Yay Chapter 6! I really enjoyed writing this fic. Thank you for everyone support. I would like to give my big thanks and hug to Exolibris for supporting me and giving me the will and strength to continue my story. If it wouldn't for him/her, my fic will be lost in history. Thank you so much, Exolibris! XD

Chapter 6: The Ride

"You know the way?" Ezio asked.

"Yup," Francis checked. "The GPS tracker shows it's actually a straightforward drive. I just need to follow this expressway and we will be there in no time."

"I wonder if Aunt Rose knows where we are now…" Delsin gazed up to the sky.

"I dropped her a message while we were back at eatery. Telling her that we are heading to Hill Lake Point to do some errands."

"Any news on that incident?" Sebastian asked. "I mean the explosion and the port."

"From her reply, the cops dismissed it as a property damage from hooligans since Hillview Town had some living nearby. Previously 4 days ago, there was a minor firework explosion. They caught the culprit though. I guessed the cops assumed it was the work from his fellow gang."

"I see," Sebastian slowly leaned back down on the back seat and felt slightly relaxed. He then turned to gaze towards the green sceneries outside. (At least the residents were unharmed. It will be bad if the news spread.)

Though the journey was only two hours, it was still a long ride there. They stopped by the petrol station to refill before resuming on.

After an hour passed, Francis parked the jeep at the side of the expressway to double check the GPS again to see if they were on the right track.

"So far so good," he steered back to the main road. "You guys don't mind if I turn on the radio?

"Go ahead," Delsin said. "I'm dying for some music."

"May I request no classic music?" Sebastian waved his hand in a 'No' gesture.

"You don't like it?"

He eventually recalled his very first encounter with the Sadist, the chainsaw killer back in the Beacon Mental Asylum basement. Sebastian was held captive by him in the bloody slaughter room and that very particular classic music played when he butchered his victims mercilessly; it leaves a very deep impact in Sebastian's memory. He clearly recalled that monster severed a victim into half with his butcher knife right beside him. The groaning and moaning sound of the victim makes his hair stand. However till now, he couldn't understand why the Sadist didn't kill him in the first place when he noticed the detective was still alive yet he chose to kill the one beside him first.

Could it be Ruvik who ordered the chainsaw man to spare him?

Nevertheless, he was glad he's still in one piece. Sebastian rubbed off that dreadful thoughts and focused on remembering the music. (What was that music called again? Ah yes 'Clair De Lune'…I never want to hear that name again.)

"Let's just said I had bad experience before."

Ezio snicker at his answer. "Don't worry, I had bad experiences with those too when my family brought me to the opera. Merda…that singing was like a typhoon storm hitting a ship."

"Alright, I will avoid the classic frequency. I'm turning it on now." The moment Francis switches the radio on, news was the first to be played.

"Welcome to frequency 230," a woman's voice spoke out. "Today News 119 will bring you an update; A train which left Krimson Express Station on 4pm yesterday evening, bound for Hill Lake Point destination was found abandoned on its tracks, a distance away from the nearest town, Hillview. 250 passengers including the train operator aboard this very train were nowhere to be found. Though their belongings were left behind, police find no traces of assaults, breakdowns etc. Police claimed that this very strange 'spirited away' happenings were similar to the ones happened back in Krimson City months ago. Police were also unable to confirm whether this case were committed by the very same mysterious organization or by copycats."

A profound feelings of disquiet was slowly building up within the jeep.

"Is that the train which you were on board yesterday night?" Ezio points to the radio while turning over to look at Sebastian but he never spoke a word in return. Instead he was listening attentively as the news continued.

"Police also found out that one of the passengers happens to be the sole survivor of Beacon Mental Hospital Massacre Case a month ago, Sebastian Castellanos; a detective from Krimson City Police Department. His uncle, William Castellanos, aged 65, resident of Hill Lake Point, confirmed with the cops that his nephew was indeed aboard this train, heading over to visit him. If anyone had seen this man, other passengers or any witnesses or information, please notify your nearby police station. Your help will be greatly appreciate."

"This sounds bad," Delsin said. Sebastian lowered his head, clasped both hands tightly and shuddered. Francis who was observing Sebastian all the time, began to fret for him. He barely knows him yet he didn't want Sebastian to agonize over some personal matters which he's unwilling to share with others.

Francis promptly knew what he had to do; that is to keep him safe.

"Is there anyone else seen Sebastian?" he asked as he drove.

"So far only us and Rose," Delsin replied.

"Aunt Rose? Well I guess it won't be long before…" His cell phone rang. He picked it up to see the caller ID. "Yup it's her." He answered.

"Francis?" Her voice called out.

"Did you all saw the news on TV?!" she exclaimed. "I can't believe the sole survivor of Beacon is that young man who came to my shop yesterday and now this train incident…" Then she took a deep breathe. "Is he doing alright? He's with you?"

"Yup," Francis took a peek at the rear view mirror just to see Sebastian with troubled expression written on his face. "He's… doing fine."

"What had happened yesterday must have been a terrible experience for him," she continued. "He must had witnessed what happened to the other passengers aboard. Does he know who's responsible? And how did he managed to escape?"

So many questions asked yet that Francis had no answers for her. Besides he already knew Sebastian had been through a hard lot and it was best not to solicit answers from him for the time being. He needs some time to be left undisturbed.

"I'm sorry Aunt Rose," Francis quietly answered. "But I suggested we leave him alone for now. He's exhausted."

"Oh I'm so terribly sorry!" she immediately apologised back. "I don't know what's gotten over me. When I saw the news, my heart starts to pump with anxiety in an instance. That's why I have to call to check on him."

"Thank you so much for your concern but don't worry, we're here for him and I will make sure he gets back home safely. Anyway how's the situation back at the town now?"

"So far it has quiet down. Everything's back to normal and people are resuming their daily routine. Workers were already dispatched to fix up the damage. From the way I look, I can tell those hooligans weren't capable of making such damages like this, did Delsin got into a fight with his kind?"

"To summarize it up; both Delsin and Sebastian were attacked by a stranger after they left your shop so those damages you saw were…well…you know the rest," Francis sighed.

"Then that stranger," she asked again. "Is he gone?"

"We weren't sure. He was unconscious when we escaped. Rose, can you do us a favour?" he lowered down the radio volume.

"What is it?"

"About your meeting with Sebastian, can you keep mum about it?"

She was rather surprised by Francis's request. "Why?"

"We don't want to cause any unnecessary commotion," he explained. "With the news just broadcast on TV and radio, everyone probably knows how Sebastian looks like now. Who knows what will happen if you go telling others that you had seen him."

She thought for a while and realized he does had a point. It will be a hassle if she gets unwanted attention from media etc. "Very well. Have you all reach your destination?"

"Soon."

There was a fraught silence on the phone. "Wait…that stranger who ambushed Delsin and Sebastian followed up by this news. Two things occurred in a single night, do you think there's some connection?"

Francis frowned. It seems there's more things to scrutinize. But with Sebastian in this crack-up state, it will only lead to naught.

"Rose, I think that's enough questioning for now. I'll call you again when we safely reached Hill Lake Point."

"Alright, be careful," she hung up the phone.

Francis then drifted into deep thoughts. (Guillermo, stranded train and the missing passengers... Same night occurrence; a coincident indeed. Aunt Rose is right; there's definitely a connection to it.)

Then something struck his mind. (Wait… If that's the fact and Guillermo is after Sebastian. Then William Castellanos, might be in danger since both are related. The news on TV…don't say the radio, have shown millions of viewers his uncle's face, Guillermo could be among them.)

Panic overwhelmed him. He quickly stepped on the accelerator pedal and the jeep sped off down the expressway.

"Whoa! Francis what's with you?" Ezio was taken aback by his brother's sudden change of action.

Francis ignored him and continued to keep at this speed. Little did they realize that Guillermo was spying on them at a distance. The doctor gently caressing Belle's soft hair as the doll sat comfortably on his arms with her eyes closed as if she was sleeping. He watched as the jeep drove down the road.

"I promise," he whispered softly to his beloved doll. "I'll make sure you live a normal life like the old days and you don't have to suffer again."

Sebastian was dialling his uncle's house number but his hands were trembling uncontrollably that he kept pressing the wrong buttons. He managed to dial it correctly in the end however his uncle didn't answered his call.

(Come on uncle…) he pleaded. (Pick up the phone please!)

Finally someone answered his call. Sebastian could feel his heart leapt.

"Uncle!" he called out but then his heart instantly sank when the responder was instead his uncle's voice message.

"Hello this William Castellanos speaking. I'm sorry but I'm unable to pick up your call now. Please try again later or leave a message. Gracias y lo siento." Then followed by a beeping sound.

He hung up the phone, double over and cupping his head in his palms in frustration. His uncle must be worrying about his whereabouts. He could be with the cops searching for him high and low, assisting them in their investigation.

With all these happenings and someone whom he barely even know is after him for unknown reason. He now feared that his pursuer might go after his uncle. Why all of these tragic events is happening to him? He had already lost his wife, child and a good friend. Is he going to lose his uncle too? His only relative. He was palpitating with terror at the thought of it. He therefore prayed hard that his uncle will be there to greet him as usual like the last time when he reached his house.

"Sebastian," a gentle voice reached out to him. He turned to Delsin.

"Is something troubling you?" Delsin hates to see him like this while Sebastian himself doesn't want Delsin to see him like this.

"Hmm," he shook his head and gave a faint smile in return. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Delsin however could tell that smile was a fake. He knew all along that Sebastian didn't want him to get worried all the time so he decided to play along in order not to worsen the situation.

"Ok," he smiled back. "Try to rest more."

Francis drove till he saw a big border at the side of road reading "Welcome to Hill Lake Point."

"We're here," he said. He was hoping to see Sebastian's mood lightened up a little sadly it didn't work out at all. He was too lost in his thoughts that he became ignorant of his surroundings.

The trio exchanged anxious looks with one another then back to him. Ezio then gave Francis a nudge, gesturing to him to say something.

Francis gave a slight cough to draw Sebastian's attention. "Are you able to guide me to your uncle's house from here?"

No response.

"Erm Sebastian? Francis to Sebastian."

"Sebastian!" Delsin poked him. As if in a dream, Sebastian jolted awake.

"Yes?" he said.

"We already reached Hill Lake Point," Francis turned over to him. "I was asking if you can guide me there."

"Oh yeah sure," he shifted forward and pointed towards a small hill which they are driving towards it. "Head straight all the way from here and when you drove past an old oak tree, turn to your right."

Francis did what he was told. It was a thirty minute straight drive. The moment he spotted an old oak tree at the side of the road, he turned the jeep to the right. They were immediately greeted by farmers busily working on their crops and farm animals grazing lazily at the open fields. They could spot some elderly women walking down the lane below holding baskets of flowers chatting happily whilst some riding on a horse-drawn cart.

Such a tranquil and greenery sight that Francis was completely mesmerised by it. It reminded him so much of his homeland back in Springfield.

"It feels like I'm back home," he mumbled to himself.

"Francis, turn here," Sebastian points to the left. An upward lane marked by a weather vane. Francis slowly steered the jeep and maintained a slow speed. It wasn't long until they reached a big farmhouse in a big open green meadow. It was way bigger than the rest they saw back there.

Delsin gaped at the magnificent farmhouse. It was built from stones and woods. As they drove closer, they could see a flower garden fenced up by a stone ledge with a water fountain and further down was a stable and horses gambolling and romping nearby.

Judging from the layout, they can tell Sebastian was from a wealthy family. Francis parked the jeep at the gate entrance. Sebastian swiftly alighted, pushed opened the gates then dashed towards the main door.

"Officer," a man about his 60s, was talking on a phone. "Any updates on my nephew?"

"I'm sorry sir, we're still looking into it. Please rest assured. Once we find him, we will let you know."

The officer's repetitive answer vexed William that he angrily slammed the phone back hard. He paced towards the sofa and slumped himself against the cushion.

He stared at a photo frame on a table stand to his right. It was the photo of his nephew taken during his teen days, behind him were his parents. He picked up the frame and gently stroked it with his thumb. He could feel tears welling up slowly in his eyes that he took off his glasses to wipe them off.

(First was my brother, sister-in-law and my wife, then Lily and Myra, now him. Sebastian where could you be? Please tell me you're safe somewhere…)

His family had been through so much tragedy that he wondered what sins they had done in the past that God took his family members away one by one.

It wasn't long when he was snapped back to reality by a loud knocking sound followed by an impatient ringing of the doorbell at the main door.

(Who could it be?) He put his glasses back on, clumsily got up and walked towards it. (The only visitor I'm getting is my nephew. I don't recall inviting others.)

"Coming, coming!" He shouted. "What's the hurry!?"

He opens the door slightly and peeked out through a narrow opening. "Who is it?"

He was greeted by a very familiar voice. "Uncle!"

William couldn't believe what he just heard. He burst opened the door and stepped out just to see Sebastian standing right in front of him, panting.

Before he can react, Sebastian gave him a tight hug. William's glasses slanted to the side that he quickly readjusted them by pushing them back up on his nose bridge.

"Sebastian? Sebby is it you? Is it really you?" he asked. His nephew nodded his head. William began to snivel and hugged Sebastian back tightly. "I thought you were gone when I heard that dreadful news. But thank god….I'm so glad you're alright."

(Uncle's alright!) Sebastian squeezed him tight. "I had the same thoughts too. I thought I'll never see you again, uncle."

William then reached out to cup his nephew's face in both hands and placed his forehead onto his. "Hush don't say that. Most importantly is that now you're safe and sound."

"I won't be here if it wouldn't for them."

"Who?"

Sebastian turned back and waved to Francis and the others who were still inside the jeep, parked at the gate. William peered at them as they waved back.

"How do you get to know them?" he asked.

"I met them at Hillview Town uncle," Sebastian said. "They saved me and gave me a lift here."

William had never felt so appreciated. At first he thought he really lost his nephew now the situation had changed. A rejoice indeed as his nephew's safe and sound at his doorstep. "Please do invite them in. I must repay them with for their kind help!"

Francis saw Sebastian motioning them to come over. He signalled back with a wave.

"Come on guys," he proceeded to off the radio when a loud screeching, high pitch static sound suddenly played out. It was so loud and deafening that the trio quickly covered their ears in pain. Francis quickly shut it off and fell back on his driver seat.

"What the hell was that?" he shook his head. "All of a sudden…"

He checked on Ezio.

"You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," Ezio replied.

Then to Delsin. "You?"

"I'm fine too but what was that? he was rubbing his temples. "The radio just went crazy on us."

"I had no idea," Francis inspected the radio but found nothing wrong with it when he suddenly felt a sharp wave sensation struck him. He instinctively exit the vehicle and whirled around to find that source but sees nothing.

He carefully scanned around the area again. He was unable to detect yet he senses his presence from the nearby woods. He scowled and stomped his feet.

"Francis?" Both Ezio and Delsin were startled. Not wanting to cause uneasiness on them, he pretended to act like nothing happened.

"It's my damn leg," he cursed. "I had been driving for two hours and it suddenly cramped up."

"I see," Ezio walked towards him. "I thought something happened."

"Yeah, suddenly acting up like that," Delsin yawned and stretched.

Francis made a silly face. "Hee hee…Sorry about that. Let's not keep Sebastian's waiting. You two go ahead first while I lock the jeep."

Both strolled ahead. Francis stood by the vehicle and glared towards the woods.

"Heed my warnings," He points then turned away.

Among the dark woods were Guillermo and Belle hiding within it. They glowered at Francis as they watched him entering the farmhouse from afar.

"What is he?" Guillermo questioned himself as they vanished into the shadowy darkness cast by the woods.

End of Chapter 6