Chapter 2
"Experts are all baffled by the Silent storm as meteorological readings have almost no records of a storm, with readings indicating strong winds that came from nowhere and vanished. There are currently no explanations available for this phenomenon which left thousands in property damage and none injured or dead. It is said that there has never been a storm like it and there might never again be one, this is Kelsy Reid in Harlin from Starrr news."
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"After the freak storm destroyed Harlin Town, a damage assessment has been called by the local office. Based on photographs provided by bystanders, assessors online have estimated that the damage could be anywhere from twenty to forty thousand in total. This has been Gary Denson from Friel News."
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" The townspeople are all helping to clear the debris around the town in wake of the freak storm that devastated Harlin Town. Following the bizarre winds which left damages of over thirty thousand dollars, there have been drives and fundraisers to raise the money to replace the damaged public property as well as to buy food as the local farms have suffered a large loss in harvests. There is still no answer to the sporadic storm as experts have attempted to trace its origin and destination to warn others before it hits another town. This was Helen Ray from Scene News.
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"At approximately 8 am the body of Barry Barrymore was found brutalised at the back of the town hall. The beloved family pet was last seen going out through the doggie door to wander in the streets by his family.
" 'He always loved to go on a late-night walk on his own and usually he's back the next day looking pleased with himself. I never thought that this would happen when I did not see him come home last night. When getting a dog I was aware that we would have to let him go eventually,' said Mr Barrymore, 'I am just sorry that he had to suffer as he left us, we will miss him greatly.'
"The Police are on the lookout for the people or person that committed such a brutal assault. An appeal has been launched for help in apprehending the ones responsible.
"If you have anything to assist with this case please call the helpline or the local police station on 09000000. " ----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly.
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"Following the strange winds, now named Cindy, there has been a surge in murder cases. The murders have occurred every night for the last 8 days, forensics suggest around 9 pm, suggesting that it is the same person or group that committed the murders. The police department has advised that citizens stay at home past 9 pm, or otherwise go out in groups." ----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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" As is becoming routine since the fourth murder, the police patrolled the town on the lookout for any new bodies and were left horrified to find 2.
"The victims were Frank Jones, 78, and Alice Jones nee Grant, 77. They were last seen by their neighbours going out to celebrate their 40 year anniversary in the next town.
"Panic ensued from the neighbourhood they were found in, as residents were met with vacant eyes forever frozen in fear and pain.
"It has been ten days since the first body, Barry the Dobberman, was found with horrific injuries behind the town hall.
"Behaviourists have theorised that the perpetrator is an opportunistic killer, as there seems to be no logical link tying together the eleven victims.
"As a result, the police are launching an appeal to the public with any clues or CCTV footage capturing the incidents that have occurred, and are lobbying for the initiation of a curfew for the town.
" 'I can't believe that this is happening. It's always been such a quiet town, from when I was a young girl, this has never happened before. Back then I think that the biggest piece of news was Old Mr Graine trying to paint the town statue pink as a prank to the town and his old friend who was the mayor at the time. Already my children refuse to visit with their kids and are urging me to leave town.' said Mrs Adelide Gardener nee West." ----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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"Since the discovery of the Jones', no murders have occurred as town hall established a curfew on the town for 8 pm.
"Establishments will be closed during this time as everyone is expected to be at home with the doors and windows shut as the police patrol the streets in hopes of catching the murderer." ----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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"Chaos ensues as a family of four were found in their home, murdered.
"Mr James Bennett, 34; Mrs Helen Bennett nee Dere, 30; and twin girls Jade and Ruby Bennett, 7; were found murdered in their beds on the 13th day.
" The Bennett family had been adhering to the curfew almost religiously, said their neighbours, 'staying indoors and lights off by 8 pm, even when the rest of us were still awake with our lights on past 9 pm.'
"The police are baffled as the doors were opened forcibly, yet their neighbours were unaware of any sounds of forceful entry or sounds of distress, which would have alerted anyone in their street to call for the police.
"The coroners' report indicates that the attack was the same as the previous murders but they note that the severity of the injuries had been increased, as though the murderer was venting for the last two days without victims.
"Following this, Neighbourhood watches have been established to allow for a more efficient alert to the police, along with the installation of CCTV cameras to all streets and corners in an attempt to capture the image of the Harlin Butcher."
----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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" After the murder of the Bennett family 2 days ago, the murder rate went back to a person a day.
"The killer has been found to go after the homes which are the quietest in their neighbourhood, the public had begun to theorise that the quiet homes were visited by the Harlin Butcher, however, today's murder has dispelled this theory.
"The kill count has risen to nineteen, with the murder of Miss Grace Turner, 21, was found at 10 am after she failed to report in for work at the local grocers, murdered in her home.
" 'The music in her apartment was blaring, as usual, so we did not even think that she was dead,' sobbed one neighbour.
" 'Miss Turner has been diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, as such when she takes off her hearing aides she tends to play loud soothing music to go to sleep. As she is well-liked we all just got used to it and somewhat looked forward to it as the music was never aggravating, she was like our mascot whom we bragged about to the other buildings close by. We will all miss her.' said another neighbour with bloodshot eyes.
" At this point, it is impossible to determine the characteristics that the Harlin Butcher is using to pick victims, but the police have advised keeping an eye on other neighbours to find the murderer or to help others as they never seem to be able to contact the police for help."----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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"After 24 days of murder, the police was shocked to discover that there had been no activity on the 25th day.
"The police warn citizens to remain vigilant on the 27th day in memory of the 13th where the Bennett family were all murdered in their homes."----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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"The murders continued on the 28th day, leaving police confused as the rate did not increase during these three days, nor did the Butcher attempt to make up for the days with no killings."----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.
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"It has been almost 3 months since the haze of fear descended on Harlin town as
"Police make a breakthrough when local astronomer, Simone Moone, 56, suggests that it is linked to the moon cycles.
"During her shift as the watchman for the Neighbourhood, she noticed the increase on the nights of the full moon and the absence on the nights of the new moon.
"Psychologists have theorised with this hint that the murderer believes himself to be a werewolf or some other supernatural creature which hunts according to the moon phases.
"Citizens may buy a lunar calendar at the hobbies store, to know when they may go out safely."
----Excerpt from the Harlin Weekly, Murder daily edition.