.
10 posts · 4 characters present · last post 2014-09-13 13:51:58 »
The drafty old house makes no attempts to hide its gloomy vibe and grim past. Still, the rooms are cheap and the short ribs are pretty good.
9 posts · 4 characters present · last post 2014-09-12 19:26:26 »
The long, lonely road that connects Wichita Falls to the interstate. Take a shot whenever you see someone driving it. You might be waiting a while.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
The local lending library, home to books, old newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. Odds are, you're only here for the free Wi-Fi.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
A humble school catering to the young people of Wichita Falls, what few of them there are.
0 posts · 2 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
The now abandoned factory that made the Shermen family rich to begin with.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
In the unlikely event of a sudden illness or injury, the local clinic is perfectly prepared to tend to your ailments. They accept most insurance policies.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
The bar is small, cramped, and dimly lit. Despite its musty air of disuse, it has the feeling of an intimate, comfortable place.
Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » The Wichita Falls Murders: Out of Character
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The Wichita Falls Gazette
by AgathaBenson on Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:14 am
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- Last post by AgathaBenson
on Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:08 pm
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The Wichita Falls Gazette
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The Wichita Falls Murders
by AgathaBenson on Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:03 pm
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on Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:54 pm
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The Wichita Falls Murders
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Week 0: Information and News
by AgathaBenson on Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:06 pm
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- Last post by AgathaBenson
on Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:10 am
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Week 0: Information and News
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Plotting Thread
by AgathaBenson on Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:03 am
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- Last post by AgathaBenson
on Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:03 am
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Plotting Thread
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