So as we know Herbert well, him not trusting Moreland as he trusted Dan is very stinging to the other man, and what he plans is a form of payback to Herbert. It's gonna be big.

Chapter Fourteen

Confronting the Enemy

Safe to say, this was worse than back at the prison when the Warden found out their activities. Heather held onto Leslie, who whimpered and backed into her for safety from her butcher. However, unlike Laura, she survived, and it gave her peace of the mind, but not with this man who had followed them to the most private place Herbert had tried to make it to be. Now Heather, after all her experiences, knew that being the assistant of Herbert West – and maybe more than that, but girlfriend might be too childish – meant sanctuary did not last long.

Now the man who had once been his friend and fellow doctor was here, and they were in trouble once more. How did he decide to follow us? I should have seen this coming; he planned this. He planned this, but for how long? she wondered. "What do you want, Eric?" she spat, gently freeing herself from Leslie's hold and standing in front of her, on guard.

He snorted. "Really, Heather, that's a question asked too much. But that's how things are nowadays: lacking originality. Everyone doing the same things each day that passes by, everything from media and literature, to, of course, our fields." His attention shifted from her to Herbert. "But that leaves one exception."

"Times change, Eric," Herbert stated, his voice hollow with hostility. "And indeed, so do the people walking through them."

"But not everyone," Moreland answered, stepping further in the room, his noxious green eyes scanning the area, landing finally on the empty re-agent needle and the nanoplasm device, then back to Herbert's face. "You haven't changed a bit. You're still the same arrogant, untrustworthy son of a bitch from school. You let others in on your dirty little secrets, all of which you kept from me, but I always knew as hard as you tried to hide. I thought we were friends, Herbert."

Heather's mind was abuzz as she tried to think of a way to get herself, Herbert and Leslie out of here alive. They couldn't go to the police because that would mean the end for them all, and not only would she herself be in prison with Herbert for the rest of her life, it meant her losing her career and medical license as Warden Brando had threatened her. And remembering how he laid a hand on Herbert before also threatening his life and freedom made her wish she'd given him a taste of his own medicine instead. Now this meant they had to get rid of this traitor in their midst.

"We were friends, but now that you've just killed your own wife, it's done," Herbert spat, now circling him like two warriors ready to fight. "And I take, since you know very well the nature of my work, you want all of it for yourself. I shouldn't be surprised."

Moreland nodded. "But I also know very well what you do to those who try to take it from you. But you won't, because I came prepared."

"And what exactly?"

He held up a camcorder, making Heather gasp. He has everything against us, so he can blackmail us! "I don't like the prisoners at the asylum anymore, so I have no remorse about them because they brought what happened onto themselves." His eyes flashed with more fire. "But that doesn't mean you will be let off the hook, my old friend. I really adored you, Herbert, but because of your dishonesty and letting down one of your true friends, your refusal to let me in on this 'great work', I can't tell you how repulsed I am. And to have a fair lady by your side in all of this makes it even worse to comprehend. So, with that said, if I ever show this to the police, this means the both of you go down and you –" He nodded to Herbert. "– back to Arkham where I'm sure the Warden would have someone in your ass, no less than you deserve, for this." The sick image brought up in her head made her want to kill him all the more; thanks to Herbert, now she knew that she wouldn't be afraid to kill anyone...all for him. "And as for you, Heather darling," he purred at her, the noise rattling her nervous system abnormally, "you get to go with him, where I'm sure you two could share a cell together, make your time up there for the rest of your days. While you two are there, I'll be taking the formula myself and making up for the troubles. That means I triumphed over the nefarious Dr. Herbert West by having him back where he belongs, and his formula made exactly as it should be." Her blood was on fire at the degrading term he called her Herbert.

If he does that, he's no better than Dr. Hill was, stealing the late Dr. Gruber's ideas and passing them off as his own. She turned behind her and nodded for Leslie to run to the door, who stopped not long before Eric withdrew a handgun from his jacket with his other hand and pointed it at her. "I wouldn't try leaving if I were you, Les. Or either of you. I have the weapon, but what do you have?"

The best thing she had, inside her bra, was nothing but a pocket knife, and it wasn't much of any defense, because she wasn't much of a fighter. A gun was faster with shooting long range than a knife's blade, and now she wished she got a license for a pistol. How could she pull it out without getting a bullet in her body? She wouldn't give him the suspicions, only gave him the satisfaction when she didn't answer, allowing him to think she wasn't armed.

"Put the gun away from her," Herbert ordered, taking a step forward only to have his newest enemy move the barrel of the weapon away and shift it his way. Now Eric was circling him until he stood in front of Herbert and had his back now to Heather; this was a fifty-fifty chance she could get Leslie out alive, but they had to make it fast. Heather spun around and quickly opened the door wide and fast as she could in time to have a bullet shot at them again; Leslie shrieked and ducked not long before she scurried around and outside the door for them to get to safety. Heather, however, remained frozen when the weapon found its way pointed for her heart – based on the estimated angle of position from afar – and it was moved away when Herbert jumped his former friend and tackled him to the ground. "Heather, GO!" he shouted, and she ran out after Leslie to get them both to the car.

But that meant leaving Herbert alone once again, facing his enemy...alone once more. What if he doesn't win this time around?

~o~

He was on top as a start, grabbing Eric by the shirt and dragging his head upwards for the first blow to the head; the weapon had been knocked out of his hand and sliding across the floor, under the table. Eric groaned from the punch to his face and tried to wrestle himself away not before Herbert delivered another; this was for him trying to shoot Heather, and for coming into his private sanctuary...and trying to do what Hill attempted years ago. He threatened them all, and this was what he got for threatening Herbert and his loved ones.

He was about to hit the man who betrayed him worse than Dan did by turning him over to the police again when Eric threw his head forward and head-butted him, knocking him off and onto his back, now taking the upper hand and kicking out at him, targeting both his legs but not breaking any bones. Herbert tried to get up before the other man was on him, pinning his body down – legs around his waist – and grabbing him by his shirt, slamming his head against the hard floor. When were people going to come up with something more clever than typical slamming the head against the floor or walls, or wherever else? Perhaps never, his stunned mind told him.

His vision was whitened spots for a moment before it cleared to show Eric's handsome face sneering down at him. "You think your little girl got away with mine in time, Herbert?" His breath was hot, and Herbert bared his teeth.

"She's not a little girl," he snarled, "and Leslie is not your trophy."

Eric laughed haughtily, drawing his face away. "Ha! Judging by the way I've seen you two look at each other, and how obvious it is she started you back on track in prison, she must really be that special to you, Herbie."

He spat at the childish nickname he loathed greatly. "Leave Heather out of this."

"But just how special is she to you?" Eric continued taunting him, driving him to the edge. "How you are just so protective of her like she's..." Realization dawned in his eyes. "Oh, no, Herbert West, I think I know what it is. You're in love with her."

Herbert growled savagely and managed to bring his leg up, kneeing Moreland underneath and sending him off at last so Herbert ran over to a corner, grabbing the crowbar and swinging it at Eric, striking him directly in the abdomen just as he was coming his way. Eric screamed in pain and fell over the table, nearly to the ground but held on the side for support. Herbert brought down another blow onto his back, this time driving him to the floor. The fiery energy in his whole body flared up more than any hell beneath the earth, and he was more than ready to kill Eric Moreland just like when he killed Brando, Chapham...and Hill. For tormenting him about the woman – YES, he was in love with Heather, but he would not let Moreland use that against him – he knew was his and his alone.

Herbert had no regrets about not involving this man with what he and Dan had shared; he already made his decision that he, Francesca and Heather would never know this. He had been a young man then with severe trust issues, and that was either born into your being or not. It wasn't something about yourself you could help. Eric Moreland himself was an equally insecure little boy no matter how much his then-wife tried to tame him. That made the two of them; Eric hadn't changed either.

But that also meant he had to bring him back to life so nobody found his body and Herbert's DNA anywhere located – they would not come here, not this time as long as nothing led back here – and he also knew Heather would not be happy with it. Well, he had to, because there was still that part of him that knew this was for the best. He knew what he had to do first, so he raised the crowbar one more time and struck a blow to his face that didn't kill him, but did leave a large bruise and some blood from his nose and mouth, loosening him enough for Herbert to drop the bar to the floor – it clattered loudly – and he hastily worked on securing his former friend and colleague to the table...and prepared the NPE device for its next specimen.

~o~

Cemeteries were never her favorite places, not since Emily died; she'd visited her sister's grave back in Arkham as much as possible in the early years, though as she got older, she began to go less and less, but that did not stop the pain. Before, it had been unbearable as much as she tried visiting Emily's grave to assure herself her sister was still with her spiritually.

Now she and Leslie were running through the cemetery adjacent to Herbert's lab, where he was still inside and fighting Eric. Knowing him, he could take care of himself. But that also meant he could very much kill Eric by taking his nanoplasm. And bring him back, like he did the Warden. He's in trouble then if we don't hurry.

The ground wasn't rugged and uphill; it was smooth and grassy, but Heather and Leslie were both forced to take their heels off and run faster. Leslie was still gasping for air as she hurried to pick up speed at Heather's side. The car was not long away, but they never made it, for a gunshot was heard in the air, making them both halt. Heather looked around, panicking at the moment. A string of thoughts ran through her brain: Are the police here? Did Eric call them before he got here? She stopped there at the last one. Or does he have help?

There was a choking gasp behind her, and a thud. Heather whipped her body around and saw, with horror, Leslie laying her back on the ground, clutching at her stomach to try and stop more maroon blood from covering the yellow of her dress. "Oh, God, Leslie, no!" Heather screamed, diving to her side and holding her. She tried to lift her up and get her to the car. An injury like this was critical, and she wouldn't last any longer than before. Oh, no no no NO! She died once before; she doesn't deserve this again! But Leslie shook her head and resisted. "Les, please, we got to save you, get you to the hospital," Heather pleaded, all ending in vain.

Leslie choked again and shook her head. "No, Heather, don't save me...don't bring me back again..." She gasped. "I've been in enough pain to last a lifetime. I lost my life before; I feel no different, and I have no family left. Eric was my family before he changed. He took everything from me."

Heather shook her head in determination, holding the older woman closer to her. "Leslie, stop. Just...stop talking like that. You're a doctor, like me, like Dan...like Herbert. Those men and I worked to save your life, and you made it. You're going to help us prove to the world that death can truly be stopped. You're the first human to make it through." She took her hand in her own. "Leslie, I beg you, don't go away. I don't know another person after you who can do this."

The other doctor smiled weakly and brought her other hand up to touch her face, warm skin against her cold, tear-stained cheek. Heather stifled a sob at the words. "I know you guys did, and I know someday you'll be accepted, be famous for lifetimes to come. But I don't think now is the time."

"There's been enough time..." Heather tried to argue.

"Needs more." Leslie coughed; she didn't have much time left but had to get this out now. "But first, promise me you will finish Eric off, avenge me, and save yourselves."

"I will," Heather promised, nodding urgently, finally breaking the flood when Dr. Leslie Coburn breathed her last and finally died before her...the same way Emily died in her arms that night she was exposed at an early, innocent age to the zombies, to the re-agent, to death...and to Herbert, the man she loved. Come back, her mind and heart were both begging. Leslie, please, don't go...don't leave, like Emily left...

Hearing the sound of twigs snapping – approaching footsteps came with – Heather snapped her head up and looked around, knowing Leslie's other murderer was coming. However, looking up, she saw that the shooter was a familiar face to which she actually heard herself gasp in disbelief: the man in the tan suit stepping out from the shadows, casually blowing out his gun's smoking barrel before putting it into his pocket.

"Hello again, Dr. Phillips. Long time no see."

"Warden Jacobs," she stated, lowering Leslie's body to the ground and standing with the grace of a nymph. "You monster."

"Monster?" He laughed and shook his head. "Yeah, like anyone would call someone they don't like and don't understand."

"I trusted you," Heather continued; her heart was still breaking over the second and final death of the woman at her feet. "I trusted you, and you killed a woman."

Jacobs scoffed, not leaving his spot by a foot. "Please, Heather, you of all people should know better than to trust the prison's Warden. I know better myself than to take the word of an innocent young doctor when she lies about an assistant she never had in the first place..." He knows; I knew he would catch up. "...when he was actually an escaped prisoner." His eyes fell on Leslie's corpse, the smile fading. "And back to his dirty tricks again."

"Well, what's the point in defending myself when it's gonna incriminate me more?" Heather replied, forcing a smile of her own. "Are you going to kill me now that I know you're in on this, too? Since you'll have the pleasure of taking us both back to the prison, where you'll relish in misery like your predecessor did on the prisoners?"

His blue eyes, now malicious and cold unlike the cloudless charm she remembered, glittered. "Ah, not yet, but I can totally count on it. And no, I won't kill you. Death is all too easy, as you know." He shook his head and turned his back to her to head off in the other direction, pausing to turn halfway to her. "Eric and I have more plans for you and West...as well as your friends, Dan and his dumb blonde wife, and their little brat. There's more in store than you think, Dr. Heather Phillips. This is a battle none of you will win this time around."

Yup, things are starting to sizzle now. I originally did not plan Warden Jacobs as a bad guy, but surprises always happen. So what's going to happen now that our favorite doctors and their friends are in deep now?