"W-what's wrong, Mister Shinji?" Abby says with a voice full of concern at your sudden reflexive action. You take note that she's decided to start calling you 'Mister Shinji' and you aren't sure if you like it. It makes you feel old, despite physically only being a teenager still.

"That... That thing is alive." You take your eyes of the Mannequin for just a moment to make sure that Abigail is alright, but when you look back, the thing has disappeared entirely. "Where did it go?! Abby, did you see it move?"

Abby frowns. "What thing, Mister Shinji?" She tilts her head in confusion at you. "You just walked into the center of the room, and held your hand out before you jumped backwards, is there... something wrong?" The girl's words confuse you for just a moment.

"I think there might be." You quickly get back to Abigail, standing behind her protectively. If you weren't worried about the abilities of your opponent to get being you and Abigail, you'd have stood in front of her, but as it is, you seem to be up against an enemy that is both a shapeshifter and something that is capable of removing the memories of whoever witnesses it. You seem to be an exception right now, but you don't know if that's going to be guaranteed forever.

Part 22