Redrum: Origins

Part 4: Encounter

Disclaimer: I do not own Redrum. Redrum is a game that was developed by Anarchy Enterprises. I only own the OC characters.

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Haunted Springs was a small suburban town, tucked in the temperate climate of southeastern Ohio. It took Maddie twenty minutes to walk to the center of town. She wished she could fly, but she knew the consequences of being discovered. The less people knew about her, the better.

The central plaza of Haunted Springs was lined with shops and cafes of all sorts. She took some time to peer through the windows, to catch a glimpse of what was on display. It's not like she could buy anything, though. She barely had enough for a meal. That's why she gratefully took Ravenwood's offer to pay for her hotel room.

At the center of the plaza, a grand fountain had been erected, spewing out streams of water in graceful arcs. This was clearly the busiest part of town. People hustled around, some tossing in coins as they passed. Others milled about in the café nearby, meeting up with friends or just simply enjoying their cup of coffee while engrossed in whatever was on their laptop screens. The image was serene for her. It reminded her of her own hometown.

Maddie quietly wandered around, hands shoved in her pockets. Yes, the familiarity of this place made her reminisce of simpler days. At least, it did, until she overheard what some people were quietly discussing among themselves.

"Did you hear what happened?"

"You mean about the murder?"

"Yeah. He got shipped off to the Asylum. Must have been batshit insane!"

"People who are sent there usually are. That's what the place is for. What does it matter?"

"Something about it doesn't sit right with me. The people who knew him swore up and down that he was never like this. He was always a good kid."

"I still don't see how it matters."

"All I'm sayin' is that the good ol' doc is hiding something. Isn't it suspicious that none of the patients under his care ever get better?"

"Now that you mention it..."

Maddie's casual eavesdropping while she walked was cut short as she collided directly into someone. She had been so absorbed in getting in on the gossip that she wasn't paying attention to what was in front of her. She immediately started apologizing as she stumbled back, rubbing at her forehead. "I-I'm so sorry," she babbled. "I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you alri-?"

She stopped mid-sentence as she looked at who she had so rudely bumped into. It was odd to see him outside the Asylum, his labcoat and dress shirt replaced with a deep burgundy sweater. His cold, blue eyes betrayed how surprised he was to see her there as well.

"No need to apologize," Dr. Fraud replied after overcoming his initial shock. "It's quite alright." He turned to face her fully, trapping her in his icy stare. "What a coincidence that we would see each other here again during my lunch hour. How fortunate. Tell me, what brings you to this part of town?"

Maddie barely stopped herself from gulping. Of all the people to run into, it had to be him? She cursed her luck as she frantically searched her brain for an appropriate response. "I-I'm just g-getting to know my w-way around. Being new to town and all." She resented this man for making it so easy for him to get under her skin.

Fraud's smile did nothing to calm her nerves, which were going haywire as soon as she saw him. She was like a cat with her hackles raised, but she forced herself to appear as relaxed as possible. "Yes, yes, of course," he said cheerily, his rumbling voice washing over her. "I remember you mentioning that yesterday. Silly me."