I completely rewrite chapter 4 as the dialogs in the previous was way too long winded so I decided to get straight to the action and elaborated the dialogs as the chapter goes. I felt I rushed it too fast and I want to focus on building up the characters first.

Chapter 4: The Night

They reached town and the first thing they went straight for was the phone booth. Sebastian dialled his uncle's number and waited for response. Strangely the line couldn't get through no matter how many times he tried. All he got was beeping sounds all the way…

"Well?" Delsin stood next to him.

"Unreachable," Sebastian hung up the phone before he took out his cell phone again. "My phone signal still dead. Can I borrow yours?"

Delsin took out his, checked then he shook his head. "Mine's dead too."

"Shit…" he cursed silently under his breath. He scanned around town. It was what Delsin said; a small town with small population. There was a convenience store right next to the police station. Housing apartments, restaurants etc. Further down, he could see a big neon sign saying 'MOTEL'.

"Is there anyone you know will let me borrow the phone?"

Delsin walked ahead of him and pointed to the 24/7 convenience store. "The store owner working there is my friend. She can help."

They passed by the police station and Sebastian stopped in his track to take a peek inside. There were about two to three policemen at the reception area, busy doing paper works. Others pacing back and forth in a hurried manner.

At the corner of his eyes, he spotted some technicians fixing up some cable lines at a junction box.

(They seem busy.) He thought to himself.

He later recalled Delsin previously suggested they should report this happenings to them but he declined the idea of doing so. Going to the station to elaborate about it wasn't a good idea; he didn't want to give himself an expression of a madman to the locals during his first visit.

They stepped in the store just to see a plump short lady in her 50s, feeding her pet white parrot at the counter. She smiled broadly the moment she saw Delsin waving at her.

"Hey Rose."

"My…my…Delsin," she got up. "Staying out late in the night doing your graffiti again?"

He just gave a silly look, indirectly telling her that she made the right guess.

"Rose, I want you to meet Sebastian, a friend of mine." He introduced him to her.

"Nice to meet you, Sebastian Castellanos," both exchanged handshake.

"You sure are a good looking fella," she joked. Sebastian blushed a little on that small compliment of hers.

"You're a tourist? Welcome to our humble Hillview Town."

"Aunt Rose, is it alright if we can borrow your phone?" Delsin asked. "Both of ours including the booth outside were dead."

She expressed a surprised look, "Oh dear…regarding this I'm afraid I'm beyond help."

Both just looked at her in return.

"The entire town communication line was completely down an hour ago."

"Serious? Just great…bad timing."

(That explains the technicians I saw back there) Sebastian folded his arms across his chest.

"One of the cops dropped by to inform me the line might take a while to fix it up," she shrugged. "They don't know what's the cause is nor the source of the problem lies. Hopefully they can it done by tomorrow."

(Communication line breakdown… source of problem unknown…is this some kind of a coincidence? Did Guillermo did this to stop me from seeking help?) Sebastian ponders.

She suddenly hit her right fist on her left palm. "Oh I just remember! Ezio and Francis came to my store three hours ago, looking for you."

"What did they say?" Delsin asked.

"Nothing much. Just asking me if you did drop by my shop. You owe them an explanation."

"Guessed I am," he rubbed his chin before turning to Sebastian, "So what do you intend to do now?"

"I guess I'll just stay a night at the motel…"his voice trailed off the moment his stomach growled loudly and there's was a moment of stony silence atmosphere surrounding the shop. Sebastian felt so badly embarrassed. He noticed Delsin was staring at him, dumbfounded.

"Erm…you want grab a small bite?"

Rose let out a soft laugh. "You poor guy. You must be starving the entire time. Give me a minute."

She strolled to a nearby shelf and took out a cute white paper bag with a pink ribbon tied on it. She passed it to him. "Here's some leftover butter sugar bread I baked this morning. It's not much but please take it."

Sebastian just looked at the bread.

"Oh dearie," she waved her hand. "You don't have to be so shy about it. Take it as a welcome gift from me."

"Thank you so much." He helped himself to the bread. (Delicious)

"You both should go back now," she returned to the counter. "Don't keep your friends waiting."

They bade her a goodbye and goodnight as they left and headed for the motel further down the road when Sebastian felt a soft tap on his shoulder.

"Hey Sebastian."

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you don't mind about this," Delsin stood in front of him. "You sure you want to stay at the motel?"

"Why?"

"Well the doctor we met," he continued. "I have a hunch that he could still be out there looking for you. I'm kind of feeling uneasy leaving you alone all by yourself. So I thought of inviting you to stay over at our place instead."

"Thanks but I don't want to trouble you no further," Sebastian declined his kind offer. "After all we just only met and you've done so much for me. I will feel bad if you know what I meant."

"Hey," Delsin gave a gentle pat on his shoulder. "There's nothing to feel bad about it. What's more it's already late and there's no transportation now. And we don't even know when that freak's gonna show up."

"I…" Sebastian looked at him.

"Don't worry about it. I will explain your situation to my friends, they will understand," he gave a thumbs up.

"Guess I have no choice but to accept then."

As Delsin was about to lead the way when he noticed someone standing in the middle of the road at a distance. The street lamp shone on him and his shadow cast on the quiet street in an eerie atmosphere. In an instinct, Delsin quickly stopped Sebastian in his track, his hand gesturing him to get behind.

That 'someone' approached them slowly in steady steps. Delsin with Sebastian behind him, drew back slowly as well. The Conduit growled as he got into his attack stance and ready his chain whip

"Delsin?"

"Whatever you do," he whispered softly to him. "Stay close to me no matter what, ok?"

Sebastian immediately knew what he meant and nodded his head, signalling to him that he got his point of his words.

They retreated to a narrow alley. It may be a disadvantage to both sides but at least Delsin can keep his friend safe from harm's way. If the enemy were to attack, he will be the first to embrace it.

"Didn't expect you to follow us all the way here," Delsin eyed at the shadow.

"You're an alert one," Guillermo emerged from it. "I've come to fetch my guest. It is very rude of you to snatch him away from me at the first place."

"Is that so?" he said. "Seems to me you're trying to kidnap him."

Guillermo, without wasting any time, looked up towards the electric cable post above. The cables for no reason snapped and high voltage of electricity lunged dangerously towards both.

Delsin quickly used his body as a shield to protect Sebastian. He summoned a fire barrier to engulf themselves in it as electrics clashed with it causing a small explosion as a result. Sparks of flames and electrics spread out in different directions. Delsin silently thanked his Akomish Tribe god that the explosive was not lethal. If not it will cause a collateral damage.

He then checked on Sebastian and was relieved that he's unharmed but was shivering uncontrollably. He had to think and acted fast. If he keeps dragging on, Sebastian might not be able to take it.

Once the electric subsided, Delsin decided to take this opportunity to retreat to an isolated place where he won't get the town's residents and Rose involved. He quickly grabbed Sebastian by his hand and ran as fast as they could.

Seeing his targets retreating, Guillermo followed suit. There's no way he will let them escape!

Delsin and Sebastian ran to the town's port. The young Conduit unleashed his flames onto his whip and stood on his ground, not
moving. Ready to face the incoming threat.

Sebastian stood beside him. He quietly observed his new found friend and his brave action. Though they knew each other for only a
short night, he had already gone such measure just to protect him.

He began to feel that he's a burden; he only brings trouble to those close to him yet he's helpless. He did consider using his 'gift' to assist Delsin however he was reluctant. It's not that he refuses to aid, he feared them.

He feared that if he really used them, he will lose complete control. Instead of helping out, he might ended up hurting Delsin. But his true fear was becoming like Ruvik. He lowered his head, gritted his teeth in sheer frustration and balled both his hands into fists.

"Sebastian…are you….alright?"

He snapped back to reality, lifted his head up just to see Delsin looking at him with a concerned and worried look.

He quickly looked away, "It's nothing."

"You seems to be troubled," Delsin said.

Sebastian wasn't sure if he should tell that he's the same as him. Delsin did honestly tell him that he's a Conduit because of the trust he had for him. But will Delsin able to trust Sebastian if he knew the detective's power is far more powerful than his?

"Sebastian?"

"I'm alright…" he convinced him. "Just a little shaken after all this shit is happening."

"It will be alright," Delsin replied. "I will see to it."

Just then Delsin felt the older man was tugging at his denim jacket.

"Why?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Why are you doing this for me?"

Delsin doesn't know how to answer him back. He had no answer for it. Maybe that's what he wants to do, probably his natural instinct or his Akomish Tribe Teachings. His friend, Aunt Betty, always told him to use his 'Gift' for greater good especially to help those who's in need.

He heard Sebastian's pleas of help when he was back at the warehouses, doing his graffiti. He can't bring himself to just leave him alone to deal with the old man.

"Let's just put it that I'm helping a friend," he smirked while turning back to look at Sebastian.

"We only know each other for only a short time and you already regarded me as a friend?"

Delsin raised an eyebrow, wondering why he will say that…

"Well…," Delsin replied then his face blushed a little out of shyness. "I don't know why but somehow I got this feeling that we met somewhere before."

Sebastian was loss for words. He had that same feeling too. Before he can said anything, Guillermo had already caught up with them.

"There you are," the doctor approached them. "I'm not going to hold back this time."

"I guess we talk later!" As Delsin whipped his fiery chain whip onto the ground, signalling the doctor that he's prepared to fight face to face with him. "Bring it on."

End Of chapter 4