'What's close? What's huge?'
Scott repeated his questions but the girl continued to ignore him, making to move. Irritated by the ghost's lack of response to him, and still being overtired, he grabbed her arm only for her to pull free and point at his face.
'Binding spell!'
With her shouted instruction Scott's arms were pulled behind his back and his wrists bound together – how and with what he didn't know – and he fell against his chair.
'Hey, come on Ghost, untie this thing!'
'I am not a ghost, I am a Soul Reaper.'
'A soul reaper?'
But any further questions were cut short with a panicked shout from Gordon. It came clear across the comms.
'Gordon!'
'It's here!'
'What's here? What is it?!'
The scream had Scott fighting his bonds and with a great effort he tore free. He ran out of One, missing the soul reaper's surprised exclamation: 'A human…broke my spell?'
Getting to Two didn't take long, and Scott entered the pod at the same time Virgil and Alan reached it. It was Virgil who asked the question.
'Gords? Why did you scream like that? And why are you here and not in the cockpit?'
'I – I needed a glass of water and I heard a voice.'
'John?'
'Yes, Scott?'
'Was that you?'
'No. I can't see anyone there that shouldn't be there, Scott.'
Virgil and Alan visibly relaxed and Scott was making to leave the pod to check when with a mighty tearing sound something broke through the pod door and grabbed Gordon, pulling him out of the pod. Everyone was knocked unconscious except for Scott, who rushed out after his brother with a shout. The girl followed him closely.
'What the hell was that?!' Scott shouted, but the Soul Reaper merely looked at him in shock.
'He can see the Hollow too?' was her only response.
The area around the 'birds was deserted. Scott skidded to a halt as the creature that had snatched Gordon appeared before him.
It was taller than Two, humanoid in appearance except it had a gaping hole where its diaphragm would be. It also had a white painted face with red lines, like a Japanese theatre mask. It had been diaphanous but solidified as it turned.
It was holding Gordon in one hand.
With a cry of 'Gordon! Let him go!' Scott rushed forward, only for the creature to literally punch him away. He struggled back to his feet as the Hollow stepped towards him.
'Give me your soul,' it thundered.
'Stay back!'
And in a blur of movement the girl was there. She flew up into the air and sliced at the Hollow's arm. It dropped Gordon, and Scott skid along the floor to catch his brother. Gordon was unconscious and Scott carefully laid him into the recovery position.
The sword had almost cut through the Hollow's arm, but the wound simply glowed blue and healed itself. It turned to face the girl, who had landed a few feet away. She was ready, sword grasped tightly, as she spoke to Scott.
'Your spiritual pressure must be strong for you to see a Hollow.'
'Huh?'
'Hollows eat souls like yours – that's what it wants.'
As if it had heard the girl the Hollow turned back to Scott and confirmed her statement.
'I want your soul.'
'Mine?'
The girl shot out to stand beside Scott as the Hollow advanced.
'What is that thing anyway?'
'It's called a Hollow.'
'Great, and what are they?'
But before the girl could answer the Hollow's head shot forward as its neck elongated, intent on swallowing Scott whole.
