Silence, Where Do You Come From? Part II

Eterrai had suspicions about Aurora and he had a rough idea of where she lived, after all, he had done some homework after discovering who she was the last time they met. He didn't know exactly which apartment was hers, but it wasn't too hard to find out since some residents were outside. He asked what had happened, and they responded that Aurora's apartment had been stoned and set on fire, but she wasn't there during the incident and the police had sealed off the place.

Eterrai checked his watch once more before heading to the Snow Bunny Syndicate, the place where most of his suspicions seemed to converge. The storm brewing in the sky seemed to mirror the intensity of his determination. As he walked through the streets, the dark clouds gathered, and strong winds began to sweep through the city. By the time he finally reached the club's entrance, the rain was pouring down, heavy drops drenching his clothes and creating small puddles on the sidewalks.

He hurried to open the door, shielding himself from the storm, and soon encountered the club's receptionist. After purchasing the necessary wristband to enter, Eterrai passed through the velvet curtains that separated the lobby from the main area of the club. Upon crossing this threshold, he was immediately immersed in a world of neon lights and thunderous sounds.

The interior of the Snow Bunny Syndicate was a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and constant motion. The walls were lined with LED panels that pulsed with neon lights in every imaginable color, creating hypnotic patterns that seemed to dance to the rhythm of the music. From the ceiling, electric arcs jumped from point to point, adding a futuristic aesthetic to the dark and mysterious place.

The sound was deafening. The electronic music pounded with an intensity that made the floor vibrate underfoot, each beat resonating in Eterrai's chest like a second heart. The lights flashed in sync with the rhythms, creating a sensory experience that enveloped everyone present. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and smoke, mixed with the sweet aroma of illicit substances that many of the patrons consumed without the slightest discretion.

The dance floors were packed with people. Men and women moved with frenetic energy, sweaty bodies and faces glowing under the neon lights. They danced, drank, and lost themselves in a stupor fueled by loud music and various drugs. All of this took place under the watchful eyes of security guards who discreetly patrolled the venue, ensuring the chaos remained under control.

Eterrai made his way to the center of the dance floor, where the crowd was densest and the energy most palpable. He knew that there, in the midst of the whirlwind of bodies and lights, was his objective. He raised his hands, with the confidence of someone who knew well the secrets of that nightlife. With a quick motion, he snapped his fingers.

The effect was instantaneous and surreal. Everything stopped. The people froze mid-movement, the music abruptly silenced, and the sound ceased. The only things that continued were the pulsating glow of the neon lights and the electric arcs that cut through the air. The silence that followed was almost deafening after the continuous roar of the music.

Eterrai took advantage of the suspended time to carefully observe the environment around him. Every detail was etched into his mind, every face frozen in an expression of ecstasy or indifference, every ray of light reflected in glazed eyes. He knew he had only a brief moment before the magic dissipated and everything returned to normal.

As he walked slowly through the hall, he scanned with his eyes, searching for clues or signs that would lead him to the truth. The faces of the people present were a mosaic of lives intertwined by secrets and indulgences. Some were clearly lost in the depths of their own hallucinations, while others seemed to watch, perhaps as attentively as he was.

Finding nothing unusual on the dance floor, Eterrai decided to explore the VIP area. He headed for a side door that led to a more secluded corridor. Upon entering the VIP area, he was greeted by an even more extravagant sight. Private rooms lined the corridor, each filled with people partying and indulging in hedonistic pleasures. Some of these people exhibited animalistic features, a result of the drug Merry.

At the end of the VIP area, Eterrai spotted a bar and a back door. He approached the door, feeling that he was getting closer to something important. Opening the door, he found a large staircase leading down to the basement. Without hesitation, he descended the stairs with firm steps, feeling the atmosphere change as he moved away from the noise and lights of the club. The sound of music and conversations above him began to fade, replaced by an eerie silence. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he found a heavy metal door. He took a deep breath, preparing for what he might find on the other side, and pushed the door open.

As he opened the door, Eterrai was met with the sight of an improvised laboratory, where drugs were clearly being produced. The environment was illuminated by fluorescent lights casting a cold, clinical glow over the space. Metal tables were covered with laboratory equipment, vials of chemicals, and syringes. The strong smell of chemicals hung in the air, mixed with the odor of sweat and tension.

The people in the laboratory were startled by Eterrai's sudden entrance. Their eyes widened in shock, and in an instant, surprise gave way to action. Several of them pulled out guns, ready to defend their territory. But Eterrai was quicker.

With agile and precise movements, Eterrai darted to the side, dodging the first shots fired in his direction. He rolled across the floor, grabbing a metal bar that had fallen and used it to deflect one of the bullets, which ricocheted off the wall. In a fluid motion, he got up and advanced on the first shooter, disarming him with a quick and precise strike.

The sound of gunfire echoed through the laboratory, mixed with shouts of surprise and pain. Eterrai moved like a shadow, using his agility to avoid attacks and counterattack efficiently. He delivered a powerful kick to the chest of one of the men, sending him crashing into a table and toppling vials of chemicals that scattered across the floor.

Another man tried to attack him from behind, but Eterrai was prepared. He spun around quickly, grabbing the attacker's arm and twisting it forcefully, making the gun drop from his hand. With a swift move, Eterrai brought him to the ground, immobilizing him with a precise blow to the back of the neck.

The last two men hesitated, realizing they were at a disadvantage. Eterrai seized the opportunity to advance on them, disarming one with a strike to the hand and taking down the other with a direct punch to the face. The laboratory was now silent, except for the sound of the heavy breathing of the fallen men and the hum of the fluorescent lights.

Eterrai looked around, assessing the situation. He knew he needed to act quickly before anyone else appeared. In the corner of the room, there was an elevator. Curious, he stepped inside and descended to discover where it led. 

the clock read 01:27.