: DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own any thing that is The Evil Within including Characters and places. I only own the OC and the plot.

Chapter 13: STEM

Sebastian ran and shot his way through a horde of creatures. Leslie didn't stray too far behind. I hung on for the life of me on to Sebastian as he ran. I just kept my sight on Leslie mostly. It wasn't until Sebastian stopped. I looked over to see why he stood still. Ruvik stood in front of the three of us. He smirked and the atmosphere changed completely. We were much deeper into his mind now.

More like we were on Ruvik's mental version of the STEM, a huge, pulsating brain connected with a variety of tubes and surrounded by an odd liquid. Leslie went ahead to look at everything. When I saw Leslie walk up to Ruvik my heart sank.

"Leslie! Watch out!" I yelled.

Leslie looked up to see Ruvik without his robe on. He was more wreaked then I thought. Almost his whole body was burned. He started talking to Leslie. I was afraid at this moment my white haired friend would give in.

"Come unto me and I can free you from you fears." Ruvik told Leslie.

Leslie was looking down and shaking.

"Let me take all of that away." Ruvik kept going on.

"Leslie!" I called out.

Leslie lifted his head to look at Ruvik, "No! No! I won't! I want Xanderia!"

"You will be my freedom from this hell!" Ruvik yelled at Leslie.

Leslie started to step away from Ruvik. I was shocked that he didn't give in. I was very happy and relieved. Leslie then turned his back on Ruvik and walked towards Sebastian and I. Just then a horrific, giant monster then emerges, with Ruvik seemingly merged into the forehead of the beast as if acting as its next thing I know me and Sebastian we impaled by something rather very sharp. Ruvik was very angry. I yelled and screamed out of pain. Sebastian grunted a bit. He was stronger than I was. Ruvik was moving towards Leslie.

The tunnel vision started to happen again. My hearing started to echo. The taste of iron filled my mouth. I slowly felt my body get very light. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Leslie. He is the only reason to stay alive, though I feel myself drifting. It was getting harder to breathe. I heard gun fire go off and Sebastian tell Ruvik to get away from Leslie. I don't think he realized I was impaled as well. I felt so tired. I wanted to close my eyes but I needed to make sure Leslie was safe.

Everything was becoming dark. I tried to shack it off. I needed Leslie. He needed me. I couldn't die. Not in this hell. It took everything I had in me to speak.

"S-S...Sebastian...H-Help..." I said as loud as I can.

Sebastian looked at me, "Shit! Stay with me. I almost got this. Don't you go anywhere, you hear me?"

"L...Leslie..." I whispered.