Keanu slowly took off his glasses calmly, "Well that was unexpected. Another of my Kind standing right in front of me."
Delsin was kind of delighted that even in this small countryside town, there's a Conduit living in the midst as his encounter with them were mostly in the cities.
Keanu put his glasses back on and pushed it up his nose bridge. "Don't waste your time. I'm not a fighter."
Delsin and Francis went dumbfounded; dazed by his direct strange reply.
"Pardon?"
He leered at them. "You aren't from the same gang? Last time I met them didn't turn out very pleasant, got a broken arm if you both were curious to know."
"Wait…There's a group?" Delsin asked. "Where are they now?"
Keanu furrowed his brows. "Judging from how you questioned, you both aren't from this town right?"
Both shook their heads.
He immediately expressed out an apologetic expression. "Then please accept my sincere and humble apologies. I…I jumped to conclusion. I thought you both were their accomplices."
"Don't feel bad about it," Francis waved his hand.
"So where's these Conduit hooligans you're talking about?" Delsin folded his arms across his chest. "I did like to pay them a visit."
"Well," Keanu slicked his hair back. "There's a good and bad news together; good news is they're no longer here anymore, bad news is the AUPS took them."
Delsin let both of his hands dropped to his side. "AUPS? They had gotten this far?"
Keanu shrugged. "Good thing I was on medical leave when that happened. Successfully evaded them."
"Are they still here?" Delsin asked.
"They left four days back so you're considered lucky too. Anyway how can I help?" Keanu changed the topic.
"Do you have any periodical archives stored here?" Francis asked.
"Why of course but its off-limits to everyone except head librarian. I'm sorry."
(Nuts…) Francis rubbed the back of his neck. (Of all things…)
"Can I speak to him or her? It's kind of urgent."
"Miss Pamela's outstation and will only be back in a week," Keanu replied.
Francis let his head dropped in disappointment. Keanu stared at him. From his reaction, he can possibly tell Francis's in need of an important info desperately. However the keys to the lower basements including the security codes were with Miss Pamela the head librarian. Another problematic issue was she always carries the keys with her and won't even tell her staffs the codes. All high confidential rooms must get her permission first. Unless…
"What now?" Delsin looked at Francis.
"Well there's nothing we can do. Let's go back."
They were about to leave when Keanu stopped them. "Wait."
They turned back.
"You need it by hook or by crook right? I can help," Keanu offered his assistance.
"Thanks but it's too risky," Francis declined his kind offer. "You might end up in trouble if they finds out."
Keanu smirked. "Haven't you forgotten I'm a Conduit? I can help you both gain access to the lower basements where the archives were but the limitation only half an hour. Will it be ok for you?"
"Half an hour is all I need," Francis grinned.
"Why are you helping us?" Delsin curiously asked.
"Let's just say it's a way of making it up to you both for the misunderstanding," Keanu turned towards the computer on the counter. "Give me a minute..."
They watches as he fiddled with the security programme. They peered at the binary number codes moving up and down the screen so fast that their eyes were in pain. Keanu placed his hand on the screen, the numbers froze then it began to calculate itself automatically. A pop out box appeared, and a row of 6 numbers flickering till it stops; 516 223.
He then dialled the number into a security device next to the computer. They heard an unlocking clicking sound from somewhere. The librarian then focused back on computer and did the same thing on another programme. Francis assumed it must be for the security cameras as he noticed the cameras red lights blinked a few times before turning blue.
"Ok, you can head there now," he opened the basement door for them. "Only half an hour."
"What about the cameras?" Delsin points towards it.
"Don't fret. I did some modification. You both are now invisible to it," he motioned them towards the door. "Go get what you need."
"I just don't know how to thank you Keanu," Francis looked at him. Keanu just shrugged and smiled in return.
"Just go."
Francis and Delsin found themselves busy checking through archives that were arranged in alphabet G category, hoping to find any clues or information related or involves Guillermo.
They searched high and low. Putting back the files, boxes etc. back in its original place after perusing through. They later stumble upon an old box hidden at a corner; completely covered in thick grime that they brushed it clean. They found old newspaper clippings and photos inside before pouring the entire contents out on a table. Majority were dated back in the 1900s.
Delsin randomly picked up a photo and studied it. His eyes widened and quickly yanked Francis's trench coat sleeve before showing it to him.
"Does this doll look oddly familiar to you?"
Francis took the photo from Delsin's hand and examined closely again. It was a greyscale photo of a little girl with 2 pigtails at the side of her hair, wearing an elegant dress holding a human-sized porcelain doll sitting on a bench in front of a stone craved angle statue.
After inspecting the doll, was indeed the very same one which attacked them back in Hillview Town. The doll's dress and hairstyle are the proof. There's no mistake about it.
Francis flipped the photo to see a handwritten name on it; Belle, 5 years old 1982.
"Belle?" he said softly. "Isn't that the name of that doll?" But the name was directed to the little girl.
He shuffled through the photos. He found some were of Guillermo in his youth, wife and child including a few taken in Guillermo's working place. From Francis's perspective, the doctor seems to be working on some kind of a machine shown on one of the photos though it's not very clear.
"This dude has a history you should know about," Delsin reading one of the newspaper clipping. "Not only he's a doctor but also a devoted occultist, donating money to a certain church despite the scandals and here's the big scoop; he actually went missing. There's a church photo attached to it."
Both looked; it was young Guillermo taken together with a pastor. They noticed the pastor was wearing a necklace with a strange occult symbol attached in a form of a straight line with 2 'X's at both sides.
"You just mentioned that he's a missing person? Tell me more," Francis looked at Delsin.
"Guillermo Abel, born in 1949 into a middle-class family. His parents were doctors too. He throws himself headlong into medicine and science and falls in love with it. His strength of character along with his innate talents catch the attention of many. The Academy of Science & Medicine presents him with his PhD degree on his twentieth birthday."
"Impressive," Francis did a chin rub. "Please continue."
"He married a fellow doctor named Valencia at the age of 27 and in 1977 they had their first born child. A daughter named Belle."
"So the doll had the same name as the child. But Guillermo seems like a normal guy in daily life."
"Not for long," Delsin took another clipping. "A tragic event turned his life upside down. Their daughter was murdered and her mutilated body was dumped at Elk River lakeside town outskirt of…" he trailed off. "…wait….Krimson City?"
"Isn't that Sebastian's homeland? Francis took the clipping. "Let see the year Belle was killed?" He scrutinized and saw the year 1985. "The murderer responsible for this gruesome act was never found and the case left unsolved. Valencia Abel, unable to accept their daughter's sudden death and the injustice, fell into serious state of depression and was administrated to…Beacon Mental Asylum?"
Delsin gaped upon hearing that.
Francis narrowed his eyes as he continues reading. "Valencia committed suicide a month after her administration. No last letter or will to her husband was written. 3 weeks after her funeral, Guillermo went missing and was never found."
He lowered the papers down. "He was missing for 29 years till now."
"He finally resurfaced," Delsin clapped both hands. "Let's summarize this up; Guillermo's a renowned doctor. Married and had a child who then was brutally murdered. Her body found in the outskirt of Krimson City followed by his wife being administrated to Beacon which is also at Krimson City. Both happenings occurred in Sebastian's hometown. But what does all this have to do with Sebastian? I mean he's not even involved in any of Guillermo's personal matters."
"But he's involved in the Beacon case," Francis stacked the newspaper clippings back into the box.
"Yeah I know," Delsin argued back. "Didn't he previously mentioned it's a massacre? It's unrelated to Valencia's suicide 29 years ago while this massacre happened recently. The only coincidence are the locations that's all."
"Another question remains unanswered is why Guillermo after Sebastian's psychic? Is it because he was Beacon sole survivor or Sebastian can help him to achieve something?" Francis placed the box back on the shelf.
Both never spoke a word to each other.
"Anyway that's enough findings for now," Francis checked his watch and made his way to the door. "We better don't get Keanu into trouble."
Keanu was busy doing his daily paperwork routine and listing down new arrival books when he noticed the basement opened with Francis and Delsin exiting.
"So you found what you need?" he asked curiously.
Francis smiled at him. "You had been a great help. Maybe when you're free I will treat you to coffee or so."
Keanu then passed them a card each. "Here's a library membership card. Take it as my gift to you."
"Say erm… where do you stay Keanu?" Delsin took the card, take a glance before tucking it into his jacket pocket.
Keanu drew him a quizzical look, pondering why he asked that. Since he's interested to know there's no harm in telling as both were Conduits.
"Country lane 58th, not far from here." Both were quite surprised that he lives near Mr. William's residence. They were neighbors and probably knew each other.
"You know Mr. William?"
"Of course, everyone here knows him. I'm his friend and delivered books to him sometimes."
Francis startled; meeting with Sebastian and another Conduit was indeed a fate like as if something or someone wants them to meet.
"You both know him too?" Keanu pointed at them.
"Yeah, we're currently staying at his house for a while," Francis picked up an herb book and read the contents inside.
"Tomorrow I'll be free and coming down to his place to deliver a few books," Keanu's face blushed a little with shyness. "Maybe you can…treat me coffee."
"I will be so delighted," Francis gave a gleeful look. "I can introduce you to my little brother."
"I look forward to it."
"Welcome back," Ezio opened the door to let them in.
"Anything to report?" Francis put his backpack on the table.
"Tell you later," Ezio exited the living room. "I'm lending William a hand at the gardens."
Francis carried his backpack and headed straight for the kitchen. Before he used anything of the appliances, he asked William for permission first.
"Mr. William! Is it ok if I use the kitchen to brew some medicine?"
"Go ahead! Feel free to use, my boy!" William replied.
2 hours later, Francis passed a cup of hot herbal drink to Delsin. Delsin caught the whiff of the medicine that he immediately had a wave of nausea engulfing him. He looked at the cup to observe the black brownish liquid swirling in it. He was extremely reluctant to sup it in one go. The appearance of the drink seems to be telling him it's bitter.
"If you want to be rid of that poison, you better drink it," Francis placed both hands on his waist feeling indignant. "I went through so much trouble brewing this for you."
Delsin felt bad since Francis did indeed went through trouble in gathering these ingredients just to brew an antidote for him. He took a deep breath and drank it but in seconds his expression from discomfort changed to amazement. He drank it all in one gulp and passed the cup back while licking his lips.
"Delicious!" he said.
"I added some honey in it," Francis washed the cup. "You will be back to normal tomorrow. I'm making another herbal drink for Sebastian. Sadly his isn't going to be as delicious as yours."
"What his medicine drink consists of?"
"Let see," Francis carefully placed the ingredients on the kitchen table. "Boar liver, carp liver, chicken liver, yarrow, elderberry flowers and peppermint. It's actually liver potion overall."
"Extreme yuck factor…" Delsin covered his mouth.
Sebastian was awake after sleeping for almost 4 hours. He sat on his bed, quietly reading a detective novel when he heard the door knocked 3 times.
"Come in," Sebastian said.
Francis holding a cup on a tray, came in along with Delsin.
"Hey Sebastian. Did you sleep well? How are you feeling now?" Delsin asked with concern as he sat on a chair beside the bed.
"I slept like a pig," Sebastian joked. "But my fever still the same. It's going to take quite a while for me to fully recover."
"You fell sick often?" Francis looked at him.
"Ever since I got this 'Gift', I had been falling sick frequently," Sebastian put his book away. "It seriously affecting my work and performance." He coughs a little. "When you both were out, my uncle suggested I quit my current job. Moved back to live with him and assisted in his farm factory."
"Sounds reasonable. At least Mr. William can lookout for you if anything happens," Francis supported William's point of suggestion.
"I live in a complicated and dangerous life," Sebastian pulled the quilt up to keep warm. "I don't want to drag him in. Staying with my uncle only endanger his life."
Francis carefully passed him the cup. "I made some medicine for you. Drink up while it's still hot."
Sebastian was about to take it when he, like Delsin, the moment he smelled the odor of the medicine, he covered his nose in disgust.
"It….smells."
"The smell maybe be unpleasant but it work wonders. I guarantee that you will be up on your feet tomorrow," Francis said with confidence. Sebastian took the cup and stared at the drink before looking up at Francis giving him a 'Are you sure?' look.
Francis nodded his head.
"I trust you for it," he took a sip. "It's bitter."
But he still drank it slowly. Delsin watches in horror.
(God… he's drinking a medicine made of liver!) Delsin thought to himself. Sebastian supped it all up and passed the cup back to Francis.
"Whew…" he exhaled deeply. Then he lied back down on the bed while Francis placed the tray on the bedside table.
"Sebastian there's something we need to tell you," Francis sat on the bed beside him.
"What is it?"
"It's about Guillermo. I got interested on him that I and Delsin went to the library archive to do some research. And we found out Guillermo was once a resident of Krimson City back in the 1900s. That makes it 65 years ago."
"And the shocking part is that he's actually missing for 29 years," Delsin slumped on a chair.
"He had a family too," Francis continued. "But his daughter died at the age of 8 in 1985 and his wife followed suit shortly after that then Guillermo himself suddenly went missing and was never found. I also stumbled upon some photos of his workplace; it seems he's working on some kind of a machine before his disappearances, though I can't see very clearly on what it is. Not only that I also found a photo of him along with a pastor who's wore this strange necklace."
"Strange… necklace?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes.
"Hold on I will draw it out for you," Delsin did a quick sketch before showing it to him. "It looks like this."
Sebastian's eyes widened when he sees the drawing. It's the very same church Ruvik's religious father, Ernesto Victoriano, attended to. He covered his mouth and looked away. Traumatized memories began to resurface; the mutated disfigured twins Zehn and Neun, the Sentinel dog and the twisted sacrificial ritual the church performed. Some ritual about gaining eternal life. He gasped when the image of the Keeper suddenly appeared in his mind; holding its bloody meat tenderizer and its victims' brains filled sack with deadly spikes protruding out from it.
The Keeper chased Sebastian down the corridor filled poisonous gas. He remembered getting caught in the barb wire trap the Keeper set up and being dragged away. He barely escaped from the Keeper's grasp.
Sebastian clasped his chest tightly as he respired heavily. "It's….it's not a church…." He struggled to speak. "It's a cult. Research lab beneath the cemetery. Don't let it fool you."
"Sebastian?"
Sebastian looked up to both Delsin and Francis who were worried, wondering what he was mumbling about just now.
"You ok?" Delsin asked.
"Yeah. I…I knew this symbol. It belonged to a cult in a church located uphill at the outskirt of Krimson City but the church currently now is off-limits. From my investigation, the pastor along with his followers went missing during a ceremony and was never found too," Sebastian sat back up. "To be honest with you 2, Krimson City is well-known for the mysterious disappearances of its residents. The police department where I'm working at, received countless reports of missing people; vanished into the thin air without a single trace or clue that we don't know where to start looking," he paused for a second. "My wife, Myra was a victim too."
"Oh god," Francis stunned by what he just heard.
"You're married?" Delsin got up and kneeled beside the bed. Sebastian showed him his wedding ring on his finger.
"When does this mysterious disappearance cases begin?" Delsin looked at the ring.
"Since 2012. 2 years ago," Sebastian replied.
Francis pressed his finger on his lips. "We have more to that. Ezio said he got something to tell us. Let's wait for him to come up."
Ezio came in moments later and without delay, told them what he saw this afternoon; a black van with a strange woman surveying the farmhouse and left. He showed them the license plate no. he jotted down.
"KC9197. It's a license from Krimson City," Sebastian looked at the paper. "But what it is doing here?"
"Did you managed to hear what they say?" Francis turned to Ezio.
"Not much," Ezio answered. "She was talking to an unseen person in the van about the target is with his relative then she suggested to leave him alone for now and the time has yet to come."
"Time yet to come?" Delsin repeated the last phrase. "What does she mean by that?"
"They're probably looking for the right time to take Sebastian away no doubt," Francis said.
"The woman," Sebastian clutched the quilt with both hands. "How does she look like?"
"I can't see her face thanks to the sunglasses she wore," Ezio gently scratch his cheek with his finger. "She had short hair above shoulders. Wears a white collared shirt, denim jeans and black high heels."
(Sounds like Kidman.) Sebastian thought to himself. (This will make my search easier. If it's really her, there's high hope I can know if Joseph's still alive) His mind swayed back to Guillermo. (This doctor's past had got nothing to do with me. And what does reliving Beacon help him in any way or so? All I know now is he's after me for that reason…)
He gazed out towards the window. (For Mobius it's obvious since I'm the survivor. They probably wants me to locate Ruvik…)
"Sorry guys," Delsin interrupted with both hands waving. "Let's just drop this serious conversation or discussion for the time being. I mean…" He gestured to Sebastian. "Seb's here for a long getaway and so are we. Plus Francis and me befriended a Conduit in the library today and he's coming down tomorrow for a visit. So why won't we enjoy our happy vacation together while it lasts?"
"Wait what?" Sebastian tugged Delsin's hoodie. "Conduit here? Tomorrow?"
"He's a friend of your uncle and William knows him don't worry," Francis smiled. "He's a nice person. Thanks to him, we were able to get hold of Guillermo's backstory. We will introduce him to you tomorrow when he comes."
Sebastian nodded.
"Delsin's do have a point. Let's enjoy our vacation. Play first worry later," Ezio points to a 42 inch television in front of the bed. "Care for a night movie?"
End of chapter 8