Resident Evil: Hopeless Reckoning
Chapter 2
Rebecca's Diary:
"October 1st 1998: I heard a very loud explosion coming from outside the hotel I'm staying in. I'm about 50 miles southeast of Raccoon. As I looked outside my window I saw where it came from and my heart sank. Raccoon City had been completely wiped off the map. It looked like a war zone. Racoon city,...gone...my home town..everything and everyone i loved and knew got caught up in the blast ,surely There's no way anyone could make it out of there alive. ...infact, i don't even want to think about it...RIP Raccoon City."
The Television became louder as Rebecca withdrew from her inner sanctum...She turned to find a news report on the '' neutralizing '' of the city.
"And now, we have a rather unfortunate turn of events. It seems that the president and the federal council have passed judgment over the civilians of Raccoon City. The president and the federal council have ruled that the bacillus-terminate operation is the best course of action for this extreme situation and have since, executed it. We now join Sara McColl who is reporting live from the safety Perimeter."
Sara, a hard nosed reporter in her late 30's who first got her break years ago when her boss didn't show up to make the cut, a Young Sara was pushed infront of the Camera on the basis that the audience would listen to a beautiful woman, rather than a middle aged fat guy with a wild beard.
Since then, Sara never looked back, and forged a career as a domestic and international reporter, with a particular flavor for disasters, larely because it beats reporting on beauty contests and celebrities...she always wanted to be one who recorded history as it happened, and made sure the people got the facts.
Sara however, has been going through the motions, ever since losing her best guy and friend, Mark, who was the '' steadiest hand '' in the business...Terrorism, Viruses, hostage situations, war zones, earthquakes and hurricanes, they reported everything together, going that extra mile to bring the best shots and exclusive scoops...young and reckless they were, but they got the job done...It was when Robert decided to head to the middle east for a couple of weeks to do some freelance camera work for an old friend who called in a favor...Robert, never returned...that was 8 months ago.
"Hey beautiful, were on."
Said Joey, her new camera guy, who looked on past the camera, clearly staring at her breasts.
Sara cut him a cold look with her knuckles turning white around her microphone.
''Here in the '' safety '' zone, things are as expected, fever pitch...with emotions running high. It's been reported that there are over 100 thousand deaths due to the unprecedented action taken by the government and it's advisory committees. But if that wasn't enough to contend with, there has been some serious questions asked about the treatment and care for the Survivors , not just those who perished.''
Rebecca's attention turned inward again, as the reports of the disaster aid workers failing to provide fresh water and food almost fell on deaf ears. Rebecca looked up to catch the surly reporter being interrupted by a crazed man in his 40's with a shaven head and sunken in eyes and cheekbones.
The madman pushed Sara to the side and got so close to the camera he blurred before returning to focus as he stepped back and flew into a foul mouthed tirade.
'' If it were the Presidents friends and family who were in the city, would the bombs drop? If it were his sons and daughters would they be so quick to rip the city from under our feet?...BASTARDS!
BASTARDS! ALL OF THEM, YOU'RE ALL SCUM! TWO FACED DIABOLICAL TYRANTS WHO KILL THE VERY PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR YOU! BELIEVED IN YOUR DEMOCRACY ? DEMOCRACYYYY ? FUCK YOU MR PRESIDENT, FUCK YOU! FUUUUCK YOUUUUUU! '
Screamed the traumatized man with tears covering his red raw eyes.
Sara, taken a back with Joey keeping it all in frame due to being frozen stiff rather than any skill as a camera man, she is pushed aside again, by two large men in tactical gear as one puts the raging loner into a headlock whilst the other grabs his legs and drags him out of sight!
Sara quickly presses her earpiece in and regains her position and closes the broadcast.
''Looks like the authorities have a major job on their hands with this one, who knows what's in store for the people ...Sara McColl'' She reported, now with the microphone trembling in her hands.
The Anchorman turns to camera 4 and says, ''That'll be Mr. President's open motorcade down the Dealey Plaza canceled then.'' Closing with a smirk before catching the look from his female co presenter who then takes the lead after an obvious look of disgust..
''Sara McColl reporting from the safety perimeter for Advent news there...we apologize for the language in that news cast, and will continue to report news as it filters through to us, our thoughts are with all those involved at this horrific time...should you need to find out information on the out break or if you are looking for a missing person you think may have been in the blast zone, please contact the number on your screen now...From all of us at Advent news, be safe ''
The lights dim in the studio as the co-presenter shakes her head at her anchorman, only for the silhouette to return with a shrug and arms held out.
Sara rubs her eyes and looks at Joey...
''Fever pitch...seriously... what... you running for the Pun of the year award or something?'' Asked Joey as he stood there with the camera on his shoulder...
''Jesus did I really say that?...god'', sighed an exhausted Sara.
''Don't worry, I'm sure the boys back at HQ can repackage it in time for the evening news'', explained Joey.
Rebecca stared at the television blankly, then held her head in her hands and cried thinking of everyone she had lost. She tried telling her friends, but after the mansion incident everyone thought she had gone insane. No one believed her, until it was too late. She turned once more, into herself... and brewed in a mixture of feelings, from guilt, anger, despair and grief...as a flurry of memories race through her mind.
The phone in her room began to ring making her snap from her wallowing.. She stared at the phone, wondering who would be calling her. "It's probably just the hotel staff." she thought, as she picked up the phone.
"Rebecca, it's Barry…" his voice was a breath of fresh air, but she had no idea how he found her.
"Barry! How did you find me?" She was so excited to know he was alive, she hadn't heard from him or Chris since they both departed to Europe a month ago.
"Don't mind that for now, I picked up a certain someone in my helicopter not too long ago. I've got that someone on the phone for you." He said, handing the phone over to none other than Jill.
"What'd I say about seeing you again? I don't break promises; we already know your whereabouts, mind if I stay there? My place sort of… blew up." Judging from her voice Rebecca knew Jill was clearly exhausted, but still trying to make light out of a very tragic situation. Rebecca was so happy to know she survived.
"You clearly have 9 lives you know that? Of course you're staying here tonight." Rebecca said, smiling.
Rebecca could hear two other girls in the background, clearly Barry's daughters. He had taken Jill to his place, only to have his wife tell him no visitors were allowed. She was quite the stickler, and never acknowledged anything Barry had done for the team, and for his family. Getting his family out of Raccoon into a safe place wasn't exactly easy, but he did what he had to do. The only way he could find Rebecca was through a lucky guess. He called all the hotels within a 50 mile radius of Raccoon, finally finding her whereabouts. A little disappointed she wasn't signed in under another alias, but also happy she wasn't or else they may have never found her.
Jill paused on the phone for a moment, then decided to tell Rebecca about Carlos. "Oh, and one more thing, there's another person that also survived with me. He helped save me, and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't of made it out of here…" but before Jill could finish...
"Of course he can stay here too, there's two beds here and a couch. I know full well what it's like having someone save your life… It… happened to me too." Rebecca had never mentioned Billy before until now, but she knew at this point no one would care about arresting him, especially Jill.
Sara stood behind the news van smoking a mayfair as Joey wrapped up the cables and stored the equipment into the back.. Sara looked behind her and say that from a distance she could make out a woman in her 40's having a blazing row with one of the uniforms... she could see the woman sticking her finger in his face, she couldn't make out what was being said due to the noise of everything around her... but she noticed an expression she come to know all to well from her time reporting in war zones... the woman was being dragged away by her arm, from a man who looked to be her husband, only for her to break free and have another go at the uniformed stranger.
The scene became hazy for a moment, as she slowly exhaled smoke from her mouth...she turned her attention to other people around the area... people sitting on the ground resting against emergency vehicles wrapped in blankets caught her attention, as did the groups of uniformed men patrolling the grounds with German Shepherd dogs.
She slowly loses herself as she stares a thousand yards into the horizon...
***Thump***
''Let's go already, let's get out of here, not unless you wanna spend the night in a refuge centre and having rations for supper?'' Joey offered, with a sarcastic tone as he slapped the side of the van.
Joey shuts the back door and makes his way through to the back hatch and takes his place in the drivers seat...
Sara, shaken back to reality walks with purpose and take one last drag of her Mayfair, pauses for a moment, then puffs out the smoke and discards her mayfair before throwing the drivers side door open, and pushing Joey over to the passenger side...
''Move over you asshole.'' Demanded the Surly reporter,
''Heyyy, you've got one hell of an attitude you know that lady?''
''Put your seat belt on ''...Sara advised with a cold tone.
Joey crashes against the passenger door as Sara floors the pedal causing the tired of news van to throw out clouds of black smoke from the exhaust.
Not too long after the conversation on the phone, Rebecca heard a knock on the door… it was Carlos. Frightened by the Umbrella logo on his uniform she began to scream and run from him.
"Hey hey hey little lady! I'm not a bad guy! I came here with Jill." Carlos grabbed her by the shoulders and looked at her… a bit frightened by her reaction himself.
"Oh, I'm so sorry… That symbol doesn't necessarily bring back good memories for me." Rebecca said staring at the Umbrella logo on his vest.
"Yeah, me either now. I had no idea these assholes were behind all this." He said as he took his vest off and threw it in the hallway of the hotel. Not far behind him were Jill and Barry.
"I just wanted to come up and say thank you for taking them in." Barry said with a smile. "I'm glad we all made it in one piece, and I heard from Chris about a day ago. He's safe and finished with his missions for now." relieved by Barry's words, Jill went into the hotel room and straight into the shower.
"Ah, I had a feeling that'd be the first thing she did when she got here." Carlos smirked trying to lighten the mood a bit.
"And Brad? Did he…" Rebecca asked Barry and Barry shook his head.
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised." Rebecca said coldly.
"Yeah, well it was good seeing you kiddo, I better head back home now before my wife kills me." Barry chuckled and patted Rebecca on the back, then walked off.
"You two can sleep on the twin beds, you both deserve it. I'll be sleeping on the couch." Rebecca said, yawning.
"You're too kind little lady, but as a gentleman I will be sleeping on the couch." said Carlos, as he kicked off his boots and jumped onto the couch. He began to doze off immediately; Rebecca was fascinated by how he could sleep after this. She hadn't slept much at all since the mansion incident. Not even her sleeping pills would help, she had become terrified of sleep, and terrified of the nightmares in store once she shut her eyes.
Jill poked her head through the bathroom door, "Rebecca, do you have any clothes I can borrow?"
Rebecca smiled at Jill "Of course, let me go get them, you probably won't like it." she said as she brought a few stacks of clothes into the bathroom with Jill.
"These will do just fine." Jill said as she dropped her towel, completely naked in front of Rebecca, and not even caring.
"I um… I'll just go wait… Outside." Rebecca said looking down.
"Oh come on, were both women here, it's not like we have different parts, and it's not like you haven't seen it before." Jill chuckled remembering the time they spent at her apartment getting drunk and playing strip poker with a few of their friends, obviously losing. Rebecca began to crack up and they both laughed even harder when Jill put on Rebecca's clothes. They were especially too tight in the chest.
"It looks… great. Carlos will definitely agree." Rebecca snickered, playfully poking Jill.
"You both are a bunch of pervs, I'm off to bed. Goodnight and thank you for everything. It means a lot." Jill said giving Rebecca a quick hug. She had never initiated a hug before, but it only felt natural after that night.
All was silent in the hotel room, as Rebecca lied there, wide-awake. She heard a bit of snoring coming from the couch where Carlos lay. She then looked over to the other bed at Jill who was sound asleep.
"I miss Billy." Rebecca thought as she pulled out his dog tags from up under her shirt and fiddled with them. After seeing Jill and Carlos that night she began to reminisce about her and Billy, and for once, she finally fell asleep for more than half an hour.
Rebecca awoke to Jill putting a plate of eggs, bacon, and orange juice on the table by her bed as she sat down next to Rebecca still half asleep.
"Carlos went down to get us some food from the buffet. He's in the shower now… I heard you talk in your sleep last night, you mentioned Billy? Who is he, and why haven't you ever mentioned him before?" Jill said softly as Rebecca sat up in the bed and stretched.
Rebecca told her everything, about the other mansion, Billy saving her life, her declaring him dead in the files, and letting him escape. She even showed her his dog tags.
"I must say I'm not surprised, I would have done the exact same thing. He sounded like a hero, and… I can tell you have feelings for him." Jill remarked.
"I want to find him again, even if I die trying. I have to see him again, one last time." Said Rebecca grabbing Jill's hand.
Jill looked at her seeing she was serious about it and sighed, "I don't know Rebecca, you have no idea where he went, and it would be dangerous doing all of this on your own. Umbrella is still looking for the remaining members of S.T.A.R.S, and if they got to you… I can't let that happen. I'll help you as long as we can tell Barry about this. He's the only one who knows how to find people." Jill said.
Rebecca agreed to this proposal, as she tried eating her breakfast. It was hard for her to eat because she had been such a nervous wreck, but she scarfed down the food quickly.
"I'm guessing you don't have any clothing for a fellah my size." Carlos came out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist.
Jill and Rebecca blushed, but Jill quickly handed him some clothing she got from downstairs. It was a pair of khakis, boxers, a belt, a baby blue button down shirt, and some black shoes.
"Here, I got it from the Men's clothing store near the lobby. I hope it fits." she said.
"Ha... I'm guessing this is the way you like your men to dress, not bad." Carlos added.
Jill rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Carlos went into the bathroom to change, and it only seemed like seconds before he came out in his new outfit.
"I like it, it suits you." Rebecca said, smiling.
"Thanks Chica, I'm not used to dressing this conservatively, but I guess this will have to do for now." Carlos sighed.
The phone rang once more, and this time Jill answered.
"It's me again, you're not gonna like what I'm about to say." Barry's voice carried through the phone and even Rebecca could hear him. "We need to get to a military base very soon, Umbrella knows we survived the outbreak, and they're looking for all of us."
As she overheard the conversation, Rebecca packed up everything once more, and Jill did the same. All three of them walked out of the hotel quickly waiting on Barry to pick them up. After about 5 minutes Barry showed up in a black SUV.
"Where is this military base exactly?" Jill asked as they all jumped into the car.
"200 miles northeast of here. It's in another state, but that's a good thing. It's also in the mountains, which will make it harder for them to find us. My very good friend Mark works there and is letting us stay there." Barry said as he sped off, not looking back.