Francis, Delsin and Ezio sat on a large vintage sofa in the living room, feeling a little tense. Right in front of them was wide brick fireplace, above it hung an exquisite painting of a mountain landscape. The floors were made of polished white marble tiles arranged in a neat pattern, white silk curtains hung from the ceilings, and a grand-looking French polishing wooden staircase at the right side with golden angel statues at both sides of the railings.

The walls on their left were made of glass partition, revealing the flower garden, fountain as well as the stables along with the horses outside.

Everything in the room was rich and lavish; the trio found themselves awed, and envious that they never had a place so luxurious.

Since they're in such grand place, neither of them dares to touch anything including the tea set laid in front of them on an antique coffee table. Before that, Francis nearly dropped the teacup and could feel his heart in his mouth when William's servant served it to him.

Sebastian felt they were kind of over-reacting at the same time chucklesome.

"Relax," he said to them, "The furniture aren't going to eat you."

Delsin bent forward and whispered to Sebastian's ear, "Don't mind me asking but what kind of business does your uncle runs?"

"Winery," Sebastian whispered back. "But he also runs beverages and food business as well as farm supplies. He started out at the age of twenty and had been on this business for forty five years."

This info had left Delsin totally flabbergasted.

"He ran this business with his wife and my mum but…" Sebastian's voice trailed off when he caught a glimpse of a photo frame on a table stand to his right. He reached for it and gazed at the photo.

(He still keeping this picture…)

"Your parents?" he heard a voice behind him. He turned over to see Francis behind him; one hand resting on the sofa frame while the other supporting his chin. His eyes were focused on the photo.

"Hmm yeah. But my parents and aunt passed away when I was young and my uncle raised me till I'm old enough to fend myself."

"You never consider going into this business line?" Ezio asked.

"Nope, I don't have my uncle's mind-set."

A while later, William came in to sit with them. As usual introduction always started first followed by handshakes then lastly expressed to them how grateful he was. If it weren't for their help, he don't know where he should start searching for his nephew.

"As long he's safe with you, we're content," Delsin smiled back. It was then William decided to get serious; he needs to know what actually happened yesterday night. First he got a call from the cops in the middle of the night telling him dreadful news and now his beloved nephew is in his house unharmed.

"Please tell me what happened? The other passengers' mysterious disappearance and how you ended up in Hillview Town?"

Sebastian doesn't know how to explain this bizarre incident. His uncle doesn't believe in supernatural stuffs; always sceptical about them. If he were to tell him that these entire case involves paranormal, he will definitely be dubious.

He ruffled his hair contemplating how he should begin.

"Just tell him honestly," Francis suggested. "After all we are your witnesses."

Sebastian took a deep breath and told his uncle the happenings from the start to the end.

"That's what happened," Sebastian said. "To keep me safe, they accompanied me."

The entire incident seemed inconceivable to William as he listened. "So he's after you just because of the Beacon Incident? For the passengers, you stated that he 'devoured' them that's why the police can't find them. Sounds quite far-fetched to me…"

Sebastian let out a sigh. He knows this 'devouring' sounds ridiculous but that's what the doctor claimed. If only he had evidence to prove it.

"Don't mind me being doubtful," Francis leaned forward and elbows on his knees. "You said he's after your psychic and you don't know what the motive is. Yet I can't help but sensed that you know. You're chary of telling the whole truth," he eyed at him. "It has a connection to the Beacon incident isn't it?"

Sebastian became edgy and shifted a little uncomfortably.

"It's better that you tell rather than keeping it all to yourself," Francis said. "We want to help you with all we can."

His uncle hold his nephew's hand and clutched it tightly while nodding his head. He agreed with Francis.

"He wants to relive Beacon," Sebastian reluctantly answered. "I don't know why but…but I am not going back there. Those…I…I really don't want to talk about it."

"Sorry to interrupt," Ezio cut in. "But what's this Beacon Incident you're talking about?"

"Beacon Mental Asylum Massacre," Sebastian turned to him. "It happened a month ago back at my hometown, Krimson City and I was the only sole survivor but it wasn't true. It wasn't just only me; there's three more but they were declared missing."

"Is it ok if you can share with us?" Delsin politely asked.

"Juli Kidman, one of the mental patient Leslie and lastly," Sebastian swallowed hard. "My partner and best friend; Joseph Oda. Everyone keeps telling me that he's most likely dead. I don't want to believe it. Till now I wished that he's alive somewhere however I got no lead. Part of me wants to accept to the dreadful truth…" he looked away. "Anyway it's complicated."

William frowned; why the media didn't stated it in the article. He had a clear recollection there were no people reported missing except deceased. Unless they want to cover up to avoid incertitude among the residents.

Sebastian even indicated that the Krimson City Police Department classified this case as highly confidential and stored it in the achieve room. They even rejected Sebastian's request to look through.

Ezio leaned back on his seat and rubbed his eyebrow. "I hate to say but there's another problem that Sebastian will be facing soon."

Everyone turned their attention to the youngster.

"Well he was on that train when it happened, right?" he explained. "All the passengers vanished except him, so won't they view him as the main suspect if they find him with Mr William?"

Francis folded his arms. He curses silently to himself as he totally forgot all about it. If they were to find and take him back; it will be extremely difficult to convince the police to believe this story and Sebastian will be held in custody. He can't allow that to happen, leaving him in the hands of the police forces will only higher the chances of the doctor abducting him.

However this name Guillermo keeps ringing in his mind. He swore he heard that very name somewhere before but couldn't recalls when or where. Unless he heads for a library….

(Wait…library?)

"Is there any convenience shop and library nearby?" he asked. "I did like to do some shopping and research."

"Well there's one nearby. It's about 15 minutes ride from here. You can borrow my bike if you like," William got up to show him the way to the garage. At first William offered Francis a ride there since he's new around town. However he coaxed that William should stay by his nephew's side to keep him accompanied. Still concerned, he passes a small map of the town as a guidance. Francis gratefully gave his thanks.

He led the bike out, triggered the engine when Ezio came and asked if he wants him to tag along. Francis quickly take a glance towards the woods; he may no longer sensed the presence but decided to take precaution. He declined Ezio's offer but quietly instructed him to keep a lookout while he's away and contacted him if anything crops up.

"By the way call Delsin," Francis said. Ezio paced back to the farmhouse. It wasn't long Delsin came strolling out.

"Yes?"

"Let's go," Francis motioned him to get on.

"What for?" he asked.

"Don't you want to be cure from the poison?" Francis reminded him as he passed him the helmet. "I need to restock some herbs for our journey ahead."

Delsin recalled that he was poisoned by the creepy doll back in the warehouse. How can he forget such a thing? He clumsily put the helmet on and sat behind Francis. They drove down the quiet lane.

"The poison inside me…Is it severe?"

"If it is, you're probably dead by now and won't be chatting with me unless you are a ghost."

"Very funny."

Sebastian tucked himself comfortably on the cosy queen-sized bed in his room as his uncle watches. William could see that Sebastian didn't get a good sleep since yesterday and now deserved a good rest.

He gently sat on the bed and caressed his nephew's hair.

"Uncle I'm not a child anymore," Sebastian mumbled while embarrassed.

"Well to me you always were," William smiled then followed by a long sigh. "How fast time flies. I always tucked you to bed around ten when you were a kid now you're a full-grown man. I remembered back on Christmas I had a hard time putting Lily to bed that I had to ask Myra. How I reminisced those days."

Sebastian just listened. Never spoke a word. The last time he came back here was with his wife Myra, their 5 year old daughter Lily and Joseph. It was like two years ago and he remembered it was a joyous day. Now he's back here without them; his beloved daughter died in a fire, Myra and Joseph's missing; status unknown.

He turned over to his side and covered himself in the blanket. He had a feeling that he's going to cry but couldn't bring himself to do so. William notices his mood change, felt regretted mentioning as it only brings back painful memories to Sebastian instead.

He tried to cheer him up by changing the topic. "Your new friends are interesting. From my experience I can tell they're good people and I quite like them. You may not know them for a long time but they seems to care a lot for you."

Sebastian immediately recalls how Delsin protected him back then. Back in Hillview Town.

"Yeah they were," Sebastian closed his eyes. "Especially Delsin."

"Delsin, the one who left with Francis?"

"Uncle?"

"Yes?"

"There's a sense of familiarity whenever I look at him."

William raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. I just keep having this impression that I met him before," Sebastian slowly sat up. "Even Delsin said the same thing."

His uncle patted him on the shoulder. "Maybe you both DO met each other. One day that very memory might surface itself to you."

Sebastian lie back on the bed. He coughed a little.

"Have you taken your medicine?" William asked.

"Yeah."

"Then rest well you have yet to recover," his uncle gently kissed his nephew on his forehead before exiting the room.

Ezio stood on the mansion rooftop, overlooking the village below and memorizing its paths, locations etc. in his mind. He had to say that this small countryside town was a marvel; peaceful and tranquil. He liked places like this, it keeps his mind calm.

He settled down and welcomed the cooling breeze with relish.

It was then he noticed something at the corner of his eye. He spotted a suspicious looking black van further down from William's farmhouse and there was someone standing beside it.

He crouched down, moved slowly towards the chimney and hid behind. He initiated his eagle vision to get a good perception.

A woman wearing a white shirt, denim jeans and black high heels stood by the van. Ezio couldn't get a clear view of her eyes as she wore sunglasses to conceal them. But her hair was shoulder-length.

(Who is she?) Ezio wondered. (An associate of Mr William? Whoever she is, she seems mistrustful.)

He continues to keep a close watch to see if she does anything suspicious. If she does, he won't hesitate to snipe her from his position since he was instructed by Francis to stay alert.

The woman never aroused anything unusual as she just continues to survey the farmhouse from a distance. From Ezio's vision, he thought he saw a slight sorrowful expression written on her face, not sure if it is.

Then someone in the van spoke.

"Well?"

The woman spoke back, "Yeah target's with his relative. But I highly suggested we leave him alone for now. The time has yet to come."

There was a brief seconds of silence.

"Very well. Let's go."

She boarded the van but she took a quick look back at the farmhouse again before the van left the scene. Ezio observed the vehicle as it drove away. He don't know who those people were but managed to note down the license plate.

(KC 9197…Beside that doctor, there's others after Sebastian too?) He looked towards the village. (Guess I'll report this to Francis and decide what to do next.)

Francis was checking his herb lists thoroughly.

"Juniper…checked, Devil's Claw…checked, Ginseng…checked…, Oregano checked…," he goes on and on while Delsin waited patiently. With everything procured, he happily tucked the package into his backpack.

(Antidotes for Delsin.) He paused. (Maybe I brew some medicine drink for Sebastian as well. He seems to be down with a bad fever. I had the herbs just for it.)

"Alright, library next," he got on the bike.

"What…library…you serious?" Delsin sounded restless.

"Bear with it," Francis replied annoyingly. "I want to research on this Guillermo. His name keeps ringing in my mind."

"Don't take too long ok?" Delsin tapped his shoulder.

"Well pray for it."

Delsin let out a short wail only to result Francis hitting him on the helmet to shut him up.

It wasn't long before they both found themselves reaching the library building. Francis parked the bike and checked his phone; no calls nor texts. With Ezio guarding Sebastian, he had nothing to worry about since he had full confidence in Ezio's capabilities.

They were just a few steps away from the main entrance when Delsin suddenly halt. Francis stopped alongside with him.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "You sense something?"

Delsin's face lit with glee. "Looks like we're in luck."

Francis titled his head to the side. "You are saying…?"

The Conduit ran up the stairs. "I didn't expect there's one here."

A young man around in his early thirties; black hair with short fringe, wore glasses, black tie and long sleeve collared shirt neatly tucked inside his black pants, busily rummaging through the boxes.

"Damn where did it go?" he picked up an old book and did a quick browse through before tossing it aside. "Nope not this one."

He heard the bell rang and peeked through the small window on the door, he saw two visitors; one had his back facing him while the other tapping his finger at the info counter. He hastily dusted himself clean and readjusted his glasses and tie. It will be disrespectful if he presented himself scruffy. He made his way to the counter.

"How may I help you?" he asked then he instantly froze in place when Delsin turned to make eye contact with him.

"Hello," Delsin smirked. The young man could sense a familiar wavelength signal transmitted through his brain. He immediately knew it; Conduits often conveyed it to each other to inform one's presence.

"Nice to meet you," Delsin stared at the young man's name tag pinned on the shirt. "…Keanu Wallace."

End of chapter 7