Disturbance

While Ella got ready to go outside, Ryne and the other cats talked about what they were going to do.

"So far, we've gotten confirmation that it was the cloaked person who killed the dog here, and possibly the others as well," said Ryne.

"That was her, wasn't it?" asked Nini, recalling the apparition that all the cats saw in the house.

"Yes, she was. Brownie was her name," answered Ryne. "I couldn't understand her, though. It looks like I can only talk to cats and humans."

"That was… interesting," said Shekau in a slight daze. "So that was a spirit…"

"It was, wasn't it?" said Prauza, obviously excited. "Too bad we cannot talk to it, even in its ethereal form. It would have told us many stories."

"We didn't need her to talk, thankfully. Her owner, Ella, took care of the details," said Ryne. "By the way, Shekau, did the other dogs die in the same manner?"

"You mean with their necks twisted?" said Shekau, who was back to his usual self. "Yes, that's what we've observed so far. I was going to mention it earlier."

"Is that so?" said Ryne.

"Yes. I would have to report our findings to our fellows, so I will be taking my leave for now."

"Oh, see you later!" said Fonmi.

The messenger went off, leaving the rest to wait for the human they're accompanying.

"I'm not discounting the possibility that what Ella mentioned about that legend is actually part of the reason why the killer is doing what he's doing," Ryne thought. "But if that is true, that part about the dogs still doesn't make any sense. Why would they? Is it to throw us off? But then, how they were killed is a little too specific."

Just then, Ella went out of the house, ready to go, and interrupting Ryne and his thoughts. "Sorry for making you wait, Spencer. Are you bringing the cats with you?"

"Well, they do follow me around," said Ryne. "I don't think I can shake them off that easily."

"Well, if that's the case, let's go!"

"Right."

----------

"W-Where are you going, sir?!" asked Caitlyn as she saw Mallory on his way out, right after he announced it.

"I'm going to pay Edward a visit," the latter answered.

"Sh-Should I go with you?" asked the assistant as she made a gesture of preparing her bag, so she could go with him.

"No, please stay here and take care of any emergency that comes up. I trust that you will be able to handle it."

Caitlyn was shocked to know that such responsibility was placed in her hands. It wasn't like she wasn't trusted at all, but it still came as a surprise to hear the words outright from the man she was working for.

"Yes, sir! I'll do my best!"

"Good."

"Take care, sir."

"I will."

Mallory went out of the building and started walking towards the Mayor's office. Along the way, he passed by the police station, where the dog, Sir Whipplesnaps, was being fed by one of the officers.

"Oh, good morning, Mr. Miller! Here to check up on the old office case again?" greeted the officer.

"Not this time," said Mallory.

"Finally convinced yourself that it's closed, eh? Or are you looking to play with Sir Whipplesnaps here?"

"You might want to stop being so… chatty, Officer Fisher," said Mallory, a little irritated from the officer's talkativeness. "Also, Eddie's usually the one who plays with that dog. It just so happens that I'm with him when he does it."

"Ehehe, I guess my mouth is why I'm usually taking care of this guy," said Officer Fisher. "But I can hold my own if it comes down to a fight, you know."

"I'll… just take that with a grain of salt," said Mallory, trying to comprehend how the officer's current physique could help with any vigorous physical activity. "Speaking of the office and Eddie, I am on my way to the new office."

"Judging from what you said, I gather that you really haven't gotten over that incident, have you?"

"I can't just yet. Not yet."

"You have to let go at some point there, lad. It's going to eat you from inside if you don't."

"I'm not going to let it."

"All right… I'll just take that with a grain of salt," said the officer, somewhat satisfied at having been able to use the younger man's words against him.

Mallory didn't say anything in response.

"By the way, I met someone who looks just like you, but with darker hair. I swear, you two could be brothers. Twins, even."

Mallory could feel himself tensing up at the word 'brother.' It didn't bring any good memories to his mind.

"Shut up," he said in a low voice.

"Ahaha, hey, no need to-"

"I SAID, SHUT UP!"

Officer Fisher was stunned by Mallory's shouted statement. He had realized too late that he had struck an unpleasant chord in the man.

"I'm sorry, lad…"

Mallory shook his head. "No, I… I should be sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Officer Fisher.

"No… I don't think I can," said Mallory, looking downward with tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm going to the Mayor's office now. Again, I apologize."

He briskly walked away from the police station, hoping the officer or anyone else wouldn't catch him crying. He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes, not letting them fall down his cheeks. When he was a considerable distance away from the station, he stopped walking, took a few deep breaths, then continued.

Now, to find that idiot, he thought.

----------

Soon, he had reached his destination.

The Mayor's office.

Were he honest about it, he wouldn't even think of going in there. Like with the word Officer Fisher mentioned, this place brought unpleasant memories. Also, there was a person he didn't want to see.

Unfortunately, he needed to pay a visit as there was also someone he wanted to see.

After steeling himself, he went inside the office. He was immediately recognized by one of the staff.

"Good morning, Mr. Miller. Are you here to see Mayor Gibson?"

The mention of the mayor's name sent shivers down Mallory's spine. "No," he answered. "Is Edward here?"

"Oh, Mr. Bennett, you mean?" said the office staff. "Now that you've mentioned it, no, I don't think he's around."

To make sure, she asked her co-workers regarding Eddie's whereabouts. Everyone's answer confirmed it, he wasn't there.

"Odd. He's usually with the Mayor," said Mallory, not wanting to mention that name.

"Maybe the Mayor asked him to run an errand?"

"Hmm, it's possible," Mallory said. He then sighed and continued with, "I guess I'll have to ask him… Thank you."

"You're welcome, Mr. Miller."

Now he had no choice. He had to talk to him.

Mallory made his way to the office proper, passing by people who were all busy doing their jobs. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was impressed with how well it was run, as if it were some private company. Then again, that wasn't surprising, considering the background of their current leader.

Still, that did not deter him from freely expressing his dislike for the place, as well as for the head of the mentioned place. Both were a source of personal grievance, which he hasn't told anyone the details of, except perhaps for the person he would consider his best friend, Edward Bennett. However, in unintentional irony and under the pretense of professionalism, he would hide it with politeness.

This was especially true when the time came to face Mayor Gibson, whose actual office he was now in front of. He knocked on the door to signal his arrival.

"Finally, you-" said the Mayor as he opened the door in a rush. He was cut off by the realization that the one on the other side wasn't who he expected it would be.

"Good morning, Mr. Gibson," said Mallory in the most neutral tone that he could muster.

"Mallory, what a surprise! It has been a while since you've come here to visit. Come in."

In his thoughts, Mallory told himself that he would rather not, but this time, he had to. He went in with careful, measured steps.

After closing the door, Frank proceeded to attend to his visitor while he made his way to his desk. "Please, sit down. Would you like some tea? I've heard you're quite a drinker."

Mallory sat down as requested, but he declined the offer of refreshments despite wanting to be polite. "Not this time, sir, I'm afraid. I do not plan to stay for long," was his excuse.

What he didn't tell the government official was that he was sure that the tea would not be of the variety that he liked. And so he would not appreciate the gesture, even if it was genuine hospitality. He'd rather spare himself the dissatisfaction.

"I told you already, just call me Frank when we're alone or it's just you, me, and Eddie," said the Mayor. "So, what have you come here for, exactly?"

"I was planning to have a talk with Eddie about an important matter, but the staff told me that he wasn't here. I thought you might know. He is your assistant, after all."

"I see," said Frank as he shifted positions in his seat. "You know, I was wondering about that, myself. He didn't come home last night, so I thought he stayed at your place."

"He wasn't there. Not when I left for work, at least. Now that you've mentioned it, I'll try looking there next."

"I see… Mallory, would you do me a favor and look for him for me?" asked Frank. "I mean, since you're already out and looking for him, anyway. Please tell him I need him."

"I will, of course," said Mallory.

It was then that he saw a faint larger shadow behind Frank, which didn't make sense considering the lighting in the room and how it hit the objects and the people in it. What's more, he saw it move, but not according to how the person attached to it did. While it did not have any eyes, he felt like he wasn't supposed to let it see him through locking gazes. Without lowering his head, he lowered his gaze slightly, just to avoid seeing the shadow.

Frank, who noticed that Mallory wasn't going yet, went, "Is there anything else that needs to be discussed, Mallory?"

The younger man snapped out of his daze and said, "Oh, no. There's nothing more. I was just thinking about whether I have anything else to add or not, but it turns out that I don't."

Inside, he panicked a bit, but he managed to slip the lie in naturally.

"Glad to know that you're thorough," said Frank. "So I suppose you're going now?"

"Yes, I will be taking my leave now. Thank you for your time."

Mallory left the office, taking care to only look at the shadow from his peripheral vision, if he was to look at all. He had no idea what it actually was, but something about it didn't sit right with him, and he would rather not stay to find out why.

After the door was closed, Frank's face gained a darker expression.

"He knows."

----------

Mallory walked briskly past the staff of the office building, trying his best to maintain a facade, and hopefully induce a feeling of calm. Ever since he saw the shadow behind the Mayor, he started noticing that others also had similar shadows behind them.

"What could those be?" He thought. "How come I have never seen them before?"

He knew that aside from being confused about what was happening; he felt afraid. However, he wasn't going to let these unknown beings get the satisfaction of knowing so. He kept his brisk pace but adopted a more confident gait. If he was going to be made a prey by these, he made sure that they're not going to get him easily.

Soon, he made his way out of the building. He took a glance at it once he went down the stairs, and he saw that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Now, to look for Eddie, he thought.

He laughed a bit to himself as he recalled the earlier conversation he had with the Mayor, where he said that he'll be going to the condominium unit to search.

I'm sorry, but I won't be able to say that I know him if I'm going to look for him at the condo, he said to himself. That guy doesn't go there unless he knows I'm there.

With that, he went off in the other direction, certain of where he's going to find his friend.