BLACK INVITATION
Created by : jitan88 | Beta-reader : CK – Ace.
Disclaimer: All Resident Evil characters belongs to Resident Evil - Capcom.
Note:
- Timeline : After Resident Evil 6
- Rated : M
- Genre: Action / Adventure / Romance
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I had just ended my phone call to Kennedy when one hand clapped onto my back. I tensed and turned to my back, only to find her smiling sweetly at me. She looked so petite from my point of view, so much that I need to tilt my head down a bit due to our difference in height. Turned out that she had left the inn we were staying just to look for me, lucky me that I had just ended the call by the time she arrived.
"Who was that on the phone?" Her smile could melt.
"I-uh... Nah, it was nobody." I lied, to tell her about Kennedy now will only worry her, "Just some guy who was kind enough to provide me a lecture."
"Are you alright, Jake?"
I nodded curtly, turning my attention to buy some food. She chose a sandwich while I immediate headed to where the fruit stall was. My only choice of a breakfast, I picked out two which seemed ripe to me. I had down on one apple when Sherry decided that she still need to pick up some things. She asked me if we could go on a walk afterwards, it's not such a bad idea to me - after all, she would be leaving to the airport tomorrow. The sun was shining down on us, and we both paced down a crowded road.
We weren't saying anything, and neither of us decided to start one.
This was not the first time we walked side by side... but it just didn't felt the same.
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It felt... different.
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I could always enjoy an apple no matter in any kind of situation. The ripeness from the red never failed to rouse my appetite, the sweetness and the freshness of the fruit always satisfy me... Maybe not too much this time, it tasted bland to me as it went down my throat. Perhaps it was that my mind was never on the fruit in the first place? While in my right hand was the red apple, the other five fingers of mine held another set of fingers. The gesture was so simple and general, but it was enough to make me feel so awkward.
Let me get one thing straight; on my time with the mercs, there would absolutely be no way that I could be holding hands with the other gay merc. Yeah ,it's disgusting! Of course I didn't have the need to hold my enemies hands, lest to kill them. This wasn't like a year ago when I allow her to hold my hands because she saved my life... This time it felt so different. Sherry interlocking our fingers together, unhindered by any gloves, that I am sure that she could felt the scars and hardness on my palms. Ah, and certainly I do not hate this feelings...
Everything feels new and... great.
I secretly stole a glimpse of her. Jeez, my heart was pounding like crazy and she looked calm enough. She was busy munching on her bread as she gaze at the display item on each window, her fingers squeezing mine in the most natural way... Tch, I felt like an idiot. I didn't notice how I was smiling when I realized how stupid I was. So I turn my head away to hide that smile but...
She saw me.
"What makes you so happy today?" She asked cheerily, "I've never seen Jake Muller smile like that before."
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Damn, Jake... You must have looked so stupid in that smile ...
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"You're not seeing things, Supergirl?" I tried to remain calm, earning myself a grin from her, "Don't worry, I ain't going nuts."
" Hmm... So? " This little lady had not relent, she swung her right hand like a child. His eyes remained focused as if she was waiting for an answer, making me running out of words.
"Don't worry to much." I felt really rigid. I cursed at my own words. At a glance, I could see that she sighed after listening my flat answer.
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Suddenly I stop at a store window. Seeing a miniature of an airplane from one traveling agency somehow reminded me of a year ago. The memories when I had to see as her plane departed, while I am on top of my bike. When the plane flew over my head back to Uncle Sam, I felt... empty. Her departure had left a question behind her - what did she meant to me? No, not only as a partner but something more personal. After what we had both went through together, including the time when I refused the fifty million, I can be sure of myself...
She's my savior, I owe her my life, that's how out relationship worked.
Period.
Strangely a few months after she had left, I could still feel the void inside of me. Oh God... SHERRY BIRKIN. Her petite figure that could be the end of me. Initially, I though that we were just mutual partners, the reason I declined my fifty million was only just a proof that I had changed. But to be honest... I got a feeling that I am only doing that for her.
We rarely kept in contact with each other, maybe a few text messages and all. Both of us were bounded by work and I was once at somewhere without Wi-Fi, it was only that one time we lost contact that I was starting to fear... to the point of frustration. Right, it's stupid but it's killing me!
Like I was positively mentally disable because of Sherry Birkin...
Sometimes I just stared at my empty inbox, wondering if she would ever text me again. How's Sherry? Wondering if she's alright? She's alive, right? What if she had received dangerous mission trying to hunt down a fucking B.O.W? Tch, the torture was more than facing hundreds of B.O.W combined... What the hell was wrong with me? I need to stop thinking about her...
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But when I met her again here in Amozi... I changed my mind, or rather ; I realized something. Seeing her still breathing in Central Market was wnough to make me feel... relieved? It all becomes clear now, and I will not let her go. Sherry's existence for me... was very important.
She and her safety was what matters to me most.
But, she would have to return to the United States... I had to forget it all yet again? Instantly the empty feeling I felt last year repeat itself, feeling empty and torn. Sherry Birkin would be leaving Amozi and return to her home country. In a rough sense, she will leave me .
Again .
And I could not change it . Even though we had recognize each other's feelings and our relationship was more than just work partners, it's still not easy. Not easy because I cannot be selfish and have her to myself. She worked as a government agent, and I worked the opposite way she did. Uncle Sam was her home. As for me? I did not want her to return to America, but I did not have the right to forbid her home. In addition to myself that I did not have a goal or a permanent residence. My breathing felt heavy, my grip on her fingers unconsciously tightened As I was staring at the storefront .
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Sherry Birkin looked at from the side, realizing my empty gaze .
"You're thinking about tomorrow, because I have to go home ?" she asked slowly, I just nodded.
"What would you do?" she asked again, "What would you do to not let me go?"
'Damn it, Sherry... Why would we talk about this now?' My mind screamed.
"Jake—"
"To be honest, I don't want you to leave me, but we both know that it's impossible. And here you are, asking me; What will I do?" I shrugged as I answered, "Nothing, there's nothing that I can do to make you stay, Supergirl..."
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Sherry rotated the body and now she was facing me, "I understand, you know this is not easy for me too. Not after what we went through together. But you know that I am still on a mission. I must go back, Jake."
"Yeah, I know." I sighed , trying to keep myself from showing how annoyed I am right now, "Of course I do not have the right to forbid you home, Sherry... You do have to go back."
"Stop being a mercenary." she interrupted my words and I felt her grip loosen. Without warning her hands were now resting on my chest, she tiptoed and kissed me on the lips at lightning speed. When her lips made contact , it all felt so fast... I was stunned . While my mind was busy digesting the situation , this woman kept looking at me with her blue eyes. Sherry Birkin looked so confident in her invitation, even saying it to reinforce her statement once again .
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"Come with me to America, Jake..."
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BLACK INVITATION
FINAL CHAPTER : PART 1
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Washington D.C. - F.O.S Central Office - 07:40 AM
Dave Richter, the Director of the FOS who had sworn as the National Security Advisor to intervene directly in monitoring the development of a mission called Operation Black Spider. Luckily, he had managed to contact the B.S.A.A advisor, Clive O'Brian to demand help from the Middle Eastern B.S.A.A, which was how Merah Biji was able to arrive to the scene in time. The success of the woman as a Special Operations Agent (SOA) with Chris Redfield and Piers Nivans with the previous outbreak makes Clive unhesitatingly recommended her.
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Behind the desk was Bernard Hills grabbing a ringing phone while holding the sheets of data. Had not the time to converse more, he called for his boss who was a few years younger than he was. Richter turned and picked up the phone. Her brow furrowed as his men who were in the field reports, Bernard Hills who was beside him had suspected that his superior received unfavorable information.
"What did you say? Arthur Lodge is not in his residence?!" The yell had successively stalled Hunnigan from typing away in her seat, "Have you confirmed that he was not in his house? Yes, continue the mission, I need you to ransack his house until you find the man or any evidence of his guilt. Do what you can for now, I will be waiting for news."
Ingrid Hunnigan did not waste her time, she returned to dwell on the screen when Dave Richter still communicating with the field agents assigned Lodge's residence to be captured. After giving some instructions, the FOS director put the phone down as he snorted in disgust. He looked at the face Bernard Hills and shook his head .
"The agents cannot find Arthur Lodge in his house, reports said that he had not returning for at least four days, not even his neighbors knew of it. His relatives had not provide any information too, the only house he had for his parents had too being sold. Well, it seems that the traitor is cunning enough, Hills." he said with a cynical smile on Bernard Hills that was once the target of his superiors.
"Agent Hunnigan, I need you to investigate Arthur Lodge's bank account and his credit card. You are to research about plane tickets under the name Arthur Lodge for the past week, in both domestic and international airlines. Send his passport info to the airlines just in case they suspect that it is the man we are looking for, I highly bet that the traitor will use a fake passport..." Richter coughed before giving out more instructions to Bernard Hills, "And you, Agent Hills; I need you to contact the U.S.S.S. We need help from the Secret Service to gain access to every CCTV available in the country, send them too the data of Lodge. Alright, it's time to work!"
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May 3rd , 2014 - Unknown Place , Amozi - 15:15 PM (45 minutes before Eradication)
Jake Muller felt pain all over his body, he struggled to drag his feet up to the ground. His plan succeeded, using the remaining grenades he had, Jake blew up the rest of the J'avos. The explosion was deadly enough to do just that. Now left in the room was just Allan Groves and Jake Muller. They both stood face to face with his hands clenched, sweat and blood from the wounds blended into one. Groves was too caught in the blast but he remain unscathed, except his clothes which appeared to be torn out and ragged in dust and blood.
Effortlessly, he torn his shirt over his shoulder and dropped the strands to the ground. Jake's eyes narrowed, the leader of the Black Spider had stocky body with solid muscles on him. He looked just like any other man, maybe except the significant black tainting the left side of his chest with green veins on it, spreading towards his abdomen and shoulder. Jake realizes Allan Groves not only has tremendous physical strength, he too was supported by accuracy and agility. The sight today confirmed Jake; Groves was not a normal human.
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"Wow, nice... tattoo." Jake pointed out the 'bruises' on Groves's chest, "Seems like you're not normal too, huh? Like Catherine? Emily? Whatever... you are just another fucking creature."
Allan Groves unhesitatingly walked over to Jake.
"Creature? I prefer to call this... special." In lightning speed, his fist hit Jake left temple. His opponent managed to react and tried to escape , but unfortunately the power fist Groves still hit hard. Jake lost his balance due to dizziness from the blow, he fell, "My power is what Albert Wesker gave me, Jake."
Jake frowned ... Did he just say the name of his father ?
Albert Wesker?
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Groves left leg kicked the chest Jake protected it with both hands, the descendant of Wesker dodged. Jake rolled swiftly to a kneeling position, catching his breaths quickly while Groves frowned at his movements. The middle-aged man grimaced, without wasting half a chance Groves ran and attacked Jake using both his legs, forming a series of assault directed at the body of Jake Muller. Jake swiftly caught Groves's foot and slammed his fist to his knees.
The leader of the Black Spider was shocked when Jake caught his left foot, with all his might he tried to escape the hold. With his legs immobile, Groves threw a punch to Jake's head, the successful attack weakened grip. Jake felt the surrounding blackened for a moment when the hard blow hit his head, his grip slackened. But right before another punch happen, Jake cast one fist on Groves's knee was now falling due to loss of balance. Groves's knee numbed completely, they fell.
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"Damn! What a fucking monster!" Jake blinked, his eyes blurry, "Where the fuck you get all that pow—"
Unwilling to rest, Groves rolled himself on top of Jake and peppered him with blows after blows. The welts and bruises all over Jake's body began to ache, moreover that Groves had an insane amount of power. Jake was now in a desperate position. Shit, this monster is really troublesome, need to do something...
Jake pulled his 909 out of the holster, he shot Groves who was on top of him. One bullet fired from close range to penetrate the left abdomen of Allan Groves, he groaned and released his prisoner. Jake Muller took the opportunity to do a back roll as soon as Groves staggered due to the 9mm penetrated through his body. Kneeling down he kept aiming the barrel of his gun toward Groves who was holding his bleeding stomach.
Jake Muller cocked his head to the side when he saw the blood splattered from Groves's body was colored black, it's not even blood. The twenty two witness another oddities when the green veins began spreading to where the wound was and reacted. And suddenly the bleeding from gunshot wound decreased... Then it stopped completely. The same happened to the rest of the area afflicted by Jake's combat knife.
Albert Wesker's experimental results must now be faced by his own biological child.
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"Your father, Albert Wesker; he was the one who made me this unique!" Groves said as he stretched out his hands, " This is a secret that I kept for years, even after your father's death. You should be honored that I tell you this, no?"
Allan Groves's speech was responded with sarcasm.
"No, I am flattered. But sorry if I ruined your god-wannabe story..." Jake chuckled , he was alert with 909 in hand, "Unfortunately, I have seen much better healing factor than this so... you can say that I am not really 'Wow! What the fuck was that?' mood."
Allan Groves shook his head and smiled, he laughed terribly as his voice echoed. The power he obtained from the results of Uroboros and J-antidote was near perfect - his strength increased tenfold, his agility was faster than ever and his movement improved in accuracy. Interestingly, he too could heal himself, although nowhere perfect as the G-Virus belonged to Sherry.
The blackened chest of Groves pumped vigorously, Jake caught the aura of danger and aimed his gun yet again.
"Eat this, motherfucker!" Jake swore, shooting a barrage at Groves to slow his movements.
Bang! Bang!
- Click! -
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"Oh, fuck!" Jake roared frustratingly.
Just before the third shot, the 909 asked to be reloaded since the ammunition ran out . Meanwhile Groves kept running without interruption, the two shots had no meaning. His right arm extended and preparing for an attack. His speed was superb that Jake's heart raced faster as the man was closing in. Damn! Should I dodge or attack?! The critical option needed to be chose in split seconds. Terrible grin of the approaching monster inevitably made Jake's entire muscles tensed, the man threw his 909 just like that. Both hands now clenched, his body bent slightly for a counterattack.
His pride refused to flee.
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Secret Room - 15:25 PM (35 minutes before Eradication)
"Bravo Team To Alpha Team, respond! We need back— Aaaaaakkkkhhh!"
The transmission ended abruptly with the demise of the last of Bravo Team. After not able to contact Alpha Team for the countless times, another team moved in to search for them. Half running with her weapon outstretched, she was in the last row of the formation. According to recent reports from HQ, Bravo Team found the room that mentioned by Leon Kennedy as the secret room. Merah Biji headed to the last hallway in pitch black darkness. The lighting in the room had been disrupted, probably by explosives or gun fire.
"Be careful, soldiers... " Merah said to the three other members. She aimed her SCAR attached with a flashlight as she entered the room followed closely by her comrades, "This is where Bravo Team's last contact."
The four were moving slowly to sneak into the room, the beam of the flashlights on the barrel of a gun and Kevlar illuminate only a small portion of the room. Suddenly in the darkness emerged a mutated J'avo - transformed into a Ruka by its hand and head. Following behind it were two figures, two undeads standing slowly after devouring of what it known to be the Bravo Team, their steps staggered. According to Leon, the undead should be imprisoned in the cell. They believed that the Ruka was the one prying the bars apart for the mother and daughter pair to escape.
Merah Biji ordered her mates to attack the Ruka first. When the barrage begin to the J'avo, only Merah was targeting the undead by the head. The BSAA agent shoot accurately causing the ten years old child to fall backwards. Not wasting any time, Merah directed her weapon to her next target, the mother of the undead. Headshot. In the meantime, Merah assisted her team in dealing with the B.O.W, in no time, the creature fell dead and disintegrated.
"Uhh... Captain Merah?"
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Merah Biji was filing her rifle with magazine when her name was called.
"Captain, this is strange..." The three directed their weapons to one direction, "The zombies did not die from the head shot!"
Merah Biji aimed her gun where the zombies once again trying to stand. There was an obvious gaping hole on the skull, a method that supposedly effective by destroying the brain structure. The B.S.A.A agents immediately transmitted the information to her superiors, in which they demand to secure a sample for suspecting a new type of virus inside the undead. The black-haired woman nodded, she returned her rifle and pulled out her sidearm instead while her three comrades stood quietly for instructions. As the zombies begin shuffling to them, Merah ordered her team to remain a safe distance.
"Back off! I will take the samples from the girl." Merah readied her handgun, "You guys handle the woman, make sure to keep it off me!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Without warning, Merah Biji raised her gun to Catherine and fired. Staggering backwards, Catherine was separated from Emily leaving the girl wide open for Merah to attack. She ran to the infected child and directed his feet to the girl, a backflip to the jaws sending the infected flying. While Merah landed safely, Emily had her back to the ground. The roar and growl from the zombie did not falter Merah as the agent went on and pinned the zombie using her body weight and both her legs.
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Fishing into her pockets, Merah removed a syringe from her back pack and plunged it into the head of Emily. She waited a while before the empty cylinder began rising in a black vial of blood. As soon as she recovered what she want, Merah stood from the zombie and fired her weapon at the head of Emily repeatedly, crushing her head. The three units followed her example to Catherine. Once it was done, they remained alert on their feet when the headless body shook and trembled for a moment.
Would they continue their assault even without their heads?
And luckily, it did not happen .
"Merah Biji to HQ, we've got the samples." She reported cheerily.
Her gaze fixated to the two headless zombie covered in black blood. Merah Biji shook her head sorrily in this new phenomenon. Usually it would only take one shot to the head and the zombie would be history. Their activities should be ceases when the brain tissues were damaged, but these two undead were really unique. Is it really necessary for them to destroy their heads just to kill them? One of the units referred to his wrist watch and informed his captain.
"Captain, there is twenty minutes left before the eradication. But Team B from B.S.A.A are still at the basement..."
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15:35 PM
Even in the last minutes before the B.S.A.A eradication of the whole Black Spider facility, Jake was still struggling with Allan Groves. Groves was truly a monster, showing no sign of fatigue whatsoever. Jake cursed Albert Wesker if he indeed gave Allan Groves the inhuman strength today. The red-haired man's mobility became limited as containers began scattering around the room. Some of them were empty, or containing illegal goods to be distributed on the black market. But there was a small portion that contains flammable materials... And of course, Jake did not know exactly which one was which.
"Fuck... " his mouth never stopped swearing, "this old fart is fucking damned than Ustanak!"
Off guarded, Groves's next attack sent Jake flying backwards, his back smashing to the container wall. Jake growled in agony when his bruised back hit the cold wall of the container, though he got to see a Hi-Browning lying not far from where he was. Within his reach, Jake grabbed the gun as fast as lightning. A gunpowder explosion lodged in Groves's body but it did little to stop Groves movement, Groves captured the barrel of Jake's gun and pulled it hard. The tiny weapon easily bent, while the left arm of Groves managed to land on the mercenary's neck. he intend to stick his fingers into Jake's skin...
"Tch, tch, you're weak, Wesker junior."
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Jake rebelled. Both free hands lunged forward and gripped onto Groves's head, pushing his head forward. Furthermore, his combat boots cast a hard kick to Groves's stomach in order to free himself. Fortunately, his neck had not torn by Groves yet, maybe a few scratches from his nails. Still open for a backlash, Jake struck Groves's chin with his bloodied knuckles. Jake chained a barrage of puches and kick to the damned man in front of him, watching as his blackened body pulsate in a green glow ever so often. Jake frowned, he need to think of something.
He need to find a way to kill Allan Groves...
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Basement - South Route , 15:45 PM (15 minutes before Eradication)
Two men were running down the hall from the pursuing creature who had finished off two of their friends. The heavy weaponry had not only failed to destroy the mutation, it had forced the C-Virus infectant to transform into something stronger. One mutated in the legs resembling giant spider legs and armed with a MP5. The B.S.A.A members were still trying to shoot, they kept being defeated by the mutated J'avo with its submachinegun. One was shot multiple times by the J'avo and fell to the ground, but was still alive thanks to his bulletproof vest. The valiant soldier continued his attack to the J'avo while his friend tried hard to save him.
"Get to the door! Let me handle the bomb!" shrieked one soldier. He took over his friend and began shooting at the Ruka, allowing his comrade to escape to the door. But the Ruka now mutated on the armed where a scythe emerged.
Unfortunately the claw of the Ruka pierced his head.
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The only remaining Team B managed to open the door, but at the same time his feet was hit by the Ruka's MP5. Losing his balance, this man fell. The time bomb in his hand too dropped before it got to be installed. But from his hind, he heard a flurry of gunshots but none hit him. Instead, he heard the Ruka screamed in agony as each spider legs were destroyed, and the defeated J'avo was no more. The Team B member was surprised to find that there were someone rescuing him, four of them to be exact.
Soon after the Ruka's death, the four separated on their own tasks. Leon approached the dead Team B members while the two Alpha Team soldiers help the victim to stand. The remaining Team B looked at Leon while the man was checking for pulses, pnly to get a short shake from Leon. He sighed, upset to know how his teammate were ravaged by the B.O.W and died tragically to save his life. Although he did inform Leon where did they dropped the detonator of the bomb.
Leon forbade the injured soldier from proceeding forward. His empathy to the man disallow him to lose any more men, so the Agent decided that retrieving the detonator to be his own responsibility. Thus, the Team B soldier agreed to leave the facility to report to the HQ, assisted by another Alpha Team member. Leaving Leon, Sherry and the Alpha Team Commander to find Jake Muller. Sherry Birkin paced past the bodies along the way, down to the stairway leading directly to the basement while her rifle in hand. Closely behind herself, Leon and the Alpha Team Commander were doing the same.
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The spacious hall was darker and pungent with the scent of gunpowder and blood. The last time Leon was here, it wasn't littered in black robed bodies that were not J'avo mutation. having nothing left to see in this previous battlefield, the three advanced forward, trying to look for said detonator dropped by the late B.S.A.A . And to look for Jake Muller. Sherry's heart stopped for a second when she heard a shriek from one side of the dark room below them, but her eyes were not able to capture any movement. She quickened her pace down the stairs, leaving the two men behind her.
"Sherry! Don't walk away by yourself!" Leon ranted like a father, trying to catch up to the woman before him, "We should look for Jake together!"
"There's only fifteen left before the building is exploded, Leon." She turned around to face him irritably, "I'll go look for Jake, you two should go looking for the detonator instead."
"W-What? No! Hand on a—"
"Don't worry about me, Leon. I am not the little girl I was back in Raccoon City." She smiled at the senior agent in the darkness, "I can do this, trust me."
Leon Scott Kennedy could only stare at her, speechless.
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Sherry could not wait any longer. Having said that, she lurched forward and leaving Leon and the Alpha Commander behind, down the stairs with a loaded weapon. The DSO senior agent could only stare at her back as he watch her leave, he sighed. He briefly glanced to the side, finding the leader of Alpha Team looking at him with a hint of pity. The man chuckled, sympathizing with Leon by patting his shoulder and then he resumed to the task of finding the explosive devices. Shaking his head , Leon followed the soldier opposite to where Sherry had left off.
"Women..." Leon murmured down the stairs, "A species much more complicating than a B.O.W."
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TBC
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Author's Note :
Thank you for my awesome beta-reader; CK-Ace who helped me translate this chapter, "kau memang yang terbaik!"
Please read, review, and spread the word guys! See you on the next chapter! :D
-jitan-