PETER ZANE WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE!

Warrensville Daily News

Warrensville, Saturday, October 10th, 1959

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE LOCATION OF PETER ZANE, CONTACT 555-7640

Tragedy has struck the small town of Warrensville this cold month of October. Newly married Emilia Zane has been found DEAD yesterday morning after screams were heard by her new neighbors. Police arrived on the scene shortly after to find her body in the shed. Reports say they've "never seen so much blood."

All signs point to her new husband and town favorite: Peter Zane. Everyone who knew the couple says they'd never seen two people more in love! Their wedding was the talk of the town, after all, but appearances can be deceiving. High debates have rose over this accusation because all of Zane's family and friends have claimed he'd never hurt a fly, but new evidence has surfaced saying otherwise!

Below are entries taken directly from Emilia's diary. We advise caution, as these shocking words are not for the faint of heart:

"September 27th,

'I now pronounce you man and wife!'

Everything's been a blur ever since those words. I remember bright lights and cheers and flowers and a cold kiss. I know things change when two people marry, but I wasn't expecting such odd behavior from Peter. He sleeps elsewhere now, and... I know I shouldn't even ponder such ideas, but it's like he has love for someone else!"

-

"October 2nd,

I don't know what happened, but it's like Peter's an entirely different person now. I worry it's my fault somehow, but no matter how I try to fix it nothing works! I asked Polly" [editor's note: Polly is Peter's sister] "if she noticed anything odd about Peter, but she claims men always change after marriage. I guess she would know, being married for 6 years, but I do hope this change isn't permanent. I miss my old Peter.

I do feel silly about my worries of him loving another now, though. He spends most of his time out in the shed. The chickens are close by... perhaps he likes being around them. I know I should be grateful he tends to our home, even if I do miss falling asleep beside him. Perhaps I shall try joining him out there."

-

"October 3rd,

I keep finding lose feathers throughout the house and I have no idea where they're coming from! Our chickens have no way of getting in the house, so I'm clueless. I mentioned them to Peter, and he blames Lacey, but I have my doubts. Lacey may be a cat, but she would rather sleep than hunt!

I must also ask Dr. Fario about possible insomnia affecting Peter. I thought he was just too nervous before the wedding, but it's been days now! I will admit, perhaps he is sleeping somehow, because he does not seem tired at all."

-

"October 5th,

Peter has not been sleeping. I am certain of it now. I secretly stayed up to watch him after I announced I was going to bed. Polly said there was something odd going on if a man does not follow his wife to bed! I thought there might have been another woman after all, but he entered the shed soon after I left and kept going in and out and carrying odd bags in and out as well.

Why does he act so strange? I want to look in the shed, but Mother always told me never to invade a man's privacy! Oh well, I shall wait and talk to Dr. Fario next week."

-

"October 7th,

I know now that Lacey cannot be the cause for these feathers! They keep appearing and she hasn't been seen in days. I do hope she is okay, but if she's not the cause then there must be some other explanation. I will ask Peter tomorrow."

-

"October 8th,

I showed the feathers to Peter and told him how Lacey couldn't be responsible. I expected him to help me find the cause, but... he just smiled. I cannot lie and say I wasn't unnerved by that smile. My Peter has never smiled like that.

He motioned me to the shed, and I did follow, but oh, how I wish I hadn't! I had no idea Peter is willingly butchering our chickens for us now. He couldn't stand the thought before! I ran outside and became sick after that.

My grandmother was a butcher, so I am not new to the experience, but I cannot tell a soul that it was not the chickens that upset me, but the patches of gray fur on the ground in the shed. Oh, my Lacey, I cannot bear the thought of you hurt.

My Peter would never have hurt—let alone kill—any animal he knew.

His touch is cold now, much how my love for him feels now. There is something very wrong. I can feel it. I know I should be happy to be married to a providing man, but I can't hide the fear in my heart. I am terrified of Peter now.

May God protect me. I know in my heart that this man is not my husband."