Shadow Slave

As Sunny studied the bodies, Master Jet went away to talk to the police officers, and then returned with one of them. There was a disappointed expression on her face.

"No usable recordings left. Figures… places like this one only exist because they value the privacy of their clients. And the few cameras they did have show nothing but darkness."

Sunny looked at her, then sighed:

"Not much to tell from the victims, too. The murderer just used their fists."

She shrugged.

"That's how it usually goes, in situations like this. The most likely scenario is that the murderer was one of the clients, who went on a rampage because of either alcohol or stimulants, and a momentary failure to hold on to their sanity. So I doubt that this mess was premeditated."

Master Jet remained silent for a moment, and then added:

"He was lucid enough to use his Aspect to obscure the cameras, though. So dealing with him won't be too simple."

With that, she turned to the police officer and asked:

"Any survivors? Do we have witnesses?"

He hesitated for a bit, then gave her a strange look.

"That… yes, actually, there are a few. But…"

The officer didn't finish the sentence, and just stared at them with an uneasy expression.

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"But what? Are they refusing to talk?"

The policeman shook his head slowly.

"No, they're not refusing. They just… I don't know, something is wrong with them. They just don't speak, or even react really. I've seen a lot of people in shock, and sometimes, they can seem almost catatonic. But this… this is something else. Gave us all the creeps, to be honest."

Sunny and Master Jet glanced at each other, and then, one of them said:

"Lead the way."

The officer sighed, then escorted them to the back of the club, where an inconspicuous door led to the service rooms. The witnesses were gathered in a small office, standing there motionlessly, with nervous paramedics trying to determine the reason for their condition.

They were completely silent, motionless, and still. They

eyes were calm

Sunny paled.

is this

to recognize what was wrong

fact, they weren't survivors at

precise, they

mundane human

he felt a cold shiver

she had a deep frown on her face,

this, this just made the whole situation frightening

"What the hell?"

for a few moments, then turned

a break, guys. Let these people be. They

blond hair and gentle eyes — looked at her

ma'am? But… but they're fine. We

out

can do to help them. Something else will

at the ground and silently walked away. Her colleagues followed, expressions of regret, anger, and horror clearly written on

point of standing as far away from

moments, her scowls growing

your question, I don't

a

human become a Hollow? It's only supposed to

him, then silently shook her head. Eventually, Master

of a powerful soul attack creating a Hollow. But beings capable of dealing

to the five empty

you do

for a bit, then

am

with these people. And not just the fact that they were Hollow. There was something else…

feeling of subtle, but profound

out with Shadow Sense,

Jet did not

Did you discover

gritted his teeth,