Hello again! I surprised myself finishing this chapter a lot sooner than I expected. But not much needed to be done with it. It's probably the fastest update I've ever done (so that update I mentioned in the last chapter will most likely be in the next one instead) xD

Enjoy!


HAUNTING EVIL
Chapter Ten

The pressure grew as Leon and Fiona stared at the radio in his hand. He held it up and answered the call. Once the signal made a connection, a person appeared on the screen and his face lit up with surprise.

"Hunnigan! It's good to see you."

The relief was mutual. "Leon, it's been almost seven hours. Everyone was worried something happened."

"A lot has happened but I'm fine."

Fiona feared it was going to be Krauser. She did not expect to hear a woman's voice. As they conversed, she quietly stepped sideways so she was standing directly in front of him at the other side of the table, behind the radio's screen and out of sight.

"Have you managed to locate Agent Dawson and the rest of the Spec Ops unit? Or the target?" inquired Hunnigan.

"Just the target," he replied. "It is Krauser. I dunno how he cheated death but he's definitely got a new trick up his sleeve. And I've got more bad news... Las Plagas is here."

"What? How?"

"There's an ancient ruin within a deep cavern underground beneath the castle. I saw a creature that mutated in the exact same way as those infected in Spain. So far I haven't seen any up here."

Fiona was captivated. She never heard of Las Plagas yet could figure what it was obvious what it was. He encountered this before?

"I'll report this right away. HQ needs to know about this. Are you positive you have nothing on the missing team?"

"Actually, I have a—"

He was about to introduce Fiona as a valuable witness. She could by the way he glanced at her but stopped when she shot him a stern glare and slowly shook her head.

"You have a what?"

Seeking for a diversion, she saw Hewie who was lying comfortably on the floor. Almost inaudibly, she whispered to him, "Sit."

Ever the loyal German shepherd that he was, he barked to her command and sat upright. As she hoped, it was loud enough for the woman to hear.

"You have a dog?"

Leon was utterly confused yet played along. "Uh, yes... There's a dog here with me."

"This isn't the time for pets, Leon."

"I know that. He's just following me around."

"You still have a job to do," she firmly reminded him.

Fiona's expression was apologetic, though she remained silent all the same, leaving him to his own answers.

"Yeah. Anyways, as I was saying, I've got a... lead that suggests they're dead. I'm gonna look into it after this."

"Then we better wrap this up as fast as we can. What else did you find?"

Leon gave his account to Hunnigan on everything that occurred, cleverly able to keep Fiona out of the picture on the spot. He told the castle's name, the people he came across, including the individual who returned his belongings, and the Mercury Ruins in more depth. He couldn't begin to comprehend why she didn't want to be revealed.

Hunnigan noted everything down. "Fascinating... This is remarkably a unique case. Leon, I've been digging into Versante's history and I have a feeling some of the things you said will add up."

"What'd you mean?"

"I tried to contact the head of the village, Enzo Montagna, and neither he nor anyone else was willing to talk. Shortly afterwards, someone came forward... the same person that approached you."

"You're kidding? That's great. What did he say?"

"Not a lot. He's still being interviewed as we speak. He's pretty nervous to talk himself. His name is Antonio Montagna, Enzos's eldest son. We don't want to waste any time right now so I'll fill you in during the next report."

"Understood."

"Do be more careful. I can send in back up if you need it."

Fiona waved her hands with her fingers spread apart. She mouthed the word 'no' in a visibly mute exaggeration. He had to agree with this one. It would be hard to determine a safe place to meet with hidden traps that could be anywhere amongst other threats. He would hate to put lives at risks without knowing if they could be in danger coming in.

"No, not yet. You know me, Hunnigan. If it comes to it, I'll call for them but for now, I can handle it."

"Alright. Don't take too long. Good luck."

"Thanks. Leon out." When he hung up, he looked straight at Fiona. "Okay—what was that?"

She was reluctant before explaining herself. "It's... for the best that nobody knows of me."

"You're not going to tell me why, are you?" he asked sceptically.

She narrowed her eyes at him, not amused. "... We should find something to treat your head."

Leon blew a puff of air from the corner of his mouth and joined her. He was finding himself low on options. He had no intentions of demanding her to cooperate but still needed to know the truth. It was easy earning Ashley Graham's trust... even Manuela's. For Fiona, he had his work cut out for him.

"There isn't much," she said, carrying a small bundle of items to the table. "These will have to do."

Among the pile was a sealed pan, a clean rag, medical adhesive tape, surgical scissors and some cotton balls. She opened and took the pan to the sink and poured it with water to give Hewie to something drink. Leon started to patch himself but was it was tricky for him using one hand to keep his locks out of the way. Fiona saw this and her conscious nagged at her until she stepped forward.

"Here," she offered, taking the rag. "I'll do it."

"Oh, thanks."

She brought it to the tap, twisting it again to soak a corner of it while he say on the jacket left on the table fleece-side up. As he moved his hair aside for her, she took in a deep breath and stood in front of him. A silence formed as she began to clean the scratches. The blood on his forehead had already dried and she delicately wiped it. It slightly stung, causing his face to twitch.

"Sorry...!" she uttered.

As she carried on, he could see that she kept her eyes focused on the wound, avoiding meeting his gaze, trying not to shake being so close to him. He leaned as far back as he could, remembering how much it scared her when Riccardo leaned in. He already hated the guy for having this affect on her.

Fiona had to be one of the most intriguing people he ever met. He studied her as she concentrated on her task, a literal mystery before him. First she vanishes from a car crash, ends up stuck in a castle and harassed... yet she didn't want help. Why? He considered requesting Hunnigan to gather any information regarding the investigation of her disappearance. She probably wouldn't approve of it.

"Is it... umm..."

He lifted his head. "Hm?"

Her mind was telling her to stop. She shouldn't ask. She had no right. But her curiosity persistently piqued.

"I'm such a hypocrite..." she berated herself. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

"What is it?"

She pulled a strip from the tape and cut a piece with the scissors. "Is... it true that... you are a survivor of the Raccoon City Outbreak?"

"Oh..." That's right. Riccardo mentioned it in the ruins. He didn't believe that she would ask but was actually glad. If he opened up about his story, maybe she would do the same. So he straightened his back as she pressed a cotton ball to his head. "Don't worry. Yeah, I am. Believe it or not, that was supposed to be my first day as a police officer. I was late for my shift but perhaps being late is what saved my life. I was able to escape the city with two other survivors using an underground train."

Fiona revered his past as she listened. How much did one this man go through if there were two more incidents? She didn't even know how to respond appropriately, casting a sympathetic gaze. "I remember it on the news. Everyone in town couldn't stop talking about it for weeks. I'm sorry, it must have been dreadful."

"It was," he agreed.

"It feels like a lifetime ago. I think I was..." She paused, doing the math while taping the cotton to his forehead. "...Wow. Eleven years old."

"Eleven? How old are you?"

"Nineteen. Well, I recently turned nineteen."

"Around the same age as Sherry," thought Leon.

He remembered vulnerable twelve year old Sherry Birkin he and a fellow survivor he met during the outbreak, Claire Redfield. When they went to take shelter in the police station he was going to work in, they found a little girl left alone to fend for herself against the cannibalistic undead. She was grown up now and under the care of the government like Manuela. Over the years after their escape, they became the little sisters he never had. He planned on visiting them because it had been a while since he last saw them.

Sherry, Claire, Ashley and Manuela... All of them were able to trust him, a random stranger, in times of desperate need. He wanted Fiona to see that she could as well. Thinking carefully as she put everything back, he twisted himself to her direction.

"Fiona..."

Upon hearing her name, she suddenly found it impossible to avert her eyes away from him by the serious look he gave her. He hopped off the table to face her, making sure there was space between them.

"I get it if you're afraid. But you heard what Riccardo said. I'm a government agent. The woman on the radio is Ingrid Hunnigan, my communication officer. We can help you."

A shudder ran through her. If given three months ago, she might have accepted his offer. Unfortunately, things were different now. She shook her head sadly.

"I understand that you are concerned. Anyone in your shoes would be, I suppose. Yet you and 'Hunnigan' said so yourselves... you're here searching for six men. Nothing about me was stated in your job. You shouldn't get involved with my problems."

He saw that one coming. "You're right. It is none of my business. But that doesn't mean I should stand back and let others terrorize you. We're stuck in the same boat here and pushing me away isn't going to help either of us. I don't know what else I can do for you to trust me."

A pang of guilt struck, her eyes downcast, for she knew he was right. But she just couldn't tell him everything. She would never forgive herself if she let history repeat itself. She didn't say anything so he took a forward. What was too quiet to reach their ears was a faint sound of someone's raspy breathing. A lone pair of eyes surveyed them through a thin crack in the wall.

"As much as I would prefer getting you and Hewie out first, I need your help," Leon admitted.

Her brows knitted to what he had to say.

"I'm not saying I doubt you. I have to find the bodies of the men to confirm it to my superiors. Their families deserve to know."

That guilt then escalated, thinking of all those people waiting for their loved ones to come home. Of her own family waiting for her... People she did not know. She always knew she had relatives living somewhere in America while she grew up living with her parents in London. Yet not once did they ever make contact with her mother and father or send cards on birthdays and holidays. Their relationship with her parents was an iffy one even before she was born. So if it felt surreal when Leon said they wanted her found. Is that what he meant?


"You have no idea how terrible we feel. We were-... 'I' was wrong to judge your parents. That's why we—"


"I'm not going to force you," he promised. "But you know this place, how things work... And don't worry about Riccardo or Krauser. I'll keep you safe from them."

It took all of her willpower not to flare right there. That was not what she wanted to hear. "...It's not my life that I'm worried about."

He waited for her answer and against her better judgement, she made her decision.

"Alright... I'll help you."

Leon smiled with gratitude. "Thank you."

The person spying on them scurried away.

Fiona walked to Hewie and patted his head after he drank his fill before returning to the sink to drink some water herself. Leon's throat was feeling parched and t couldn't hurt to refresh his flask. When she was done, she moved aside for him and shook off the excess droplets from her hands. He cupped a handful of the cool liquid. Once he brought it to his lips and swallowed, an odd, 'reviving' swept through him.

"-whoa..."

"What?"

"Nothing it's... this water. I'm feeling a lot better already," he replied as he turned the tap off. "My headache's gone."

Something clicked for Fiona and she glanced at her palm. She always felt better whenever she drank the water in the castle but never thought put too much thought into it. Now though, she wondered...

"After we were separated in the ruins, I fell and cut my hand..."

"You did? How badly?"

She outstretched her arm and presented it to him. The puzzlement was there as he observed at the mark.

"It looks like a scar," he commented.

"I found a pool and washed the blood. When I touched the water, it healed me."

"How is that possible?"

She simply shrugged. "I'm not sure. It just did."

Registering where she could be going with it, he brought up something worth pointing out. "Krauser tried to ambush me and Hewie."

Fiona's eyes instantly flashed and he held a hand up before she could speak.

"He almost had me yet your dog saved me. I threw one of those things you gave me and it burst on his eye. I assumed the next time we'd see him, he'd be wearing an eye patch or something. If you're saying what I think you are... he must also have used the water."

"It may also explain Hewie's leg," she murmured, gazing down at her canine.

"Yeah... when I saw him in the forest, he was slightly limping even though he can get around no problem."

"There is a lake out there somewhere. Maybe he drank from it. This is merely a theory, but..."

He nodded, sharing the same idea. "Water courses greatest in the depths of Mercurius," he quoted from the tablet they found. "You think the water in this region might be linked to this 'special' water below ground?"

"Only not as effective above ground," she surmised, nodding in return.

It was then that Leon recalled the vial and took it out. "Shit, I forgot to show this to Hunnigan. Krauser dropped it during the fight and was keen on getting it back. I thought it was weird coz it's only regular water. Now it seems he wants a souvenir from his trip."

They were aware that they could be wrong about their speculation. Nonetheless, they both had a strong feeling about it. If they were correct, what could it mean? Only Riccardo and Krauser would have the answer... and it couldn't be good.


Neither Leon nor Fiona knew would await them with this plausible discovery. All they did know is that they would have to be more careful. After they were confident that everything in the infirmary was not misplaced, they were ready to move onward. He was the last to leave the room putting his jacket back on.

"Do you know where the bodies are?" he asked as he closed the door.

"No..." There was a downhearted tone in her voice and he let her go on. "They were last in this half of the castle, so they had to have been disposed of somewhere nearby."

"Which way should we start?"

She held an elbow in one hand and rested her fingers on her chin. Her eyes were half-closed as she contemplated. Before she could come up with an answer, hefty footsteps thudded from the far end of the corridor. Her lids rose back up and she spun around, her ponytail swinging around her neck. Emerging at the corner was a familiar hunchback. He was carrying a large crate and halted when he spotted the trio.

Recognising the outsider next to Fiona, he snarled and put the crate on the floor. He spread his arms out wide and, with a loud roar, charged towards them.

Hewie braced himself and Leon immediately retrieved his gun. He became alarmed as she dashed ahead and raised her hands high, bravely striding towards the hunchback.

"Debilitas, stop—it's alright!"

He slowed down so he would not barge into her yet still didn't seem to trust Leon. He grumbled stubbornly, trying to get around her but she wouldn't allow it, side-stepping to block his every attempt. Leon was just as chary to let his guard down yet Hewie had already eased.

"Calm down! It's okay. He isn't going to hurt us," she told Debilitas.

Leon lowered his weapon, taken back by how she was not afraid and able to tame this giant who towered over her. Debilitas eventually did settle, realising Fiona was not frightened in any way. She directed her arm behind her to the outsider.

"Debilitas, this is Leon..." she introduced, speaking slowly and softly as though she was addressing an infant. She then turned to Leon, speaking firmly to him shifting her eyes between him and his gun. "Leon... this is Debilitas. He is the caretaker and gardener of the castle."

Taking the hint, Leon put the gun away, getting a good look of the hunchback who was now staring at him, swaying in a child-like manner. A tuff of hair sat on the dry skin of his bulbous head. His clothes were caked with dirt. A leather cuff was wrapped around his left wrist and a set of golden keys hung on his belt.

Gaining his attention, Fiona continued. "Do you remember the people that came here after Krauser?"

He stilled and that was when Leon heard him talk for the first time. His reply was short and his voice sounded gravelly, suggesting that he had difficulty communicating with words.

"Ah... allll d-dead... Fi-ohh-nna... s-sad..."

Leon gaped a little. Her demeanour noticeably sank yet she held herself together.

"I have to help Leon find them. You mustn't tell Riccardo."

Debilitas's dark, abnormal marble eyes enlarged as though he remembered something and shoved one of his bulky fingers against his mouth. "SHH!"

Fiona appeared amazed by this, knowing what he was referring to. Leon could have sworn she almost smiled... Almost.

"That's right," she said with a single nod and her own slim finger over her lips. "Shh..."

Leon was dumbfounded by this display of interaction. For someone that was so tall and intimidating, his body language related to a youngster's.

"Do you know where they are?" she questioned.

"G-Go-... Go—le... Gol..."

She frowned yet assumed what he was trying to say. "Golem?"

Debilitas gave a toothy grin, nodding enthusiastically. He went down the steps to the door leading to the crossed stairs, pointing to it. After delivering his message as best as he could, he bowed to Fiona and picked up the crate that he left discarded. Leon eyed it with suspicion. What could possibly be inside? Seeing the inquisitively on his face, Fiona brought up her hand to stop him from pursuing.

"Leave him be. Riccardo is his master. If we delay him any more than we already have, we could get him into trouble."

"... Fair enough," he gave in.

Going back up, Debilitas made his leave past them and around the corner they came from. Leon watched him go and could hear him humming a merry tune to himself.

"He's like a big kid."

"That's exactly what he is," Fiona chimed. "A child trapped in his deceiving form. He is actually a lot more stable than he used to be."

"Stable?"

Fiona lightly blushed and gradually, she mumbled, "When I first met him, he mistook me for a doll."

His eyebrows furrowed and she twiddled her fingers together.

"He would chase me everywhere wanting to play. It may sound funny to you but if he were to catch me, he would have snapped my spine like a twig. He couldn't control himself whenever he got excited or agitated."

"Damn... I'm sorry," he sympathized. "He doesn't seem that way now. What made him change?"

"I'm... honestly not sure. He cornered Hewie and me in a chapel. As he tried to attack us, he smashed a pulley system to a chandelier and it fell on top of him. Ever since he's been nothing but gentle."

"It must have literally knocked sense into him."

Putting it into the simplest of terms, that was probably all it was. But to her, there was so much more to it. She would never forget the way Debilitas looked at her under the chandelier with such innocence. After that incident, he behaved in a way that yearned for forgiveness. She still felt bad for always freaking out and resorting to run or defend herself whenever he showed up, even if it couldn't be helped.

"I guess. Just... please don't hate him for what happened before. The only reason he attacked you is because he thought you meant to harm me. You were chasing me, after all."

Fiona was baffled with herself, feeling like quite the chatterbox. She never spoke this much for so long. It truly was strange having someone to talk to again. Either way, at that moment, she had to make Leon to understand that Debilitas was not to be feared or hated. After pleading to him, she was relieved hearing him chuckle.

"That's true. Guess I might've deserved it. He packs one hell of a punch," he said, rubbing the side of his face.

She wouldn't have blamed him if he was still wary of Debilitas yet was glad he didn't appear to hold a grudge. With all that said and done, he adjusted his jacket. Neither were aware that their spy from the infirmary had them in sight. Hewie peered down to a hole at the bottom of the wall.

"So, we better head on. Hopefully we've got some time before Krauser and Riccardo catch up."

"Fionaaa..."

The two froze to the frail voice that called her name.

"Fionaaaa..." it called again.

Hewie growled at the hidden presence. They couldn't tell where it was coming from. Then suddenly, Hewie barked and Fiona felt something snatch her ankle. She yelped and fell to the ground.

"Fiona!" Leon reached to help her and there was a bony arm and hand stretching out from the hole squeezing her leg.

The skin was a thin layer over the skeletal limb, hardly any muscle in between. The nails were black and chipped. She saw a gold bangle around the wrist and her eyes widened.

"Lorenzo!?"

Despite the arm looking easily breakable, it still held on with a death-like grip. Hewie bit into it hard and blood was drawn once punctured. Someone's scream wailed behind the wall.

"Hewie—no!"

Forced to release her, the skinny fingers sprang apart when Hewie let go and she slipped backwards, landing against Leon's legs. A folded piece of paper dropped from under the palm and the hand retreated into the hole as fast as it appeared. Hewie laid flat close to it, barking to warn the presence to stay away.

"Jeez..." Leon retorted. "One crazy thing after another..."

Collecting herself, Fiona crawled to take the paper. Hewie simmered down and Leon offered his hand. It pleased him that she actually accepted it without hesitating as she stood up.

"Who was that? Lorenzo, you said?" he asked.

"Yes... He helped me from afar since I got here, guiding me with messages of where to go and what to do. I haven't spoken to him in person... I just didn't anticipate getting one now because I hadn't heard from him in a while. He is old, I... was afraid that he passed away at some point... Or that Riccardo got to him."

"Kinda weird that he would grab you like that."

"I know. It's not the first time he's done that... But I could not have gone as far as I did without his aid."

Leon wasn't sure of 'Lorenzo' from that random moment as she unfolded the note. She seemed to trust him... something she did not give away so easily, even after Hewie bit him. It didn't sit right with him. Keeping his concerns to himself, he craned his neck discreetly to read the message as well. The writing was scrawled on both sides, written in a rush...

'Dearest Fiona,
I am ecstatic that you are still alive.

I sincerely apologise for not contacting you sooner. Ever since that
wretched Riccardo kept you locked in that chamber room, it proved
to be a challenge for me to communicate with you. He discovered
I had been assisting you and went as far as to seek and destroy every
tunnel I could use. Fortunately, not even he knows them all.

It also delights me that you finally acted on the last message I gave
about the Mercury Ruins. However, between then and now, two
intruders raided the ruins. The exit to the forest was destroyed and
what should have remained in slumber awakened. I would never
send you to such a place with active life. As for the intruders, I
suspect the mercenary yet am unable to determine who the other is.

I strongly advise you be on your guard and stay close to your new
ally. I have seen how he has protected you. Oh if I were as youthful
as he, I would have run to your side long ago.

I do not believe you should bother with the departed, yet going
through the catacombs will serve you to refine a new Godstone.
Riccardo disabled the Decomposer, so you cannot start from mere
ashes. Return to the catacombs. I have branded a wall with the
sign of 'METH'. Send a Golem through and it will show the way.
Inside you will find some Prima Materia.

Do not venture where the dead lie. Riccardo has unleashed a
deadly threat into the castle. I pray for your safety, Fiona.

- Lorenzo'

A deadly threat? What kind of threat? The two glanced at the door to the crossed stairs, both instantly convinced that things truly were going to get a whole lot worse...


Hope you liked it. Okay, so when I last posted Haunting Evil, this was where it was left off. So the following chapters onward will be brand new to the internet. Stay tuned!