Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Space 2 or any of its characters.

Warning:

I haven't written any fanfics for long time so my skills got rusty.

Still, please review so I could know what to do. This might get more parts or not. Thanks.

Note:

The story is told from Isaac's POV

I cursed as walked through the empty hallway, trying to think of words of inspiration but there were none to be found. Flickering lights didn't help. At all. Truth was I didn't think I could get out here alive. Not in this condition. After Daina's betrayal I nearly lost it. Fucking Unitologists. How long am I walking in circles? Fuck...

I wish I'd stop running into corridors who are all bloody and covered with dead people's guts. I aimed down the scope of my rifle at a human figure that was sitting in the shadows. What the hell was that? One of Tiedemann's boy scouts? I remember the last time I met those goons, barely came out of the encounter alive. Of course, back then I had a fucking straightjacket RIG.

A crackling sound echoed through the hall and suddenly I felt a chill run down my spine as a claw flashed before my face. The slasher advanced towards me, but I hit it in the face, or whatever was left of it, with my gun. It came back up with a roar and swung its blades, missing me again. I then severed both of his arms with my plasma cutter. The creature fell on the floor and let out a loud snarl. Just to be sure it's dead I stomped on it several times.Whatwasthat? A trap? This attack nearly sent my heart to my mouth. Were the necromorphs getting smarter? Damn,watchyourbackIsaac! If I die Ellie will never get out of here. Also... Nicole. I have to... I have to meet Nicole. I want answers.

But this wasn't the end of it. Unitologists. People who believed they can tame the power of the Marker and use it as a weapon to control others. This is one fucked up religion. According to Mercer they worship these creatures. These necromorphs. I always hated them. Fucking Unitologists. Heh, it looks like as if I bump into them everytime I turn around. But what do they want from me? I'm just an engineer. Unless…

"Isaac!" Came a voice along with a holographic display. Ellie Langford.

"I'm here." I quickly respond. She looks worried.

"Good to hear that. I thought I lost you."

"I do not plan to die. Not in this hellhole."

"You sound angry? Something got you down?"

"Let me think: I was tormented by nightmares all the fucking way, placed my trust in a woman who later revealed to have been working for Unitology and nearly got me captured, then I was chased by a big necromorph and after a series of bizzare events finally ended up here. So yeah, I'm just peachy."

"Woah... I don't know what to say."

"You probably think I'm crazy, don't you? The Marker, Unitologists, all this can drive a man insane. Like Stross."

I swallowed away the returning knot in my throat and gathered my thoughts for a short moment. Ellie glanced back over her shoulder as if she heard something and then turned at me. I could see something flicker in her eye as she arched her eyebrows.

"I understand you went through a great deal of stress, Isaac. I really do. But you cannot let those feelings overwhelm you. Don't let them control your mind. Stross embraced the madness and look how it ended for him. You're stronger than him, Isaac. I know you are."

"Thank you, Ellie." I considered her words for a minute before speaking again. "How things are going at you side?"

"Slow. Atleast I don't have those monsters trying to slaughter me. Heh, it ain't that bad over here. Now that I mentioned it... there aren't many of those creatures around here. It appears as if they left."

"I encountered only a few. This is strange indeed."

"Do you have any idea what is going on? As far as I know those things don't just run away. Not till there are people left in the station. I mean I just don't understand. Of course, that's a good thing that they left. I... wait a second."

She looked around and her remaining eye widened.

"Shit. Isaac, I'll contact you later."

The holo image disappeared, but I kept staring at the place where it had been moments ago.

"Ellie? Damn it."

"You have to let her go Isaac."

I turned around with a shiver when I heard that so familliar voice. My deariest Nicole. Or whatever that thing was. A fragment of my memory that only approves of my insanity or a ghost? Althought, I can't really ignore her. Not that I would have a choice.

"Nicole?"

She moved closer towards me and gently touched my cheek. That wasn't the touch of a ghost or a hallucination. It felt like a real person's touch. I would have believed that if I hadn't seen her last message when I was on Ishimura.

"I can't." I whispered. "She'll die without my help."

"No, she won't. You have to let her go. If you leave with her you will never get rid of the Marker's influence and eventually you will be consumed. You know what you have to do first, Isaac. Destroy the Marker."

I wanted to protest, but then I realized that she was telling me the truth. I have to destroy that thing. I won't let it hurt anyone else. Hopefully, Ellie will understand. Willshe?

"Isaac. There's a gunship docked here." I heard Ellie's voice as she contacted me again.

"What? Is it damaged?"

"Not that I can tell! Isaac, do you hear me? We're going to make it out of here alive!"

I took a deep breath and sighed.

"One of us is." I finally said. "It's too dangerous for you to stay here, Ellie..."

"What are you talking about? Just get your ass in here. I'm starting a system check now."

I sighed again as I started walking through the corridor that was filled with trash. Half of it was blocked by debris so I had to find another route. Before opening the door that would lead me to the area where the gunship was I took one glance at Nicole. She nodded.

"Do what you have to do, Isaac."

She then faded away. I opened the door and stepped in. There it was. Behind the thick glass stood the mighty gunship. Similar to the ne I blew up not so long ago. I heard Ellie's voice as she was checking the system. I moved towards the panel and removed my helmet. I saw her standing inside the gunship, watching me as I turned around. I knew that she already realized something was wrong.

"Isaac... what are you doing?"

I pressed a button and the hatch closed.

"Whoa. Hey Isaac, what are you doing?"

A holo image of her appeared. She was obviously shocked.

"Isaac! What are you doing? Open the door right now! No. No! No. Don't you dare. Don't you dare launch this ship!"

"Isaac..."

A tear fell from my eye as I typed the last command. I then looked at her.

"It's your best chance, Ellie. You got life support, comms... Hey, you're gonna be rescued."

"You bastard..."

"I need you to be rescued. I couldn't save Nicole, but I can save you Ellie. So, uh... bye."

I lowered my head and punched the panel in frustration just as her image disappeared and the ship left. I couldn't believe what I just did. Well, atleast Ellie will definitely survive now. Probably my last good deed. But there were still things needed to be done. I leaned against the wall. This was just too much for me.

"Are you ready to talk now?" Nicole said as she appeared next to me.

I glared at her.

"Why? So I can let you go too? I can't do that Nicole. I never wanted to let you go."

"A lot happened that we never wanted. Isaac... touchme."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Isaac. Please. Make us whole."

I stood up and took several steps forward. I then glanced at her. Nicole was everything to me. The sole reason why I wanted to visit Ishimura was just to see her again. But after all that happened... She was different. Nicole just wasn't the same as she used to be.

A painful expression appeared on my face when our eyes met.

"I can't." I muttered.

I then walked away.