Chapter 2

Rude Start

"Kidman?"

When Kidman heard the weak voice behind her, she knew it was his. It had been 6 months since she last saw him, but his voice still sounded like that same old Joseph she remembered. However, things were different now. She was no longer the familiar Jr. detective of the KCPD and instead was the agent sent by Mobius to follow up on their new test subject, Joseph Oda.

Kidman took a deep breath in, she turned her head calmly to finally make eye contact with the man she had once worked with back at the police station. Joseph stood there in the door frame right across from her. His hands held the door frame tight as though he was scared if he let go he'd collapse.

"Hello Joseph, welcome back to the real world." Was all Kidman could think to say to make introduction. She could tell Joseph was nervous and probably had so many questions for her. Though if she was going to be completely honest with herself she too was just as shocked and nervous to see him awake so soon. From reading his records Joseph wasn't due to wake up for another few hours. If anything, she was counting on it. After all, their last encounter together didn't intentionally end well.

A bit desperate to escape the awkwardness, Kidman looked around to find something else to distract herself from the situation at hand.

"How bought you take a seat Joseph and I'll get you something to drink." Kidman offered turning her attention back towards the fridge and hiding her face as best she could while grabbing a carton of juice.

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I hope you don't mind apple juice." Kidman said as she poured Joseph a glass and walked it to the table for him. Joseph however didn't move from where he was standing. He stared back at her with a confused daze in his eyes.

"Your probably still a bit dizzy from the sedatives. Here, let me help you." Kidman said while offering him her hand. She could tell he was a bit hesitant to trust her at first but agreed and excepted her help. She took his hand gently and carefully helped him to a chair at the kitchens table.

"Here you'll need to drink this in order to get your sugar levels back up after being in a coma for so long." Kidman encouraged pushing the glass of juice closer to Joseph's reach. Joseph was thankful and took a few gulps from his glass.

"I'm sure your wondering what you're doing here, and why you've woken up under such circumstances. Kidman noted before she finally took her seat.

"Wondering wouldn't even be the half of it." Joseph finally spoke, after taking another sip of juice.

"I can understand that feeling. Your body had taken on some serious trauma that the doctors were a bit worried you may not have even woken up. Thankfully your heartbeat was just enough to convince them to not pull the plug on you. We brought you here to recover from-

"How long has it been?"

"What?" Kidman was caught off guard by Josephs sudden question.

"How long has it been since Beacon? That horrible nightmare, or whatever the hell that place was."

"It has been about 6 months since." Kidman said shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

"It may be hard to believe but everything that happened at Beacon was nothing but a virtual simulation created by the help of a new technology known as STEM."

"STEM what on earth are you talking about Kid."

"It was a system developed by the company known as Mobius." Kidman continued.

"They are a secret organization that have been trying to find the best possible ways to fully control the STEM system. However, the technology is still very new and therefore there were complications." Kidman strained her eyed shut. This was her moment to finally tell Joseph everything, but deep down she wasn't sure he was ready to hear the full truth yet.

"Mobius, I'm not familiar with the company at all. Why on earth would I even need to know about them?"

"Because Joseph they're the ones who took you away and put you into STEM. They are the ones responsible for putting you through all that nightmarish hell."

"If Mobius was behind all this then how on earth did I become a part of it. I never even heard of the name until now." Kidman was silent for a moment. She knew it was only a matter of time before the question was eventually asked.

"I'm afraid it's all my fault. I'm not actually a detective Joseph. I was sent as an undercover Mobius agent to keep an eye on the police force in order to keep Mobius concealed from them. It was my job to report to Mobius when the KCPD got to close in finding out about their intentions." Joseph shook his head in disbelief.

"So, all this time Kidman, you were a double agent playing us for fools. I can't believe this!" Joseph shook his head in disbelief.

"Joseph please just wait a moment you don't understand."

"No, I think I do understand. I thought I knew you Kidman, I trusted you, but I guess I was wrong. Turns out you are nothing but a fake detective and a traitor.

"Joseph please let me explain!"

"Forget it Kidman you've done enough explaining and I'm done here." Joseph stepped from his chair and began to make his way towards to front door.

"Joseph wait you can't." Before Kidman even had the chance to warn. Joseph had already grabbed the handle to the door. The following sounds that followed turned Kidman's stomach as she heard the alarm system buzz and the painful cries from Joseph as he fell to the floor gripping his head in agony. Immediately Kidman ran to his aid and grabbed him from under his arms and dragged his body a distance away from the door before finally the detective's screaming had receded and the buzzing finally came to a halt.

"Dammit Joseph you should have just listened to me." Kidman said as she propped the detective up from the floor and placed his arm around her shoulder for support.

"What the hell was that?" Joseph managed to ask through his breathless lips.

"First let's get you back to your bed. You're going to need to rest after a blast like that. Come on, I need you to use your feet as best you can." Kidman coaxed as she carried Joseph over to the bedroom. Once Joseph was helped into bed she left him a moment to retrieve a pill container and a glass of water.

"Here take these they'll help with that headache of yours." Kidman said while handing Joseph two pill tablets and the water. Without a word Joseph took the pain killers.

"I'm sorry things had to turn out this way Joseph. I never wanted you or anyone from the KCPD to get involved in all this. However, the reality is real here and now that you know of Mobius's secrets. They aren't going to let you go so easily. What you felt just then was the effects of a chip they had implanted into your brain. The security in this house ensure that you don't leave this place without their authorization. Which is why it would be in your best interest to listen to me. Because I'm one of the only friends here you got that can help you OUT.

(Authors note: Hey I'm back to writing some Evil Within yeah!. hoped you enjoy the chapter.)