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*The fog drifts through the streets. The gaslamps barely penetrate its soupy mass, and the air is thick with smoke and smog. Such is the town of Deadridge: a haze born out of coal fires and factory fumes, a labyrinth of streets and alleys perpetually shrouded in shadow.*

*Recently, there have been disturbing rumors amongst the ragpickers who live in the dilapidated rookeries of  this town. They claim to see strange shapes within the mist: sinister figures with monstrous faces, human heads on the bodies of beasts, grotesque hybrids of man and animal. For a time, these stories appeared to be mere rumors that plagued the town like a virus. However, when bodies began showing up bodies with flesh torn apart in unexplainable ways, the *rumors* proved to be true...*

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<center>**What happened at Deadridge**...</center>

![1633941675_Scary_hd_portrait_of_ghost_town (1).png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/zeraton/AKPixZdcHEHRkkbtHuJiUcJR3yFynGbUskFKbwT68nbw3Ew8wy8tVXRQBgWUAek.png)


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On the morning of Saturday, June 18th 1996, you receive an important message from your superior back at the Westfield Police department. Apparently, he wants you to investigate the strange occurrences that have been happening at he town of Deadridge.

"Likely a band of criminals," your superior says when he assigns you the case in his office. "I'm sure you're already familiar with that scum of a town right? Just a bunch of delusioned nut jobs making a fuss over nothing. Argh, but we still have to investigate nonetheless."

Suddenly, a man walks into the room. "And to join you in this  investigation of this *mysterious* case... here's your new partner sergeant, Frederick Mansel."

Frederick is a recent recruit: a surprisingly young man, tall and angular with a sharp nose and cold eyes. You've never worked with him before, but he's acquired a reputation for competence, though some whisper that he is a touch ruthless and reckless.

Anyway, soon you and Frederick arrive at Deadridge. It is a grimy district, comprised of low houses and narrow streets filled with rubbish. The fog is so thick, it seems almost congealed. Feeble light comes from the flickering flames in the windows of pubs. The glow of oil lamps cast bizarre shadows through the smog. There are few people in the streets—only some gangly souls scavenging for scraps among the garbage, and a solitary drunkard slumped in a doorway.

You ponder your options. You could begin by interviewing the people you see here, or nip into one of the sordid pubs. Alternatively, it would be best to explore the areas where the deaths have been reported.

"So where shall we start then chief?" Frederic asks.

"Ahh... that's a tough one. Eh, let's just take a look around first" you say.

You and Frederick then begin exploring the streets of Deadridge, but after several hours of searching, you find nothing unusual.
There's a strange smell in the air, though. 

Ultimately, you end up calling it a night, as you and Frederick head back to the squad car.

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![2192775657_Scary_horror_road_at_night_black_and_white_ (1).png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/zeraton/AJhV8AG7Np3AnagLABt13xgrDN4qzn1b8K1jM35emPXaAkXUcCfiPe8S2DpxnTv.png)


On the way, you pass by a group of ragged children playing a game of dice on the side of the street and as soon as one of them sees the police car, she calls out to you in a seemingly distressed manner.



"Hey! Hey! Cops please!... I need help!" the little girl yells. This, of course, prompts you to stop the vehicle and attend to whatever issue the little girl was exclaiming about.

"Well hello there little missy! What seems to be the problem here?" you ask the little girl whom quickly runs over to the squad car.
 
"Help! Help please! They wanna kill me! They wanna kill all of us!!" she cries.

"Huh?" Frederick mumbles in confusion from the opposite seat.

"Aiity then, time to armor up partner. Looks like we ain't quitting tonight afterall." You say.
 
"Whatever you say, you're the boss" Frederick replies with a little smug.

Slamming the door, you get out of the car and bend over to the frightened little girl. In your mind, you wonder why she looked so distressed when the rest of the children behind her were so cheerful and even playing around.

"So... Who did you say was gonna kill ya again?" You ask the little girl calmly and sweetly.

"There was a monster in the fog. We heard it breathing, and then it killed all the other kids," the little girl explains.

"Oh, I hope it ain't gonna kill us too?" Frederick chips in silently with a slight chuckle.

"I don't know..." The girl says. "It just might now that you both are here."

With a slight grin on your face, you gesture to a now slightly annoyed Frederick, in order for him to calm down and not lose his cool, before turning back to the girl.

"Don't worry missy, no monster's gonna kill you. We're here to protect ya" you reassure her.

"So, can you tell me what this person or thing looks like anyway?" you ask.

"It's big. Very big!" The girl replies, gesturing the monster's size with her hands. "It kinda looks like a giant lizard with a human face. 

"Okay, that's it!" exclaimed Frederick. "I'm sorry chief, but this little girl is clearly playing with us! It's just like our superior said, the people here are  delusioned nut heads!"

"But we can't just dismiss her claims so easily partner," you say. "She's obviously scared and in distress."

"Yes, yes, I'm sure she is... but that doesn't mean anything," Frederick insists. "Look, why don't we just go and ask her friends over there."

"Friends?" Mutters the girl suddenly. "Wait... I don't have any friends..."

"Huh?" Frederick muttered. "What're you talking about? Then who are those kids playing over there?" Frederick exclaims, as he gestures to the children behind.

"What children?..." The girl says before slowly turning back and seeing the 4 ragged kids whom had all been playing dice behind her this whole time. 

Immediately, she remarks: 
"No no! Those aren't kids! They're..."

"What do you mean those aren't kids? Frederick cuts in. "You know what Chief?... You two just wait here for a sec, i'mma go check those kids out myself." Frederick says to you, before steadily approaching the four kids on his own. 

"Oh hey there kids!" He yells as he draws nearer to the children. My name's Frederick and over there's my partner. We're from the Westfield station! And we just wanna ask you a couple questions..."

"Wait Mr!" implores the little girl, trying her best to stop Frederick.
 
But, as Frederick grew closer to the children, something very strange begins happening to the children . Instantly, all four children stopped, and turned towards Frederick's direction in a synchronized motion. Soon, they began contorting in a very disturbing like manner, as their bodies began morphing into something horrifying.

"Uh... Chief" said a confused and terrified Frederick.

"Quickly!" you yell "Everybody get in the car!"

![3873360503_Scary_little_girl_in_the_street_at_night (1).png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/zeraton/AK7wfkrfWkRcADoARo8wT2mwHdZKpC6idTsa8sviLtZqTtpCgS4SBbc8moSguuu.png)

Then, hurriedly grabbing the little girl, you and Frederick rush back to the squad car and slam the doors shut. As you turn the ignition key,  you hear a loud sounding shriek coming from your right, and the minute you turn to the window to see where the sound was coming from, you are horrified to see these four bizzare looking lizard creatures, with faces for children.

"What the hell are those things!" yelled a terrified Frederick. "Okay, you've got some serious explaining to do little girl but for now... Let's get the hell outta here chief!" 

At once, you slam your foot on the gas pedal, and speed down along the freeway. But as you turn to the side mirror to get a glimpse of what was happening behind, you see those same four creatures charging head on at the squad car.

"Alright Fred, grab a gun! Looks like we've got company!"

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<center>**What happened at Deadridge will return...**</center>

<center>**THANKS FOR READING AND KEEP EXPLORING!**</center>