Documents from RES are marked in *.

Chapter Nine: Another Meeting

            Blasting his way to the thirteenth floor, he came upon an office. On the halfway-burned door was the nameplate "Vincent Goldman." Stepping inside, the first thing he noticed was that the office had taken on extensive fire damage—the whole room looked like a charcoal briquette. On the wall to Vincent's right, the wall looking the least damaged, a group of security monitors were active. Looking at the screens, Vincent noticed a little girl, probably a young teenager, sitting what looked like a security console elsewhere in the building. There was almost nothing in his office that looked like any use. On the partially blackened desk, he found a book. Next to it was a keycard and another gun, and when Victor picked it up, he saw it was a Magnum revolver, fully loaded. Vincent looked at the weapon. It looked brand-new and shiny. He searched the desk drawers, and found luck. He had two boxes of magnum rounds in the drawer, more than sufficient. He pocketed the keycard and ammo in one of his parka pockets.

            I must have been a very paranoid person…

Placing the Magnum down, he picked up the book on the desk, only to find that it was his own diary. 

*October 10th
 
Last night, a group of guinea pigs confined in the prison escaped, took weapons, and caused a riot. The guinea pigs who were responsible for the incident were all shot to death by myself, but it will cause a lot of trouble if Umbrella headquarters becomes aware of this.
 
This could spoil my plan of returning to headquarters and collecting my reward for my great achievements here in this city. I ordered the prison chief to report the incident as a mass suicide, but I will also have to order the others who are involved not to talk about it...
 
November 8th
 
The people of the city who have been opposing me are now trying to gather information, intending to report to headquarters what I did. Yesterday, that little boy, Lott, told me that a spy sneaked into the city. I guess that spy may have something to do with the rebellion happening here.
 
I'll let him go for now, and see who he works for and why he is here. Then I'll kill him. It's a sad story that the only person that I can trust in this whole city is that little kid, Lott.
 
November 19th
 
The people of the city seem to be preparing to hand the prosecution report to the headquarters people who are delivering the new guinea pigs next week. They say that they have evidence of my doings. I can never allow them to reveal that. Those civilians will regret what they are doing. I'll teach them what happens to those who oppose me!!
 
November 22nd
 
Now they know who holds the power! I've spread the T-virus all over the city. Of course it was done to look like an accident. The city should be completely contaminated. Now I can go back to headquarters and get promoted for my great achievements at the factory. No one can oppose me now...! Wait... there is one person that I have to take care of. It's that spy. I have to eliminate that rat who sneaked into the city!*

at the screens, Vincent noticed d, a group of security monitors were active, a couple of them showing s

            He sat there, tears beginning to well up in the scared pilot's eyes.

            That's why all those creatures are running amok throughout the island…they were released, created by my own hand! I caused all this destruction! Why?!

            "Why?!" Vincent wailed, tears running down his cheeks. "Why did I cause so much death?" Slowly, he raised his pistol to his head. He felt the cold metal of the barrel on his right temple, and his finger rested on the trigger.

            "If I caused so much death and destruction," he whispered to himself softly, sniffling, "then I too should die." He closed his eyes and slowly put pressure on the trigger. Shutting his eyes tight, he braced himself for the one, the bullet that would kill him, spraying his soft spongy brains everywhere, when suddenly the wall to Vincent's left crumbled with a loud breaking noise as a pile of stone, cement and drywall formed. To Vincent's amazement, a Mr. X unit had broken through the wall, and then it stopped. It's pale bluish-white head turned to Vincent, and stared hard at him with those deep black pools of eyes. It walked toward him in that all-to-familiar pace, a death march. Snapping back to reality, Vincent pulled the Glock away from his head and snatched up the Magnum. He turned the safety off and aimed squarely at the huge figure's chest. When he pulled the trigger, a thundering boom followed by a tremendous recoil ensued as the powerful bullet flew out of the gun. It hit the massive creature dead on, and for once, had an effect as the slug forced the towering brute back. He fired again, walking closer to the reeling monster. He let out a laugh of triumph. He fired another. Then the fourth bullet was aimed at his head. Now at almost point-blank range, he took careful aim and pulled the trigger, almost giddy with glee.

            The bullet ripped into his face, taking half of it with hit as skin, brain and bone splayed out wonderfully in a dazzling show of firepower. No blood. The creature seemed to fall in slow motion, as if gravity was suddenly reduced. His great bulk hit the floor hard, sending up a cloud of dust as the room shook from impact. Surrounded in the thick cloud, Vincent let out a laugh, bordering on hysterical. He looked at the fallen being, and was laughing maniacally.

            That felt reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally good. Mess with me, you bastards!

            Feeling smug, he walked out of his office, the Glock in the holster now. He felt safer holding that Magnum. While he was safe for now, he reloaded the revolver and headed to his left down the hall. He came upon a door labeled "security office," and the first thing he noticed is that it was electronically locked. By the door handle was an electronic card reader device of some sort. Of course, in classic Resident Evil fashion, he pulled out the key card and swiped it through the reader. Also in classic Resident Evil fashion the light on the handle changed from red to green, with an accompanying beep signifying that the door was unlocked. He walked into the room, and once again it was lit up with plenty of white florescent light. On both walls were a series of monitors. The small entryway would open up into a bigger space in a few feet.

            "Vincent…" he heard a woman's voice. Vincent stopped dead in his tracks when he heard his name.

            "Vincent…" There it was again, and by the sound of it, the woman sounded old, almost motherly.

            "What do you want?" replied a gruff voice.

            "This is your mother, darling," the woman said calmly.

            "What…do you want, woman?" Vincent said gruffly.

            My mother? An audio recording?

            "Please," she began, "come home. Stop committing these horrible crimes." Her voice had a note of pleading.

            "Why should I?" Vincent sneered. "Once Umbrella sees the fine work I've been doing for them, I'll be rewarded handsomely." Vincent chuckled.

            "Vincent, please!" His mother cried, begging now. "Stop performing these…these…atrocities against innocent children! Come home!"

            "No, woman," Vincent said coldly.

            "Why, Vincent, why? All for the sake of some…reward? Is that why you're doing this…this horrible thing?"

            "What I do is none of your concern. Why can't you leave me alone?" Vincent said firmly.

            Meanwhile, Vincent walked toward the open space slowly.

            "Come home, please!" His mother cried, sounding like she was on the verge of tears.

            Vincent had turned the corner to see the source of the audio recording when his eyes saw a little girl sitting on the floor in one of the monitors. She was dressed in casual clothes, a red shirt that was covered by blue overalls. The image in Vincent's mind flashed back to a few minutes ago.

            The girl on the monitor in my office…

            "Goodbye, woman," Vincent's voice said over the speaker.

            "Vincent, ple—" A click was heard, probably the sound of hanging up. Looking up, the young girl saw the figure of Vincent looming over her, and she let out a scream of terror, as if someone was about to kill her. From this close range, Vincent reasoned that she couldn't have been more than eleven or twelve.

            "Quiet!" Vincent yelled, raising his hands in a gesture to calm down. "Don't raise attention to this place! You'll attract them!"

            It was to no avail. "Back away from me, you murderer!" She let out another blood-curdling scream. She backed herself into a corner. Vincent took one step toward her.

            "Shh! Quiet!"

            Frantically searching, he noticed the gaping hole in the wall. Next to the pile of rubble lay a tall figure, sporting a black trench coat, half of his head removed. Lott walked into the next room clutching his baseball bat. He quickly noticed the blackness of the walls.

            Someone liked fire. Hmm…monitors are still on, amazingly.

            Straight ahead of him were monitors. He noticed that there were two people on one of the screens. He walked closer to get a better look. He noticed a young girl in the corner of the room, a look of pure fear on her face. Several feet in front of her was a man, and from the looks of it, he was trying to calm her down.

            Wait! That's him! The man from the sewers! And that's…

            Before his mind could reply, he heard an ear-piercing scream coming from somewhere nearby.

            It's her! I'll save you from the evil man…

            He walked back into the hallway and headed for the source of her scream. Slowly, he crept into the security office, his bat clenched with both hands. He walked on tiptoe, silent as he possibly could.

            "Please, young girl, calm down! I'm not going to hurt you!" Her eyes stared straight into his, a look of terror filling them. Her voice was reduced to a whimper. In her mind, she was trapped.

            "Thank you. That's more like it," he said calmly.

He crept up to just a couple of feet behind the evil man, and he raised his aluminum bat high into the air, ready to bring it down into his skull, finally ending his life, finally getting bittersweet revenge.

In a matter of a split second, Vincent noticed her eyes waver from him. He looked, saw a shadow behind him and quickly spun around, his Magnum pointed at the head of his would-be attacker, the girl screaming—

--and saw the boy drop his bat out of terror as he let out a yell, totally not expecting that at all. It hit the floor with a loud clang, and at once Vincent recognized him.

"You!" They both yelled in unison surprise. Vincent lowered his gun. Their gazes locked for a split second, until suddenly the boy dove to the ground, snatching his bat and clutched it in both hands, swinging it wildly at his pursuer. Vincent easily dodged each misplaced swing.

"What are you doing?" Vincent yelled, moving back.

"Asshole!" Another swing. "Don't you even think about harming her!"

"Relax! I'm not going to! Please, don't force me to shoot you!" He dodged again.

"Don't force you?" the boy laughed. "You're a heartless savage!" Another misplaced slice, grabbing nothing but air.

"No!" Vincent denied. "I'm not him!"

"Bullshit!" the boy screamed. Having enough, Vincent pulled out the Magnum again, stopping the boy dead in his tracks. The mighty revolver was aimed at his chest.

"Don't play cocky with me, boy," Vincent said softly. "I don't want to do this. Put the bat down." His voice was slow and deliberate. Defeated, and seeing this little tryst would end in a stalemate, he slowly placed the bat down. "Good. Now will you tell me what the hell is happening here?" Vincent lowered his gun. The boy stood silent. "Tell me…now."

Seizing his chance, the boy ran for the little girl and took her hand. Running for the exit, he grabbed his baseball bat and the two ran out the door. "Next time I see you, I won't hesitate!" He yelled. Vincent watched as the two ran into the elevator. The doors began to close when Vincent began to give chase. He was running, getting closer and closer, but he'd be too late. The doors had closed on him.

"Damn it!" He yelled, pounding the door. He pushed the button, but it did nothing. "Where could they go now?" Vincent watched the LED display above the door go in descending order as the elevator went down from thirteen.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

Ground level.

"P" level.

The elevator stopped at "P" level, and Vincent pressed the recall button. Waiting seemed like forever as the elevator journeyed back up to the thirteenth floor. Finally, with a cheery arrival ping the doors opened, and he headed down to "P" level, hoping he hadn't lost the children. Suddenly above him he heard a loud thud, and quickly he heard the sound of slicing metal as one green reptilian claw penetrated the car, missing his ear by an inch. He let out a cry of surprise at the unexpected intruder, followed by the unmistakable cry of the MA-121 Hunter. Aiming up, he fired three Magnum rounds, hoping to get the creature. Suddenly the freakish bio-weapon crashed through the ceiling, sending the illuminated space into dimness, knocking out all but one light. It landed perfectly on its legs. Before it even had a chance to move, Vincent fired two rounds directly into the flat green skull, raining pieces of shattering bone and skin all over the walls and onto Vincent's parka. It had no head, no cry, and just fell back against the wall, slumped, as a river of blood poured from the massive wound. When the elevator slowed to a stop, Vincent breathed a sigh of relief. However the doors opened to reveal one of the virus carriers staggering into the elevator, arms outstretched as a wave of decayed stink flowed into the elevator. Using his last bullet, he fired into its torso, generating a massive hole as it ripped his innards right out, raining contaminated blood and fetid skin to the ground. It collapsed easily. He carefully stepped over the body and reloaded the Magnum, the heat from its use almost burning his hand.

Hoping he was still hot on the trail, he ran ahead, looking for any sign of them. Judging from looks, the P level was in fact, a parking garage. Cars of various makes and models whizzed by Vincent in a blur as he ran. The driveway led off to the right, and as Vincent rounded the corner, he could see the top of the boy's head just before it disappeared into the ground. With a renewed burst of energy, he sprinted toward the open manhole. When he got there, he peered over the side and saw that it was a storm drain, and by the sounds of rushing water beneath him, it was overflowing. Not stopping to think, he went down the ladder. As he descended, he noticed a powerful stench of mildew and filth, attributed to the humidity of the storm drain. His feet landed on a slick stone surface, a thin stone path that lined both sides of the circular tunnel. In the middle was a roaring river of water. If anyone were to fall, they'd most likely meet a watery grave. Behind him was a grate that the water passed through. Sure enough, his logic was correct. Piled up on the grate were a couple of bodies, a Hunter and one of the SWAT "cleansers." Ahead of him, he could see the tiny figures of the two running up the stone passageway. Vincent resumed the pursuit, hoping he could find out what had happened to this island.

*                      *                      *

He breathed in the cool cleaner air as he climbed out the other end of the storm drain. Looking around once again, he saw that he was on a new street, each side lined with houses. Apparently he had left the business district of the island, the drain leading him out to the residential areas. From the look of things, most of the houses had fallen to ruin, their windows boarded up; those that weren't were smashed. He heard the sound of a door closing behind him, alerting him to the children's position. His eyes saw a small house, and noticed that it contrasted all the other houses. The small abode, from the exterior perspective anyway, looked like it was maintained well. Also unlike the other houses on the dark street, no window was boarded up or broken. Surrounding the house was a picket fence; another sharp contrast to the somber setting of the street for it looked like it was just recently painted white. Judging by the sound of a closing door, he hypothesized that the children ran into there. He walked through the white fence up the cobblestone path, and reached for the door handle. To Vincent's surprise, the door opened and he let himself into a new world. He slowly shut the door behind him, hoping the two didn't hear him enter.

At first glace of his new environment, Vincent noticed a stairwell going up. To its immediate left, a hallway led to some rooms further down. On both sides of Vincent were two rooms, one a living room and one a small dining room. Vincent quietly crept into the living room. Once again, he was taken aback by how well-furnished the house was, that sharp contrast ever present. It seemed like he was in a new realm of time and space, as if this house itself was sectioned off from the necropolis outside. He continued his quiet search, walking through a small study, a kitchen, the dining room, and finally back to where he was again.

If anywhere, they're up there. They have no other place to go. It's the end of the line.

Slowly and carefully, he tried going up the set of stairs, but as if trying to warn the trapped children of his impending approach, the stairs seemed to creak and groan as loud as possible.

Someone upstairs doesn't like me…

Sure enough, it had the desired effect. Directly above his head, he heard the sounds of running feet as they headed for a room in the opposite direction, proving his hypothesis. He no longer bothered with the slow approach. They knew he was there. He brazenly walked up the remaining stairs, turned the corner and walked down the hall toward the room where the steps led. His gun down, he walked into the room. From the look of it, this was a boy's room. There were some clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, and a closet off to his left. On the walls were partially torn posters, and ripped curtains draped the window, which was wide open.

Did they really escape out the window? This game of cat-and-mouse is getting mildly tedious.

On his way to investigate the window, he stumbled, almost falling to the floor; tripping on an object partially hidden by the strewn clothing. Letting out a groan of frustration, he bent down and picked up the object, a small book. Opening the book, he saw the title page, written in someone's handwriting, "Lott's Diary." 

*September 10th
 
I saw some prisoners at the arcade today. They all had sleepy eyes. One of the girls even slavered. Some of the boys were glaring at me. They wore rugs and smelled rotten. Like dad and Commander Vincent told me, they are very different people from our Umbrella families.
 
Dad told me that they bring them to this island so they can operate on them and make them into decent people. I think they are doing the right thing. I hope they will become decent people sometime soon.
 
October 15th
 
I heard Commander Vincent killed those people who tried to escape from the prison. I wonder how such a thing happened? I know they are inferior to us, but did we have to kill them? Is this what I believed in? Umbrella and my dad were supposed to help the inferiors by operating on them... Why did he kill them?
 
November 23rd
 
The city is in total panic! Monsters are everywhere and they are attacking people! Those Umbrella people who were very nice to me suddenly started attacking me. I need help! Please someone rescue me!
 
November 24th
 
My dad and my mom turned into monsters. One of the survivors told me that Commander Vincent turned the people into monsters. I can't trust anyone now. I have to survive and protect my sister Lily, no matter what! We have to escape from this city together!!*

 Fooled…deceived…poor boy…

She watched the evil man search the room through a small opening in the closet door. Her heart was pounding, the sound of the rapid pulsing seeming like it echoed off the walls. It only added to her fear—she was certain that she would be given away just from the amplified beats. He saw him almost trip and fall over Lott's diary, and she stifled a chuckle. She watched him carefully, looking to see if was going to stay here or move out.

Leave! Get out of here. Leave us alone!

Suddenly she felt an itch in her nose, and immediately began to feel a sneeze coming on.

No! No! Of all times…no! He'll know I'm here!

It was growing inside her, and she knew it would be inevitable.

Fuck..

She opened her mouth, tried to stifle the sneeze, but nothing. It came out in full force, and as expected, he sharply turned in her direction, his eyes staring straight at her. He slowly walked toward the closet. Her heart felt as if it was going to burst with each step he took. In moments, she'd be dead.

It's over. I'm sorry, Lott…

She bundled herself in a ball and shut her eyes tight, waiting, waiting for the bullet that would kill her—

Vincent saw her on the floor scrunched in a tight ball, shaking with fear. His body immediately felt a wave of pity for her, and he knelt down next to her.

"Don't worry, little girl. I won't hurt you," he said soothingly.

The girl slowly lifted her head and looked at him with watery, bloodshot eyes. "You…won't?"

"Not at all," he said reassuringly, lifting up her dirty face by the chin.

"My name is Lily. Lily Klein."

"My name is…Vincent," he said, his voice showing a hint of regret.

"I know," she said softly. "My brother has told me about you."

"I'm guessing that's the boy who almost bashed my skull in," he said, a small grin on his face.

She let out a small chuckle. "Yep, that would be Lott."

Vincent laughed. "Where is he, by the way?"

She pointed one small finger toward the window. "He headed to the factory to find a way out. He'll come back and get me. He told me to stay here." Her voice grew worried. "But I'm scared. That factory has monsters everywhere and I'm afraid he'll get eaten and…" Vincent could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Don't worry," Vincent reassured. He looked at her firmly. "Where is the factory?"

"When you leave the house, just take a left and go all the way to the end. It shouldn't be too long," she answered.

"Thanks," he said, smiling. "I'll save your brother." This cheered Lily up a little, for she smiled too. He rose to his feet. "I don't know what kind of person I was in the past. Whatever it was, that isn't me now."

"Wait…before you go…" Lily interrupted.

"Yes?"

"Be…careful."

"I will. Listen to your brother's advice. Stay here."

"I will," she said softly. With a quick nod, he ran out of the room. Lily could hear him going down the stairs, followed by the opening and closing of the door. She crawled out of the small closet, where she got up and stretched for a few seconds. The young girl walked over to the open window and peered out, and saw a running Vincent heading in the direction of the factory, wielding a gun.

Good luck. Be careful, both of you…

A/N: How do we like the RES novelization to this point? Let me know. As it stands, I think there will be two more chapters before the RE: Survivor novelization ends, since by this point, he's getting into the factory—the last leg of the game. Then I think it will shift to Claire, I don't know. I'll go to where the story guides me. Hopefully I get to the 50,000 word mark with what plans I have left. Chapter Ten should be up in a few days. As always, drop me a review!