The Grey District was holding its breath. The air was still. There was no wind. There was no sound of traffic. Even the rats had hidden. Kaito stood at the end of the abandoned street. The pavement was cracked. The buildings leaned inward. At the center of the road, the air was tearing. It was not a small shimmer. It was not a heat haze. It was a wound. The space was ripped open. It was ten feet tall. It was five feet wide. The edges jagged like broken glass. Darkness poured out of it. It was not shadow. It was absence. Kaito stood still. His hands were in his pockets. His heart beat slowly. He did not run. He did not hide.
Kuro said: "This is too big."
Kaito said: "I know."
Kuro said: "You cannot close this alone."
Kaito said: "I have to."
