"There's no telling what this thing is capable of, and we need to get people out of the area before it's too late."
"Yes, Alchemist."
The Alchemist turned to leave.
"Wait," Jack Ryder said.
"What is it?"
"Where's Marlon? Do you know what happened to him?"
The Alchemist was quiet for a moment. "I don't know," she admitted.
Jack Ryder nodded. "All right," he said.
The two of them started walking towards the bridge.
"We should be able to get help at the market," the Alchemist said. "There's always a guard station near the markets."
The sun was low in the sky as the two of them made their way towards the market.
"How long has it been since I saw Marlon?" Jack Ryder mused.
"It's been a while," the Alchemist replied.
"Yeah," Jack Ryder said, thinking back.
He was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn't notice the figure looming ahead.
"Stop!"
Jack Ryder turned and saw a guard standing a few feet away, his sword drawn.
"Hands where I can see them," the guard ordered.
"We're just trying to get to the market," the Alchemist explained.
"What are you doing here?" the guard demanded.
"We're looking for help," the Alchemist said.
The guard glared at the two of them.
"What's the trouble?" another guard asked, running up to the first.
"There's a couple of vagrants trying to sneak into the market," the first guard said, gesturing to the Alchemist and Jack Ryder.
"We're not vagrants," the Alchemist protested.
"Sure you are," the first guard scoffed.
"Look," the Alchemist said. "I don't want any trouble. We're just trying to get help."
The second guard studied the Alchemist and Jack Ryder.
"What kind of help?" he asked.
"We have some information," the Alchemist replied.
"Information? What kind of information?"
"There's something in the Ankles," the Alchemist said.
"What kind of something?" the second guard asked, narrowing his eyes.
"We're not sure," the Alchemist said.
"That's not much of a reason to seal off the whole Ankles district," the first guard sneered.
"You can't tell me that you don't have your suspicions," the Alchemist retorted.
"Maybe we do," the second guard replied. "But we're not going to act on rumors."
"Please," the Alchemist begged. "We just want to warn people."
"Why?" the first guard demanded.
"Because something's wrong," the Alchemist replied. "And people are in danger."
The second guard sighed. "We can't risk a panic," he said.
"I understand," the Alchemist said."So why are you here?" the first guard asked.
"We're just trying to get to the market," the Alchemist replied.
"Then get going," the first guard said.
"Come on," the second guard said, motioning for the Alchemist and Jack Ryder to move along.
The two of them quickly left the guards behind.
"I don't know what we're going to do," the Alchemist muttered.
"Maybe we should go back to the apothecary and look for clues," Jack Ryder suggested.
"I think that's a good idea," the Alchemist agreed.
As they walked, Jack Ryder couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
"Something's wrong," he said.
"What is it?" the Alchemist asked, concern lacing her voice.
"I don't know," Jack Ryder said. "But we need to get back to the apothecary."
"Do you think something happened?"
"Maybe," Jack Ryder said, quickening his pace.
"Be careful," the Alchemist warned.
Jack Ryder reached the apothecary, and he noticed a dark shadow across the front of the shop. He stopped and peered closer.
"What is it?" the Alchemist asked.
"The sign," Jack Ryder said. "Something's covering it."
"That's strange," the Alchemist said.
Jack Ryder stepped forward and examined the sign. There was a black smudge on the bottom, and he could feel the shadow on the wood.
"What do you think it is?" the Alchemist asked.
"I don't know," Jack Ryder said.
"Be careful," the Alchemist said.
Jack Ryder reached out and touched the sign. He could feel the shadow on his fingers, and the sensation made him shiver.
"What's wrong?" the Alchemist asked.
"I don't know," Jack Ryder said.
The two of them continued their journey home. As they neared the apothecary, the air became colder and the shadows grew longer.
"Do you feel that?" the Alchemist asked."What?" Jack Ryder asked.
"The air," the Alchemist said.
Jack Ryder took a breath.
"I don't feel anything," he said.
"Are you sure?" the Alchemist asked.
Jack Ryder hesitated, then nodded.
"What's wrong?" the Alchemist asked.
Jack Ryder shook his head. "Nothing," he said.
"Don't lie to me," the Alchemist warned.
"I'm not lying," Jack Ryder said. "I really don't feel anything."
"If you say so," the Alchemist said, shrugging.
"Let's get inside," the Alchemist said.
"What is it?" Jack Ryder asked.
The Alchemist shook her head. "I'm not sure," she admitted.
The two of them approached the door, and the Alchemist unlocked it. She pushed the door open, and they stepped inside.
"What is that?" the Alchemist exclaimed.
"What is what?" Jack Ryder asked.
"This," the Alchemist said, pointing to a shadow in the corner.
"I don't know," Jack Ryder said, stepping closer.
The Alchemist followed Jack Ryder."Wait," the Alchemist said.
Jack Ryder froze. "What is it?"
"Don't touch it," the Alchemist warned.
"Why not?" Jack Ryder asked.
"There's a shadow on it," the Alchemist explained.
"What do you mean?" Jack Ryder asked.
"A black, oily shadow," the Alchemist said.
"Are you sure?" Jack Ryder asked.
"Of course I'm sure," the Alchemist replied.
Jack Ryder stepped closer to the shadow.
"Careful," the Alchemist said.
Jack Ryder reached out and touched the shadow.
"Don't!" the Alchemist cried.
But it was too late. Jack Ryder's hand sank into the shadow, and he felt a chill run through his body.
"Jack Ryder!" the Alchemist shouted.Jack Ryder couldn't speak. He felt cold, and his vision blurred.
"Get away from there," the Alchemist ordered.
Jack Ryder struggled to pull his hand free, but the shadow seemed to have a hold on him.
"What is it?" the Alchemist cried.
"I don't know," Jack Ryder managed.
The Alchemist stepped forward and grabbed Jack Ryder's arm.
"Don't let it take you," the Alchemist said.
Together, they managed to pull Jack Ryder free.