Prologue: The Ecliptic Express
The night was colder than it should have been on a summer night. A full moon hung in the sky, illuminating a still Arklay Forest below. It's beautiful, the man thought, watching the forest from his spot atop one of the its many hills. It seemed not too long ago that he stood in that very spot, at the height of his career, taking in the scenery. A breeze rustled the woodland. A light shined between the trees as the Ecliptic Express charged down its tracks to its destination.
Just on time, as usual.
It's time, my children, he thought.
Just keep focused, Jeffery thought as he sat in one of the seats, looking at financial ledgers. The numbers started to merge, and he edged his fingers under his glasses. After rubbing his eyes, Jeffery took a deep breath and continued reading.
God, it'll be good to get home. Not to mention the relief of getting out of his suit.
A thump came from the train's roof.
"That's strange," a man said to his wife a seat over. "I didn't think there was supposed to be rain today."
Jeffery could have laughed. The Raccoon City weather woman, though easy on the eyes, couldn't tell the difference between a hurricane and a sunny day. That's what happens when a medical corporation tries to run an entire town. Another thump hit the roof, though this one sounded louder than the last. He glanced out the window. Not a drop to be seen.
Something about that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"Excuse me," he asked the passing conductor. "How much longer till we reach Raccoon?"
"Oh," the elderly man said, licking his lips as he starred off. "I'd say…maybe another twenty minutes."
"Oh, thank you," Jeffery said. The conductor tipped his hat toward him before continuing on his way. Stop being so paranoid, he told himself. Two more thumps sounded from the roof. Jeffery glanced up as though he could see whatever was landing on the train through the second floor.
Suddenly, it was as though hale assaulted the roof.
"What is that?" the woman asked, to which the husband shrugged. Something smacked against his window. What looked like six leeches—each the size of an apple—clung to the glass. A thick residue smeared against the window as their green bodies slid across its surface.
"Wha-," Jeffery said, letting the ledgers fall to the ground. The leeches' stomachs opened simultaneously as if they were all one organism, revealing mouths filled with needle teeth. "Jesus!" Jeffery yelled, leaping back.
A scream came from behind, followed by the sound of shattering glass. The woman a seat from him flung to and fro as several of the parasites clung to her. Other shrieks and cries echoed throughout the train as leeches fell from the ceiling.
Jeffery turned just in time to see his own window break. At least twenty leaches fell through, five latching onto Jeffery. He tried to pry them off, but their teeth dug deep into his flesh. Jeffery cried out as the blood flowed from his body as quickly as if he sliced an artery. He thrashed, mind reeling. The discord of the other passengers became a blur. His vision darkened. Jeffery crumpled to the floor.