Once outside of the inn, they headed straight for a clothes shop. Shadow tried his best to keep his composure as people were actually staring at him. He kept rubbing his sweaty palms against the destroyed trousers, constantly moving his suitcase from side to side. Every sound was making him scared, and his mouth was constantly full of saliva. But the worst thing was; the voice was back.

Only whispering so far but that was enough to make the priest anxious. He kept biting his cheek from inside, trying to distract himself. While was Amy guiding them through the streets humming a simple melody, he felt something was behind him. Creeping, just a few inches from his body, waiting for the right opportunity to jump to sink its teeth into the throbbing veins on the neck.

He gulped another portion of saliva. He felt hungry, not for food, but for blood and the ecstasy of hunting living prey.

His shaky eyes fell on the children walking in front of him.

So delicious, whispered the voice.

Such tender meat, added the voice, taunting him.

The black hand started to slowly move toward Amy when she turned back, saying, "Mr. Shadow, you weren't listening, were you?" Her face was a bit frowning.

"Huh?" was his only dumbfounded reaction. The voice, anxiousness, hunger all of it was suddenly gone. There was no trace left.

"You weren't trying to chicken out of shopping, were you?" she asked putting her right arm on the hip.

"No, I just," Shadow didn't finish his sentence. His body jerked a bit as he felt pain in the left calf.

"Are you alright, Father Shadow?" Sonic gasped quickly.

"Are you still in pain?" the girl added. "I thought your body is... feeling better since you walked with ease."

She gnawed her lip a bit before continuing, "I was so focused on finding this adult clothes shop I didn't consider you may still need a rest. I'm such..." She finished her sentence with balled fists, gripping the trim of her dress.

The ebony hedgehog slightly smiled. "No problem, I never visited any clothes shop, so I would be lost not knowing what to look for." He smiled.

"My legs are only a bit sore, with a little warming up, they will be in tip-top shape." Shadow stomped with them slightly, to show her he was alright.

She nodded. "Then it's good we have arrived." She headed to a door with a big glass panel and a small tag stating it's open.

"Welcome," said the doe clerk behind the bar, as the small bell announced someone had entered.

"Good day, miss," Amy made small curtsy, chirpy adding, "I'm looking for a nice shirt and pants."

The doe clerk in a simple working uniform of darker blue shade nodded. "Of course, just this morning we have got new goods." She gestured for them to follow.

"That's good to hear." Amy had happy sparks in her eyes.

"Here is the latest model," the woman said, and Sonic frowned. It looked like the one he saw at the entrance. "What size would you like?" the clerk added.

"Right, what is your size Mister Shadow?" The girl looked at him, and he seemed confused.

"A size? I... I don't know. I have never worn a shirt."

The clerk smiled. "No problem, I shall measure you, please stand here." She pointed at one more open place. "Now stay still, I'll take a note of your sizes," she instructed when he did so.

"A-Alright."

It seemed to be a simple procedure, but the priest felt so embarrassed and nervous. He followed her instructions, spreading arms and such. When she wanted to measure his chest, he jerked his body.

"Did I cut you?" She quickly checked her gloves if there wasn't a hole.

"N-No, I have gotten there really ugly bruise recently. It's just sensitive," he quickly made a white lie.

"I understand, I'll be very careful."

Despite hardly feeling the meter touching him, Shadow still held his breath for a second.

"This is all, so your sizes are like this," she said at the end of measuring. The doe clerk took the paper and walked to a poster next to a tall mirror.

"The size L should be fine," the woman said after comparing the values and went to the shirts.

"L size?" the boy asked Amy.

"Yeah, all clothes have a specific size," she started to explain, "From S to XL, we have a range from the smallest to the largest, so a wide variety of people can wear the same model as long it has different sizes."

Shadow was thinking about it a bit since he never experienced this, but he heard from time to time townspeople to talk about new clothes shop. It was always a big event since these shops introduced a cheaper, yet quality clothing. Of course, the rich ones would keep hiring dressmakers to make them new attire, but the middle class was finally having access to fashion.

As he was thinking Amy already picked three shirts for him. He had no other choice but to try them, letting the girl evaluate how he looked in it. Meanwhile, two customers came inside, but the priest was too occupied by changing clothes he hardly noticed them. Not to mention finding the right pants was almost harder than discovering shirt Amy was satisfied with. Finally, there seemed to be a set she was happy with.

It consisted of simple black trousers with a decent stripe pattern. The white shirt had no decoration but was made from durable material.

Since this shop offered even a small section of boots, he spent another eternity in finding the right-sized pair. But that hell had to eventually end. However, even if he was feeling tired, he wasn't annoyed, he had fun. Only the last piece Amy gave him was causing him the headache.

"Do I really need this?" he asked her, walking from the changing room.

"Of course." She firmly nodded with a bit impish smile.

Now he was sure, she picked it to tease him. It was a tie, and the priest had no idea what to do with it. She stretched her hand, gesturing him to pass it.

"Let me do it."

Shadow knelt, and she slowly tied it, explaining how she was doing it.

"See, it's simple. It just takes a little practice." She made two steps back, observing her handy work.

"Thank you, Amy." This sentence was rather heavy. Not just for the tie, but for helping him to regain his sanity.

"No problem. I guess it's time to go since you are ready."

Sonic's ears perked, quickly walking towards them. For the last hours he was reading a book the clerk lent him to survive through this.

Before Shadow could calculate, how much this would cost, Amy effortlessly paid for it. The ebony hedgehog prayed to the Lord to give him a chance to repay her this kindness. They have left the shop, walking down the street. This was the time they should give each other goodbye.

He planned to leave Sonic in the care of her family, continuing the journey on his own. But there was still the demon. He should take proper care of him first. When he prepared his brain for an argument with Amy, she stopped. Shadow inhaled the air, noticing a change in her smell.

"Amy, what's up?" Sonic asked and reached for her to grab her arm.

The priest put his hand on the boy's shoulder, gesturing him to not do so. "No, something... is different about her."

"Wha-?" He silently shouted.

Shadow inhaled the air around her. The smell was familiar to him, he was sure he had smelled it before, but he couldn't recall where or when. However, there was no malicious intention hiding in it. But who could possess Amy and for what purpose?

She started to walk in a different direction.

"Let's follow her for now," Shadow suggested.

He kept thinking about it. He had no idea if Amy came in contact with any other supernatural creature before the demon abducted her. He was the first one to pop into his mind, but since the aura around her wasn't malicious, it couldn't be his work.

"Father Shadow," whispered Sonic, "why is Amy acting like that?"

The priest nodded, ready to explain. "She is probably possessed. Snapping them out of it can temporally help, but in the long-term, it won't do any good.

From my experience, it's better to follow such person to the source and destroy it. Usually, it was a lesser demon controlling weak minded individual. Exorcising it will solve the problem permanently."

"So Amy is in danger?" The boy almost added 'again?', and nobody would complain.

Shadow checked the surrounding as they were slowly getting further from the bustling area. He was hoping a bit they would stay there, but if it was some medium calling Amy, it wasn't surprising to meet them at the outskirt of cities. There were still people believing anybody with unusual powers was responsible for bad weather or floods.

"Not necessary, let's follow her for now."

The boy nodded, not letting her leave his sight.

The priest had no idea what was happening in Amy's head, but the girl wasn't any wiser. Her mind was enveloped by a haze, and her green eyes were set on a woman in front of her.

At least the girl thought that way. There were long quills wavering around her, and the aura surrounding her was so mother-like. It was gentle, soft, emitting absolute safety in her arms. Amy wasn't afraid of her, and she believed it was her voice that guided her when she took care of Mister Shadow.

The said priest was now looking into her unfocused eyes. It was one of the signs of being possessed, however, that was the only sign. He once more smelled her.

"Why are you sniffing around her?" Sonic asked. He actually did it too because he was curious, but there was nothing strange. His green eyes looked around since they entered the outer part of the city a few streets ago.

"I'm just checking her odor."

Sonic lifted his eyebrow.

"Well," Shadow felt awkward, "I have got a more sensitive more and... How to put it..."

He scratched his muzzle as he was looking for the right words.

"Basically," he continued, "I can tell if there is something wrong based on the smell coming from people." He didn't wish to talk more about it, but this might be the only good thing that came with his transformation. It came handy for a few times.

Sonic didn't ask more question, feeling Father Shadow didn't want to pursue it any further. The boy concentrated on Amy in front of him.

They entered the oldest part of the city, encountering only a handful of people. Nobody paid them any attention, their worries were more important than problems of a random person. Nobody wanted to have extra work as a result of their kindness.

Shadow's nose picked one familiar smell; way too familiar smell to be precious. His fur bristled, and he tensed his muscles. Sonic noticed that change when they were turning a corner. The priest silently growled, his dark eyes pierced the space in front of them.

Sonic jerked his head forward, seeing a body on the ground. It was him! "That demon!" the boy gasped, recognizing the small demon lying on the stomach with his limbs stretched.

The ebony hedgehog knelt, grabbing Amy and pressing her against his chest. "Amy, can you hear me?" he whispered to not scare her more than she probably was.

Amy winked, waking from her vivid dream. "Ah, yes, but why---?" She stopped, noticing she was in a different place. Just a short while ago they were in the middle of busy street. 'That woman?' She could only vaguely remember her form. 'Where is she?'

Shadow loosed up his arm. "You led us here. I thought it may not be entirely of your will." He gently pushed her behind.

The demon was unconscious, and his smell was far from the one that was around Amy. If this was truly a work of a medium, why did this person lead them here? To end the demon's life? If so, it meant the medium knew about him, so why to use them?

Amy was as confused as the priest. She shivered when she noticed Eclipse. The memories were too fresh to not feel fear. She noticed Sonic stood in front of her. There was no doubt he was protecting her.

The pink hedgehog again looked at the demon, and she heard a voice. 'What?' she barked in her mind, but no answer came. She didn't hear words, but she knew the meaning. However, it was making no sense. How could it be this way?

Amy wanted to scream and ran away, but once more the glowing woman was in front of her. The girl crossed her arms in front of her, closing eyes, but instead of the pain she felt a warmth spreading from her forehead. The woman kissed her. Amy opened her eyes, and she could suddenly see more than before.

She could see Shadow's aura. It was mostly calm, with subtle ripples spreading through it. The grayish color was covering something dark beneath as the dark shades were pulsating in the center.

She glanced at Sonic, and his aura was crystal clear, full of sea blue shades. It was wavering, reflecting anxiety and nervousness.

Amy's eyes were at last dragged toward the demon. She gasped, covering her mouth. She never thought she would see such emotion mess in a demon. She widened her eyes in the hope she would see more, but her vision was gone.

'Huh?' She checked her companions, but their auras were gone too. Her eyes returned to normal. Was she really seeing it? Or was it what she thought she saw?

Shadow put down his suitcase, coming closer to the unmoving body. 'Is he dead?' he questioned the demon's status.

Considering how they weren't exactly silent with their steps, Shadow expected the demon to know about them a long time ago. He remembered their previous encounters. He was sure it was this demon that was possessing people in his town.

However, they turned aggressive, so he knew Amy wasn't possessed by this demon. He was also thinking, this creature wasn't controlling them but using their troubles and worries to make them commit crimes so their souls would turn darker.

In a sense, Shadow was more leaning toward the theory this demon used possession as an occasional hunting method. His forte was in frontal attacks, ripping the bodies to shreds.

The priest shuddered, he felt disgusted he was so calmly analyzing this creature's habits. In the end, it didn't matter. This demon killed innocent people, he needed to be put down; permanently.

He sniffed. 'A burns?'

His eyes trailed small crossed legs. With just a brief look he noticed severe burns.

'How? He wasn't hurt, when I lost him. Did he meet someone else?'

Shadow moved a bit closer and knelt, taking longer to analyze the third smell he detected. Upon success, his body jerked and froze.

'That... silver exorcist?' He couldn't surpass the shiver that ran down his spine. 'This demon must have devil's own luck escaping from him. But when that happened?'

He slightly shook his head. 'Why do I care? I shouldn't be overthinking this.'

He felt he might start feeling pity for this demonic creature. He shouldn't have. It was cruel being, unable to feel remorse or emotions. This demon clearly deserves this all. There was no need to feel compassion. The priest slowly stood up, getting ready to do what had to be done.

'It will be better if I end his life now. Those burns are severe, and he wouldn't be able to live for too long anyway.'

He once more examined his body. On his face, he noticed dry traces. 'Was he... crying?' He bit his lip as he rolled his sleeves up.

"Mr. Shadow?" Amy made a step, but the boy grabbed her hand, preventing her from getting closer. "What are you going to do?"

The ebony hedgehog sighed in his mind. "Sonic, Amy, can you return to the city? I'll catch up with you later."

"Okay," Sonic answered, and started to drag Amy away.

"Hey, wait," she called the boy, but he refused to stop. "I said wait!" She pulled her hand off, freeing herself. She dashed closer, quickly placing her question, "What are you intending to do, Mr. Shadow?"

The priest didn't look at her as he could feel her eyes were on his back. He sighed, "I shall end his life."

"No way," she whispered.

"Wha-?" Sonic gasped, unable to believe his ears.

The ebony hedgehog's ears twitched upon hearing it. Did she feel pity for him? Even after he assaulted her?

"Are you crazy?" burst Sonic. "He attacked you! You have no idea what he intended to do to me! He chased me, and when he had me, he claimed to keep me as his pet to hunt me whenever he would feel it! Demons love to torture their prey to the death! They are just heartless monsters!" His body started to shake with anger.

Amy had a sour expression. "I know! I know! Demons are bad and all, I heard that all the time!" she talked back and then she looked at the unconscious demon.

Why did she feel that glowing woman wanted for this demon to live? Was she telling her to have mercy? It was true Amy was still scared of him, however, that feeling was fading when she noticed his hurt body.

"But doesn't Lord teaches us to help those in need?" she inquired, trying to somehow convey the message she had got from the woman.

Maybe this was the reason. Maybe this lady was a messenger of the Lord. Why else would she be glowing?

Sonic's jaw dropped, and he barked without thinking, "Are you a bloody fool?"

"Sonic!" Shadow snapped, stopping Sonic from saying more.

The boy's ears went down. A small blush appeared on his muzzle.

"Both of you are right," Shadow admitted, turning toward them. "But you, Amy, are making me curious. Why? This demon devoured countless innocent citizens, you experienced that terror first hand. I understand you are kindhearted, but even that has its limits. What's makes you feel a need to help him? Even if you will help him and he recovers, you will only end up as his victim."

"Yeah, Father Shadow is right," said Sonic in more friendly tone now. He felt a bit guilty for calling her bloody fool.

All eyes were on her, waiting for her answer.