The Evil Within-The Final Showdown

Searching

My body tensed, deciding whether to protest my innocence or make a run for it. But it seemed I couldn't make a move. Instead, I stood my ground as the look of fear broke out across my face.

"So, Sebastian, is it?" the lady spoke. "I thought you didn't look like a Luke.'

I inched my hand towards the doorknob behind me, turning it slowly. The fact that she was still behind the desk might buy me a five second head start.

"You don't have to run, Sebastian," the lady seemed to notice my slight movement. "I'm not going to call the police."

"Why though?" I managed to ask. "You'd probably earn a reward for catching me."

"Why would I do anything for that wretched place? My brother works there. He's as corrupt as they come. Besides, the phone is out of order."

"Well, lucky me."

I finally relaxed and my hand dropped from the doorknob.

"So, you're an escaped loony?" she said with a laugh.

"It's not like that," I answered, a little too defensively.

"Hey, I'm not judging you, darling," she drawled. "So, how much of the news story was true?"

"Majority of it," I admitted. "But I'm not dangerous."

"The gun suggests otherwise," she gestured.

Looking down, I noticed I had accidentally put my gun in its holster. It was probably out of habit. It was small things like this that would make me conspicuous.

"It's not like I'm going to shoot someone," I explained. "It's just for protection."

"If you say so. What brings you here?"

"I'm looking for a friend. He's gone missing."

"You're a loyal friend. Would he happen to be an escaped mental patient too?"

"No. All that matters is that I need to find him. Would you happen to have a map of the city, outskirts included?"

"Here. This might be useful."

She handed me a stained map from the drawer.

"Thanks. It will be."

"Good luck with finding your friend."

"Thank you."

I began my shaky ascension of the stairs until the woman called my name.

"Hey Sebastian?"

"Yeah?" I answered, looking back.

"What chance do I have of taking you out on a date?" she smiled. "I mean, I didn't turn you in. You owe me."

"I'm sorry. I'm taken," I blushed, showing her the wedding ring which I refused to take off.

"Oh, that's a shame," disappointment washed over her face. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I'll be here, handsome."

I quickly walked up the stairs before I blushed even more. Not the first time I'd been hit on but now wasn't the time. The map was the first step to finding Joseph. I entered my room, trying not to inhale the stench of years of neglect, dirt and was that blood? Sure enough, dark crimson blood slid down the already stained walls. I tried to leave the room but the door seemed to disappear. I watched as the blood descended down the walls and gathered into a pool on the floor. I felt sick. I pressed my back against the wall, hoping this vision would dissipate. But it only got worse. A piercing, familiar scream rang through the room and to my utter horror, clawed hands erupted from the pool of blood. The monstrosity finally crawled out of the blood, its long, black hair whipping its face.

Reborn Laura. Ruvik's monstrous recreation of his deceased sister. Having to fight her twice within his reality still didn't prepare me for this sight.

"You're not real," I shakily said to the creature as she advanced toward me. "You're not real!"

My words proved futile as Laura easily knocked me to the floor, sprawling herself on top of me. Her large claw proceeded to swipe itself across my face. I screamed at the sharp pain and tried to pull her off me but to no avail. She continued clawing me, each swipe more painful than the next. My screams seemed to be heard by nobody as not a single soul investigated. Her claw put itself over my mouth, stifling my screams as her other claw leaned in to slit my throat. In a sudden flash, she was gone. Breathing hard, I sat up to find the walls free of any blood. Shakily getting to my feet, I stumbled to the bathroom mirror. The cracked glass revealed that there was not a single gruesome scar on my face. I slowly walked out and retrieved my map which I dropped during my imagined assault. Still shaking, I placed the map on the table, scanning the outer areas of Krimson City. I tried to recall what Kidman's hint had entailed. Something about going deep into the shadows. I was stumped. What was that supposed to mean?

I paced around the filthy room for about an hour. Her obscure hint did nothing in the way of help. Perhaps she wasn't giving me a hint after all and only did it to throw me off. I never trusted Kidman. Always shifty and shooting people furtive glances, it was no surprise she turned out to be involved in a major plot. I was about to give up when it hit me. Deep into the shadows! A quick scan of the map confirmed what I thought. The dark woods outside of town. Tales of ghosts and murders revolved around the woods and rarely anyone dared venture there. Despite the rumours, I wouldn't let them stop me. I dragged the case with the shotgun out from under the bed and was out of the motel in a flash. Staying in the darkness as much as I could to conceal my face, I turned in the direction of my house. I knew every street of Krimson City and despite the long walk, it was what I needed to do. I walked down the sidewalk, occasionally skirting around bushes when a car passed by with shining headlights. I finally reached my house. To my surprise, not a single officer was in sight. Since I didn't have my house keys, I opened the window and crawled in. I began my search for my car keys and found them sprawled on the coffee table. I always left my keys lying around everywhere. It used to annoy Myra. Grabbing them, I was about to leave when I heard the click of a gun and felt its barrel against my head. I turned around and got a nasty shock. Standing in front of me was my former employer, Sergeant Andrew Wick with his gun pointed straight at me.

"Hands up, Sebastian," Sergeant Wick said. "It's over."