Changes within
"As long as you're here, I'll never find peace…one of must leave this world. And it'll be you…"
The brunette-haired man fired his last bullet in his handgun into his long time enemy's head. The man had an evil smile as he looked down at the blonde-haired man's splattered form.
"Chris, are you alright?"
He looked up at the woman that was his partner during this whole mission. Her face was full of concern.
"Are you okay? We have to leave."
Chris turned his head towards her and gave her a slight growl as an answer. Another woman appeared behind her.
"He was bitten, remember?" The blonde-haired woman said. "We…we have to get him back to HQ."
"I don't need to go anywhere," Chris growled. "We're fine, Jill…"
Jill's voice was full of fear as she approached her life-long partner.
"Chris, we just wanna help…Sheva, get in the helicopter. I'll be there."
Sheva turned around slowly and walked towards the helicopter. Jill turned back around to face Chris. Her voice started to crack.
"Chris, we're in the middle of a volcano that's not far from erupting. We have to go, now!"
Chris' eyes never left the man's dead body.
Wesker, Chris thought angrily. Umbrella will never return. Your thoughts of me dissipate as I hear your last heartbeats turn to quivers. I hope you burn in hell… And he would, literally. Jill continued to nudge Chris.
"CHRIS, WE HAVE TO LEAVE, NOW!"
Chris lifted up head and slowly looked at Jill.
"…Alright, let's go."
Chris started to walk back towards the helicopter. But he couldn't seem to shake the voice that seemed to be consuming his mind.
You can never forget me, the voice taunted. The bite that you wear on your neck is a symbol of what we share…you can't disobey.
Chris held his head in agony as his enemy's voice started getting louder and louder with every syllable.
You can't disobey…I control you. You are my puppet, my creation. And you can't deny it…
Chris' vision turns black in the next instant.
(Next day-Jill)
Jill's body started to shake as she approached Chris' bedroom door. Before she was able to open the door, she heard Chris singing Out From Under by Red.
"So tell me where were you… when everything fell like thunder…I begged you to pull me through…I couldn't get out from under…"
And as she started to open the door, she heard the music slow and a hum as the instrumental played...
"Ahhhh…"
Jill continued to open the door. She saw him shirtless, as well as blood streaming down his neck. It frightened her to see him like this. She grabbed his hands and hugged him with tears streaming down her cheeks before she could stop them.
"Stop it…stop it now…it wasn't your fault, okay…? Just stop hurting yourself!"
Chris looked down at Jill's weeping form. It almost hurt him just to see her cry.
"Jill…"
That was the only thing he could say. He reached into his drawer, pulled out a magnum, and put it in Jill's hand. She looked at the gun in horror and at Chris.
"Chris, what do you expect me to do!" Chris pointed the gun at his head with Jill's hand against his head as well.
"Kill me," he ground out. "Now…"
Jill's face was pale white. She couldn't, not to him…
"I can't do it," She said, looking directly into Chris' face. "I can't...I can't do it…"
Chris stood up from the bed and walked out on the balcony. He shouldn't be out in sunlight yet. Jill followed him.
"Chris, why do you want to kill yourself…?" She hugged him from behind. "I can help you…"
"You can't help me," Chris said, breathing heavily. "I can't stop Wesker's voice…it's like he's not dead…"
Jill wished that she could help, but…she doesn't know what he is now. "Chris…tell me what you are so I can help…"
Chris didn't know what he was. All he kept seeing was Wesker biting deep into his neck. It…haunted him to know that his nemesis had left a part of him inside his own body.
"I don't know…that's why I wanted you to kill me…"
Jill backed away from him and turned away. Again, tears streaked down her face. And Chris could smell them.
"I can't kill you," she said, walking off towards the door. "Because…I love you, Chris Redfield…" She walked out of the bedroom, leaving Chris wide-eyed.
(Claire and Leon)
Claire sighed. She shouldn't be stuck in here. A grocery store, nonetheless.
"Leon, come on! We have to leave," She said, worried. "Chris and Jill are waiting back at the house."
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Leon said, rushing. "What's wrong with him, anyway?"
"That's why I'm in such a rush. Let's leave outta this store, and let's get going."
They both rushed out of the store, got into Claire's car, and they both drove off.
(Downstairs-Jill)
Jill sat down on a couch downstairs, in the living room. Her tears wouldn't stop flowing…she wished that she could've stopped Wesker before he was able to bite Chris. But, she could only do so much. But-the words that she said before she came downstairs were embarrassing…
I love you, Chris Redfield…
Goodness, it almost made her turn completely red! She lifted up her face and wiped away her tears.
"I can't believe I said those things to him…they weren't bad, but…"
They were your feelings. You can't keep them hidden forever.
Before Jill could sputter at the sound of her conscience giving in, she heard the door ring.
"Coming…"
Her face was in horror as she looked at the all but too familiar face. As soon as she started to scream, the mysterious figure pushed her back inside the house forcefully saying,
"You thought you were rid of me, didn't you?"
As Wesker approached Jill, Chris blocked Wesker's path. Jill was horrified to see how much blood Chris was covered in.
"Chris, what did you do to yourself! And why are you covered in blood!"
Chris didn't move. His body was numb from the blood leaving his body. He was weak enough for Wesker's voice to take hold of him. As soon as he heard the words, "Chris, come here", Chris' body shut down. Jill stood up and backed away from both of them.
"Chris, what's wrong?" Jill asked. "Say something!"
Chris turned around to face Jill-and at that moment, Jill knew exactly what's going on. She started to run, but Chris grabbed her before she could turn around. She started to pull herself away from him, but Chris' grip only tightened around her arm. She yelped.
"Chris, please! Let me go!"
Chris had no more control over his actions. He hated the fact that Wesker had his life in the palm of his hands. He wished he had the strength to force himself to let go of the woman that he loved so much…
"Let go of her!"
Leon and Claire both come rushing in. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"Wesker's supposed to be dead," Leon said, trembling. "Why is he here!"
Claire couldn't focus on anything but her brother.
Why is he covered in blood! Claire thought frantically. Why is he acting like this!
Claire reluctantly aimed her gun at her brother. He didn't even flinch. He just stared at her blankly. Claire's grip on her gun was unwavering, and she wasn't afraid to shoot, either.
"Let Jill go, Chris! I'll have no other choice but to shoot if you don't let her go."
Wesker scoffed and whispered something into Chris' ear. He let Jill go. No one really caught onto this except for Leon. He took a step forward.
"Wesker, you have a lot of explaining to do," He said, trying to keep his heart rate at a minimum. "You obviously did something to Chris, and we wanna know!"
Before Leon could even reach towards his holster, Chris had him pinned down on the ground, delivering crushing blows to his head. Leon was able to block his head from taking all of the damage with his arms. Claire started to shoot, but Chris had immediately gotten up as soon as he heard her finger hit the trigger. He grabbed the gun, elbowed her in her face, and disarmed her. He rammed her into the door shortly after. Jill was still stunned. She didn't even see Chris move across the room. This confirmed her suspicions. She stood up and faced Wesker.
"He's…he's a demonic being, isn't he…?"
Wesker shuffled on his feet. He didn't expect her to pick up on it this fast. Jill wanted an answer, and she wanted it now.
"Is that what he is now!" She yelled. "IS IT? ANSWER ME! OR SWEAR BY GOD, I'LL KILL YOU RIGHT HERE!"
Wesker had an evil smile as he began to answer Jill's question.
"That's exactly what he is. Not a vampire; not a stereo-type; a demonic being. There are significant differences between them."
Jill knew all of the differences between them. Chris' heartbeat would come back. Blood wasn't his main source of food like vampires; he could act like a normal human overtime. His bloodlust would only last for about ten days. Yeah, these are things that she can deal with. But the only thing she couldn't deal with was Wesker's grip on Chris' soul. There was nothing a human could do…unless…
"Chris!"
She grabbed a piece of broken glass and cuts her arm until blood ran down off her arm and on the ground. Chris immediately turned around and walked towards Jill and her bloody arm. Jill didn't flinch as he took her arm and held it against his mouth. She didn't expect him to talk, though.
"J-Jill…I…I can't do this to you…I can't have you suffering at my expense…"
I love you, Chris Redfield…
Those words continued to ring through her mind as she reached to touch his face.
"Chris, it's the only way…please, just do it…I'll be alright…"
Jill's touch comforted Chris. It kept him sane; it kept him…himself; a touch that he just couldn't live without. He touched her hand that was cupped to his face.
I love you, Jill Valentine…
Those words started to ring through his head as he leaned down towards Jill. Claire was busy tending to Leon, who constantly complained about possible broken bones in his arms. Claire helped him to his feet, still looking at Wesker. She wasn't gonna allow Wesker to have his way with her brother, even if he wasn't human. Wesker, on the other hand, couldn't care less about Jill and Chris' moment. Chris' lips were almost touching Jill's until Wesker had grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. Chris grabbed Wesker and threw him on the ground, punching him viciously. Claire and Leon rushed to Jill's aid.
"Jill, are you okay?" Claire asked, patching up her arm. "Are you hurt anywhere else besides your arm?"
Jill shook her head. She continued to look on at the fight breaking out between Chris and Wesker.
"You won't touch her again!"
Chris lifted Wesker up and started swinging him around, ramming him through anything breakable. But, Chris forgot who was in control here, and it wasn't him. Wesker put his feet on the ground and pushed Chris back, creating space between them.
"Enough of the games! It's gone far enough!"
Wesker held out his hand towards Chris. Everyone was puzzled. What did holding out your hand have to do with stopping him? Then, it finally hit them. Chris couldn't hold down his screams of agony. It felt like his insides were being crushed. Jill stood up immediately and rushed to his side.
"Chris!" She held his hand as tightly as she could. "Stop hurting him!"
Wesker put his hand down and Chris' yelling ceased. He looked directly at Jill.
"Next time, he probably won't make it…"
Wesker wasn't faring much better than Chris. He was bloody and parts of bone were sticking out of him. He walked out of the house mumbling only something Jill could only hear.
"You're lucky that was all I did to him. He would be dead by now…" He disappeared soon after.
Jill didn't pay any attention to Wesker's ranting.
If he ever touches him again, I'll kill Wesker myself, Jill thought angrily. But she couldn't leave Chris when he's like this. She started to support him, but Chris refused.
"Just let me stand on my own," He said, trying to stand on his feet. "I can do this…"
He finally stood up on his feet, but not for long. He started to sway on his feet, losing his balance. Jill and Claire quickly rush to hold him up.
"Come on Chris," Claire said. "We're gonna take you up, okay?"
Chris didn't argue. His vision was swimming with black patches. His adrenaline was beginning to wear off.
You are my puppet, my creation…you can't escape…
Chris moaned in pain as they started to take him up the stairs. I love you, Chris Redfield…
His face started to become flushed at the sound of those words. Was she just saying those words? Or did she mean them…?
I love you, Jill Valentine…
Those words in his mind echoed as his eyes rolled back into his head and fainted.
(Flashback)
You will become my puppet, my creation…you can't deny fate…
Chris found himself on the ground, next to Jill. She was whimpering quietly. Chris stood up to help her up, but Jill just backed away from him, horrified. He felt something trickle down his neck. He put his hand near it, horrified as he lifted his hand, which was covered in his own blood. He yelled at the top of his lungs in anger. He continued yelling until it woke him from his freakish nightmare.
"Chris! Chris, wake up!"
Chris woke up in a panic, looking around with his fangs at full length. His panic melted away as he felt a calm, but firm hand touch his shoulder.
Jill, Chris thought, relaxing himself. She's okay…
Chris' eyes started to become clear, with Jill's face being the first thing he saw.
"Jill…are you alright?" He asked, still struggling to see.
Jill nodded. "I'm fine. Why were you screaming?"
Chris closed his eyes and sighs. He just can't seem to shake that nightmarish moment that will stay with him forever… Jill sat on his lap and hugged him tight.
"I know that what happened on that day will haunt you for the rest of your life," She said, still holding him tightly. "But it hurt me as well. I…I couldn't do anything but watch…"
Chris, once again, found his face flushed. Jill was sitting a little too close, and his blood was rushing to some embarrassing places. But, he didn't care. As long as he was with her, everything else in the world didn't really matter. Chris broke out of his musings as he heard the door creak, putting him in instant defense mode. But it was nobody other than his younger sister, Claire.
"Is everything alright?" She said, trying to hide the gun from Chris' view.
Too late. He already knew. Jill jumped out of his arms and went over to Claire.
"He's alright," She said. "He had a bit of a scare. Is she here yet?"
Claire nodded and a mysterious woman appeared. Chris knew exactly who she was. Hell, everyone knew who she was.
"Why are you here, Mickie?"
Mickie didn't respond to his question until she was standing in his line of vision.
"I heard that you weren't human," She said. "I wanted to see how you were holding up."
Mickie was just wearing the casual. Some jeans with a short shirt, along with some short boots. The look of concern covered Mickie's face.
"How are you doing?"
Chris stood up and walked out onto the balcony with Jill. Mickie followed along with Claire.
"Chris, I need to know. It's for you and your friend's safety."
Chris sighed and turned around. "Do you really wanna know?" Chris said with an edge of sharpness in his tone. "It's hell. Wesker was here not too long ago, and he tried to make me cave in. I beat him down badly enough to make him leave, but…"
He grips Jill's hand. "I wouldn't let myself be ruled by my need for blood. Even if they offered it, I wouldn't take it. I'm stronger than that."
Mickie admired his resiliency. But, how long would it last?
"I admire your courage," She said as she sat on the railing of the balcony. "But how long can it last? You can't hold off the need for blood for long."
She was right, and Chris knew it. His need for blood was overflowing at this point. But he could hold it down, just a little longer. Mickie could sense his control slipping. She had to do something.
"Chris, you have to drink it at some point. I'm willing to give you blood if you just let me."
Chris looked at Jill. "Jill…I'm not putting you in danger for something this minor!"
"Chris, this isn't something up for discussion!"
She held up her right arm towards Chris' mouth. Chris's fangs came out on contact.
"Sh-should I do this…?"
He grabs Jill's arm, and she didn't flinch. She knew what would happen as soon as he bit her. He wouldn't change her, but the amount of blood he would take would be large.
Might as well brace for it…
(A few minutes later…)
It felt better to give in to it, Chris thought, frowning at himself. But then again…I would've liked to have held it off a while longer…
He found himself looking at Jill's pale, but strong frame. He knew that she was strong, but her pulse…it was weak. Mickie walked over to him, ensuring him that everything would be alright.
"She knew the consequences behind this," She said, patting him on his back. "Only a person with that loves and cares for you would've done that."
I love you, Jill Valentine…
Those same words came back, but almost shouting at him. Should he tell Mickie? Or should he wait until fate decides?
No, he said with a hiss. I will NOT let fate decide this for me. And I'll be DAMNED if Wesker harms her or anyone again…
He nodded at Mickie's remark. But, something inside of him kept picking at him. And he knew exactly what it was. He groaned at the thought of harming another human being.
"I hate this feeling," He whispered as he walked back onto the balcony. "I wished that I died when I had the gun to my head…"
He closed his eyes as that moment started to replay right in front of him:
I'm reaching into the drawer and pulling out a magnum…Jill holding the gun to my head, but sets it back down, crying…she whispers she loves me before she walks downstairs, weeping…my eyes wide from disbelief. How could I have given up so quickly? Am I that weak now…?
His musings were cut short by a firm hand squeezing his shoulders. It was his sister.
"Chris, there's no reason to kill yourself," she said with a hint of ice in her voice. "Mickie's what you are. She knows exactly what to do."
"She was born a demon," Chris said. "Which means she's never been through this before?"
He finished with a question on purpose. Mickie shook her head.
"I've never been through it, but I have dealt with demons that have. So I do know a lot about what you're going through."
Chris couldn't argue. She's been alive long enough to see his great-grandparents. Maybe even longer. Chris started to ask the question, but his voice was cut off by an all too familiar voice.
You can't deny it, the all too familiar voice taunted as Chris's vision began to blacken once more. If you can let me into your body, I can make all of the pain you feel a memory…
Chris's vision turned to darkness as he felt himself lunging towards Mickie.
(3 hours later…)
Mickie was breathing heavily as she looked at Chris' unconscious body. Wesker had gotten to him again…
"Shit," Mickie said, regaining her composure. "Wesker's breaking him down…we've gotta do something, and fast."
Claire was still trying to catch her breath, even though the fight ended about ten minutes ago. She didn't expect her brother to lunge full force at Mickie like that…but, he's okay now. Nothing to worry about…
"Mickie, what can we do?" She asked. "We don't stand a chance against them!"
"You're right, but I do have some gear and appropriate weapons for you guys to use."
Mickie started to walk out the bedroom and down the stairs, but she noticed Claire wasn't following.
"Claire, he's not gonna get up," she said softly. "It's sunrise. All new demons slumber during the daytime."
Claire cast one more glance at her brother's unconscious body before she followed Mickie to her car.
"These are all state of the art armor and weapons that are found only in the underworld. Take a look." She opened the trunk of her car, which contained multiple types of weaponry and armor.
"Oh my…all of these weapons?"
Claire picked up an H&K PSG-1 rifle and examined the clip inside. The bullets contained a liquid.
"What is the fluid in the tips of these bullets?" Claire asked. "Holy water?"
Mickie laughed at Claire's comment.
Holy water's for vamps, she thought, still laughing. We only adopted this lie just to cover ourselves up.
"No. Holy water's a myth. We use silver nitrate."
Claire's eyes widened. Was she really gonna use silver nitrate on Wesker? And possibly, her brother?
Silver nitrate can be corrosive, she thought, and mouth still agape. But in a demon, the silver nitrate can poison them if shot in the right places…but, I can't use this on Chris! I might kill him!
Next, Claire picked up a Samurai Edge S.T.A.R.S issue handgun, which was also filled with nitrate.
I guess we have no other alternative…
"I'm limiting your weapons to three," Mickie said. "The more weapons you carry, the more of a target you'll become. Pick one more, okay?"
Claire nodded and she picked up the SIG 556 machine gun.
My brother's signature machine gun…
she took her weapons and put them in her holsters.
"When do we go after him?" Claire asked.
Mickie shook her head. "You can't exactly go after Wesker without a plan," she said. "You have to catch him off guard."
"Did I hear something about Wesker?"
Leon came outside with his arms bandaged up. "What's going on?"
"We're gonna go after Wesker when the time is right," Claire said. "And Chris is the bait."
Leon looked back in the house. He didn't hear or see anything out of the ordinary.
"Why Chris?" he said. "Jill would have a fit! It would hurt her to let him go off and give into Wesker on purpose! That'll make the situation even worse!"
Claire began to argue, but she did see Leon's point. Giving Chris to Wesker would be like doing nothing at all for him. Might as well play it safe.
"Alright then, we'll play it safe, alright?"
"And how exactly are you gonna do that?" Mickie asked. "I can't come with you. And Chris is weak from Wesker's attempts to corrupt him. What other choices do you have?"
Claire thought for a long moment. She really didn't have many options left.
"What's going on?"
Jill walked outside and towards the others. "What'd I miss?"
Leon put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Jill, we're going after Wesker. But, we're not just gonna walk in…"
Jill didn't have to hear anymore. She knew what this was all about. She looked at Mickie, who had a semi-sad expression on her face.
"Mickie, what's wrong?" Jill asked. "You look like hell."
"That's because you guys are playing with your lives here," She said. "They aren't human anymore…they could've killed you by now if they wanted to…"
Mickie pulled out a hidden attaché case and pulled out a sheathed sword. She handed it to Jill. "Here, take it with you."
Jill looked at the sword and back at Mickie.
Why are you giving me this? She asked silently. What purpose does it hold? She looked at the sword one more time before asking her question aloud.
"Mickie, why are you giving me this?" She asked. "I don't know how to use it, let alone use a knife."
"It's the same as using a knife. It's just longer, that's all." Mickie sat down on the back seat of her car. "It was my mother's sword…but, I'm entrusting it to you. I'm sure you can handle him if you can just believe that you can wield it."
Jill did believe she could wield it. She just didn't know how to use it. But, there was something that was picking at her ever since she left Africa. She wanted to tell Chris, but she never worked up the courage to tell him…might as well tell the people right in front of her. She took a deep breath before she started speaking.
"Guys…there's something that I need to say…"
"What is it?" Claire asked, concerned. It seemed awkward for Jill to bring up something on short notice.
"It's about what happened in Africa," she said, becoming breathless. "Something horrible…"
Mickie stood up. She was there for a brief period, but she couldn't stay long. She only gave Chris the data that he needed.
"What happened?" Mickie asked. Jill didn't know she was there.
"It happened when I was with Wesker…I didn't recall the events exactly, but…I think he raped me…"
Jill's face was pale and tears started to flood her vision. Everyone was wide-eyed. How could she have hid that from them?
"Guys, I'm sorry for not telling you…I just didn't know how to tell you guys…"
"You should've told me as soon as you were awake."
Jill's stomach almost turned to water as she heard Chris' voice. Her face was whiter than a sheet and she started to become weak.
Do I dare turn around? She thought grimly. Will he hurt me for not telling him…? Will he stay with me?
Chris' voice didn't lower from his sharp tone. "Turn around, Jill."
Jill turned around slowly to face him. When she looked at him, however, she saw he was as pale as she was. His hair was drenched by his sweat, and so was his bloody t-shirt and jeans. But his face had a faint sense of pain and fear hidden. And it was something Jill could only see.
He looks upset, Jill thought, reaching to touch his face. Is he upset with me or with Wesker? Or both…?
Chris touched Jill's hand as a reminder of who he was, regardless of what he's going through. He's still the same Chris Redfield as before. Nothing will change that.
