Murder Mystery Game

It was well after dark as the rain-drenched figure made their way across the small clearing behind the inn. Inside the building, the room was bright and inviting, a safe-haven from the storm raging outside. But with all of the windows facing the front and sides of the building, the yard leading to the small stone stable was dark, lit only by the occasional flashes of lightning and the small lantern the figure carried with them, the flame flickering and swaying in the strong winds. The figure was leading a horse by the reigns, an incredibly calm bay. The figure pushed the doors of the stable open, leading the animal inside. Most of the stalls were occupied, as the innkeeper had warned him a few moments ago when he’d paid the man for the use of the stable. But there were two open stalls at the very end of the building, and the figure led his horse toward them.

As he pulled open the door of the stall, he heard what sounded like a creaking noise coming from somewhere behind him. He whirled, the lantern waving wildly as he scanned the building for signs of movement, but he saw nothing. Must have been one of the horses, he decided, turning his attention back to what he had been doing. He led the bay into the stall, filling a bucket from the barrel of water inside to leave for the horse, and brought in some of the fresh hay. Finished with his task, he made his way back to the entrance. After such a long journey to get to this place, all he wanted to do was relax and spent some time with his girlfriend. You know, since they were going to be stuck in this town anyway, as long as this storm stuck around.

But it wasn’t meant to be. As he exited the building, the darkness concealed the figure standing just beside the door. The first moment he realized he wasn’t alone out here was when the head to the heavy spade slammed into the back of his head. He fell to his knees, crying out in equal parts fear, pain, and surprise, as he fought to maintain consciousness. He registered the figure standing over him, silhouetted in a flash of lightning. “You!” he gasped in shock. And then the spade came down again, and everything went black.



Inside, the innkeeper heard a sound out back of the tavern, and then the sound of horses braying outside. Leaving his wife in charge of the crowded room, he made his way through the door and out into the storm, wondering what manner of mischief the man was up to that was upsetting the horses. In the pounding rain, he tripped over the extinguished lantern, lying discarded on the ground. Cursing and swearing, he began to drag himself to his feet. Then, in the next flash of lightning, the body stretched before him was revealed, the face a barely recognizable bloody mess. He screamed, pulling himself to his feet. The bloodied spade lying a few feet away made it clear that this had been no accident. He ran for the front of the inn, sliding on the damp grass in his haste. He burst through the door, face red as he raised the alarm. “Murder!” he screamed. “There’s been a murder!”