Chapter 54: The Cursed Town of Raven's Fair and the Strongest Doll Billy
The situation in Prosperity could be handled or could escalate.
As long as support arrived in time, dealing with this nest of mutated spiders wouldn't be too difficult.
Coupled with Danny having burned several nests with fire earlier, the matter was basically resolved with proper backup.
However, it would probably be difficult for Prosperity to thrive again.
Excluding those who had already died, many people had developed severe arachnophobia due to the mutated spiders and likely wouldn't stay in Prosperity, choosing instead to relocate.
Danny's town was one of the most desirable areas nearby.
Housing prices were expected to see a surge.
However, none of this had much to do with Danny; what he needed to pay attention to was a town called Raven's Fair.
This was a cursed town.
If there was no definite news from the Warren couple about Annabelle, Danny planned to go to this town to investigate.
The next day.
Danny found out about a suspicious death in the town of Raven's Fair through his police contact.
A man named Jamie, who had recently moved from Raven's Fair with his new wife, Lisa, but not long ago, Lisa suddenly died under mysterious circumstances at their home.
The police suspected Jamie of foul play, but without any evidence and given the bizarre nature of the death, they had to release him.
After receiving the news, Danny requested a few days off from school and went to Jamie's address.
Danny taking time off was already a common occurrence.
With the Warrens vouching for him with the Church, the school wouldn't want to cause problems, and his professor approved his request readily.
Before leaving.
Danny went to the storage area where he'd left Art the Clown to check on things.
Art had been left outside containment, allowed to do as he pleased with certain targets.
As soon as he entered, he smelled a mix of blood and strange odors.
Like something cooking?
Hearing the movement, Art looked up and, upon seeing Danny, very theatrically displayed his handiwork.
On a makeshift table, Mark's limbs had been removed, his body connected to some kind of IV setup likely keeping him barely alive, with only his eyes and ears functional to witness his own dismemberment.
All the severed parts were soaking in a large pot.
Next to them were several newly captured associates from Mark's group.
When they saw Danny, they frantically tried to plead with their eyes, their mouths taped shut.
They were utterly terrified.
Perhaps in the art of torture, Art could give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money.
After displaying his work.
Art took out a small horn from his garbage bag, intending to perform for Danny.
"Alright, alright, you continue enjoying yourself. I have things to do, so I'm heading out."
Danny didn't take Art with him; bringing this guy on this trip to Raven's Fair wouldn't be helpful, so he let him stay here and continue his work.
After Danny left.
Art put down the horn and picked up a hacksaw again, waving it over the captives; he truly fed off their fear.
After being dismissed for so long, he finally found his groove again.
…
Campus.
In one of the lecture halls where class was in progress.
Several students were missing from their seats again, their empty desks particularly noticeable.
The professor, however, was already used to it; students were always disappearing or dropping out.
Maria looked back at the window seat; he didn't come to class today? What happened?
Although she had questions, she didn't dare to ask.
Just as she instinctively avoided Jennifer's gaze every time she saw her.
However, Maria was still too naive, thinking she was being subtle.
In reality, Jennifer had long noticed this new transfer student eyeing her boyfriend.
If Danny hadn't told her to leave it alone, she would have already confronted her with her friends.
…
The crime scene.
Jamie and Lisa's new home.
When Danny arrived at the scene, the police tape had already been removed, and a veteran detective led Danny inside to investigate.
The victim's body had already been taken to the morgue.
The veteran detective roughly described the state of Lisa's death to Danny.
"Her mouth was forced open unnaturally wide, her tongue was ripped out—it was a horrific sight. Sir, is it because of..."
The detective probably knew a little about Danny's role with the Church, and having worked in law enforcement for so many years, he believed in those things that lurked in the darkness, especially with this manner of death.
Danny looked at the detective in mild surprise, then nodded.
"Yes, you'd best stay clear of this one."
Indeed, there was a reason why he'd survived decades as a small-town detective.
The veteran detective nodded, sighing.
"There's a young detective at the station named Lipton who doesn't believe in these things. He's convinced Jamie killed his wife and has been investigating on his own."
Danny recalled that the detective was a decent guy, just stubborn; he wouldn't believe in the supernatural unless it was staring him in the face.
"Can't help that; these matters can only be acknowledged on a need-to-know basis. It's the same everywhere."
The detective said no more, focusing his attention on Danny, hoping to learn something from him.
Perhaps he could use it someday if he encountered something similar.
Danny focused his supernatural senses, and information appeared.
"Traces of the puppet Billy detected."
Billy the puppet—among Mary Shaw's collection, he was her favorite and most powerful creation.
Danny's gaze fell on the wooden ventriloquist dummy on the sofa; it wore a black tuxedo, with eerily realistic glass eyes that seemed almost human.
This type of puppet was used for ventriloquist performances decades ago.
Although its painted pupils were motionless, Danny could feel the puppet observing him.
He picked it up and confirmed it still couldn't be contained separately.
It seemed the source was still Mary Shaw herself.
He set Billy down.
"Hey, what are you doing in my house?"
Danny and the detective turned around and saw Jamie, who had just returned home.
Danny didn't need to explain; the detective personally vouched for everything to Jamie.
Jamie, who had just returned from the police station, nodded wearily and picked up a package, revealing the puppet Billy inside.
At this moment, Jamie noticed writing hidden beneath the decorative paper on the gift box; he tore it away.
"Mary Shaw's wonderful performance in Raven's Fair."
Raven's Fair was the town where Jamie grew up, and as for the name Mary Shaw, he knew it from the old nursery rhyme and was chillingly familiar with it.
He had grown up hearing warnings about her since he was a child.
Realizing that Lisa's death might be connected to the puppet, Jamie grabbed the box, preparing to return to his hometown to investigate the truth.
Danny blocked Jamie's path and showed his Church credentials.
"Take me with you. I'm a demonologist working with the Church; I might be able to help you."
The detective's eyes showed recognition; he knew his instincts had been right and immediately supported the idea.
"Jamie, Mr. Danny became a demonologist at such a young age—he must be capable. With him along, you might avoid serious danger."
Jamie thought of the puppet, of his deceased wife's final moments, and various other disturbing occurrences, which ultimately compelled him to agree.
Danny thanked the detective.
"I appreciate it. If you ever need assistance in the future, you can reach out to me; I'd be happy to help."
With that one statement, the detective felt his career instincts had paid off.
Danny and Jamie got into the same car and headed together to the cursed town of Raven's Fair.
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