All right! Welcome back to the next chapter of "The Asylum Games"! Thank you again to everybody who's been reading and reviewing this story! We're getting close to the end of the story, though I'm still not sure how many chapters there will be before we get to that point.

Based on some of the reviews for the last chapter, there's something that I wanted to clarify: having Tyler and Emily realize that Waylon was alive and decide to go back to the Vocational Block and look for him was always planned to be the endgame of this story. It was a little hard to work out in the beginning, since Red Barrels' timeline of the original game and Whistleblower gets confusing at some points, but that's why I decided to make some changes for the sake of the plot. I just wanted to clear that up.

DISCLAIMER: Only my OCs, plot ideas, and slight changes from the original game are mine. Everything else belongs to Red Barrels. The idea for the main game/Whistleblower timeline that I'll be following in this story belongs to the user "DontWatchMePlay" on Youtube.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Control, Search, and Rescue

"So, what are we looking for, exactly?" Tyler asked as he took his place at the computer where they had previously accessed the security cameras in the Morphogenic Engine room, placing his sling bag on the floor next to him.

"Waylon," Emily explained as she pointed at the keyboard, "See if you can find him anywhere in the feed over the last several hours. Maybe it'll help us piece together how he could've ended up in Gluskin's workshop. In the meantime, I'm gonna go see if I can find a map of this place. A really detailed one. Something tells me we're not getting back out the way we came in." She sighed and stepped away from her brother, moving as fast as she could throughout the room as she looked everywhere she possibly could. She didn't know how much time they had, and she didn't want to think about it, either.

Meanwhile, Tyler clicked through the various images as he bit the inside of his cheek. Okay, Park, where are you? He thought as he investigated the security footage from the last several hours. He still thought this was an absolutely crazy idea, risking their lives to search for someone who may have already been killed by Gluskin. But he trusted his sister, and if she said Waylon Park was still alive, then it was probably true.

Plus, it was obvious to him that she was feeling immensely guilty for abandoning him to the Groom, as well as indirectly responsible for everyone else who had died because of her. If Park also somehow ended up dead because of her inaction…

Well, Tyler didn't think she would be able to cope with that, no matter how much of a brave face she put on.

So he continued to search through the security feed, hoping for some sign of what Park had been up to during the outbreak. After another few minutes, Tyler finally made a breakthrough when he encountered footage from half an hour after he and Emily had been thrown into the Prison Block. He gasped as he recognized the inner workings of the asylum's hospital, including the same hallways where he had run away from Manera. "Shit," he cursed under his breath, "Looks like Park got attacked here, too."

All he could do was watch as Park ran away from the cannibal at several points, the latter covered in blood and waving his saw in the air. Tyler felt sick when Manera paused and happened to glance up into the nearest security camera, his eyes filled with hunger, longing…and desire, perhaps? The same way he looked at me, he remembered, Oh, God…

Tyler took another deep breath and quickly switched to another feed, hoping to not start thinking about Manera again. Instead, he watched Waylon travel through the Drying Ground, in the very same area he and Emily had run through to escape Gluskin. So far, he didn't see any possible way to get back to that area; like Emily had said, there was very little chance that they could use the elevator at the entrance to the Labs again. Father Martin had "fixed" it, sure, but maybe that meant he had fixed it to take a one way trip.

Plus, there were those soldiers, he thought, feeling sad and guilty at the thought of Miles taking the brunt of the bullets for him and his sister, And Chris Walker. But how did they get in?

"Find anything?"

Tyler glanced up as Emily stood over him and held a large map in her hands.

"Yeah, I was able to trace some of where Waylon had gone," he said, "Basically some of the same areas we went to. It looks like he might've gotten in through the Drying Ground, almost the same way we got out. That was why we were able to get in to the Prison Block through that open window; he used the same one to jump out hours earlier."

"Good work," Emily complimented with a smile, "Between that and this map I found in one of the desk drawers, we should be able to plot the best course. Hand me Miles' pen, please."

Tyler quickly handed it over to her, and she got to work drawing on the map. He watched as Miles' pen moved back and forth across the paper, narrowing his eyes as he tried not to focus on the pain radiating through his shoulder. Sure, the sling was still holding up perfectly, but that didn't stop anything from hurting in the slightest.

He just hoped nothing was broken.

"Okay, I've got it," Emily announced, putting the pen down as she held up the map. Before she could explain the route she had created for them, however, they both jumped as they heard several bloodcurdling screams coming from outside the Morphogenic Engine room.

"What the fuck was that?" Tyler whispered, his heart pounding as he looked around in horror.

"I don't know," Emily said as she snatched the map off the table and hoisted Tyler's sling bag across her body, "And I don't want to find out. Come on. We can get out over there." She pointed in the direction of the Sublab Generator room, which, based on the map and her drawings, contained yet another unmarked passageway. She assumed it was also used for patient transport, based on the video of Gluskin that had been taken before he was forced into the Engine.

At the same time, Tyler took out Miles' camera, using his good hand to hold it up as he switched on the night vision and led the way.

Unbeknownst to the twins, however, someone had been watching them from the entrance to the Morphogenic Engine room, not long after another team of Murkoff soldiers had met their demise. Beta Team had stood even less of a chance than Alpha Team, and it was only a matter of time before Gamma Team realized something was wrong and sent their men down here. Just how many teams had swarmed this place, exactly? There had to be quite a few. Hell, maybe they had loads of different groups sweeping the entire premises!

Seems like the twins are heading in the direction of the Vocational Block. Hoping to find something-or someone-perhaps?

Ahh, yes. There was that new voice in his head, buzzing in his ears as it whispered to him every time he targeted someone else. Its bloodlust was strong, reveling in the carnage after it ripped the Murkoff soldiers to pieces. But was it all the will of that monstrosity, though? Or was there some dark, angry, fucked up part of himself that enjoyed the violence as well?

No! That was not who he was. That was not Miles Upshur. At least, not the old Miles.

The journalist took a deep breath as he sat down on the cold floor, hugging himself as he tucked his knees into his chest. His whole body shook as he let out a choked sob, the first emotion he had felt other than anger. The Walrider's dark aura still surrounded him, enveloping him in a black cloud of nanites and filling his ears with the same static he had heard all night. Unleashing his fury on Murkoff, while satisfying in its own twisted way, left him tired. Oh, so tired.

At least Tyler and Emily are okay, he found himself thinking in one of his first coherent thoughts since he had woken up with the Walrider inside of him. Then he chuckled bitterly to himself. Of course they were okay! Both of them were stubborn as hell; no way were they going to let getting thrown around by the Walrider and getting shot by a fucking firing squad stop them from escaping.

Why must all your thoughts be about the Wilkins twins? Your life did not revolve around them before you got here, and it shouldn't now.

But Miles only continued to laugh, finally letting himself go and get lost in his own thoughts without the twins to pull him back. No wonder Father Martin and the Brothers had tried to separate them all night! No wonder he hadn't warned them about Trager! That priest knew this would happen; or at least, had guessed it would happen. Now it made sense why he had sent the damn elevator down here in the first place. He must've been grooming me to be the next host!

And Tyler and Emily were so close to figuring it out. That's what he said before he burned himself to death, wasn't it? Did he think they would try to find a way to prevent this from happening? Obviously, it didn't work, but he had to believe that there was a slim chance it would.

Well, Padre, looks like you got your damn wish.

He took another deep breath as he closed his eyes, suddenly picturing Billy in his pod right next to the Engine, strapped to all those tubes and forced to watch those Rorschach Tests. It was crazy to think that from there, he had basically spied on him, Tyler, and Emily all night. How else would the Walrider have known some of the things it did? Billy's consciousness didn't seem to remain in the swarm, though; just the information he had gathered for it, like when it had told him about Tyler killing someone earlier in the night. Maybe that was how Gluskin had discovered Emily's name before even meeting her.

But…Billy Hope was able to maintain some semblance of control over it. He was able to keep Wernicke alive while he killed everyone else.

Maybe…maybe I can do the same?

NO!

A second later, a crippling pain shot through Miles' body, radiating from his head to his feet as he cried out in pain, hugging his knees tightly as he buried his face once more. His skin felt like it was on fire, and it was hard to suppress the tears forming in his eyes as he managed to choke out his first words since he had woken up.

"Help…me…"

But even he knew that nobody was going to answer him, not even the two people he needed the most. They were long gone, on their way to the Vocational Block on what was sure to be a suicide mission, but seeing as how many of the original Project Walrider team members were now either dead or unaccounted for, he was sure the Wilkins twins could somehow help him navigate his new existence. Emily, with her analytical, scientific mind, and Tyler, with his ability to think on the spot, would definitely be invaluable to him.

That was, if his new companion would allow it.

I have to get to the Vocational Block, he thought as he picked his head up, determination replacing his despair, I have to find the twins. Make sure they're okay.

NO!

There was that crippling pain again, causing Miles to cry out in surprise at first, but this time, he vowed not to give in, not to succumb to the Walrider's machinations.

In spite of the white hot sensation running through his body, the journalist stood up, taking a deep breath as he leaned his hand against the wall. A new, unfamiliar feeling coursed through him, and for the first time in a long time, he suddenly felt much braver, more confident.

Stop! What are you doing?

"This is my body," Miles declared as he clenched his fists, "I'm the host, and you're nothing but a passenger. You don't get to tell me what to do."

He winced as the Walrider suddenly lashed out, forcing him back down to the ground. Don't talk to me like I'm some lowly parasite! I'm the ONLY reason you're alive right now and you know it. You would've bled out from all those bullet wounds if it wasn't for me!

Miles couldn't help but laugh at that. "You're right. But I can always kill myself, and where would that leave you? I know you want to get out, just like I do, but you can't do that without me. So if I were you, I would think twice before pissing off the guy I'm depending on to escape."

Silence. It was obvious that Miles had managed to stump the Walrider for possibly the first time in its sixty nine years of existence. The Swarm had obviously expected him to be more like Billy-more accepting, but it seemed that the journalist wasn't going to go down without a fight. His old personality couldn't be erased that easily; he still wanted some semblance of control.

But that was not how this worked.

Even if you were to do that, there's still the matter of Tyler and Emily Wilkins. Either one of them would make good backup hosts, wouldn't you say?

"No, they wouldn't," Miles countered immediately before despair could set in, "Otherwise, you would've just picked one of them right off the bat instead of me. Father Martin tried to keep them away all night, so obviously he didn't think they were fucked up enough for you."

Silence again. Miles waited with bated breath as the static filled his ears once more. Unlike the rest, though, this one was different, as if the Walrider was actually mulling over what its host had said. Being all machine, Miles hadn't considered that it could be capable of critical thinking and human reasoning on its own, without the input of the host.

I…suppose that's a fair point, even if I ultimately disagree with who should rightfully be in control. Very well, then. What do you propose we do? Since you believe you are more well-versed in these matters than I?

"There's bound to be more of those Murkoff soldiers lurking around here," Miles replied without hesitation after silently breathing a sigh of relief, "If they're as stupid as I think they are, they'll have the whole fucking army swarming this place. Find them and kill them all. I don't care how you do it; don't leave any of them alive."

And you? What will you do?

"I'm going after the twins," the journalist declared, "I need to let them know I'm okay. Well, not okay, but you get the idea. We have to make sure we buy them some time to do whatever it is they're trying to do."

Right after he said that, he felt a ripple in his chest and frowned. He wasn't stupid; he knew the Walrider was just as unhappy with this new arrangement as he was, but like it or not, they were stuck together. And since the swarm had obeyed Billy, it would now have to obey the journalist if it wanted any chance of getting out of here.

Very well. I will patrol the asylum. You just follow Tyler and Emily on the same path they took. With any luck, they shouldn't be too far ahead, so you can still catch them if you hurry.

Miles nodded, and he watched as the Walrider exited his body and took its normal invisible shape before disappearing down the hallway. At the same time, he still felt a piece of it stuck within him as a reminder that he would never be free from the swarm again. This was only a temporary separation, after all.

But he couldn't think about that right now. Now that he was back on his feet, it was time to do his part and help the twins as best as he could.

And with that in mind, he limped over to the Morphogenic Engine room, setting himself on Tyler and Emily's path as he began to follow them, hoping to find them before it was too late.

I can't believe we're actually doing this, Emily thought to herself as she and Tyler reentered the Vocational Block through the door in the Drying Ground they had broken through earlier. Foiling Eddie Gluskin's plans once didn't change the fact that she was still terrified of him, as well as what he was capable of. She would never get over how quickly he had recovered from his stab wound; or at least, recovered enough to free himself and hunt her down.

But she was prepared to confront him if it had to come to that. Unlike the first time, she was now armed with the knowledge of what made him tick, which would make it easier to come up with a plan to deal with him.

Tyler, for his part, was also ready to deal with the Groom. Despite his negative feelings towards Waylon, he hated Eddie even more, so if it meant putting his anger towards the Whistleblower aside for the time being, he would do it. There were much bigger things to worry about at the moment, and he knew that based on Emily's descriptions of what had gone on in Gluskin's workshop, Waylon didn't deserve to go through the same experience.

He just hoped that they could get in and out without shedding anymore blood. So far, they hadn't seen anyone else in the vicinity, not even Darren. One of the only sane people in this shithole, he thought, Where is he?

As Tyler turned the night vision to see in the pitch black, Emily took out her scissors, pointing them in front of her just in case they ran into anybody unsavory. Or worse, Gluskin himself. They didn't need the map to navigate through here, as every detail of this place was clearly burned into her brain thanks to her obsession with detail. She felt herself go clammy at the memory of Eddie hurling horrible insults towards her and the way he had attacked Tyler simply because he had defended her. Maybe I'm totally wrong about this, she thought as she ran her hands along the wall next to her for guidance, Maybe I've gotten in way over my head.

No, Em! Don't think that way! You're never going to find Waylon Park with that attitude! Stop doubting yourself and find him!

Emily took a deep breath and continued forward, determined not to show her insecurities about this plan to Tyler. Although she now knew she could trust him with anything, she still didn't want him to think she had dragged them all the way over here for no reason. The only way she would know that for sure would be to check that God awful room with the saw table. Just please be alive, Waylon, she pleaded to herself.

"Which way, Em?"

Emily glanced up, startled at Tyler suddenly addressing her. "U-um," she stammered before clearing her throat and pointing to a nearby staircase, "That way."

But Tyler had picked up on how nervous she really was, and after briefly putting the camera away, he reached out to pat his sister's shoulder. "We've got this," he assured her, "You know that, right?"

Emily couldn't help but smile; Tyler had seen right through her after all. "I know," she whispered, "I'm just scared, though."

"I know," Tyler echoed, "Because of Gluskin. But you beat him once, so you know that you can do it again. Right?"

"I hope so," Emily replied, "I just want to find Waylon and get out of here. That's it."

"So let's go. You were the one who thought of the idea in the first place. I'm just following the big sis, like always." When he smiled at her, he almost looked like the old Tyler, and Emily nodded, frowning in determination as she felt renewed confidence from her brother's words. He was right, after all, and now was definitely not the time to back out, especially after coming so far.

It wasn't too much later that the twins eventually found themselves in the room where Emily had woken up with the makeshift fireplace and the wedding sketches. Unlike hours before, the sun was just starting to rise now, casting an eerie, orange glow into the room that rendered the "fireplace" unnecessary. Emily's heart pounded as she began to sweat and hyperventilate, for all she could see was her and Eddie dancing, the remnants of her old inmate jumpsuit, the way he had touched her, and the drops of blood from when he had held a knife to her throat. Nope! She yelled at herself as she tried to pull herself together, I'm not going through all that again! It was bad enough living through it the first time!

"This is the way I escaped," she whispered to her brother as she pointed at the floor, "See those cords on the ground? Those are extension cords that lead to the saw table. I used those to memorize an escape route for myself."

"Jesus Christ," Tyler mumbled under his breath as he looked around, "And this leads to the rest of his workshop?" It was one thing to hear about it, but actually seeing it allowed him to truly understand what Emily had gone through here.

"Unfortunately, yes," she said, her voice cold and clinical as if none of this bothered her, even though Tyler knew better. He was just about to open his mouth and respond when both of them suddenly heard an all too familiar voice in the distance.

"Shh!" Emily whispered, raising her finger to her lips as she cocked her head in order to hear it better. It wasn't too far away now, but it was enough to confirm her worst case scenario.

"It won't take long," they heard Eddie Gluskin announce in what was supposed to be a reassuring tone, "A few snips of the flesh here and here. Cut away everything…vulgar."

"Shit!" Tyler cursed under his breath, "He's got someone on the table!"

"Let's go," Emily replied without missing a beat, and the two of them proceeded to crouch down and move as quietly as possible, hugging the wall so that they wouldn't lose their balance. They didn't know who might be trapped this time, but they knew they had to try and save him, too. As they moved their hands along the rotting surface, they continued to listen to the awful words being spoken by the man who had threatened to hang them if he ever saw them again.

"A soft place to welcome my seed. To grow our family." He must've pulled the lever on the side of the table, for both of them suddenly heard the whirring of the saw as it powered on. Tyler froze briefly at the sound, but forced himself to concentrate on the more pressing matter at hand as he shook his head and carried on.

The closer they got to the workshop, however, the more urgent the situation sounded. When they finally made it to the end of the hallway, the twins peeked into the room, gasping at the sight of a blonde haired, blue-eyed man with glasses strapped to the table. Like the men Eddie had murdered for Emily's "bridesmaids", he had been stripped naked and tied by all fours to the wooden posts. The circular saw was slowly making its way towards his genitals as a sweat broke out on his forehead. He couldn't look away, obviously terrified of the moment that it would start cutting into his flesh. It was the same look Emily had seen on the others, and her heart hurt at the sight.

"That's Waylon!" she whispered to Tyler, "Oh my God, he's still alive! After all this time!"

"The incision will hurt," Eddie was prattling on to Waylon Park with a soft smile on his face, "And the conception. And birthing is never easy." He moved to stand in front of the saw until he was directly facing Waylon, ignoring the absolutely horrified look on the blonde man's face as he just rested his hands on the posts on either side of him.

"I'll make the cut fast. Just close your eyes and think of our children."

Tyler peeked over Emily's shoulder, glancing at the position Eddie was currently standing in. He was now leaning over the saw, watching as it moved closer and closer to Waylon. Just standing like that caused him to position himself almost directly above the lever, where one hard shove could easily knock him into it.

Just one push…

"I'll lure him away," Tyler quickly whispered as he took the lead pipe out of his sling and held it in his other hand, "You just get Waylon out of that machine and get out of here."

Before Emily could say anything-whether it be in protest or agreement-Tyler bolted out of their hiding spot, ignoring the pain radiating from the bullet in his shoulder as he made a beeline towards Eddie. He gripped the pipe tightly as he caught the taller man by surprise from behind and struck him over the head. The blow wasn't as strong as Tyler would've liked it to be, but it was enough to knock Gluskin down, causing his hand to hit the lever and shut off the machine. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Waylon yank on the board his left arm was tied to and pry it loose, allowing him to leap off the table and collapse to the ground.

Meanwhile, Gluskin himself groaned as he clutched his head, a bruise beginning to form where he had been hit. Having been caught from behind, he hadn't expected this at all. This was the second time someone tried to interfere with his and his bride's business! Why was the world so fucking determined to keep him from being happy?

But when he glanced up at his attacker, he gasped. He didn't know how many hours ago it had been at this point, but he still recognized that face. "You!" he snapped as he realized he was looking into the eyes of Emily's-his ex-fiancée's-angry brother, "What are you doing here?" His eyes widened at the next unpleasant thought that entered his mind, and he leaped up as he lunged forward to grab Tyler by the shoulders.

"Did she put you up to this? Where is she?"

Tyler didn't respond, merely striking him across the face with the pipe. Even with one arm out of commission, he still managed to hold his own, making sure to land in that second blow before running in the opposite direction of the workshop.

"Get back here!" Eddie shouted as he picked himself up and chased after the younger man, "You're not done dying, you slut!"

From where she was still hiding, Emily gasped as she watched both Gluskin and her brother disappear through a door on the opposite side. She hadn't been thrilled with Tyler's impulsive plan, but she knew it was either that or watch Waylon get sliced to death, so she accepted it. Just PLEASE be careful, Ty, she pleaded to herself.

Now that he had done his part, it was time for Emily to do hers, and once she was sure they were gone, she emerged from hiding and made her way over to Waylon. He was just getting his bearings straight as he immediately felt around his penis and testicles to make sure everything was still intact. Sighing in relief, he grabbed a jumpsuit that lay in a heap next to the table and pulled it on, grateful to be dressed again after lying naked in blood and guts. He picked up a camera that had been lying on a table next to the machine, reminding Emily of Miles as he turned it on and began to look around.

"Still intact," he whispered to himself as his breathing got steadier, "I'm here, Lisa. I'm still me."

"Uhh, excuse me," Emily piped up as she tapped him on the shoulder, "Waylon Park? Are you okay?"

Waylon jumped as he whirled around and pointed the camera in Emily's direction, gasping as his eyes widened at the sight of her. He turned off the night vision as he studied her tan skin, brown eyes, and black hair, which all looked familiar to him the longer he stared at her. His sense of time had gotten skewed ever since Eddie had drugged him, but he vaguely remembered waking up at least once before he had been put on the table. The only thing he could recall was her face as she stared directly at him without realizing who he was. She had approached the locker, and even though the drugs had made everything fuzzy and disoriented, he still had enough of his faculties to attempt to ask her for help. To somehow answer his pleas and get him out of that locker.

Unfortunately for him, though, his cries for help had gone unanswered; Eddie had dragged Emily away to what he had thought was a horrible fate, his voice had still been very weak from all the screaming he had done throughout the night, and he had lost consciousness once again as the drugs took over his system.

But it wasn't only that instance where he was sure he already knew her. There was something else about her that seemed familiar, but again, the drugs had taken a toll on him in a way that made everything a jumbled mess. He spent another minute trying to rack his brain for answers, and soon, he felt a mix of anger and shock as he suddenly remembered exactly where he knew her from before all this.

"You're Emily Wilkins, aren't you?" he whispered, "I…I thought you and your brother were dead!"