Lupin the Third: The Del Monte Ruby

Chapter 24

Frightened faces peeked out of half-open doors as Ruby and Zenigata headed for the exit sign above the stairwell at the end of the hallway. But just as they were about there, the door flew open and Antony stood on the threshold. Ruby screeched to a halt, and the inspector along with her.

"Please stay in your rooms," Antony addressed the onlookers. "This man is a dangerous criminal. The police have already been called."

"WHAT!? Are you serious?" exclaimed Ruby.

"What'd you say!? I'm no criminal!"

"For your safety," advised Antony, "Stay in your rooms and lock your doors."

Zenigata watched helplessly as people quickly slammed their doors. "B-But I'm not a criminal! I'm an inspector with Interpol! I can show you credentials!!!"

It was no good. The people were all hiding.

"What's this about, Mr. Del Monte?" Zenigata demanded.

But Antony didn't care to answer. At the moment, he only had eyes for Ruby. Glaring at her, Antony spoke to someone over his shoulder. "Do whatever you want with the man, but bring the girl to me alive."

"W-Wait, what?" stammered Zenigata.

Antony stepped aside and Ruby watched in horror as a monstrous figure advanced forward. It was a man, or at least mostly a man; though he had to duck to clear the doorway.

'Goliath' would have been an accurate name for this man. He stood 8 feet tall and had the swollen muscles and bulging veins of a body builder on performance enhancing drugs. But the veins were pulsating. And his skin... It seemed to be crystallized in places. And it was giving off a strange glow.

"O-Oh shit," stammered Ruby, taking a step back. "What the hell is that thing???"

Despite the chattering of his teeth at the sight of this monstrosity, Zenigata nonetheless put himself between Ruby and the hulking beast of a man. "W-Whoever you are..." Zenigata drew his gun from a holster inside of his trench coat. "Step back! You're dealing with an officer of the law!"

The monster continued to stalk towards them. Ruby, cowering behind Zenigata, shook her head. "I don't think he gives a shit! Shoot it! Shoot it! Shoot it!"

Despite Zenigata's issued warning, the hulking man... creature... still plodded forward, looming threateningly. Zenigata grit his teeth. Miss Robinson had the right idea, it seemed.

"I warned you!" he shouted.

With both hands wrapped firmly around his gun, Zenigata shot at the hulking figure – once... twice... three times, even. And yet still, the monstrous figure stood before him. There were bullets at the beast-man's feet, as though they had glanced off the crystals on its body. Another was lodged in his flesh, but essentially did no damage. A vile grin spread across the monster's face and Zenigata lowered his gun. He turned to Ruby.

"Uhh... Run."

And Ruby, "Uhh... yeah!"

The inspector seized Ruby's hand as they turned tail and ran down the hallway.

"RUUUN!!"

The monster-man let out a spittle-filled roar and bounded after them.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!!!" shouted Ruby as they raced down the hallway as fast as their legs could carry them. At the end was the elevator. "Oh God! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Ruby pulled ahead, but still clung to Zenigata's hand, lest she lose him. He was the closest thing she had to a friend right now. They needed to press the button as soon as possible! But did they have time?