Chapter 8: Poison III

“But exactly what conclusion are we supposed to reach from this?” asked one of the spectators.

“I’d say many, actually, but to keep it short: I believe there are rather interesting circumstances taking place all around one of our fair cities, and its vicinities alike, away from the common eye.”

“…?”

“December 22nd, western Urban Center.”

The roof was then replaced by what appeared to be the underside of a bridge. A man and a woman stood next to each other. He seemed to be giving her a sum of bills, likely paying for something. She handed him two cylindrical objects which he then earnestly grasped.

And before the scene could develop any further, there was the mysterious figure once again. This time, it paused for a few seconds before attacking. In this second recording, as well, the individual was far easier to tell apart from the other two. It stood in the middle of the flat corner, staring at them, moving slowly like a nameless, predatory creature in the wild. On an even stranger note, it was significantly shorter than its targets, almost short enough to be mistaken for a child. Once again, covered in black from head to toe, its clothes reminded some of the guests of old military issue, especially the jacket it wore. It was terribly bastardized, of course, and appeared worn out, but the resemblance was there nonetheless. They seemed to be speaking to each other, though it wasn’t quite audible. The two looked confused, shaking their heads and trying to run away, but in the end they were still slashed in much the same way as the ones previously shown. During the commotion, more of the odd attacker had become visible for a moment, prompting Reeves to wind back and pause as he saw fit. On one particular shot, their head had happened to be hit by nearby light, granting a full frontal view of it. The camera had caught not a face, but rather, a mask, black as well. Two childish-looking eyes and mouth had been painted onto it, as if to morbidly mimic some kind of doll. Fast forwarding, their remains once again vanished in time.

“January 10th, route 31. Just outside the city.”

This incident was similar to the previous one, but this time it took place on the side of a highway, and instead of asking questions, the figure targeted the victims with a handgun, filling them with bullets until they fell to the side. After that, out came the blade like before. Yet the same pattern was repeated once again.

“March 26st, Social Neighborhood.”

Like before, the imagery differed slightly. But the outcome was the same every single time.

Upon showing the final recording he possessed, Reeves stopped just short of the confrontation’s end, zooming into the masked figure’s face, startling the rest of the board. Now seen from up close, they had an entirely clean view of the hard, inflexible piece of plastic the thing took for a face.

Originally plain and lifeless, a pair of pale, wide eyes and a long piercing grin almost reaching both sides of its head had been haphazardly painted on top of it, the white paint corrupting the dark surface. The material over the individual’s side view showed signs of having been violently torn off, leaving the mask with a crooked, almost dome-like appearance over its face.

“And there’s much more from where these came from. I wouldn’t mind describing the situation further, but I believe my recordings speak for themselves.” Reeves asserted. “Needless to say, we have clear reason to fear an eventual spread of these tragedies elsewhere if nothing is done about them right now. It would not be the first time Seagate would be hit by such strange events, after all. Would the board like to voice their opinions?”

Yet more silence followed.

Shortly after, the board chairman’s timber filled the room.

“Hmm… Your concerns are rather pertinent, Mr. Reeves. And I assume you must already have a proposition of your own regarding this issue. Shall we hear it?”

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“Very well.” the man gave a short smile. “For the time being, considering how far this problem has escalated, it would be in our best interest to increase general security around this particular city and its surroundings. UDSD patrols must be further spread out, and more personnel must be concentrated in these focal locations, including alleys and other routes with fewer traffic. Regardless of appearances, all public spaces must be investigated as thoroughly as possible. This duty, of course, must be carried out with proper order, as to avoid negatively affecting locals in the process.”

The chairman let out a low chuckle.

“Indeed, it sounds like an ideal plan. I shall allow it.”

He pushed another hidden button on the table’s surface, which in turn revealed an integrated intercom system, and toward it he spoke.

“Mr. Bellard?”

«Yes, Mr. Chairman?» a voice replied from the other side.

“Contact the general immediately, let him know a meeting will be appointed in order to discuss changes in the UDSD’s activity. Public movement and crowd control must not be changed in any way, evidently, so as to not cause an uproar among the masses. Otherwise, there are plenty of factors in need of altering.”

Looking up from the intercom for a brief moment, he brought his focus toward the rest of the board members.

“Any objections, ladies and gentlemen?”

The agreement was unanimous.

“Very well, then. That will be all, Bellard.” he finalized, turning off the system. “Thank you for your contribution, Mr. Reeves. Your request will soon be granted. If further issue arises, we can discuss it here and if necessary, apply more drastic measures. For now, however, this shall suffice.”

Reeves did not even dare to speak, nodding only with his head.

That man’s voice was smooth, soothing even, inspiring them far beyond the old, ordinary body that encased it. None of the people in that room could properly explain it, but that was how it felt. Whatever reason, it was unknown to them, and nor did they desire to question it, either.

“Now, then, shall we move on with this meeting?”

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