Disclaimer:Harvest Moon and all characters are owned by Nastume. I do not stake any claim to any of the characters used in this story.

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Chapter 1-The Murder

Jack was humming to himself as he headed for the library. Today was the day. Today, he was going to tell Mary exactly how he felt about her.

When he entered the library, he saw Mary putting a few books on the shelf. She turned towards him as he walked in.

"Oh, Jack, you're just in time," Mary said.

"Time for what?" Jack asked.

Mary walked over to the counter and pulled out a book. It was a paperback, with a blue cover. The book was titled The Farmer's Handbook.

"I finished my book. I know you probably have the ins and outs of farming known by now, but I thought you might like a copy anyway," Mary told him. "I was planning to come by your farm later today to give it to you,"

"Mary...there's something that I have to tell you, which is the reason I came here," Jack said.

He reached into his backpack and pulled out a blue feather. Mary gasped when she saw it.

"Jack..." she whispered

"Mary, after I came here, and first met you, I knew that you were the girl for me. My love for you has never stopped, and I want to make the bond that we share a permanent one," Jack said. "Mary, will you marry me?"

Mary looked into his eyes. His eyes, which were hopeful and waiting for her response. She smiled and stepped forward to give him a kiss on the lips before whispering "Yes. Yes, Jack, I will marry you."

They hugged each other, and shared a long, passionate kiss.

They worked out the details, and decided to get married a week from that day. Mary left the library to tell her parents the good news. Meanwhile, Jack happily walked home, a large smile on his face.

Later that day, Jack was eating some lunch, when there was a knock at the door. Jack swallowed the bite he was chewing on and answered it. There stood Ann, her face was streaked with tears, and she was angry and sad at the same time.

"How could you?" Ann yelled.

"What?" Jack asked, clearly confused.

"Get engaged to Mary. I was in love with you, and hoping that you would someday propose to me," Ann said. "After that summer years ago, I thought that I might marry you someday."

"You were that girl?" Jack asked. "I...I didn't know. But even though I'm getting married to another girl, I don't see why we can't still be friends."

He placed a hand on Ann's shoulder, and she pulled away.

"I won't forget this, Jack," she warned. "I don't know when, but I will make you wish that you chose me over her."

Ann ran off towards town, while Jack sighed and went back inside.

The next day, Jack went off towards the library, this time with an extra spring in his step. Carter has agreed to be the pastor at his wedding, and the Harvest Sprites were ready to work on the farm on his wedding day.

But as he stepped into the library, everything came crashing down.

Mary was lying facedown on the floor, a pool of her own blood around her. Her glasses were lying nearby, broken into pieces.

Jack ran over and turned her over, but could see that it was too late. Her throat has been slit. Her eyes, once full of life, were now dull and lifeless. Jack cried as he held her dead body tightly.

"Mary..." he whispered.

To be continued in Chapter 2-Funeral

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To all Mary fans-I have nothing against Mary. She just seemed to fit as a good murder victim.