Haruki's pokegear displayed a picture of Professor Oak as it started the call.  There was a small pause as it loaded things up but it was calling him or no time, or at least trying to.  There was the usual calling sound Bring... Bring.... that was followed quickly but how phones sounded back home when they were picked up, but instead of professor Oak saying hello, a strange voice said "Possessor Oak is either unavailable for communication or is away from his pokegear.  Please leave a message after the beep and he'll reply as soon as possible."

That's not good."  Almond said, panting.  He had arrived just after Walnut, who had gone to heal up in the back immediately after arrival, and took a stand behind Haruki so he could watch the call.  "I was hoping that it was just my imagination getting the better of me, and once we tried contacting him it would be revealed there wasn't any reason to worry."  He shook his head.  "I hope he's just busy or something, anything but one of those shadow things getting to him."

"Excuse!"  Nurse Joy said with bringing back Almond and Haruki's Pokeballs.  "Your pokemon are all healed up and ready to go."  She tilted her head in a friendly smile and chansey pipped in with a cheerful "Chansey."  She opened her mouth to say something else but stopped when she saw the look on her patient's faces.  "Oh dear.  There hasn't been another murder has there?"

Almond blinked and shook his head.  "No.  I don't know.  Maybe.  We're just worried about our friend."  He stopped and looked at the nurse.  "I'm sorry ma'am if this would be considered an inappropriate question to ask or if it would go against confidentiality for you to answer, but have you seen any strange or particular violent cases around here, especially anything originating from the northern edges of the town?"

The nurse thought for awhile before nodding.  "Normally I wouldn't say anything but with the way things have been going I guess its better I tell you than you two going to the northern areas to explore on your own."  She paused.  "Yes, there's been odd cases coming in, pokemon shredded to bits.  That in itself isn't as odd as anyone makes it out to be, but what is odd is that none of the bodies we've been examining have been eaten.  Its like someone, or maybe some kind of crazed pokemon, is just going around killing without any reason."  She looked at the clock.  It was four thirty PM  "The killings usually start at around six or so."  She sighed.  "I don't know why I told you two that.  I guess I'm just exhausted."  She laughed.  It was small and sad.  Chansey put a hand on her partner's hand, worry plain on her face.