Alex Mercer. For the past several months was the focus of the entire country, more like the entire world. The old Alex Mercer was dead and the new one didn't know whether if that was a positive thing or negative thing. The city had paid for Alex Mercer's mistakes. Neo Alex wanted to distance himself from everything that revolved around old Alex, the old Alex was a borderline sociopath who didn't care about anyone but himself. That was except for Dana who neo Alex kept in touch with.
To make up for his past lives sins neo Alex tried helping around the city. By doing random acts of 'good'. Sometimes he would work at soup kitchens, help the homeless, and more. But that of course didn't last, not with the old Alex personality still in neo Alex. Now he just did other kinds of 'good'. Every night he went out and stood at the tallest buildings he could find. The military still inhabited Manhattan and that was a problem a problem that resulted in constant injustice towards the citizens of New York. Alex rested on top of a building writing in his war journal.
'In the middle ages doctors had to wear leather clothes and had masks which took the form of beaks. The nose of the mask was drenched in vinegar and spices, this was done to prevent the doctors from getting distracted by the scent of death and decay… I however experienced the same or yet even worse. I had nothing to shield me from the horrors of war and more. I didn't feel anything in those moments but a sick twisted sense of vindictiveness and a hunger for revenge.' Alex scribbled down.
'How do I decide who deserves to live and who doesn't, what problem should be attended to first, who to save first? I don't, I just do what I feel like doing. I don't know how to really explain it. Yeah, I know with my level of intellect I should be able to explain something so simple, but it's hard…' Alex paused for a second, that was the old Alex speaking. He remembered one of the people he consumed or someone in the memories of those consumed said that he had a plethora of self-obsessive disorders and that he had a narcissistic world view meaning he only did what was best for himself and had delusions of grandeur. Erasing what he wrote Alex started again.
'How do I decide who deserves to live and who doesn't, what problem should be attended to first, who to save first?' Alex read over the articles of text he didn't erase.
'I do it by instinct, I do what my heart tells me.' Alex wrote. He was going to write more until he heard shouting.
"Quick we have to find her and fast." One of the troops said below. "She can't have gone too far." The reply was.
Alex dropped down from the building to other buildings below and jumped successfully from level to level. He could have just dropped straight down but doing it this was much more prosperous in terms of sneaking.
Alex knew that most of the population was infected and didn't even know it. To utilize such information in a productive manner Alex had to assume that this lady was infected too. Using the ability known as Hive mind Alex instantly got filled in with everything infected related. Nothing about a lady close by came up. Every time Alex entered this state he felt high out of his mind, as a result of this he never frequented this ability.
Dropping down to the dirty littered streets below Alex tailed the two marines quietly. Running to catch up he stomped on a puddle which caused the two marines to look back to find nothing there. Alex hid in an alleyway with graffiti covered walls and abandoned pallets of wood were leaned up against the alleyway walls. There were homeless men surrounding a garbage can that was roaring with flames to keep themselves warm. The fire embers blown out the alleyway attracting the attention of those wary about what would reside within the alley.
"Check that alleyway I'll keep looking for her." Marine one said to the second.
Looking in the alleyway the marine spotted another fellow marine. With homeless men cowering against the dead end fence.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" The second marine questioned.
"I was just debriefed of the mission, we have to find that girl, so I checked this alley." The marine stated. The second marine was cautious at first but then decided he had no time to dwindle around otherwise he'd be cleaning the barracks with a toothbrush by the time he got back. Until he noticed a key point he had almost missed
"Where's your gun?" The marine said being impaled through the chest by marine's bare hand the second he finished his sentence.
"I forgot it at home." The supposed marine said, just then tendrils from the marine's body emerged and absorbed the marine including the marines gear into the alleged marine's body. This method of killing was called consuming, a method which saved Alex's cocky ass several times. It allowed him to regenerate health, assume the body, clothes, and role of that person he consumed. And most importantly gain their memories.
'She's been snooping around, trying to bribe men to finding out who zeus is, stop her before she finds out and gets herself killed.' (Zeus code name for Alex after he died and his body was used as a host for the infection which became sentient also known as neo Alex.)
"Why the hell would she be trying to find me?" Alex said running and shifting into that person.
"I found her!" Marine one shouted.
"You guys are marines with guns who think they're tough I get it. I really don't want to have to hurt you guys." The lady said. She was a red head with a pony tail. She was dressed like a biker too with that red vest and all. Alex noted that her vest matched her hair 'FOCUS Alex…' he internally ordered.
"They told me that I could bring you in dead or alive it's your choice! Get down on the ground and surrender! I won't ask a second time!" The marine yelled.
"Is this how New Yorkers treat ladies?" the pony tailed woman asked drawing her gun in a split second. Alex decided to take matters into his own hands snapping the other marines neck he watched as his now lifeless body tumbled to the floor.
"Does this answer your question?" Alex said grabbing her and running up the side of the building beside them. She aimed her gun and shot Alex in the head several times the shots echoing and disturbing those near. 'He's just like Wesker! New York marines are super powered?' The pony tailed woman deducted. Reaching the top of the building Alex dropped her where she fell to the floor.
"From this moment on your business with Zeus is over you got that." Alex said looking over the ledge down the building to see if any more hostiles were inbound.
"…" She had nothing to say.
"Why did you even want to find Zeus?" Alex asked facing the woman with his cold stare.
"Finally, someone who actually wants to talk. I heard about a dangerous B.O.W known as Zeus and – " She was cut off.
"What the hell is a b.o.w ?" Alex asked sternly.
"Bio organic weapon. I found something relating Zeus to Alex Mercer yet the file I read said they were two different people. Alex Mercer took the virus he had with him as insurance as other doctors were being systematically murdered. He was then killed and then he somehow came back becoming the most wanted in United States history. His file says he's dead, yet pictures of Zeus are of Alex Mercer I don't understand it." The lady answered.
"That didn't answer my question…. Why did you want to find Zeus?" Alex questioned as patiently as he could.
"I don't think I like your attitude." The lady said rebelliously. Alex punched the ledge next to him shattering it.
"Answer the question." Alex said in a flat voice.
"That was someone's property, you're not a very good marine." The red-haired lady said enjoying the knit brow of Alex. 'Intimidation isn't working I should resort to negotiation and if she still poses a problem I'm going to deal with her how I would any other unbecoming schmuck I kill from time to time.' Alex coined.
"Alright how's this? You tell me your name and why you're after Zeus, and I'll bring you to Zeus." Alex bargained.
"I understand now it you're a friend of Zeus. That's why you're super powered. Not too loyal. Ok I'll play your game. I was after him to find out whether or not he was truly responsible for all the chaos in New York or if the military was. And my name's Claire. I've been honest now it's time for you to hold up your end of the deal." Claire negotiated.
"No you're getting a ticket back to wherever the hell you came from." Alex said in a not so polite tone.
"You fucking liar!" Claire screamed immediately being grabbed, his grasp felt like iron, just like Wesker's.
"Wait! If you have any sense of benevolence in your heart you'll help me!" Claire begged. Alex paused and then sighed. Letting her go she caught herself much prepared for the fall this time.
"You wanted Zeus here he is." Alex said tendrils swirling about and his body transforming. Claire's eyes shot up as if she were viewing a nuclear explosion going off. Once he was fully formed, Alex turned to the side to spit and Claire's brow furrowed.
"Well that was gross, is that a common thing to do here in Manhattan?" Claire said not caring for the consequences.
"I've had enough for your little mouth." Alex said cupping her face with his hand and bringing her close to him. 'Now this is too close for comfort' Claire duly noted. Placing her hands on his chest to try and prevent herself from being pulled any closer.
"Get the fuck off!" Claire yelled. Alex let go of her and spoke.
"You're just begging to get killed. You have so much to live for and yet you're wasting it on trying to find me not caring if the military catches on to you are not." Alex bickered.
"Does this mean you won't have a one to one talk with me to discussing your work here in New York?" Claire asked in a fake shy voice.
"Are you always like this? Stubborn and annoying." Alex questioned. Claire shrugged. She was starting to enjoy messing with Alex or Zeus. He wasn't like Wesker at all, he seemed to have a temper but he wasn't as conniving to attack like Wesker was.
"Only to those who're on the wrong side and don't cooperate. I'm usually a caring person but people like you with attitudes make it hard to stay that way." Claire answered. Alex didn't want this woman to end up dead because of the military otherwise he'd spend the whole month beating himself up about it. Not because he cared but because he was trying to be a better person which wasn't better at all. His sense of morals were so demented, the military and infection evolved the old Alex Mercer's personality into a ruthless sicko.
"Ok you're coming with me until I get this whole thing settled." Alex said slumping Claire over his shoulder.
"You can't just scoop people of their feet and kidnap them! Where are your morals?!" Claire screeched as Alex jumped off the building and dashed through the air to the next building.
"They died along with Alex Mercer. Now do me a favor and shut your pretty little mouth." Alex said soaring through the air.
"Am I supposed to be flattered?" Claire inquired in an unpleased attitude. 'Pretty little mouth what the hell Alex?' He scolded in his head. Alex moved about the city rather briskly. Claire was shocked by how high Alex could jump, and how far he could dash. The thing that weirded her out was when he would run up walls.
"No, you're supposed to shut up. I'm getting tired of your damn games, keep pissing me off and see what happens." Alex insulted.
"How do you expect me not to talk and scream when we're gliding through the air?" Claire countered.
"This isn't gliding this is." Alex said introducing his gliding technique. Alex wanted to take her to a safe house of his but he heard her belly grumbling.
"Sorry I'm a bit hungry I haven't eaten anything in a long time." Claire shyly stated. Alex wanted to tell her 'you can eat the pavement if you don't shut up.' But he thought that was a little too far. Alex thought to himself 'What would a nice guy do?'. After some thinking he decided he should be generous and let her 'grab a bite to eat at some restaurant or bar'.
"I'll take you to some place to eat then." Alex mumbled gliding down to the ground. "What?" Claire asked not hearing him.
"I'm taking you out to dinner." Alex answered.
"Is this your idea of a date? Kidnapping me and then suddenly being polite by treating me to dinner?" Claire questioned. "You're doing a better job than Wesker though, thank you – Alex? – Zeus?" Claire thanked.
"This isn't a date so don't flatter yourself." Alex said gliding to the ground. He ran on foot with her and picked up a considerable amount of speed. Alex basically didn't care if normal people spotted him and reported his presence. The military knew not to 'fuck' with him anymore so he had nothing to fear. He basically owned this city.
"Thanks again, you didn't have to do this for me, but you did. Deep down you're a pretty good person." Claire again thanked Alex as she was put down.
"Alex you're back! You ready to 2v2 these schmucks?" Jim questioned. "Or are you too busy trying to pipe that chick you're with." Jim said making the others laugh.
"Why would you say something like that when I'm right here?" Claire remarked profoundly offended.
"Don't mind them they're just blithering jackasses. I only hang out with them so I can beat them in pool." Alex said gently, while handing Claire enough cash to buy whatever meal she wanted. Alex casually walked over to the pool table and began to obliterate the opposition. He had consumed enough men to know exactly how to defeat anyone in pool.
'He's a character. Seems like he'd rather not deal with anyone else unless he had something to get out of them. I have to admit he's pretty handsome but his personality's too rough and rugged. Still, I'm pretty interested in him.' Claire reconciled with herself as she stirred her straw swirling the ice cubs in her drink.
'She seems like the type of chick I'd date back in college. She's really beautiful but her stubbornness is not too alluring. Why do I care? It's not like I'm ever going to see after today.' Alex thought waiting for his team mate to finish so Alex could score some shots.
Time went by, Claire ate her food, Alex was smoking the other team in pool everything was going well.
Claire finished her meal and tried leaving to have some fresh air until she felt the cold hands of Alex pull on her forearm and pull her into him. Her brow furrowed. He lowered himself to bring his lips close to her ear.
"Don't do that again or else." Alex whispered his breath hitting her ear. 'Who does he think he is?' Claire yelled in her head.
"You don't own me. I am my own woman, I'm not five I don't get punished with spankings anymore. So get your hand off me. If I wanna go outside for second I will, I can take care of myself. Back off." Claire threatened. Alex's brow knit.
"Test me again and you'll get more than just a spanking." Alex warned. Claire took heed of his words and sighed. "I have to beat these guys in pool. Once that's taken care of we can get outta here. Together." Alex stated leaving her side again confident that she wouldn't dare go against his word.
Alex set his pool que behind his back and then darted it into the precise ball that led to his victory. He took the other men's cash as they were playing for money and then he walked over to Claire.
"See that wasn't so hard." Alex said.
"Alex I'm going to ask you for something not unreasonable so don't get aggressive ok?" Claire said in a serious tone no longer trying to annoy Alex.
"If it's unreasonable there's going to be a problem." Alex stated crossing his arms.
"I want to walk to wherever you were taking me before. I don't want to be picked up like some non-compliant child." Claire begged. Alex thought for a second and looked from side to side to see if there were any military around.
"Fine but if it gets dangerous then I'm picking you up and bolting out. People die too easily, I know that first hand." Alex stated.
"I understand, trust me." Claire said. "But why can't you just answer a few of my questions and then I can be out of your hair." Claire mentioned.
"Because some questioned are best left unanswered, and I can't let you go or else you'll be butchered by the military. Does that answer your question?" Alex asked in a dry tone.
"Look I'll do anything to get answers." Claire said looking into Alex's eyes. Alex took note of her beautiful blue eyes, a few lewd ideas popped into his head hearing those words from her, but he quickly dismissed those thoughts and deemed them illogical.
"If you can stay quiet the rest of the walk I'll give you the answers you want." Alex said to Claire who pretended to zip her mouth shut. The two of them walked for minutes until Alex noticed that Claire was shivering, her arms were exposed to the cold. Taking off his jacket Alex put it over Claire who looked into Alex's bluish silver colored eyes. 'He has beautiful eyes they kind of match mine. Too bad he dresses like a drug dealer.' Claire thought to herself trying not to laugh at her thought.
Alex made it to the safehouse with Claire by his side. The two of them entered and walked up some stairs finding the apartment. Knocking on the door Alex heard some fumbling inside and the door swung right open.
"Hey Dana, this is Claire." Alex revealed.
"Hi I'm Dana, Alex's sister. You're the first girlfriend of Alex's that I approve of." Dana commented.
" – Oh I'm not his girlfriend. I'm a – " Claire was cut off.
"She's an annoying thorn in my side until I can get her somewhere safe." Alex finished.
"Alex! We've talked about this! Your attitude really needs to change." Dana scolded. The three of them went inside the apartment. Alex sat down on one of the beds he had brought here. It was in the middle of the living room where the couches used to be.
"Alex you said you'd give me answers." Claire said. Alex took out his war journal.
"Catch…" Alex said throwing them towards Claire who fumbled to catch it.
"Really? You're an asshole." Claire said.
"Don't bite the hand that just fed you." Alex replied in a bored tone. He hadn't slept in months not that he needed too but it was time to take a break from it all he laid down and relaxed himself. Claire flipped through the pages and then looked at the alarm clock beside the bed, it was 1 o clock. 'Here we go' Claire was reading every page of that journal. Some of the stuff described made her sick, looking at Alex she paused then kept reading.
'I had just survived a nuke. I looked at what I had just survived I saved New York from Alex Mercer's mistakes and colonel Randall's mistakes. Alex Mercer. This city suffered for his mistakes, for what he did at penn station. And whoever he was that's a part of me… Cause when I close my eyes I see the memories of a thousand dead men, screaming as I take their lives. Moments I'll relive forever. I don't know who I am anymore. What have I become? Something less than human. But also something more.' Claire felt sorry for Alex. She didn't need to read anymore. She understood, sure from what he had mentioned in his journal he seemed to be a 'crazy mother fucker' but he had a heart in him.
'I got what I came for it's time to go.' Claire said to herself trying to leave again, her steps were silent but when she got to the door her foot step creaked. Alex awoke in a gasp. His eyes made contact with Claire's. His deadpan stare stressed Claire out. She knew how fast Alex was so she didn't try running at all.
"Look I'm sorry." Claire apologized Alex took slow steps towards Claire. One of his fists clenched hard shaking and trembling from the pressure. Claire backed up against the door and Alex punched the wall beside the door.
"You're not going to spank me are you?" Claire asked worried since Alex said he'd do more than just that the next time she tested him. Alex sighed.
"Do what you want. Go outside, get yourself killed. It's your life I don't care. Go ahead. I tried, and now I'm done." Alex said. Now Claire didn't feel like going.
"Here's your journal, and your jacket." Claire said meekly. Alex took his belongings back and threw it on the bed.
"I just have one more question." Claire announced. "What…" Alex said in an unamused voice.
"Does Dana know?"
"She does. She didn't take it too well and a month after of me neglecting her and ignoring her she yelled at me." Alex confessed.
"What'd she say?" Claire questioned carefully.
" She said 'I understand that I had a brother, a boy named Alex. A boy who used to play games with me, go skating with me, and watch scary movies with me. I understand that Alex is dead now'." Alex said in morose.
"I'm so sorry." Claire said placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't be…" Alex said. "Out of everything that the old Alex Mercer was, the one redeeming factor was that he was a good brother. Our parents had divorced, and our abusive alcoholic mother often hit us, he for the most part protected Dana. They got moved to a foster home and he used to be her father figure while studying at the same time. His whole child hood was studying and Dana. And that was all he cared about." Alex spoke in a downed voice.
"I understand your pain partially. My parents died when I was young. You can't let this stuff eat you up inside or else you're never going to be able to be your old self again." Claire stated. Alex took his hoodie off and Claire saw just how attractive Alex was. 'It sucks that he's sharp around the edges personality wise.' Claire thought.
"Thanks Claire." Alex thanked.
"No I should be the one thanking you, you helped me." Claire responded.
"Tomorrow we're leaving, I'll help you find your way out of Manhattan safely." Alex said.
"Will I ever see you again?" Claire asked looking up intently at Alex who was silent.
"…It'd be best if you forgot about me." Alex said in a soft voice. Claire's brow knit.
"I'm not leaving then. I'm staying here with you." Claire said not liking the idea Alex had just suggested. Alex placed his hands on Claire's shoulders.
"I'm not a human like you Claire. I'm a virus inside a dead man with a twisted sense of conviction and morals. I don't exist because of sunshine and rainbows, I exist because of greed, malice, and hatred. I'm everything that's wrong with this world. Being a friend of mine would put you in danger, it would be a mistake to let you be my friend." Alex stated in a gentle voice.
"You're wrong." Claire stammered. "I can see the love and care in you. The reason you're pushing me away isn't because your heartless it's because you care about me. You care about your sister, you care about this city. You can't prove that wrong and you know it." Claire retorted.
"…" Alex didn't know what to say his brow knit matching Claire's expression. He had tried for avoiding love and all its charms and rewards thinking it was a secondary in thing in life. Thinking it was human thing, but there was love in everything.
"I just met you today, but I want you to remember this whenever you're feeling down…" Claire said standing on the tip of her toes to kiss Alex. Alex gave up trying to be cold and lifeless and enjoyed the kiss. He hadn't had love like this since he was with his old girlfriend Karen Parker no that wasn't him that was the old Alex. Neo Alex never had love like this but he still remembered the love the old Alex had for Karen Parker, but something about this felt greater, it felt so much more, it felt… Human… Claire ended the kiss.
"If that meant anything to you, you'll pursue me." Claire said leaving the apartment. 'What are you waiting for go get her!' Alex immediately left after her.
"Claire wait!" Alex yelled. Claire stopped in her tracks. Turning back she saw Alex standing there.
"If my love for you is blind then I don't want to see at all." Alex bled out. Claire smirked looking down at the ground. She then looked up at him. Alex opened his mouth to speak again.
"I've been alone for so long I forgot what love felt like and I for so long I thought I didn't need it but I do need it. I need you…" Alex. "I don't know what made you decide to do that but I'm grateful." Alex said.
"I did it because you reminded me of myself, thinking I can live a dangerous life and go on without falling in love. I thought that until I remembered what it was like to love. You remember what love feels like too and now you're ready for it again." Claire replied.
Alex walked over to her and picked her up off her feet. Claire and him traveled to a discrete hotel nearby. They weren't ready for the type of love that you were thinking of yet, maybe in the next chapter but they did cuddle and they did snuggle, and that's all Claire and Alex wanted at the time.
"Alex do you think you could come back home with me?" Claire asked with her heart in his hands. They were both staring up at the ceiling imagining where they were headed within the next few years.
"No…" Was his answer. Claire laughed. She understood why, he had his sister here in Manhattan and felt obligated to protect Manhattan as well.
"I don't think I can stay in Manhattan." Claire confessed. Alex sat up in the bed staring down Claire.
"You came here just to leave? Typical tourists these days…" Alex said lying back down.
"Coming here was strictly business Alex. I want you to find me someday." Claire said before telling him her address. Alex promised her that he would one day come find Claire. Dana had suggested a trust cab driver who could get Claire out of the city without detection.
"So how'd it work out?" Dana asked nudging Alex with her elbow.
"She left so obviously nothing happened Dana." Alex stated.
"You're such a liar, that was one of the worst lies ever told! I heard you two when you walked out the apartment." Dana revealed.
"Dana you obviously heard wrong. I have no further comments on this matter." Alex stated.
"… Are we still gonna go to the movies?" Dana asked changing the subject.
"You bet." Alex said.
Author's note: Please submit a review. I can't describe how much it helps and motivates me.