Redrum Origins: Part 3

Part 8: Salvation

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

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A gunshot rang out, a splatter of blood staining the wall. The syringe fell to the floor with a clatter, the hand holding it now useless. Fraud clutched at his shoulder, a gush of red seeping from the wound made there from Ravenwood's revolver. The doctor grunted as the bullet struck him, an irritated yet surprised expression directed at the intruder.

            The wielder of the smoking firearm trained his gaze on Fraud, seething rage burning in his eyes. His face was stuck in a snarl, like an enraged wolf. His vision turned red at the sight of Maddie strapped down to a table like some kind of lab rat, sobbing and whimpering in terror. It was one of the many nightmares he was forced to experience, the teen screaming in agony as her brain was picked apart. It shook him to his core that it almost came true.

            Oh, if looks could kill. Ravenwood wished that the intensity of his glare would cause someone to go up in flames. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed, accusatory. Fraud said nothing at first, the two men just staring each other down, standing up to one another.

            "What do you think, Detective? Fraud countered, still gripping his bleeding shoulder. "This is very important research. However, I'm confused as to how you managed to-" Rose then appeared by Ravenwood's side, angry tears gathered in her eyes. Her fists were clenched and shaking, but not from fear. Fraud's eyelids lowered just a fraction. "Ah, I see. That makes sense." He shrugged it off, meaningless to him. He turned back to his captured prey, who was remaining uncharacteristically silent. "It doesn't matter. I'll have what I need one way or another." He reached out for the bound teen.

            Another gunshot, ripping through his other shoulder. The force made him stumble back a step. Both of his arms were out of commission now. His expression was strained, barely concealed anger. Ravenwood was calm and collective, stoically positioned with his smoking gun. "The only chance you'll get to lay your hands on them again," he said, bitter and scathing, "is through my cold, dead body."

            Fraud glanced between each individual in the room, gauging his chances. Apparently, he didn't wish to have another commune with the revolver, so he relaxed his stance. "Oh, I intend to," he said ominously. "You can't stop me, Detective, no matter how hard you try. I will achieve my goal one day, and they will both finally belong to me." The doctor stepped backward into the shadows of the room, fading into the background. Ravenwood lifted an incredulous eyebrow, astounded by the man's disappearing act. However, there were more pressing issues to attend to.

            He quickly set to work freeing Maddie from the restraints, picking at the fasteners. Once they were fully removed, he was assaulted with an armful of traumatized teen, hands bunching up his shirt. He enveloped the bundle, taking solace in the familiar and comforting feeling it brought. Rose joined the sobbing sixteen-year-old, completing this heart-warming group hug.

            Maddie eventually sniffed and pulled away, desperately wiping away her tears. Ravenwood made sure she was alright before examining the back of the room. He was met with a solid, blank wall. He ran his fingers over it, but there were no creases to indicate a secret door. "I don't understand," he muttered out loud. "How in the hell did he get away?"

            "That doesn't matter," Rose answered. "We need to get out of here, while we have the chance. I don't know how long it'll be once he starts coming after us again." Maddie nodded. "She's right," the teen seconded, turning her gaze to the detective. "The both of us are incredibly vulnerable down here. We have to go now."

            Ravenwood sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. Killing Fraud would have to come later. Right now, he had to make sure that these girls stayed far out of the mad doctor's reach. Still brandishing his weapon, the detective approached the open door, towards freedom, where the girls were waiting patiently. "Let's blow this joint," he stated.

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            Rose couldn't think of another time where she sprinted this fast. Funny how these things are motivated by fear. When a mad scientist was hell-bent on acquiring her and making her his apprentice, and who desired to explore her best friend's mind layer by torturous layer, it tended to spike the heart rate.

            All three of them were at top speed, racing towards the exit. It wasn't long before Maddie began to tire, her previous fatigue weighing her down. Nevertheless, she managed to stick to the group. Rose hoped and begged with all her being that Fraud would be slow in coming after them.

            That hope was extinguished completely once she glanced behind her.

            She could make out the sinewy details of her doppelganger, a mirror of her face sporting a maniacal and twisted smile as she barreled after them. It sent shivers down her spine. One by one, the rest of the group noticed their pursuer. "~Come back~" the clone sang. "~We're not done playing~"

            "Keep going!" Rose shrieked, urging the others to pour on the speed. Ravenwood cursed, aiming to do just that. The group sprinted as fast as they could, desperately trying to put distance between them and the clone. However, Rose could only stare in horror as the doppelganger let out a cackle, leaping into the air with inhuman strength. The tunnel's ceiling had become higher the closer they got to the ladder. For the younger girl, it played out in slow motion. Her clone landed squarely on Maddie's back, brandishing a full syringe. It was plunged into the teen's flesh, emptying its contents into her system. Maddie screamed as she was injected, her body immediately falling limp to the floor. The clone landed over her twitching form, an insane smile plastered on her lips. Rose could have sworn that her duplicate was giggling to herself.

            "No!" Rose's outburst didn't faze the doppelganger whatsoever. Instead, her giggling grew louder. Something overcame the twelve-year-old then. She was tired of this madman hurting her friends... her family. She vaguely heard Ravenwood calling out for her, but it was lost in the roaring in her ears.

            Her clone was taken by surprise as she surged forward, lunging to pin her to the floor. Rose kept a tight grip on her duplicate's wrists, the latter violently trying to throw her off. The younger girl leaned down to get in her clone's face. "Why won't you just leave us alone?!" she cried. The doppelganger's only response was to retain that wild look.

            Of course, she should have been more aware of what she was doing. The headbutt sent a shock of pain through her nose. She yelped, hands immediately flying to her face. Her clone was able to wriggle out from underneath the original, traipsing back into the tunnels, laughter echoing down the halls.

            Rose recovered herself quickly. Thankfully, the blow didn't break her nose, wiping away a few streams of blood dripping from her nostrils. Red stained her hands. Anger fueled her as she plowed forward, chasing after the perpetrator, leaving Ravenwood to tend to Maddie.

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Author's Note: I didn't realize how short the first part of this chapter was. Anywho, I still think the title is fitting.

We're drawing close to the end.

Praise is appreciated and constructive criticism is encouraged.

See you next time!

-The_Mayflower