Author Note: Some of the timeline will be off for this one, but I was not planning on following the script of the Resident Evil movies, but instead using the characters you all love to create my own story line. Please, enjoy, be courteous, & review (I do take constructive criticism!)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters, but a girl can dream right?
Without further adieu…here comes Chapter Thirteen
B
Update Dec-01-2015: As I prepare to add more to Calm Before the Storm I figured I should go back and look over what I posted almost two years ago to the story that started it all. This way I can make some editorial changes while also refreshing my memory on what things I left off with in the end.
Update Aug-19-2020: MAJOR UPDATES! I haven't created any FF in awhile, and would like to get back into it, specifically with some RE stuff. To do so, I figured I would edit some old work to try and get some ideas percolating in my head before starting anything new!
- 13 -
- Alice -
Angela was perched on Alice's bed, giggling as their blonde heroine struggled with the overly tight dress K-Mart had fashioned from one of the numerous white jumpsuits around the ship. K-Mart was a true artist, transforming the bland overalls into a strapless dress, complete with a floral embellishment made out of a variety of coloured fabric swatches.
"How do women wear these?" Alice replied, dropping her hands to her side in frustration.
Angela got off the bed, "Here, let me help you." She replied fixing the clasps at the back.
Alice looked at herself in the mirror, trying to remember the last time she dressed like this. The last time she sported anything other than combat gear was the awful red dress she wore while trapped down in The Hive. It was an outfit her fake husband Spence had left out on the bed for her to wear. She met Angela's blue eyes in the mirror, noticing she was looking at the scar sliced across her left collar bone.
"What's that from?" She asked, taking a step back as Alice turned away from the mirror.
"Nothing, just a scar." Alice replied, looking down at her feet. "What shoes am I going to wear?" She asked, trying to change the subject.
Angela sighed, "Alice, when was the last time you acted like a woman?"
"Long enough that I need a seventeen year old to help me get ready for a date."
Angela shook her head, "It's not just a date, it's your first date." She replied, holding up a pair of heels, "Do you know how to walk in these?"
Alice looked at the fashionable, yet impractical footwear Angela had in her hands. The heel was about three inches tall and as thin as a pencil. It would be a miracle if she didn't roll her ankle walking in these from here to the boat deck.
"Where did you find these?" She asked.
"K-Mart Traded them for a bracelet she made with a survivor down below."
Alice narrowed her eyes at Angela, "She didn't tell her why she wanted them, did she?"
Angela shook her head, "Of course not! Your secret is safe with us," She ran her finger across her closed lips, twisting them at the end, tossing away a fake key.
Alice sat on the edge of the bed, slipping her feet into the heels that fit almost perfectly. She wondered what sort of use these would have at the end of the world. When she bent down to do up the strap on the left heel, Alice noticed a dried blood stain soaked into the fabric.
"Here, let me help you," Angela said, kneeling down in front of Alice and doing up the thin straps.
"What purpose could these things serve in the middle of an Apocalypse?" Alice asked, watching as Angela used her nimble fingers to tighten the straps over the tops of her feet, pinching the skin a little.
"Have you ever been stepped on by a stiletto? Those things are as sharp as knives."
Alice tried to picture someone welding a shoe in their hand as opposed to an actual knife. It was a humorous image, but Angela did have a point. Not only were they murder on the ankles, they could also open up a persons jugular in a pinch.
"There, all done." Angela replied, standing once more. A spell of dizziness hit her as she grabbed the bedside table to keep from falling.
"Angie? Are you alright?" Alice asked with concern.
"I'm fine, just stood up too fast that's all. I haven't really had much to eat since coming aboard."
Alice frowned, "You should go to the Mess Hall with K-Mart after this and get something to eat."
"I will, I promise."
Alice smiled, cupping the girls's face, forcing her to meet her eyes. "When will you tell me about where you've been all this time?" She asked, seeing the flicker of sorrow dance in Angela's eyes.
Angie broke their gaze, "I'll tell you everything after your evening with Claire." She whispered, catching Alice's stare through the mirror.
"I know you're hiding something Angie," Alice replied, her voice as soft as a blanket, "Did Umbrella do something to you?"
Angela shook her head, refusing to turn back to face Alice, meeting her eyes in the mirror instead, "There's something -" She stopped as a knock sounded on the door seconds before it opened, revealing K-Mart standing in the threshold.
"Wow! Alice you look amazing!" K-Mart exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear, "That dress suits you by the way," She added, giving herself a pat on the back.
"K-Mart can you please give us a moment?" Alice asked, hoping the teen would pick up on her tone and not need to be asked twice.
Angela stepped beside K-Mart, admiring her own handy work as Alice stood in the middle of the room. She was a bit wobbly in the heels, but overall a successful transformation from fighter to model. K-Mart grabbed Alice's hand, pulling her towards the door.
"We don't want to leave your date waiting now do we?" Angela replied with a smile, signalling they will talk about things later.
Alice knew fighting the two teens was a pointless endeavour, so she followed along, feeling like a giraffe just learning to walk for the first time.
-Jill -
While K-Mart and Angela were helping Claire and Alice get ready for their date, Jill decided she needed a breath of fresh air. Dinner was being served in the Mess Hall, distracting a majority of the passengers with the spoils from their trip to the mainland. As famished as she was, Jill was not about to risk walking into a crowded room of people she had attempted to murder a few weeks ago to satisfy her rumbling stomach. There was also the matter of the other Renegades the late Brian and Glenn eluded to in Mexico. Until they were identified, it wasn't safe for her or Alice to be wandering the ship alone.
A cool ocean breeze broke her skin into a rash of goosebumps. She was lucky that her return to The Arcadia did not result in a return to the cell down below. She had Claire to thank for that. If it was decided she was once again a prisoner, she would've preferred they left her on the mainland. Jill could not believe they found Angela. The last time she saw the girl she was young and innocent. Now she was a woman who had seen horror and death. The details of their last encounter were still hazy, unable to remember what happened to split them apart. As soon as she could, Jill was going to find Angela and talk to her. Hopefully the young girl held the missing parts to her memory.
She looked down to the ocean, watching the waves a good twenty feet below lap against the ship's hull. She was on the port side near the stern, the coastline of Mexico still visible with the setting sun. The mooring platform was visible as Luther was added some finishing touches to the boat Alice and Claire would use for the evening. Jill never pegged Alice as a lesbian, but she could not deny the love both Claire and her shared for one another. The only one who was in the dark about all this was Chris, who was at the bridge and unable to see his sister and Alice set sail for a romantic evening. Tomorrow morning the plan was to leave the coast of Mexico and keep heading South in the hopes of more survivors and supplies.
Her eyes wandered back to the water, picturing a whole world living just beneath the surface. A world that was untouched by Umbrella's destructive hands. She could remember one vivid memory from high school. Her biology teacher told the class that humans know more about outer space than the ocean floor. That thought always amazed Jill, and proved that even before all hell broke loose, people were more interested in finding ways off this planet.
"Not thinking of jumping are you?"
Jill looked up startled, "Claire, you scared me."
"Sorry, you looked deep in thought."
Jill turned her back to the ocean, the breeze scratching her dry skin. Claire was dressed in a white sundress, complete with a red ribbon sash around her waist with a neat bow resting on the small of her back. Her red hair was half up, with strands whisking over her bare shoulders and around her face.
"You clean up good." Jill replied with a smile.
"Same could be said for you." Claire replied.
"Opted for no shoes I see."
"It was that or heels, and I do not wear heels. I tried to wear my combat boots, but K-Mart was not impressed."
Jill laughed, nodding down to the lifeboat bobbing in the water, "Was this the first date you had in mind?" She asked.
"A girl would prefer a restaurant, but just having time alone, especially without prying eyes around, is enough for me." Claire stated, waving down at Luther.
"You mean Chris?"
Claire turned to Jill, wondering how she had figured out her brother was still in the dark about her and Alice's relationship, "How did-"
"He's on the bridge, out of the way. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out."
"You won't tell him right? If you see him, or if he's looking for me or Alice." Claire asked, suddenly nervous.
"Scouts honour." Jill replied, holding up the three finger salute on her left hand.
Claire smiled, relieved that her secret was still safe. Every crew member knew about her and Alice except Chris, and she wanted to have at least one date, one sliver of normalcy before she told her brother the truth.
"How are you holding up? A lot's happened today."
Jill frowned, "Things are still...fuzzy, and confusing. Once I talk with Angie to fill in some of the gaps I'll start to feel back to myself again."
Claire looked out to the horizon. The sun had almost set, the water turning an array of orange and red. She had been going back and forth all day on if or what, she wanted to tell Jill of her own story. Telling her that everything would be okay was a lie. There were still parts of Claire's own past she was certain she would never get back.
"When Alice and I get back, you and I should talk. I think I can help you, at least with making sense of what's happening." Claire offered, meeting Jill's eyes, "I wasn't lying before. I know what you're going through."
Jill was about to respond when she saw something else had caught Claire's eye. She turned, seeing Angela, K-Mart and Alice making their way towards them on the boat deck. Alice was almost unrecognizable in her tight dress and heels.
"Looks like you're date's here," Jill replied, walking off.
- Alice & Claire -
"I wore them here K-mart, but that's as far as I take them," Alice snapped, hastily undoing the straps with one hand, while the other was clutching the ladder so tight her knuckles were white.
"But they complete the outfit perfectly!" The teen complained, catching sight of Claire and Jill approaching.
Alice kicked off the shoes, ready to toss them overboard when she met eyes with Claire. All the qualms she had over her footwear melted away, admiring the adorable, yet sexy, dress Claire wore to highlight every curve of her body perfectly.
"Hi," Alice breathed, kicking the shoes out of her way.
Claire smiled, "Hi,"
Alice looked down at Claire's feet, nostrils flaring as she glared at K-Mart, "You told me she was wearing these death traps!"
"It was a last minute decision, but I did like the heels on you," Claire replied, hoping to ease her dates rising temper.
Alice picked up the heels, forcefully shoving them into K-Marts hands as the teen stumbled back a couple of steps, "These better disappear before I get back."
Claire giggled, approaching the ladder, "Shall we?"
Alice smiled, grabbing the railing and struggling to step over onto the ladder. Frustrated, she grabbed the hem of her dress and ripped, the fabric giving way and allowing her full movement of her legs. K-Mat threw the woman an iced glare at the destruction of her creation while Alice began her descent to the platform below.
"You two behave yourselves now," Jill mocked playfully to Claire as she stepped over the railing with ease.
"Thanks Mom," Claire retorted in the same playful tone, adding a wink to K-Mart and Angie before she started her own descent.
The metal rungs were slippery and cold against the soles of her feet. Claire could not deny how stunning Alice looked in her skin tight dress, a K-Mart original. She would never admit this to Alice, but K-Mart was right; the heels did complete the look.
Once down on the floating platform that was swaying gently in the water, Alice noticed Luther was starting at her.
"See something you like?" She snapped.
"I just, well I never pictured you in a dress." Luther replied, crossing his arms, "It suits you." He added.
Alice rolled her eyes, "Oh give me a break,"
Claire stepped onto the platform, grinning at Luther. It appeared a few additional items had been added for their evening; a couple of blankets, pillows, a small basket of food which seemed to include a bottle of wine. Luther helped Claire into the boat first, her eyes drawn to the bottle of dark red liquid. The label was faded, but was still sealed and never opened.
"Where did you find this?" Claire asked, holding up the bottle to Luther.
"Never you mind Miss Redfield. You two just enjoy." Luther replied, extending his hand to Alice to help her next.
Alice begrudgingly took it, her legs not having the same range in this tight dress as they did in a pair of cargo pants. A small wave hit the boat, knocking Alice off balance. She lost her footing, landing on her backside at the bottom of the boat. Both Claire and Luther resisted laughter, knowing Alice was already displeased with her lack of grace this evening. As Claire reached to help Alice up, she caught a glimpse of a knife sheath strapped to her left thigh.
"No weapons tonight,"
Alice looked at Claire, a halo of light from the setting sun around her head and smile gone from her lips. She glanced to Luther, hoping for some back-up, but instead he just raised his hands in surrender. Knowing this was a loosing battle, Alice sighed, unstrapping the sheath from her thigh and slamming it into Claire's outstretched palm.
"Take it," She said, getting back up to her feet, the boat rocking in the waves.
Claire handed it to Luther, "We'll be back in a couple of hours. Try to keep Chris occupied until then." She asked.
Luther nodded, "I'm on it, you two go have fun." He said, untying the mooring lines as Claire started the engine.
- Angela & Jill -
With Claire and Alice off on their date, Luther asked K-Mart to go keep Chris company at the bridge while he went to check in on the Mess Hall. Jill asked Luther if he had made any headway in identifying the other members of Brian and Glenn's group, but nothing so far. When they returned to The Arcadia, Chris and Luther called another gathering in the Mess Hall to relay to the passengers what was found in Mexico. At the same time they mentioned the murder plot against Alice and threatened that if anyone else on board was involved, they would be sent to the mainland and left to fend for themselves against the infected. No one came forward, so until something else happens, it would be impossible to snuff out the remaining group members.
To further stir the pot, both Jill and Angela were identified as the only survivors found on the mainland. The hope was that those connected to the plot would shout out that, that was a lie, thus revealing themselves. So far, no one was taking the bait.
As Luther and K-Mart left to their assignments, Jill asked Angela to stay for a moment. Claire and Alice were now just a blip on the fading horizon. The boat South East of The Arcadia, well out of range of Chris.
"Can we talk?"
Angela looked at Jill, desperation in her eyes, "I know you have lots of questions, but I-" She paused, casting her eyes to the boat deck, "I don't know if I can help."
"Can't, or won't." Jill replied.
Angela remained silent, trying not to break down. She had shed enough tears over the years about what happened to her and Jill.
Jill grabbed the girl's shoulder, squeezing it slightly, "Please, you have no idea what it's like to forget...everything."
Angela looked back at Jill, a single tear falling from her eyes, "I wish I didn't remember." She replied, grabbing Jill's hand. "Come with me, I'll tell you what I can."
- Alice & Claire -
About a quarter mile South East to the stern of The Arcadia, Claire cut the boat engine, silence filling the air once more. The sun had now set, the sky and water bleeding into one large, ink stain. It was quite romantic as twinkles of stars dotted the night sky without a cloud in sight.
"The water's too deep to drop anchor. We'll have to keep The Arcadia in view." Claire replied, joining Alice in the middle of the boat.
Alice grabbed the lantern beside her and lit a match, bathing them in a bright, yellow glow. For once, their conversations could not be over heard by eavesdropping teens or traitorous survivors. She placed the lantern on the bench between them, the moon reflecting a shimmer of silver on the surrounding water. Thankfully, the boat was wide and flat, giving them ample space to stretch out and star gaze.
"I hope you don't get sea sick easily," Alice quipped, reaching for the basket of goodies.
Claire swatted her hand away like a pesky fly. "We'll eat in a minute. First we need to talk."
Alice raised her eyebrow, "About what exactly?"
Claire smiled, the flame from the lantern flickering in her eyes, "You."
"Haven't you heard enough about me lately?" Alice replied with a smirk.
Claire scowled, picking up the bottle of wine. She rummaged in the basket, finding a corkscrew and two glasses, "I want to know about the Alice before Umbrella. The Alice that died when the world did." She stated, jabbing to corkscrew into the top of the bottle and twisting tight.
Alice watched Claire effortlessly work the cork screw, wondering how many undead had met a similar fate. She tried to think back to anything before this all began. There was nothing there but a blank wall, as if it had been wiped from her memory. The last thing Alice wanted was to bring up memory loss, there had been enough talk of that already.
"I don't really remember my childhood," Alice replied as the cork came out of the bottle with a satisfying pop.
Claire carefully poured two glasses of the red liquid, handing one to Alice, "There must be something you remember," She said, the lantern flames dancing on her glass.
Alice met Claire's eyes, seeing she was desperate for even the smallest tidbit about young Alice. It was selfish, but Alice didn't want to dwell in the past. This was a rare opportunity for them to be present, intimate, without the fear of being discovered. The look in Claire's eyes made it clear that she was not going to give up until Alice told her something, so to buy herself some time she raised her glass, Claire doing the same.
"To us. May our love survive anything." Alice said as they clinked glasses.
- Jill -
After her talk with Angela, Jill needed air. The things Angela said, her recount of what happened after Raccoon City and leading up to them parting ways was too much. Only three weeks after they rescued Alice from that Umbrella facility, they had parted ways. Alice had a suspicion that Umbrella was tracking her. To test that theory they set a trap, one that Umbrella fell for and cost many survivors their lives. It was then that Alice made the executive decision to be alone, that it was safer that way. According to Alice, it was the only way to ensure they all had a chance at survival.
Angela told her everything, detailing how they were constantly on the move, following Alice's instructions, knowing that staying in one place too long was dangerous. According to Angela, Jill had made an agreement with Alice that she would take the young girl as far away as possible and keep her safe. After months of no run-ins with Umbrella, with only the undead cropping up all over the place, they assumed Alice was successful in her mission. Believing they were safe, they decided to try to make a more permanent camp in Colorado.
The more Angela talked, Jill could begin to picture the things she was describing in vivid detail. It was almost like re-living the memories. She asked about the anti-virus, about what happened to the other vials she had with her after Raccoon City. Angela hesitated, not wanting to dredge up the past, but Jill persisted, sensing she was involved in some way.
Angela finally conceded, and that was Jill's breaking point. Two months after setting up camp in Colorado, both of them were cornered in an alleyway by a group of infected. Low on ammunition and believing this was the end, they were ready to fight until they couldn't fight any more. That was when Jill noticed a a manhole cover beneath their feet. Angela warded off the infected with what little bullets she had as Jill wrestled with the heavy metal cover. When she was finally able to pull it open, she made Angela go first for she was the one carrying the rucksack full of supplies. As Jill began her descent, ready to pull the heavy cover back in place, one of the undead clamped it's teeth into her wrist. That was enough to infect Jill with the dreaded T-Virus. She was able to break free, crushing the creatures head with the manhole cover as it slid back into place. When Angela saw the wound she knew the only person left in the world she trusted was dying. With only a short window to administer the cure before it was too late, she made the executive decision to use one of the vials in her lunchbox on Jill.
Angela spoke of how Jill insisted that one was not wasted on her, that it was more important to keep them for herself. Angela refused to take no for an answer, not willing to loose the only person she cared and trusted in the world when she had the cure at her fingertips. Before Jill could protest further, the young girl injected her with the anti virus. Within minutes the serum worked, killing the infected cells spreading through Jill's body. Within three days the bite mark was fully healed, leaving only a faint scar on her wrist. They kept all of that from their small group of survivors, knowing this could get them both killed.
Jill left the stateroom in tears, not able to handle any more right now. Angela didn't follow, knowing time alone was what they both needed right now. Standing on the boat deck, taking in deep breaths of sea air to calm herself, she inspected her wrist in the moonlight. Her eyes misted with tears as she traced the hairline scar, proving that everything Angela described was true. She wondered if there were any other scars on her body she did not know the origin of. Anger rumbled inside her; if she ever had the pleasure of crossing paths with Umbrella, she will happily shoot every last one of them between the eyes.
"Not thinking of jumping are you?"
Jill wiped her head to the side, watching Chris lean against the railing beside her.
"You Redfields really do think alike." She stated with a smirk.
Chris smiled, looking down at the dark void below. He had been watching her from the Bridge, curious to know what was on her mind. He had to admit, he had reservations on trusting Alice about Jill, but after Mexico, it was clear she what side she was on.
"Not thinking of jumping are you?" Jill parroted.
Chris looked at her, the moon shinning in his eyes, "Something on your mind?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Many things, nothing good."
"Mexico?"
Jill leaned against the railing, her back to the water, arms folded over her chest to mimic Chris, "I did what I had to do. They were plotting to kill Alice and possibly the rest of us. If given the chance, I'd do it again." Jill replied, a hint of anger in her tone.
"I know, and I thank you. I just hope no one else get's any funny ideas. We need Alice," Chris paused, "We need you." He added.
"Are you flirting with me Mr. Redfield?"
Chris smiled, taking a step closer, his nose almost touching her's, "What can I say. I'm a sucker for strong women,"
He brushed his hand against her cheek, feeling her shudder. Jill followed his other hand with her eyes, watching it trail across her collarbone and down the front of her shirt, resting between her breasts. On impulse she lunged forward to lock lips. Her cheek rubbed against the rough stubble of his face, pressing her body against his. Two days ago she was a prisoner and he was her guard. Now they were allies, partners working to take down a common enemy. Alice and Claire were not the only ones who could have a little romance in their lives. Besides, their were not many options for young, attractive people in a post apocalyptic world.
Jill logically knew engaging in any intimate relations with Claire's brother was a bad idea. Yes, Claire was the one who offered her a spot on the team, and she did offer her help and sympathy with her current situation, but that was far from an open invitation to fuck her brother. She knew they should stop, that everything about this was wrong, but sometimes those things that are wrong are so right.
Chris deepened the kiss, his hands caressing Jill's body, and touching her in places she hadn't been touched in years. Jill's resistance was dwindling as she gave in, her hands wandering to Chris's waist, pulling him closer.
"Chris I-" Jill moaned, catching a breath.
"I know you want this as much as I do." He muttered against her lips, pressing her against the railing, staring into her eyes in the moonlight.
Jill nodded, giving him permission to continue. A moan escaped her parted lips, as he made a trail of kisses down her neck towards the front of her shirt. Right now she wanted nothing more than to push him to the ground, rip off his GI Joe attire, and have at him under the moonlit night.
"Are you sure you want this?" Jill whispered.
"More than anything." Chris replied; the whites of his eyes glinting in the darkness.
Jill grabbed his belt, slowly undoing his pants. He lifted her top over her head, tossing it on the deck and admiring the curves of her body. His pants fell to the deck with a thud, the outline of his erection noticeable beneath his boxers. In one swoop, Chris picked up Jill, gently laying her down on the deck. She traced her fingers over his bulging biceps, his shadow towering over her and blocking the moonlight. He removed her pants, his fingers lightly grazing the warm skin between her legs, making her shudder with euphoria. It was then that Chris entered her, deep enough that she let out a small yelp. Jill bit her bottom lip to stop from screaming his name as he thrusted harder and faster against her hips.
The metal hull of the deck was cold against her skin, but Jill didn't care. Chris kept going, grunting with every thrust, sweat puckering on his chest and shoulders. Jill reached up, running her fingers through his short hair, her nails scraping his scalp. With a tug, she felt him go deeper and faster. Chris tried to keep his eyes open, to memorise every blemish and freckle of Jill's face, but the euphoria was overwhelming. When he closed his eyes, bright colours burst behind his eyelids like a fireworks display. He tried to hold out for as long as he could, but she felt too good and it had been too long.
Unable to hold out much longer, Chris gave one last deep thrust, exploding inside Jill as she cried out, joining him in orgasm. When she looked up at the night sky, the stars were blurry at first, slowly returning to focus, reminding her of where she was and who she was with. Suddenly she could sense someone or something was watching them.
When she looked to her left, she could see the whites of a pair of intriguing eyes poking out from behind one of the bulkheads on deck.
- Angela & K-Mart -
Once Luther came to relieve Chris at the bridge, K-Mart left in search of her new friend. This was the first time, since the start of the end of the world, she was able to communicate with someone her own age. In less than twenty-four hours they had become best friends, K-Mart giving her one of her friendship bracelets for protection. She stopped by the Mess Hall, noticing it was almost empty with the main dinner rush over. Angela was nowhere in sight, but before she left, K-Mart grabbed two bowls of the day's special; brown bean and carrot stew and two slices of bread for dipping. One would be for Angela, who she assumed was sequestering herself in Alice's old stateroom.
Ascending the stairs outside the Mess Hall, K-Mart took the corridor towards the crew quarters, noticing they too were empty. She stopped at Alice's door, lightly knocking, before pushing the door open.
"Angie?" K-Mart called, stepping into the room.
Angela was curled in a ball on the bed, her back to the door. The bedside lamp was on, as K-Mart set the two bowls on the table, eyeing the weathered lunch box. She went to reach for it when Angela turned to her other side, eyes barely open.
"Hey," She breathed with a smile.
"Hey," K-Mart replied, "I brought you some food. Figured you'd be hungry." She added.
Angela sat up, the covers slipping off her shoulders. She had removed her hoodie, a ratted olive green tank top clinging to her body. Her strawberry blonde hair matted in braids that whisked over her shoulders. K-Mart handed Angela one of the bowls, noticing the clusters of red dots scattered all over her pale arms.
"What are those?" She asked.
Angela took the bowl from K-Mart's hands, her stomach growling at the first sight of food in days. "They're marks from a treatment I received as a little girl." She replied, ripping off a piece of bread and dipping it into the stew.
K-Mart took a seat at the other end of the bed, crossing her legs and sipping the stew, realising she forgot spoons, "Treatment for what?" She asked inquisitively.
Angela kept staring at her bowl, still unsure if she could trust a girl she just met with the truth. "I was very sick when I was little. My father, he was a Doctor and he made a serum that worked. I got better within months."
"Are you still sick now?"
Angela shook her head, "No. I'm all better, but the marks are permanent I'm afraid." Angela replied, devouring the stew like a ravenous animal.
K-Mart could sense Angela didn't want to talk about that anymore, so she looked for something to try and change the subject. "That's a really cool box you have."
Angela smiled, "Thanks, it's very special to me."
"Can I see what's inside?" K-Mart asked, finishing off her bowl with one final sweep of her bread around the edges.
Angela stopped eating, her appetite suddenly gone, "Maybe some other time." She muttered, placing the half eaten bowl on top of the lunchbox as a barrier.
"Not hungry?"
"I'll eat more later," Angela noticed the concern on her friends face, "I promise. I'm just tired that's all."
K-Mart nodded, trying not to take Angela's cold shoulder personally. "Alice and Claire should be coming back soon. Want to go up to the deck and greet them?"
"I'd love to. I could use some fresh air."
She removed the covers, about to stand when another wave of dizziness hit, causing her to wobble slightly. K-Mart reached out, grabbing her friends hand for balance.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I think I'm still getting my sea legs."
K-Mart nodded, "It can take some getting used to. After a couple of days you'll be fine."
Angela slipped on her hoodie once more, following K-Mart down the hall towards the deck. She kept a firm grip on the railing as they descended the small metal steps, heading to the door leading out to the bow on the port side. The whole room spun with every step she took, as a shooting pain started in her abdomen. Angela clutched her stomach, trying to breath through it without alerting K-Mart. After a few minutes it would pass, just like before.
"What do you think Alice and Claire are talking about?" K-Mart called over her shoulder as she pulled open the door at the top of the landing.
The pain stopped as Angela met K-Mart's gaze; eager for an answer. " I don't know. I've never been on a date with a girl before." Angela replied, stepping out onto the boat deck, the dizziness dissipating.
K-Mart closed the door behind them, hugging her shoulders, wishing she had a worn a sweater. They still had some time before greeting the women at the platform, and standing in one spot was only going to make her more cold.
"Why don't we do a lap first?" K-Mart suggested.
"Sounds great."
Angela and K-Mart started towards the bow of the ship, the deck mostly bathed in darkness. Directly above them was the bridge where Luther was now manning the post. Chris was most likely in his cabin, looking to catch some shut eye before his next set of rounds in a few hours. Jill agreed to be on look out on deck until Alice and Claire were back, knowing Luther would be indisposed.
"Have you ever dated someone?" Angela asked.
"I had a boyfriend before the infected overran my hometown. His name was Ringo, you know like The Beatles. He was even a drummer in a rock-n-roll band. We were pretty serious, but always getting into trouble, like when he would sneak in a few beers to the skate park every Friday night." K-Mart said, adding an exaggerated fore-longing sigh as if Ringo was her one true love.
"Do you know what happened to him?"
"When I saw on the news about the outbreak I texted him meet me at our make-out place; behind the local K-Mart. My plan was for us to escape the city together before the roads would be closed like the nearby cities. While I was waiting, I could hear the infected getting closed, but I didn't want to leave, so I went inside in the hopes he would show up. By the time I realised I had been stood up, it was too late to make a run for it. I barricaded myself inside, armed with a rifle and always having a rucksack of rations at the ready in the event I needed to move fast. A few weeks later, Claire and her convoy found me."
"So that's where the name K-Mart comes from." Angela replied with a smile.
"Yeah, I figured, the end of the world was the best time to reinvent myself."
Angela placed a hand on K-Mart shoulder, feeling how cold her skin was. "I know what it's like to lose someone and be all alone." She replied, bringing the girl in for an embrace.
K-Mart wiped the back of her eyes, smiling at Angela, "Have you ever dated anyone?" She asked.
"I did once. He was apart of the group of people I was with in Mexico. His name was James. He was a young, intelligent man who was a professional video gamer in another life. He used the countless hours of game play to devise traps, weapons, you name it to killing the infected. Sadly, when I was out looking for supplies near the beach, our camp was overrun. I could hear the screams, but when I returned, everyone, including James, was dead."
K-Mart was about to respond when she could hear what sounded like moaning coming from the other side of the deck.
"Did you hear that?" She whispered, grabbing Angela's hand and pulling her towards the bulkheads in the middle of the bow.
The moaning was now accompanied by grunting as the girls squatted behind one of the bulkheads, trying to identify the sounds. K-Mart peered over the bulkhead, locking eyes with the naked backside of a man thrusting himself upon a woman.
"Holy shit," She breathed, as the woman turned to look in her direction, locking eyes with the teen.
- Alice & Claire -
Without some food to soak up the alcohol, the wine was hitting hard. Alice was beginning to loosen up, her head fuzzy and inhibitions tampered with.
"Alright Claire, I'll let you choose two things for me to tell you, about me." Alice slurred with a smile.
Claire's eyes lit up, excited Alice was finally playing along, "Okay let me think." She said, pausing for dramatic effect, "Let's start easy. Where were you born?"
"Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A city that is now probably just as much of a forest as it was when the first settlers arrived centuries ago."
"Do you have any siblings?"
"No. I was, or I am, an only child."
Claire polished off her glass of wine, the last bit packing in a punch, "That explains a lot."
"Well, that's two Miss Redfield." Alice stated, holding up two fingers.
Claire wanted to ask more questions, but resisted, for now. After another glass of wine, Alice would forget about the two question rule and then she could ask more like who her were parents, and school. It was refreshing, having conversations about something other than their next tactical advance, or Umbrella.
Claire reached into the basket and grabbed a piece of bread, throwing it playfully at Alice, "Be nice, or I won't tell you anything."
Alice grabbed the bread off the blanket, ripping into it with her teeth like an animal.
"How classy of you Miss Abernathy." Claire scolded with an eye roll.
Alice finished her wine, thankful for the bread chaser, "I'm pretty sure manners died with the world." She retorted as Claire giggled, giddy from the wine.
Claire poured them another glass, some sloshing onto the blanket as the boat rocked in the waves. The small accident sent both women into another fit of laughter.
"So, what was Claire Redfield like as a child?"
Claire tried to focus on Alice's eyes, noticing they were beaming with intrigue and glazed over from alcohol. "When I was thirteen our parents, both of which worked for the State Office, attended the Governor's annual cocktail party. When heading home, d drunk driver ran them off the Interstate and into a cement blockade. They both died upon impact." Claire explained, the light and airy tone of the evening now gone.
"Claire, I'm so sorry."
"I've moved on. Come to think of it, their death was normal compared to what the world has now become."
"So you and Chris were placed in foster care?" Alice asked, taking another sip of wine.
"We were both in and out of foster homes for most of our teen years. I learned to be tough and fend for myself, but was overall a good kid. I went to school, got good grades, and tried to feel as much as I could like a normal teenager growing up in America."
"And Chris?"
"My brother, was fifteen when our parents died, and a loose canon."
"Gee, I would've never guessed." Alice snickered, seeing the playful scowl on Claire's face.
"He would pick fights with everyone and anyone about almost anything. He was expelled from multiple schools, sent to anger management courses, and was even provided with outlets like boxing to deal with the rage he had inside him. As soon as he was of age of majority, he joined the Army and we parted ways. Well, until-" Claire paused, both of them knowing what she was referring to.
"Hey, it's okay. We can talk about something else." Alice offered, squeezing Claire's hand. "When was the first time you knew you uh, like women?" Alice asked, trying to change the subject.
"I was a sophomore in high school and there was this girl Stacey who I really liked. The feelings I had for her felt different than how a friend likes a friend. One day, after her cheer leading practice, I asked her to meet me under the bleachers. We kissed, and as soon as that happened I knew I wanted to keep kissing her."
Alice smiled, picturing a young, shy Claire kissing the head cheerleader in secret like some sort of 90's, feel good teen movie. She could tell by the smile on Claire's face that, that wasn't the end of the story.
"Did you do more than just kiss?"
Claire shook her head, her cheeks going as red as the wine, "No, just kiss. We would have done more, but, we were interrupted." She said, giggling to herself.
"Interrupted by who?"
"My brother. He punched her square in the nose. That night at the football game, she had cotton swabs stuffed up her nose while on the top of the pyramid. After that everyone called her Stacey the puff nose dragon."
Both Alice and Claire erupted into a fit of giggles that soon became full blown laughter, their voices echoing over the open water. After a few moments they tried to catch their breath, wiping the tears from their eyes.
"So wait. Chris knows you're a lesbian?" Alice asked.
"No! He was blinded with rage, so I told him it was a dare." Claire replied, suddenly nervous, "He has no idea I'm into women."
"Well lucky for you, you have me, and lucky for me, I'm not scared of Chris." Alice replied, pounding her chest like Tarzan as Claire giggled.
"So, when did you know you liked girls?" Claire asked, polishing off her glass of wine.
"You already got your two questions Miss Redfield."
Claire pouted her bottom lip, "Please?"
Alice wanted to kiss those lips. She wanted to stop talking and just make love before heading back to The Arcadia. She took a large swig of wine, preparing herself for giving into Claire's puppy dog stare.
"I know we promised not to talk about Umbrella tonight, but it was during my time as a Security Officer in Raccoon City that I learned I liked women." Alice replied, seeing the sadness in Claire's eyes. The hopes of a funny, anecdotal story like her own were tossed overboard.
"Was...was it Jill?" Claire asked, a bit afraid of the answer.
"No, this was before I met Jill. Her name was Lisa, and she was working as a mole for a resistance group trying to expose the harsh realities of what Umbrella was doing in their secret underground lab. I had my own reasons for taking Umbrella down, and agreed to help her, but...it didn't work out." Alice explained, casting her eyes to the water to hide the sadness in her eyes.
Claire was silent, suddenly feeling foolish for her pang of jealousy. She regretted asking the question, upset they had broken the cardinal rule of the evening; don't talk about Umbrella. Claire reached out to Alice, gripping her chin and forcing her to look at her once more.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look this evening?" Claire whispered, trying to change the subject.
Alice smiled, "You look beautiful too. I mean, you always do, but tonight, its-"
Claire didn't let her finish the sentence before she pulled Alice in for a kiss. Both women dropped their wine glasses, one landing on the blanket, the other in the ocean. She pushed Alice down to the bottom of the boat, the lantern beside them swaying with the waves. She kissed Alice's jaw, following the curve of her neck and gently kissing the scar across her shoulder. A scar Alice could not remember getting, but had been their since the beginning of the outbreak.
Alice moaned, her hands exploring Claire's body contained within her sundress. She pulled at the straps, desperate to expose more skin. The more passionate and vigorous they got, the more the boat rocked. It was then the lantern fell over, the glass shattering as flames and oil spread towards the motor of the boat. Quickly, both women scrambled towards the bow. It would not be long before the engine blew them sky high. Within seconds everything in the boat was a blaze. They needed to abandon ship before the flames reached the engine.
"Jump!" Alice screamed grabbing Claire's hand.
Cold water slapped their faces as the boat exploded into a fireball; the sound reverberating across the horizon. They could see the orange blaze beneath the water, pieces of debris splashing into the water around them. Both women broke the surface, gasping for air, the water chilling their skin. Both women stared at the flaming wreckage, treading water to keep from drowning.
"Are you alright?" Alice asked. Nothing like an explosion to sober one up.
"I'm fine. Thank you for saving my life." Claire stated before kissing Alice, tasting the ocean salt on her lips. "How was that for a first date?"
"Not my best, but not my worst." Alice replied with a smirk.
They both turned away from the flames, able to make out the stern of the Arcadia ahead of them. It was too far to swim. After a few moments, the floodlights snapped on; the Arcadia resembling a nightlight in the black sky.
"Looks like we've alerted the troops." Alice replied, seeing black dots appear on deck. Two of them were making their way towards the small platform where the other small boat was moored.
It suddenly dawned on Claire that Chris was probably aware of what Alice and his sister were getting up to, "Shit!" She yelled, voicing exactly what Alice was thinking.
"I'm not sure how we're going to get out of this one." Alice replied, her arms feeling heavy, as a boat engine revving to life sounded in the distance.
Claire knew Alice was right. At least they had sometime to think before Chris punches Alice in the nose for blowing up a lifeboat while initiating sex with his sister.
T.B.C