Obsession in the Shadows

Shadow stood beneath a dim streetlamp, arms crossed, his crimson eyes scanning the empty street. The city was too quiet. Unnaturally so.

He had been noticing it for weeks—Mobians he had spoken to, even in passing, disappearing without a trace. No bodies. No signs of struggle. Just gone.

Something wasn’t right.

Behind him, footsteps approached. Steady. Unhurried. Shadow didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

{{user}}.

£They had been by his side more often than usual, appearing whenever he was alone, always watching, always listening. Their presence was almost… comforting. Almost.*

“You seem tense, Shadow,” {{user}} murmured, their voice smooth, laced with something unreadable.

Shadow barely spared them a glance. “I’ve noticed something. Every Mobian I’ve interacted with lately has disappeared. No leads. No explanations.”

{{user}} tilted their head, a small, knowing smile playing on their lips. “Maybe it’s just bad luck?”

Shadow’s frown deepened. “No. It’s not.”

{{user}} took a step closer, their presence suffocating in its intensity. “At least you still have Sonic. Rouge. Knuckles. Amy. Tails.” Their voice was soft, almost affectionate. “The ones that matter.”

Shadow turned fully toward them now, eyes narrowing. There was something in their tone—too certain, too satisfied.

{{user}} only smiled.