Woe Is Me (Revised)

1.

Bursting through the door I slam it shut and lean against it to catch my breath, coughing since I wasn't used to running so much. Fucking shit… hell, that… that was too damn close. Oh. God. I lean forward with a tired groan, resting my hands on my knees and cough to swallow the lump in my throat. Ugh. I hate running. My fatness it to blame. It makes running a lot more tiresome. I can run, hell I'll haul ass if I have to. I just… fucking hate it.

I'm not heavy. No, not heavy. I'm just… uh… what's the word? Obscene? No, no, that's not it. Obstinate…. No, not that… Oh! Obese. Yeah, that's it. That's the word, obese. I'm not that, no. I'm actually zaftig. I have curves but I'm not a size two either. Thanks to America's fucked up views on what's skinny and fat these days, I am considered fat. Pfft, I like to eat, so what. Is that a crime?

After I regain control of my breathing, I straighten out, wipe the sweat off my forehead with the sleeve of my black hoodie, and put my long ebony hair up into a ponytail to keep it from getting in the way any longer. It's kind of annoying to be running for your life with hair in your face.

And now with that done, it's time to focus on what's important; figuring out how to get the hell out of here alive and in one piece, and maybe finding a Twinkie or two. I've got some in my room but fuck that, I'm not going back there. Those things are fucking everywhere! I can't take all of them, shit I barely managed to make it to the freaking security office.

I sigh. Ah, man. This sure was turning out to be one hell of a night. I feel like I should have a camera in my hand, documenting everything just so that I could have proof of what the fuck was happening. It was all because of that fog, that stupid blue fog. It did something. I saw it from my window. Once it hit, people around campus started acting really strange, choking and convulsing. Their skin darkened in seconds, like it was rotting and decaying into rugged chunks. It wasn't until they started attacking and eating other people that I realized what was going on, a goddamn zombie apocalypse. Yeah. The fucking dead are walking the earth.

I look at my hands. If the auburn colored skin wasn't stained the crimson color of blood from the ones that I had taken out, I'd go as far as to say this was all just a nightmare. I mean, zombies were a fun and scary trend of entertainment like vampires had once been before that twilight shit ruined it. No one ever really took it seriously. It was never real. It was never supposed to be real! But, it was all truly happening and now I was left to fend for myself. Well shit, it's not like I haven't been doing it for the past twelve years. Still, I should've watched the Walking Dead or World War Z, could've gotten some pointers or something. A sudden car alarm blaring just outside the door makes me jump. Ah fuck, it was those two most likely. Shit.

I'd stumbled across them during my escape from the dorms. They had been standing over the president's body, guns in hand and when they saw me they had claimed to be federal agents. Like I haven't heard that before. They chased after me when I ran off and I lost them after darting down a dark hall but I guess I didn't do as well as I thought considering them two president killing sons of bitches were here now. Either they were still pursing me or they must've had the same idea on how to escape the campus. Fuck, what do I do? Do I keep running or do I face them head on? These motherfuckers are something else. And I say that because they're appealing and you know what they say, it's always the pretty ones that are crazy. Though pretty was an understatement. Those two were… fucking hot; what with their glistening ivory skin, immaculate physique and lithe voluptuous shapely bodies. I fucking felt subconscious when I saw them. How the fuck does that even happen?

The door swings open and just as I feared, those two run inside. Speak of the devil, eh. The blond, the man, he stops when he sees me. "You." I shiver at his deep and husky voice. Oh God. Fucking hormones. He looks surprised, like if he didn't expect to see me here. The woman, the brunette, enters next, shutting the door quickly and leaning against it with a sigh.

Damn, this is not good. I quickly glance behind me to the second door I knew led into the university and look back to see him step forward. "Keep away from me" I warn, hands ready at my sides. "Easy" he utters in a soft tone. He says something else but I pay him no mind since I'm thinking that if I cut through the classrooms I'll have a better chance at losing them again… It's a long shot but it just might work.

I turn and dash. Strong arms wrap around me before I can take another step. Ah, shit! Damn his quick reflexes! I immediately struggle, "Let me go!" He grunts and I feel his hold tighten. "Stop! Listen!" His voice was stern. "We're not going to hurt you!" Damn it, why does he have to be so rock hard!

I fight more but it's really proving futile. "Fuck you!" I yell. His arms are suddenly gone and I yelp as I fall back on the floor. The hell….? I look back to see the woman pushing him back. "We can't save everybody we come across Leon."

He shakes his head. "We have to try."

"If she doesn't want our help, that's on her. We can't waste any more time."

"We can't just leave her Helena. We found her. She's our responsibility."

"No, she's not. She found us and it's clear she doesn't want our help."

I shake my head suddenly as I realize something. What the fuck am I doing sitting around and watching them argue for? This was obviously between them. My chance to get away was now. As slowly as I can, I get up to sneak away but stop as something catches my eye on the monitors of the security cameras. Something was flashing on the top right screen.

Narrowing my eyes allowed me to only make out two figures so I step closer. It was Carl and Mark, my friends. They stand in what looks like the hallway to the staff building. I can tell they're scared. Shit, who wouldn't be in this predicament? I watch as Carl flails his arms around, shouting. Mark stands in front of him waving a help sign over his head, shouting as well.

Oh those idiots! They need to be quiet! Noise seems to attract the zombies. Why the fuck are they even in there? There's no exit! My stomach sinks. Fuck. Behind them I can see a horde of zombies approaching.

I look away, not wanting to see what would happen next. "Carl… Mark… you fucking idiots." The sudden voice right next to me makes me jump. "Let's go." I look back to see the man walking away.

"Leon it's too late." The woman says, pausing shortly. "There's nothing we can do." I glance at her. Her face reflects sorrow. Silence fills the room. The air grows thick. I see the man struggling with something within him and move my gaze to the floor. I don't know what to do, what to say, how to act. I don't even know how to feel or what to feel. This was all just so sudden.

"You're right."

Footsteps sound. I gasp as the man grasps my arms, his grip tight. "You're coming with us." I shake my head at his words, my gaze still down below. "I can take care of myself. I don't need your help." He gives an impatient sigh and spins me around to face the monitors. "Look at the screen" he demands. By the tone in his voice I can tell he's aggravated. "Look at the screen!" I don't. I just can't. He exhales. "You whispered their names. You knew them. Is that what you want for yourself? What you want to happen to you?"

Of course I didn't. I wouldn't be fighting this hard to survive if I wanted to be zombie chow. I feel myself being spun around again, this time facing him. "What's your name?" he asks in a soft voice.

"Sofia." The hell? Why did I just tell him my name?

"Listen to me, Sofia, I don't want to see you end up like them." He beckons to the screens, turning for a split second before turning back to me. "They wouldn't either. You owe it to them to survive."

Oh god. He's so close to me. I can practically feel the heat from his breath. And his eyes… his eyes are so blue, they're hypnotizing… I've never seen such eyes… Eyes that reflect compassion and determination… I can't stop looking into them…

I can see that he really does want to save me. He genuinely cares. Wow. I'm left awestruck, unsure of what to say. I've never met a person so strong willed and resolved to save a complete stranger. What does he even get out of it?

I blink several times. No, no. Bad Sofia! You are not going to let your guard down just because the man is sexy! You can't trust him! He killed the freaking president!

I feel his hands slide up my arms and settle atop my shoulders and I shiver from the contact. "I'm going to get you out of here" he says. "You can trust me."

"Okay" I say in sudden without much thought. And once I realize what I said, I drop my gaze from him and shake my head as I grow confused. What the hell just happened?

"Alright." I hear him say. Before I know it, his hands are no longer on me and he's standing by the exit. "I'm Leon. That's Helena." He says as she approaches with a not too happy look on her face. "Try and keep up." She utters as she walks past me. I watch them open up the door and step out into the hall of the campus, guns aimed. Whoa, wait a minute, am I seriously going with them? Just like that?

"You alright?" Leon queries. His brows furrow as he watches me just stand there still like a statue. "No," I say. "What's wrong?" he asks. Again, I shake my head. "W—what's wrong?" I stammer. "What's wrong is that I saw you standing over the president's body and now I'm following you just because you said so? I mean, what the fuck? How do I know this isn't some type of façade to get me to go with you so you can murder me dead?"

Helena remains nonchalant as if what I said completely unfazed her. Leon, however, looks somewhat amused. "You've been watching too many movies." I watch as he approaches me, his hand settling on my shoulder once again. "Look, Sofia, I wouldn't expect you to trusts us after what you witnessed, but if it makes you feel any better, the president was infected. He was already dead when I shot him. We're legit." His eyes trail to Helena, "Somewhat."

What the hell did that mean? Somewhat? That's not exactly comforting. "Let's just get the hell out of here" Helena says suddenly, stepping further inside and away from view. Leon moves next. "Wait," I call out. He stops at the doorway and looks back at me, "Yeah?"

"Look, man," I start, "I'm going to be frank and say that I don't trust you, but since you seem resolute on helping me, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt."

He gives a small smile. "Thanks." He walks through the doorway after that and I follow suit.

Okay, so, I'm really doing this. I'm teaming up with them president killing sons of bitches. Am I crazy? I must be. But hey, what better way to stay alive than to team up, right? My chances of surviving would double if I travel with them. And even though I'm capable of handling myself, there's no guarantee I can make it out of here on my own. As much as I don't want to, I don't see much of a choice. Still, if Leon or even Helena decide to turn on me, well I'll just wish them good luck because I won't go down easy.

I suddenly groan at the sight of my old arch nemesis, stairs. Of all the things… Why did it have to be stairs? Helena takes the lead and I stare after her. She reminds me of those girls from that hentai crap my roommate Liz used to watch. Hm. I wonder what happened to her.

"Move it Sofia!" Helena calls out. Her voice echoes. I sigh and dreadfully begin my ascend moving quickly to catch up. Maybe I'm judging to early but Helena seems really cold and distant. She's got that look like her mind is somewhere else.

Phew, my legs are burning! This is exactly why I always take the elevator in the two years I've been here, which is probably why I never really took into account how many floors this university had. Maybe a distraction would do me good. Take my mind off the pain. I gaze up to the two agents before me. So the president had already been infected. Hmm. Well I guess it is possible the president could have breathed in the fog. Hell, maybe the attack on the school was for the president and we all just happened to be casualties. Damn, if that's true that fucking sucks.

The climbing of the stairs finally stops once we enter a large and disarrayed corridor of trash, papers, and posters announcing the president's visitation. Furniture had been overturned and set up as blockades. Put shortly, it was a mess.

We slow down to a walk, me panting for a few seconds to catch my breath. Leon and Helena are quiet. They never look back at me. It's awkward as hell. I don't know whether to strike up a conversation or just remain silent? What would I even say; hey, how about them Raiders? I don't know shit about American football. Or is it basketball?

Hey, wait a second, what happened to the lights? Ah, fuck it. I know where this hall leads anyways. The classroom is just up ahead. Our footsteps echo amongst the silence. Why is it so damn quiet? And it's not the calm quiet, it's the creepy quiet; like the something is going to pop out at any time and get us, quiet.

"He said it was some sort of fog."

I jump from Leon's voice. Fucking hell! Jesus… way to burst the quiet bubble Leon! Jackass. Give a warning next time.

"If this thing spread in gas form… then anyone who breathed it in got infected."

Was he talking to me? Helena? The both of us? Or just in general so there wouldn't be any more silence? Helena glances back, eyes on him. "That would mean… everyone on campus."

Guess this conversation is between them.

"Yeah, but then why's it so quiet. I've got a bad feeling about this."

Yeah, me too. The two suddenly stop and turn to me. I can't read their expressions and it makes me nervous. I feel myself tense up. Leon steps close and my eyes latch onto his gun. Is he going to shoot me?

There's a knot in my throat, it hurts when I swallow. I look up to meet his gaze, "What?" He stops before me. "Did you breathe in this gas, Sofia?" I can't stop the relief that rushes through me. He wasn't going to shoot me. I laugh inside but keep a straight face. Or so I hope. "No" I answer, "I was in my dorm when it happened. Saw the fog and… everything else… from the window."

He nods, "Okay." He turns and walks back to step behind Helena. Huh. I guess that answer satisfied him. Okay then. I follow them down a corner to stop at a set of double doors. "We should be able to find our way out if we cut through the classrooms" Leon says. How the hell does he know that? "Just remember" he continues as he places a hand on the handles. "We have to keep quiet."

I cringe at the loud creak from the doors as they're pulled open slowly. Oh yeah, that's keeping it quiet. The large room was dimly lit. Well it wasn't so much a room, more like a small auditorium mostly because it was so big and had many rows of seats. My eyes scan the empty rows and memories of sitting in this very classroom suddenly flash through my mind. It was strange to see it empty. Hell it was weird being in it this late at night. My gaze lands on the board. Crap! I forgot I had a term paper due today! Oh…. Well… I don't think that matters anymore. Hmm. I'm kind of hoping my professor turned into a zombie.

The rattling of a can echoes throughout the room. I see it fall down the stairs. The next sounds, moaning and snarling, make my stomach sink. Ah hell. I feel my body shudder, still unable to get used to those sounds. A zombie stands from a seat on the bottom row.

"Didn't mean to interrupt" Leon says, a jest in his tone. He and Helena raise their guns. I follow as they make way down the stairs. My guess is the closer the target the easier the shot. The zombie their aim is on wears a gold track suit. The only person I know who would think that looks good is Brian, the biggest fucking jerk I had the misfortune of knowing. Now he's a zombie. I'm an asshole for thinking this, but karma's a bitch.

Shots are fired. His head explodes, blowing clear off, literally. It was just gone, in little chunks all over the floor. I gag, having never seen such a gruesome sight. You'd think I'd be used to this but I'm not. Beating these things down with a board and shooting them were two very different things.

At another moan Leon and Helena turn and open fire. I move around toward the desk and gasp as I'm grabbed from behind. The familiar moan tells me it's a zombie. Shit! I grab its head to keep it from biting. It struggles with me. Ugh, why are these fuckers strong when it comes to this?!

I grunt and elbow the undead son of a bitch in the head forcing it to release its hold on me. I turn to face the once man whom I didn't recognize. "Fucker!" I yell as I push it back and slam its head hard onto the chalkboard. After the third blow its head pops like a fucking balloon and it dissipates into nothing. The melting into the floor once its dead thing doesn't shock me as much anymore. Killing zombies was getting easier. The head was the weak point, learned that pretty quickly. Too bad the bat I took from another dorm room broke. Really could have used it just now.

"You okay?"

I jump from Leon's sudden voice. Mother fuck! Oh he has got to stop doing that! I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. "Uh, yeah… Thanks…" I breathe out, "It was kind of a… in the moment thing, instinct I guess." I swallow, fuck my mouth is dry. Leon says nothing more. Instead he turns to look at Helena as she steps up next to him. He looks her over subtlety, quickly looking away. Well look at him trying to be all discreet.

"Is everyone okay?" She asks. I look myself over, nodding when I don't see any scratch or bite marks. "Yeah" Leon says. "Then let's move" Helena remarks, walking away. Leon and I follow her. Damn, the attitude on her.

Silence resumes as we make our way to the double doors. My stupid brain decides that now was a good time to bring up how much Leon checking out Helena bothered me. I mean, what the fuck? I don't even know him. Why the hell am I unsettled that he finds her attractive? Jesus, what's wrong with me? I must be out of my freaking mind! I don't even trust his ass. But what an ass indeed. I shake my head. Oh god. I need to get laid. Ah, just stop thinking Sofia!

Distraction! I need a distraction! "Hey," I speak up, breaking the short silence and evidently taking my mind away from my crazy thoughts. "So uh, why haven't either of you given me a gun?" Leon takes the lead. "It's against protocol to give a gun to a minor."

"Minor?" I laugh, "What are you thinking, this is a university. There are no minors here. But if you must know, I'm actually twenty two." Helena speaks up. "You seem to be able to handle yourself well enough." I scoff, "It's called luck."

Leon chuckles. It was a soft rugged sound and god was it sexy. Oh, tread carefully Sofia. There's a strong possibility he's promiscuous. Anyone that good looking usually is, if they aren't gay. And judging by the way he discreetly checked Helena out, he wasn't gay. He practically eye fucked her.

Oh no, bad feelings! I start to hum. Ironically it's Sam Elliot's, I Won't Back Down. Leave it to my brain to choose that song during an apocalypse. Hmm. I sing the words in my head; well I won't back down, no I won't back down. You could stand me up at the gates of hell. But I won't back down. Gonna stand my ground, won't be turned around. And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down. Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down. Cue the catchy guitar riff. I do my best to sing the notes. Da na na na. Oh it's such a good song.

"Sofia."

"Huh?" I say looking up to meet Leon's gaze, his expression hard. "Quiet" he says. I blink. Oh snap. Was I singing out loud? Oops. I give a meek chuckle. "Sorry. I thought I was singing in my head." His gaze softens. "I'm impressed on how well you're handling this. You're doing better than I did back in Raccoon City."

Raccoon City? Oh yeah, now I remember. The place where the viral outbreak occurred, what was it fifteen years ago? I think I was seven years old when it happened. That's where I lost my parents but… I can't remember anything after that. It's all a blur. Maybe that's why this was all like dejavu to me. "You got caught in that too?" I say.

His brow arches. He looks as if he wants to say something but he simply turns around and continues walking. Okay then.

We come to a stop, reaching a dead end for overturned furniture blocked our way. Fortunately, right beside it was another set of double doors. Looks like it's the only way through. I look around for anything of use and spot a chair with the legs up. Perfect. The wood is rough on my hands as I grab a leg. With two hard kicks it breaks off. "Ha, ha!" I chuckle in triumph. Now I'm ready. Leon and Helena stare at me when I look up at them. I shrug my shoulders. Like hell I'm going into another room unarmed.

Leon steps to the doors, standing in front of Helena and me. My eyes inconspicuously drift down to his derriere. Damn. Now that's a view. I grunt, "Mm!" and deadpan when he looks back at me. Oh shit, did I do that out loud?

Acting quickly I move past him and open the door with a creak. A moan sounds. I gasp as a black blur hurls towards me and swing my improvised bat full force. The smack as the wood connects is loud and sickening. Whoa. I actually hit it. Home fucking run! Ha!

Now that it's on the floor I can see it's a zombie. Of fucking course. Leon fires off a single shot, killing it. Alright so my bat wasn't enough to kill it but I still hit the thing. "Good job" Leon comments. I scoff, "Good job? The fuck you talking about, good job? That was fucking awesome!"

Behind me Helena fires. She then enters the room, leaving us behind. Leon places a firm hand on my shoulder. "Don't let it go to your head. That's how you get killed. Trust me." He removes his hand and raises his gun, entering the classroom, moving quickly. No doubt to catch up to Helena.

I enter the actual classroom; I say that because it actually looks like one. Sort of. The tables are long so the students are forced to sit next each other and share it instead of having their own seat like a desk provides. Guess it's the school's way of making people socialize. It sucks in my opinion. I like having my space.

Dried blood covers the walls, the floor, the ceiling, hell even the chalkboard. The hell went on in here? Some kind of massacre? Did everyone who was in this room attack each other or something? Fuck. I'm really glad I never leave my room, most of the time anyway.

I turn at a grunt to see Leon deliver a roundhouse kick to a zombie. Damn. Once the creature was on the ground he pulls out a knife and stabs it through the head. Again, damn. Exhaling, he straightens from his kneeling position and beckons toward the side door with his head.

Helena walks past him and opens them, revealing another hall. Yeah. There are lots of halls here. She sighs. It sounds exasperated. She briefly shakes her head and walks off. The fuck is her problem?

Following the two, I realize where we're headed. Crap! More stairs! I groan as Helena opens the next door, revealing the stairs that lead to the bottom floor of the university. "What is it?" Leon questions, his gaze on me. I pout. "I hate stairs." The two glance at one another and shake their head, descending afterwards. Groaning one last time I follow. Just kill me now. Please. I'd rather death than stairs!

I exhale sharply as I rush after them both. Why the fuck are they running down the stairs? What kind of person does that? Jesus, the fire in my legs. My bat is dragging behind me, the edge hitting the back of my ankle. Oh, I think I'm going to die.

"I wonder if there are any survivors" Leon says. Normally I'd say something but my mind is on breathing and not falling. They reach the bottom first. Leon stops at the doorway to wait for me.

Just as I reach him he raises the gun and opens fire. I drop to my knees out of instinct. "Shit!" There's a moan behind me. The fuck? I look and see two zombies melting away. Oh shit. I turn to Leon who has lowered his gun. "Thanks" I breathe out. Guess I owe him for saving me from being zombie chow.

Gunshots sound just down the hall. Leon whips around, "Helena." Hey yeah, where was she? He takes off past the open doors. I get up with a grunt and follow as quick as I can muster. Can't shake the notion that if I don't keep up I'll be left behind.

We head down the hall, feels like we've been doing that a lot lately, and turn a corner to find Helena finishing off a group of zombies by shooting one and stomping on the final one's head. Damn. Bitch is hardcore.

Panting, she looks up at us. Leon moves to her side, "You okay?" She nods, "Yeah. Come on. We're wasting time." Sharing a brief glance, the two turn toward the door where they proceed to kick it open. Uh… why are they suddenly doing that?

Pushing that aside, I look past the doors. My eyes widen. Oh yes! Freedom! I never thought I'd be so happy to see the outdoors! I run outside and inhale deeply, exhaling seconds after. Wow, the field or green area as some people called it was decorated quite nicely. Beautiful lights, banners and balloons hung all around. It all looked so festive. It was actually kind of pretty.

"Sofia?"

I turn back to look at Leon.

"Where is the security gate? It'll lead us off the campus."

I already know that but how does he? Ah well, it doesn't matter. The gate's locked. This campus had pretty tight security. "It's just down the field but it's locked. It's after curfew."

Helena's sigh is aggravated, "What do we do?" Leon reaches up toward his ear, "Hunnigan, any ideas?" Who the fuck is Hunnigan? Do they have some kind of communicator in their ears or something? Because that would totally explain how Leon knows things about this place he shouldn't know. Oh wait, he was with the president… oh god, I'm such an ass. He's secret service. Of course he would know the layout of the school. Duh.

"Alright." He turns his gaze to me, "Do you know where the staff building is?"

Is he kidding? "Why the fuck do you want to go there? We just saw from the cameras that the zombies are in there!"

"It's a risk we'll have to take."

"But…" I whimper, "W-why do we even have to take it? And what do you mean, we?"

"Do you want to get out of here?" Helena asks. I can see her exasperation. "Well yeah" I reply, "But I just don't see why we have to walk into certain death. Don't you have some type of tech support? Can't they open the gate?"

Leon shakes his head and I sigh. Ah fucking shit. First I had to risk the trip down to the basement where they kept the generators just to turn on the power for the elevator and now this. Ugh. "Fine" I grumble as I start to walk. "Can't believe we're going towards the danger instead of away from it." My sigh sounds more like a scoff. "Unbelievable."

I stop as we reach the staff building. "Well… here it is." I gaze upon the building. It's so dark and… sinister looking. "I'll wait here for you guys."

"No" Leon says. "It's better if we all stick together." He cocks his gun and motions toward the doors with his head. The hell does that mean? Helena moves past me. I watch as the two kick the doors in.

"Keep that trigger finger ready. Never know what's around the next corner. Sofia, stay close to me."

"Got it" Helena and I reply regarding Leon's orders. My eyes stay on the few so corpses sprawled on the floor as we make way down the dark corridor. I spot Mark and Carl. The lump in my throat is hard to swallow. Oh god, look away.

Helena reaches the door first. Crap! I forgot this door needs a key code. Only teachers and staff knew it. I jump from a sudden blaring alarm. Shit! She must've pressed something! "Fuck!" I shout as I cover my ears. Helena continues to press buttons. "If it didn't work the first time it sure as hell isn't going to the second!" I scream. We turn at the sound of groans. Fucking shit.

Leon moves to the window. Helena hurries to the other. Uh, not that I'm an expert but is that really a smart thing to do? Wouldn't it be safer to stay away from the windows? "Sofia, stay where you are" Leon orders. Pfft, you don't have to tell me twice.

The groans grow louder. Oh shit. That can't be good. "Hunnigan, the door's locked! There's no way out!" Leon voices as he starts shooting. Helena does the same. The rest of the windows shatter suddenly as zombies jump through. Fucking shit!

I swing my bat and strike the nearest zombie, watching as it stumbles back. Another strike and its head bursts. Good thing the zombies' bodies are plushy so they're easy to kill. It's just the fucking volume of them. That's how they get you!

"There's so many! We can't take em' all!" Helena shouts.

"Now we know where all the infected were hiding out!"

"The fuck you talking about Leon? We always knew! I fucking told you!" I yell swinging wildly, hitting anything that gets near. Fuck my arms are getting tired. I swing at another zombie. My bat breaks in half. Ah! Fuck!

"Help me!" Helena yells. I turn to see her taking on two zombies. Oh shit. Leon's pained cry gets my attention next. I see him stumbling with a zombie on his back. "I need backup!" More and more infected enter. Fucking shit! It looks like I don't have a choice. Fuck! I'm going to regret this, I just know it.

Focusing on Leon, I flick my hands in his direction. The zombie he struggled with bursts into flames, leaving a small fiery explosion in its place which then fades into nothing. He sits up and looks at me with wide eyes and a shocked expression. Guess the cat's out of the bag.

Helena's yelps cause him to whip around and me to look up. She was surrounded. He rushes to her aid, delivering a roundhouse kick and freeing her of the assault. They move and stand back to back, firing their guns. I growl in frustration as the zombies don't seem to let up. Fuck, where are they all coming from?! I flick my hands again and again, blowing up zombie after zombie.

I guess I could have said something to Leon back in the security office. I mean I guess I should have, but it's really not something one mentions so casually. What was I even going to say, 'Hey, guess what, with a simple hand gesture I can either freeze or make anything explode?' Yeah, no.

There's a sudden weight on me. I stumble forward, my hands waving and causing a small explosion that shatters a window near Leon. Ah, fucking zombie, get off! I struggle with it, holding its head back to keep it from biting me. Its disgruntled moans are so loud in my ears it makes me shudder.

Fucking shit, it won't get off! I hear a single shot fired and the weight of the zombie is suddenly gone. I glance back to see it melting away. What? I look back to see Leon aiming his weapon in my direction. I nod my thanks. He simply looks away and continues to shoot. "Any day now Hunnigan! We gotta get out of here!" he kicks a zombie away, missing the other coming at him.

I flick my hands again, freezing it in midair before it could reach him. I can see it catches him off guard, his expression stunned for a short moment before going hard, almost rigid. Using the butt of his gun he smashes the zombies head and then looks at me. "Move!" he shouts as he rushes me with Helena behind him.

I kick the door open and shuffle inside. Helena slams the door behind her. Unfortunately it wasn't quick enough. The horde of zombies behind us pushes against the door to force it open. Helena and Leon throw themselves and press up against it, groaning as they fight to shut it. "Sofia!" Helena yells. Quickly, I act and blow up the zombies, the door slamming shut seconds later.

Helena quickly bolts it with a plank of wood and kicks the door in frustration. "It's just one surprise after another!" Leon pants as he steps back away from the door. Helena and I say nothing. He suddenly turns his gaze on me and I gulp. "You," He steps toward me. I step back in response. "You want to explain to me what the hell you did back there?"

I hear it in his voice and see it in his narrowed eyes, he's fuming.

I swallow, "I saved your lives."

"Don't get smart with me."

I sigh. "I told you I could take care of myself."

"You also said you weren't infected."

I shake my head, "I'm not infected."

"No?" Leon says cynically, "Were you just born being able to do that?"

"I-I don't know. I-it's just something that happens."

He laughs derisively, "Right," and shakes his head with a scoff.

"I'm not infected! How can I be? I didn't breathe in the fog!"

"You're infected!" His voice is loud. "You were infected this whole time!"

I retract in fear. He was livid and it was frightening. Helena steps in front of me, "Wait a minute Leon-"

"Why didn't you tell us?!"

Again, I swallow, "I—I don't know…"

"Why, Sofia!"

"I was afraid, okay! This isn't really something you tell people about!"

"It is when you're a potential threat to them!"

I flinch at that. That was a little uncalled for. I was only trying to help. Why is he so angry?

He shakes his head, staring at me with… disdain… or disgust… I'm not sure, but either way it's not a good look. "Did you infect yourself?"

I don't know why but that strikes a nerve so I step out from behind Helena and face him, pushing him back forcefully. "Hey fuck you man!" He stumbles and I continue. "I haven't done shit to myself or you. If anything I fucking saved you. I didn't ask for this. And I sure as hell didn't ask for you to play hero!"

"Enough!" Helena interjects, stepping up once more. I glance back at her. Her face shows her frustration. "We're wasting time. We need to keep moving." Turning to her, Leon holds her gaze then looks at the floor as if deciphering. Moments later he looks back to her, nodding. "You're right."

He says nothing in regard of me and turns away instead. Fucking asshole. To think I was actually starting to get attached to him. It's my own damn fault for letting my guard down. "The key card to the gate should be somewhere in here. Good luck."

A hand is placed over my shoulder as I turn to leave. The action was familiar and so was the deep voice. "I said I was going to help you." I sigh loudly. "Yeah well, I'll take my chances." He sighs too, "Listen, I've dealt with this type of chaos for years," he pauses. I look at him. He looks as if he's choosing his words carefully. "The reason I asked if you infected yourself…" he exhales, "Is because I've seen it done before."

As much as I wanted to ask what exactly that meant, I felt it was more important to say something instead. "I swear, I didn't. I didn't even know I was infected. I just thought it was… normal, I guess."

"How did it…" Helena trails off, probably unsure of how to finish.

"Happen?" I finish for her, "I wish I knew. I've been this way most of my life. The day of the outbreak in Raccoon City and losing my parents is all I can remember. Nothing else. Not why or how…"

"That plant." Leon speaks, "Show me."

"Um, okay…" I look past them and spot the plant sitting in the corner, flicking my hand and destroying the pot.

"You control it" Leon says. It sounded like statement that was more for him than for me.

I shrug and rub the back of my head. "I guess I do. Although I'm not exactly sure how. Hell, it's taken me a long time to learn. My guess is its some kind of conscious act of will or something. It's like I have to want it, like I have to feel it. Hand gestures are the only way I know how to trigger it."

I feel Leon stare at me and meet his gaze. For the longest time he stares. It starts to feel a little weird after a while and with time I can see his eyes begin to soften as if his anger with me is melting away. Did I say or do something? "I'm sorry Sofia" he says softly. His hand squeezes my shoulder. "I said I was going to get you out of here and I intend to do it. You're not leaving my side."

Alright, I don't understand. First he scolds me, then he threatens me, and now he's not going to let me leave? What the fuck? Is he bipolar or something? I sigh. Fuck it. I'm tired of trying to rationalize everything. "Fine. Whatever, I'm getting a headache." I walk away and start to look around the teacher's lounge. The fucking darkness sure isn't helping. All I can see is a bench, a vending machine, and three desks. Stupid key card could be anywhere. I check the drawer of the first desk.

"What are you doing?" That was Helena. "Looking for the key card" I reply without looking up. Footsteps and the sound of drawers opening sound moments later. It's safe to assume they're helping me search. I hear Leon sigh. "Nothing. Helena?"

"No. Nothing."

If there's nothing here, it's probably in the backroom. I came here once or twice with a teacher so it's somewhat familiar territory. I'd have put in the door code had I gotten the chance but miss agent here isn't very patient. Stepping over the corpse on the floor, I make my way past the door and into the next room.

We repeat the process of search and come up empty handed. I sigh in frustration. Where the hell could it be? I think for a second. There's a third room, it's small and serves as a kind of spare room… fuck it, why not?

The small red light in the corner of the room illuminates the area just enough to see that the keycard rests on a bookshelf and below it lies a corpse. Oh yeah, nothing suspicious about that. Pfft. Like hell I'm going near it. I step further into the room to allow the other two entry. When I look back I only see Leon. Guess Helena stayed behind.

"Is that it?" he queries. I simply nod and don't even look at him. It's still iffy between us. Least that's how I feel. He may have apologized but I'm still mad at him. He exhales and approaches the shelf cautiously. My eyes stay on the body. It's going to move, isn't it? Fuck, I know it is. It's like a scary movie, minus the sex. The fucking thing has to move.

The corpse lunges and pulls Leon down as soon as he grabs the keycard. I knew it! I fucking knew it! I jump instinctively and flick my hands. The zombie blows up in seconds. Leon groans as he stands. "Thanks."

He leads the way back out but stops at a few zombies standing at the door, our only way out. I hear him sigh and cock his gun. "Helena." She moves to stand by his side, copying his actions. He turns to me. "Stay close Sofia." He then takes the lead again, shooting to clear up the exit. Throughout the field zombies wavered about and one by one they each fell at the hands of either me, Leon or Helena. They weren't really hard to miss, what with all their snarling and groaning. Once we reach the gate, Leon slides the card and the gate lifts up. Oh thank god we made it, I think as we enter. The gate quickly slides down behind us.

I see Helena walking toward the metal detectors. Oh Not good. "No, wait!" Too late. The alarm goes off. "That's all we need" she comments. Fucking shit, now she did it. At the snarls, I look past the gates and see a large crowd of hungry zombies running toward us, flocking around the gate. Holy mother of fucking shit… that's a lot of infected. Fuck…. I raise my hands, flexing my fingers. This is going to take some extra fire power.

"Forget them!" Leon shouts, "Move!" He grabs my arm and yanks me back, pulling me along with him. Helena stood at the back end of the building, finishing up a zombie. Leon moves to her side and the two kick the doors open. I can hear glass breaking. More zombies, great! Looking at the two buildings I knew the parking lot was just up ahead. Argh, we're so close!

"Move!" Leon shouts. The two run without hesitance, jumping over the railing. Somehow managing to keep up, I jump the rail and join them up against the large horde of infected. There's just way too many. Shit! I'm actually starting to think we're not going to make it.

"A cop car! Let's go!" Helena shouts. What? Really? I look and spot a police car parked just down the street. Oh sweet baby Jesus! We haul ass. Leon reaches the car first. He throws the driver's door open and swoops in. Helena runs to the passenger's side. Guess that leaves me in the back.

I rush into the car, slamming the door and locking it. "Dammit, no keys!" Leon exclaims. Oh of course! Of course the keys aren't in the ignition! The car is immediately surrounded and rocks harshly. Oh fuck… getting motion sickness… going to be sick… ugh, stupid persistent undead!

"Are you sure?"

"I'm looking! What about the glove compartment?"

"No, nothing!"

"Jacking a car isn't as easy as it looks in the movies! At least the wipers work."

I can't help but chuckle at Leon's comments. To keep a sense of humor and crack jokes during an apocalypse was a pretty hard thing to do. Kind of admirable too.

"Should we hot wire it?"

Does either of them even know how to do that?

"Hold on…" Leon says as he unfolds the visor, "Found the keys!"

Thank God! I grow giddy as the engine ignites and the car comes to life. I shout for Leon as his window bursts, a cop breaking through and wrapping his arms around his neck. Leon shifts the gear into drive and hits the gas, crashing into a wall. The action causes me to jerk back into the seat.

"It's clear behind us, back up!"

I jerk forward from the collision. Goddamn it man!

"You buckled in?"

"Yeah."

"Sofia?"

I shake my head with a groan and straighten up, "What the hell does that even matter?! Just drive!"

"Sofia!"

I'm stunned. Both of them had yelled at me. Both.

"I'm not moving until you buckle up!"

Groaning in annoyance at Leon, I sit back, buckling up quickly, "There! Drive!"

"Hold on!" he says as he speeds off with a loud screech. He makes a sharp turn and before I know it we're out and home free.

We made it. Holy crap. We actually made it. We did it!

"We made it off campus. Now we just gotta get through town…"

Huh? Come again? Did Leon just say get through town?

"Without getting killed."

What now?

A zombie pops its head in through the broken window causing Helena and I to gasp. The car screeches yet again as Leon swerves hard. Oh shit! He's going to lose control! I brace myself, closing my eyes.

I hear the car crash and roll. I even hear the explosion, but I don't feel anything. Did I die? Did I seriously just die? Motherfu—Oof! There's the impact. Never mind. I'm alive…

I open my eyes to find Leon and Helena sliding out from the wrecked car, standing to their feet with their backs bent over in pain. Oh thank god they were alive. I sigh in relief, groaning aloud almost immediately at the unbearable pain running course. Fuck…

"Sofia," I hear Leon say, "Hang on…"

There's a scuffling sound and before I know it Leon's face appears beside me. "Are you okay?" I turn to him, "What? Uh, yeah, I think so." I look him over, his face is contorted in pain. His forehead is running with sweat and his eyes look exhausted. Fuck, poor guy looks beat up. "Are you okay?" I ask.

"No need to worry about me" he says.

"And Helena?"

"Standing guard."

I look past him and see her feet a ways from the car. I guess she's okay too. Damn. I mean, yay. Yay. She's alive, yay. I blink. Where in the hell did that come from? That was unexpected. Jeez. Feeling a tug, I turn my attention back to Leon and see that he's cutting the strap that's keeping me restrained and practically dangling. "W—what are you doing?"

"Seatbelt's broken" he replies. He grunts then and I fall forward with a heavy thud, crying out in pain. "Sorry" he says. I hear shuffling then followed by a, "Here, I'll help you." Somehow, with this tiny cramped space, I manage to turn over onto my knees. Leon is kneeling by the broken window with his hand outstretched. So that's how he got in here.

"Careful" he says, watching me crawl out toward him. I take his hand and he pulls me out with a grunt. Jesus, where does this guy find the strength? I stand to my feet, feeling an instant wave of unsteadiness, and fall back against the car. I can feel Leon's hand on my shoulders. "Hey, you alright?"

I shake my head in attempts to clear it. "Yeah… just got dizzy… all of a sudden…"

"It'll pass" he says.

"Leon."

Both he and I turn at Helena's call. "It's Hunnigan." He nods and leaves my side, approaching her. His hand goes to his ear. "Hunnigan…"

I stop listening then, focusing instead on making my dizziness stop. Ugh, what a terrible feeling. A throbbing pain in my head… the floor's moving… nausea… I close my eyes. God, I hope this is normal for a first car accident.

"Hanging in there. But we need another way to the cathedral."

What? What's Leon on about? Cathedral? Why the hell do they want to go there? That wasn't exactly close. The next words from Leon's mouth fill me dread and completely sober me up. "The sewers huh? Great."

Wait, what? Sewers? Oh hell no.