WesternOutlaw

Herman walks into the stables followed by Austin close behind. All of a sudden, clenching metal jaws slam tight around Herman's ankle. SNAP! He yells out in extreme pain!!! Then he passes out. Seems someone placed a bear trap in the hay. Herman Richwell sustains 3 life points damage, and unless he gets the bear trap off his ankle and stops the bleading soon, he will sustain more... Everyone quickly gathers around Herman...

Surprisingly, the train station is open. You decide to enter to find the following: - Large ticket counter/booth - Drinking fountain - Some old train signs/posters laying in one of the corners of the lobby - A locked door

There are some mid-sized boxes along the side wall next to a sliding door and a single small/medium box below the hoist. The track also continues toward the darker area of the shed.

It's been a long time since we had a train 'round these PARTS Mr. (little train part humor, get it?)

You make your way to the stables as the sun sets in the distance. All of you begin to feel an eerie chill upon your back, the wind blowing ever so lightly... A wolf howls in the distance... The stables are rather dark inside with hay slewn about the ground. There's some rusty farm tools hanging on one of the walls.

The team of six arrive at an abandoned train engine shed. Opening the large unlocked doors, they enter cautiously... Hans flips a light switch as the windows have been boarded up allowing very little outside light to enter. Even with the light, visibility is very dim. Scattered parts lay along the floor as well as a number of tools used to repair various trains. "Doesn't look like this place has been used in 40 years", Steve says honestly...

At this time, you can return to the car for a further inspection, or continue up the stairs to the offices on the 2nd floor. I need specifics.

Dang nab it! I just sorted out all my Farm House pictures, now I need to break out some of the stables! Okay, if you must... (begins sorting out stable pictures as you walk toward it). We'll be there soon! Damn indecisive City Slickers. Give 'em one thing, and they want another. Next they'll be asking me about that kettle!

Yes, the kettle is of no importance. This is what happens when items are "pulled out of no where". They get written in, then others mention them, then they become clues. I don't exactly remember where it came from or who who has it now, but it's just a kettle with no significance to the story. Group 4 / Chapter 6D is open again. Let's continue and no one should feel bad about what has occured or my light whipping. Just consider it part of the learning experience. Good luck everyone! (I've got a Land of the Lost marathon to catch up with now).

Wew! I thought we'd never make it! Any of you want to stop in the station for a drink? -if that cheap mayor didn't turn the water off. It's been a while since this old station had any passengers visit... Suddenly, you get a strange vision of a dark green and orange BNSF locomotive roaring by the station. - definately wishful thinking. You climb up the platform to take a closer look at the old classic-style station.

As you walk toward Jeb and Jethro's rather remote farm, you eventually come to an open clearing. "There's my house", Jeb says with excitement, "not much, but's got all the amenities of a warm home. You city slickers hungry"? A cow "moo's" in the distance. Interest'n. You don't say...

As you discuss whether or not to check out the car or the Mayor's office first, Jim opens the door to the dark garage. "Just a quick peek", he says as he sees the little yellow classic. "Isn't she a beauty"? the Mayor adds.

You continue walking west / northwest toward the train shed with Hans leading the way...

Is she one of those fancy-shmancy hollywood stars? Or some hippidy-hop singer that sings about guns and crime? Are you some kinda paparazzi who's out to take a picture? I don't trust you City folk...

Next word out of you will result in your new character being Scrappy the Mystery Dog.

Hey Scruffy, boy... So, where'd you hide my rifle this time? Last time I finds it, he hid in the bushes near the well. Damn mystery pooch! We're gett'n close now. You can make out the roof of the silo over yonder (points toward the sunset).

The small group of six make their way toward the single blue-painted door of the town hall. Admiring the "Classic Town" architecture, the mayor points out that the structure was built in the 20s, before running water and indoor plumbing. Well, this is our lovely town hall folks. Isn't it a lovely building? a real "Legend" if you will. It's two floors with a large office on the 2nd. I've also got a little yellow lemon parked in the garage (never know when you need to make a "clean-get-away", if you know what I mean). I don't drive much, as it's been a while since we got our last Octan fuel wagon in. Trains just don't stop here like they use to, but we're glad you folks were able to visit, even if it's just to repair your train.

So, Pete, you'r a pretty quiet guy. What do you do here in town. I love that classic red "Beat It" jacket, but do you always where a hard hat? And Dave, that's an interesting uniform you've got there. Did you say you're a conductor?

This group needs a little time to gather their thoughts...

Just STOP! No more, please. We'll just continue from my last post. Don't worry about what you wrote or edited. TheBrickster slowly takes a hidden revolver from his vest aiming it at the next person that prevents him from catching up with the actions of the other three groups... "Who's first"; he whispers, as he eagerly cocks the trigger... "Let's see, will six bullets be enough"?

That's fine now. It's done. Let's just continue forward. Consider the train, the bridge, and the arrival at the semi just visions of your eagerness to escape Willoughby.

Guys: I'm really glad that you're enjoying the mystery, but I just explained to one of the groups that they're getting way ahead of the story. I just spent more than 1/2 hour (not including this message) "undoing" and explaining to them that I need time to deliver the CORRECT scenerio before we can continue along the logical path. This deters me from updating each thread as I was preparing to do. While this entire mystery is somewhat open-ended allowing interactivity and dynamic movement (not talking about Private Messaging), it does have some sequenced events that need to occur - like the Emerald Express stalling in Willoughby. When groups go off on a tangents, they're assuming that something will happen when in fact they may not. Trains coming out of no where, weapons that just so happen to be in your pocket, and actions occuring before arriving at your destination are all examples of bad story that I try to eliminate from my mysteries. The story needs to flow, and I need a chance to delivery your scenerio and choices. Please do not do this. If you have a question, ask me, but don't assume that you can determine what will occur next. If that were the case, you wouldn't need me at all and this Mystery would simply be a "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night" scenerio in which each participant just makes up the story as they go along.

As the wayward group sees a station in the distance, they realize that they are definately getting a bit thirsty, almost to the point of having delusions. Thinking of driving away in a semi truck or a brightly colored BNSF locomotive picking them up, they can only continue to hope for a way out of Willoughby... but no such luck... Not much further now! I can see the station ahead. We might even be able to find some water inside folks. Let's focus on what we set out to do and quit looking for alternate routes. Oh, Conductor (what did you say your name was), Max. Seems to me that just because you know a bit about trains, that doesn't mean you're gonna find one in your pocket. He He He He He... Oh, and the Cassandra Crossing is miles from here. We definately need wheels to get there, and I've got your ticket (10 of them on my Semi). Or would you rather hop in that imaginary train of yours? He He He He He!

I heard'ya boy! You City folk ask too many questions. I was wait'n for Jethro to tell you all about the Mayor, seems he's the one that wrote the book. I admit that I don't always agree with the Mayor, but that don't mean he's a do'n nuttin' wrong. He likes to see new blood come into town, but can't say that I feels the same. I think it's best that you City folk stays out'a Willoughby. It's a nice place, and a whole lot better without you all. What boy, did I spook the pants off ya? You've heard of Children of the Corn, aint ya? Seems there's some stories about the same in this here corn field. I've got some scarecrows set out in the woods, and I hav'em hold'n a few blades to help me and Jethro. They won't hurt you though, 'long you don't get near 'em by accident. There's one now! BOO! Silly City folk, what'd you think I meant it was alive? Let's stop talk'n and get to walk'n. It'll be dark soon...

As the sun sets in the distance, the sky seems to turn an almost yellow color, similar to the hue of the golden-brown corn. It is late in the afternoon and you're wondering how much longer will the walk to the farm take. The dense rows of corn seem to be getting more dense as you continue walking, the path narrowing every few yards. It's easy to get lost in this here corn field folks, esp. if you don't know where you're headed. You might also watch out for scarecrows, because if you're not a look'n, you may just run right into one, and get a blade stuck in your belly!