[right][sub][color=d2b48c][b]FT.[/b] [b]Journalist [color=E9F4C9]Wesley Silo[/color][/b] [@BrutalBx][/color][/sub][/right] [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210426/ec7f051d208f0d656597859ee80b37ab.png[/img] [color=a95963]____________________________________________________________________[/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/mJ2HSOX.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QrbfV6V.gif[/img] [color=a95963]____________________________________________________________________[/color] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210426/04f5dac578ff8d65b76565e44110d7da.png[/img][/center] [i]Pre timeskip, 5:59 AM on the dot: [/i] [indent][color=d2b48c]When Kylee Grimm found out there was an audacious reporter from Boston in town, she was quick to ask her father for help. She could’ve found out where he was staying on her own, or even contacted Lincoln to use his sick computer skills to trace the exact coordinates of this guy’s cellular device, but that was more work than not. Her brother had yet returned from Boston and knowing him, he would ask for a favor. Kylee did not have time for a quid pro quo. Daddy had [i]resources[/i] right at hand. He was fast and efficient. Why waste her time going through her brother when she could just go to the man that loved her the most? The mayor’s youngest daughter didn’t want to lose this opportunity, nor did she want anyone to interview him first. Her father was surprisingly agreeable, even validating her, saying it would be a good idea to get to know this outsider, who might disrupt the peace of his town. Taking a deep sip of her matcha tea, straight from Cafe Rochambeau, Mr. Beau knew how early Kylee got up so he made an exception to have something prepared for her before the cafe’s open hours, the self-involved princess prepared to go on her livestream, in one of the studios at [i]Absolute Sound[/i]. [i]Main Street Music of Edenridge[/i] was one of the businesses her father invested in, so the studios themselves were industry standard and she preferred to separate work from play. Beside her, with an assortment of donuts in front of him, was the star of the day. Wesley Silo. Kylee would be lying if she said she didn't find this man [i]appealing[/i]. Mr. Silo was that kind of handsome that started with the depth and intrigue in his hazel eyes and went to his perfectly sculpted face that got into your bones, causing you to shiver at how [i]natural[/i] he smiled. From there, you start noticing other things, like how his voice quickened when he sparked with excitement, clearly thrilled to unravel the many tragedies of her home. Still, this was not the time to mix play with work. She would bury her admiration to uncover a bit more of this man. A man who wanted to get involved with something far bigger than him. This episode she’d call: Cloaked Mysteries. He was already debriefed of how things went and for the most part, Kylee was all about having her conversations with her guest flow organically. She didn’t want to force anything. Truths cannot be found if there is a script. Of course, Kylee never came unprepared, she had questions on the back of her mind, but if she thought of something better, she would certainly scrap her notes if it meant delving into something compelling and worth the listen. Turning her broadcast on once the clock striked 6 AM, she let her intro [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kuULmJKcko]music[/url] fade in, with added sound design, when it was time for her to talk, Kylee gingerly faded the sound to a low volume, as she enthusiastically chimed in, [color=a95963]“Hello everybody! Kylee Grimm here on Eden Angels for the next couple of hours of my show that’s all about keeping you informed, entertained, and involved with our post-apocalyptic home!”[/color] [i]Pause.[/i] Giggling, she continued, [color=a95963]“...Kidding! You know I love it here. As always, Edenridge is where our story begins and we’re on Dawn Patrol!”[/color] By the time she finished her spiel, the edit version of the song had vanished completely. Glancing over at the reporter, giving him a cue with her eyes, which was her way of saying, you’re almost up, Kylee announced his presence, [color=a95963]“Today is a special day. We don’t usually have someone from outside of town here, but today, today we do and I’m so excited! I hope you’re ready because I’d like to introduce you all to Wesley Silo, Mr. Boston Reporter.”[/color] [i]Clapping sound bit.[/i] [color=a95963]“Hey, Mr. Silo, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and what brings you to our little home,”[/color] Kylee beamed at the man beside her. [color=E9F4C9]"Happy to be here, Kylee.”[/color] Wes was not at all comfortable doing this type of thing. He was a nerd, a joke, a social outcast smothered in his Jewish curls. Yet if this was what he had to do to get his story, then that’s what Wesley was going to do. [color=E9F4C9]"Well, as you rightly stated I’m a journalist from Boston, born and raised there, go Patriots! I write for the Globe and I love a good mystery which is why I’m here.”[/color] Wesley moved his mouth away from the microphone for a moment to take a sip from his water bottle before returning to face the brunette. [color=E9F4C9]"Five years ago, Edenridge was famous only for being the place where the Hangman Killer Alex Lewis was caught. That was it. Now here in twenty twenty one, it’s mere utterance brings feelings of dread and discomfort, like Columbine. In such a short space of time this place has had such a myriad of tragedy and I’m here to find out why. I don’t believe in ghosts Miss Grimm but if I did, I’d say this town has its fair share.”[/color] Raising an eyebrow, engaged and curious of what the future holds for her guest, Kylee smirked, [color=a95963]“I’d like to challenge your thoughts and quote Steve Crain, from The Haunting of Bly Manor, ‘Ghosts are [i]guilt[/i], ghosts are [i]secrets[/i], ghosts are [i]regrets[/i] and [i]failings[/i], but most times, most times a ghost is a [i]wish[/i]’. Are you truly ready to discover the many ghost stories Edenridge has to share and all the monsters lurking behind the veil? You do realize you’re going to make people angry, right?”[/color] When she finished her spiel, she took a contemplative sip of her drink. [color=E9F4C9]"I’m a journalist, Miss Grimm. Making people angry comes with the territory.”[/color] Wes had spent much of his youth getting beaten down by bullies and much of his early journalism career being told no or that he wasn’t good enough. [color=E9F4C9]"There are strange things afoot here in Edenridge. Crime rates are ridiculously high. Kids are killing kids and the sheer amount of unsolved deaths alone would fill about five seasons of Cold Case. Case in point, the letter sitting to your right right now,”[/color] The Bostonian motioned with his eyes to a small slip of paper that was sitting just to Kylee’s left. [color=E9F4C9]"If I’m not mistaken, that is one of Charlie Decker’s journal entries which are being sent to Eden residents. I’d like to figure out the who, the how and the why behind that to start.”[/color] [color=a95963]“Whoever is behind these letters is kind of [i]sadistic[/i]. You’re not the only one who wants to know. All this town is trying to do is heal, but someone doesn’t want us to forget,”[/color] Kylee reached for the letter, letting her hand run on Charlie’s handwriting, [color=a95963]“It’s funny. How much Charlie Decker saw, yet kept inside. Sad, really. That it led him to wound this place in a way that no one can fix. I have a few theories of who it might be, or might know.”[/color] Putting the letter closer to Wes, Kylee nonchalantly inquired, [color=a95963]“Have you taken time to check out the Southside? That’s where his family is. It’s hard for me to believe none of them would know something. The girl that was practically his girlfriend, even if they never became official. Penelope James. She owns a few of his things. Or how about his, I think, best friend? Mordechai “Decky” Boaz. He was quick to leave town after it all fell apart, but I hear he’s back. There’s also that hot mess of a girl, Jade Taylor, that he kept close at one point in time. If I were you, I’d start there, but that’s just me.”[/color] Wesley was impressed with the girls hutzpa as his grandmother would say. To name and shame on a popular broadcast such as this and risk the potential of alienating herself from everyone was a bold move. [color=E9F4C9]"You’re very quick to point fingers at those closest to Charlie. Yet whose to say it’s not someone from your side of town? Someone who discovered everything and felt different? If I’m not mistaken, your own father, the illustrious mayor of this place, his entire campaign was based around ridding this place of crime but the Serpents as they’re called are still going strong. There could be someone in his camp pushing this stuff out there to make his failures look better.”[/color] When the reporter brought up her father, her eyes glinted with fire and spite, but she was quick to keep that fake smile on, beaming, and contest his thoughts, [color=a95963]“Well if you think you can do my father’s job better, be my guest. As if cleaning crime in this town is just a hop, skip, and a jump away,”[/color] Kylee rolled her eyes, annoyed, but it was her job to press on, [color=a95963]“It could very well be someone that lives in my neighborhood, I never said it wasn’t. But in order to find a [i]lead[/i] I think it’s better to start from the [i]beginning[/i] and work your way through the town. You can’t assume who Charlie Decker associated with on the northside, but you do know people who knew the ghost that still haunts us today. I applaud you if you decide to start with the founding families or my dad! That’s [i]ambitious[/i] of you, but right now you got nothing. You don’t even know who Charlie [i]was[/i]. So what makes you think you’ll actually figure out the case before any one of us?”[/color] This was why he didn’t do media; Wes knew that he had messed up and by challenging the beloved mayor of this place that he was probably making himself into yet another Edenridge pariah. Still he could not keep his mouth shut, that just wasn’t his style. [color=E9F4C9]"I don’t pretend to know who Charlie was. I have seen all the same journals you have and I’ve read them and reread them and followed every possible train of thought that I could. If anything you and others like you have a one up over me when it comes to this considering you were there. The difference is, this is my job, to find the truth and the truth of the matter; in my opinion, this whole thing isn’t even about Charlie. Once again, somebody is using him and the things he knew for their own gain. Whoever is doing this, isn’t trying to redeem Charlie Decker. They’re using what he knew to expose everybody else.”[/color] What was this? Some comic book story where there is a mastermind behind it all? Kylee, still young in her own way, just didn’t get why this reporter thought this was more than just bad luck. Edenridge was an unlucky town and death happened. It was part of life. [color=a95963]“That’s one big conspiracy you have there,”[/color] She sipped her drink once more, before continuing, [color=a95963]“I get that these letters are premeditated and have a clear purpose, but what if it really isn’t that deep? What if someone is just mad and trying to spread chaos? Based on the letters thus far, it makes this whole town out to be the enemy. We all failed Charlie Decker. We failed Alison Davis. Amanda Caulfield. Maxine James. All those that died the day of the shooting. What could someone really gain from some sad boy’s death? Even if he did know more than he should’ve, I still don’t get how that can help [i]anyone[/i]. All it does is cause us to not trust one another.”[/color] [color=E9F4C9]"Maybe that’s the point, as you say, to create chaos. Either way, this is what I’m here to figure out.”[/color] Wes took another sip from his water and glanced down at the letter once again. Those little slips of paper were the key to everything. The police had tried to track them. They had tried DNA. Nothing was pinging back. That was a mystery unto itself to unravel. [color=E9F4C9]"It’s my sincerest hope that the people of this town welcome me in. I’m not here to drudge up old feelings and bad memories. I just want the truth. I’m here to help.”[/color] [color=a95963]“I suppose that’s admirable of you. I’m sure, whether they’re ready or not, there are people who want closure. No matter how much it hurts, people deserve the truth so all I can do is wish you the best of luck,”[/color] scribbling a quick thought down, hardly readable because of how tiny she wrote (it had to do with her talking to someone about something), Kylee mused to her guest, [color=a95963]“Can I assume you’re going to be at the school tonight?”[/color] [color=E9F4C9]"Maybe. I’ve got a few other leads to check today besides…”[/color] He bowed his head towards the girl and smiled, [color=E9F4C9]"There’s already going to be one reporter there getting all the juicy details.”[/color] Wes casually glanced at his watch, knowing full well that the interview was nearly over [i]thank god[/i] and he could get in with his investigation. He did have a point. She would be there and if he was willing to share information with her, she could do the same for him. Still, Kylee did wonder if bringing an outsider into all of this would benefit anyone. Then again, maybe an outsider was just what Edenridge needed. [color=a95963]“You’re right about that. I do appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to talk to me. I hope we can stay connected. Who knows what the other may find! Now, listeners, we’re entering our intermission so please listen to some sweet vibes, starting with [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0siAhk2DlgA]Ghost[/url] by Au/Ra & Alan Walker.”[/color] After switching the broadcast to play a pre-prepared playlist, Kylee put her tea down, stood up, and apologized, [color=a95963]“I’m sorry if I came off strong! Sometimes I get carried away and you mentioned my dad… I’m sorry!”[/color] Following the smaller girl's lead, Wesley stood up to his full lanky height and smiled, [color=E9F4C9]"Please I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring your father into this. Sometimes my mouth decides to write cheques that it can’t cash. I have a habit of letting my two hundred mile an hour brain dictate my words.”[/color] Scratching the thin fuzz beneath his chin, the reporter entertained a thought before reaching into his tan blazer and handing Kylee his card. [color=E9F4C9]"In case you have any information you want to share. I think with a talented insider like you, my job could be a whole lot easier. We could really make a difference together. Just think about it.”[/color] Holding his card between her pointer and middle finger, examining it, Kylee twinkled in eagerness. The age difference was transparent between these two, from experience to attitude, but that didn't mean they didn't share a common goal. Plus, he made her feel like she could be a valuable asset to him and that’s what she cared about more than anything in the world. [color=a95963]“I’ll give it some thought, Mr. Silo. If I do give you a call, that’s a BIG IF, I want ice cream,”[/color] she winked at the journalist, before checking the time and as fast as she let him in, she kicked him out of the studio, [color=a95963]“It’s been great having you! I still got a show to host. Have a good rest of your day, sir, and beware of all the ghosts watching you. OooooOoOoOooooo!”[/color] After closing the door behind her, Kylee leaned up against it, dwelling on the interview that just transpired. She should be more worried about the repercussions, but she was too busy immersing herself in the emotional complexity of social ether and all the fascinating points that Mr. Silo brought to the table. A man who didn’t believe in ghosts. [color=a95963]“We’ll see how long that lasts.”[/color][/color][/indent]