Hey yall! Joe Stalin here with Chapter 6 of his gruesome, blood filled suspense story! The net is tightening on Jacks identity. Have you picked a suspect yet?

Lets do this!

Jack The Ripper

Chapter 6- The Net Tightens

'A gift to the entire medical community. Jack.'

Thats what the note they had found on Eggman read, written in the mans own blood. It caused a chill to streak through however read it. Jack had struck again.

Eggmans body had been virtually destroyed. His face had been slashed with numerous instruments from the medical trolley, his eyes had been gouged out, and a scalpel pierced through his head. His arms and legs had been sliced clean off, and another scalpel pierced through his chest. On the handle of the blade, the note had been attached. But the worst thing of all was what they found on the floor.

A wine glass...full of Eggmans own blood. Jack wasn't just a killer. He was a vampire.

Doctor Harris watched on as the coroners men hastily zipped up the body bag. The young doctor was ghostly white, and sweat trickled down his brow. In all his years in the medical business, he had never seen such an appalling sight. He resisted once again the urge to retch, and turned to the person stood next to him.

''I don't beleive it. I only saw him last night. How could such a thing happen?''

''Oh it happened all right, and I'm gonna ensure it doesn't happen again! I want a list of everyone who has access to this area of the hospital after 9pm, and I want a record of everyone who visited this hospital in the last 16 hours'' The figure ordered. Doctor Harris nodded.

''I'll get onto it right away. If you'll excuse me, I have patients to attend to'' The doctor nodded and turned and left the room as quickly as he could.

Thelone figurestared down at the still wet blood on the floor, and back to the medical trolley. The blades flashed menacingly under the bright light. He shivered.

''I'm gonna catch you, you bastard! Detective Vector never fails to catch his man!''

In the ward, Sonic was anxious to leave as soon as he could. He had heard the news, and it made him sick to the stomach. Jack had been at the hospital, and he had found Eggman. What was worse, was that Sonic had also been in the hospital that night. Jack could have easily come back to finish him off. In a way, although he hated himself for thinking it, he was glad it had been Eggman and not him who The Ripper had taken out.

Sonic had regained consciousness an hur before Eggmans body had been found, and he had been wide awake when he heard the blood curdling scream of the caretaker. Since then, Sonic had been anxious to get out of the hospital. He didn't want to stay in the same place where one of his friends had been killed in the most horrifying way imaginable. But he was still recovering from his injuries, and the doctors had warned him that any form of sudden movement could split his stitches. And that could prove fatal.

The police had been round of course. They had interviewed all the personnel who had been in the hospital after 9pm, and they had also interviewed him. But not about the murder.

''Mr Sonic, could you please explain to me why you thought it necessary to carry a gun to the club you were at the night you were shot?'' The young officer had questioned. Sonic had felt sick.

When they had been bringing him to the hospital, they had removed his coat to inspect his injuries. Unfortunatley, they had found something suspicious in the pocket.

''I was scared, okay? Two of my friends had been killed, one of them my girlfriend! I wasn't gonna step one foot out of my place unless I was protected. Right good it did me!'' Sonic had fumed.

There was no point in trying to cover it up. That night, he had been fully prepared to shoot anyone whohe thought posed a threat to him. Although he hadn't told anyone, he was terrified. And he had every right to be.

What happened next took Sonic completely by surprise.

''I'm afraid we're going to have to confiscate your firearm as evidence in these murders. We'll also have to ask you to come down to the station for questioning as soon as you get the all clear from your doctor''

''Wait a minute! Are you accusing me of this? Thats bullshit!'' Sonic had snarled. He couldnt beleive that the police thought he was capable of murder, least of all his girlfriend and two of his friends.

''Nothing personnal sir, but you must admit that it is suspicious. You carrying a firearm following the murder of Amy Rose who was also shot. And you were here the night Doctor Eggman was murdered'' The officer had continued. Sonic was furious.

''I was unconscious you thick headed bastard! How could I have murdered him?'' The officer frowned.

''There have been cases of people faking unconsciousness to avoid being suspected of the crime. How do we know that you weren't faking?'' Sonic spluttered in anger.

''But I was shot! How could I have shot myself?''

''At this early stage, we are looking over that crime as a possible seperate incident to The Ripper murders. Until we've inspected the bullet that was fired at you, and cross checked it with the bullet that killed Amy Rose, we have no evidence that you were a victim of The Ripper. And we don't beleive what the papers say counts as evidence to suggest otherwise!''

Sonic was stunned. He could not beleive that the police suspected him of killing Amy and Eggman. Him, the hero of Station Square! Being accused of murder.

The police had left a few minutes later, leaving Sonic alone with his thoughts. It had been stupid of him to take his gun to the club. What if he had shot someone who was completely innocent? Sonic would have never forgiven himself if he had done that. And now because of his own stupidity, the police suspected him of being The Ripper.

''What am I gonna do?'' He muttered under his breath.

''You can start by saying hi to me hedgehog!'' A voice spoke out.

Sonic spun round, to be confronted by the sight of a bright green crocodile, a smile spread across his face.

''Vector?'' Sonic stared open mouthed. Vector had changed a lot since the last time he had seen him. He seemed bigger, stronger, more determined.

''Right first time Sonic! How've you been since last I saw you?'' Vector smirked. Sonic returned the smile.

''I've been better. What are you doing here?'' Vector sighed.

''I've been assigned to this case. Not my decision mind. I couldn't help over hearing your little conversation with that officer'' Sonic snorted.

''Can you beleive that guy? As if I could ever do anything like this!'' Vector shook his head.

''I have to beleive the evidence Sonic. And you have to admit, it is a bit suspicious''

Sonics jaw dropped. Vector too thought he was a murderer?

''But...I...'' Sonic couldnt finish. Vector lay a hand on the hedgehogs shoulder.

''But what I do know, is that you Sonic are not a murderer. And I know that you would never do anything to hurt your friends. I'm sorry about Amy''

Sonic nodded sadly.

''Thaks Vecs. Much appreciated'' Vector smiled.

''I've had a word with the doc. He's pleased with your progress, and you should be able to leave tonight. Under escort of course''

Sonic stared at Vector quizzically.

''Under escort? Why?''

''Your a suspect for murder Sonic! You can't be allowed to go off on your own! You could catch a plane to Brazil, and that'd be the last we see of you!''

Sonic looked down, dejected. He was a murder suspect.

''Luckily for you, the guy chosen to keep an eye on you happens to be a good one'' Sonic looked at Vector.

''Who is he?'' Vector winked. Sonic smiled.

''I'll keep you out of trouble, and if neccessary I'll prove to them how you can't possibly be a suspect!'' Sonic shook Vectors hand.

''Thanks detective. Much obliged.''

''Our top story tonight. Another murder perpetrated by the serial killer known as Jack The Ripper. The man, who has been unnamed at the time of broadcast, was found brutally murdered this morning at Station Square Hospital. He is the sixth known murder perpetrated by The Ripper. The police are baffled as to the possible indentity of Jack, and people are left with two questions. Who is The Ripper, and who will be his next victim?''

''Wouldn't you like to know my dear'' Jack sniggered.

In the darkness, his bloodshot eyes were entirely focussed on the television screen as news of the latest murder continued to flash across the bottom part of the screen. He smiled. In his hand was a glass, filled with a dark syrup like liquid which stained the sides of the glass.

Jack snorted. None of them had a clue as to who he was, and as long as he continued to play his cards right, they weren't likely to ever find out. He shook his head, and took another swig from the glass. The liquid tasted sweet, and it left a red smear on his top lip which he lapped up with his tongue.

He remembered the events of the night before vividly. It had been an excellent hunt, and he had left a little love note to the police. Jack enjoyed taunting his victims. That was what the CD player had been for. To lead Eggman into the operating theatre, and right into Jacks waiting hands.

Jack let out a laugh, which was akin to a loud bark. It was devoid of all humour, and would have sent a chill down the spine of anyone who had heard it. He downed the remaining liquid from the glass, and lapped up the remains from the side of his mouth. Sweet, just the way he liked it.

With a sigh, Jack stood up and walked over to the far side of the room he wa sitting in. The lights were off and the curtains were drawn, plunging the room into darkness penetrated only by the flickering television screen. He walked over to a nearby hanger where his coat was hung. It took him a few seconds as he limped on his injured leg. He cursed and grabbed the wall for support.

''You'll just have to be more careful next time, won't you Jacky boy!'' He snarled under his breath as he made a grab for his coat. He tore it off the peg and quickly put it on. Once finished, he made his way over to a nearby table. On the table top was a phone.

Jack grabbed the receiver, and jabbed in a number. Then he waited, the receiver pinned under his chin in order for him to hold onto the table top to avoid collapsing. After a few seconds, someone on the other line picked up.

''Hello?'' The voice crackled. The line was a bad one, but that suited Jack just fine. It would make his voice all the more harder to recognise.

''Hello Sonic. I've been thinking a lot about you lately, and so I thought I'd ring and see how you were doing'' Jack sniggered.

''Who is this? I can't make you out clearly, the lines distorted'' Sonics voice crackled from the receiver.

''I was really disappointed with you Sonic. The others were so much more cooperative, why couldn't you just lie back and die? You make my work so much more harder now''

And audible gasp crackled down the line. Jacks grin grew wider.

''Jack? Is that you?'' Jack giggled.

''Mmm...could be! I like to keep the essence of surprise Sonic. Its so much easier to pick off prey that way. I'm sure you understand'' Jacks grin stretched across his face, pinching his cheeks.

''Listen here yo Goddamn son of a bitch! When I find you, I'm gonna tear you apart for what you did to Amy! You hear me?'' Sonic voice bellowed down the line. Jacks grin faded immediatley.

''Now you've done it. You've annoyed me Sonic, and when I get annoyed people start to disappear. If you know what I mean''

''W-what do you mean? What are you gonna do?'' Sonics terrified voice crackled down the line. Jack frowned.

''Perhaps you don't realsie who your dealing with Sonic. I'm Jack, and this city is my hunting ground! I hunt at night, and I feed on my catch! And I'm feeling mighty hungry right about now'' Jack barked out a laugh.

''Please...please...'' Sonic begged.

''Sorry Sonic, I've got to be going. There's an old friend of yours I'm having round for supper. So don't wait up!'' Jack slammed the reciever down. Licking his lips hungrily, he reached into his coat pocket and felt the cold metal on his skin.

''Jacky's comin' to get ya!'' Jack whispered under his breath as he made his way to the door. There was only one thing on his mind. Hunger.

Sonic felt sick. He'd never felt so helpless in his whole life. Jack was coming after one of his friends, and he didn't know which one. Or how much time he had.

He had immediatley rung the houses of his friends. Rouge had picked up after 2 rings, and Sonic was releived that Cream was with her. He had ordered them to lock their doors and windows, and call him and Vector if they saw or heard anything suspicious. They had agreed.

Knuckles hadn't picked up until 10 rings, and with each passing second Sonics heart had been beating frantically. Finally, the echinda had picked up. Sonic ordered him to do they exact same thing as Rouge and Cream, and after a few seconds arguing Knuckles had finally agreed.

Tails picked up after 5 rings. Once again, Sonic ordered the fox to lock up and call him should anything look suspicious. Tails had been suspicious like Knuckles, but had agreed without arguing. Finall, Sonic started to relax.

''Don't worry buddy. I've ordered a squad car to keep an eye on each house. Trust me, Jack ain't gonna get anywhere near those guys!'' Vector had reassured him. Sonic felt more releived, but still something in his head told him that something was wrong.

Sonic shuddered at the memory of Jacks cruel voice. The way he had informed him casually that he was going to pick off another of his friends. Sonic couln't beleive that The Ripper knew his phone number, let alone his name. It was obvious now. Jack was following him and his friends. And he wasn't going to stop until they were all dead.

Sonics thought pattern was interupted by the phone ringing. Sonics heart skipped a beat. One of his friends must be in danger. Or maybe it was Jack calling to gloat that he had succeeded in killing one of them.

Sonic stared at the phone as it continued to ring. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Vetor picked up the reciever.

''Detective Vector here. Who's speaking please?''

Vector clicked onto something immediately before anyone at the other end had started speaking. In the background, music was playing. Vector knew the song, and it sent a chill up his spine.

Abba. ''Voulez Vous''. The same song they had found in the CD player along with Eggmans body. Jacks song.

Sonic remained silent as Vector listened intently to whoever was speaking at the other end. After a few seconds, Vecotr lowered the phone, and turned to face Sonic. The blue hedgehog waited intently for information from Vector.

''That was one of my boys watching out for Jack. I'm sorry Sonic''

Sonics heart skipped a beat. He didn't want to hear the rest.

''Its Tails. Jack got him''

Scary stuff or what? Is Tails dead? How will Sonic react to his little bro's attack? And what will Jacks next atrocity be? Find out next time!

Joe.