“You really think he’ll be here?” Fritjov looked around the dusty town, the (six? Seven? Not a whole lot) buildings surrounded by woods.

    “He’s a piece of me, so he’s here.” Jack replied bluntly, furiously typing on their phone. “Also, there’s no service here.”

    Fritjov swore, scuffing his shoes on the pavement. Jack sighed and shoved his phone into his coat pocket before looking around.

    “I think we should talk to some people, get an idea of what we’re hunting.” Jack said listlessly, brows furrowed in thought. He started towards what appeared to be the general store, looking out-of-place in comparison to the washed-out browns.

    The bell above the door jangled loudly in the quiet store. The woman behind the counter looked up from her book and grinned.

    “Hello there! Welcome! If you need any assistance, feel free to come and find me!” She said before looking back down. Jack smiled back and agreed.

    “Actually, we have some questions. We’re both private investigators, and we’ve caught wind of some activity in this area involving some?” He trailed off, looking to Fritjov for help.

    “We’re looking for any suspicious persons in this area.” Fritjov finished, watching the woman frown.

    “There is something going on, but my husband will know more than me. Let me go get him.” She said, and got up. Fritjov and Jack followed her out of the store and towards the larger of the buildings. “He’s often hanging around here with the Chief of Police.”

    The trio entered the building, which appeared to be just as empty as the store. A pair, an older woman in a police uniform, and a man in aviator gear, were talking by the stairs.

    “Abel! We have some people asking about the Albergo.” She said. The man, Abel, looked down at them, cocking an eyebrow.

    “And why are they asking?” The woman asked, eyeing the pair suspiciously.

    “We’re private investigators, ma’am. We heard about some suspicious activity in this area, so we’re here to check it out.”

    The woman frowned, but didn’t say anything else. Abel cleared his throat, and started.

    “About twenty-five years ago, this whole town was booming. We used to be a hunting town, and in the summer people would visit the lake. The hotel was our main attraction, really. Built shortly after the United States was formed, it had some history. The French used the area as a trading post, and the original builders built it with a similar intention. Over the next two hundred years, it grew in size until it was how it is today. The area was filled with people year-round, trying to get a taste of history. Then, a cult, formed under the ideas of radical Puritans, and twisted to fit the views of society then, decided that the hotel was their idea of a ‘holy land.’ The group, in an attempt to reach the final frontier, committed mass suicide in the courtyard. Ever since that, the building was in disuse, and our business has slowed. Until three years ago, when the kids who’d wander into the hotel looking for a scare began to disappear.”

    “My son, in an attempt to record what was going on so we could call in the FBI, if needed, disappeared two years ago.” The older woman continued.

    Fritjov and Jack nodded, silent.

    “Is that all you wanted? Or are you actually going to try and fix it?” The woman snapped, looking irritated.

    “Jessica…” Abel warned.

    “Abel, leave her be. We all miss Elijah, but maybe these nice young men will try and find out what’s happening.” The younger woman put her hand on Abel’s arm, smiling tensely at the pair.

    “We’re going to solve it, ma’am. There’s no need to worry.” Fritjov replied, standing up straight. The trio sighed, a weary noise that made it appear as if they’ve heard the same words a million times before.

    “If you’re going to go out there, I might as well drive you as far as I can go. It’s quite the walk.” Abel said.

    “Oh! Thank you so much!” Jack replied, grinning.

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    “And here we are.” Abel said, putting the car in park. The hotel loomed over them, the sunset casting Fritjov and Jack in shadows as they stepped out of the car.

    “Thank you again.” They said in unison, Fritjov giving a friendly wave as Abel drove off.

    “So, here it is.” Jack said sorrowfully. “He’s in here.”

    “It appears so. Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo. Santificado sea tu nombre.” Fritjov replied, crossing his heart. “Hacia lo desconocido.”

    “Let’s go.” Jack stepped through the gate, and through the garden, full of dead plants and empty cars.

    The pair walked to the front door, Fritjov grabbing Jack’s hand.

    “Ad sumus.” Jack whispered, and opened the front door.

    It was musty, dark, and smelled of blood. Fritjov wrinkled his nose at the powerful stench.

    “Could’ve sprayed a Febreze in here.” He muttered, stepping gingerly over a puddle of blood. Jack laughed, pulling a flashlight off of his belt. The light flickered for a second before shining on a dead body.

    “Jesus Christ!” Jack hopped back in shock, eyes wide. Fritjov made a choked noise, turning slightly away.

    The body  had hung from the chandelier in the middle of the room, strung up by its neck. Upon further investigation, the whole chandelier had been filled, but most of the bodies had fallen to the floor, and were lying there in various states of decay. The stench became overpowering as Jack and Fritjov approached it.

    “We should’ve gotten a camera or something. I’m getting some serious Outlast vibes from here.” Jack joked,  shining the flashlight away.

    “God, don’t joke about that.” Fritjov replied, wandering towards the hallway. “Any clue on where we could find him?”

    “Nope.” Jack said, striding past Fritjov, flashlight bouncing as he peered into rooms. “And there’s nothing down here but more decaying bodies.”

    “The courtyard?” Fritjov asked, pointing to the sign. Jack nodded and continued, pointing the flashlight around the dirty walls. “Do we even know where that is?”

    “No clue. The signs are all broken.” To further his point, Jack moved his flashlight to illuminate the sign, words long since forgotten. Fritjov snorted, peering into one of the rooms.

    The blood covering the walls, what was once possibly a body, torn piece from piece and thrown around, caused Fritjov to gag and shut the door, waving his hand in front of his nose to try and dispel the scent. He glanced around, eyeing the air vents warily.

    As the pair continued down the hallway, Fritjov became keen to the sound of something moving above them, and once more glanced at the vents. He made a yelping noise when he saw a face, nearly tripping onto Jack, who dropped his flashlight in surprise.

    “What the hell did you do that for?” Jack asked angrily, picking up the flashlight and shining it at the vent, where a pair of hands started to push open the vent. “Oh, sweet Jesus.”

    “Shh…” The person said, pale skin almost ghost-white in the glow, dark eyes looking around warily. “Are you here for him?”

    “Yes.” Jack answered bluntly, while Fritjov ran a hand through his hair.

    “Quick question. How did you fit in there?” He asked, heart still racing.

    The person didn’t answer, instead peering around the area and motioning for them to climb up. Neither moved.

    “I don’t think all 3 of us are gonna fit in there.” Jack tilted his head to the side, lowering the flashlight cautiously. Fritjov noted that he held it tighter, possibly to use as an impromptu weapon should the stranger turn.

    “You will. Please. Trust me.” The stranger pleaded, extending a hand out of the vent. “You don’t want to meet him, or his followers.”

    Jack huffed before grabbing the hand, disappearing into the vent. Fritjov was silent, glancing around the hallway before pulling himself up as well.

    “Who are you?” He asked.

    “Elijah. Who are you?” The stranger, Elijah, said, turning his head to look at the pair.

    “I’m Hal. How are you alive?” Jack responded.

    “I’m Fritjov. And how are you alive? It’s been three years, according to your mother.” Fritjov nearly crashed into Jack when Elijah stopped, whipping his head around.

    “Oh. Is Judas okay?” He sounded nervous, running a hand through his dark, curly hair.

    “Who?” Jack answered. Elijah ignored them, but not without a panicked glance, mumbling to himself as he started back up, crawling down the vents.

    “I lived because he thinks I’m his ex. He leaves me alone, for the most part. If I run into him, that’s a different story.” He finally answered, sounding melancholic. “Here. Hop down, I’ll be right behind you. I need to close it off.”

    Jack and Fritjov glanced at each other. Fritjov cocked an eyebrow, as if to say, Are you sure we can trust him? Jack shrugged in response, being the first to hop down. The room he entered was most likely a cafe, with a large window overlooking the courtyard. The glass was long since shattered, leaves covering the tables and the wind entering. Hal shuddered slightly and pulled his jacket tighter around himself. Fritjov pulled himself out behind Jack, silent as he observed the dilapidated ruins around him.

    “I’m sorry” They heard Elijah say. Jack turned around first to see  Elijah pick up something, his flashlight oh god how was he so stupid, and throw it at the ground, screaming, “CAIN!”

    “NO!” Jack shouted, backing up quickly. Fritjov darted forwards quickly, grabbing the flashlight and sprinting back to Jack, eyes wildly darting around.

    “You F***ER!” He yelled at the vent as he heard Elijah retreat, fuming. Next to him, Jack began wheezing, nervous quick breaths the only thing able to leave his body as his lungs constricted. The door to the room swung open, and the person they were looking for strode in.

    “My dear! I heard you call for me!” Cain announced, looking surprised to see Fritjov and Jack. “Oh! You brought me someone.”

    His face broke into a hideous grin, snapping his fingers.

    “Well, well. If it isn’t my replacement. How are you? I’m doing well. After you killed me.” His gaze became poisonous, and Fritjov shuddered. Jack refused to meet Cain’s eyes, hand grasping at his chest as he wheezed for air.

    “You know what you did wrong, Cain. You hurt others and had to be put down. And now we have to do it again.” Jack finally seemed to have himself composed, looking up at last. Cain cocked his head, eerie grin never leaving his face.

    “As if you are perfect!” The air in the room seemed to get colder, and the pair near the window backed up. An odd, gurgling noise came from behind Cain, and several creatures came barreling in.

    They were hideous, skin a rotted, muted grey-green, eye sockets blank. Crosses covered the bare chests of the monsters, twisted crowns of thorns upon their heads. Jack backed up even further, glass crunching beneath his boots as he looked around wildly. Fritjov stood stock-still, unable to move or even breathe as he watched them pile around Cain.

    “What the hell are those…” Jack trailed off, now unmoving as he waited for Fritjov, who had yet to move. Cain laughed, a sharp, horrible laugh that chilled the pair, and turned towards Fritjov and Hal.

    “Just a few… friends of mine. And thank you, Fritjov, for sticking around. It makes it easier to pick you off.” With that, Cain pointed and snapped once more, and the creatures attacked.

    Jack shouted in surprise and lunged forwards as Fritjov flinched back, the monsters faster than the pair. They swarmed Fritjov, overpowering him easily and dragging him out of the room as he struggled and yelled, profanities leaving his lips.

    Jack stood frozen, hand outstretched, slightly shaking. Cain turned from the open door, where Fritjov’s shouting began to fade away, towards Jack, who glared at him openly.

    “You bastard…” Jack started, turning the flashlight towards him, raising it above his head. “Get the f*** out of my way.”

    “Ah, of course, mon frère.” Cain stepped out of the way. “All the more to make the game interesting!”

And with that, Jack pushed by and took off, Cain’s laughter striking him into his core.

And the floor fell out.

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“Jack.”

He stood there, confused.

“Jack.”

A child stood out against the murky darkness, long hair flowing with some unfelt wind. The white dress stagnant, matching the emptiness of the eyes.

“Wh-”

“You aren’t safe.”

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    He was shot back to the hallway, alone. Jack looked around, disoriented. He felt something warm drip down his face, and he absentmindedly wiped it. He glanced down at his hand, feeling a spark of fear before pushing it to the back of his mind. Fritjov was nowhere in sight, and he couldn’t hear his shouts as the creatures pulled him away. It was silent, the clicking noises of Jack’s boots unsteady as he peered into rooms, holding the flashlight as a weapon.

    “Jack.” He jumped, spinning on his heels. Elijah stood behind him, keeping a distance.

    “You DICK!” Jack shouted, watching in anger as Elijah flinched backwards. “You f***ing let this happen! Don’t f***ing try and deny it!”

    Elijah sighed, a soft noise.

    “I know where your brother is.”

    “I’m not f***ing falling for it again, Elijah.” Jack was shaking now, tears threatening to fall down his cheeks. “You caused this.”

    Jack turned away from him and took off, aimlessly jogging around the premises. He didn’t care about Cain, didn’t care about Elijah. Every second he hesitated meant that the chance for either of them to die increased.

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    Fritjov shook off the hands on him to no avail. The creatures drooled on him, grabbed his clothes and tore them, teeth snapping dangerously close to skin. He used himself as a weapon, slamming elbows into jaws, kicking whatever he could.

    With a second of no hands, Fritjov darted off, sprinting out of the crowd. Spying the air vent in the corner, he swiftly pulled himself up and into it, slamming the grate behind him.

    Taking a moment to compose himself, using his torn jacket to wrap the oozing cuts on his arms, Fritjov calmed his own frantic breathing, freezing once he heard the door slam open.

    “And now, dear Fritjov….” Cain’s sickly sweet tone drifted off as he realized that his prey wasn’t in the room, turning to one full of malice and poison. The creatures whined high, two scrabbling at the wall. “Where. Is. He.”

    One of the creatures gurgled, more coming to pile against the air vent. Fritjov held his breath as he heard claws against the plaster walls.

    “Ah, pulling that card, are we? No need to fear, you’ll come out eventually. If not, I’m sure sweet Em will lure you out.” He heard Cain say, snapping his fingers. “All of you, by the way, failed. Spread out. If you find him, string him up.”

    The door slammed shut once more, the scrabbling of claws fading away as the monsters left, listening to their master’s words. Fritjov let out his breath, backing away from the entrance.

    “Oh, Hal. I hope you’re okay.” He murmured, crawling down the vent. He knew, deep down, that his statement was false, and the two of them were in danger.

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    “How big is this damn place…” Jack panted, hands on his knees, bent over. “God damn it, maybe Elijah was right.”

    He took another minute to compose himself before trying his phone again. Still no service. Jack groaned before activating his powers, the soft white light from it illuminating the ground and walls. He opened his pocket dimension, rooting around for something of any use.

    “Ah.” He pulled out a gun and stuffed it in the waistband of his jeans before starting up again, making a mental map in his mind.

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“Jack.” He turned to face the child, eyes narrowing.

“Who are you?”

“That I cannot answer. But I can ask the same thing. Just who are you?”

“Don’t talk in riddles to me. Answer my question.” He reached into his waistband for his gun, never taking his eyes off of the child, no creature. He felt nothing.

    “Looking for this?” It grinned, holding the gun in its own hand. “Now Jack. I have a task for you.”

    He stood still, listening.

    “Free me.”