Forever
-chapter one
"CHRIS! FOOD! EAT!"
...came the daily shrieked call from his sister, jarring Chris Redfield from his dreamlike state. He had spent a good five minutes staring at only the sky, the blue, bright sky. Five years ago the sky was a simple background, now he saw with a new light how beautiful it was. The fluffy, peaceful clouds, the birds soaring across it, singing their daily song...
There had been a time when those same skies were dark with fear and destruction, and the stench of death filled the air that now filled his lungs.
*Thank God those days are over.
"I'm COMING Claire!" he answered. Slowly he scratched the back of his head before somehow managing to find a bathrobe that was thrown over a chair, and under his leather jacket, almost tripping over the controller cords of his Playstation 2 while doing so. Chris was 27 years old, but was still as young as 10 when it came to video games. He pushed the controller wires to one side for now, next to a black sock and several sheets of scrap paper from God knows where. He would play Armored Core 2 again today.
He knew he should start cleaning up and organising his room, but as of yet the opportunity hadn't presented itself. There was always tomorrow. He threw the robe on loosely over his shoulders, and started down the stairs, where the welcome aroma of frying bacon and eggs being scrambled assaulted his nostrils.
Claire stood over the counter, wearing her own robe loosely about her petite frame. A smile appeared on her face as she recognised the familiar form of her brother.
"You know, Jill Valentine says that procrastination leads to being late, and being late leads to...."
"...lost opportunities, I know, and lost opportunities leads to loss..." Chris finished. He noticed the heavy pronounciation on the word 'Valentine.' Ever since Claire had moved in with him the topic of himself and Jill always seemed to be twisted into every sentence. Chris, naturally, had denied any feelings towards Jill beyond friendship, but they both knew the opposite was true. Everyone probably felt as Claire felt about Chris and Jill, but only Claire actually voiced her opinions.
*But then again, Claire voiced everything.
"Gimme my food," the elder Redfield commanded, eager to change the subject.
"Alright, alright," Claire pretended to act annoyed, but was failing at it. Chris eagerly dug in on the breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. He sometimes regretted having Claire under the same roof as himself, but the quality of her cooking wasn't something to be debated. Chris felt thankful for almost every ray of light in his life nowadays, even if the eggs and bacon were a bit too spicy for his tastes.
" So wuts on the agenda today?" Claire asked, as she too sat down and began to eat.
" I dunno... Barry suggested we work on our rear-guard entrances...and forced entry into buildings..We'll probably go over that at AT today, " Chris said. AT stood for Active Training. Training was a daily thing for S.T.A.R.S., as they trained for one week everyday and then took two weeks off, and so on. This was the last day of what seemed to be an endless week, and Chris welcomed the fact that he would have the next two weeks off.
" Cool. Both Alpha and Charlie? "
" Yeps. At 2:30, as usual. "
"Maybe we should go somewhere afterwards, maybe to the park? " Claire suggested, after taking a bite of her peanut butter and jam toast.
" Sure. Anything to help us relax after a long week."
" 'Kay. I'll make the calls.." Claire paused as she took in a mouthful of highly peppered scrambled eggs. The words 'cold' and 'food' didn't go in the same sentence Claire. A devilish smile appeared on her equally devilish face.
" Shall I place a telephone call to the abode of one Miss Jill Chelsea Valentine?" she said, in her finest english accent. Again, Chris noted, the accentation on ' Miss ' and ' Valentine.'
" If you wanna. " Chris honestly tried his best to sound unaffected.
" I will, " Claire giggled as she finished up her plate and placed it in the sink for Chris to wash. She stepped into the living room, picked up the phone and pressed star 7, the hotkey for Jill's house. In fact, the entire S.T.A.R.S. roster was on speed dial.
Chris watched Claire leave the kitchen and head towards the living room to invite everyone to the park. He was rewarded after several seconds by a soft "beep," which he was almost certain was the hotkey for Jill's number.
*Little sisters are the creation of the devil.
Chris shrugged and reached for another serving of bacon.
* * *
" Wait a minute, wait a minute, WAIT A MINUTE!" Jill almost screamed at the ringing call as she fiddled with the keys to her front door. Beads of sweat fell down her forehead and mingled in her eyes until she finally wiped them away with the back of a hand.
*Damn keys, why do I always put too many on a single ring??
" Ah hah!" Jill said in triumph as she finally found the right key to open the door. She burst in and sprinted towards the cordless phone, which thankfully was still ringing it's tone.
" Yellow!? " the young woman said, exahausted from the two hour jog she had just taken and covered in sweat.
" Yo Jill! " came the high pitched answer. Claire Redfield.
" Wut's up, Claire."
" Nuthin! Hey I was thinking maybe we should get together with the guys and do something at the park, maybe a picnic or something, have some fun, you know..." Claire said, in typical school girl like fashion.
*Was I ever that like that? Was I ever a teenager?
" Uh sure...who, what, when, where? Got no where else to go anyway...."
" Uhh, after ATP...at Queen Elizabeth Park (1)...."
" And who's going?"
" Oh yeah! Umm....Me, Leon, Chico, maybe Rebecca..I hear Chico's making a move on Bec! Oh My God! That's like, WAY too crazy for me!..............and oh yeah, your mad crush'll be there too!" Claire said mockingly.
" For like the billionth time Claire, I like your brother but not that way...I'd rather fall in love with Wesker. "
" That's not what Bec told me you told her...." The younger woman giggled.
*Typical Claire.
" Well whatever Bec told you it ain't true. By the way, whaddya want me to bring? "
" Umm...some pop or beer would be nice. "
" Consider it done. After AT at Queen E, I'll be there. "
" Chris will be too! "
Jill hung up, knowing that Claire's teasing about her love life would be endless. She loved Claire, like a younger sister, but she could be so annoying sometimes that it drove her up the wall.
*Which explains why Chris is so grouchy sometimes.
Jill smiled as she peeled off her windbreaker and flung it on her couch. She moved into her small kitchen, reached into the refrigerator and produced a cup of yogurt. A look into her cupboard produced a spoon, and she went back to her leather couch and practically fell into it. She dug into the yogurt, savoring it's sweetness as her reward after a long jog. She treasured such simple things as yogurt these days.
She looked about her living room. She didn't spend much time in it, being so occupied with training and other such things relating to her job. Her glance floated to the end table that was her phone's domain, at the simple marble picture frame that stood proudly next to it.
It was quite possibly her favorite picture. It was of S.T.A.R.S., at the re-formation party, following the U.N.'s decision to re-build it. Leon, with his trademark haircut that belonged on a 10 year old, hugging Claire like a new bride, who also had a wide smile on her girlish features. Carlos, his neverending smile across his adorable features, raising a cup of wine to an unseen person. Becca, her eyes closed, a party hat on her head, blowing on a noisemaker with all her might. Old Wolf, Barry, and his youngest daughter, Emily, on his shoulders.
And, to the left of all the rest of the team members, were herself and Chris. Both were smiling, Chris' arms around her own waist from behind. It was a friendly hug, she was sure Chris meant nothing more by it, but still she treasured it long after she was sure Chris had forgotten about it.
Chris looked as handsome as ever in a cream colored turtleneck, and matching baggy cargo pants. Herself in a navy blue strapless dress that had a rather wide slit up it's side. Jill remembered worrying her head off the night before over what to wear, until Chris came over with Claire and so insisted on the navy blue number. Jill was sure her cheeks burned as red as beets when he told her.
Jill smiled to herself on her couch just remembering that night and Chris' smile.
*His happy, funny, quirky, crazysexycool smile.
Still smiling, Jill checked the time. 11:30.
*Never can be too early...
She stood up and went upstairs to get ready for AT.
* * *
The sleek, smooth AC boosted forward, trying to evade it's enemy, unleashing a furious barrage of Cracker missiles from it's shoulder-mounted missile pad.
The heavier, bulkier, crimson AC dodged most of the missiles but was unable to evade the last one, as the heavy anti-tank projectile slammed into it's shoulder and blew off it's arm. Undaunted, the giant titan gripped it's wound with it's good hand, while kneeling down and readying it's grenade launcher.
The faster, jade AC, seeing it's target was disabled, rushed forward, eager to engage it in close combat. It fired off several shots with it's machine gun, but it's pilot frowned as he saw the shells bounce harmlessly off of his opponent's heavier armor. The quicker AC drew it's laserblade, a long, blue pillar of light erupting from it's left wrist.
The crimson AC saw his faster opponent dashing towards him, and fired off the grenade launcher in it's general direction. A great ball of fire shot from the long barrel of the grenade launcher, speeding towards it's intended target.
Red eyes glowed as the jade AC recognised it's opponent's move. With a quick jab of the control stick, the pilot easily boosted his AC out of the line of fire, hearing the grenade launcher shell explode behind him. His opponent was now open and vulnerable, and the jade AC readied it's killing strike with it's laser blade.
Pure energy cut through plasteel and titanium like paper as the jade AC's laserblade cut through the crimson AC's chestplate. The jade AC completed the execution as he drove the laserblade straight through his opponent's midsection, cutting the monstrous machine in half. The jade AC stood victorious, as behind him his opponent erupted into flames and exploded, grey, thick smoke marking it's death.
"BOOYAH!" Chris laughed as he finally defeated Providence, the top ranked AC in Armored Core 2 for his Playstation 2. He pumped his fist several times as he watched the ending credits roll. Afterwards he saved the game to his memory card and turned off the PS2, still congratulating himself on his victory.
He glanced at the time.
2:04.
*Oh shit!
Chris bolted up and ripped open his dresser, taking his trademark green training vest out, along with his pants and kneepads.
" Claire!! Why didn't you tell me what time it was!!?? "
Claire appeared at Chris' door, already dressed and ready to go, tying her hair back into it's usual ponytail.
" I was just going to tell you. You know what procrastination leads to..."
" Thanks. " Chris said sarcastically. He grabbed the keys to their car off his desk, and tossed them to her.
" Get the car ready! "
" Aiight. " Claire dissappeared down the stairs.
" Shit! " Chris swore as he finished putting his on his vest. Socks.
*Where are my goddamn socks???
He searched around and finally found two, one grey and one white, both under a pile of CDs and PS2 games. He sighed and put them on, grabbed his kneepads and combat knife, and was out the door, glancing at his wristwatch on the way.
2:19.
*Good job Chris, way to set an example for your team. Jill's probably already there, laughing at you right now.
He locked the front door behind him and dashed to the car.
Author's note:
* indicates a character's thoughts.
What did yall think?? Please review. What will happen in Chapter 2? What will happen at training? What will happen at the park? What will the rest of the team think of their leader being late? Will Leon ever get a new haircut?
These answers and more in Chapter Two, which I'm already more than halfway through. Please R & R!!
(1) - Queen Elizabeth Park is an actual park near my house!
P.S.: Like that Armored Core 2 cameo?? LOL That's where I got my penname actually, Hustler One is an AC from the first Armored Core game. Plan on seeing another cameo in the next chapter, though definately not as long as this one.
Till then, remember:
"I never, ever lose, I just find ways that don't work."
-Gabe Soria
-chapter one
"CHRIS! FOOD! EAT!"
...came the daily shrieked call from his sister, jarring Chris Redfield from his dreamlike state. He had spent a good five minutes staring at only the sky, the blue, bright sky. Five years ago the sky was a simple background, now he saw with a new light how beautiful it was. The fluffy, peaceful clouds, the birds soaring across it, singing their daily song...
There had been a time when those same skies were dark with fear and destruction, and the stench of death filled the air that now filled his lungs.
*Thank God those days are over.
"I'm COMING Claire!" he answered. Slowly he scratched the back of his head before somehow managing to find a bathrobe that was thrown over a chair, and under his leather jacket, almost tripping over the controller cords of his Playstation 2 while doing so. Chris was 27 years old, but was still as young as 10 when it came to video games. He pushed the controller wires to one side for now, next to a black sock and several sheets of scrap paper from God knows where. He would play Armored Core 2 again today.
He knew he should start cleaning up and organising his room, but as of yet the opportunity hadn't presented itself. There was always tomorrow. He threw the robe on loosely over his shoulders, and started down the stairs, where the welcome aroma of frying bacon and eggs being scrambled assaulted his nostrils.
Claire stood over the counter, wearing her own robe loosely about her petite frame. A smile appeared on her face as she recognised the familiar form of her brother.
"You know, Jill Valentine says that procrastination leads to being late, and being late leads to...."
"...lost opportunities, I know, and lost opportunities leads to loss..." Chris finished. He noticed the heavy pronounciation on the word 'Valentine.' Ever since Claire had moved in with him the topic of himself and Jill always seemed to be twisted into every sentence. Chris, naturally, had denied any feelings towards Jill beyond friendship, but they both knew the opposite was true. Everyone probably felt as Claire felt about Chris and Jill, but only Claire actually voiced her opinions.
*But then again, Claire voiced everything.
"Gimme my food," the elder Redfield commanded, eager to change the subject.
"Alright, alright," Claire pretended to act annoyed, but was failing at it. Chris eagerly dug in on the breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. He sometimes regretted having Claire under the same roof as himself, but the quality of her cooking wasn't something to be debated. Chris felt thankful for almost every ray of light in his life nowadays, even if the eggs and bacon were a bit too spicy for his tastes.
" So wuts on the agenda today?" Claire asked, as she too sat down and began to eat.
" I dunno... Barry suggested we work on our rear-guard entrances...and forced entry into buildings..We'll probably go over that at AT today, " Chris said. AT stood for Active Training. Training was a daily thing for S.T.A.R.S., as they trained for one week everyday and then took two weeks off, and so on. This was the last day of what seemed to be an endless week, and Chris welcomed the fact that he would have the next two weeks off.
" Cool. Both Alpha and Charlie? "
" Yeps. At 2:30, as usual. "
"Maybe we should go somewhere afterwards, maybe to the park? " Claire suggested, after taking a bite of her peanut butter and jam toast.
" Sure. Anything to help us relax after a long week."
" 'Kay. I'll make the calls.." Claire paused as she took in a mouthful of highly peppered scrambled eggs. The words 'cold' and 'food' didn't go in the same sentence Claire. A devilish smile appeared on her equally devilish face.
" Shall I place a telephone call to the abode of one Miss Jill Chelsea Valentine?" she said, in her finest english accent. Again, Chris noted, the accentation on ' Miss ' and ' Valentine.'
" If you wanna. " Chris honestly tried his best to sound unaffected.
" I will, " Claire giggled as she finished up her plate and placed it in the sink for Chris to wash. She stepped into the living room, picked up the phone and pressed star 7, the hotkey for Jill's house. In fact, the entire S.T.A.R.S. roster was on speed dial.
Chris watched Claire leave the kitchen and head towards the living room to invite everyone to the park. He was rewarded after several seconds by a soft "beep," which he was almost certain was the hotkey for Jill's number.
*Little sisters are the creation of the devil.
Chris shrugged and reached for another serving of bacon.
* * *
" Wait a minute, wait a minute, WAIT A MINUTE!" Jill almost screamed at the ringing call as she fiddled with the keys to her front door. Beads of sweat fell down her forehead and mingled in her eyes until she finally wiped them away with the back of a hand.
*Damn keys, why do I always put too many on a single ring??
" Ah hah!" Jill said in triumph as she finally found the right key to open the door. She burst in and sprinted towards the cordless phone, which thankfully was still ringing it's tone.
" Yellow!? " the young woman said, exahausted from the two hour jog she had just taken and covered in sweat.
" Yo Jill! " came the high pitched answer. Claire Redfield.
" Wut's up, Claire."
" Nuthin! Hey I was thinking maybe we should get together with the guys and do something at the park, maybe a picnic or something, have some fun, you know..." Claire said, in typical school girl like fashion.
*Was I ever that like that? Was I ever a teenager?
" Uh sure...who, what, when, where? Got no where else to go anyway...."
" Uhh, after ATP...at Queen Elizabeth Park (1)...."
" And who's going?"
" Oh yeah! Umm....Me, Leon, Chico, maybe Rebecca..I hear Chico's making a move on Bec! Oh My God! That's like, WAY too crazy for me!..............and oh yeah, your mad crush'll be there too!" Claire said mockingly.
" For like the billionth time Claire, I like your brother but not that way...I'd rather fall in love with Wesker. "
" That's not what Bec told me you told her...." The younger woman giggled.
*Typical Claire.
" Well whatever Bec told you it ain't true. By the way, whaddya want me to bring? "
" Umm...some pop or beer would be nice. "
" Consider it done. After AT at Queen E, I'll be there. "
" Chris will be too! "
Jill hung up, knowing that Claire's teasing about her love life would be endless. She loved Claire, like a younger sister, but she could be so annoying sometimes that it drove her up the wall.
*Which explains why Chris is so grouchy sometimes.
Jill smiled as she peeled off her windbreaker and flung it on her couch. She moved into her small kitchen, reached into the refrigerator and produced a cup of yogurt. A look into her cupboard produced a spoon, and she went back to her leather couch and practically fell into it. She dug into the yogurt, savoring it's sweetness as her reward after a long jog. She treasured such simple things as yogurt these days.
She looked about her living room. She didn't spend much time in it, being so occupied with training and other such things relating to her job. Her glance floated to the end table that was her phone's domain, at the simple marble picture frame that stood proudly next to it.
It was quite possibly her favorite picture. It was of S.T.A.R.S., at the re-formation party, following the U.N.'s decision to re-build it. Leon, with his trademark haircut that belonged on a 10 year old, hugging Claire like a new bride, who also had a wide smile on her girlish features. Carlos, his neverending smile across his adorable features, raising a cup of wine to an unseen person. Becca, her eyes closed, a party hat on her head, blowing on a noisemaker with all her might. Old Wolf, Barry, and his youngest daughter, Emily, on his shoulders.
And, to the left of all the rest of the team members, were herself and Chris. Both were smiling, Chris' arms around her own waist from behind. It was a friendly hug, she was sure Chris meant nothing more by it, but still she treasured it long after she was sure Chris had forgotten about it.
Chris looked as handsome as ever in a cream colored turtleneck, and matching baggy cargo pants. Herself in a navy blue strapless dress that had a rather wide slit up it's side. Jill remembered worrying her head off the night before over what to wear, until Chris came over with Claire and so insisted on the navy blue number. Jill was sure her cheeks burned as red as beets when he told her.
Jill smiled to herself on her couch just remembering that night and Chris' smile.
*His happy, funny, quirky, crazysexycool smile.
Still smiling, Jill checked the time. 11:30.
*Never can be too early...
She stood up and went upstairs to get ready for AT.
* * *
The sleek, smooth AC boosted forward, trying to evade it's enemy, unleashing a furious barrage of Cracker missiles from it's shoulder-mounted missile pad.
The heavier, bulkier, crimson AC dodged most of the missiles but was unable to evade the last one, as the heavy anti-tank projectile slammed into it's shoulder and blew off it's arm. Undaunted, the giant titan gripped it's wound with it's good hand, while kneeling down and readying it's grenade launcher.
The faster, jade AC, seeing it's target was disabled, rushed forward, eager to engage it in close combat. It fired off several shots with it's machine gun, but it's pilot frowned as he saw the shells bounce harmlessly off of his opponent's heavier armor. The quicker AC drew it's laserblade, a long, blue pillar of light erupting from it's left wrist.
The crimson AC saw his faster opponent dashing towards him, and fired off the grenade launcher in it's general direction. A great ball of fire shot from the long barrel of the grenade launcher, speeding towards it's intended target.
Red eyes glowed as the jade AC recognised it's opponent's move. With a quick jab of the control stick, the pilot easily boosted his AC out of the line of fire, hearing the grenade launcher shell explode behind him. His opponent was now open and vulnerable, and the jade AC readied it's killing strike with it's laser blade.
Pure energy cut through plasteel and titanium like paper as the jade AC's laserblade cut through the crimson AC's chestplate. The jade AC completed the execution as he drove the laserblade straight through his opponent's midsection, cutting the monstrous machine in half. The jade AC stood victorious, as behind him his opponent erupted into flames and exploded, grey, thick smoke marking it's death.
"BOOYAH!" Chris laughed as he finally defeated Providence, the top ranked AC in Armored Core 2 for his Playstation 2. He pumped his fist several times as he watched the ending credits roll. Afterwards he saved the game to his memory card and turned off the PS2, still congratulating himself on his victory.
He glanced at the time.
2:04.
*Oh shit!
Chris bolted up and ripped open his dresser, taking his trademark green training vest out, along with his pants and kneepads.
" Claire!! Why didn't you tell me what time it was!!?? "
Claire appeared at Chris' door, already dressed and ready to go, tying her hair back into it's usual ponytail.
" I was just going to tell you. You know what procrastination leads to..."
" Thanks. " Chris said sarcastically. He grabbed the keys to their car off his desk, and tossed them to her.
" Get the car ready! "
" Aiight. " Claire dissappeared down the stairs.
" Shit! " Chris swore as he finished putting his on his vest. Socks.
*Where are my goddamn socks???
He searched around and finally found two, one grey and one white, both under a pile of CDs and PS2 games. He sighed and put them on, grabbed his kneepads and combat knife, and was out the door, glancing at his wristwatch on the way.
2:19.
*Good job Chris, way to set an example for your team. Jill's probably already there, laughing at you right now.
He locked the front door behind him and dashed to the car.
Author's note:
* indicates a character's thoughts.
What did yall think?? Please review. What will happen in Chapter 2? What will happen at training? What will happen at the park? What will the rest of the team think of their leader being late? Will Leon ever get a new haircut?
These answers and more in Chapter Two, which I'm already more than halfway through. Please R & R!!
(1) - Queen Elizabeth Park is an actual park near my house!
P.S.: Like that Armored Core 2 cameo?? LOL That's where I got my penname actually, Hustler One is an AC from the first Armored Core game. Plan on seeing another cameo in the next chapter, though definately not as long as this one.
Till then, remember:
"I never, ever lose, I just find ways that don't work."
-Gabe Soria