Authors note- I know, I took ages to post up. Truth is, I actually finished this today. Last couple of weeks have been eventful, or maybe its because I'm just really lazy. Sorry guys. But yes, I am keen on getting this finished...I hope.

Chapter 12

The dim screens flickered with static, refusing to show even the slightest image.

"Damn it!" Riccardo banged his fists angrily against the keyboard, feeling that slight irritation that barely prickled his thoughts just before, become a new annoyance. He clenched his jaw, tapping a few keys in order to see through other security devices that the old man left to keep his castle in check.

Yes, he'd finally found the fool's hiding place, a control room located just behind the white screen in the theatre room. However, that bastard had gotten away again. Riccardo now knew the fool was using the vent system in the castle to get around.

But I'll finish him later. Right now...

One of the screens flickered, a blurred image appearing on the screen. Riccardo's eyes snapped to that screen curiously. There she is. Fiona and the mutt were heading down a spiralling staircase, the girl inspecting something shiny in her hand. A key? Confused, Riccardo used the system to zoom up, taking a better look.

The mars key.

But how? How did she get it? He'd given it to the damn doll to hold, so he could access his labs whenever he wanted but...

He clenched his jaw and began checking the other cameras for anything, his eyes resting on something oddly shaped in one of the parlor rooms. The doll. He found himself tranced by that pitiful image, the lifeless figure held in place by a large glass shard.

Riccardo looked back at the screen with Fiona, watching her with interest. Was it she who put the doll out of its misery? He sat there for a few minutes, bewildered.

"I underestimated you" Riccardo said out aloud after a while, a smile forming on his lips. But now my dear, I should play a little game with you. Riccardo straightened up, picking up the old revolver in one hand.

It was time to begin the hunt.

"HEWIE!" Fiona screamed as something warm and fleshy grabbed hold of her legs, clinging tightly, a high-pitched squeal filling the room-

-and Hewie attacked, snarling, ripping the strange thing savagely from her legs. Fiona stumbled back, staring at it in horror. What the? The foetus-shaped creature struggled momentarily on the floor in its own pouring fluids before letting out a soft sigh, stilling. Fiona stepped up and nudged it gently with her foot. Ewww...

It was definitely dead, but Fiona winced, backing away just in case. Freaky stuff. That's no ordinary animal. Hewie walked over, sniffing the creature curiously.

"Don't eat that" she told him as he looked up at her expectantly. "Come on, we've got to get going"

Hewie barked in reply, nibbling at her fingers. She patted him on the head before moving out through an open doorway, glancing all around her. She expected some kind of basement down here at least, but everything was so old. The stone walls all around her were crumbled, covered in dust and cobwebs. I guess not many people come down here then...She stepped into an arched L-shaped hall, staring down both passages. Which way do I...what the?! She spotted someone or something down the hall she was facing. It was humanoid in shape... and naked. It's skin was an unhealthy greyish colour, and it seemed to have trouble just standing upright, wobbling like a drunk on the spot.

Its back was to her and it seemed to be mumbling something in a weird dialogue. Fiona stared at it for a while. It seemed to be completely oblivious to her presence, standing right in the middle of the hall, blocking the path. Maybe I should just leave it alone... Fiona headed down the other passage, noting there was a staircase just to her left here...and a door straight ahead.

Fiona headed straight, hand reaching for the door knob. Hewie whimpered, looking up at her in a strange way. "What's the matter boy?" she asked, staring at him thoughtfully. Hewie was acting...weird. His ears were folded back, tail between his legs. He whimpered again. Is Hewie...frightened? Did something bad happen to him here? Fiona swallowed, looking at the door straight ahead.

What exactly was on the other side? Fiona touched the cold metal knob before twisting. The door slowly opened, Fiona peering inside. The soft hum of machinery met her ears. Something in the centre was giving the room a greenish appearance, but she couldn't see what it was, unless...

She stepped in, checking everything out warily. She didn't what to set off any traps that could kill her and if someone was here-

-Oh my god! Fiona gasped, hands over her mouth in shock. The green light was coming from a tank, and in the tank was... A woman. Curled up, naked and suspended in the frozen liquid, her eyes open and staring lifelessly. Who would do such a thing...oh god. Fiona was unable to take her eyes off it, wondering what happened to her. And I stay here...I will...

"Miss Fiona"

Fiona jumped at the soft voice, spinning around to see a familiar, hooded figure step out of the dark. Riccardo...was he watching me the whole time?!

Fiona backed away as he approached, his head lowered so she couldn't see his face.

"Now" he said casually, as if they'd been having a normal conversation. "If you would please come with me.." He extended one hand, waiting for her to take it.

Fiona shook her head, still stepping away. "I don't...want to" she answered shakily "Please...I want to go home...leave me alone...please"

Riccardo snickered darkly "But Miss Fiona...you are home" He extended his arms wide, head lifted up, as if he were trying to embrace air. "This whole castle is yours"

Fiona shook her head again, feeling her back hit something hard. She looked back quickly, realizing she reached a dead end. Riccardo was gazing at her, his expression unreadable.

"So Miss Fiona does not wish to stay in her castle..." he said quietly. Fiona watched in fear as he pulled something from his robe...something glinting dully in the low light. A-A gun? Before she knew it, he had pointed right at her face, finger on the trigger. Not good!

Riccardo's mouth curled in a sneer. "So how about we play a little game...my dear Fiona"

She heard a soft click and ducked instinctively, the shot going wild. She heard a sharp metallic ping as it hit one of the machines. Riccardo let out a burst of laughter, slapping a fresh clip into the weapon, taking aim again. Fiona ran for the door she came through, hearing the shots hitting the ground near her feet. This is bad! I can't run with my leg like this! she thought, gritting her teeth as a sharp pain shot through her wounded leg.

She reached the door and slammed it shut, searching wildly for a lock. Here! She jammed the thick metal bar across the door frame, shrieking in fear as she heard a heavy thud. She stepped back, hearing more thuds echoing through the thin wood. Crack! The door was beginning to spilt from the force, Riccardo managing to break a fist-sized hole through the wood.

He'll get me! Fiona ran for it, up the stairs, breaking through a frail barrier into another room-

-I'm trapped. The small room had no other way out, no place to hide and she could hear a heavy crash below. She felt a chill go up her spine. He's here!

A bark. Fiona looked around. "Hewie?!" she called, looking for him. There! She stooped down staring. There was a hole in the fireplace, one she could barely only see. The light from next room gave it away. Hewie wagged his tail on the other side. The hole was small but she could probably fit through-

-and heavy footsteps were making their way up the staircase, and without further thinking, she lay on her stomach, using her limbs to propel herself through the gap. A very tight squeeze, but she managed to push herself through, pulling her legs in after her. Okay! Her eyes searched and found a small wooden box which she jammed over the hole, praying Riccardo wouldn't notice it. He couldn't fit in the hole of course, but if he knew she was here...then he knew how to get to her quickly. Fiona crossed her fingers, keeping silent and praying as she heard him thunder into the room, searching, looking for her...

Then a curse, another loud shot echoing through the air. Fiona felt relief as she heard him mutter something then stomp away. He didn't find me. She sagged her shoulders, sighing. That was close. That was really close. Hewie sniffed her hand curiously. She rubbed him behind the ears, silently thanking him.

He'd saved her yet life again.

Riccardo kicked at the ground hard, cursing wildly. Stupid bitch, she thinks she can get away...but no, I will find her...I will...

He stopped as he reached the hall, sitting down on one of the steps, allowing himself to rest for a brief moment. Maybe he'd gone too far. No, he wasn't intending to kill the girl...all he wanted that azoth pulsing in her body.

Riccardo felt his anger ebbing away quickly, and he clasped his hands together. Yes, I can't be too rough. All I want is to show her I'm the one in control...this is my game! Not hers! Not the old man's!

He took a deep breath and blew out, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. This game was nothing compared to what he really wanted to achieve. What he really wanted out of all of this-

-Is to be born again.

Riccardo nodded inwardly, before standing upright, gun in hand. The child that would blossom in her womb would obtain that azoth...making it the ultimate creation. His creation. A true self.

After a few seconds, he began walking, heading back to his lab.

There was still a lot of work to be done.

Introduction of weird Riccardo, the guy lurking about in the background. I was tempted to bash Riccardo's head through the door and say "Heree's Johnny!" but thats just really corny and the thought of it made me laugh (Yes, I'm weird).

Still writing chapter 13 with Riccardo, but have already written the rest of Riccardo's chapters onwards to the end of his boss fight. Been doing that this week. By the way, thanks Kairisoul09 for trying to remind me to update! I do get sidetracked easily... Anyways please review so I can continue posting more chapters. Thanks for reading!!!