Kristi - Ferreting at the Fair

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

A shivering crowd gathered at the 1918 Redner Town Fair. It was held every summer solstice and offered many jolly games for the gullible to try their hand at, interesting sights to be amused by, and more good food than a hungry man could dream about. It was just that this was a remarkably blustery day for a village expecting the pleasantly calm June weather they'd been having previously. Few had dressed proper for the icy breezes but not even the cold could quell the excited nattering.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Meanwhile There Was One Stand that Wasn't Near Ready to Take Customers

Owen Browning, it's proud owner, was in a rather awful state of dishevelment and his mustache bristled with every breath. You see, things had been going so well for him until this moment. Last evening Mr. Browning had once again gone ferreting with much success. Trevor and Hans on their best game as usual brought back plenty of large rabbits to be prepared specially for this day.

"Morning, Owen! How've your boys been gettin' on?"

Old Samuel's chipper voice abruptly interrupting his frenzied thoughts made Mr. Browning jump quite noticeably, "Erm, they're asleep in their box."
"I don't smell anything good cookin' yet. Need any help?"
"Well, that is..." Mr. Browning sighs, "Can I tell you something?"
"What's this about?"
"Something odd has happened to me. My champion ferrets went and got out two dozen rabbits yesterday. Now they're gone!"
"Trevor and Hans ran off on you? I'd have never thought..."
"No, not the ferrets! No, the rabbits are gone, Samuel!"
"Somebody stole all twenty-four right from under your nose?"
"I know there's a good reason to be skeptical, but I swear it."
"Don't fuss, mate. I'll help ya find the culprit."

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Elsewhere in the Redner Town Fair

Mr. and Mrs. Xian, second generation Chinese immigrants, were the owners of one of the foremost trusted furniture shops in town. It was rumored for a while now that they would have something spectacular to reveal today. Their set up was noticeably unique from the usual food tents and coconut shies- it was set aside further back, and solely featured two fifteen-foot-tall structures obscured by dingy, drab covers draped over each of them.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Meanwhile, the Two Gentlemen

Samuel firmly gave a pat to Mr. Browning's broad shoulders, "I'm sorry, friend. We all have our losses, eh?"

Twenty minutes later and they were back where they began. They had searched all the other stalls, but the search had been unsuccessful. Mr. Browning sighs with more exasperation than ever, "We're all set up on an open field. It's not as if there are many places to hide two dozen dead beasts this far out!"
"There's the church up a ways."
"I think I'm certain somebody would have found it strange if a man tried hiding a cart of rabbits in the church."
"Well, I have my own things to attend to. Sorry, Owen."

After Samuel walks off Mr. Browning gets a look of determination in his eyes. He picks up his ferret box and slips the strap over his shoulder, "We're not giving up that easily, are we, boys?"

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Back to the Xian Tent

Men and women had been hovering around the Xian's mysterious structures and were speculating on what they might be. The couple exited their tent, smiling. They felt that with the excitement built this was a perfect time to reveal their strange creations. After a dramatic pause they whipped off the covers.
Gasps could be heard throughout the crowd. An old man's mouth falls open, dropping a bite of meat pie. High above on eight spindly legs perched a pair of wooden monstrosities. A testament to the Xian's skill, they were constructed from all their scrap wood and assembled on location. While obviously wooden, the carefully sinister looks on their faces were frighteningly "alive".

A woman shrieks. That seemed to be a bit much for a couple sculptures, some thought. Then the old man with the pie and a young man cried out, as well! Something was wrong here. People started dropping and screaming, holding onto themselves (with the man holding onto his leg, the woman onto her side, and so on), as if they were in terrible pain. Many people began to run for safety, while a few courteous men and women went to the aid of those in need.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Although Trevor and Hans Would Rather Sleep they Got to It

Mr. Browning followed after the two as they bounced along after the scent. In spite of his earlier misgivings they did seem to be heading towards the church. At one point he could have sworn a person was screaming but chalked it up to being a sort of game.
At the church front doors the ferrets go back into their box as there was no proper explanation for them running about in a house of God. Mr. Browning is to proceed without the help of his experts.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

What Could Have Happened to These Poor Souls?

Medical personnel arrived to attend to the seven people affected by the mysterious ailment. They had suffered from severe burns. All had passed out from fear and pain but one tough old bird named Susan Blighton. Fair goers eagerly inquired, "Tell us what happened!"
"Is my suffering just another spectacle to you?" Ms. Blighton blurted, "Fine. I can only tell you what I saw."

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Perhaps now was a good time to pray?

The church was entirely void of human life. Mr. Browning pokes around and all he manages to scare up is a fat spider. As it fearfully speeds away Mr. Browning turns to take the stairway up to the bell tower.

As he climbs the gently curving, cold stone steps Trevor and Hans become very restless. They were so actively shuff-shuff-shuffling about that the straw was falling out of their box's air holes. "What's gotten into you?" he asks them. In just a few more steps the reason will be discovered.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

Ms. Blighton grimaced- She Hated Being the Center of Attention

"Just as those things were revealed- no, it was actually a bit after- I saw these shadows walk about without any human source. They circled with cruel intent, and one was gnawing on a rabbit."

A buzz of chatter erupted as the speaker paused. Ms. Blighton cleared her throat loudly, "Let me finish!" Once there was silence she looked hard at her audience and continued,
"At once each set upon a target. I felt my attacker was crawling under my skirts and scratching my thigh. Fighting back was useless as our hands simply passed through the devils. After victims began fainting the shadows dissipated one by one." The gathered crowd waited expectantly as Ms. Blighton paused before finally, "I have nothing more to say. Leave me alone!"

As people got to talking it eventually became agreed upon that the Xian's sculptures were the cause of the curse. The crowd began dismantling the taller of the two as Mrs. Xian buried her face in her hands as her husband comforted her. There was nothing they could do to stop the angry mob.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

At the Top of the Stairs

Mr. Browning set down the boys and hesitantly ascends the wooden ladder into the belfry. He opens the door to discover his goods strung up in bunches onto the bell frame in the filthy little chamber. He wondered if it would even be worth it to recover the carcasses or if he would fall to his death in the process. Understandably Mr. Browning bemoans his fate and mutters something about the lengths pranksters go to when he hears somebody coming up the stairs.

"You came after all," a familiar voice says sharply. Mr. Browning turns back and sees Samuel, "Wait. Don't tell me it was you that stole my rabbits?"
"It was I."
"Why?"
"They needed a blood sacrifice."
"What? Who?"
"I don't really know what They are exactly. Just it's been if flesh is offered They do what I say. If there isn't anything to work for They stop listening, so I had to hide their prize in a holy place." Samuel pats the wall for emphasis.
"Are you consorting with demons?"
"Today was just to test their power. You heard the screaming didn't you?"

Afraid for what his friend has become, Mr. Browning flees the church.

[Kristi is prescribed skeletons]

One Wooden Monster was Left

As the people set to attack the second innocent work of art, a man runs in shouting, chased by another. Everyone stops to stare at this new spectacle. "Stop! Everyone, this person I thought to be my friend is the true culprit," shouts Mr. Browning who is tackled shortly after by an enraged Samuel.

Following a terrible scuffle the two are separated and restrained. '"Tell us what is going on!" Before Mr. Browning can answer in detail Samuel breaks free. He stands under the remaining statue and kicks at the splintered rubble around it, "You think these things are the culprit? Do as you wish, you won't be able to stop my little friends. Show them who's your master!"

Nothing happens and the crowd waits in uncomfortable silence.

"Set forth and attack, demons. Why are you suddenly silent? Don't you want your snacks? Do as I say!"

A loud creaking can be heard from the statue as it suddenly leans forward menacingly. Before being able to fully turn to look back, Samuel screams as he is buried in a pile of heavy wood.

People rushed in to try and help, but it was too late. The townsfolk found that Samuel's corpse wasn't the only one there- behind the statue was a half eaten rabbit.