Chapter 1: One of Our Students is Missing

[Silver Priest]

Henry follows the others, looking somewhat chastened by the professor's correction.

[aine]

Ford dithers in the corridor unable to squeeze past the policeman without causing possible offence. He waits sheepishly behind Alice.

[HoneyDog]

Unfortunately, the policeman doesn’t seem to want to be bypassed.

He eyes the companions critically.

“You’ll be lucky to get anything out of Atwater, he just keeps muttering about ‘lightning’. The doc thinks he’ll come around eventually.”

He addresses Alice and holds out his hand.

“Yes, we’ve heard of you. I’m Detective Stuckey. Please let me know what you find after you speak to him. I’ll be out front.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Detective Stuckey," says Alice, shaking his hand. "I will." When he lets them past, she enters the room.

[HoneyDog]

Slowly, the companions enter Atwater’s room. He is lying in bed, the covers drawn up to his chest. His eyes are closed and he appears to be asleep, his head lying to the side, away from the investigators.

[Mr. Handy]

"Mr. Atwater?" asks Alice in a soft, soothing tone. "Are you awake?" She looks to see if his chart is in the room.

[Silver Priest]

"It's good to see you again Henry," Henry smiles, trying to appear empathic.

[HoneyDog]

Atwater stirs, without opening his eyes. He rolls his head from side to side and mumbles.

[Philulhu]

Bruce knelt by the bed. “Henry?” he said gently. ”It’s Professor Patterson from the university. Can you tell me what happened?”

[HoneyDog]

It’s hard to make anything out, but Atwater murmurs the words ‘lightning’ and ‘bright’ several times.

[Mr. Handy]

"Do you know what happened to Mr. Cardigan?" asks Alice. "Was there anyone else there with the two of you?"

[aine]

Fort tiptoes quietly to the window and looks out, listening to the conversation; he doesn’t want to crowd Atwater.

[SunlessNick]

Emily joins Fort at the window, but keeps listening attentively.

[HoneyDog]

“Lightning!” “Flash!”

These are the only words Atwater seems to be able to make clear. He stirs restlessly in the bed.

OOC, Everyone can make either an English, History or EDUx3 roll.

[Mr. Handy]

Alice is able to understand more details.

[SunlessNick]

OOC,Rolled 1D100: 46 - that's under English and History, but just over EDU x3.

Emily has a thought niggling at her mind.

[Silver Priest]

Henry's knowledge if history just barely pays off.

History, [url=https://orokos.com/roll/883763]History 35[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]32[/b]

[Starspawn338]

Harrison has been listening, trying to understand Henry's mumbling. It means something, he's sure of it.

[Philulhu]

For Bruce, Henry Atwater’s ramblings are perfectly clear...

OOC, Extreme success in English - https://www.dholeshouse.org/Tools/DiceVerifier?RID=0029decf-6bb0-4ea2-beeb-9e42768553a2

[aine]

He’s speaking English but what does he mean? Thinks Fort.

Roll, 63: only English (80) succeeds.