Chapter 6: Hey Keep!


After Claire had escorted the Official back to his office she had headed to the highest level of the building. Finding nothing she decided to go back to the Keep and search around there some more. According to her calculations Darien should be entering Stage 5 sometime soon. She remained very cautious while walking to the the Keep. She knew better than the others, well maybe not Bobby, then to underestimate Darien. As his doctor she knew what he was capable of while he was quicksilver mad. What she did not know was that Darien was already in the Keep waiting for her. As she approached the entrance to the Keep, Claire thought she heard a noise behind her. She turned her head to look back as she entered the lab. When she looked in front of her she nearly jumped out of her skin. The door slammed shut and locked behind her.


"Hey Keep! Looks like you found me!"


With her glasses on she could see his glowing figure almost relaxing in his chair.


"Hello Darien. How are you feeling?"


She was trying to remain calm; she didn't want him to sense her fear. Darien laughed.


"Oh," he said, "I am feeling absolutely fabulous today! Definitely a lot better than yesterday. Why may you ask? Oh, I don't know. Maybe because today I can actually see my life clearly and the fact that I'm the one who is controlling the agency, not some egotistical, fat man who can't tell the difference between having fun and working! Not to mention that it SO great being able to see people scared of me and not looking at me like some lab rat who isn't worth is weight in dirt!"


"Darien, you have to just try and stay calm."


"Calm? You want calm? I'll show you just how CALM I can be!"


With that Darien flipped over the demented dentist's chair and shoved against a lab table. Chemicals and broken glass went everywhere. He started to throw another chair into Claire's computer, when she shot of a tranq dart. Darien was too quick however and put the chair he was holding between himself and the dart. Claire only had one dart left, and the counteragent.


"Come on Keep! Take another shot. What? Are you afraid you'll miss again? You really should go to the firing range with Hobbes. Practice a little. I think you're getting a little careless."


"Darien, don't make me do this. I don't want to hurt you. Just put the chair down."


"Chair? Ohh, do you mean this chair? Okay I'll set it down just like a good little lab rat."


Darien went to set the chair down, but at the last second he through it at his Keeper. Claire was knocked to the ground, but did not lose her grip on the tranq gun. Unfortunately for her, she had squeezed the trigger, shooting off her final dart harmlessly in the air. Darien laughed again. Claire hated that laugh. It wasn't like a real laugh a person would have after hearing a joke. It was a cynical, evil laugh that showed no remorse.


"Oh, I'm so sorry Claire. Did I hurt you? Here let me help."

Darien made his way over to Claire, preparing not to help her, but hit again. Just as he was close Claire was able to jab the syringe of counteragent into Darien's leg. She was at bad angle, however and was only able to inject a very small amount of the counteragent, before Darien grabbed the needle and threw it to the ground, sending the rest of his sanity splashing everywhere. Darien collapsed to the ground and after a few moments he awoke, his eyes normal. Claire wanted to help him, but she was still in a great deal of pain from the flying chair.


"Claire? What's going on? Where am...the Keep? How'd I get here?" 'Gasp' "Owww! Claire help me, please!"


Darien immediately grasped the back of his neck. Those were all the words he was able to say before the insanity took over again. The small amount of counteragent hadn't been enough. When he reopened his eyes, they were once again a deep crimson.


"What a bad girl you are; trying to take away my freedom. Tisk, tisk, tisk. I'd better keep from doing that again."


Darien went over and sat the dentist's chair somewhat upright. He then picked up Claire, set her in it and then took some restraints that were lying on one of the few tables left upright, and tied her in the chair.


"Now, you be a good girl while I go find Robert. Alright? See ya later, Keep!"


Darien unlocked the door to the Keep manually, using the same theiving skills he had used to get in, and then left skipping (quietly) down the hallway. Claire took a last glance at him as quicksilvered on his way down the hall. As soon as the door closed she started trying to get out of the straps.


"I have to get to Bobby before he does. I have to."


TBC