THE BIT BEFORE THE START
It was a typical night in the city: bright lights, affected crowd.
The scent of street food wafted into the air, mingling with the cigarette smoke and vanishing into the skies. The chattering was indistinct, but incessant: everyone had something to say. It was a busy night, but, in this particular district of Kowloon, this was the norm. Every night was another night for drinking; every night was another night to forget the troubles of yesterday.
And while the locals waited for their favorite vendors, tourists snapped a million photos of the same icons: neon Chinese sign, a curry fish ball stand, a hundred or so people walking up and down the streets. Everyone was having a good time. Everyone but a few, who, for one reason or another, felt a chill go down their spine.
It was the slightest of feelings—no longer than a fraction of a second—but it was an uncomfortable one. It made their hair stand on its end and their hearts beat a little faster. Their fingers itched and their legs trembled at an unidentified thought. It was only for a second (if even that) and then it was gone, over as soon as it had started. They took a deep breath, looked around, and settled on confusion. Everything was normal; everything was as it should be.
Some asked if their friends felt it (An earthquake?) and others didn't say a word. It wasn't anything, they told themselves. It was just exhaustion, they explained, comforted by their own justifications. They promised to take it easier in the future—fewer late nights, less overtime. But even though they were desperately trying to fight away the feeling of distress, there was a recess of their mind that refused. It knew something was wrong. It knew something bad was about to happen.
And it was right.
Of course, at the time, none of them could have known. It wasn't their job to know; they weren't equipped to handle the situation even if they had chanced upon it. They were simple, ordinary people—students, part-timers, salary workers. And because they couldn't act, someone lost a daughter.
Or would it be more emotional to say that someone lost a mother? In any case, someone died that night and the cops aren't going to be helpful. But they will end up taking the credit for solving the case.
THE CASE (WHAT THE CHARACTERS KNOW / WILL KNOW)
█ TIME / DATE: 0830 / 18 SEPTEMBER 2014
█ LOCATION: KOWLOON, HONG KONG
█ CONDITIONS: 82 DEGREES / 94% HUMIDITY / 3 MPH WIND
❶. The team was called in this morning (at a little earlier than 0830) and debriefed. The team was told that a suspicious death occurred late last night in a more remote area of Kowloon (an area known for its less-than-savory businesses). The girl was murdered, but, more importantly, her soul was missing:
it never showed up for its check-in.
❷. A woman (Jane Doe, 20-25) was found dead; her body dumped behind a dumpster. There were third degree burns all over her body and no defensive wounds. There were no signs of a struggle: she had gone willingly with her attacker. (
To learn this information, someone will have to visit the crime scene.)
❸. There are also no head wounds or ligature marks to suggest that her attacker had physically subdued her. The police suspect the attacker had used either a gun or a knife to persuade her to cooperate. They, however, have no real leads or explanation for the burns (someone, in jest, suggested a homemade flamethrower). (
To learn this information, someone will have to visit the crime scene.)
❹. The Death God, over coffee, had suggested that the team, at some point of their investigation, should locate a particular antique shop. The owner should be of exceptional help. The shop is a tiny building sandwiched by depressed structures; it isn't in a pleasant part of town, but the exterior has managed to keep its glamor. Inside, the store is littered with interesting babbles, the owner can be summoned by a small bell at the front desk.
❺. The Jane Doe is a working girl or, in layman's term, a prostitute. She was out scouting for potential customers when it happened. Her name is Li Bai Lian and she is 24 and she has a son (6 years old this winter). She lives one stop away from where she died, but there aren't going to be any clues at her apartment. Of course, it might be a good idea to, somehow, let the family know what happened to her? It might also be a good idea to let the police know too. But do it discreetly. (
To learn this information, someone with psychometry will have to figure out a way to touch something belonging to the deceased, but with all that police presence, this can get tricky. Don't want to appear on the detectives' radar, right?)
❻. This isn't the average murder and, word of advice, be careful at nightfall. Who knows what hides in the dark?
DIFFICULTY: ██████████