Obake (お化け) and bakemono (化け物) are a class of yōkai, preternatural creatures in Japanese folklore. Literally, the terms mean a thing that changes, referring to a state of transformation or shapeshifting
Obake
As the sun fades and the moon rises. A shadow emerges. A whispered voice emanates from it, growing closer as it approaches. This ominous presence portends a sense of impending danger.
"Captain Wesker, I'm going home early today. Are you sure you want to stay late in the office?"
Barry smiled at his captain while he stuffed another document into a folder. He seemed so hurried, as if something bad had forced him to get out of this place. Sweating, Barry placed his palm on his nape. He peeked at the clock almost twice. With a sigh, he leaned forward and hit the edge of the table, causing the pencil to roll across the floor.
Albert fixed his glasses, gazed at the pencil for a while, then nodded while looking into Barry's eyes. His gaze was so calm, but you could notice fear in his gesture. "Yes. I still need to finish another file, and I'm sure your daughters will be happy if you get home early, right, Barry?"
"Thank you." Barry said as he walked towards the door and returned his gaze to his captain one last time, just to make sure everything was fine.
"Sorry, I can't help much. Just.. be careful, Captain. At midnight, this place can feel strange. You know what I mean?"
"Don't worry..."
Barry's figure vanished, following the footsteps of his shoes. After the door closed, Albert sighed in relief and massaged his temple. The room seemed to be silent after another S.T.A.R.S. member came home.
Is Barry okay? He seems... worried.
Albert threw another peek at the clock in the corner. It was nearly midnight. He heard about a rumor from Enrico and Forest that the RPD was haunted by a praying mantis-like creature. He couldn't believe how much these men loved to gossip, especially about such silly things. Perhaps they do this to avoid Albert's current overtime habit, which he has these days.
But it's just a silly assumption. Albert knew well that his men didn't like him much. He's so strict... a boring guy, a sunglasses freak, and cold. He has always heard about that, but he doesn't mind it.
But... Barry. Barry's acting is so natural, and Albert couldn't spot a lie on Barry's face. Maybe he was right about this place being haunted? or is Barry worried about Albert?
Well… who knows?
Albert leaves his documents for a while after hearing Barry's vehicle roaring outside. He peeked through the curtain and scanned the area. He sighed slightly, stretched his body, and yawned like a cat.
Sure, the RPD is creepy at midnight, every building has a creepy aura when the sun goes down and the moon comes up. It's fairly common in society.
Sometimes, Albert hates it when everyone talks about supernatural phenomena that cannot be explained by common sense. He has a terrible obsession to get rid of those things and replace them with a bittersweet reality.
He shrugged and left his office, walking quickly to the coffee machine on the first floor. After standing for a moment in front of the coffee machine, he realized that the machine was broken. Another sigh escaped from his mouth. He considered smashing this machine and blamed Chief Irons for his crazy methods of keeping costs down in the S.T.A.R.S. office. He always hates that man, he has no idea why RPD hired him. He's nothing; he's just a garbage can.
"Captain?"
Albert turned around after a feminine yet familiar voice reached him; her voice faded into the atmosphere and sank into solitude. Her expression softened into a smile. "Have a bad day, Captain?"
"Um... Jill?" Albert frowned. He neglected his coffee momentarily and placed his vermilion mug on the table. Albert's eyes scanned Jill's figure, as he added calmly. "I thought you were…"
"Yes. But... I left my stuff on my desk, and I need them." Jill nodded and touched her nape. She seemed nervous; her whole face was pale, like she had just encountered something bad before she met Albert. Her palm clenched in her pocket, and her body was shaking. Albert could have noticed that, but he remained silent.
"May I?"
"Oh, sure..."
As she walked past Albert, Jill's eyes wandered through the desk as her hands roamed across it. She stood and froze in the same position for almost 2 minutes. Throughout this time, Albert kept looking at Jill, sensing something different about her, but he didn't know exactly what it was. The entire scene left him feeling weird and enigmatic.
He blinked his eyes twice and rubbed them.
"Another delusional episode, eh, Albert? I guess I should tell Alex about your delusional state, right, Albert?"
"You and your weird friend that you call William should disappear into oblivion, bury all of your dreams, and walk away! Umbrella doesn't need you anymore."
As Albert became entangled and trapped, he heard Alexia's mocking voice start to surround him. Her voice was arrogant, and she hushed Albert back to the moment when everyone praised her. It's just an imagination, an amalgamation of nightmares born from his deepest fear. In the same way, the familiar feeling of being intimidated returned, along with the same smell. Albert didn't want to fall down into the same rabbit hole anymore.
It happened every time he was intimidated, scared. A sudden moment when he heard Alexia's voice.
A pair of mosquitoes flew across the air, and Albert snapped back into reality. He still couldn't believe that woman, Alexia, had appeared and was teasing him. His old memories popped up at the wrong time.
Jill noticed it, and she turned to Albert. She gazed with a flat expression, which was rare for her to do. Her eyes seemed tired, and Albert thought that her irises were slowly turning to black. Albert looked down at the floor, avoiding eye contact with Jill, and focused on the coffee machine instead.
Albert felt a burst of negative energy fall through his head. Sweating, he touched his nape and suddenly acted like Barry had done hours earlier. Is... he scared of Jill? No way!
Albert, who had been engrossed in fixing the coffee machine, slowly turned around. His eyes now scanned Jill again, but this time more intensely.
He looked at Jill once again, just to make sure that the scene from earlier was just his imagination. When Albert's eyes met Jill's, he saw that Jill still stood in the same position. Suddenly, she crouched down, then stood up, repeating this moment rapidly as if doing some sports warm-up.
She made loud sounds, each time becoming louder and louder, it sounded like a dying horse, all of her stuff grinding through the floor. A pencil and a pen were thrown into Albert's shoes.
He said. "Jill, what exactly are you doing?" He paused and leaned closer to Jill. "Hey, Jill, stop that!"
Jill didn't answer to those questions. Her eyes remained on her desk. She slammed the table as if it were some kind of drum. Her eyes were merely blank, and she grunted, letting out a weird noise again from her mouth.
Albert's heart beat faster and faster; it wasn't something romantic or sweet moment that he should have perpetuated or shared as a memento and told everyone about. The thing he knew at that moment was something terrible had encountered him.
"Jill, is this a prank? I've had enough of being pranked! Get out, Chris! Richard! Joseph! I knew you guys were behind this!"
Jill turned her head but in an abnormal way.
Her head spun in a strange way like a bicycle wheel on its pedals. Her neck twisted and made a crackling sound.
"...huhhu... huuhuhh."
Slowly, Albert walked back.
"Jill?!"
It was so hard for Albert to process the whole situation. He has never experienced anything like this in his whole life. His mind traveled back to Enrico and Forest's faces. Remembering how they used to joke about ghosts in the RPD. But... Albert refused to believe that.
Ghosts don't exist...
...and the Jill he saw earlier was just a small thing from his imagination or maybe... it was all just a nightmare and he had fallen asleep in his office. Yes! That's a good conclusion.
But, after Albert saw Jill growling like a lion, suddenly her head twisted and turned upside down, her hands changing to so long and thin just like a praying mantis. Albert threw away everything on his head. It's not a human!? Albert, run!? Said his mind tried to command himself.
He knew one thing. No one would be able to make those noises or twist their head like Jill did. His vermillion mug hitting the floor and leaving black stains on it. Albert wasn't sure, but after he saw his favorite mug break, he knew something. He should run. Leave this place or hide somewhere.
Did he run because of the mug or was he just scared?
First of all, he stepped back with his right leg, took a huge step with his left leg, turned around his back and then ran as if he were doing a marathon. Albert didn't know why the main entrance was so far away in this situation; from what he remembered, it should've only taken 14 seconds to get there from where he was standing.
But... this time?
He looked up to the second floor while running and realized that the RPD was so quiet; he couldn't see any other officers around there.
Where's everyone? Is this a dream? Have I fallen asleep on my desk?
A huge piece of material flew through the air, leaving crackling and booming sounds in its wake. Albert narrowed his eyes and noticed that the office chair had hit the wall, shattering into pieces like dust. He turned around but he couldn't spot Jill or maybe fake Jill, a praying mantis-like creature.
He paused for a second, curiously, his mind puzzled into a frozen state. Was a praying mantis-like creature gone? said Albert to himself. He touched his chest, his heart rate increased to the max level, pounding so hard like a locomotive, he could feel a ringing inside his ear.
He touched his cheek, it was so wet, water dripping on his cheek and it annoyed him so much.
Wait, did I…?
He touched his cheek once again. And looked up...
A praying mantis like-creature crawling on the roof.
.
.
.
As a detective, you have always had an annoying client, false alarm, or a District Attorney that has made you frustrated every time they come to the RPD. You've told your captain about these complaints, about these false alarms, but he doesn't care and he continued to write those silly poems under his desk. You considered punching his silly face or smacking him with a keyboard. But... you don't want to end up in jail or being a criminal for such silly reasons.
Sometimes you wished that your captain was either Albert Wesker or Enrico Marini. Both are claimed to be the best captains of S.T.A.R.S or the best thing that the RPD has ever had. Unfortunately, you aren't a member of S.T.A.R.S. You've applied for them before and did a test but failed, just like Kevin Ryman. Your coworker.
You now work for the RPD after being transferred from the city to a smaller town. They said it would improve your position. Something shit like that, though you don't even care about your position either.
For the first time, you hate this city because Raccoon City is so small and has a weird atmosphere, but after a year living in Raccoon City, you try to get used to it.
Sometimes, in boring times, you had always seen him, Albert, walking past elegantly, his hair sparked like a moon or star dust. Golden. Smelling his masculine perfume from this distance. Awesome. He had always tried to be cool, not very talkative like Enrico and Barry. Cold.
Why does someone like him work in this place?! He's so awesome. He could be a model if he wanted or be an actor. With his sexy figure, beautiful blue eyes, he could melt anyone's heart. You always eavesdrop on a bunch of female officers at the RPD talking about him during lunchtime. Most of them are dirty thoughts, talking about size and comparing him with their boyfriends. Of course, it makes you blush so hard. The conversation becomes so intense and you can't hold yourself back any longer. It's just too... erotic.
Those crazy women!
You walked away from them, ran to the toilet, sat down inside. At first you tried to hold yourself, make your mind clear and throw away all of your dirty thoughts about Albert.
But... you can't.
You grip the wall and pant harder, each time it becomes more heavy and erotic. A warm steam escaped from your mouth. While you half close your eyes, you bite your lips.
After some time, you pulled down your pants, slowly and gently, moved your hands around your thighs and rubbed the forbidden part of yourself with your fingers. Your tiny little finger moved in and out, back and forth. How shameful that you did this at your office, especially during working hours.
Your mind is thinking about how to please Albert, thinking about moving your mouth back and forth over his sensitive spot. The most precious part of him and making him moan louder and louder as he reaches his climax. Imagining your mouth filling up with his seeds and swallowing them until they're dripping down from your mouth and ending up in a passionate kiss.
After that conversation, you looked at Albert differently. You glanced at him from head to toe, judged him and your gaze was drawn to his pants and admired his bulge. Even Kevin slapped your head for staring at Albert too much.
Every time you see Albert, his hands are always full with a bunch of files. On your first day at work, you spot him standing in front of the coffee machine with his vermillion mug. You watch his figure for a few minutes, enjoying the sight of him, you can't read him very well because he always wears sunglasses, you are not even aware if he realized that you were staring at him.
If you were lucky, you could see those blue eyes under his sunglasses. It takes all your willpower not to freeze in place at the sight of him.
You never talked to him, because he was always busy with his team, talked to his men about the next mission or angry at Chris Redfield, Joseph and Richard. You are always curious about what it feels like when talking with him, having a warmth and nice conversation, perhaps, talking about the weather or something more classic like music. For a year working in the RPD you two never talked to each other.
But there were times when you both glanced at each other while using the photocopier, met in the parking lot or in the interrogation room or met in the training room on your sparring days with Kevin. Albert didn't say anything and walked away quickly, as if he were a villain character from a mystery novel.
"Hmm, your captain-idol is like the RPD statue," Kevin jokingly.
"Stop treating me like I was a fangirl of his." You threw an energy bar at Kevin's face and rolled your eyes.
"Well... but as for me, yes, you do like one of his fans. I mean, look at you, Sunshine... you've been work at the RPD for almost a year but you haven't talked to him yet. Doesn't it look like a teenager who loves an idol like Justin Timberlake? I love you from afar, Haha."
You peeked at your watch and increased the speed on your bike. Feeling pleasant weather in the night, your mind is refreshed. You hummed along with an owl.
You looked up at the sky and saw a beautiful white crystalline. A full moon. Beautiful. But not after your captain murmured like a chicken.
You sighed and cursed along the way to the RPD, mocking your captain's name after he called you by a phone call during your leisure time at Jack's Bar.
He said in an annoyed voice. "I need you to bring me my files from my office. I NEED THEM NOW!"
You don't have time to complain, you don't have any options; you can't rely on your coworkers because they're older than you. Perhaps seniority is still stuck in this society and Kevin doesn't help much.
Well, maybe I can meet my dear Captain Wesker. I think he's still in the RPD. You convinced yourself and turned around your bike at the fork.
You arrived at the RPD and parked your bike carelessly. You looked at the main entrance and frowned. It's so quiet... how strange.
Suddenly, you hear sounds. You assumed that the sounds you could hear were coming from inside of the RPD. But, you don't know exactly what it was. You've never heard that sound before in your life.
What was that?
You walked into the building and tightened your yellow jacket when, suddenly, you noticed a huge and tall figure approaching you. You widened your eyes and tilted your head. Your eyes were drawn towards the main entrance as the figure approached you. The figure seemed to be in a hurry and you could hear their shoes echoing off the floor.
"Detective [...]! Oh, my goodness. Detective, you're here!"
You smiled at that figure. "Good evening, Captain Wesker."
Hello, what is happening here?
Did... did Wesker say my name and talk to me?! Oh, it can't be true! It can't be true! Kevin, look at this! Wesker talked to me!
You looked at his figure. Sweating. A lot. His hair was soaked with sweat. His pale cheek was all red, tinted like rose petals. He wasn't wearing his sunglasses. You could clearly see his sapphire eyes of him. His blue eyes filled with a sparkle, beaming as he drew his gaze on you.
After you greeted him. You smiled a bit.
"Is everything alright, Captain Wesker?"
"Detective..."
You could sense Albert's anxiety from his gesture; he seemed worried about something. He turned his gaze back to you and moved his palm to cup your cheeks. He squeezed it, as if you were a doll or something.
Your heart beat faster and faster as Albert leaned closer to you. You could smell his perfume wafting into your nostrils and you could see his attractive figure from that distance. Oh... so pretty...
"Wh-a... a... t.. is going on?" you asked with a cracking voice.
Albert could sense a nervousness in your voice; he noticed that and he pulled away. "Oh.. I'm sorry, Detective. I just wanted to make sure that you were the Detective I used to know."
You blinked twice and Albert giggled.
"You know..." He lowered his voice and leaned closer to you again, but this time his head stopped at your ears. You could feel hot steam spreading over your ears. You were almost ready to let out a pleasure gasp.
He whispered, "...praying mantis."
You frowned, tried to process it. "Praying mantis? What do you mean? I don't-Oh!"
You didn't know what it was, but after hearing Albert's explanation, a familiar memory popped out of your head. You remember the time when Kevin and Chris were gossiping about a ghost in the RPD and you had joined them as well. Chris seemed to be very interested in that story. He sat on your desk, propped his chin on his palm and laughed.
"...well, that's damn creepy, Kevin." said Chris jokingly. His eyes gazed at you. "What do you think, Detective? Do you believe Kevin's story? A praying mantis-like creature, it must have been so scary for you, huh?"
You rolled your eyes. "It's 50:50! Only a coward who would be afraid of ghosts. I bet, Captain Wesker agrees with me."
Chris sighed. "Yeah, Captain Wesker," and repeated Captain Wesker in a bored tone.
"Well...," you started to talk in a mysterious aura, looked at both Kevin and Chris. "Our Cleaning Staff have been talking about that too. He said that praying mantis-like creature is an Obake."
Chris frowned. "Obake?" He gazed at Kevin waiting for his response before turning to you.
Kevin giggled. "Shhh... I don't know about that Obake stuff, Sunshine. Now, you're scaring me."
"But..., Kevin, our Cleaning Staff said..."
"No... no... no, Sunshine."
You snapped back to reality as Albert gazed at you. "Detective?"
"Oh, I'm sorry... I was spacing out. Actually, our captain from my division wanted me to take his stuff."
Albert raised his voice. "You're not allowed, Detective!"
He touched your shoulders and squeezed them. You can feel a force of his grip. It hurts you so much.
"But, if I'm not..."
"Don't worry. I'll talk to your captain tomorrow." Albert took your hand, placed them on his pocket. You're a bit flustered.
"Now, we are heading out of the RPD. But, Detective, I need your favor..."
.
.
.
"Where's Wesker? I would like him to sign my report."
Richard shrugged in response to the voice. "Enrico said he had a fever."
Barry frowned, he raised his head to gaze at Albert's office. "Oh, it's rare for him to get sick."
"Yeah..." Kevin replied from the other side. Spinning his body on his chair. "My coworker found him yesterday. Almost died because of anxiety. She picked-up Wesker to his apartment."
"Who is she?"
"A cute female detective from The Criminal Investigations Division. I can't believe she picked-up Captain Wesker with her bike." Richard giggled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What exactly happened to Captain Wesker?" Brad chimed in.
"Hmm... She mentioned something about a praying mantis-like creature and Jill turned into a praying mantis." Kevin nodded. He turned his head towards his computer, typing.
Chris stopped to write on his notes and said in horror. "But, isn't Jill still in New York? Captain Wesker sends her to New York with Joseph, chasing a terrorist from Raccoon City."
Kevin giggled. "Well, that's a big surprise!"
Chris frowned. "But, Kevin... Where's Detective?"
Kevin sighed and looked so frustrated, he gazed at his captain's office. "She's been in there for hours. Our captain must have lectured her."