Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil but I do own original characters.

Jade_ice17@hotmail.com

CHAPTER 2: FOR LUCK

:I've been traveling through dark alleyways and blood-spattered streets for hours now. When am I gonna find a way out?: I gripped my gun a little tighter after hearing cries of lament coming from the end of the alleyway. I wouldn't be able to get out on this end, I'd have to go back and try the other path. The gun held a fifteen round clip and I had all ready used ten bullets, most embedded in rotting carcass now. Oh well, more food for the crows.

The warm wind played with my braids whispering soft words of encouragement into my ears but the shrieks and moans of the undead drowned them out. The entire city was in a grim state. Destruction lined the streets, blood painted the town red, literally, the feeling of death ebbed from unknown sources. The only beauty was the night sky that wore the full moon as an expensive gemstone without a single cloud to obstruct it's splendor.

Once I had come upon a hoard of zombies grazing on a fallen police officer. Never before had I witnessed such a disgusting sight, they tore at his body, swallowing it in gory pleasure. I immediately went the other way.

After a few minutes I found my way back to the intersection were I went left the first time, now I will go right. A horrible rotting smell drifted past me for the hundredth time I came to this city. I desperately wished for a tank of perfume would dump all over Raccoon City, stinky bastards. As I rounded the corner the barrel of a gun greeted me.

"Thought you'd get away, Tequila? Think again." Mr. V had finally found me, and now he had me. What could I possibly do? I had a gun practically up my nose, it didn't look like I had many choices.

But I did have at least one; lying. "I've been looking for you." A manufactured tone of truth in my voice, I had gotten good at lying long ago. "When I ran away I realized I should've stayed with you all along."

"Well at least you ain't as dumb as ya look." He replied with a grin spreading on his face. Not as dumb as I look like! This was coming from the asshole who left a farewell note to my dead parents.

"What's going on in this city, why are all the people walking around like zombies?" I turned on the fake tears, distracting his eyes. I slid the gun into the back of my jeans, luckily he hadn't seen it yet.

"You ain't in no position to ask questions kid, just follow me." Stupidly he turned his back on me. A wicked smile played across my face as I pulled the gun out of my pants and aimed at his back-

-But I couldn't shoot. Even though I was in the City of the Dead, even though he had hurt me, I still couldn't kill him. And yet he was only human, human and my captor. Though for now I would be his willing captive.

Sure freedom would be easily attained from him in this city but freedom from this city would be a lot more difficult to acquire. For now I would let him keep me restricted just because I know I will not be able to make it out alone.

And I don't want to waist a bullet on his ugly ass.

I hid the gun in my backpack and caught up to him in an unearthly silence. The wails of the undead penetrated our ears, feeding our fears. Every so often while searching the area for escape routes he would look back at me to make sure I was there, a wild look in his eyes. He must be full to the brim with adrenaline. I was not though, I was afraid but I didn't get the adrenaline rush I thought would come. Perhaps it was he who gave me a false sense of security, perhaps it was the concussion.

The pain coming from my head forced me to slow then fall to the ground in a dizzy rush, my concussion must have been worse then I thought it was. At this rate I wouldn't be able to sleep for two nights without fear of drifting to the Eternal Sleep. My mouth let out a whimper of pain.

"Hurry up." Mr. V picked me up and pushed me in front of him, forcing me to walk. The pain grew deeper and deeper until I could barely walk and often staggered to the ground. Many times Mr. V picked me up and pushed me ahead to keep me from stopping all together. He was rough and cruel, taking no regard for my condition. It was horrible. The extra pain inflicted upon my body every time his fingers left tiny bruises, every time the wind was knocked out of my lungs when he shoved me, every time he swore at me for slowing down, was starting to wear me down.

"Stupid bitch. If it weren't for you we'd be out of this city by now." He spat on me as I returned shakily to my feet. I could no longer be a willing captive. His pace was too fast for me and there was no way I could keep up with him in my condition. Besides that, I couldn't take the pain he was inflicting upon me. I needed a distraction to run.

"I know where there is a train that could take us out of the city." I lied once more. Since he could not see my face he would not be able to see the real tears welling up in my eyes.

"Where is it." His gruff voice startled me. I felt the cold metal of his Beretta on the back of my neck.

"On Third Street. The station is there. It's just a block or two from here." In truth I was leading him to a pack of hungry zombies I had scarcely managed to escape. They were probably very hungry, and Mr. V would make a nice meal...

"Then let's go." Again I felt his heavy hand grasp my tender arm, leaving five miniature bruises on my skin. This time though he did not release me from his iron grip even while I was giving him directions. I had this part of the city memorized fairly well, the crashed cars and roadblocks made it very difficult to navigate the city so I had been stuck in this sector for about two hours. My head was still spinning, distorting the images of hand prints set in blood, spills of flesh and blood, and the corpses that had not yet risen to claim their place among the undead.

The final corner neared the edge of my vision. Soon I would have all the distraction I needed. "That's the place, just around the corner." Soon, so soon... We rounded the corner and my eyes went wide with surprise-

-All the zombies had been shot dead. They lay spread all over the bloodstained pavement in various positions of torment. Each were sprayed with many tiny holes, their slayer must have had a powerful rifle.

"What the-" Mr. V began, "You filthy little liar!" The intense anger in his voice shadowed the blow that sent me to the ground. Now my mouth was bleeding, a backhand to the face does that sometimes. "Tryin' to trick me did ya? Guess I'm too quick for ya." As I tried to rise again he stepped beside me and gave me a swift kick in my stomach with his steel- toed boot. That hurt something harsh. I saw out of the corner of my eye that the Mighty Foot of Pain was lifting for a second serving when I heard a rustling.

One of those damned zombies had grabbed his foot in mid-strike! Granted the zombie was missing a lower half but it still saved me! It growled hungrily as it tried to pierce the leather of his boot with it's jagged teeth.

Now was the only chance I had to bolt. So I did, with a vengeance. I could hear him struggling with the zombie in the fading background. I continued to run further and further, blocking the pain that was threatening to overwhelm me. I ran far enough that I didn't know where I was anymore. After a short period of frantic searching, I found a place I could hide.

I found a gun shop. Success! And damn lucky too if you ask me. I reached for the door handle- and it was open! I am now, officially, the luckiest girl in Raccoon City. Slinking inside I locked the dead bolt. My weary eyes searched the room for any unwanted companions but found none, good. After taking a position behind the counter I scoured the area for guns or ammo. All I could find were three clips for my handgun, but I'm wasn't about to complain. I stuffed them into my backpack and sat in a corner that masked my presence in the gun shop completely.

I had to think, as well as rest my body. I rooted through my backpack and took out the painkillers, this time I popped three. Leaning my head against the wall brought minor relief but I would have to wait for the drugs to kick in.

There were other survivors. There had to be, how else would all those zombies have been killed. Maybe they all fell on a magical rifle and got shot. Yeah, and I'm the fucking Tooth Fairy. If there are other people who have made it this far, I'll have to find them.

I may get out alive...

* * *

The hours trickled up to the false light of dawn. By now I was fairly hungry so I ate one of the lunches I pilfered, it didn't taste very good but I wasn't in a position to gripe. I had found a bathroom and I cleaned myself up in. I used a good many Band-Aids on the numerous cuts and scrapes I had received from Mr. V's treatment.

I had found a sketchy diary of the Gun Shop owner writing on the back of a few papers. I would have read them but I couldn't focus my eyes right now, I had to take more pills. So I just stuffed them in my pack for later. I also found a holster for my gun, immediately I strapped it around my leg.

I wanted out. Badly. Out of this city, out of this nightmare. Too bad for me that the only way out was to go through the city itself. More then once I heard the hellish howl of * something * that couldn't be a zombie. God dammit, this sucks.

Gathering my wits about me, I unlocked the door and stepped out into the dawn mist. The mist wasn't a particularly good thing for me, I wasn't in the mood to bump into Joe Zombie. I'd have to find a place that's further up, maybe a rooftop. That wouldn't be hard, there were fire- escapes on the sides of buildings everywhere. Getting to one may be difficult.

The growling of some beast deterred me from taking a left, it probably couldn't see me but I didn't want to take any chances. I cursed several creative curses as I felt my way along a wall, twice my hand met with something wet. Disgusting.

The cold hard bricks guided my hands to a metal rod. It was hard to see through the mist but it could be done, though not very well. A fire- escape was finally at hand, mind the pun, and all I had to do was climb it.

For a second I waited with my hands on the cold steel. Something was going to happen, it always does. No way would Raccoon let my climb this ladder unhindered. But nothing happened. Almost a let down really, every time something went right I had to deal with something worse. But not this time.

What the hell am I bitching about! "Just climb the fucking thing." Jeez, something goes right for a change and I'm complaining. This place must be getting to me. Stuffing my gun into the holster, I grasped the frigid steel and began to climb warily, no use in letting my guard down.

I reached the top with a sigh of relief. I made it up alive-

"CAW."

"Huh?"

"CAW, CAW, CAW!"

What the hell is that? What the hell is cawing at me? I could tell it was coming from directly in front of me, and I drew my gun and waited...

A flurry of black feathers surrounded me in a instant, clouding my vision, sending me straight into panic. The dense mist made it difficult to see through but I managed to see black streaks fly past me several times.

Crows! When I said more food for the crows I didn't mean me! I shot a few rounds but hit nothing but air. I felt the sharp claw of one puncture the skin on my hand, forcing me to lose my grip on my gun. Instinctively I dropped to the ground searching for it and eventually found it.

I lay on the ground listening to the harsh beating of charcoal wings, gun up in the air, waiting. They too came to an end as well, I could hear the ticking of their claws on the roof and their gritty voices calling out to the undead.

At the moment my mind was still in a furious state of panic so I lowered my gun. I knew I'd only waste bullets in this accursed mist. The knife! I still had the knife with me. The maddening clicking of the crows feet was coming closer, but now I'd be ready for the little black-assed fucker.

A black shape appeared about two feet from my left hip. The crow looked around stupidly like a blind person trying to sort paints by colors... It couldn't see in the dense mist, so I had a step up from him! Score!

I waited until it came a little closer still then I lashed out with the knife, cutting it's throat. It's blood gurgled from the exposed windpipe for a few seconds until it fell to the ground. The other black beasts dove at me, I avoided it's attack by rolling a few feet to the other side, finally coming to a stop on my back once more. It shrieked a battle call before diving at me through the mist once more, making my eyes go wide with surprise. Rolling out of the way was my only defense as it dove then took to the air again.

Breathing heavily with fear, I searched the mist for my attacker but all I could get was the sound of it's wings. They may not be able to see but they sure could hear me out. A few short moments later it's harsh wing beats came to an end somewhere over my head, and the clicking begin...

Then I felt it. The cold of it's feathers brush against my hair, tempting me to run and scream as it moved lower. I could now see it out if the corner of my eye and I knew if I moved, if I even dared to breathe he'd eat my face. He took a few test nibbles at my ear with his beak, he didn't break the skin but it wouldn't be long before he did.

He raised his head back to make a dive into my skin and I felt my arm move with instinct. I sliced into his belly faster then he could bring his beak down.

I win.

* * *

I shuffled through my backpack to find the Gun Shop owners diary that I had found earlier, knowing that I would have to wait for the mist to clear before I even thought of setting out again. The mist was thinning but I didn't want to risk the ride it would take me on if I were to venture back on the streets.

My teeth clenched in impatience and I finally gave up and dumped everything onto the gravely surface of the roof. The Gun Shop owner's diary, which was comprised of a few crumpled pieces of paper, fluttered out taking their dear sweet time to settle.

That made me angry. I nearly shot at them but decided against it when I remembered my diminishing ammo supply. Instead I swore at it and began to read...

* * *

September 25

The screaming has just began in the city. Oh God, why didn't I take Mr. Golaris' advice and leave town? Because I'm stupid that's why. Why did I place so much of my trust in Umbrella? I knew I shouldn't have let them use my store as a transfer spot. If I had just said no when they asked if they could store 'medical samples' in the storage room maybe this would never had happened. I hate myself. But I hate Umbrella more...

September 26

A riot broke out today. People filled the streets brandishing weapons of all sorts screaming defiance to anyone they could blame at the time. And they all fell. One by one they were mercilessly slaughtered by... Zombies, for lack of a better word. I've put the dead bolt on the door and put the shutters down, hoping that will keep the zombies out. A small group of about ten survivors came in here earlier and looted the place, leaving only a handgun and a few clips of ammo for me. Their eyes projected the madness that was in them and for a moment I feared for my life. I hope they make it out alive.

September 27

The survivors didn't make it out. I watched them this morning, desperately trying to reach my shop only to be jumped by those demonic creatures outside. There wasn't anything I could do about it either. I opened the store for anyone that might be able to make it here. I've decided to take the gun I have and turn it on myself instead of letting those beasts have me. I'll splatter the walls of my storeroom with my brains. If anyone lives to read this, I suggest you do the same.

* * *

The last entry must have been made short hours before I arrived at the store. I wondered to myself how many other people had taken the same fate as him. What a sad death, but much more peaceful compared to the thousands of other deaths that surrounded me. I started gathering my things together and noticed a small key on a chain at the bottom of my stuff. I picked it up and read what a little tag on it said, "180 McFerson, apartment 38." :Must be an apartment key: I thought. My eyes searched my surroundings and finally found a street sign by a 'T' shaped street. I nearly choked on my own surprise when I realized it said McFerson. I was currently on the left side of the 'T' and would have to go to the top of the 'T' to get to the apartment building.

A small price to pay for a place I could hole myself up in for a while and rest. I began my decent down the ladder and leaned hard against the wall when I heard the shuffling of the undead. Low and behold there one was in all it's pus filled, decaying, decrepit, piece of shit glory. Soon a second followed the first, and then a third. They were to my right and the apartment I had to go to was to my left.

Hmmmn. Let's see. Should I be a hero and blast them into the Otherworld before going into the apartment or should I make a dash for the building without blowing them away. I thought about for a quick second and made my choice-

-And ran my sorry ass quarter-way down the street in the direction of the building. Hey, who really wants to be a hero anyway? Just when I thought I had made it something that stood erect and waved four arms at me came screeching around the corner. I skidded to a stop and nearly tripped over my own momentum.

The creature was very strange to say the least. Once it saw me it stopped and went down on all six of it's arms, legs, tendrils... Whatever the fuck you want to call them and sniffed at the air. As it's nose went up, it exposed long sharp teeth that were most likely capable of slicing me into scrap they put in hot-dogs. I drew my gun and shot it a couple of times but it apparently had little effect on the mutation. Instead it only gave the creature a reason to take long quick strides towards me.

First instinct was to turn tail and run, until of course the moan of someone that was very cannibalistic reached my ears. I remembered the zombie pack that was staggering on decaying legs towards me. My blood pumped in my ears as adrenaline pounded through my veins. It looked like I was going to die.

Until I saw a drum about five feet from where the leggy creature was, I took a clip out in a frenzied rush and nearly dropped it while reloading. The thing was scant inches away from the drum when I heard the angelic sound of the clip clicking into the gun and I shot at the drum. It exploded in a frenzy of fire and destruction. Chunks of the creature rained down from the sky and splattered all over me.

"Fuck!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "God damn shit city!" I hurled a gob of it out of my hair and took off in a run to the building. "All of you cock suckers are going to pay dearly for this, do you hear me fuck heads!" I suppose you could say I was mad at the time. I would say that I was just expressing some emotions...