Moonlit Murder

Chapter One

The air was still as the moon cast its eerie, silver glow over the town. Norae stepped through the darkness, her high heel splashing in a puddle, splattering mud on her dress. She hurried past the imposing city hall, its dark stone and tall spires looming ominously in the moonlight. The flickering lights of the wrought-iron lampposts danced across the cobblestones like ghostly phantoms waltzing in a haunted ballroom, creating long, wavering shadows that seemed to reach out and grasp at her as she passed.

The town was enveloped in an almost tangible silence, broken only by the soft rustle of dry leaves skittering across the cobblestones. The distant cry of a bird echoed from the sprawling cemetery, where ghostly lanterns illuminated weathered headstones. Creeping vines clung to the dark walls, and twisted, gnarled trees swayed gently in the night breeze, their skeletal branches reaching out like bony fingers.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence, shattering the stillness. Lake, having just awoken in her ivy-clad house with its creaky wooden doors, heard the sound first. The soft murmur of the breeze and the distant croak of a frog had filled the air just moments before, but now, all Lake could hear was the chilling echo of the scream reverberating through the town.

As she peered out of her window, the twisted, gnarled trees outside swayed gently, their branches like witches' claws brushing against the glass. She could see the dark roads winding through the town, lined with houses that ranged from quaint cottages to grand mansions, each with its own peculiar charm.

The scream had come from somewhere near the city hall. Lake threw on her boots and overcoat, the leather creaking softly in the still night air, and made her way through the eerie streets toward the police station. Under the moonlight, twisted trees and wrought-iron lampposts cast exaggerated shadows, transforming the landscape into a surreal, silver-hued canvas.

When she arrived, the old stone building loomed before her, its windows glowing with the faint light of oil lamps flickering within. Lake's breath misted in front of her face as she hurried across the mossy stones, the chill of the night seeping through her overcoat.

As she approached, she saw Malum emerging from the station, his massive form illuminated by the glow of a lantern clutched in his clawed hand. His fur, dark as the night itself, bristled with an otherworldly sheen, and his horns curled ominously above his gleaming eyes. The lantern's light played upon his chiseled features, casting eerie shadows that deepened the menacing lines of his monstrous face.

"Did you hear the scream?" Lake called out, her voice trembling slightly as she caught up to him.

Malum nodded gravely, his deep voice resonating like distant thunder. Without a word, he turned and began to stride purposefully toward the direction of the city hall, his heavy footsteps crunching on fallen leaves and echoing against the stone facades of the buildings. Lake fell in behind him, her senses heightened by the scent of damp earth and the faint, sweet aroma of decay that hung in the air.

When they arrived at City Hall, they saw the vague silhouette of a body lying under the ancient oak tree. Even from a distance, they could tell it was Jacobi, the mayor. The orange color of her pumpkin head was unmistakable in the dim moonlight.

Lake let out an audible gasp, the sound hanging in the air like a mournful wail. Jacobi had been the backbone of their town, a leader, a friend whom many looked up to with respect and admiration. Lake froze in place, her heart heavy with disbelief and sorrow, unable to tear her gaze away from the tragic scene.

Malum, with his massive frame and fur-covered form, approached the body, his footsteps thudding like the heartbeat of a sleeping giant.

Meanwhile, Lake's coven began to arrive, drawn by an unspoken sense of foreboding. Malarie appeared first, her wild green hair tousled and still slightly damp from her morning shower. She hurried to Lake's side, offering silent comfort to the shaken leader of their coven.