A/N: Look, another Resident Evil fic. So uncharacteristic for me. :) But I hope you enjoy this. By the way, I don't own anything. Oh, and I realize that it might be a bit confusing, but all will be revealed in time. Uh, just a warning, it jumps between past and present time. You should be able to figure out what has already occurred and what she's trying to change.
Fear.
There's nothing in her mind but fear and panic and an overwhelming sense of dread. She dreads what she knows will happen, and even more so she dreads having to try and stop it. She's lucky she remembers anything, that everything has fallen perfectly into place. And she'd ever-so-lucky that it's still there, at the edge of her mind, the adrenaline and power burning as she walks.
Her heart almost skipped a beat when she saw him again, and she realized it was real. All of it. He was actually there, walking as he had been years ago. Everything was so real, so perfect, from his bright blue eyes to the way he walked. And, for a second, she felt as though she was living a dream.
This would be her last chance, she knew. The last chance to save him and the others she'd failed to save.
Cold, shining metal made up the table in front of her. Beakers were strewn across it, some broken, others intact. Multiple needles were amongst them, some of which containing a fluid and others not. Half-light was granted only by the hanging lights that had long since been reduced to half power. Completing the scene, there was Alice.
Her hair fell tangled on her cheeks, and her face was showing only concentration and frustration. Her hands shook as she gently reached for one of the needles, her breath hitching as she pressed the cool metal of the needle tip onto her skin. If all went well… it would work. It was hardly a cure - in fact, it was nothing but her own selfish wants that brought her to create this. Yet, it meant so much to her, and it could mean so much more in the end.
She pressed the needle tip into her skin and pushed it into her veins, crying out at the pain as the fluid escaped into her bloodstream. The familiar sensations burned at the edge of her mind, urging her to leave it all behind, to try and correct past mistakes. With another cry, she took the needle out of her arm.
Behind them, the doors began to close, and her heart beat faster. Shadows were cast across them, throwing them into near darkness, but she forced herself to ignore it and remain calm. This time, she knew better. She knew better than to stop, and she wouldn't allow herself to break down. They'd walk straight out the front door if she could.
She took the steps two at a time, throwing a glance backward to make sure that he was still there. He glanced at her strangely when she did so, but she only offered him an encouraging smile. They'd make it out… they'd have to. When the main room came into focus, she barely had time to think before turning towards the front door. For a second, her companion looked confused, but changed directions to suit her.
It was cold outside, she noted instantly, and they had no car. Biting her lip, she turned behind her. "We have to run. We have to get out of here. Fast."
"There's time-"
"No, you don't understand, Matt. Umbrella's right behind us. We have to keep going."
"Oh… okay." Confusion was still written on his face, but it was quickly replaced with pain. He collapsed, clutching at his arm as it throbbed and sent jolts of pain up and down his arm. Alice's eyes flickered in fear, knowing full well what would come next. But she couldn't let that happen. She wouldn't. He couldn't die, not again.
She was on the ground beside him in a heartbeat, keeping her eyes locked with his whenever she could. Quickly, she opened the case containing the antivirus and extracted a needle, looking at it for only a second before turning back to him. And as she prepared to plunge the needle into his arm, a pair of hands grabbed for him.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" her voice was desperate, calling out for answers as her mind began to cloud. She raised a hand to her head and pressed hard, trying to push away the images flashing through her mind and the inability to think clearly. Had she only created something that would, in the end, be the death of her?
"The formula should work," came the answer. "But it has not been tested and may contain highly dangerous side affects. Even if it does not affect you, there is a chance that you may drastically alter the events that have brought you here. You may never meet those you did and you may alter the lives of those you were closest to before their deaths."
"I know, I know," her voice was fading as she talked to the invisible AI. Her head began to hurt and she pressed her hands even harder into her forehead. Something didn't feel right… this couldn't be right. The pain was becoming unbearable, and she could no longer think as the images flashed before her eyes even faster.
Unconsciousness overtook her, but not before the last coherent thought entered her mind: what if she changed things so drastically that she would cause the death of Claire's entire convoy, and hundreds of other innocents?
"No!" She was screaming now, the fear in her eyes matching the fear in his. She dropped the needle back into the case of the antivirus and kicked forward, knocking away the hands of an Umbrella worker. Her eyes narrowed menacingly at the person, though their face was hidden from her. There would be more, she knew, but she could hardly pick up Matt and carry him.
With a cry of panic, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet off the grass. He cried out in pain at the sudden movement, squeezing his eyes closed in effort to block out the pain. There was no second thought needed, she decided as she picked up the needle once more and pressed it to his skin. Nothing to it.
And yet, she was afraid of hurting him. He was already hurt enough - what if the antivirus only had negative affects? Her eyes met his again and the pain in them, the urgency, propelled her on. She pushed the needle tip into his skin and tried her best to block out the sound of his quiet suffering.
There were more men streaming from the house, each in white coats. Her eyes widened and she dropped the needle, no longer caring about the antivirus. Matt looked behind him as well as he forced himself to breath normally, and the danger of the situation hit him hard and fast. He took her hand and began to run, pulling her behind him. His arm still ached, screaming in opposition as he pulled her with him. Without a car, they'd have to run… but how far?
How far could they make it, with so many scientists on their tail, attempting if only to catch them for the glory of being the ones to experiment on them?
Alice didn't know, but she did know that they'd have to find a ride, fast - before the world caught up to them and history repeated itself, only partially skewed. She couldn't let that happen - she couldn't let him die.
