Case #801: The Durham Affair
Date: 02/05/2070
Mission Leader: Sr. Agent Marie Alvarez
Unit composition: Jr. Agents Chekt Bradley, Baylis Johnson, Violet Hawthorne, and Victor Mann
Location: Durham, Massachusetts
Mission Report:
The Department of Monster Affairs received notification of a mysterious illness plaguing Durham Massachusetts from the Durham Children’s Hospital. For the past two months, pregnant people and children under a year old have been experiencing mysterious blood loss and experiencing an unknown wasting disease. The first three victims (Nina Lowe [pregnant person], Ori Ulmer [infant male], and Zoey James [infant female]) were in critical condition and a 16th victim, Kelly Briggs (pregnant person) had just been checked in by her husband, Regenald “Reggie” Briggs. Our unit was dispatched to investigate the source of the illness and blood loss and, if possible, put an end to it.
We arrived at the Durham Children’s Hospital around 1100. Agents Hawthorne and Mann went and spoke to the most recent victim. Mrs. Briggs was mostly unconscious due to medication. Mr. Briggs, a werewolf, was unable to give much information directly. He had been asleep downstairs as the smell of vinegar from his wife’s pickled onions was too much for his nose. In the morning he found his wife pale and unresponsive with no sign of blood on the bedding or floor. At Agent Hawthorne’s request, Mr. Briggs returned home to wait for DOMA to examine the scene.
Under the supervision of Dr. Jessica Raines and with the permission of Mr. Briggs, Agent Mann performed a medical examination of Mrs. Briggs. As consistent with Dr. Raines' observations and previous victims there were no bite marks. However, Agent Mann did note that there was a large bump similar to a mosquito bite on the bottom of Mrs. Brigg’s foot [image attached].
Agents Johnson, Bradely, and Alverez examined the first victims under the supervision of Midwife Yeni Bhoh. Agent Johnson noted that the victims all had a slight twitch in their leg despite their otherwise still bodies. Out of the room the agents noted that Ms. Bhoh smelled of vinegar. According to hospital staff this was normal.
Examining the Briggs home revealed that the bedroom did indeed smell of vinegar and there was no sign of blood. The Briggs’ bedroom was on the third floor. Agent Mann examined the window exterior finding a strange dried substance similar to blood.
Down the street there was another pregnant person. After speaking with her there was no cause for concern. Agents noted anti-bird spikes on the upper windows.
Across the street agents noted the corner store had security cameras. Upon inquiry agents were granted access to the night before Mrs. Briggs’ illness was discovered. Around 0200 agents saw evidence of a strange figure, similar to a floating head with long black hair, moving towards the Briggs’ home before disappearing from frame [image attached].
The local Wardens gave us a room in their precinct to review our information. Using information on the victims and hospital staff gathered under warrant from the hospital, Agent Hawthorne managed to plot out the homes of the victims. In the center of the first three victims was the home of two hospital staff, Midwife Yeni Bhoh and the head janitor LeTerrious Jackson. Agent Mann researched the floating head and discovered the likely culprit was a penanggalan.
A penangglan is classified as a blood-drinker demon and fully corrupted human under DOMA guidelines. As a blood-drinker demon it takes the form of a disembodied head with internal organs still attached at night where it flies around drinking the blood of pregnant women and newborns. Penanggalans are still mortal women who practice black magic and become penanggalans due to failing to abstain from meat during a ritual to become eternally beautiful. There have been no known penangglan sightings in the Federation of American States until now. Penangglans are known to smell of vinegar due to needing to soak their organs in vinegar to fit them into their body after feeding; and avoid thorny plants or other items that will snag and destroy their entrails.
Agents determined that Yeni Bhoh was the most likely culprit. As the suspect is a demon, warrant measures were lifted in pursuit. Agents entered Bhoh’s home and discovered her headless body in the bedroom and a bath of vinegar in the bathroom, confirming her demon status. Before the pananggalan returned, agents put shards to glass in the neck hole, as per recommended techniques to deal with this demon, and drained the vinegar bath [images attached]. When the pananggalan returned, agents destroyed the demon with a single 9mm bullet fired by Agent Alveraz. The destruction was within DOMA guidelines for handling dangerous demons as the illness of the victims could only be cured with the pananggalan’s destruction. Before agents were able to stop Bhoh, the first victim Nine Lowe and her unborn child passed away.
Alvarez’s Personal Mission Notes: This mission was far smoother than the first. No real fighting, which I am sure Agent Bradley was disappointed by, but in the grand scheme of things a near perfect mission. Agent Hawthorne tried to go to the Briggs’ with Mr. Briggs by herself, luckily I caught them as they were leaving. V.I.C.T.O.R. was able to apply his medical knowledge in a noncombat situation. And most importantly Agent Johnson didn’t almost die nor almost kill a child. There was another hiccup I noticed. All of the agents seem not to quite care about regulations - something I do understand as they can get in the way of quick action. However, Agent Hawthorne suggested hacking into the corner store cameras and the others encouraged it. They even tried to convince me. Of course, I am not supposed to let them know that I don’t really care so long as they don’t get caught and I can pretend enough not to lose my job. So, when I went to order food Hawthorne did the deed. Another white lie on the report. After the mission we were forced to stay the night, so I took them out drinking. I needed it, I could feel the shakes starting. But the socialization of the agents was good to see, the walls were coming down between them. A good unit functions on trust and doesn’t keep secrets from each other - I hate that I must from them but I knew that going in. V.I.C.T.O.R. admitted to being constructed, an android is what the others are calling him. Johnson showed his neck scar to the others and Hawthorne ended up revealing her eyes and admitting to her elven heritage. Bradley doesn’t really have any secrets but he was supportive of all of them as we assumed he would be. Unfortunately, the agents noticed how much I drank. It was nice they showed concern but when it came to driving I was forced to let Johnson drive even though I was fine. At the hotel Hawthorne thought she was being sneaky and snuck out while I was asleep. I mean, I was asleep, but even after Johnson teased her about being tracked she didn’t even think DOMA might have ways of keeping tabs on her or the others. The conversation was harmless overall. Johnson told the group about his lack of memories surrounding his childhood and alluded to the incident. He asked Hawthorne to get any information DOMA has on him and she agreed.
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