The Doom that Came to Winslow: 7

Many victims of Mastering can actually appear quite reasonable and calm. However, this is almost always a facade, and interviewers must adhere to proper policies…

Handling Master Victims, PRT Manual.

Interviewer: Are you calmer now, Ms. Barnes?

Emma Barnes: Yes. I’m sorry that attacked Armsmaster. It was… you know, I was free.

Interviewer: Yes. You were one of three most heavily Mastered individuals. Can you explain it? If you feel a need to stop, we can.

Emma Barnes: Of course. See, I… Did Sophia tell you about…

Interviewer: The ABB incident? Yes.

Emma Barnes: See, I was… weak then. I hit back, but I couldn’t stop them.

Interviewer: I see. And so according to Shadow Stalker, you sought to cut ties with Ms. Hebert before the Master influenced you?

Emma Barnes: Yes. She was weak.

Interviewer: Weak?

Emma Barnes: Yes, she as acting like a little kid. She didn’t understand… I mean, she didn’t even let her Mom’s death get to her. She just didn’t understand what the world was like.

Interviewer: I see, and you were always intending on…

Emma Barnes: No! I just wanted to, you know cut ties. But then Julia… (Inaudible words).

Interviewer: Ms. Barnes? I didn’t hear that.

Emma Barnes: She didn’t break. Not ever. And it was fun to find other things to do…

Interviewer: That was the work of the Master.

Emma Barnes: No, I… Her Mom died and she came back and was… happy. Like she was dealing with it. And I… I couldn’t…

Interviewer: Ms. Barnes?

Emma Barnes: Nothing! Just another Master victim… Just you know, another victim.  Can I, um, use the bathroom? Not the one with the cameras, I… I can’t go.

Interviewer: Ms. Barnes that is for your safety…

Emma Barnes: Please?

Interviewer: Very well, But I’ll be standing outside of the bathroom. Anything unusual and I’ll have to come in.

Emma Barnes: don’t worry.

(indistinct sounds  as they move away from the microphone)

Interviewer (recording enhanced): Ms. Barnes?  Ms. Barnes, you’ve been in (unclear) for a while.  Please. (sound of body hitting the floor).

Note: At this time, Triumph, one floor above, collapsed.

Interviewer: Ms. Barnes, I’m opening the door and—HOLY SHIT! MEDIC! GET A TRAUMA TEAM, NOW, NOW, NOW! (more sounds of commotion, alarms sounding).

Ms. Barnes apparently had concealed a thin ceramic knife in her shoes, which she had not informed Shadow Stalker of, likely as a method of defense against any future ABB assaults. Upon entering the bathroom, she used the knife in succession to penetrate her ear drums, put out both eyes, and slash her larynx, after which a trigger event occurred leading to (REDACTED).  Emergency assistance was able to resuscitate her until medical treatment could be brought to bear.

Agent Thomas is to be reprimanded, a note put in his permanent record, and be remanded to mandatory retraining. This case, scrubbed of identifying information, is to be included in future training manuals.

In addition, the following policy is to be put in place: While in the past removal of clothes was up to the discretion of local authorities, now all suspected Master Victims will have their clothes and any personal belongings removed and stored while they are dressed in PRT jumpsuits.

Ms. Barnes has been transferred to the Parahuman Asylum East, and is currently in the high-risk ward.

I agree with all the conclusions of this report. Emily, I also want to Borrow Agent Thomas, so that he can explain to trainees how him being kind instead of smart helped a teenage girl attempt to commit suicide.

Director Costa-Brown.