The rain was cold. It fell straight down. It did not drift. The Grey District was empty. The streets were wet. The pavement reflected the streetlights. The light was yellow. It was sickly. It flickered in the wind. Kaito stood in the center of the intersection. He was alone. The cards in his jacket vibrated. They were cold. They were warning him.
Three cracks opened simultaneously. One to his left. One to his right. One directly behind him. They formed a triangle. They were waist-high. They hovered above the pavement. The air shimmered. It smelled of ozone. It smelled of old meat. It smelled of nothing. It was the smell of a void where scent should be.
Kuro said: "Do not move."
Kaito said: "I am standing."
Kuro said: "He is surrounding you."
Kaito said: "I know."
