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A chill swept through the streets that had previously been full of life. It was incredible how only hours before they were filled with adults and children alike, all shopping for Halloween. Now they seemed almost abandoned other than a couple stragglers here and there. The town was almost more than ready for the latest horror that would befall them this year; decorated in black and orange with statued monsters and ghouls all around. It seemed as if everyone was anticipating it, this time. Every year, something new occurred. Whether it be Vampires and Werewolves, Aliens, or even good ol' Jack himself making a visit. However, it did not seem the shop owners were too excited for the upcoming festivities. With how crazy everyone was over preparing for the holiday most of the shop owners and workers all wore the same baggy eyed expressions; hinting at their obvious exhaustion. With the break from the hustle and bustle, it seems a certain little well known shop owner had fallen into a partial slumber at the register. Perhaps that was why she jerked up straight when her cellular device started buzzing and beeping in alert of a new message. Moira, Durem Depot's owner and operator must have recieved awfully urgent news. She didn't look like she could run from her shop fast enough after rubbing her eyes and reading over the message. It was almost a touching sight to see the worried expression on her face as she went running out the store and down the street; forgetting to lock up in her hurry to run and tend to the emergency she received notice of.
He wore a cocky grin, blissfully unaware of much around him. With his hands tucked away in his pockets, he strolled into what he would soon learn was an empty shop. Though, was it really empty? He seemed a bit uneasy as he peered around the shop, perhaps he knew what was in the shadows. Watching. Waiting. After his eyes had scanned the entire place thoroughly, he turned to leave. Aware now that Moira was indeed not there, and looking rather disappointed. He had more than likely been there to flirt with the feisty shop keeper, now it was a moot point for him to stand in an empty shop. Though, curiosity flashed through his eyes for a moment. Why would a shop be unlocked if the owner wasn't there? It was almost too easy to read the thoughts in his head by the way his features twisted to the expressions to match them. He turned his head to look over his shoulder. Maybe she was in the back of the store? A short call of her name then he played the waiting game. When he received no response, he turned his head back around to leave and came unglued by the figure in front of him. "OHJESUSHAVEMERCY!" He yelped, very obviously startled. "Oh man buddy! You spooked the daylights out of me!" He had his hand over his heart now, such a typical reaction of anyone who got frightened suddenly. It seemed like the conversation was going to drag on forever. There was something very particular the pair was discussing, and it wasn't long before it escalated into a much more serious situation. As quick as it had started. It seemed it was over. Finished with an over-turned clothes rack and a body on top of it. One that wasn't breathing. Moving. Doing anything more than staring at the ceiling with glossed over eyes, and a mouth full of sheer lace fabric. Waiting to be found hours later.
An ear splitting scream woke anyone within a ten mile radius when Moira returned to her shop at a sharp eight o'clock A.M. She had found clothes tossed and racks knocked over, and it looked like someone had just vandalized her shop. Until she noticed the body on top of one of those knocked over racks. It took her all of two seconds to run out of her shop, but a good ten minutes before the shock running through her veins subsided. By eight thirty, the police were there. By eight forty five, the news reporters were there. There wasn't a TV or radio station that wasn't tuned in to the news to listen to that mornings horror. There couldn't have been a soul who hadn't heard about the Durem Depot fiasco. Grim and Demi even were up and aware of what had happened. Though, that may be because they had been called in to the police station for questioning. They were both sitting in some room, side by side, waiting to get this done and over with. Neither looked upset, but neither looked happy. It was queer, neither seemed completely distressed by what had happened. One of their best friends- and boss had just been murdered, but the most comfort either of them had sought out was Demi reaching over to grip onto Grim's hand. Perhaps they knew more than they wanted to say during either of their turns in questioning. Regardless, they were released within the hour as the authorities had nothing to keep them there for.
They made their way back to the guild, gathering everyone in their normal meeting place to break the news to them. Though almost everyone had seen or heard about it on the news by then; it still brought a good amount of people to tears, and the rest hung their heads in silent despair. A bitter sadness hung in the air now instead of the normal happy, and positive vibe every one of the fun loving Duremites brought to each other. It was enough to break a heart if you had one, seeing what had once been such a cheerful group of people look and act so sad and upset. They had every right to be upset, though. They had lost the person who had originally brought them together in the first place, and quite a few probably felt as if the group would fall apart without him. Everyone seemed completely hopeless, and the entire place was full of hushed sobbing and whispers. Grim and Demi had disappeared almost the minute the announcement was over with, not seemingly being around much for the next day or two. They had decided to busy themselves with continuing to plan the Halloween event- just because their friend was gone didn't mean the guild was over, and that they couldn't at least try to have a little fun on the spooky holiday in his honor.
Grim and Demi were starting to get a bit too stressed out with the last minute planning, they started getting frustrated. And then they started taking that frustration out on one another, both of them started picking stupid fights with the other until something clicked for the both of them. With a realization for both of them that they just needed to recruit another moderater to help out, they both nominated the last one of their little click. Crim. Surely things would get much better with another hand to help out, and surely things wouldn't get more stressful with them having to plan most of the time they weren't asleep, or when Grim and Demi weren't in the police station for more questioning. Slowly, Grim and Demi both were successfully withdrawing themselves from being social with anyone outside of Crim, even more so after the latest news report.
"Detectives have finally released information about the case of The Kaper, C+A+D's founder and main operator, who was found dead inside Durem Depot a few days ago. He was found asphyxiated with a pair of women's underwear, and covered with various lacerations and bruises from what appears to be from a bit of a struggle. Detectives also stated they do not believe it was a random act of violence, evidence suggests it was someone he knew personally. That's it for now!- Back to you Cindy."
