Rhythmloid

The Battle of Sea Salt Bay

The kid nods happily and smiles. “Yeah! I wanna play with you! Let’s play!” He said, grabbing Chet’s hand and following him down the path. The child was being taken away from a very bad decision.

The Battle of Sea Salt Bay

The slicks were too busy chanting about the end of the Turbos to notice the crunch. Except for one little slick. He seemed a little too young to be around these kids, but they didn’t seem to mind. He turned around and slipped away from the rest without being noticed. The young one tugged on Chet’s shirt as he was trying to slip away. The boy had blonde hair and his eye was swollen shut. Like he had been beaten up recently. The boy looked no older than 10.

“H-hey, where are you going? Are you gonna play slicks with us?” He asked quietly, his eyes beaming with innocence. The poor child didn’t realize what group he was hanging out with.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie smiled as she held her box of sweets. “Come one Julian! Lets go out to eat! We can figure this out better with full stomachs! I wanna eat at that new cafe!” She said. “Bye, Ms. Bitterling! See you soon!” She dragged Julian by the wrist and walked outside down the street.

“Julian, youre paying for lunch since I payed for the macarons!” Charlie said, even though they were free.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

“Oh no, I’m not mistaken. She had poisoned her glass of wine the night they were married. I’ve heard people couldn’t feel her heart beating... oh dear, this is rather depressing. How about I give you a case of macarons for your troubles? Just tell me which ones you want.” She offered. She went behind the counter and pulled out an empty box.

“ALL OF THEM!” Charlie exclaimed.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie burst into the bakery with the ring in her hand.

“MS. BITTERLING WE GOT YOUR RING FOR YO- oh hello!” Charlie said, walking in on the police officers inside. The two were talking to Ms. Bitterling and writing down everything she said. They all looked at Charlie and Julian, waiting for their next move.

“U-uh... we got your ring back!” Charlie took out the ring and placed it in the old woman’s hands.

“Oh, thank you! You two did a wonderful job! Ah, I’ll have to mail your check to your house...” Before Ms. Bitterling could finish, an officer stepped in front of her and stared down and Charolette and Julian. He had a thick beard and mustache combo and we was muscular, nonetheless. Overall, he looked like a grizzly bear. No one would want to get on his bad side.

“Actually, Ma’am, I’d like to ask you and your partner some questions. Where did you find this ring? Be honest.” He growled.

“U-uh, at the house Ms. Bitterling gave her last wedding cake to...” Charlie said nervously.

“Mm hm...” He said, writing it down. “Was anyone in the house?”

Charlie gulped. “Y-yeah, the wife was, um, and her-“ Before he could finish, the chief’s partner got a call. The dots and dashes the machine created made his face curl.

“God dammit, we need to go to the house ASAP! They need back up!” The two bowed and took their leave. After a few minutes of silence, Charlie spoke up.

“What was that all about?” She asked.

“Oh, the woman I sold the cake to... she... she killed her husband. You may have already saw it. She went into a horrifying rage when she found out her fiancé was cheating on her. But something even more strange happened. After she killed her husband, she killed herself. She felt so awful that she couldnt live with the guilt. But people claim to have seen the woman walking around town, stumbling like shes drunk or crazy. I don't believe in spirits but its still rather scary...” Ms. Bitterling explained.

Charlie stood there in shock and looked at Julian.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie took a large bite of her pancakes and shrugged. “That’s alright. I’m surprised you could carry me. I’ve been gaining a lot of weight lately... I’m impressed!” Charlie blushed. She had never been picked up before. Maybe by her father when they played games but never like this. It made her feel cared for.

“And after breakfast we can return the ring. But about that lady... I dont want to get involved... Come on, lets just return the ring. I dont want to think about that girl anymore.” Charlie shoved her face full of pancakes and ended the conversation.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie shrugged. “Ms. Bitterling said she would but I dont know what she’ll pay us in. Oh, I hope its food... I’m starving...” she grumbled. Money was something their business needed. They didnt get paid often unless one of Charlies trinkets were sold or when they solved something minor. Hopefully, Ms. Bitterling would pity the two and give them a handsome tip.

“Whatever, lets just go to bed. I wanna sleep for the next few days. Or weeks.” Charlie yawned and headed into her room to go change into her pajamas and sleep off the bad decisions made that night.*

Mysteries of Grimsworth

Charlie blushed as she was met with a warm embrace. It certainly beat the cold metalic feel of her creations.

"No Julian! We can't do That! The police will question what we were doing in her house! Let's just wait, someone is bound to report the rotting flesh smell. Let's get out of here ASAP!" Charlie jumped up and tugged poor Julain’s arm nearly out of his socket.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

After Julian whispered in her ear and spoke her a bit, Charlie came to her senses. Her eyes fluttered open as the cold air hit her face. She sat up and looked around. Did she get drunk again? Or was it all a dream? Charlie stood up, dusting herself off.

The professor took a look at Julian. His eyes were red and puffy. “Hey, hey what happened? Dont cry... come on, lets go home. I don't wanna be here anymore. This place is creepy!” Charlie tugged on his arm.

Mysteries of Grimsworth

The bride seemed too busy with her cake and her husband’s head to notice Julian infront of her. After eating a hefty slice of cake, the woman grew tired. She made her way back to her room and sat on her bed, stroking and caressing the head.

Meanwhile, Charlie was ready to cry. She wanted to go home, hide under the covers, and not wake up for a few days or so. She felt sick to her stomach. Her legs gave way and she collapsed on the floor, unable to move. She couldn’t make a noise, she couldn’t think, she could barely breathe. A few short moments later, Charlie fainted.