Cate grabbed Marcus and Raj while the Grim Reaper grabbed Sam, turning and stepping through the sudden opening into the Void. The swirl of darkness cascaded down on Sam as they spun through the Void, and then they were landing smack dab in the middle of the Atrium.

Sam stumbled on landing but managed to keep his feet for the most part. Marcus and Raj, however, both hit the ground, Marcus slamming his knees while Raj sprawled full length.

"Amateurs," the Grim Reaper muttered. "Come on, get up, I don't have time for your lollygagging." And without further ado, he strode off toward the black doors.

Marcus and Raj gawked at nearly everything as they passed through the doors and approached Maurice at the reception desk. The black robed figure looked up and pointed accusingly as they approached.

"Two badges, Maurice," the Grim Reaper requested. "Marcus Bronze and Raj Acharya. Need limited clearance for GRS."

Maurice made a contented hissing sound and tapped some keys on his computer before taking two newly printed badges and handing them to his roommates, who tentatively clipped them to their shirts. Maurice then looked up at Sam and even though there was no sign of his face beneath the hood, Sam could swear he was sending him a dirty look for his continued lack of an identity.

"Hypocrite," Sam muttered at him, making Maurice recoil angrily, hissing nastily.

The group walked into the Grim Reaper Services and past the curtain behind which the CDAs worked. Cate offered brief explanations for things as they headed to the Grim Reaper's office, her brother pushing open the door and ushering everyone inside quite impatiently.

"Where are we beginning our hunt, anyway?" Sam asked.

"The crime scene," the Grim Reaper told him. "It's the best place to start."

"But first," Cate interjected. "You three need to be armed. When we do find Slit-Gag, he will be able to see us and fight with us, which he will take advantage of." She gestured for the three to follow her and left the office.

In the armory, which was filled with weapons of all types, Cate selected three swords and handed them to the guys. "These are Soulsnatcher blades," she told them.

"What do they do?" Sam asked, examining his sword.

"If you strike Slit-Gag in his chest or throat, a fatal blow, this will instantly bind his soul to the blade and keep him from continuing to struggle or fight."

"You mean he won't die when we kill him?" Raj asked in alarm.

"Serial killers typically don't," Cate said. "Who do you think had to finish off Bundy when they put him in the electric chair?"

"I'm starting not to like this," Marcus muttered.

"Here," Cate handed Marcus a small box. "These are contacts that will allow you to see death. Trust me, you'll want these."

The Grim Reaper strode into the room as Marcus was examining the lenses suspiciously. "All right, let's go!"

Sam's phone chose that moment to buzz and he started, yanking it out of his pocket. It was Brianna again.

"Who is it?" Marcus asked curiously.

"Bri," Sam answered. "She wants to meet up for coffee tomorrow, but I'm busy."

"Hold on a second," Raj said suddenly. "Your sister is a doctoral candidate, right? In psychology?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah. So?"

"What is her field of expertise?"

For a moment, Sam just regarded Raj in bewilderment before closing his eyes. How come I didn't think of this? "Brianna's studying serial killers."

"You should ask her about Slit-Gag!" Raj exclaimed. "Maybe she can provide some insight on the case."

Cate glanced at her brother and then at Sam. "Do you think your sister can help?"

"I'm not sure," Sam said. "But maybe. She knows a lot about this stuff, she could provide something to lead us in the right direction."

"Meet up with her tomorrow," the Grim Reaper directed, and Sam quickly sent a text confirming the date. "Now, let's get to that crime scene."

[----]

The five stepped out of the Void into the hallway outside the emo club's room. Police tape marked the area, but there was no one in sight. The Grim Reaper strode forward and shoved the door open, ushering the others inside.

"What, exactly, are we looking for?" Sam asked.

"A clue," Cate said vaguely. "Just anything to provide some direction."

Raj tensely glanced around the room. "Did you know the student union is one of the original buildings on campus? Along with the library, they're the two oldest structures for ULD."

Marcus groaned. "We know, Raj. You're spouting facts again."

"I'm nervous, okay?" Raj retorted. "And I list stuff from my research when I'm nervous."

Sam stared around the room, ignoring his roommates. In the corner sat a radio, speakers spread throughout the room. Chairs littered the space and emo posters were plastered across the walls, all staring down and judging him. With a shudder, he looked at the floor in the center of the room, where Jake had been found. Selena's voice ran through his mind.

"The only reason Jake's stood out is because I heard a snatch of music when he was killed."

Why would there be music playing when Jake was killed?

Sam stepped forward, turning. This was, after all, the home of the emo club. So, if there was music playing....

"Hey, Cate?" he called, glancing over his shoulder at her. "Is it true that an autopsy can estimate the time of death?"

"Yeah," Cate said.

"Can we find out what time Jake died?"

Cate nodded and turned, stepping into the darkness of the Void and vanishing. Within five minutes she had returned. "The estimate is between seven and eight, Tuesday evening."

Sam exchanged glances with Raj and Marcus. "The emo club," they chorused.

"The what?" the Grim Reaper asked irritably as he crouched by the back wall, peering intently at a green-tinted Fall Out Boy poster.

"Jake was part of an emo club," Sam explained. "They met at that time and would listen to music."

"You're saying our serial killer is an emo?" Cate asked skeptically.

"I could see that," her brother commented, shifting his position as he ran his fingers along the edge of the poster. "Ah-hah!" He tore the Fall Out Boy poster off the wall. The sound of it tearing made the boys wince as half the poster drifted to the ground. "Found something."

Sam hurried over and peered at the outline of a small door. The Grim Reaper felt along the edges, looking for a latch, as Sam crouched beside him. "Where does that lead to?"

"No clue," the Grim Reaper replied. "But it could be something."

Raj, Marcus, and Cate gathered around them as the Grim Reaper pressed his fingers against something and a click sounded. The door swung outward, revealing a dark tunnel within. It looked rather...cramped.

"I smell death," the Grim Reaper stated, narrowing his eyes as he peered into the murky blackness. Sam sniffed; he just smelled damp earth and some odd, lingering odor he couldn't place. Perhaps that was what he was referring to.

"Perhaps try some deodorant," Marcus drawled.

The Grim Reaper didn't even bother to shoot him an irritated glare. He kept looking into the narrow tunnel, leaning forward slightly. "Cate, will you do the honors?"

Cate inched forward, kneeling down and extending her hands toward the hole, her eyes closed. Dark blue, almost black, wispy strands issued from her fingers and fled into the tunnel, disappearing from sight.

"You're right," she said, rotating her hands so her palms were face up. "There's definitely death of some sort in there."

"A killer's hideout, perhaps?" the Grim Reaper suggested, as Cate sat back, opening her eyes and lowering her hands. "We should investigate."

And he crawled into the tunnel.