The Evil Within: ''Sunshine and Hopes.''

Chapter Fourteen

It felt like there was no end to this maze, and it felt like his chances of surviving were becoming increasingly lower. He had been in the STEM machine for quite a while now and it felt much like reality. Even when considering it was not the real physical world he was trapped within, he now felt like a prisoner of his own mind that struggled to keep alive in the head of someone else. Some would wonder why one would create such a machine when the simplest of violence acted upon the remaining physical embodiment of the core would cause the death of it. How safe your brain may be, how safe your body may be, are the unnatural powers bestowed upon the core really that valuable when you could die by an external cause? Sebastian wondered why this even was invented in the first place, and why it would give science a new breakthrough to act upon the fears of the subjects.

The wide field of sunflowers were brightened by the strong light of the sun that shone above: its golden rays dropping on the petals and making them glisten. The few gushes of wind were pleasant and soothing, it all felt like a dream that one would like to wake up from. Except, this was not a dream, and the former detective would do well with continuing his quest for killing the core: that was Ruvik, and his death would free all the people he had doubts in his mind, especially when the revelation was made about the villian's family. The hesitance of harming such an individual that has been through so much suffering and wrought so much pain on the people that were innocent - it was a battle of inner conflict for Castellanos. But the battle had to be fought, and the result of it would show what would happen to either of them. The male followed the thinner one, further into the clearing untill both stood still. His eyes were narrowed and simultaneously dulled from the strenuous journey he had endured up untill this point. It was unfair to say he endured the most, though, he wouldn't want to claim that he had, unknowing where Joseph went, or even where Kidman went, and aside from those, he still remembered what happened to Ruvik. It was strange to see that the man looked so peaceful for once amongst all the turmoil and torment. He looked content and almost appeared to be enjoying the view of the green grass and the evergrowing flowers.

You make it sound like it is a bad thing, Seb. He was pretty sure the torture was a bad thing, but did he really find it as bad as the common person would find it? Would he really admit that he didn't mind the torture and actually became addicted to the painful, sexual thrill of it? That made him feel guilty: enjoying himself with someone who has lost the pureness of his heart. Though, in reality, Ruvik had no heart anymore. The detective sighed and looked around momentarily before shaking his head, approaching the male before halting before him. ''Look, I'm done playing your games, and I'm not staying here any fucking longer. So tell me where my colleagues are and we might be able to help you somehow.'' Ruvik remained silent for a while as his pearly optics settled themselves far ahead into the surfacing barn that became a painful memory once more. He turned around and focused his gaze onto Sebastian, his gaze as emotionless as always, though his eyes emanated a certain understanding. ''I can't do that. They have their roles and they will play. You will play. This entire game will be something you'll soon understand, Sebastian.'' The man ran a hand through his messy ebony hair and grunted in frustration with the lack of answer and riddles. He was closing in on his limit of how much he could handle, and right now, he felt like he could drop on the ground and refuse to get up. ''Goddamnit, Ruvik.'' Sebastian felt his blood boil - he cared for his associates and they were in danger. He pointed his gun at the robed male and ran his digit across the trigger. He was tired, very much so, even enough at this point to know that a bullet would hardly do anything to this man. It would probably be a waste to fire. A sidesmirk appeared on Ruvik's lips as the gun was aimed at him, perhaps in amusement, knowing it would be futile, even if the man shot.

''Do you know why we are here, Sebastian?'' The man furrowed his jet black eyebrows, looking ahead at the barn he had seen before - and what he had heard inside. What he had experienced in there. ''That barn..'' Ruvik nodded, looking towards it again in thought. ''That barn was when I had my last good moments with Laura. My last good moment as a child.'' Sebastian felt guilt again, and perhaps that was the intention. His gun lowered and he eventually holstered it - he'll save his ammo for now. ''Yeah..- farmers burned it down. I don't think they knew you were inside. Or maybe they pretended not to know.'' Burning down a barn hardly makes a statement. Though, killing children..that makes a real impact. ''My father found me after the fire. But unlike any real father, he hid me. Out of sight, out of mind. But when I had the chance, I let him know I was not out of his mind. Not when he took his last breath, not untill he realized he couldn't keep me away from the world like this.'' Ruvik stared into the distance, his memories strong and vivid, as if it were yesterday, and Sebastian couldn't help but to feel sad for all that had happened. He approached, hesitantly, and stood next to the robed male, his bronze eyes carefully landing on the man's expression which stirred more emotions inside of himself. ''I wish I could've helped you, but I wasn't here. But you don't have to kill anyone for what your father did to you - what other people have done. Not everyone is like that. Don't become what you hate - don't become him.'' Ruvik slowly turned his eyes from the barn to the detective aside of him, glazing him over momentarily before he extended his right hand and caressed the man's cheek. It made Sebastian's stomach turn, but it also made his heart flutter at the strange feeling. At this time, the absence of his wife didn't matter so much anymore. At this time, he felt good.

''It's a pity you're obstructing my plan, Seb. But I will indulge you.'' Ruvik's deep, mysterious and raw voice echoed throughout the field - his eyes glinting with mischief as a sudden painful flash overcame Sebastian. No longer were they in the bright, lush field of green. They now were in a place which appeared to be a room. Dark crimson wallpaper, alongside a kingsized bed in the center, and several wardrobes, desks and the like. Ruvik's room? The detective groaned and held his hands to his temples in frustration before the drilling tremors ended and he felt safe enough to open his eyes again. Ruvik was still with him, looking around the room the man had spent most of his life in. It brought compassion. ''And you've to keep doing that, fuck. Really.'' Sebastian mumbled in annoyance, it was unpleasant and strenuous on his mind, and most of all, it hurt. The shorter male grinned once more, maybe liking the detective's humor, and so he approached, and pushed the male against the vacant spot of the wall. Both his hands now locked around the man's wrists, pushing the limbs above the male, causing a low gasp to leave the other's lips. Sebastian felt himself become nervous once again, he couldn't help it, it just came to him and he tensed up. His heartbeat increasingly high and his chest heaving rapidly with no ending.

''At first, you were a mere insect on the radar. Now, you are someone who has drawn my attention. Is that what you wanted, Sebastian? Hm, now you have it. And I have you.''