Hope Never Dies
Chapter Three
Disclaimer: they aren't mine and all of that
Notes: I have been working hard on this story and Promise more action in the next chapter. Want more? Please review
My throat was tight with fear. A cold shiver ran down my spin and filled me with a sense of dread. I thought Umbrella had forgotten me. At least that was my hope. "How? I thought I hid myself pretty well," I said as calmly as I could. I didn't want to seem like a baby to Leon.
"You did Claire, but they are that good. Umbrella has people everywhere. They found me. Even after I went into the underground. I barely got away," Leon said with haste.
I touched his cheek softly. "How did you find out where I lived?" I whispered gently.
Leon's eyes were filled with anger, pain and fear. The anger was not directed towards me, but at Umbrella. It was clear as he spoke. "I beat one of them to death with my chair when they left me alone. I went through his pockets and found a slip of paper that had our names and addresses on it. Including those of the S.T.A.R.S forces."
I stood up quickly. "I have to pack so we can get out of here!" I felt very sick, I didn't want to go through this again, but I had to be strong for Leon's sake.
"Claire. I am not going anywhere tonight. I am just that hurt. I overheard one of the guards say that they wouldn't go for you until tomorrow. For now we are safe."
"Are you sure?" I asked softly as I sat down beside him.
Leon took my hands into his. "Claire. I care for you deeply. I wouldn't put you in danger. You are important to me. More than you know," he said softly.
I looked deep into Leon's beautiful eyes. He lifted his hand to touch my cheek gently. "I love you Leon." There. I finally told him. I waited so long to tell him how I felt. I was afraid of what Leon would say. I felt my heart in my throat waiting for his reaction.
I saw Leon's eyes soften and a smile play across his full lips. "I love you too," he said. He leaned in so close that our lips were almost touching. "Once we are safe. I will ask you something important, but not until we are safe." The ex cop brushed away a lock of hair from my eyes. "I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you Claire. I can't wait until this is all over so I can show you how much I love you."
I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I let it out slowly. "What are we going to do Leon?" I asked in a shaky voice.
"First we are going to get some sleep. Then we run. This maybe the last night we will be able to get a good nights sleep. At least for a while," he said pulling me into his arms. "Stay with tonight. Nothing will happen, I just want to hold you."
I relaxed into his arms and closed my eyes. "Yes. Hold me Leon. Tonight let me believe that we are safe."
The sun shown through the windows like a stream of gold. The light was like an ominous messenger heralding in the dangers that await us. I opened my eyes and looked up to see Leon gazing down at me. "How long have you been watching me?" I asked in a whisper.
"About ten minutes. I was going to wake you up, but I didn't want to. You are beautiful when you are sleeping," he actually smiled. "We should get your things and go." The former officer sighed. I nodded and stood up slowly. "Need some help?"
"Yeah. I need al the help I can get," I told him. We went into my room and packed my things quickly. We only packed what I needed because we had to move fast, meaning we had to travel light. The last thing I did before we left was put up my hair in a tight ponytail.
We took Leon's jeep. He let me drive since he was still to hurt to drive. "Where are we going?" I asked over the roar of the engine and wind.
"Head out of town. I'll tell you when to turn off. I have a safe house out in the country," he replied loudly.
"You have thought of everything. Are you still with the police department?" I asked curiously. I wondered what had happened to him after the last time I saw him.
Even though I kept my eyes on the road, I knew Leon was looking at me. "I moved to a small town in Washington State where I joined the police department there. I secretly was getting information on Umbrella. Until they found out. They had the police under their pay roll as well. When they found out who I really was, they framed me for drug possession." Leon paused a moment taking a deep breath. "They put me in a cell where they interrogated me for hours. It was terrible," he told me. There was something in his voice that told me he wasn't telling me everything. That he was holding back. Whatever it was it must have been worse than just a beating. I didn't say anything because I didn't know what to say so I just kept driving.
We drove quietly for three hours. The only time anyone spoke was when Leon gave me directions. The drive was long and I was getting tired. I hated long car rides not matter how nice the car was. I drove until we came upon and old run down cabin. "We are here," Leon said softly.