Hi guys! Concerning the last chapter, I got three messages saying that Galff reminded them of Leon, and I really don't see it. Perhaps I should read the last few chapters over again and determine whether or not he does remind of Leon. Anyway, here is Chapter 10! This is the longest chapter I've ever written and I wrote it all in school. If you ever have two free periods in a row for two and a half weeks, you find ways to keep yourself busy. After that, I neglected to rewrite it onto my computer for so long, but here it is! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 10

Leon's Escape

Leon tried to convince himself that all of this was a mere illusion, that all of the events that occurred were somehow a dream. His mistakes masked his true feelings, his true intentions. Did he intend to sleep with Elizabeth? Of course not. He didn't want to hurt Claire, but his temptation lead him onto a path that he would never be able to go back. The only thing he wanted at this point was just to gaze into Claire's green, forest eyes and pour his heart out to her. Unfortunately for Leon, being locked in a meta; chamber in God-knows-where doesn't technically allow him to fulfill his wish. He didn't really know where exactly he was being held, the only thing he knew was that he was being kept somewhere in Lindsay's underground laboratory and was potentially going to be killed. His positive attitude, however, quickly erased the mere thought of death from the corners of his mind. He couldn't die here. He needs to see Claire, even though she probably wants nothing to do with him. His wife needs him.

Leon observed the small white room in which his cage was being kept away. Portraits of Lindsay modeling different emotions, followed by a caption written in her handwriting underneath them. This room seemed as if it came out of a movie scene. Designed to make the hostage to run amuck, the walls weren't the easiest to look at for a long period of time. Closing his eyes somewhat helped, although a memory of Claire would pop up every minute or so. He attempted to think of something else, or to physically shake his head, but nothing worked.

He rustled the metal bar, but they wouldn't budge. He banged the palm of his hand against the bars, still no results. The only result he received by shaking and hitting the bars was a visit of Lindsay. Lovely.

"Aw, look at my little pet," Lindsay said, hanging a piece of chicken in front of Leon's face. His mouth watered. He felt a slobber of drool race down his chin. He hadn't eaten actual food in a few days. The only food he would get would be crusts of bread or only crumbs, with the occasional half-full cup of water.

In order to obtain food, Lindsay would have Leon perform special "tricks" daily. Failure to complete these tricks would result in getting nothing to eat or drink. Leon would be that much closer to death by starvation or dehydration.

"You know what we need for you, Leon? A little blue leash and––" Leon grew more and more weary of Lindsay's annoying voice and her demands.

"Will you shut up already? f you're going to kill me, do it now! What are you waiting for?" His pants became sharp and labored. Being Lindsay's rag doll was over.

"Oh, hush!" Lindsay placed her index finger over her lips. "Sounds like my little kitty is getting tired. What's that, Tulsa? Sure, let's wake him up!" A strange nurse wearing a black-dyed version of a typical red and white nurse outfit strolled awkwardly into the room. Leon noticed that the mysterious nurse was equipped with two large pistols, one located on each hip. In her hand sat a remote with a red and green button. Lindsay rubbed her hands together deviously. Claire, where are you?

"Now, now," yelled Lindsay, "It is time for your final trick! My nurse will serve as your temporary assistant! If you pass, you live… with a cost. If you fail, on the other hand… goodbye." Leon didn't care whether he would live in punishment or die in heartbreak, as corny as it sounds.

"Could you just tell me what this stupid test is?" Lindsay gave no response. Instead, she silently left the room, locked the massive metal door behind her and observed. The nurse smiled quaintly, creeping closer to Leon's cage. It was difficult for him to admit, but he was a wee bit terrified. He didn't know what this nurse would do with him. The only thing he cared about was to live and hopefully find Claire on the outside world.

Eventually, the nurse came to a halt and removed her black hood. "I'm back, Leon… did you miss me? I sure as hell missed you." The nurse also removed her entire costume, revealing a red, flowery dress with the two pistols still equipped, along with a metal crossbow. Ada. What the hell is she doing here? Isn't she supposed to be dead? Wait a minute… Is this supposed to be his "final trick"? He would have to defeat Ada in order to find Claire?

"Ada… what the hell do you want? I thought you were dead…" Leon clinched his fists together without even realizing. Guess it became a habit after what happened a few days ago.

"Leon, Leon, Leon… still just as feisty as ever… It's kind of attractive, is it not?" Ada's voice was very hushed, almost as if she didn't want Lindsay to hear what she was saying. "Listen, I didn't want to be brought back, either. I was having too much fun in hell." Ada chuckled.

What was so funny about Leon practically on the verge of death? "Have you heard about the massive outbreaks? They are growing quite rapidly, you know… Even some creatures are appearing in Antarctica. Can you believe it?"

"This as nothing to do with the outbreak right now, Ada!"

"Of course it does! It means everything right now!"

"No it doesn't! Leon napped. His muscles tightened. (Hot!) His heart began to beat so rapidly Ada could faintly hear it. "This whole thing is making me crazy…" Leon fell to his knees. He was at his limit. Between this cage, Lindsay and Ada, everything was moving so fast before Leon's eyes. Every time he blinked, some new tragedy would occur. The worst part was that he could have prevented half of these events from happening if he hadn't made those awful mistakes. What if this is what Lindsay wanted? For Leon to collapse mentally and then, in turn, shut everything out and only cater to himself?

Finally, for what seemed like ages, Ada broke the silence. "I think you would like to know what Lindsay's test consists of, correct?" Of course Leon wants to know! He's been in suspense since Lindsay first informed him about it.

"It's about damn time…" Leon mumbled, grumbling under his breath. He tried to stand, but his legs were too weak to support his weight.

"Well, your test," Ada began, putting her arm through the steel bars to pull Leon's head up. The spy pondered for a minute, "is to fight me. To those doors over there." The two metal doors Lindsay walked out of to observe everything that's happened thus far. Ada projected Leon's eyes to the radiating red light from the top of the metal steel doors.

"It is simply a race. If you touch the handle before I do, the light will turn green and the doors will unlock, allowing you to leave, blah blah blah… We both know that isn't going to happen. If you don't get to door in time, let's just say you ]'ll get your ass burnt. Badly." There's that sinister smile again. She needs to stop doing that, it's freaking creepy.

"Are you ready?" The lock for the door containing Leon in his cage clicked. Ada motioned for Leon to stand beside her. "Good luck," said Ada, offering her hand. Leon smacked it and focused all of his attention on freedom. "Wow, someone's a sore loser. Trust me, you'll need the luck." Leon had other things to worry about.

Lindsay came over a makeshift intercom to countdown.

"Who will emerge victorious? The Raccoon City police officer of the super spy? 3… 2… 1… GO!" A horn blared as Ada and Leon darted to make it to the steel doors. He had to achieve freedom. Dying here would mean one thing and one thing only: failure. Leon kept a steady par, whereas Ada was pushing herself heavily.

"Keep… up… shrimp!" Ada blurted indistinctly. She had been panting profusely and Leon could barely make out what she was trying to say to distract him. He politely gave her the finger to let Ada know that her scheme wasn't getting to him. Before Ada knew it, Leon had obtained a pretty heavy lead over her. He was closing in on the finish line to freedom and Ada honestly didn't have a chance anymore. She knew this, and eventually stopped running all together.

"Go ahead! If it'll make you feel better, kill me again! Lindsay will bring me back again, I know it!" Leon didn't listen to Ada's begging. It was simply another scheme to spare her. It was a waste of her time. Freedom was his only goal.

As Leon approached and placed his hand on the metal door, Ada, limping, managed to close the gap between her and Leon.

"You know your precious wife of yours is in the hospital… All of the emotional torment you put her through… Are you happy with yourself, Leon? Do you think you're just going to find her and she'll forget everything and forgive you? Women don't work like that. Doing that would make your situation worse."

Leon's heart sank into his stomach. Congratulations, Ada. You finally broke him. He couldn't help tears from forming inside his eyes and eventually running down his cheeks.

"Shut your fucking mouth," Leon whispered with his back to Ada. "I have to do something! If I don't, nothing will change! Don't you understand that?" Ada remained silent as the metal door opened and Leon walked out of that torture chamber without looking back.

"Leon! No! You can't leave me here!" The room quickly filled with a yellowish haze and it wasn't before long that Ada's pleading stopped and she lie dead on the cold floor. Leon expected Lindsay to send goons to kill him or to say that it was a diversion of a trap, but she didn't. Was she actually going to let him leave when she has him right where she wants him? Whatever the reason for letting him escape, Leon knew that deep in his heart seeing Claire once more would ignite the flame that burned vigorously at the beginning of their then wonderful marriage. He hoped she was safe and sound (not in a hospital)

waiting for him. Fuck, even thinking about her makes his urge to see her grow even more than ever before.

"Hopefully… she'll forgive me."

"Ouch", Leon screeched, rubbing his eyes. His eyes had become highly sensitive to the sunlight. It had been a few days since Leon had seen the sun, after all. He noticed his skin was beginning to roast under the intense heat. Frequently, Leon would hear a sizzling sound, as if someone was throwing a barbecue. He and Claire used to throw a barbecue for their friends and family every Sunday for several weeks before the weather took a turn for the worse. Luckily he was near GeoCrane, so he wasn't too far from his and Claire's home.

Walking along the deserted street, Leon observed a sign in the far distance. It was the welcome sign. What luck! Leon was just outside the city limits. Puffs of smoke from the GeoCrane National Power Plant distracted Leon for a quick minute before passing the sign. Running with all of his might did take a toll on his strength, however. Finally! People! Actual living, breathing people! Huzzah! You have no idea how tired he was of staring at a blank wall for days! Unfortunately, the peering thought as to why Lindsay would allow him to just leave from her grasp is unbeknownst to him. The thought hadn't left his mind since his escape. But it was second to his main priority, which was to find his one and only true love.

Well, that's it for Chapter 10! I have Chapter 11 written as well, so I'll type that up tomorrow and publish it! Chapter 12 will be the last chapter because I've spent way too much of my time on this and I want to move onto writing new stories. See you in Chapter 11! Please review! :D