In and out of consciousness Julianna drifted, never staying awake for very long. Somewhere during her time awake, she was aware of people coming in and out of the medical ward where they were currently keeping her, heard them whispering about how she should be dead rather than alive. Once or twice, she could have sworn that she heard Jenna talking, but each time she tried to keep her eyes open, they would just fall back down plunging her into unrelenting darkness.
Those were the times when she would find herself back in Amarant with Ereavia and Riordan, following them wherever they went in the underground city. Morning, afternoon, and evening they would roam the city, interacting with the Advents and other hybrids that were there. No matter who she met, it always seemed that they knew her for her entire life even though she was positive that she had never met any of them. But when she betrayed that she wasn't sure who they were, they'd all laugh it off as her being silly.
Why do I keep coming here, she caught herself wondering often. Is it somehow linked to my past? It wouldn't surprise her if it was. After all, they were Advents and hybrids all living together peacefully and the fact that she always felt that she belonged there was enough to make her think that this indeed was where she came from in the first place. Julianna tried multiple times to talk about it, but as was the nature of dreams, she never was able to.
She must have spent eternity like this, fighting to come back to the real world, whichever one it was. Julianna had had so many dreams of Amarant that were so real and vivid that she was almost positive that it was the real world and the Spencer estate was nothing more than a nightmare.
One night, she managed to open her eyes completely for the first time, noticing that she was no longer in the medical ward, but back in the room that Oswell had called her own. Red eyes stared at the midnight blue canopy above her, trying to shake off the urge to go back to sleep. Julianna's head rolled to the left, seeing someone sitting in a chair close by her bedside.
'Welcome back," Jenna said, smiling broadly. 'How do you feel?"
'Alright, I guess," Julianna replied sleepily.
'That's a relief to hear," Jenna admitted, sitting back in her chair. 'You had me worried. You've been out of it for almost a week."
'A week?" Julianna answered in a shocked voice, trying to sit up before Jenna gently eased her back down.
'Easy, Julianna, don't sit up too fast." Jenna cautioned her, grabbing another pillow and putting it behind Julianna's head. 'You've still got some recovering to do."
'What do you mean?"
'You don't remember?" Jenna asked. 'You were attacked by a Hunter while you were out in the garden. Were it not for Trent and a couple others finding you, you and I wouldn't be talking right now."
'Oh," Julianna replied, memories of said event flooding into her mind. 'Now I remember."
'Speaking of remembering," the raven-haired girl mentioned, sitting back down. 'Who is Ereavia?"
'What?"
'You called her name in your sleep," Jenna elucidated. 'It wasn't very loud, but enough for me to hear it more than once. I was just curious as to who she was." Julianna was quiet for a time.
'She's a little girl that came to me in my dream," Julianna explained finally. 'She called me "big sister". There was another person too… a man named Riordan. They both said that they were my brother and sister."
'Where were you?"
'We were in an underground city called Amarant," the red-eyed woman replied. She went into detail about what she'd seen, how there had been so many Advents and hybrids and even how she felt as though she'd come home. Jenna listened intently, her bright eyes wide and curious. When Julianna was finished, she sat there for several minutes, absorbing everything she'd been told.
'Amarant is not a city of dreams," she said. 'It was a real place." Julianna's interest was piqued.
'It was?"
'Yes. It was one of the biggest Advent cities in the world," Jenna got up to sit cross-legged on Julianna's bed. 'When the humans began to hunt them down, the Advents built massive underground cities to stay away from them. No one knew they existed until archeologists found evidence of some of their homes deep in caverns below the surface. They were so self-sufficient that all the Advents living there were almost a utopian society with no crime or wars. They wanted to live separately from the human race so much so that, despite being humans in the past, the Advents went so far as to create their own language and alphabet called Adamantine."
'So… Amarant was a real place," Julianna surmised. 'If that's the case and I'm dreaming about it…"
'It has to mean that that was where you were from originally," Jenna finished. 'It's long been an accepted fact that when people have lost their memories, they tend to recall them when they are dreaming. You have to keep thinking about Amarant, Julianna. It may be the only way for you to get your memories back!"
'But how? I can't think about it all the time," Julianna pointed out. Jenna considered this for a moment before standing up.
'Wait here! I'll be right back," Jenna said, running towards the door and disappearing. She was gone for no more than two minutes before coming back, closing the door behind her and jumping back onto Julianna's bed excitedly. Before Julianna could ask what she got, Jenna deposited a box wrapped up in pretty foil paper with a blue ribbon tied around it. Red eyes looked from the box to Jenna in confusion.
'It's a present!" The young girl said, practically bouncing around happily. 'Open it up!" Julianna nodded and did as she was bid, carefully unwrapping the bow and tearing open the paper to find an ornate black lacquered box with an Emperor Blue butterfly engraved on the top. She ran her hands over it, wondering at the smoothness.
'Jenna, it's beautiful," Julianna said, a smile coming to her face. 'Thank you."
'That's not all!" Jenna said, pointing out that the box had a hinged lid. 'Open it!" Julianna laughed quietly and did so, her breath catching in her throat at what she saw laying inside. Her hand reached in and pulled out a blue journal with bullfinches and cherry blossoms embossed upon it, silver accents making it shine prettily. Right beside the place where it had been was a fountain pen that was also blue with her name engraved on it.
'Now you can think about it!" Jenna exclaimed. 'Anytime you remember something, you can write about it in your journal and keep it safe inside the box! You'll never have to be afraid of forgetting it again." Julianna sat there for a long time, admiring the gifts that Jenna had so thoughtfully given her. She raised her head, looking into Jenna's doe-like eyes with a big smile on her face. The fact that this young woman was so eager to help her and so sweet as to bring her such beautiful presents was beyond touching, almost bringing a tear to her eye.
'…Thank you, Jenna," Julianna said in a quiet voice. 'Thank you so much." Jenna smiled in return, hesitated for a moment, then came forward to embrace the hybrid girl. Julianna was taken aback for a minute, having not expected this, but returned the embrace nonetheless. As she did, however, the oddest sensation of déjà vu came over her. She didn't know why, but Julianna felt something familiar about… Jenna? She looked down at the girl, and for a moment, she could have sworn that she saw Ereavia looking back at her. But no, that wasn't possible. Ereavia was gone, gone with Riordan and gone with the Advents in her dreams. Even if she were still here, Julianna doubted that they would even recognize one another.
Realizing that Julianna's grip upon her had slackened, Jenna drew away. Julianna, in turn, released her without protest, pushing Ereavia out of her mind as well. The two women sat in silence until they were interrupted by a single knock on the door, which opened to reveal Oswell who wasted no time in rolling himself into Julianna's room.
'Good, you are awake at last!" he said, his voice relieved. Julianna curbed the urge to roll her eyes at the tone of his voice. 'You gave us all quite a fright." I'm sure I did for someone who's only interested in becoming immortal, she wanted to say but didn't. 'How are you feeling?"
'…Good, I guess," Julianna muttered, kicking herself for answering him. Oswell smiled at this, coming to the side of her bed and stopping there. She inwardly groaned; obviously, he was planning on staying there for a while.
'I'm very happy that you are alive and well, Miss Dashara, and I apologize highly that such an incident occurred. That will never happen again, I swear it," he vowed. Julianna wanted to laugh at this. Did he really think that she cared what he felt or thought? Besides, what could he do to ensure it wouldn't happen again? He was stuck in a wheelchair. She was perfectly able to take care of herself. Except, this time, you were almost killed. She blinked at that. It was Wesker's fault for taking my guns.
'No, it won't," another male voice called from the doorway. This time, Julianna narrowly avoided rolling her eyes. Speak of the devil, and he will come. 'We've made amendments to the handling procedures for B.O.W.s as you requested, Mr. Spencer," Wesker said, walking into the room to stand beside Oswell. Noticing that Julianna was sitting up, he turned his head to her. 'So it's true; you're still alive." Julianna bristled at this.
'Yes, I am," she replied in the same tone Wesker had spoken. 'Sorry if I disappointed you." The blonde man visibly stiffened at this but otherwise didn't betray any other emotions.
'Your loss would have been felt greatly if you hadn't," Oswell said quickly to prevent any arguing between Wesker and Julianna. 'You are very important to the work we are doing, Miss Dashara." Julianna and Jenna shared a sideways look. Noticing Jenna, Oswell addressed her next.
'Miss Kelly, has Miss Dashara's blood work come back normal?"
'Yes, Mr. Spencer," Jenna replied. 'Everything is perfectly fine. There are no signs of the T-Virus in her system." Julianna looked at her in confusion. T-Virus… what is that?
'Good, very good," Oswell replied, clearly pleased with the news. 'Then there should be no further problems provided we have no repeat performances of what happened a week ago." He gave Julianna a strange smile, one which sent up several red flags for Julianna. 'I'll leave you to rest for the rest of the night, Miss Dashara. If you are feeling up to it tomorrow, you may accompany Miss Kelly to the lab again just to make sure that everything is as it should be." Julianna gave a curt nod as Oswell turned his chair around and exited the room, leaving Julianna and Jenna alone with Wesker, who hadn't moved an inch. Julianna didn't like that. It was bad enough that she was getting more than a bad vibe from that look Oswell had given her. She most certainly didn't need Wesker coming in to start his shit with her. She wasn't sure she'd be able to refrain from trying to kill him again.
'Miss Kelly," he said after a moment.
'Yes, Wesker?" Jenna replied.
'Leave the hybrid and myself alone for a moment." He ordered. Julianna looked at him and then at Jenna, not understanding what this was about. Jenna shared a look with her before rising and doing as she was bid. 'And close the door behind you."
'Yes, Wesker," the raven-haired girl answered. Before she closed the door, she looked at Julianna with a worried look in her eyes before it closed gently, leaving Julianna alone with Wesker.
'Do you realize how fortunate you are to still be alive?" Wesker asked her, never losing that cold tone with her. Julianna inwardly sighed and leaned back against her pillows.
'Yes, I am," she answered. 'I've heard about it nonstop since I woke up." Her red eyes narrowed as she looked at him. 'For what reason is it that you've brought it up again?"
'You are the only person I've seen that's been able to be mauled by a Hunter and live to tell the tale," he said simply. 'I'm only curious as to what you were doing so far from the mansion in the first place." Julianna gave him a strange look. How did he know I was- 'You don't seem to catch on that there are cameras all over the mansion. Or, perhaps you do know and you thought that the garden was the only place where there weren't any."
'I have no idea what you're even talking about." Julianna replied, suspicious as to where this was going.
'Well, now you do, and your little-attempted escape attempt didn't go unnoticed." Wesker said in a suspicious tone. Oh, so that's what this is about, Julianna thought in annoyance.
'That had crossed my mind, yes," Julianna began. No use in lying about it. 'But no, I wasn't trying to escape. I merely was curious as to where the wall led before your little creation decided to attack me." He cocked his head to the right slightly, almost as though he were trying to figure out if she were lying. Even if she were, Julianna didn't doubt that he would know.
'You are either very brave or very foolish." He said finally.
'The latter yes, but I'm not foolish like the humans you associate yourself with." Julianna replied, looking away from him in favor of staring off into space.
'And what would you happen to know of that?"
'You think that by using fear to control them, you will get them to do a better job at whatever it is all of you are doing down in that lab," Julianna explained. 'But fear can only get you so far before you cause a rebellion amongst them. It's better to keep them guessing what your reaction would be to certain mistakes." Her red eyes looked back at him for her next words. 'The fear of uncertainty is much more effective than fear itself." Wesker said nothing for a long moment.
'Observant of you," he noted. Julianna shrugged.
'You can learn much about a person just by watching them," she answered.
'How would you know that I control by fear if you've only seen me a few times?"
'I don't need to watch you in order to know how you run things. My sight is well enough that I can see and my hearing is sharp enough so that I can hear the heartbeats of those who come near you. You frighten the majority of people to the point they avoid you in the same way one would a plague." Julianna described. When Wesker moved to one end of her bed to lean against the post, she knew without asking that he was interested in hearing more. He must think I'm stroking his ego, she concluded.
'Interesting," he said. 'You're obviously smarter than what I originally thought."
'Is that why you've not killed me yet?"
'I still could, if that's what you want," Wesker answered back. 'But I may have a use for someone as smart as you." This time, Julianna couldn't stop her eyes from rolling as she looked off to the side.
'Isn't that your overall prerogative?" Julianna sarcastically asked. 'You and Oswell use me to suit whatever needs you have and then put a bullet in my skull when you're done?"
'Such a negative way of seeing things," Wesker chided, pushing his sunglasses up on his nose. 'Do you ever listen to yourself sometimes?"
'Seeing as I've only been awake from my hibernation for a short amount of time, no, I haven't had the opportunity to do so." Julianna answered, looking back at him to study his face for a moment. 'Since you've been asking so many questions, I have one of my own."
'Which is?"
'Why do you constantly wear sunglasses?" she asked simply. Wesker just stared at her.
'Why are you so curious about me?"
'That was going to be my next question, but going back to mine, I'm curious because it's clear that you aren't a human. Obviously you don't want anyone to look at your eyes because of being inhuman. Besides," Julianna noted. 'You have a different scent than they do."
'And what scent might that be?"
'The one of death that is constantly lingering around humans," she illuminated. 'They smell like death because they are decaying. Not visibly, of course. You are different; there's something about you which alludes to your abilities. Any normal human wouldn't have been able to dodge bullets or move as you do."
'Again, very observant of you," Wesker spoke. 'You are correct; I'm not human, not anymore."
'Then you are as I am?" Julianna realized. 'Infected with a virus which gives you these abilities?"
'In a sense," Wesker confirmed. 'But unlike you, I wasn't born with a virus. I gave it to myself." Julianna was taken aback. He gave himself a virus… for what reason? She must have said that out loud.'Perhaps one day, when I've decided if you are trustworthy enough, I'll tell you all about the reason why I gave myself the T-Virus."
'Why do I get the sense that that won't be happening anytime soon?" Julianna muttered, more to herself than to Wesker, who didn't even seem to notice. A short silence came upon both nonhumans until Wesker decided that he'd heard and said enough to her. He pushed himself off the bedpost and walked towards her door.
'You should heed the advice of Mr. Spencer," He called over his shoulder. 'You're of no use to me if you're not at full health." Julianna watched him go to the door only to stop and turn back in her direction. 'And, if you would be so inclined, do not ever seek to question as to why I do what I wish."
'…Very well, Wesker," Julianna answered as he opened the door and disappeared out of it. Not but a moment afterward, Jenna peered back inside. Her head first looked at the retreating Wesker and then back to Julianna who had an exhausted expression on her face.
'What was that all about?" Jenna asked, coming back into the room and closing the door.
'Apparently, he was in the mood to talk to me for whatever reason," Julianna answered, rolling her eyes.
'That's weird," Jenna noted. 'You're the first person he's talked to for more than ten minutes, cordially at that."
'Cordially isn't the word I would use to describe it." Julianna said. 'More or less, he was either trying to see what he could use against me in the future or he was interested in the fact that I was unknowingly stroking his ego."
'Curiosity has me," Jenna admitted, picking up Julianna's box and setting it on her nightstand. Julianna gave her a knowing smile.
'Well, you might want to sit down, because there's a lot to tell."
'I'm all ears!" Jenna laughed, sitting down on Julianna's bed again as the hybrid began her recantation of what happened between her and Wesker.
A/N- It's about damn time Julianna and Wesker interact with each other. Now that they are on speaking terms (if you can even call it that), we can start getting into some of the reasons this story is M in the first place. I'll leave you to wonder what's gonna go down in the next few chapters ;)
