Carnage
The following takes place following: Rampage
WBC Anchor: “Martin, please stay on the line. We’re now going live to another WBC reporter, Penelope Vance, who is just a few streets over on Waffleton Avenue. Penelope, can you hear me? What’s the situation?”
The camera feed cuts to a shaky phone camera view as Penelope follows the chaos. In the distance, flames flicker, and the bald goblin can be seen dancing erratically around the inferno.
Penelope Vance: “Yes, Kathy, I’m here on Waffleton Avenue, where I’ve been cautiously trailing the suspect as he made his way from the Cathedral. Things are escalating rapidly, as you can see. The situation is extremely volatile, and the fire is spreading.”
WBC Anchor: “This is truly shocking, Penelope. Can you confirm if the individual causing this destruction is, in fact, Harris Travers?”
Penelope Vance: “Well, Kathy, it’s difficult to say for certain from this distance, but the behaviour and appearance are strikingly similar—though he seems to have shaved his head and moustache and put on some clothes. Right now, he’s spraying graffiti on the window of a bakery… it looks like he’s written the letters ‘W.F.’ What that could stand for—Waldonian Freedom, perhaps?—is anyone’s guess. Oh my goodness, Kathy… he appears to be holding… I think that’s a grenade!”
WBC Anchor: “Penelope, get out of there!”
The camera jolts as Penelope ducks behind a nearby bin. An explosion rocks the bakery, shattering glass and sending debris flying. Flames engulf the storefront.
WBC Anchor: “Penelope? Penelope, are you alright?”
Penelope Vance: “I’m fine, Kathy. But Travers—he’s just blown up the same bakery he vandalised. Wait… wait a minute… something’s coming out of that manhole.”
The camera focuses on a sewer grate as a small, filthy figure emerges—a nude Harris Travers, covered head to toe in sewage, stepping onto the street. He appears dazed, staring into the flames.
Penelope Vance: “Kathy, this is extraordinary. A second goblin has entered the scene… and… wait… I think that’s Travers climbing out of the sewer. But if that’s him, who’s the other one?”
Waldo, seeing Travers, seizes the opportunity to antagonise him. Grinning mischievously, he hurls a Molotov cocktail, which explodes at Travers’ feet. Smoke and flames billow upward as Travers freezes, wide-eyed.
Waldo pulls an Asian rice hat out of his pocket, puts it on, and squints his eyes in an exaggerated manner. He begins shouting in a comically stereotypical accent, waving his arms dramatically.
wF: “GO HOME, GI! Dis no your war! You no take our rice! You no win against glorious revolution! LONG LIVE HO CHI MINH!”
Penelope Vance: “Kathy, this is unbelievable. I think the filthy goblin is Harris Travers—but the other one appears to be deliberately taunting him with some sort of racist caricature.”
Travers: “Charlie, you motherfuckers…”
Suddenly, Travers lets out an ear-piercing scream and lunges at Waldo. The two goblins collide, forming a chaotic, tumbling green ball that barrels straight toward Penelope’s position.
The camera captures the collision for a split second before it goes spinning wildly, crashing to the ground. The tumbling goblin brawl can briefly be seen bouncing down the street as screaming bystanders scatter.
WBC Anchor: “Penelope?! Penelope, are you there? Are you alright?”
The feed cuts out, leaving Kathy visibly shaken as she turns back to the newsroom.
****
Meanwhile, the Master and Dr. Shawn follow the sound of crazed laughter and unintelligible speech echoing along the sewer line.
Master Devlin: “We need to find a way to smoke him out…”
Travers (echoing through sewers): “I’m armour-plated, motherfucker… I’m armour-plated…”
Dr. Shawn: “But how?”
Master Devlin: “I have no idea. I’ve dealt with a manic Travers before, but this is a new level of mania.”
Travers (echoing): “I’ve seen horrors. Horrors that you have seen. But you have no right to call me a murderer—you have a right to kill me!”
Dr. Shawn: “He wasn’t even in Vietnam. Yet his delusion runs deep. His outbursts are rather creative. I really need to write a case study on him.”
Master Devlin: “They’re movie quotes.”
Dr. Shawn: “They’re what?”
Master Devlin: “Movie quotes. Plus other things he’s conjured up. As you said—his delusion runs so deep he thinks these films are his own memories.”
Dr. Shawn: “How extraordinary. Which films?”
Master Devlin: “Oh, I’m sure we’re not allowed to say. Don’t want a lawsuit. Let’s stick to the matter at hand, shall we? Perhaps we could lure him out.”
Dr. Shawn: “I have an idea.”
Travers (echoing): “You’ve been in the sugar business so long, you’ve forgotten the taste of real honey!”
Dr. Shawn takes off her jacket and begins unbuttoning her blouse.
Master Devlin: “Linda, what the hell are you doing?”
Dr. Shawn: “Bait. Once he comes out, you grab him.”
Master Devlin: “Here? Are you sure?”
Dr. Shawn: “Everyone’s seen me naked at this point. It matters not. Let’s not dawdle.”
Master Devlin: “Hrmm… very well.”
Linda removes her top, stands in the middle of the street, and starts calling out “Free oil changes!” repeatedly. A few disturbed onlookers stare. The Master hides behind a skip, watching the drainage gullies for movement.
Eventually, Travers’ moustache appears through a grate, sniffing for Linda’s scent. He slowly lifts the cover and creeps out like someone possessed. Linda reluctantly keeps repeating “Free oil changes.”
Travers sees Linda’s breasts and is mesmerised. He begins to crawl toward her, maintaining eye contact with a Kubrick stare.
As Travers gets closer, the Master leaps out and smacks him over the back of the head with a club, knocking him unconscious. The Master stuffs Travers into a dog carrier.
A classic hobo approaches Linda, removing his hat and brushing back his filthy, greasy hair.
Hobo: “I could certainly use an oil change, madam! And might I add—you have stupendous bosoms. Care for some wine?”
Dr. Shawn: “No, thank you. I’m not even sure that is wine.”
Hobo: “Hmmph… well, I never.”
Suddenly, two armed WPD response units pull up. Officers surround the Master, Dr. Shawn, the vagrant, and the contained Travers.
Lead Officer: “Drop to your knees with your hands on your head!”
Master Devlin: “We are from the Masters Council, going about our lawful duty. Lower your weapons and stand down. I have Travers detained.”
Lead Officer: “I don’t care who you are or what council you’re from. Put the carrier down, step back, and keep your hands in the air. Travers is under arrest for terrorism. Now!”
Master Devlin: “Fine. Have it your way.”
The Master rolls the carrier toward the officers and steps back. They move in to secure it as two detectives arrive.
DI Blake: “Harris Travers, I’m arresting you on suspicion of terrorism offences under the Terrorism Act. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?”
Travers: “Sssspeaking out of… turn…”
He slumps forward, half-conscious.
DI Blake picks up the carrier and walks off as the armed officers secure the scene.
DS Harper: “The rest of you are free to go. And put some clothes on, miss, before we arrest you for public indecency.”
****
The next day...
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WTV NEWS: Riots Erupt Across Widdlington as Waldonian Freedom Movement Gains Momentum
Widdlington, Waldonia—Protests and riots have erupted across Widdlington under the banner of the self-styled Waldonian Freedom Movement (WF). The group, widely condemned as a far-right faction, has demanded the expulsion of vampires from the city, whom they accuse of controlling Widdlington's institutions.
The unrest, marked by violent clashes with law enforcement and widespread vandalism, was reportedly ignited by the recent actions of Waldopolis Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Harris Travers. Travers, a goblin, went on a frenzied and destructive rampage earlier this week, leaving a trail of chaos across the city. Authorities also believe a second unidentified goblin, still at large, contributed to the turmoil.
In a bizarre twist, WF protestors are calling for Travers’ immediate release from police custody, claiming he is a “political prisoner” persecuted for standing up to so-called “vampiric influence.”
Government Condemns Rioters, Promises Swift Action
The government has taken a hard-line stance against the WF protestors, branding them as “vile rioters and far-right thugs.” Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Gregory Blackwood MP, issued a stern statement this afternoon:
"These appalling acts of lawlessness and hate-fueled rhetoric have no place in Waldonian society. We will bring these rioters to swift justice and restore order to the streets of Widdlington. Harris Travers, whose actions triggered these events, will face the full force of the law. I have instructed the Crown Prosecution Service to expedite his trial to ensure that justice is served without delay.”
The Prime Minister’s office has yet to issue an official statement, though insiders suggest that the Citadel is closely monitoring the situation.
A City Divided
The WF protests have further polarized Widdlington’s already fragile community. While some residents have voiced support for the movement’s calls to “free Harris Travers,” others condemn its rhetoric and actions as dangerously inflammatory.
Local authorities report multiple incidents of looting, arson, and violence against both law enforcement and civilians. Meanwhile, vampire communities across the city have expressed growing fears for their safety.
With tensions running high, the coming days will test Widdlington’s ability to recover from this unrest—and the government’s ability to maintain order in the face of growing dissent.
The Waldoverse continues in Eve of Destruction