Yes, I'm aware that this is a short chapter, that's the whole point. But just to clarify a few things so you all won't be scratching your heads in confusion:
In the original Dracula novel by Bram Stoker, a good portion of the story was comprised of journal entries and newspaper clippings. While the journal entries were from the main characters, the newspaper clippings served to subtly convey to the reader Dracula's current location…among other things, which needless to say, added to the suspense of the story.
This chapter is just my little homage to the original vamp book that started it all ;) See if you can identify which characters inspired the poor, oblivious humans into writing these four mysterious/macabre articles.
I own nothing written by Stephenie Meyer.
Pre-read by Kitty, Beta'd by Arizona Hale (EDIT: April, 2012) and Project Team Beta.
Florencia Free Press:
Pandemonium: April 8th, 2007:
Afternoons at the market place: a typical family pastime enjoyed by the inhabitants of Florencia, Colombia. Amidst the bustling square, deals are made, food is bought, and products are sold and bartered. However, what started out as a typical afternoon turned into a colossal disaster as two mystery individuals drove through the once immaculate square while on the run from local authorities. The remarkable nature of this case was not the fugitive's mode of transportation—a stolen 1966 Harley Sprint motorcycle—but their ages, roughly 10-11 years old.
"It was insane," Maria Silva, a local herbal medicine store owner recalled. "Just minding my own business when suddenly out of nowhere a red motor cycle ridden by two children, a boy and girl, raced right by, missing me by inches. They could've run me over!"
Indeed, stories like Maria's have been repeated by numerous people throughout the town, all recalling the incident, some with fear, others with anger, and strangely enough, amusement. "I've never seen anything like it," laughed Henry Roderiguez, shoe shop owner.
The two perpetrators eluded capture from the authorities, but not before demolishing several food and goods stands in the process, costing many local stand owners thousands of pesos worth of damages.
While the incident is starting to become something akin to legend, local authorities have begun a full-fledged investigation into the identification and capture of the two perpetrators.
"The descriptions of the hoodlums we received from the many witnesses match the descriptions of two wanted pickpockets that have been a menace to neighboring cities and towns, specifically tourists, the past year," Inspector Escobar reported. "Though still children, the public is warned that the duo is incredibly dangerous and deceptive."
"It shouldn't be too difficult to catch them," Escobar's partner, Inspector Del Zios, told the Florencia Free Press. "We already have a police sketch of the two in question and a list of their known aliases. It's only a matter of time."
The following is a physical description of the two:
Male:
Primary known alias: Charles
-Caucasian
-brown hair
-green eyes
-height: 4'2"
-wiry build
Female:
Primary known alias: Carolina
-Hispanic
-black hair
-hazel eyes
-height: 4'2"
-slender build
Both have been consistently seen with each other before and after the pickpocket incidents have taken place. If you have any information regarding the fugitives described above, please contact the Police Department immediately.
Philippine Enquirer:
Legends, myths, and the unexplainable: March 5th, 2007
Boracay: A string of islands in the Philippines known for its beauty and popularity as a vacation spot for the overworked and romantic. With its white beaches, hideaway ocean-front hotels' in front of the ocean, and clear blue waves that are just the right temperature, it is an ideal place for those searching for an escape from the overwhelming demands of the real world.
But, in this particular paradise, there is an eerie presence hiding beneath the surface, or perhaps in this case, above it.
"It was truly the most terrifying moment of my life," Amie Reyes, inn-keeper of the popular sea-front hotel, Coral Inn, dictated to her granddaughter, Ruby, who was kind enough to translate for the Philippine Enquirer. "I had gone upstairs to look for some of my old photo albums." The inn was once Amie's childhood home. "Everything was as it should be—I had to grope around in the dark for them, there were no lights installed in the attic and I had lent my spare flashlights to a neighbor the previous day—when suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I spotted something pure white near the window. What I saw nearly gave me a heart attack."
Mrs. Reyes pauses for a moment to gulp down a glass of water, composing herself while clutching her granddaughter's hand. "It was a Demonya, I'm positive. His skin was deathly pale, like a corpse, his eyes pitch black. His features were...unholy, inhuman."
When the Philippine Enquirer asked Amie to elaborate she refused point blank, frantically making the sign of the cross over her chest. However, she did recall his hair color: reddish brown, "like the edges of the sun," she whispered.
"He just stared at me with the most chilling look on his face, no emotion. My voice didn't work; I was so terrified. Then, after what seemed like a lifetime, he hissed and jumped through the window! A second later, my granddaughter entered the room having heard the shattering of glass."
Whether or not Mrs. Reyes account can be believed is up to the readers of the Philippine Enquirer, but one key fact remains: despite the shattered discovery of the attic window at the base of the hotel, not one drop of blood was found amongst any of the shards.
Cherryville Gazette:
Urban art: Vandalism or Masterpiece? By Kenny Chang, October 31st, 2009:
Earlier this week, the City Council voted to arrange a special committee whose purpose would be to decide whether or not the recent patches of graffiti cropping up around the city should really be considered vandalism or works of art deserving of preservation for years to come.
"I really think the city should just cover up those darn things," Dianna Dutton, mother of two, told the Cherryville Gazette. "True artwork is painted on canvases and paper, not on the side of buildings."
Many, however, do not seem to share Ms. Dutton's view.
"I think it's awesome," Ricky Vasquez, sidewalk artist and window painter remarked. "Whoever painted those pictures, man—he or she had mad skills. They should be in a museum."
And indeed, many are agreeing with Mr. Velasquez's declaration. So, to see what the fuss was about, I decided to visit the now famous (or infamous, depends on your point of view) alleyway on 21st and Archibald. The sight that I witnessed left me utterly speechless. Twelve feet tall and covering the entire width of the building, was a rendering of what has now been identified as Canto V from "Dante's Inferno," part one of the epic poem "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Canto V, which depicts Dante and Virgil's experience in the second circle of Hell. In the center is Virgil supporting Dante, their backs to the viewer, as they watch the endless, swirling, opaque sea of souls longingly reaching for each other in vain.
There are many other pieces like this that have popped up in and around the city—all found in public areas, all done in spray-paint. What is truly astonishing is the mystery artist's effectiveness in staying anonymous. The Cherryville police department continues to have no viable leads.
Only time will tell of what is to come for the "Phantom Works" as they have come to be known in Cherryville, but one thing is for certain: this city has never seen more tourism.
El Heraldo De Mexico:
Missing Teen Found Dead: November 2nd, 2005
Gabriella Miriam Espinosa, 17, missing since July of this year, was found dead three days ago in an abandoned barn house in Bogota, Colombia. Espinosa, a quiet student from the prestigious American School Foundation, was said to have had dreams of becoming an actress in New York City. She was a prominent dramatist; Theresa Ramirez, close friend of Espinosa, tearfully quoted that, "It was her passion."
Espinosa was reported missing by Ramirez when she did not report to her summer theater classes last July. She was declared a runaway two days after the initial report. Flor Espinosa, Gabriella's mother, was said to have been "at heads" with her daughter for quite some time. An investigation into the Espinosa household is currently taking place.
The medical examiner refused to reveal any specifics on how Espinosa died, but inside sources have told El Heraldo that Espinosa was believed to have been mauled by some sort of animal. What is even more disturbing is how the injuries were made. Though it seems impossible, the wounds seemed to have been made from the inside, then out, rather than the other way around, "as if some kind of animal ripped its way out of her stomach cavity," the source told El Heraldo, quite shaken. The investigation into what transpired during the last month is still pending. A memorial is planned tomorrow at St. Francis church. The funeral will be held sometime within the month. All in all, it is a tragedy no one could have foreseen for such a promising young lady. She will be sorely missed.