Hijacque-les-Bois (lit: Hijack-the-Woods) is a fictional French town that appears in several of my stories. As such, it plays an important role in the lore of Judecca. According to the information the Schmurtz siblings have, it "can't be found on any map, but has to be situated somewhere between Paris and Riquewihr". In Flying Popcorn, a rumour says the town has the particularity "to attract unusual phenomenons and entities". Paranormal things put aside, the town is primarily known for its forest, hence its name.
These following stories take place, at least partly, in the town of Hijacque-les-Bois:
- La saison des doryphores (194X): The town where Isabelle and Ismaël wake up after their train wreck and decide to stay until the end of the war. It is, at this time, part of occupied France.
- Le Club des Treize (201X): The town that Jesus has to leave to move to Jéruheim. Several of his childhood friends still live here, and he eventually visits them at some point.
- Flying Popcorn (204X): The hometown of the Sue siblings, and where most of the action takes place. It eventually becomes threatened from being invaded by aliens.
Mayors and the Mayor's Curse
The known mayors of Hijacque-les-Bois are:
- Louis Dubreuil in La saison des doryphores
- Moroni Sue in Flying Popcorn
- Manari Sue in the roleswap AU of Flying Popcorn
While mayors of Hijacque-les-Bois are respected people and usually inhabit the beautiful and spacious Mayor's Manor, it still isn't a desirable position. Some people have noticed that mayors usually are people whose favourite parent has met a tragic end, and whose original vocation has been proved impossible. Some claim it's a mere coincidence, some others believe it's a curse. Because of that, few people run for election and most mayors keep their positions for years and years, until they're too old to work.
The Hijacque Forest
A gigantic and mysterious forest that borders the town. It is said that following a particular path could lead you to the Garden of Eden, but it's often dismissed as just rumours. Lilith and Steve, apparently native to the Garden, claim otherwise.
- In La saison des doryphores, it is where Isabelle and Ismaël's maquis hide. They live there with Tobie. Ismaël also likes to wander here on his own.
- In Le Club des Treize, local students go there for orienteering lessons. Some mischievous children also like to play there. Moses has burned a bush by accident, a single bush, but it could have been way worse.
- In Flying Popcorn, Pureen lives in a house hidden in the forest. Moroni has been searching for her without success. It is also where Lilith has found and adopted her when she was a newborn baby.
The Church of the Unknown Saint
An old church who has seen better days. People have even forgotten which saint it was originally named after.
- In La saison des doryphores, the church has been burned down by a Waffen-SS company, with several inhabitants locked inside. Louis uses it to warn Isabelle and Ismaël about the dangers of the town.
- In Le Club des Treize, the church is going through a slow reconstruction.
- In Flying Popcorn, the church has been rebuilt, and a memorial to the victims of the massacre erected next to it. Moroni visits it every Sunday.
Other noteworthy places
These places are important in their respective stories, but not really in the others.
- Azarias' clinic in La saison des doryphores. Isabelle and Ismaël woke up here after their train wreck. Of course, Azarias works here, but also Suzanne.
- The Saint-Uriel library in La saison des doryphores. The place where Lilith works part-time. Ismaël also loves to spend time there. Being founded by an archangel, its architecture was inspired by the Library of Heaven. As the years go by, this story morphs into a legend.
- The Ismaël Schmurtz middle school in Le Club des Treize. A few secondary characters study there. During the events of Flying Popcorn, it is Maurice workplace as a technology teacher, and Manari, Moroni and Pureen have studied there in their early teenagehood.
- The city centre in Flying Popcorn. A fountain honouring Isabelle and Ismaël can be found at the middle of the market square. Moroni's manor and Manari's flat are also situated in the city centre.
- Mauricette's bakery and pastry shop in Flying Popcorn. This establishment was owned by Manari and Moroni's mother before a fire.