"Damn it! I'm late". Kevin Watson was on his way to the Raccoon City Police Department and looking at his watch, he didn't have much time to get there.
After a few too many snoozes, his alarm clock had woken him up at eight-thirty giving him just enough time to shower, dress and jump into his jeep. He hadn't even had time to eat breakfast yet and the snack machine at the station just wouldn't cut it.
It was another evening job that he'd been signed up for, which he hated the most. Evenings were for rest and relaxation not for racing in Raccoon City. He now had just ten minutes to make a twenty-minute journey so a stop at Remy's seemed out of the question considering the typical rush-hour traffic. After looking at the low fuel gauge in his jeep Kevin decided to stop at the gas station to fill up his jeep for work. After all, he didn't want to be in a situation where he had no fuel during a chase. Maybe I'll get something from the store here to eat on the way, at least until lunchtime anyway.
He filled up the jeep and went inside to pay, grabbing a blueberry muffin from one of the shelves as well as nice cold bottle of Coke. He took out his wallet from his navy uniform pants and took out some money ready to pay. But when he reached the counter there was nobody there to serve him. "Hello? Is anybody there? I'll just leave the money on the counter. Keep the change."
But as he turned to walk away, he heard someone calling, their voice weak and strained. "Wait…there…" Kevin turned back toward to counter to find a pale-faced man about thirty looking back at him from behind the counter.
"Are you okay?" Kevin asked. By the look of the man he looked very sick, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, his eyes red and bloodshot. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"
"No I'm fine…it's just a cold". The man said struggling to breathe.
"You don't look fine to me. I'm taking you to the hospital right now." And with that the man fell to the floor, eyes closed, as though he was asleep. Kevin shoved his arms under the man's arms and picked him up, throwing him over his shoulder. He didn't weigh much; about eight stone at the most, when he was healthy, but his illness had reduced his weight drastically.
Kevin jogged to the back door of the garage shop and pushed it open with his free shoulder. Then he was running to the jeep, putting the man in the back and setting off for the hospital.
Oh crap! What about the gridlock traffic? You're a cop remember! Use the siren. He opened the glove box and took out the red light and placed it on the roof of the jeep. "We should be there in no time", he said to the man, who looked a lot worse than he had a minute ago. I just hope I can get there in time.
However, when he turned down Prescott Street he wasn't met with the usual gridlock traffic, instead the place seemed disturbingly deserted. As though the clocks had been turned back and he was the only one who didn't know.
Kevin tried to shake off the feelings of tension knotting his stomach as he ran his fingers through his short brown hair. I guess I'll be able to make it to the hospital a lot faster. I just hope he's okay back there. He hasn't woken up yet though. If I get him there in time he should be fine…I hope.
Where is everybody? Cindy Baker thought to herself as she walked through the glass door of Remy's. It was an old-American style diner, open 24-7, selling burgers and chips. Most of the people that came by here were out-of-towners looking for a quick meal before setting off for work. But now, at eight-thirty in the evening, the place was deserted.
Cindy liked working here because everyday was different. There was always a new face around the place bringing their stories with their appetite, stories about their culture, which was so different to hers. It was a welcome change to hearing about city life. She longed to get away from Raccoon City. After all, she was only working at the diner until she had enough money to leave. But this place held her back, the interesting lifestyle she had was so different to the monotonous lifestyle waiting to consume her when she left.
Walking over to the staff station of the diner, she noticed how untidy the place was. Menus were scattered across the floor as well as a few knives and forks. It had never been like this before. If everybody had left to go home they would have at least cleaned the place up a bit. But they couldn't have left, Cindy thought. The sign says 'OPEN'.
Convinced that the diner wasn't closed, Cindy continued her search for her other co-workers. Even her best friend, Rose, who worked the same shift as her wasn't there to greet her as usual. Where is she? Where is everybody? What's going on around here? It's as though everyone's left and nobody's told me.
What about the kitchen? Maybe Mr Clark's around. Mr Clark was her boss and an all round Mr nice guy. If Cindy or any of the other employees were being hassled he would quickly come to their rescue. He was in his early-forties and still had a great sense of humour. Even though he had recently had a divorce with his wife there was always a smile on his face.
She reached the kitchen door and opened it slowly, cautiously, to see what was behind it-
And Cindy froze-
Her best friend was laying still on the floor of the kitchen her eyes glazed open, her expression shocked. Cindy almost threw up at the sight of her best friend lying there helpless. They'd know each other since high school, were going to leave Raccoon City together and get away from it all. But not anymore! Who could have done this? Anger welled up inside Cindy as tears rolled down her face. "Who would do such a thing to an innocent young woman and why?"
As she stepped closer towards her friend's corpse she had to close her eyes in disgust, trying to block out what she had just seen. Chunks of flesh from the back of Rose's neck had been ripped out, bite marks framing the wounds.
BANG! Cindy jumped as her boss came through the kitchen door. "Mr Clark?" Cindy shouted, confused by the expression on his face, his eyes white and lifeless as though his mind was somewhere else. But there was no answer. If anything he came at her faster. She had to get out of the way and fast.
There was an emergency exit at the back of the kitchen to the right, but would I make it in time? She didn't care. It was her only hope of escaping. Then she was up, running for the green door at the back that would save her, doubt filling her mind. What if it's locked? What happened to Mr Clark? What's going on?
Finally she reached the door after what seemed like hours rather than seconds. Her heart was beating faster and faster, adrenaline pumping around her body, the fear of near death pushing her further.
He's coming closer. I'm going to die. She dared herself to look back at her pursuer, a completely different person to the one she knew. And Rose was on her feet coming towards her too. Her eyes filled with the same mindless white, wearing the same glazed over expression that Mr Clark wore and suddenly Cindy didn't know what to do.