Spectrophobia

22: News Report

The news reporter flashed onto azure printed screen.

She was a pretty lady, long blonde hair flowing like golden waterfalls. Her eyes startlingly blue, blooming its vibrancy under her layers of delicate shading and make-up. In her hands lay the smart script of the story she was about to read out to the millions of people who gathered in their seats, eager to catch onto the latest bit of news.

The screen came up and she began to speak.

~ "Earlier this evening, a devastating fire decimated the building and residence of the house labelled number 33 down Redfield Road here in Harriet."

She paused as images of the event sprung up on the screen. Video image of the house caught in flames and men with water hoses attempting to calm and extinguish this roaring disaster.

~ "The house belonged to a local resident named Raymond Newman who, unfortunately, has passed from the sudden flames that engulfed his house. Raymond Newman was also the man arrested last week due to suspicion of murder towards his own brother: Gerald Newman."

The next few slides on the screen broke off. Now replaced with the image of the man named 'Raymond Newman.' Next to his photograph, was the one of his brother.

~ "After the fire was extinguished and a thorough investigation had taken place, police were able to identity other charred remains of people that once lay within the house. The remains that may have been connected to the several missing police officers who had attempted to arrest Mr Newman - around the time of six o'clock."

The photos of the brothers vanished off screen.

~ "At this early time, investigations are still under way as to the reason of why the house had caught fire. So far, police speculate that Raymond may have also murdered the police when they had arrested him and ignited the fire to cover his tracks. Other assume it was an act of suicide."

The screen switched to a local report from some of the residence of the area who were willing to talk and provide information.

The first one was a Mr Crawler who worked at the local market of the small town.

~ "Raymond was a good man. Always kind and generous. I doubt he could have been the one to cause all those deaths that have been running around. The poor man had a very difficult time adjusting here. We could only assume the stress and grief got the better of him. Especially with the passing of his brother."

Seemed like someone was on his side.

Another report was of one of the policemen who had supposedly interrogated the man.

~ "He was completely deranged. Completely out of it. Rambling about mirrors and reflections. He was pretty adamant when he said he hadn't killed his brother. But the evidence goes against him, otherwise. There could have been no other person who could have done it."

Fake sympathy.

The other reports all flew by, giving their own short statement - either for or against Raymond Newman. 

The local bartender at the bar told of how he was a well respected regular there. He also mentioned about his brother, Gerald Newman, who had asked him of where his brother was. Other people including a family who lived nearby reported about how he had gone insane. How he was dangerous and the killings and the fire was no accident.

Well no, it really wasn't, was it?

The reports were told and moved on. Right until the last one and the pretty blonde lady's face reappeared back on screen.

~ "Further reports show the sudden passing of a well respected officer who worked his rounds around Harriet, Kyle Anderson."

Once again, the photo of a 'Kyle Anderson' was presented on the board beside the pretty lady.

~ "Police have so far found no evidence that Raymond Newman could have cause the death of this particular officer. Investigation shows they found all of the windows of his house smashed, including mirrors that adorned his walls and even glass picture frames. So far no-one has any evidence of who may have committed the crime, or when the crime occurred."

"Reports speculate that his death may have also been caused by suicide, though the evidence prove otherwise - presenting itself as a possible break and entry. Even perhaps a robbery gone wrong. Nobody will know for sure."

The screen presented outside video footage of the house now. Indeed, its windows had been utterly smashed to pieces. Broken glass sprinkled on the ground around the crime scene.

~ "The conditions of Kyle Anderson may also provide evidence of a murder."

A warning flashed at the bottom, a warning of upsetting scenes for some viewers who may be watching. 

However, all the pictures of Kyle Anderson's body were blurred behind pixels - blanketing his dead body, preventing it from being exposed to the world.

~ "Today police enforcements in Harriet mourn the loss of their great officer, whom they can agree, was a great respectful man who was keen and loved his job."

The screen switched into the video footage of the police lining up in salute - honouring their fallen man who had done such great to them. Such great to the world. 

Soon the video ended and returned to the pretty lady.

"So far, no-one can know for sure what was the real cause behind the fire that took the life of Raymond Newman - nor his sudden actions to kill his brother. And no-one knows what had caused several officers to go missing, and one to be found killed in his own home."

She sat up.

"That is all the news we have from Harriet. And now, we move on to the next biggest sports achievements, brought to you by Ryan Filer."

Before the screen could switch onto news regarding sports, the screen began to fuzz slightly. Images glitching and spasming like a dying virus.

The screen continued to glitch for a brief amount of time until it began to run like normal. The handsome face of Ryan Filer coming up brightly on screen as he shared his piece of news regarding soccer fans all around the world.

Or something like that.

The television screen began to fade away into the darkness behind it.

Engulfed in the evil that slowly consumed it.