Author's Notes: Still working on the continuation of this section of the story. It wasn't part of my original BUT I found a way to tie it in. I'll try to update again soon.

Deadlocked

(Raccoon City 8 Years Ago)

Leon searched through the drawers in Kendo's gun shop. If he couldn't find ammo quick, they were going to be screwed.

"Dammit! They picked this place clean!"

Meanwhile, Claire continued staring at the inscription. From looking at it from a Christian philosophical view, she tried inputting a few words; angels, messengers, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Seraphim-to no avail.

The word ERROR kept blinking on the screen.

It's no use anyways "I'm going back up." Claire announced

Leon walked toward her and gave her a confused look, "What do you mean going back up?"

Claire considered the risk. "We're gonna need a key card. I think I know where he keeps it"

"You mean Kendo's apartment?" Leon recoiled, "Are you crazy? Those things are up there! We don't need the guns. We can just head to the police station and find weapons and ammo there"

"And risk getting killed on the way there? Claire pointed outside "How do you know those...things are not out there!" Claire didn't even know what to call them. "The police station is still some ways from here. We won't be able to make it."

Leon thought a moment "I'll go with you then"

"No." said Claire firmly. "See that keypad? Even if I found the card we would need to enter a pass code. We need to figure out what that inscription means."

Leon examined the panel, "What kind of safe is this?"

"The Kendo family were good friends with an architect named George Trevor. He was the one who designed the Arklay mansion and the Raccoon City Library which later became the police department. He also helped the Kendo's' design the safe-room Robert used for storing weapons. Trevor designed safe-rooms with special security measures, accessible only through solving weird puzzles and riddles."

"Great" Leon muttered.

As Claire turned to leave, Leon grabbed her hand, "If you insist on splitting up, then tell me where the key is and I'll go upstairs." Leon's voice softened, "Listen, something tells me you're good at solving these kinds of things." He motioned to the puzzle. "Don't worry; you're going to solve it."

Claire was about to argue, but decided against it. They were wasting time.

"Fine" said Claire as she pulled two walkie talkies from a shelf below the cash register. "I found these while you were looking for ammo. Take one, that way we can keep in touch with one another. The key card should be located in Kendo's kitchen on a hook labeled 'keys'.

"Really?"

"Yup"

"Well how hard could it be to grab the key and come back?"

"I don't know rookie, but you just jinxed yourself."

Leon grinned, "Thanks". He eyed Claire for a moment; she looked as if she wanted tell him something. "What's wrong?"

Claire bit her lip, "About what happened earlier...in the room..."

Leon scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "Yeah about that…I didn't mean for it to go that far. You were vulnerable and we were both going through a lot of stress. I acted on impulse. I should have never taken advantage of you like that. It won't happen again." replied Leon decidedly.

His reply surprised Claire. An apology wasn't what she had in mind. "Oh….of course...don't worry about it." She smiled and waved it off. "You're right. It has been really stressful. I don't know what came over me" she gave him a lop-sided smile, "But thanks... for making me feel better."

Leon nodded his head. "I'll be back"

Claire watched as he ran and disappeared back to the up the stairwell. For some reason she couldn't help but feel disappointed, but once again, this was neither the time nor the place to think such things. She shook her thoughts away and focused on the puzzle.