It had been a mistake. Going to Mount Massive by themselves with no back up. But Miles had been so sure that they would be fine. So confident that they would get in, tape what they needed to, and leave. That Raphael felt confident things would be fine too. He had right until after they got to the library. With all the hanging corpses of Murkoff men. Headless and hanging by their ankles. One of the bodies nearly falling on Miles as they passed it. The smell of rancid decay pooling around them as they made their way through the maze of bookshelves. Few times retching from the stench alone. Their camera's night vision being the only thing illuminating their way. It took a few minutes, but they found someone who was barely alive.
He spoke a few words to them. Raphael couldn't make them out over the sound of his own heart pounding in his ears. His teeth dug into his bottom lip as he held the camera steady. Watching the security guard take his last few breaths through the lens. A moment later, he felt Miles tugging his wrist. Telling him that they had to leave. That they had to get the police, the army, anyone that could help them. And he followed along after him. Turning the camera's night vision off as they opened the door. Only pausing when Miles put his arm up. At first, he wasn't entirely sure as to why his boss did that. Then he saw him. The big man with the maimed face. Blood was pooling around his neck, wrists, and ankles. They both kept quiet as they watched him walk through a door. Then as silently as they came in, they walked through the hall. Taking extra caution to pass the door that the man had gone through. Finding there was a narrow passage way that lead to an elevator and stairs. Both quietly deciding on going into the elevator instead of the stairs. Just in case the giant man came back. Hoping they could get to the ground floor before he could make his way back.
Raphael was the first to go through the gap. It wasn't hard. But he didn't like how close the debris felt against him. How trapped he felt between them. Shoving those thoughts aside, he made his way through. Taking a step back as he watched Miles try to squeeze through as well. His eyes went wide as he heard someone grunt,"Little pig."
Then seeing the giant man from before. His hands were on Miles shoulder as he went to pull his boss back. Raphael practically flung himself forward as he grabbed for his hand. Trying to dislodge him from the giant's strong grip. Wincing as his boss was pulled from his grasp and thrown through the nearest window. Turning towards the window near him, he shouted,"MILES! MILES?!"
He barely made out his boss laying on his back on the ground. Bleeding from several spots with glass strewn around his form. But he seemed to be breathing. Not easily, but still. Before he could shout out to him, he heard strange noises to the left of him. Turning his head slightly, he saw the giant moving the blockade. Strange eyes trained on the short man as he snarled,"Little pig!"
For a brief moment, Raphael was frozen to the spot. His eyes widened in horror as the blockade was slowly being moved. Then he screamed in terror as he sprinted towards the stairs in front of him. Not looking back once as he made his way down the stairs. Heart practically in his throat as he heard loud footsteps behind him. As he got to the bottom of the stairs, he tried opening the door near him. It wouldn't budge. He checked the lock as he heard the footsteps grow louder and louder. Hearing the strange giant man's heavy breathing as he panicked. Raphael fought tears as he tried to undo the lock on the door. Was this how he was going to die? At the hands of some mutilated man covered in his own blood? His teeth dug into his bottom lip as he felt tears running down his face. Feeling as though he was going to die. Right until the lock finally clicked into place. A grin grew on his face as he threw open the door. Running as fast as he could towards his boss.
Only to be grabbed by a strong pair of hands and pulled behind a desk. The person struggled to hold him still. For what, he wasn't sure of. Then he felt a brief pinch in his neck. Followed by the strangest sensation washing over him. Slowly, he was growing tired and could barely keep his eyelids from closing. Looking behind him, he saw an elderly man holding him. His expression was grim as he kept them both hidden under the desk. Keeping a careful eye out for the giant man. In a soft voice, he whispered,"I can't let you and him leave yet, my son. There's so much that you both need to witness."
"To help with...to sacrifice...",he trailed off. He may have said more words. But by then Raphael was too out of it to listen properly. His mind slowly drifted off to unwanted slumber. The possible priest's face being the last thing he saw.
A while later, he awoke inside a padded cell. One that smelled like the library from earlier. Only a lot less rank. His eyelids opened slowly as he started getting up. Wincing at the bright lights of the room. Stomach twisting when he realized that he had no idea where he was. Or where his boss was. Raphael got off the bed as he glanced around. The camera had been placed where his feet had been just a minute earlier. Picking it up, he recorded the strangeness of the room. It was somewhat white in places. In other places there was religious writing and crosses.
'Rest in Peace'. And such like that. Mixed with writing that he couldn't particularly make out. It didn't matter to him. All that mattered was getting back to his boss. Getting out of this terrible place and getting the police. As well as getting Miles to the hospital.
Shutting off his camera, he walked over to the door. Glancing through the little window. Only backing up when someone slammed their hand against it. A second later, the door swung open. Causing the previously muffled noises to drift in. People talking to themselves. A few screaming. He ignored it as he walked out of the little room. Turned to his left and started walking. Jumping when someone smashed their own window. Causing him to speed walk to the stairs. His stomach twisted when he saw two figures in front of him. Lifting up his camera, he turned on the night vision to get a better look at them. They were two men of similar stature. Looking nearly identical. Nearly, if it wasn't for the fact one of them looked to be balding. They stared at him for a second before talking. The taller one asked,"Did the priest tell us we couldn't hurt this one? Or his boss?"
"I believe we couldn't hurt his boss. He's fair game.",the shorter one answered. Causing Raphael's pulse to quicken as he stared at them. Turning to his right as he hurried down the stairs. Barely catching one of them shout,"Don't worry, little rabbit. We'll give you a fair chance."
"Ten minute head start! Better make it count!",the other shouted. Raphael chewed his bottom lip as he looked through the windows. Yelping when some of the patients jumped at him. It took him a second to find a possible way out. A room with a crack in the wall. He squeezed his way through as he muttered,"Please let Miles be okay..."
"Please..."