"What's this?"
Rebecca leaned in, her face full of curiosity, and looked at the black statue Javier was holding. The statue didn't seem to be worth anything. They had fought monsters for a long time just to find this worthless thing? The owner of the facility was so cheap. He had set up a bunch of traps, and the keys to the rooms were strange and cheap. If she had known, she would have just placed two rocks on the statue of the goddess with the scale.
"It's about this thing..."
"There should be one more, a white one. We should be able to find some clues if we look carefully," Javier said. He agreed with Rebecca's complaint but knew they had to find the items to get out of the facility. If there were a next time, he would learn how to pick locks from a professional burglar and get a universal key. Puzzles were a pain in the neck.
If he could, he would rather pick a lock. If he couldn't, he would carry a chainsaw or a hydraulic cutter in his tactical bag to deal with these annoying traps and locked doors. Why have a door if you're not going to let people open it?
"Wait a minute..."
"I think we missed a spot. I remember there was a room with an elevator. If we use it, we might be able to get to the second floor from the main hall," Billy said, interrupting Javier and Rebecca's thoughts. He was good at fighting zombies, but puzzles were not his thing. Rebecca was smart, but Javier had spoiled her, and neither of them wanted to use their brains. It was hard for them to find things.
Javier and Rebecca looked at each other, confused. They didn't remember another open room.
Billy sighed. "It wasn't something you two found; it was something I found. I wanted to tell you, but Rebecca was faster, and then the Plague Crawlers came, and I almost forgot. I just remembered it now."
"Look, this is what I found. A vintage-looking handle, like something to wind a mechanical device. Now that I think about it, it makes sense. This thing is probably used to wind the elevator's chains. I thought it was for a clock. I was a little bit wrong." Billy pulled out a rusty metal handle from his pocket. The wooden handle was worn, as if it had been used for many years. The notch at the front of the handle was a clear sign that it was used to turn a mechanical device.
Billy was relieved to get rid of the handle. It was as heavy as a brick and a pain to carry around. He was glad it was useful. He didn't want to carry it anymore.
Javier and Rebecca looked at each other and quickly followed Billy to the new room. They were not as cautious this time. Under Billy's guidance, they arrived at a new location. There was indeed an old elevator, but it was very retro. It was strange that they would install an old elevator instead of a modern one in a research facility. Maybe they thought it was safer because it couldn't be hacked?
Javier didn't bother to think about it anymore. He told Rebecca and Billy to get in the elevator. He took the handle and put it in the device next to the elevator. This thing was not only old but also very strenuous to use. It was a chain-driven elevator that required a person to crank it. This was the most ridiculous thing about it.
Although Rebecca and Billy were not heavy, Javier had to use all his strength to turn the handle. The gears and chains started to move, and the old elevator slowly went up. Javier's face was red from all the effort.
"Click, click—!!!"
The elevator finally reached the second floor. Because of its unique design, the elevator was probably meant for solo use. It was impossible for all three of them to go up at the same time because one person had to stay behind to turn the handle. Now, Javier, Rebecca, and Billy were split up. Javier would have to find another way to meet them. He couldn't magically turn into a stretchy person and crank the handle from inside the elevator to send himself up.
"Billy, protect Rebecca. I'll meet you guys as soon as I can!"
Javier looked at the elevator shaft and knew they were still there. He told Billy to take care of Rebecca.
Javier then began to search for clues on the first floor. Although it was the first time he had been separated from Rebecca, he was not worried about himself. He was worried about her. Without Rebecca and Billy, he felt a lot lighter.
And this also gave him more time to search the facility. Besides, there were still a lot of zombies and Plague Crawlers on the first floor that he could take out for more points. He had been looking for a way to make some money!