Chapter 14
The first thing that hits me is the overpowering stench of the supertyrants. They've been close.
Very close.
But the hatch was hidden by a rug which, luckily, they didn't decide to look under.
Leaving the hatch open, I walk around the whole hut, senses on full. I hear the moaning and growling of zombies and other nasties outside stumbling around in their search for prey, but nothing that sounds like a supertyrant.
I am suddenly very worried. Not hearing them means I don't know where they're at.
And I don't like not knowing where they're at. It causes such a feeling of impending doom.
I double back to the hatch.
" It's alright," I call softly, not wanting to attract unwanted company, " It's safe."
One by one they file out; glancing around like nervous rabbits leaving a burrow. All have their weapons drawn, save Alexandra.
I wonder how she managed to survive alone in this godforsaken place for any amount of time. And where are her parents? Dead? That's a possibility. Hopefully one she wont have to face up to. It must suck being an orphan.
Again I find my eyes drawn to her weird bracelets. What an odd fashion statement. I guess it must be true what they say about beauty being in the eye of the beholder.
" Okay," I tell everyone, " Stay right with me. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you to stay alert."
My friends are silent as we head out of the hut and back onto the main dirt road.
Seeing no zombies or other creatures, we head out north. Towards the bramble fence.
It doesn't take long to reach the brambles, and the torchlight illuminates a niche in the structure.
The gate.
A few zombies lye in the path, feigning dead. In just a few seconds they wont be feigning.
" Zombie." I state rather bluntly.
Alexis hops in front of me, uzi raised. " I'll take care of them! "
She fires several rounds into the faker zombies. Gushing red wounds appear in their flesh, and they give in with sad death moans.
Then again, zombies never really sound anything but sad. Which stands to reason. I suppose I'd be sad too, if I were a zombie.
" Gotcha! " Alexis chirps.
Okay. This is a side to her I've never seen before, but I like it.
The girl's got an edge!
" Whoa, way to go Alexis! " Steve laughs, " You shot those ground-crawling zombies to death all by yourself, and with an uzi! "
Alexis beams, " What, you think the fight should have been more fair? "
Steve grins. " Well, I wouldn'tve minded seeing a mudfight."
Claire hits him lightly over the head with the barrel of her shotgun. " Keep that up, Mister, and you're going to be in a mudfight alright."
" Really? Will you wear a bikini? "
Claire thumps him on the head good-naturedly. " In your dreams! "
" Actually, in my dreams you're not wearing…"
" Um, Steve? " Alexis interrupts, pointing to Alexandra.
Steve blushes. " Oh. Sorry."
I shake my head. What is it about dangerous places that brings out the loony in people?
I step over the permanently disabled zombies and grab the gate. It swings open easily.
Ahead lays a narrow stone pathway lined on either side by dense flower bushes.
The gardens.
The place is alive with the sounds of insects and a sweet odor perfumes the air.
To the average human eyes it would be very dark.
Fortunately, I don't have the average human eyes.
I freeze for just a moment. A shift in the wind. A cracking noise.
Of course, it could just be a zombie or other mutant animal ambling about…
" So, lead the way, O' Leading One." Steve prods, " We might even run into the others. That'd be nice."
" Yeah, and so would a giant can of 'OFF'! The bugs are going to eat me alive! " Alexis complains.
No time to get cold feet now. I start forward.
" Heh, you seemed awfully willing to let Alan lead." I hear Claire say in a quiet voice, " I'm surprised, Steve. I would've thought you would've wanted to lead the pack."
" Hey, two reasons for my decision. One, any big monsters attack they're going to get Superboy up there first, and Two, I get to make time in the back with all the ladies! "
" I heard that! " I whip around to see Steve swing an arm around the necks of both Claire and Alexis, grinning like an idiot.
Alexis shoves his arm away quickly with an indignant snort. " This is one lady you won't be making time with! "
Steve only laughs. " Geesh, it is so easy to get you aristocrats all wound up! "
" Um, if we keep talking, the zombies and monsters are going to find us." Alexandra points out.
That silences them.
Out of the mouths of babes, they say.
I give Alexandra an approving nod and turn back into the lead.
There are lots of creatures making quite a racket all around. Thankfully, none is close enough to worry about so far.
The path opens up into a circle surrounding an elegant water fountain. The scent of blood flows from it in waves. I see the red stain in the darkened water as it sprays up into the night air.
" Is there water somewhere? " Alexis asks, " I hear it, but I don't see it."
" Yes," I agree, " straight ahead. There's a fountain. Just like Mark said. That means there should also be another path connecting to the Umbrella facility just beyond it. But there's so many trees and plants I can't see it yet."
The trees and bushes here are unusually high and leafy for this part of Africa. We're in the plains, but these look like they came straight out of the jungle. What's more, they hinder my view. So I can't actually see the building, but I sense we are close by.
Once I've checked to make sure the coast is clear, I start down the left-hand path around the fountain.
That's when Alexis begins to hum.
It is not a tune I am familiar with, but her voice carries a nervous edge.
" Alexis! Not that song! " Steve complains, " Ashfords! I can see humming if you're nervous, but don't you know anything else? Anything that won't remind me of that horrible evening I spent with your mother? "
Now I definitely hear leaves rustling. And it's not the wind.
I tense up, searching for the source of the sound.
Alexis is oblivious. " Sorry. I just had that song stuck in my head. Do you have a problem with 'One Tin Soldier' ? "
Suddenly, " You sing that song wrong anyway." An all-too-familiar voice says.
Alexia jumps from the bushes, from a small path in the bushes I'd somehow overlooked.
She lands not more than ten feet in front of me, her bloodred lips drawn up into an evil smirk.
She looks just the same as I remember her: beautiful and deadly. Tonight she is wearing a fanciful red gown and her blonde hair glints silver in the moonlight. In fact, it startles me just how much she resembles Alexis.
However, Alexis has a noticeable widow's peak on her forehead and Alexia does not.
I stand my ground, trying to appear more confident in my abilities than I really am. I will not show her the satisfaction of my fear.
Besides, this chick has really rubbed me the wrong way.
" Alexia! " Steve and Claire gasp in unison.
Alexia chuckles. " Boy, don't we have a smart bunch here tonight? "
" Cut to the chase," I growl, ready to attack at the faintest provocation, " what do you want? "
Alexia cocks her head as if deciding who to attack first.
" You're your father's son alright. And I see you seem to be doing very well despite our last encounter."
For just a cold second, we lock eyes.
Then she shifts her gaze to the others.
" You have made it this far, and I know what you seek. But it's too bad because your little rescue party is going to fail. You have courage, I'll give you that. But do you know the reason why you're not going to live past this night? "
" No, but I have a feeling you're going to tell us." I cross my arms and size her up, wondering how special she'd feel with a bloody nose.
Of course, I'll kill her if I get half the chance. And I will not feel a twinge of remorse.
If Chris could do it, so can I.
" You're going to die because you simply do not have the power to stop me. I have a lot in my favor, this night."
" Yeah? Well…we have Little Alexia! "
What?!
Steve's words are so surprising that just for a split second I turn to see him give a startled Alexis a slight shove forward.
Now Alexia does laugh. It is a cold, evil sound.
" You think I fear my own daughter? By the way, I couldn't help but to notice that you've been doing rather well on your own, Alexis."
" No thanks to you! " Alexis snorts, " You went off and totally left me behind! "
But her words do not hide her true emotions.
Alexis is scared. Scared of her own mother.
Mother and daughter lock eyes, and the tension is so thick I could cut it with a knife.
Claire leans into Steve a bit, not daring to lift her firearm.
I keep my eyes trained on Alexia, ready for her next move.
" You know," Alexia purrs, her words directed at Alexis, " It's not too late for you, you know. You may act nice now, but we both know that Ashford blood runs pure in your veins. Join me! The Ashford family can be even more powerful, even more glorious. Nothing can stand in our way. Because whether you want to believe it or not, Daughter dear, I am going to win. And once all your friends are dead, where will you go? Who will you turn to? I'm giving you a chance to be on the winning team. I promise you you'll have a brighter future with us, your true family--your flesh and blood. What have you to say? "
Alexis backs into Steve and Claire, a certain fire of defiance in her eyes. " Never! I'd sooner sniff a zombie's underarm! "
" That's telling her! " Claire cheers, " You go, girl! "
Alexia's smile vanishes and is replaced by an angry frown.
" Being around these inferior ponces has made you weak! Just remember that I gave you a chance! "
Something occurs to me then…Alexandra's gone. She must've slipped away while we were preoccupied with Alexia.
But where did she go? And why did she leave?
Alexia stands her ground, sizing the situation up. I will wait for the right moment, once she's not paying as much attention to me as she should.
No such luck.
Now her eyes bear into me like lasers. " And you, I have something very special in mind for you."
I am cocky. " Thanks, but I'm kind of busy tonight. I'm afraid you're going to have to take a rain-check."
" You dare to mock me?! " Alexia rages.
I shrug. " Why not? What are you going to do, mutate into a giant bug and gross-me-out-to-death? "
I have pushed the right buttons.
By making her mad at me, she will focus more on me and my friends can escape. At least, that's the plan.
" I've had about enough of this! Alfred! Ash! "
Alfred and Ash leap out of hiding from opposite directions and collide with each other.
A misfired bullet whizzes from Alfred's sniper rifle and barely misses Alexia's face.
" Hey! Watch it! " Ash grumbles as he and Alfred pull away, both rubbing their faces.
I laugh along with my friends.
And they're supposed to be intimidating?
But it gives me the break I need.
None too pleased and far from amused, Alexia takes her eyes off me. " Will you two quit clowning around and…"
I lunge--lightning fast--and ram into Alexia fist-first, sending her flying into the male Ashfords and effectively bowling them over.
Even as they mutter angry curses, I pounce again, wrapping my hands around Alexia's throat.
" Alan! Watch out for…" Claire's warning comes too late as Alexia's elbow comes up and jams me in the ribs. Hard.
I suddenly feel very hot every place I am touching her body. My hands feel like they're twined around hot coal!
I have no choice but to release her, barely stifling a cry.
She uses the opportunity to buck backwards and knock me over. Then she whirls around like a dervish, a bit of fire at the end of one of her hands.
" Oh, you're going to be sorry for that, Alan! " She throws the fire.
I roll to the side and spring back to my feet.
The fireball hit the ground and there is much shouting and yelling as Alfred and Ash dive for Claire and Steve.
But it is background, and I must focus on the big game.
Smiling wickedly, the Ashford queen flicks her wrist, flinging droplets of blood straight at me.
Using my superspeed, I manage to parry and avoid her bodily fluids before they burst into flame like gasoline ignited.
Weird. I'm not sure what aspect of the T-Veronica virus causes her blood to be like that. And right now, I don't really care.
Now I can see the frustration taking it's toll on her. Obviously, she despises the very thought of a fair fight.
I can't resist. " Not so easy now, is it? The odds have evened out a bit, haven't they? "
Alexia sneers. " I'll be sure to put that in your obituary! "
She lunges. But is as if she is in slow motion.
I step aside with ease and she ends up striking Alfred in the rear.
" Geesh, you're losing it, Alexia. My grandmother could've avoided that one."
" Yeeeoooow! " Alfred hollers, dropping his sniper rifle.
It is immediately seized by Alexis.
Ash is engaged in a brawl with Steve. Hard to tell who's winning, but Steve has that super-fast healing thing going on for him. I hope he tears Ash limb from limb.
Claire takes advantage of Alfred's distraction to take aim with her gun.
Alexia has her back turned to me.
If I am going to make another attack, now would be a good time.
I take a deep breath. Okay. Take on Alexia…I can do this. It's what Dad trained me to do for years. One of his key lessons was 'never fight fair' . Normally I disagree with this advice, but for Alexia I'm going to make an exception.
I'll teach her never to turn her back on a Wesker!
I charge.
An instant before I reach her, Alexia turns around.
She catches my arm before I can strike a blow, and she is not gentle about it. " I'm getting sick of you." She sneers, her expression positively murderous.
" Feelings mutual." I reply, swiping my free hand at her face while at the same time kicking up into a place no polite gentleman would ever hit a lady.
Just as I expect, she clutches my other hand, but she is slow to react to my foot and I catch her by surprise. Now I use the distraction to thrust my arms down in a swift half-circle that throws her to the ground.
That's when her hands start burning.
Yelping a cry of pain, I attempt to free myself.
No such luck, she is holding on too tightly!
Making the most of my predicament, Alexia does not waste the opportunity to pull me to the ground with her. I land by her side on the stony walk. The fall didn't hurt me, but my wrists are burning!
" Still having fun? " Alexia smirks as she digs her long fingernails deep into the flesh of my wrists. At the same time, her hands catch on fire.
The pain is unbearable. If I don't do something quick, she's going to burn me alive!
But her grip is strong. Too strong. However…
Summoning all my reserves of strength and speed, I twist to the side and kick her in the middle with both feet as hard as I can.
Bingo.
Alexia makes a strange pain-cry and goes flying--her sharp nails dragging along my wrists and hands in a blaze of heat and agony.
She sails into the thick bushes while muttering something inaudible in the sounds of the battle.
I spring to my feet and quickly examine the five long nail marks biting deep into each charred wrist in a wash of crimson. Parts of my gloves are burnt and torn in the places where she touched them, but they did save my hands from taking part of the punishment of her claws. Before my eyes the cuts start to close and the blood flow stops. In minutes, I know, I will be fine.
However, my concern right now is not for myself but for my friends.
Alfred and Alexis are in a game of tug-of-war with Alfred's sniper rifle, but Ash has Claire pinned to the ground!
That little weasel! Well, we'll just see about that.
I zip over and grab Ash by the back collar of his preppy blue uniform and simply fling Alexia's mean-spirited son over my shoulder like so much garbage.
There is a loud splash as he hits the water, and a thud as some part of his body strikes the stone in the fountain--hopefully his head.
I reach down and snatch Claire's hand, helping her up.
" Where's Steve?! " She yelps, whipping her head around.
" Steve? " That's a good question. I don't see him anywhere, but it's not like I have time to do much of an in-depth search at the moment--Alexia is getting out of the bushes!
" You'll die for that! "
" Promises, promises." I quip.
What made me say that? Because now she is throwing a fireball at me.
" Dodge! " I yell to Claire grabbing her to the side with me.
The fireball sails past us harmlessly and hits the marble angel figurine in the center of the water fountain.
" Five years hasn't helped your aim! " I throw defiantly, " Your fire-throwing skills still aren't worth a hill of beans! "
Claire's eyes widen in surprise. " What are you trying to do, get us killed? "
" She's trying to kill us anyway! " I point out.
" Alexis, just give me the sodding gun! " Alfred demands angrily while Alexis continues to struggle with him.
" And let you shoot all my friends? I'd rather not."
I almost laugh. Alexis continues to surprise me. And she has proved to be very loyal.
Alexia surges towards them.
I have not yet taken my first step to intercept when something hard and wet hits my back and knocks me off balance.
No! I have to help!
I back up and fling my assailant off, but it has cost me time.
I can only watch as Alexia grabs Alfred's sniper rifle, and, in a display of crude power, flings it as well as the Alexis attached to it up into the air and several hundred feet into the dense brambles beyond the tall shrubs.
Alexis screams as she falls into those brambles and sinks beyond sight. Even in the best of light, I cannot see through opaque structures--I hope she is alright.
" Fool! " Alexia turns on her own brother and strikes him in the face with the back of her hand, sending him stumbling backwards. " Alexis is not our target! You waste my time."
" S…sorry, Alexia. I did not mean to…"
A splashing to my right diverts my attention to the water fountain where a waterlogged Ash is just starting to pull himself out. " Get him, Mother! "
Yipes!
I turn to see Alexia catch ablaze, her whole body engulfed in a fiery inferno. Her bloodred eyes lock onto me in a hateful glare and I can tell right now playtime is over.
She starts towards me, a living torch. The flames lick off her body, yet it does not consume her.
Okay. Now the odds have definitely shifted to her favor. If this were a wrestling match, I would not bet on me.
" Um, Claire? You wouldn't happen to have a firehose handy, would you? 'Cause I'm guessing that having her grab you looking like that is probably not a very good idea."
" I'm thinking we get the hell out of here! " Claire spews, voice thick with terror and excitement.
Alexia holds a hand out and fire leaps from it like a flamethrower in a brilliant orange and yellow plume that misses me by inches.
" I'm thinking that's a good idea." I agree.
There's no time to look for Steve, Alexis, or Alexandra, and we're not going to be any help to them dead.
" Hey! " Claire yelps as I scoop her up into my arms like a newborn baby.
" We'll go faster this way." I explain as I dart out for the alleged mansion at full speed.
" Coward! Face me! " Alexia booms from behind me.
I have no intention whatsoever of obeying that little piece of insane advice.
" Sorry honey, but I think I'll wait until you've had a chance to cool down." I throw over my shoulder.
Kind of a lame comeback, I know. But my brain simply has too much to process right now. Like where I'm going and what I'm going to do if I encounter a pair of supertyrants in this mad dash for safety.
The facility looms ahead, and I hold my fist forward, hugging Claire tight to my body. I'm busting through the wooden doors before I even have time to fully process the images I'm seeing. Main lobby. Reception room. Hall.
I pass through the rooms in a blur of speed, dodging zombies and infected animals, and sometimes mowing right over them like the roadrunner in Looney Tunes.
" Alan, what are you…"
I find some stairs leading upwards and simply leap straight to the top without even bothering to go up them.
So Claire's last word ends up sounding like: " doooooiiiiinngg?!?! "
I trample over four of five zombies in the adjoining hall, squishing them beneath my boots like mush. I reach a personal bedroom and leap up to lash out with my foot at a zombie vacating the premises.
" Yiiiii! " Claire exclaims as I kick the zombie down and smash it's face beneath my boot-heel.
Here, finally, I stop and set her down.