Mayor Returned by Mysterious Abductor

Mayor Sophista Savira was returned to the streets of Erie late Sunday, July 17th, apparently unharmed after an end to her lengthy imprisonment was negotiated by newly appointed deput mayor Lamia bint Belus Abaza. Sources close to the mayor state that the mayor was detained aboard what can only be described as a large airship supposedly belonging to Darwin - the masked madman responsible for the abduction of several other Erie citizens.

Upon her return, the mayor seemed tired, but otherwise functional, quiping to Abaza that she had "never felt better."

The mayor's return follows several days of institutional and civic chaos on the island, including a struggle for power by the mayor's now-former assistant Mako Guardian, as well as armed battles in the streets between the mysterious Darwin and several citizens.

Those not directly involved in the events were initially shocked to hear of the mayor's abduction shortly following the announcement over KSOS late Wednesday night. Alexandria, the mayor's sister, seemed at first inconsolable, then outraged by the news, stating, "I'm in shock. I can't fathom anyone wanting to kidnap my sister. She's done nothing but good for this town," then quickly adding, "[I] mean business and get what [I] want. [I] want [my] sister back and will kill whoever we have to."

Several of Erie's newest residents expressed outrage with both Darwin and the Brigade, whose somewhat insular nature and seemingly single-minded pursuit of their own nebulous agenda resulted in a complete failure to prevent the abduction of the mayor as well as several other Erie residents. Rev Olivier, a new Erie resident, seemed particularly aghast, stating, "I think the mayor being kidnapped is terrible, but I don't see any of the police out searching or investigating." Teotl, another new resident, noted that, "the law here seems terribly inept, one accidentally stabbed me trying to attack someone else."

Following her return, the mayor would not take any questions and simply provided the Seer with a brief statement: "The man known as Darwin released me after an extended stay in his airship. Although my initial assessment of his motives was sinister in nature, I now feel that perhaps his work is simply misunderstood. It was a less than pleasant experience, I must say, but I am stronger for having endured it."

Sources in the mayor's administration seem puzzled by her apparent acceptance of both her abduction and her abductor. According to one well-placed individual close to the mayor, she has grown distant and secretive over the past week, and appears to be hiding what they describe as "snake-like markings."

As for an explanatioin for the mayor's semminly uncharacteristic description of her captor and his motives, Abaza had this to offer: "Erie is weighed down, held back...if things continue as they are, we are on a horrifying slippery slope descent into madness. It takes people willing to .... do what may be considered dangerous or unpopular to bring the change that Erie needs to recapture her former glory."

Seer Brief by Winterbourne Wickentower