Chapter 28

"Just promise me you won't go back on your word," says Trish. "I'm not like the Redfields - I'm not a threat. I just want to survive."

"I won't go back on mine as long as you don't go back on yours. I hope that doesn't come off as too, ah, 'acidic.'"

"No, sir."

"Very good. Tell me what you know."

"The BOW is heading with the Redfields to the BOW Research lab. Their plan is to flood the lab with you and Dr. - the other BOW trapped inside."

"Interesting plan. Thank you for the information. After I've disposed of them all, I'll grant you access to a secret boat stored near the beach. Its autopilot is programmed to head for the mainland."

"Okay."

"I won't be long. Keep your radio close."

Dick and Dr. Cabot leave through the broken door. I squirm free and peer through the hole. They've vanished. The CB radio is set to Channel 3.

"Thanks, Trish. I'll be right over," I say. "Wait by the front door."

"Got it."

I take the elevator to the first floor. Holding my breath, I cross the room with the bodies and exit into the courtyard. The rain has eased into a drizzle. Sliced tower rods lie in a heap. A cobblestone path winds along the gray-stone front of the lab. I follow the path until I reach a pair of footprints, one smaller than the other. Claire and Redfield. The prints lead to an iron wrought stairwell that spirals downward to the wooden bridge, which stretches over a dark chasm to the other side of the island. The crashing of waves rises from the chasm.

The cobblestone path swings right, following the cliffside. I follow the footprints to stone stairs. Quietly, I draw the magnum and open the iron wrought gate at the top. I'm in the guest house's front garden. I run to the door and open it.

"Snake!" Trish hugs me.

"What do you say we get out of here?" I ask.

She smiles. "I say I'm going wherever you're going."

The rain has stopped. The sunset's red light burns through the black clouds. We run to the Viral Research lab and make our way down to the waterway. Climbing the ladder, we dash down the dark corridor to the hangar. Claire is standing by the control console. I swipe the ID card and scroll until an option called "HATCH" appears. I tap it and then tap "OPEN." The hatch's gears turn noisily. Bright, red sky slices the shadowed ceiling. The jet rumbles to life.

"Let's go!" yells Claire.

We run to the jet. Redfield climbs out and pulls me onto the wing. I take hold of Trish's hand while Redfield reaches for Claire's. Claire looks over her shoulder, then tackles Trish to the floor. A blade gashes the jet's black side. Dick and Dr. Cabot stand on the upper catwalk. Redfield fires. The blade flies at us. We jump off the wing. His handgun skitters away.

Smiling, Dick points at me. Dr. Cabot vaults over the guardrail. The only way out is past the fuel tanks and through the corridor.

"Shoot when he gets to the tanks!" I say to Claire.

I fire at Dr. Cabot's red, pumping heart. The bullet tears through his shoulder. He growls and drops to his haunches. I sprint for the corridor. Dr. Cabot pounds after me. I pass the tanks. An explosion claps my ears and blows me, smoking, into the corridor. The magnum skitters into the wall. Screaming, Dr. Cabot collapses in a fiery pile. He lies still.

Claire lowers her gun. The burnt mass groans. It shrieks as its ashy parts twist into bladed limbs. A dozen explode from both sides. Grabbing the magnum, I aim it at the six-eyed head sprouting from the torso. I throw Trish's ID card at Claire.

"Close the door behind me!" I yell.

"No!" screams Trish. Claire shakes her head, her blue eyes glistening like sapphires.

The torso shudders as it grows long. Pincers pop from the jaw. I squeeze the trigger. Half of the head comes off. The remaining two red eyes fix on me. The jaw drops, and the centipede thing shrieks.

"Do it! Then get the hell out of here!" I say.

I race into the darkness and drop down the ladder. The walls shake as I get on the elevator. A thin blade shoots through the floor. I jump against the scissor gate. More blades erupt, hooking the elevator. It jams at the first floor. The cables strain against the blades. I force open the gate and stumble out. The elevator rips free and falls down the shaft.

I run outside. The jet has risen through a giant hole in the courtyard. The centipede bursts through the door. I empty my bullets into its long torso. Screaming, the creature charges me. I dash to the cliffside. The jet flies into the sunset.

Dick emerges from the courtyard, the centipede looming behind him.

"It seems your rescue party has retreated," he says.

"Once they contact the BSAA, they'll be back," I say.

"True. But you'll be long dead before then. And the organs you stole from my wife will be with her."

I drop the magnum. Yanking off my jacket and slit sweater, I throw them aside. My heart pounds steady and strong as I step to the edge.

I jump.

The wind lashes me cold and painful. Below, the waves smash the sharp rocks. I shut my eyes and make myself think about Trish and Claire. Claire and her beautiful eyes, big and blue. Sparkling and fierce. Just like the ocean -