By the time Thomas sat in class, he would get a response from his bees - seeing that the police were spreading out throughout the school. Without a single word to any of the students, let alone the teachers on the ground. It was clear through how quietly they whispered and moved that they did not want to alert anyone.

But how could these men anticipate that the insects around them were listening in to their supposedly so quiet conversations...?

"So Mr. Richler wants this girl found...?"

"If she says a word, it'll be our necks on the line. We have to make sure..."

Further along, he would see that some of them - including Chase's father - were searching the clocktower. Sprawling above them were many gears and gyres, numerous clock mechanisms chiming away. The entire interior a mess of ancient closets and crawlspaces. If someone wanted to hide, this might be the best place they could go.

One of the bees would overhear the sheriff talking to his deputy;

"Sir, should we really be spending this much time on a whim from him?"

"Listen son. In this town we have a saying in law enforcement. There's a power greater than God or the law: the Richlers. If Cedrick wants her brought in, she gets brought in. I'm not chancing my own offspring. Whatever this poor girl did, it pissed off all the wrong people. And now she needs to be quiet."

Thomas what the hell happened here

The bees may have not found Cassie but what they found is much much bigger, whatever Cassie knew, it was important, important enough for the Richlers to want her gone. Without any help she won't last long, still how could he tell this to Chase? His own dad wants his friend dead! The situation is dire to say the least. Thomas should just forget about it that was something anyone would do.

But...

How could he let an innocent person be killed for some rich family's whims?

The bees would separate searching every nook and cranny of the clock tower, their small size and ability to fly allowed them to search better than any cop could.

Katarina

Katarina couldn't tell whether or not Mariana was serious. Then again, she was always serious, but how serious she tended to be was up for debate. She herself had been joking, but she'd already served as a glorified housemaid the last couple months. In that context, maybe playing nurse wasn't so far a stretch.

"I'll be sure to stop over and share the rabies. So long as you don't succumb to the madness, it should give you something to occupy your time. It would give me reason to laugh, certainly..."

And another reason to play nurse. But her attention began to drift. She knew Marianna had a point, but she couldn't help but be the least bit paranoid. She attempted to listen in to the police's conversation, her ears pricking as she tuned in. Perhaps eavesdropping on Chief Wiggum wasn't the best use of her time, but it was better than doing nothing.

"...but don't blame me for a stuffy nose. If it was any less foul, I'd have chocked it up to a dose of perfume or a dirty hippie, but I know a mangy mutt when I smell it. Don't ask me what stinking hole or crevice they crawled under, but they're present all the same."

Edited by kkhohoho on Jun 26th 2022 at 5:24:43 AM

And what Kat would hear would prove immediately fortuitous for her to overhear;

"...We have to find that Cassie girl. She can't be just...gone. We surveyed the exits, we're combing that damn clock tower. Just find her, say she resisted arrest...do what you have to. I'm not explaining to the sheriff why Mr. Richler's gonna be on his ass."

And the bees sent up there by Thomas would find what looked like a bookshelf half stacked with books, and moving behind there - why, there was a secret little passageway behind the bookshelf. It seemed older and less well constructed than most of the clock tower architecture...

And not long into that, Thomas would be able to see something.

A young woman, trying not to breathe too heavily. Sitting there in the dark, visibly twitching, as if she was debating going to check if she was safe or not. This was Cassie Lind, the girl who the police and others were on the search for. And she did not look well.

She seemed like she had been ill at ease to such a degree she'd lost sleep. Her athletic features seemed slightly slimmed out from stress and whatever else went on. Her brunette hair was matted with sweat, her clothes likewise clinging to her. She had a book in one hand, which she clung to as if it was a matter of life or death.

Mariana Blakewood

"I don't have a spell to detect foul odours. Though I can inflict worse ones..." Mariana sighed, eager to move past the awkwardness of the previous conversation in favour of one more mundane. "I'll keep on the watch, Katarina. Unfortunately I can't block or stifle your sense of smell. It's indicative that I know one to seal your lips, however, don't you think...?"

A half-smirk was what she gave, but she made a mental note to work on some kind of olfactory suppression hex for Katarina's sake. As of now, she'd just have to grin and bear it. Mariana didn't exactly have a clothes peg on hand. Short of manually pinching Katarina's nose shut herself, but that would make her arm tired after a minute or two.

"What're you listening to...?" she wondered, noting the slight twitching of Katarina's ears as she eavesdropped in on the chief's conversation.

Katarina

Katarina grumbled back, but she wasn't in the mood for witty repartee. Any other day, she'd welcome the chance, but she was too busy eavesdropping on the boys in blue. The good news was they weren't interested in her. She couldn't imagine what they'd do to her if they were. But the rest of it was anything but. She was never a fan of the police, but she never thought they'd stoop so low.

"...they're still looking for the girl. Those brainless pigs are dancing to someone's else tune, but I couldn't say whose. They're currently searching the clocktower, but if she hasn't already vamoosed..."

She didn't need to say the rest. If those bastards found her, it was game over for her. That much was obvious.

After Class

While most of the students might be inclined to head onward to their next class, for those who had heard about what was going on, there was one destination. The Clock Tower. And who knows? People who knew the others in town might be inclined after seeing their more industrious friends heading there to go along with them to see what people were skipping class to go do.

The Clock Tower itself was an old testament to the history of the school - and to a degree, the town itself. The structure extended as if possessing an eye looking down upon the entire town. Its ominous toll could be heard as far as a mile or two away from the school itself, issuing forth every hour.

The entrance was an archaic double door with curving knobs, the gilded metal faded with time. The wood itself had to be reinforced and it creaked dreadfully whenever someone ventured inside. The tower's interior meshed gears and gyres, countless mechanisms, with numerous bookshelves, couches, seats, chairs, and tables.

There were even some beds located inside, though musty and covered in dust.

There was obviously some sort of purpose to this place lost in the present day, some design that the creator had in mind when he had it constructed. Yet now it was just part of the school area, if only barely - students were forbidden from entering during learning hours.

But since when did something being forbidden dissuade anyone...?

After Class

Sapphos Macdonald couldn't take another class, not when there was something more going on at this school. The missing girl was likely still here on the grounds, given how much the police were out in force and as the investigator crept towards the sole place on this campus where one could hide effectively she thought... She thought... She thought that she was monologuing again heckin'...

Sapphy muttered a half-curse under her breath as she was jarred from her internalized narration by the realization that she was going through internal narration. The girl had decided not to keep up the charade of being an actual student and investigate the old clocktower; she just hoped she could arrive before the cops did.

Thomas bout to enter the clocktower

If he wants to go inside the clocktower he better does not go alone so he makes a quick stop to the bathroom stalls to breathe some bees under his parka enough bees to make a second layer of just bees, good thing he can handle the extra heat.

After flushing like he did last time, he runs at the clock tower his objective quite clear, relase the bees on the policemen, scare 'em off, get Cassie. And if by some misfortune he gets hurt which is quite unlikely he brought honey jars. It was quite a good plan and nothing could ruin it.

Wait. there is someone else heading that way. What in the world could be her bussiness there, he should be the only one knowing where Cassie is located, not to mention no other people wanted to search for her. Pretty weird, Thomas can only hope she does not screw up everything.

Marah

Truth be told, Marah hardly needed a reason to cut class. It didn't impact her grades - she was quite good at independent study - and it's not as though anyone would miss her. While she could be a skilled socialite when pressed, Marah preferred solitude anyway, and had few actual friends.

Naturally, after hearing Kat's description of an overheard conversation, she'd immediately come to the forbidden Clock Tower. Less out of concern for Cassie, and more out of curiosity at the seedy underbelly of the town.

She spied the private investigator from before, as well as that strange boy with the bees (he really ought to learn to be more subtle with those).

Marah clicked her tongue to draw their attention. "Well, I see we have a regular old Scooby Gang on the case. Now we just need a dog."

Her tone was sardonic, and she casually brushed a braid behind her ear as she approached the archaic door. "If you're serious about finding Cassie, I'd suggest you follow me."

Boldly, she walked up and pulled the great door open, the ancient thing creaking as it moved.

The Curious Wolf

As she was busy waiting for class to start, she heard a comment from Kat, which very much worried the wolf girl she then goes to grab her hair and smells it, and her eyes widened as she smelled it, it smelled like a dog, she must have forgotten to use her shampoo to mask her smell, hopefully, this will not alert anyone to her, she thinks as she puts on her hoodie.

As she was going to the next classroom she then sees some of her classmates going somewhere not the class "What are they doing?" She asks, she turns back to her classroom but soon curiosity toke over, and she soon followed behind the group.

While she was getting worried as she was now getting out of her class, she hopes for this to be a quick in and out, where she then stops to see the clock tower "Hey!" She yells out "What are you guys doing here with the clock tower and stuff," she says now starting to catch up with the group.

Rather than stay in class, Layla would rather be elsewhere. She still needed to find her missing head and thought she couldn't stay in school all day. Right where she still needed to find what was hers. To be whole again. And like the others, she made her way to the Clock Tower as well. She may not find what she's looking for there, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to go with the others and help out. And if nothing came of it, she still had other places to explore in the town.

But with even her agenda, Layla does still hope to find the missing girl. After all, she can't help but think of her family who's been worried sick for her. But as Layla groups up with the others in the clock tower, she can't help but feel a little bit of fear as she entered the area.

Vest Amada

[NAME REDACTED] 'Vest' Amada was currently crouched within the Clock Tower. Like many others in their class, Vest was curious about the girl who'd gone missing, and if it had anything to do with the mysterious circumstances surrounding their parents' death.

"Hope this isn't another false lead..." they muttered.

Mariana Blakewood

"Clocktower, hmm...?" Mariana drew in a breath in response to Katarina's whisper, before nodding shortly and fixing her gaze forward. "Noted. We'll see what's going on later."

Once class had ended, Mariana shot Katarina a look and beckoned for her to follow her. In her usual asociability, she'd have disliked speaking with anyone after school anyhow, but she was quite obviously focused. Taking the lead as was her wont, she headed towards the clocktower as Katarina had described overhearing, and motioned towards the others congregated there before balking as Marah opened the door without hesitation.

"How to attract an axe murderer, starring Marah..." Mariana said dryly, crossing her arms and staring at her amusedly. "Hello, hello. We don't have a dog. We have a Kat, though. We're something like the bootleg Scooby-Doo..."

She poked Katarina's nose with her finger, before quickly walking forward before she could retaliate; feigning innocence as she did so. She couldn't help but frown and peer into the fold, wondering if there were any magic signatures that she could recognise within the clocktower. A lack of magic would be more worrying: either it would be deliberately hidden, or they were dealing with unsettling mundaneity.

"Heaven forbid..." she muttered at the thought. "That this all be from some crazed, powerless murderer who did this by fluke..."

It was somehow more frightening.

Katarina

Katarina followed her master towards the clocktower, grumbling in protest. It wasn't like she had a choice, and she could barely contain her curiosity. But if the police caught them snooping around and shared half a braincell between them, it would be over for her.

She was in the middle of such contemplation when the witch booped her on the nose. Part of her was livid, but the other was gently blushing. Kat and Marah wouldn't be able to see, not under all that fur, but it was plain as day to everyone else. Still, she had to come up with something to save face, didn't she?

"'W-well,'' you are... are... Kiki's second hand delivery service! That's it! At least Kiki had a broom! And didn't boop their cat on the nose, I can tell you that much!"

She wasn't sure it was convincing, but beggars couldn't be choosers. She put her nose to the ground, sniffing out anything that could give them a clue. She kept her ears peeled, but if there was anything new, she would surely have heard it by now.

Ken hears people coming, and ducks farther into his hiding spot.

"Dammit, please don't be dangerous..." they muttered, gripping their spear tighter.

Asher

As they searched, Asher would look for any minute details that the other two may have overlooked. While Mariana dreaded the possibility of mundanity, mundanity was what defined Asher for most of zir life, so if such matters lay there, ze would be likely to ascertain it soon enough.

Cold...So Very Cold

The inside of the clock tower seemed empty now - the cops it seemed had by now left the area. Though they had not put anything back where they found it - having rifled through close to everything in their search for Cassie Lind. However, as the teens went inside and looked around, they would see something more than just a disheveled interior to the clock tower. There was a biting chill to the air now, a cold that clung to the floorboards. Wafting icy mist that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

The sensation that someone was watching Vest from every angle, but they would be unable to feel where. They might feel something like it wasn't human, whatever it was that was watching them. A hunting, predatory thing that lurked in the shadows and in the most ordinary of places...

The only warning to come would be a hissing noise on the air.

They began to rise from shadows on the floor, in the cupboards, and closets. Unfolding themselves from nothing and coming into being as vile apparitions. They resembled horrendous skeleton-things, heads skull-like and a single red dot in the middle of their sunken eyes. Every tooth turned to a curved fang, mouths hanging open like they couldn't truly close. The things jittered as they arose like they constantly felt cold - or perhaps, they were teetering with such hunger they couldn't sit still.

Their flesh remaining seemed to be replaced with see-through ice, flowing and moving like skin and muscle. The teens would be able to see bones within, and clicking, clacking claws for hands - blades like moving icicles.

As soon as one of them stepped near Vest in particular, it stopped, whipped its head directly in their direction - and emitted a keening shriek before bounding directly at them. Its teeth chattering together.

The rest likewise began to move toward the teens inside of the clock tower, eager to consume their warmth.

Such...were Scrylings.

The Clocktower

"Oh! Hello sirs? Are you all concerned about—"

She probably should have considered it inevitable someone would compare her noir sensibilities with entirely the wrong inspiration. Sapphos cleared her throat to retort back.

Sapphy cleared her throat.

"I don't think this is that thing. We have too many people, the wrong archetypes and—"

It was at that moment the hissing began and the beasts of deathly ice unfolded into reality.

"—the Scooby gang doesn't usually deal with legitimate monsters. E-everyone, behind me, quickly."

Sapphos adjusted her hat and drew her toy sidearm.

The investigator knew it was a useless toy and not a viable weapon against the Scrylings. But if she could make them think the gun was real... Maybe she'd get them to waste time trying to disarm her.

She took a deep breath and started counting targets silently.

"I've fought these things before."

Vest contemplated getting out to help, and decides to hide behind the party.

As the group of teens ventured forth, Layla really felt the chill against her body, especially against her arms and legs. The coldness she's feeling now gives her a bit of regret over wearing a dress right now. And her senses really started going off when she senses the Scrylings come by and approach, their screeching bearing into her. If she had her head, she would suspect her ears would bleed from how loud they were. She couldn't help but to get into a defensive post. The rush of adrenaline going through her body.

"You fought them before?" Layla asks Sapphy "How much will it take to bring one down?"

She takes one hand and tightens the veal around the area where her head would be and raises a fist in another should things come down to her having to fight them off.

Marah

"Unless you have a spell that makes doors stop creaking, there's hardly a more subtle way in." Marah snipped back at the taller witch. "Also, there's enough of us here that I doubt a would-be serial killer would try anything."

Nonetheless, the dusty interior set her on edge. When the deathly chill set in, she knew things were about to go sideways.

Then came the Scrylings. She suppressed a shiver at their appearance, instead opting to sneer at them in anger. Her hair rose of its own accord, long braids tensed like snakes about to strike, and when the first Scryling leapt towards Vest, one such braid intercepted it, snagging the creature around the chest and flinging it away.

Then her braids split apart into strings, a thousand black whips that began to wildly lash at any Scrylings who dared approach.

"Begone, fell creatures. Return to the cold dirt you crawled out of."

Vest, now scared, attempts to remain silent. Unfortunately, they accidentally snap a twig on the ground.

SHIT! they think.

Thomas packing heat

Thomas wasn't really thrilled about having this many people around (except Nia she's funny), it was supposed to just go in to get Cassie out and be done, but that doesn't stop some folks from sticking their noses, din't almost all of them agree to not make a scooby gang? At this point it doesn't really matter, getting Cassie out of here is his current priority.

And then the scrylings appeared. His eyes widened in fear, Thomas only knew about them due his book, and they don't screw around.

Reaching inside his jacket, he secretes wax wich with the help of the bees inside of his jacket, the wax is molded in the shape of a gun down to the smallest detail and colour, while an ordinary wax sculpture doesn't shoot bullets this one can and from an outsider's perspective it looked like he just pulled out a gun from his jacket, the bees well hidden.

Quickly he would aim and shoot at the aberrations, his skin absorbing the recoil made by the handgun due its hardening properties.

Katarina

As a familar, Katarina had done a lot of strange things and see even more, but facing a bunch of strange zombies was beyond her pay grade. She wanted to run, but her master hadn't made a move. She grit her teeth and popped her claws, cursing as she made to tear the scrylings to shreds.