Author's note: Hmm... Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I've been trying to beat the game. Just can't beat Alexia grr... Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter, I'll get the next one out soon. Thank you to everyone who reviews, and sorry about any grammar/spelling mistakes.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the RE characters, etc now, and never will.

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Chapter four: Proposing a deal

Claire breathed deeply, thinking it was just by short of oxygen, but almost gagged by the awful smell assaulting her senses. At first she had forgot what happened, but then snapped her eyes open. It was calm, silent. She was in a dark place, and could see nothing around her.

Claire wasn't even sure, if she was still in a room. She smell of brimstone filled the air around her, and seemed to come from a nearby window. Claire moved her head to look in that direction, hoping it could give a clue to where she was. No avail, there was no light, inside or out. She suddenly sat up.

-Bad idea- She jolted back down, a extreme pain in her neck, and down. Claire felt like she had just fallen three hundred feet smack down on a hard surface.

Her head was spinning, and concentrating didn't help. She would have given her right arm for an aspirin.

Claire was sure she was laying back on a hard stone surface, and there was a roof above her. The cheap lamp flashed, as the bulb was burning out.

"Sleep well?" A male voice hissed from behind her.

Claire put all her energy, on trying to see who the figure was, but once again no avail. She could only spot the shadowed figure of a tall man, and hear his footsteps come closer.

"Who are...... you....." She tried to say, but her throat burned, and she couldn't talk that well.

The figure stepped closer, and knelled down, causing Claire to inch away, with all her muscles hurting.

"I wouldn't move if I were you girl. Your just hurt yourself more. Poor fool, I pity you." He shook his head, then stood up, and moved in the direction of the light.

He found the light, and pulled a switch. The light flickered a bit, before light invaded the area. Claire was half expecting to be staring up the gun barrel of some giant Umbrella agent, going to shot her at anytime.

The light faded just to the point where the person stood. She couldn't make out the face, but saw a good half of them. They had black clothing, and sunglasses, blond hair spiked.

"Redfield's, never can learn the easy way." The man muttered in such a tone it made Claire shiver.

The man inched closer, grasping her head, and pulling her up slightly. She was staring back at the figure, she didn't know, but had a good clue.

"Listen Redf- Claire. I'm proposing a little deal. Hold up your end of the bargain, and I'll see to it, you emerge from this hellhole alive." He studied her face of disgust lightly.

"And what I get in return, is something much better." His gripe became unbearably painful.

"Claire, I'm proposing that if you can hold Alexia Ashford off, for a minim of 5 minutes, I'll get you out of here alive. Do you understand."

All Claire could do was nod. He dropped her head to the ground causing a loud thunk that rattled her brain.

"And what if I refuse?" Claire breathed heavily, and between gasps, asked.

The man cupped her hand, and brought it up to his face.

"That's simple my dear, if you refuse, I'll kill you right here, and now." He hissed even harsher this time.

Claire had chills running down her spine, as the man gently brushed his fingertips across her hand.

There wasn't much she could do, here or anytime soon.

"Your not leaving me much choices -er- but fine, for now. I'll try to hold Alexia for five minutes no more. Now who are you, and where are we?" Claire tried to remove her hand from her persons grasp, but he just held it harder.

"There is no reason for you not to trust me..." He stated pulling her up, and tugging her to the window.

No reason for her not to trust him. Yeah right, but she was in no place to be making demands. He neared toward the window, and pushed her up closer, so she could see through the rusting bars.

The landscape was giant, coving as far as the eye could see. It was black jagged rocks surrounding the entire place. She searched for any difference. There was a red glow down below her. She moved closer to the window, and gazed over. A large black mountain stood above them all, towering much higher then the small building she was. Behind it, the ocean began, and stretched off for miles. She became lost in the scenery for a moment, but snapped back, when cold hands laid on the sides of her face.

"That my dear." He moved even closer, so Claire could feel his breath on her face. "Is a giant volcano. This entire place used to be a major Umbrella factory, but was wiped out by the T-Virus, and Veronica virus effects. Your job is to find Alexia, and catch her helpless for exactly five minutes. The only way off this island is by plane, and I have the only jet still working. Don't bother calling for your friends for help, they can't save you here." Claire shivered at his touch, and just wanted to be home.

He finally let go quickly causing her to flip, and crash to the ground. He stared down at her body then mentioned "Farwell, find the exit yourself." And with inhuman speed darted out of there.

There was a moment of silence, Claire didn't have the strength to get up, nor did she want to. She drew a deep breath, so deep it felt like it was stabbing her lungs, and made her way past the bars. The place she was, was no different then Rockfort island. The same type of cell, except this one followed all the way down the hall.

She began to walk forward passing all the dead ones laying in the cells with pity in her eyes.

"Looks like I'm the only normal one left in this place." She muttered to herself shaking her head.