Fate Is Named...
_+++Leon Scott Kennedy+++_
Leon Scott Kennedy rubbed his eyes with his index and thumb; he didn't know what to think of her anymore or how to explain what he felt towards her. Maybe it's just my spirit as a cop who cares. Stop. She's a criminal; you vowed to stop her kind. Her kind? I don't know, somehow I don't feel it that way. Then maybe you should consider a career change... he muted his inner voice once he reached the floor. There was only that one so the chief couldn't have gone anywhere else, he pushed the gate aside and walked out; this corridor was made of stone and damp, lit in few places by torches.
However repulsed by the captain, Leon couldn't just ignore the law, I'm not stupid, I know he looks deceitful. He eyed a cobweb near the ceiling. But unlike her I am... Say it. You're good and she's not... No, nothing's that simple. It's just like she said, she's poison. Get it together Kennedy, she's just using you! I can't believe that, somehow I sense it. And the fact that she's got a pretty face, nice curves and a sharp mind must help fooling you. It's just, my job... He arrived at a wooden door, framed by a metal structure like the ones seen in old movies representing dungeons. His firearm ready in his firm hand, he had to grab the metal ring and push forward in order to open the door. No doubt he knows we'd want to follow him, he's probably waiting for me inside, hidden and still armed; I've got to make sure not to push him further.
His plan got moved to the second position in his list once he got a view of what lay ahead of him, and the smell hit him too. I said dungeon...more like the secret den of some deranged psychopath... Stuck against the walls were many containers filled with a liquid and inside stood many unspecified things, however here and there Leon recognized human organs. Devices meant to strap people to walls stood at the back, and as he pushed the door further he saw what lay in the middle of the room. A worktable tainted with old and fresh blood, the Major's daughter must have been here..., along with many sharp tools near it. He leveled his left hand on his weapon now, resuming his walk, and to his right the door began closing. He aimed that way, now a gun pointed at his head, «Don't shoot, I only came here to talk. »
The chief laughed, «Anything other than me that enters here doesn't talk; they die. Drop the toy and toss it over to me or I'll shoot.»
«Didn't expect a confession so soon... », Kennedy executed himself slowly as ordered; still thinking he could negotiate and disarm that human bomb.
«Why not? You're going to die anyway. So where's that little bitch that was with you? »
If he kills me now and returns in his bureau he'll find her completely vulnerable...I can't let that happen. The young man swallowed, «I ordered her to leave and hide, it's too dangerous here with that huge monster roaming around. », oops, he had also left her exposed to Mr. X... Damn it...!
«Really? Didn't look like she wanted to leave. Shame, I would have loved to play with her...», he licked his mouth distractedly, making Leon's right-side lip spike upward with disdain. Irons eyed the recruit with amusement, «Boy, I actually don't know what to do with you; you're the first man to see my lair. »
«How about you lower that gun and we talk things through? »
The chief abruptly stepped closer, «Because you're nothing to me, you HAVE to die!»
Leon's voice lowered with caution, «Easy...»
«They destroyed my beautiful town! If I can't live in it then NO ONE WILL!»
That's it I'm dead; shit I shouldn't have-
That's when the door opened in the chief's face making him stumble backward on his worktable, next his hand holding the gun was shot to bits and as he yelled in pain he got violently shoved against the shelf to his left where bottles broke. She held the Desert Eagle in her left hand, Irons now whimpered as it was pointed on his forehead, the barrel digging in his sweaty skin while being glared at.
Leon wanted to move but she unholstered her Magnum saying firmly, «Don't. », not having even looked his way. Then addressing the hostage icily, «Live like a pig, die like one. » and pulled the trigger. Brain and glass exploded on the wall behind then she stepped aside to let the body fall limp where additional blood spurted out.
_++++LSK++++_
I spat on the corpse before kicking him in the ribs and ramming my heel on his back with enough force to break his bones. The attention not diverted to him anymore, Leon leveled his hands up, «OK, that's enough, stop. », and stepped in between the cadaver and me, immediately I tried tossing him out of the way but he held his ground repeating «Enough. », before having to use force and pushed me on one shelf, now holding my wrists each side of my head, «Hey, hey, look at me. », moving his head trying to get me to look at his eyes.
I breathed noisily still trying to stare at the corpse, I wanted to carve that bastard's humiliating death in my mind, but Leon moved his face to my left blocking the view. «Look at me. It's over now. He's dead. »
«Punishment will never be enough! », I tightened my mouth and tried pushing him off once more, it was easier for him to stiffen his legs to pin me there compared to me trying to shove him away while my arms were useless. Moreover I didn't want to hurl my forehead in his or hit him in the groin. «The bastard deserved exponentially far worse- »
«Snap out of it! It's over! »
Leon yelling from so close urged me to look at him, the view of that disgusting fat sack of shit replaced by oceanic irises filled with worry. I opened my mouth, eyes lowering on his lips then back up, breathing in his face and likewise for him. He'd caught me at a weak moment, I didn't like this proximity since it only intensified that feeling; I stared at his chest focusing on the RPD letters, trying to find a funny way to complete them with something other than what they were just so to focus off this situation. The only words that came to mind however were ones that would compliment him.
Rally Persistent Decent, Rare Pure Diamond, River Proud Deadly, Real Persuasive Dessert... stop that.
His voice became tenderer, its melody returned, «Just calm down... », he swallowed, «...Are you alright? »
Alright? I'm not sure I know what that word means..., «Fine. », I let out neutrally.
«...Now promise me that we're done here. »
I darted my eyes back up, frowning, «A promise? What am I, seven years old? »
He frowned faintly, «Just tell me that once I let go, I won't have to restrain you once more. »
«Or maybe you just wish you have to again. »
This caught him off guard. The expression that bloomed on his face then, and the glance he gave my lips before a rosy tint spread across his cheeks, was just priceless. Mr. Kennedy doesn't have much experience with women; not that I'm more knowledgeable in that domain.
He freed me and stepped back, «I'm not like that. I wouldn't do anything his type could. »
I lowered my tired arms and holstered my guns, «Have I touched a sensible spot? »
«You tell me; what was that all about? You seriously had me worried. », his tone was so gentle despite my little poke that it embarrassed me further. He sure knows how to strike at the strings in me that I hate.
I moved from him, «You don't have to. Let's get out of this sickening place. »
He followed me outside but laid his right forearm on the stony wall, «Well somebody has to since you're obviously not doing it yourself. So if you keep pushing people away, who's going to tell you when it's too much? Or who'll pick you up the floor whenever you break? »
I glanced at how that posture made him look cocky which didn't fit his personality, «You look ridiculous; it's that pose. »
«Don't change the subject, you always do that; what are you so afraid of? », he neared me and placed his palm on the wall, «Human contact? How far are you willing to go in order to avoid the simplest of human interaction? »
«What are you playing at? »
«Your game for once. » He had motioned slightly with his chin.
And now he also was trying it my way with this unlike-him nonchalant body language. I faced him completely before mimicking his posture, «First you play police and now psychiatrist? Inquiries, deductions... I think I'm seeing a pattern here; figures of authorities.»
«Also helpers. »
«It's my life and I can live it the way I want. Why shouldn't I when so many can't? »
He licked his lips, «Because it's still not just about you. »
«It is if I'm alone. »
«And why do you have to be? »
I removed my hand, «Conversation's over. We've got more urgent matter at hand, Mr. Cop.»
He quickly grabbed my shoulder so I shoved him on the wall holding his arm in a lock in between our chests, «I did warn you about that. »
«Yes and I'm proving a point. », he pulled his head off it, «That you stop at this precise step because you won't engage onto the next that implies you killing me; meaning there's good in you too. I want to see more of that side...»
«You can't. », I freed him, «It implies getting more intimate with me and I don't allow that. You never know what kind of freak you may meet; besides happy endings aren't real so why waste energy and time? »
«Is that really all human interaction means to you? Pointless suffering? »
«Hell what does it matter?! We all die anyway, live your life the way you want and let me live mine. »
«I wouldn't call it living. »
«Whatever you want to call it. It's the way it is. », I went back inside the pig's room.
It alerted him, «What are you doing? »
«There's a trapdoor in the floor at the back, no point staying in the corridor chatting so let's see where this leads. », I pulled it upward before descending the metal ladder; it gave into a grotto and a footbridge suspended above a black pit. «...wow... Wasn't expecting this...», further ahead came another creature, «Or that. »
It had the appearance of a man but had clearly mutated somehow; the white lab coat had been torn thanks to his torso having doubled in size, so was his larger right arm whose skin was black mixed in with some crimson as if it was bleeding. It also had an eyeball as big as his head protruding from that shoulder, red and full of small veins, staring at us. Whatever happened to HIM? The changed man grabbed a portion of the handrail and broke it free thus equipping itself with a solid weapon. Leon aimed the Remington and I the Magnum, the creature yelled its semi-human scream as it kept advancing; it would raise the metal rod trying to hit us but we kept backing off plus the continual flow of bullets prevented him from gaining the upper hand. Several ammunitions later, it dragged itself to the railing before falling overboard, his yell echoing as he disappeared below.
The scene mixed with the sound made me laugh, Leon looked my way wondering if I had lost it. I smirked, «Oh come on, admit it was funny. »
He looked down at the shotgun before shoving cartridges inside the barrel, «It never ceases to get more exciting, does it. »
«Don't tell me you're finally enjoying yourself. »
He cocked the weapon before looking my way again, slowly shaking his head negatively, «You're something. »
«Is that a compliment? »
He placed the Remington on his back before answering, «Only if you want it to be. », now staring.
I couldn't tell if he was joking or not on that last part, I left it at that and kept advancing; at the end of the walkway stood another ladder. Its metallic structure was chilly on my skin just like the previous one, wonder if he thinks I'm that cold...
«By the way, how did you remove the handcuffs? »
«Scary special ops' secret. », I exited.
He clicked his tongue, «Come on now. », and came out of the opening as well.
«A lock pick I grabbed from the S.T.A.R.S.'s office. »
He glanced around the room like I was doing, «That's stealing. »
I looked through a big horizontal container resembling a fridge, «Not in survival scenarios where it's called burrowing. »
Leon looked my way, «Anything else you borrowed that I should know about? »
Closing the lid I stared at him, «Give me a pat down and find out for yourself. »
He tilted his head to the right while exhaling fast through his nose; translation, 'stop that.'
I grinned, «Aside from ammunition, I didn't take anything else. Not even the unsweetened candies spread across the last desk. »
«Our loss. », he checked his handgun.
I tried to read his facial expression, «What, you like that sort of thing? »
His gaze fixed on mine, «Why? Are we sharing intimate details now? »
I knew I deserved that, «Fine you win. », and turned my back at him for the next door, missing his dissatisfied expression.
The place lead into what would be revealed to be the sewers connected to the Umbrella facility. The zombies over there were naked and more decayed than in the precinct, hinting that they'd be infected for longer hence the virus had really leaked from here. There were contaminated plants, green lickers, big spiders plus moths; and once arriving at a dead end situated above a molten forge, we also got reunited with our persistent pal Mr. X.
His feet stomped the metallic flooring, to my left Leon grabbed his shotgun, «I wondered when he'd show up... »
I shot once, «Bet he's part of the Tyrant program; explains the name. »
Not to waste ammo he waited for the B.O.W. to get closer due to the Remington's damaging spread plus lower blast radius, «But aren't they supposed to be obsessed with someone for a specific reason? Or a tasked program? »
I fired once more, «Must be solely for your good looks! »
He half-turned his face my way, I continued firing then my attacks were accompanied by Leon's; until the T-103 dashed on me so I had to leap to my left since at my right stood a handrail. «We have to try and push him overboard! », I shouted over the shotgun blasts. The beast swung its fist Leon's way next, allowing me to take over; getting back on his feet he said, «I'll be bait, you shoot him once I move out of the way! »
«I really hope he doesn't understand English! », Mr. X rushed at me next when I had my back turned to a console, as I rolled away he plunged both fists in it; thus violently broken it made sparks erupt which hit me. I yelled as I was sent forward, my nerves rendered worthless for some seconds; Leon cocked the shotgun fast to get Tyrant away from me, «Come on, stand up you're tougher than that! », is that to reassure her or you...?
The creature targeted the immediate threat again and went toward him. When it dashed his way Leon waited for the last second before simply ducking, so as the enemy began to fall he made sure the motion wouldn't be wasted hence grabbed its right leg and lifted him, giving the B.O.W. the final push. Tyrant fell overboard right into the hot pool, Leon stood and rushed my way before kneeling and picking me up the floor, «How are you feeling? » It seemed he had asked me that question a hundred times since the beginning of our adventure, but I haven't offered him a sensible answer nor returned the favor at all... The man removed a lock from my face, noticing a trail of dried blood coming from my nose. He shook me, «Hey, talk to me! »
I lifted my lids a bit, «Easy... I've already been shaken enough... T-103? »
«Plan worked, I don't think he'll come back from that one. Can you stand? »
«Not quite, still got electric discharges running in my legs. »
«Alright let me hold you up. ...OK, now lean on me. »
«Wait, I want to see below, have to make sure. »
We strolled to the handrail, I sensed the dried liquid under my nose and wiped it; even from this height we could feel the heat. Death must have been instantaneous in there... As I stared I was particularly aware of his right arm around my back, his hand on my waist. With his fingerless gloves his long digits found a way to be in contact with my bare skin, my t-shirt was lifted a bit from having my left arm around his shoulder. Couldn't help but wonder whether he acknowledged that or not. Probably not, I'm the one who's overanalyzing, because of who I am but also since I haven't let anyone touch me in years...
His voice almost a whisper brought me back, «There's no way he survived that...right? »
«You'd be surprised...»
He waited, «...He's not the one I want to be surprised by. »
Now my face and chest got warm for different reasons, but I didn't know how to respond to his flirting because I wasn't sure it was the right thing to do for him. Shit, what to say? Should I lie and invent a boyfriend waiting for me somewhere? Yeah right, he knows me by now, as if he'd fall for that. Leon isn't stupid...He's, even... My thoughts halted and I kept staring below, ten seconds afterward he brought me back to him again.
«Still with me? »
Yeah, he's even still with me, despite it all... «...Lost in thought. »...
He looked to his side, now if I turned my face I'd bump into his nose, «About? », he glanced over my profile.
That intonation had been quite intimate. Turns out he can be hotter than that molten forge. Most individuals suffocate without intimacy; unfortunately for him, I choke with. SoI placed my hand on his to remove it from my waist then stepped away, «I can walk now. »
This time I caught the look of disappointment on his features, I should thank him but it really isn't my style...What to do...?
But it was too late, there were only so many times I could hurt this man's feelings; and with everything we had to endure here, it was no wonder his patience and warmth was wearing thin. It's not you I blame but me. Say that to HIM.
Checking our guns we walked back to the exit, there were just a few areas left to investigate and that last battle had drained the bits of strength we had left. The more we remained on constant alert, the more our minds would wander off focus from exhaustion. Or maybe I'm getting too old for this.
Out of a sudden he stopped us in our track, «I can't keep pretending. », he sighed heavily, «Before we continue I need to know something, you almost died back there and I don't even know your name. »
«Precisely. So it should be easier for you to forget me. », and continued advancing towards the exit. I had to put a large amount of space between this possible future-life of mine, between his deep eyes giving into a good soul plus that goddamn smell of soap on him that still lingers despite all the dirt, blood and sweat. It clings to him like a fucking reminder that he'd always be 'cleaner' than I due to his choices in life.
«Then you're not as clever as you look. »
My eyes moved to the floor, «I guess I'm not. » and opened the door but he stopped me by holding it half-closed, my eyes darted on him, «Don't-»
«No you listen to me now, then you can go back to ruining your life! »
I frowned, he was angry; I had never let anyone stood in my way before but in that moment I couldn't raise my hand at him, «You think it makes it easier for me not to know your name but it's exactly the opposite. I shared this experience with you; we managed to survive this together. I was more than just doing my job as a cop, my protection doesn't come at a price but I dared expect my…. » He trailed off, eyes moving on mine and his lips having thinned into a fine line, when he departed them he sighed, «Perhaps this doesn't mean anything to you, but it does for me. And maybe you're actually as heartless as to let me believe that you cared, only to use me so you could be entertained… before tossing me aside once having done that. I…. »
His voice had gone from angry to his former warm tone, which stung even more and I hated myself for feeling my throat tighten. This isn't me, this isn't me this isn't me. I can't let my eyes water in front of him, keep it together; don't feel. DON'T, FEEL!
«Just say it, and I'll let you go. »
«Say what? », my voice had been colder than I wanted, but at the same time it was better this way. His didn't change though, goddamn how does he manage to do that? Being so real all the damn time...?
«…Say that it was just a façade. And that you don't have the tiniest bit of feelings for me. »
I'm cold. Capable to shut down my emotions like a switch flipped off. In that instant I did just that so easily that whenever I manage it, it still surprises me how effective it is. «I played you. »
His brows leveled a bit, like a dog being chastised, his grip on the door loosened allowing me to swing it open and walk right out. I didn't look back, didn't say goodbye nor thanked him for his help. I'm cold. So, damn, cold.
Empty.
I am dead. Always have been.
In this stinking putrid city I had found a refreshing lake warmed over by a sun; full of life, hospitable, compassionate, strong. Someone who persisted to approach my void; a partner worth dying for, and more. But I was leaving it behind. Isn't abandoning him like this equal to putting a bullet in his head….? As I paced down the corridor, it was hard to breathe so much my throat was stiff and I felt my eyes began to sting. You're not going to cry now are you? Oh come on! SHUT THE FUCK UP I don't want to hear from you right now. I smothered that pesky voice down and forced myself to focus back on my surroundings, clear. I had to concentrate on these practical techniques, anything to forget the man I left back there in that room; with that voice, those eyes and that frosty dagger I had plunged right through his heart. He'll get over it, he's a man, he'll soon find better and move on. Get married, have kids and all that crap. Good for him. He deserves better.
I ascended a ladder with brusque movements; I knew it was because I was pissed at myself and this situation that led me to being angry in the first place. It would have been so much easier if you had let him die, or yet shot him in the back thus saving him from all this. Look what you did to him, look what you did to yourself. All those complicated little emotions, emotional context, 27; it destroys you every time….
The next door I faced was kicked open, it seems I wouldn't get rid of my foul mood so soon, consequently the next couple creatures wandering across my path got all decimated rapidly and violently. I don't know how much, I lost count seeing I was on automatic. Fuck sake! If it bothers you so much then why don't you return to him? Then you could live happily together or some other cliché like that! Or better yet, kill yourself here and now before you become any more pathetic!
I abruptly stopped in my track and yelled loud «ENOUGH! », a flock of crows flew off the nearby roof and converged on me; I don't really recall how I got rid of them all, only now their dark bodies littered the ground all around me. So what's next? I glanced around, what is there left to do in this place? ….I don't know, probably time to leave, this isn't fun anymore. And he'll probably die, because of you, his heart broken thus mind blurry and OOPS, an easy mistake, then dead. Shut up. You're a heartless machine. SHUT THE FUCK UP! I rammed my curled palm into the nearby material; it hurt me more than the metallic wall, but probably not as much as I had made him suffer…..
I felt I'd never forget this. Felt like I would survive every infected creature in all Raccoon City only to be killed by this elusive tornado swirling inside.