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Post by the mayor on Feb 3, 2012 14:35:54 GMT -5
Welcome to Islas Bajas. Situated 40 miles off the coast of Miami, Florida lies the trio of islands that make up the Islas Bajas: Isla de Oro, Isla de la Perta, and Isla de Bronce. The islands are connected by simple two-lane bridges and is only accessible via boat from the mainland. "Islas Bajas" translates to "Low Islands," a name earned from the fact that each island is situated 50 feet below sea level, though none have ever flooded beyond the shores in the past.
Isla de Oro, "Island of Gold," is generally referred to as the "main island" of the trio, being home to all of the schools, kindergarten through college at Bajas University. The island is also home to the only hospital outside of the mainland and is considered to be one of the best hospitals in the state of Florida.
Isla de la Perta, "Island of Silver," is the only island of the trio that is 85% undeveloped. Originally intended to be more of an amusement area, the island is all jungle and is home to a few endangered bird species of which caused construction to be halted and never continued. Most people stay clear of the island except for the developed neighborhood that lies at the corner of Isla de Oro and Isla de Bronce, making it the most efficient location for those who regularly commute between the islands from home.
Isla de Bronce, "Island of Bronze," is considered to be good for not much more than the mall it houses, a mall that regularly is considered to be better than any of the large malls in Miami. While Isla de Oro has plenty of family owned restaurants, Isla de Bronce is the only island that has national chains from the mainland, both in retail and eats.
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Two years ago, the then-annual start of summer bonfire was the hottest party of the year among the student of Saint de Oro High School. Everything was fun and games, as per the normal, when the party wound down and 5 students remained, the stragglers: Andrew Clark, a freshman who'd just won the state championship in surfing the day before. Andrea "Andi" Hart, an artsy sophomore who always thought outside the box. Mary Chare, a senior who'd just graduated and was planning on attending school in Texas. Elias Walker, a sophomore who's parents had just announced their divorce. And Carson Cambridge, a freshman who was by far the most well known girl in Islas Bajas.
By the next morning, Mary was in the hospital with nearly half of her body burned. Andrew had minor-major burns on his arms, but the other 3 were unharmed. Everyone said that Mary fell into the fire, but none would say anything beyond that. The police had no reason to think the 4 were lying and ruled the incident an accident.
Mary took 6 months to heal, but was able to go to Texas A&M after she recovered and never came back to Isla de Oro, or any of the Islas Bajas. Andrew quit surfing. Elias moved with his dad. Carson's parents named a wing of the high school after Mary, but Carson made no mention of that night again. Andi withdrew and refused to talk about the accident. No one in Islas Bajas knows anything about what actually happened that night, whether it was an accident or if it was something worse.
In the meantime, the population of Islas Bajas has been infected with their very own gossip source: The Hit List, a site run by a mysterious person simply known as "Anonymous" who seems to know everything you say and sees everything you do. Anon reports on everything going on and tends to dig things up that everyone thought was long and dead in the past. The one secret left unknown is what happened that night at the bonfire...but it's bound to be uncovered sooner rather than later.
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