Rhythmloid

Mysteries of Grimsworth

“... Madeline... She saw him... was she cheating on you too? Is that why she ran away? I know, cake will make you feel better!” Madeline stumbled to the refrigerator and opened the door. The cake she pulled out as smashed on one side yet perfect on the other. She took the cake knife and cut a neat slice of cake. She handed it to Julian and gave a slice to herself.

The moment she placed the cake on her own plate, she began eating with her hands. The head of her husband was placed next to her as she gobbled down the cake. As she ate, she began choking. She spit out a piece of food that plopped on the dining table. Inside was something shiny. She ignored the piece and continued eating her slice. Even though her face was horrific, it showed a sign of genuine pleasure. Ms. Bitterling’s cakes must have been that good.

Meanwhile, Charlie slowly came out from the living room, hiding behind the wall that lead into the kitchen.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie fumbled with her words. “W-woman.... she.... He’s gone....” Charlie sat on the floor and hugged her knees. Her body was shaking and poor Charlie couldn’t catch her breath.

The woman in the bedroom yelled. “WHERE ARE YOU!? Get back here you skank! You tried to take him away from me didn’t you!?” Charlie shrieked and dashed out of the kitchen and hid in the living room. The woman came out with her husbands head, stroking his hair gently.

“See? Aren’t I the better girl? Aren’t you glad you married me? You don’t need that other bitch, do you...” The woman sing songed to the head in her hands. “I’m hungry... let’s eat more wedding cake! We have lots left!” The woman began to make her way towards the kitchen.

Chessboard

Bump it up one more time

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie scanned the living room, looking for the cake and the ring supposedly inside. She swallowed the vomit that would come up ever so often. Oh, she couldn’t stand the smell. She had to find the source of the smell before she became too sick to move.

The further she went down the hall into another room, the stronger it became. It was unbearable, so poor Charlie had to breathe through her mouth. A moaning sound was heard through one of the rooms. Charlie gulped and pushed it open Er so slightly. She saw something unspeakable.

A woman still in her wedding gown was laying on the master bed. Her dress was died red with someone’s blood. A man laid next to her, dead. His body was mangled beyond recognition while his head was between her breasts. His expression was horrifying. The blood tricked down his mouth and eyes. The husbands flesh was rotting, swarmed with flies and maggots.

Charlie didn’t realize it was her screaming. The bride shot up from her bed and growled like a dog. Charlie ran into theitchen and threw up in the sink, nearly crying.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie’s jaw nearly dropped. “I.... nice job Julian!” She quietly pushed the door all the way open. The hallway was dark with the flicker of the television seen across the walls. It smelled like the garbage wasn’t taken out for a long while. Charlie plugged her nose and gagged. She slowly made her way to the living room.

The house was the equivalent to a hoarders. It was covered in wet papers, dark stains on the carpet, and a smell that wouldn’t go away. “Julian... check the kitchen... I’m gonna be sick....” Charlie whispered.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

“Yes, hopefully... I’m sure they’ll understand!” About a three hours walk later, they finally reached the house. It seemed empty and lifeless. Their home was covered in beautiful flowers. It was prevalent that they loved gardening. But they didn’t seem to like to clean up after themselves.

Oh the sides of the house were a shovel and a rusty watering can that looked dented. Charlie cautiously rang the doorbell of the house. She waited a few seconds before trying again. “Hm... there should be someone home... you wanna try Julian?” Charlie offered.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Ms. Btterling smiled. “Well, the cinnamon rolls are 3 pounds per roll. Eight for 3.” Before she continued, she sat on a stool and sighed.

“It was my fault for being so clumsy. I looked all over the kitchen, the house, and the shop but my ring wasn’t anywhere. The couple that came in were already in their wedding garbs. It looked like they had already gotten married. They told me that their original cake was ruined and they needed another one as soon as possible. I agreed to help them so I made a simple white cake with light blue frosting, to match the brides eyes. They were the only ones to come in that day, and after I made the cake, my ring was gone!”

Ms. Bitterling sighed. “My ring is nothing but a gold band. My husband and my names are carved inside it with the word “love” in the middle. There is nothing else to it, but its the most precious thing I own. Please get it back.”

Charlie finally stuck her head out of the macaron display and smiled. “No problem! We can solve anything! Lets go right now! Oh wait, where do they live?” She asked sheepishly. Ms. Bitterling sighed and handed her a paper with the address.

“Of course, its on the other side of the dome... Welp, we better get walking! Thanks Miss! The next time we see you we’ll be giving you your ring back! Bye Bye!” Charlie burst out of the bakery and made her way to the newly wed’s house.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie beamed. “Yes! I knew you would agree! Lets go right away!” Charlie grabbed her bag, put on her top hat and dashed out the door, dragging out poor Julian with her. With haste, they made it to the quaint little bakery.

Charlie drooled at the delicious cakes inside while a round, short, old lady shuffled behind Julian and tugged on his shirt.

“Hello dearie, did you order a cake? What’s your phone number?” Her hand was shakey. She had a demeanor of someone who was very sweet but very forgetful.

“Hello, Ms. Bitterling! You called us to help you find your ring for you, no?” Charlie called out while admiring the pastries.

“Oh...? Oh! Yes yes! Well, I think i dropped it inside a cake I was baking. But it was already delivered! Could you go get it for me? I made a cute wedding cake for the lovely couple, but I guess they had their wedding at home! They said something about a private party. Oh dear, please get my ring back! It’s almost like I lost my husband...” The old lady frowned.

Charlie felt bad for the widow. “We’ll help you! Right, Julian?”

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie shook her head, ready to explode out of her leather boots.

“Nope! You know the old lady, Ms. Bitterling, who runs the bakery!? Well, she asked us to help solve a mystery! Isn’t that exciting!? Her old wedding right went missing along with her cake and now we have to solve it!” Charlie clapped her hands and jumped up and down. While Julian, on the other hand, looked impressed to say the least.

His face went from rather interested to “please leave me alone.” Charlie sighed.

“I know that we always solve the little cases, but this is how we work our way up to the top! Soon, we’ll be well known! I just know it!” The professor said confidently.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie sat at her desk. The whirring of her creations filled the room. The trinkets of metal birds and frogs were the fruit of her labor. The clock ticked loudly as she tossed out junk mail. She couldn’t understand why people would waste valuable paper on her for junk mail. As she was glancing at the envelope, the top corner did not have a return address. She opened the letter and read outloud to herself.

After reading it over she gasped.

“JULIAN YOULL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT I GOT!!!” She bursted through the door and into Julian’s study with a loud thud.