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Post by Paige O'Brian on Mar 18, 2011 0:03:16 GMT -8
Time: Day 4, Late Afternoon/Early Evening Weather: Cloudy, threatening rain Warnings: Eight-year-old shenanigans, neighborhood harassment Characters: Paige O'Brian, Emily Wyatt [OPEN]
The sky was cloudy, the day getting on, and Paige O'Brian, eagerly abusing her staying-up-late privileges, was currently crouching in a bush at the front of her house, a red shirt wrapped around her neck in a cheap, imitation super hero cape and clutching at a flashlight.
Perfect stake-out gear!
She'd heard a rumor at school about a vengeful ghost that ate kids who stayed out late for disobeying their parents (followed by a lengthy discussion that, as the Girl Who Was Murdered was still a Stupid Teenager, this was obviously the true killer in that big murder case all the adults were busy not telling them about, ultimately ending in Paige promising to relay the theory to her two-doors-down-neighbor because she was the awesomest cop around and would listen), and, since Super-Cop was still not home yet, she figured there was no harm in waiting for the dreadful spook to show up by herself.
After all, she had a flashlight! She was totally safe, 'cuz ghosts hated lights, right? Totally safe.
...Right? I mean, it's not like the ghost was really going to get her. It wasn't that late, after all.
A-and her Dad was just over there, back in her house. If anything was going to happen, he'd jump out and save her! Yeah, nothing to worry about. She'd be fine!
And she and super-cop would catch the mean ghost together, and the Whole Town would be telling her what a great thing she'd done! Maybe she'd never have to do a Geography test again, and-
Didn't the story say the ghosts had a preference for girls?
...
Paige squeaked, ducking further into the bush and switching the flashlight on. Just in case.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 18, 2011 15:20:24 GMT -8
Emily was bobbing her head to to Rianna's latest hit down January Way on her way home. The song had a nice beat and it was kinda funny a song about liking S&M was getting so much airplay on the dance station.
She first made a right onto Hemingway Ave and pulled into her driveway. Emily was definitely looking forward to hanging with Ashlin and Agent York tonight. It would be nice to get her mind off the case.
She walked up to her mail box to check her mail but she was distracted by a beam of light from the corner of her eyes. She peered down the street it seemed to come in spurts from the O'Brian's front yard?
Curious and with her mail in hand Emily walked down to the house to investigate. Sure enough a beam of light was emanating from a bush in the front yard and she smiled it had to be little Paige on one of her world saving adventures again.
She quietly walked up to the illuminated bush and said, "Hiya Paige! What are you up to?"
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Post by Paige O'Brian on Mar 18, 2011 15:44:42 GMT -8
This time, Paige really did scream, toppling head-first out of the bush and onto her driveway. She bolted upright, hastily turning the flashlight's beam on the figure in front of her with her eyes screwed shut.
"Nooooo! I don't want to get eaten - I really don't! I have been good- I- I swear I'll actually eat my cauliflower next time, they're just so gross--!"
When imminent doom didn't descend upon her, she slowly opened her eyes. She jumped and quickly lowered her light.
"S-Super-Coooop!" She half-cheered, half-cried, and suddenly wrapped her arms around Emily's waist, "I'm so glad you're back! I told the kids at school I'd tell you, too. I-I think there really is a ghost! And it must be the one getting people! That's what you're invest-ee-gatin' right?"
Still tightly clinging to her neighbor (A-and she wasn't scared! This- this is just more, err, convenient!), she peered around her body to glare at the row of bushes in the driveway opposite from them, "I bet it's here right now..." She added in a whisper.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 18, 2011 16:17:21 GMT -8
Emily startled by Paige's reaction and watched with wide eyes as the young girl fell from her hiding spot and frantically wiggled her flashlight at her as if it were some sort of weapon. Her brow furrowed, did she really look that bad after her trek through the lumbermill this afternoon?
After Paige latched herself to her Emily patted the frighten girl on the head. She then gently pried the girl's arms from around her waist so she could kneel down at eye level.
"Woah, honey. I need you to slow down just a bit and start again. What's this about a monster?"
Emily noticed the girl's gaze was still on the house across the street. Did she see some sort of animal and get spooked earlier today?
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Post by Paige O'Brian on Mar 18, 2011 16:40:11 GMT -8
Paige reluctantly allowed Emily to remove her arms from their tight grip, and instead began twisting her shirt-cape around her fingers in agitation. "I don't wanna slow down!" She grumbled, but took an exaggeratedly deep breath:
"Well, we were talking at school about a ghost that ate kids when they stayed out late and we started arguing about why and we decided it was because they were being bad and not listening to their parents and stayin' out late and I don't know why a ghost would care about that, but made sense because the next day that girl got murdered, and she was a Teenager and they always stay up late! So we were arguing and Tony was being an idiot and said it wasn't true, but we told him we heard the story when we went to the Milkbarn to get some chocolates with our pocket money and it was the Ingram twin's dad who told us the story and he doesn't lie, he's cool! And Tony thinks he's cool too, so when we told Tony that he agreed it was pretty fishy! So we decided we should tell the cops because it all makes sense! So I was waiting for you to come back and then I heard a spooky noise and then you showed up and you asked me what was wrong so I told you."
She paused and took another breath, "I think I heard a noise from over there!" Paige added, pointing a finger at the front yard across the street, "If the ghost really is the killer, then we can catch it together and get an award! Then everyone else can call you Super-Cop too!" Her face lit up at the idea, "Ooh! We should go check it out right now! We'll be safe, since the ghost doesn't get grown-ups, right?"
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 18, 2011 19:26:59 GMT -8
Emily listened to Paige's story with a grave look on her face and nodded in understanding but on the inside she wanted to throttle Keith Ingram.
Damn it Keith! This is why you shouldn't be blathering on and on with your ghost stories to little kids. Just what was he thinking? Lily must not have been in the shop to keep him in line...
"Hmm that does sound pretty serious Paige, I'm glad you brought it to my attention but-"
Emily paused and bit her lip. It was true there was an evil lurking the Greenvale streets at night but it surely wasn't a ghost, it was a psycho and maybe even someone they both knew. Emily shivered. What was the harm in letting Paige believe the criminal was paranormal in nature? Until she, York and George could get find a real suspect in Anna's death she didn't want Paige trying to "help" the investigation by rooting out a human culprit. She knew the girl well enough that if there was a chance the killer was someone within the town Paige would go door to door asking all sorts of questions and maybe get herself in some sort of trouble. No that wouldn't do...better to let her think this ghost angle.
"It was very brave of you to start on this ghost investigation without me Paige." Emily stood and in in her best gruff George impression continued, "But it was was also very foolhardy young lady! Ghost hunting is a very tricky business...especially evil ones. I want you to promise me you won't ever do anything without me by your side again."
As girl enthusiastically nodded her head Emily eyed the flashlight and the girl's makeshift red cape.
She waited a beat and with a nod of approval to Paige's flashlight said, "Well at least you seemed to have done your homework, everyone in the GVSD knows these ghosts hate the light. It's why we see so few of them out during the day!" She pulled a small sheriff issue pocket flashlight of her own from her belt and held it up so Paige could see.
"I always carry one of my own because you never know when you'll come face to face with one!" Emily laughed a bit and started to tap her chest a few times before she stopped herself. Inwardly she rolled her eyes it seemed like a certain FBI agent's peculiar mannerisms were rubbing off on her. If she wasn't careful she just might find herself trying to talk to a Zach of her own...
"Say why don't we get this investigation started by checking out what's making all that racket across the street." Emily placed her flashlight in her front pocket and turned in on in preparation. She held out a hand to Paige and gave the girl a wink. "What do you say, Deputy O'Brian?"
(oh geeze I just realized! If Paige become sensitive she's going to think flashlights are a good weapon against shadows...good work there Emily XD)
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Post by Paige O'Brian on Mar 18, 2011 21:10:37 GMT -8
(Haha! Oh, she'd probably already think so anyway. XP If it does happen, hopefully someone will set her straight!)
Paige looked like Christmas had come early. Her face was even brighter than before, and she was grinning wide enough to nearly split her face.
She already knew Super-Cop was the best, most awesomest cop around, but this was just amazing! She was actually going to help investigate! Really! Oh, she'd need to ask Emily if she wanted to join her club later, but that could wait- they had a spook to catch!
"This is so cool! You're so cool! Usually grown-ups tell me ghosts aren't real and that I'm being silly. But they're the stupid ones! Hah! I knew it was true! This is the best day ever now!"
Paige enthusiastically grabbed Emily's offered hand, and began yanking her across the street, holding her torch triumphantly in her other hand, "Deputy! Deputy! Ooh, when I'm older, maybe they'll let me in the Police right away because I already have 'past experience'! Then you and I could be partners, yeah!"
As the two approached the offending bush, Paige stopped abruptly, shining the beam of the flashlight on it dramatically, "Okay nasty ghost! We know you're there, so you'd better give up!" She then frowned, and leaned towards Emily, whispering "Did I say that right?"
Suddenly, the bush rustled, and Paige jumped back, gripping Emily's hand tighter. A low grumbling could be heard from inside, rising into a slight growl.
Before Emily could say anything to stop her, Paige raised her flashlight over her head and hurled it at the bush. It struck whatever was inside with a loud smack, followed by a high-pitched whine of pain.
"I got it!" Paige cried, but she still kept her hand clamped around Emily's. She was shaking slightly, "But that didn't sound like..."
A large, black dog bolted out of shrubbery, whining and holding a foreleg above the ground. It stopped in front of the duo, gazing at them dolefully. Paige gasped in horror.
"Oh no! A Doggy! I hit a poor doggy! Oh, I'm sorry mister Doggy! Are you okay?" The young girl looked ready to burst into tears.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 18, 2011 21:52:10 GMT -8
Emily allowed Paige to lead her across the street with a big old smile on her face. The girl enthusiasm was infectious and hey it wasn't everyday she was referred to as a "Super-Cop." Eat your heart out Todd, I have a fan club of my own and I have to say my girl is cuter!
She felt a a little dig at her conscious though. Emily hope when and if that day ever came where Paige joined the Sheriff Department she wouldn't hold this little ghost fib against her.
In the neighbor's lawn Paige took action and called out the "ghost" (which Emily was sure was just a cat or a squirrel) in a pretty darn good impression of Detective Casey Logan Smith from City Lights. So good it made Emily wonder briefly if Paige was a fan of her favorite show as well.
The girl lost her nerve however when the bush shook and felt it was time to take charge. As she began to take a step forward Paige's flashlight and hit a black dog that was hiding behind the bush.
With wide eyes Emily looked between the whimpering dog and the now whimpering child, "Paige, honey don't cry-don't..." She squeezed Paige's shoulder and knelt down to examine the injured dog. Even though Paige's flashlight had nicked a leg it didn't seem too bad.
"You okay little fella?" Emily stroked the dog's head and rubbed his ears. Emily always loved dogs she had actually been thinking of getting one for awhile now. She could use the company. The dog's nub of a tail started to wagged furiously happy to be on the receiving end of Emily's stroke . "I think he's going to be okay, Paige look his tail is wagging! Why don't you go grab your flashlight and we'll figure out what to do with this little guy. He doesn't have a collar I wonder if he's lost?"
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Post by Paige O'Brian on Mar 18, 2011 22:13:25 GMT -8
"O-okay..." Paige sniffed, rubbing at her nose. She paused to give the dog a small pat herslf, looking guiltily at it's paw. The dog, while cautious, seemed to appreciate the action, and Paige found herself cheering up just a little, "Maybe we can keep him if no-one else owns him," She added sheepishly. Probably not. Grown-ups hated it when you suggested keeping stray animals. Her dad had made her promise not to bring wandering cats home anymore.
Bending down into the bush, Paige blindly brushed her hands through the layers of twigs and leaves, frowning, "I know it's here somewhere. I guess the light went out when it hit- hit the poor doggy." She felt around a little closer to the other side, and felt her hand pass over something smooth. Grinning, she gripped it and pulled it out...
Then blanched, jolting backwards and dropping the object as if it had burned her, "E-Emilyyy," She whimpered, too scared to remember to use her appointed nickname, "It's a bone!"
She pointed at the base of the bush, where the sternum rested, "D-did the doggy have it?"
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 18, 2011 22:52:51 GMT -8
"A what?" Emily gave the dog another affectionate pat. From where she was looking it seemed like Paige had picked up some sort of animal bone? Was the dog here eating a dead animal carcass? Bleh good thing I stopped him from licking my face
As Emily grew closer the blood ran from her face in realization of what she was really seeing "Holy Mother of Jesus!" The bone was human...it had to be. She was a little rusty on human anatomy but even she could tell it was a human sternum. Where did it come from!? Was there another victim the Sheriff Department didn't know about? JESUS CHRIST
In Emily whipped around to stare back at the petrified girl. Why was when she wanted to play ghostbusters with her cute 8 year old neighbor did she have to find possible evidence to a crime? Just her luck! Emily really didn't want to freak Paige more then she already was but she needed her to go back to the safety of her house. NOW. There may be a real crime scene here and the girl need not be traumatized further. "Deputy O'Brian! I need you to take "Fido" here back across the street while I call in some more reinforcements! Can you do that for me sweetie?"
Emily grabbed her cell from her back pocket and tried calling George. No luck. Too flustered she didn't bother leaving a voice message who else could she call....THOMAS! He was still in the office when she left, hopefully she could catch him.
Quickly Emily dialed and as the phone rang and rang. She prayed he would pick up.
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Post by Thomas MacLaine on Mar 18, 2011 23:07:14 GMT -8
Thomas was walking through the now quiet department, making sure that nothing would be left out of place when he left to head to the Galaxy of Terror. It was a bit tiring having to go tend to the bar at his sister's lounge after working all day, but he would never cancel on her, if he could help it. It wasn't a difficult job, anyway... he just wished he had more time to stop off at his apartment first.
Just after dimming down the lights in the main lobby of the building, the phone began to ring loudly at the front desk. He yelped in response and felt his heart pounding in absolute shock -- now HE was questioning why he took this job if a stupid phone scared him so much!
After a few dumb moments of questioning his life decisions, he rushed over to the phone and picked it up. His hands fumbled with the receiver before finally holding it to his ear.
"Gr-Greenvale Sheriff's Department!" he stammered a bit, "This is MacLaine, what is your emergency?"
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 18, 2011 23:22:46 GMT -8
A wave of relief rushed through Emily when she heard Thomas' voice on the other end, "Thomas? Oh thank God I caught you before you left for the Galaxy of Terror! Listen, er-I have a...delicate situation here and I can't get a hold of George. I'm with my neighbor, Paige, you remember Paige right? Well, she's just discovered a human bone, a sternum I believe. This dog we found must have brought it into the neighbor hood and with the murder and all it could be something very serious. I could really use your help...could you come down here?"
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Post by Thomas MacLaine on Mar 18, 2011 23:42:25 GMT -8
"A-A human bone?! Sternum?!" he parroted back, stunned. Paige was there too? He knew that a young child shouldn't be faced with such grim things... but, at least Emily was with her.
"R... right. Okay." he managed to say, nodding though he knew Emily couldn't see, "You're near your house? I'll be right over." He was still on the clock technically, so this was work... so he should take a patrol car. Right? Of course, it'd be stupid to drive his bug over.
With a sigh, he hung the phone back up and slipped off his glasses so he could rub at his eyes. Why was he fretting over what kind of car he should drive? What if the bones were connected to the murder case? Was it possible that George had something to do with this? ... he decided that he'd see the remains for himself before bothering him about it.
After grabbing the keys for one of the patrol cars parked outside, he headed out to meet Emily and Paige in their neighborhood.
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Post by Paige O'Brian on Mar 18, 2011 23:57:57 GMT -8
Paige blinked at Emily's reaction, feeling a growing sense of dread. She thought maybe the dog just had a bone because, well, dogs have bones right? She'd been starting to feel stupid for panicking about it- and in front of Super-Cop even!
"O-okay Deputy Super-Cop!" Paige mumbled, giving a small attempt at a salute. She glanced at the dog, confused. The dog seemed equally as puzzled at the drama, and Paige just shrugged, then called the dog to her, who complied happily enough, "I'll, um, be right over there if you find any ghosts!"
As she trudged across the street, glancing back at Emily every now and then (Who really was calling in reinforcements! She's so cool!), Paige studied the dog, frowning. "Fido's a boring name, though. I'm going to call you... Batdog! Since you look like a dark knight, but a dog! I don't think Dad will like it, though."
As she reached her house's driveway, Paige paused, the dog stopping with her. "If Super-Cop's really worried, then maybe the ghost really did get someone again!" Paige whispered excitedly to her new companion, "I don't want to miss it if the police catch it! I'm a deputy now too, after all!"
The dog yawned. Deciding she couldn't just leave him alone, not when the poor doggy was hurt, Paige silently beckoned him over to the bush she was hiding in before. When the dog stayed put, Paige rolled her eyes and began to push him in, then climbed between the branches herself once again, holding the dog down, "I think we're making a habit of this!"
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Mar 19, 2011 0:12:35 GMT -8
"Thank you Thomas I'll see you soon."
Emily hung up her phone and Emily was happy to see Paige followed her orders and took the dog with her across the street. To be on the safe side Emily decided to treat this like a crime scene. She sprinted over to her home and grabbed some gloves, a camera and evidence bags from the trunk of her car.
While she waited for Thomas' arrived she took some snap shots of the bone where it laid and of the bush it came from. She knocked on the door but unfortunately the Cunninghams were not home to answer any questions.
Emily didn't want to bag the bone until Thomas arrived and spent the remaining time pacing back and forth on the front lawn.
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