Hello, this is Horong (duh) and I'm back on my feet. It's ironic that I'm like that when I'm in my worst flu, but I'm just bipolar like that. Let's try to continue on and hopes that it stays that way. Again, I thank you for sticking with me and appreciate your readership, wherever you are *double pointers + winks*

8 October 2012

Summary: Just weeks after defeating Wesker, the same threat that hit Kijuju has hit the United States of America from the bottom of the country with a big blow. As agents in the B.S.A.A. North American branch, Chris Redfield and his newly recovered partner Jill Valentine have to respond immediately to a minor case in a secluded town in the north-east of the country before it gets out of hand. Alex Shepherd was the first person he met in the town. This mission would shake Chris's soul like never before, which he did not realize was the same the other way round.

Disclaimer: All respective characters unless created by own are property of Capcom or Konami, used on basis of fanwork.

WARNING: Do not read on if you are appalled by possible depiction on themes of death, depression and explicit abnormal sexual behaviour ('Possible' as this is currently a work-in-progress). Read at your own risk.

To previous and new readers, Sachael In Purgatory is a SERIES now, and this story shall be called "Agnus Dei"

Genres: Mystery, Angst, Supernatural, Suspense, Horror, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Romance and Tragedy.

Notes: 'Fanwork' indeed. Truth be told, I'm embarrassed that I have written this. Yes. Embarrassed. Not because anyone forced me to, but it is on what my mind has come down to and the twisted way it thinks. So if anyone at all who had anything to do with the development of the games, I apologize first-hand that I have defiled your masterpieces. Hontou ni Gomenasai! m(_ _)m

Well, for the others, read on, I guess. It's damn long and I appreciate your attention and comments if you'll have them.

Sachael In Purgatory: Agnus Dei

Chapter 1: Sachael

Finally. They've arrived in the town where they were called to. "Shelley Valley", one big word above the other adorned the worn tile-plated welcoming sign.

Chris had to chuckle. He wasn't the comedic type, but that was one awful wordplay, and a really funny name to give to a place.

"Well, I guess the celebration over Wesker's is over. There's still the party to clean up."

Chris turned his head to Jill, eyes looking away to where his brain contemplated the tricky remark his most trusted partner just made.

"Yeah…I guess…"

He couldn't believe that just weeks after Wesker's death, the test grounds they fought in and around Kijuju were happening in here – America. The land of the free. The land of the brave.

His homeland.

After what they identified as a major source of the bio-terrorism problem – Albert Wesker, was defeated at the volcano, it was more like killing the beastmaster and letting his beasts loose than saving the world. Maybe after Wesker's death, everything under his control has broken free and now they're down in Florida and the southern regions, Chris thought.

Taking their bags with them, they entered the motel or an inn pre-booked for them. The place didn't have any name or sign or brand or anything of that matter to show its affiliation or the place's function, which is good in a way, because they needed their entry to the town to be as unnoticeable as possible. But something about that inn was unique though. It had a lot of blue roses on its flower plots. Jill wasn't even sure if the colour fit the inn, but it was pretty enough.

"Good evening," greeted a twenty-something young man wearing a rather dull beige coat. But it complimented the brown wooden counter he was standing behind. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Chris for whatever reason decided to look upon the other's features. Something about the man really caught his eye. He couldn't really tell what was going through his head at the moment. He turned to look at Jill and was surprised to see that Jill was pinching her chin, also scanning the man up and down. The observed subject realized what they were doing but appeared not to be uncomfortable.

"He kinds of remind me of you when you were younger…" Jill glanced to her partner and back to the man again. "Yes. I guess that's it. Don't you think so Chris?"

The moment the younger man heard it, his eyes immediately widened at the sight of Chris's large biceps. His facial expression immediately drew a loud, hearty laugh from Chris, who scratched his head in embarrassment as he did so.

"Come on, don't make a face like that!" Chris tried to calm himself down while trying to avoid the resulting awkwardness by looking at Jill.

She spared him a quick look and went on to tease the younger man with a playful alluring gaze. "Only that he's more gorgeous than you."

"Hey!" Chris made a face and chuckled.

Before Chris could protest any further, a door opened and a voice called for their attention.

"Welcome to the Shelley's Inn, people. You must be Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine?"

"Yes, sir. You must be the one who requested our aid?" Chris held out his hand to the mature black man who greeted them.

"Yes, thanks for coming," the older man shook their hands firmly. "Name's Wheeler. Deputy Sherriff round this region. Never thought that I'd be requesting from the government for this, but you two look honest enough."

Jill and Chris turned to look at each other, confused. "Ahh forget it. It'll take forever to explain these things, and even harder to convince you. So let's get to business then, 'cause this is serious. Or it's going be. At least you've arrived fast enough and I thank you for that."

"We're from the North American branch of the B.S.A.A. It's only natural we arrive speedily in a northern region sir, we're sorry for the numbers though. But I assure you it's enough to handle the task at hand," Chris replied.

"No, don't worry about it; it's perfect," said Wheeler. "This few people are perfect to avoid panic of the townsfolk."

"In the report you said you were sure that it was the Las Plagas?" Jill questioned.

"Damn sure, my lady," the deputy shook his head, talking quickly. "Never seen anything like it. I mean, I've seen a lot of monsters in my life but not such as this. They were so human!"

"Now you know what we're up against. How did you find out they were monsters then?" Chris asked.

Motioning his head to the man at the counter, he said: "Happened about more than a week ago. My boy right there shot this man who was grappling me. Headshot and the brains busted. A freaking four-leaf clover of meat popped out of the neck shrieking and then the whole body disintegrated! Shiiit. And just when I thought for once I could collect evidence!"

Chris nodded. "Then it is confirmed then. Glad some Americans are paying attention to what we're doing."

"Hey, that's just me. I'm not a person to trust widely spread news. It's the uncommon information that's got my interest. Let's hope that this trait that got me called a conspiracy theorist and a nut would help save the country. Or this town…or the neighbouring one, anyway."

"You encountered only one?"

"Yes, soldier. But I'm paranoid enough with only one. If they're all in South, what's a zombie doing far up in the north-east here in Maine? Sounds like either the south is a diversion or someone's taking the opportunity of the chaos to brew something up here."

Chris and Wheeler exchanged information anxiously. It was certain that he'll have to find out if there's more. And if there were more of these infected, Chris had to stay longer to find out why.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Jill tapped the man behind the counter who has been quiet for the duration of the conversation. The man snapped from what seemed to be a daze.

"Uh-…huh? I'm sorry."

"Are you alright?" Jill asked with caution, almost as if she was trying not to injure the man.

"Oh, him," Deputy Wheeler's voice grew softer. "Sorry, you two. He's had it pretty hard." He cleared his throat. "Come on, let's go to the office to discuss the case. And hey, Alex."

"Yeah?"

"You should go rest now. You've even prepared their rooms so I don't see the reason for you to stay up."

The man named Alex nodded lightly. "Alright," He turned to face the visitors. "If you need any help though-" He stopped at these words when his sight landed on Chris. Immediately focusing on Jill, he continued: "I mean, if there's anything, I'll be in Room 602-"

"Alright already, boy! Get up there already! Haven't you done enough?" Wheeler shooed.

"Okay okay." Alex popped up the stairs like a child escaping playfully from his spanking; just without the "I'm busted" expression. "Goodnight, Deputy…and thanks. You know, for everything."

"It's Wheeler! Now go sleep already, boy!" The Deputy put his hands on his hips. The slightly startled man scurried up the stairs. Jill snorted with the chuckle she tried to hard hold in. "He's just too adorable," Jill giggled with her hand clasping on her mouth. Chris thought he looked like a frightened puppy. He wondered if Jill thought the same.

Deputy Wheeler shook his head and chuckled with a mix of satisfaction and frustration. "Let's go to the office."

Upon entering the room, Jill commented with curiosity and surprise: "Seriously?" The sixth floor? By the stairs?"

Chris came into realization of Jill's observation. "Hey, you're right. He's going to walk all six floors? Isn't the elevator in the lobby working?"

"Trust me, the elevators work just fine. But you won't need them much since you live in the second floor, and that boy just has this fear of riding them elevators." Deputy Wheeler shook his head. "Wonder what's wrong with his head. There, please make yourselves comfortable."

"I mean, sorry for being nosy and out of topic Deputy, but…" Jill said as they all sat on the sofas. "Is he really alright? I mean…he looked really…how do I put it…"

"Sad?" Chris suggested. Jill nodded in surprise. "Well I'm not the one to discuss about stuff like feelings and emotions, but I guess everybody could see that when you shook him."

"I just touched him, Chris." Jill made her statement matter-of-factly.

"Alright, alright. I'm not accusing you of having an interest in him!" Chris laughed.

"Hey!"

Deputy Wheeler chuckled. "Well, I have to apologize to you both. As I said, he's gotten it pretty hard."

"And as I said, he has more gorgeous looks than you," Jill again teased by eyeing Chris with a smirk for a split second and asking the Deputy a question before Chris could protest: "He's not bad, Deputy. What's his name?"

"Just call me Wheeler if you want to. There's no need to be so formal if you don't feel like it," the man lighted a cigarette, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly - just like a huge sigh. Chris couldn't help but feel that he could respect the police officer not only as a man on faithful duty, but also as a human being. He could tell that the African-American genuinely cared for the counter guy. And that counter guy…Alex, was it? Him? Well…he just looked…

…sad. There were just no other words to describe it. Well, maybe 'tired'. He didn't look very spirited. No biggie there. He just shot a man dead and witnessed a monster popping out right in front of him, after all. And Alex's face when Chris saw him greeting them on their arrival was deeply etched into his memory. That look in his eyes…He's a good guy, Chris thought. He could just feel it. It's a man's thing. But there is just something about Alex that he couldn't put into words. There is something unique about how Alex carries himself and the aura around the guy. But what was it? He was curious to know, because that man's gaze is eye-catching. Every time when their sight connected it was striking…How could he put it…It was like something struck him and made him uneasy…Whatever that means.

The Deputy let out another sigh; this time more of relief from the cigarette, as he put it down. "That fine young man," Wheeler finally responded as Jill and Chris sat quietly with interest. "Is Alex Shepherd. And he's joining us in our operation."

TBC

Dear Silent-Sarcasm – I have nothing to say to you, 'thankyou' is not even enough. I'm sorry and thanks.

Dear TP – Yes, I've been doing it again and now I'm very satisfied with what I have but it's not on paper yet, I hope you've been good, bro! Doing great, I mean.

Dear er…Lurker – The story now in FF is practically useless and out of place from what I'm about to edit. But on the pairing inspiration part I think I can answer you that. It HAS a lot of potential, and I just screwed it (lol). I think even you can feel that. WeskerChris is kind of old and I'd prefer more JoshAlex than the other way around. And incest is not really my turn-on point so there.

Oh, yes. The inspiration part. To me, well. Let's say differences and ironies turn me on a lot (by this I just mean I like it. Damn I use this term a lot); it is real life and no one seems to be aware of it. They are like representations of my own life. It's hard to explain, but it means a lot to me, that's why I don't stop editing until the intended story is out. Back to topic, it's like the both of the pair thought that the other is all what they are not and what they never will be, and you can't argue with that, because in surface and in the complete opposites of their behaviour that is very true.

But they are more alike than they think, and more fitting with each other like a key into the lock than they think, and it's because the one has what the other doesn't.

I hope nothing leaves residual doubts here. Thankyou.