Chapter 2
A/N: Okay, chapter two! Lets see how this one turned out, shall we? I just want to say a BIG thank you to all who reviewed. Those made my freaking day. I'll have to thank you individually, maybe in an up coming chapter.
His shoes were pounding against the pavement as Leon ran up his steps to the front doorstep. If it hadn't been for that guy who almost ran him off the road, he would have been home sooner. It took him awhile to call road side assistance, no thanks to the asshole who gave him a dent in his car. But that didn't matter now. He just about tripped on the front porch, causing him to fly into the door that wasn't quite shut, getting the wind knocked out of him for a brief moment.
"Claire! Claire, I'm home!"
No answer.
Then he heard it. Running water. Claire must be in the shower. He thought with a sigh and relaxed.
No, she had taken one this morning.
At his last thought, Leon quickly continued his frantic scurrying about. Passing through the kitchen, he saw the back door was unlocked, and slightly open. He ran up the stairs into the hallway that held their bathroom. The water was on, making steam rise out the open door into the hallway. Leon quit breathing at what he saw next.
Just through the crack of the unclosed door, through the steam and fog that surrounded him with moist heat, was an arm. . . .
In one swift motion, Leon just about broke the door down. The door flew back on its hinges and banged agaist the wall. The remaining shards of glass that were still attatched to the mirror fell and clattered to the ground. There she lay. Blood streaked down her face at the open gash just below her hairline. Pieces of shattered glass and wood lay on the ground. Leon saw the wood came from his baseball bat. He could feel the bile rise in his throat. His life had just been smashed into a thousand pieces as those segments of mirror that remained on the floor.
"Claire! Oh my. . .Honey! Honey!" the panic in his own voice terrorized him.
He knelt down by her body. She was still breathing. He could hear her soft, but sharp breaths. Wet streaks fell onto her face. He couldn't stop the tears. She seemed to have no other wounds on her body, but. . . He caught a trickle of red coming out of her mouth. He lifted up her shirt.
Her stomach that once soft but lean, was now red and swollen. The scrapes continued around to her back.
All of this had happened in a matter of seconds, but to him, it felt like an eternity.
He wasn't sure what happened next. The next thing he heard was a knock on his door. Red and blue flashes were outside his window. It was the EMT. He looked down at his hands and saw that he was holding the phone, which still read 911. He opened the door for the medic.
"You call for an ambulance?" The young man said. Leon wasn't sure. Everything had just been a blur. "We got a call from a Mr. Leon Kennedy. That you?"
Leon just nodded. He hadn't even thought. He just reacted.
I I I
"Leon, what happened?" Chris's voice rang into the receiver.
Leon leaned up against the pay phone. Tears still clouded his vison. Brushing away the sweat and tears from his face, he barely managed to chock out a response. He couldn't think. He could somewhere hear Chris's alarmed voice in the other end of the phone. But all Leon could see was her. On the floor, in all that blood.
"I should have listened to her," Leon choked.
"Who?" he sounded confused.
"She tried to warn me. She told me they'd come after Claire," he could hear Chris heave on the other end.
"Leon, calm down. Take a deep breath."
Leon obeyed.
"Now, where are you? Which hospital?" Chris asked.
"Sacred Heart."
"All right, just stay cool. I'll be there in a few minutes," and then he hung up. Leon knew that Chris was as equally worried. Leon heard a click and hung up the phone on his end.
Why?
That was the only thought that penitrated his mind.
Why?
He thought about his past. Everything he went through. Raccoon. Ada. Waiting for Claire to come back from France. Falling in love, marriage.
He slowly sank onto the floor. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see her. The image of her beaten body sent a chill up his spine. Leon never told anyone this. . . but Claire wasn't the only one to have nightmares. Yes they weren't as severe, didn't have him waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air. But that picture of Claire was now branded in his mind. It was as if all of his nightmares had come to life.
Losing her.
I I I
He's a mess. Chris thought.
The sight of Leon was one of the most grievous things he's ever seen. There he sat, on a bench, just staring at the double doors. His hair hung in his face and the crimson color of soaked blood on his calor didn't help ease Chris's mind. His face appeared damp.And his blood shot eyes held worry and lack of sleep.
"What did the Doctor say?" Chris asked. Leon didn't even look up. "Leon?" Still, nothing.
Reaching out softly, Chris lightly touched his shoulder. Leon sprang from surprise and gazed at Chris as though he didn't recognize him.
"Leon, what did the doctor say?" he repeated.
"They're not telling me anything," Leon then turned back around and continued watching the double doors. "Must be bad," he mumbled. Chris took a seat next to Leon on the bench.
"What happened?"
"I came home, and I found her in the bathroom," he stopped. "She was on the floor," his voice hitched and he stopped once more. Chris put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Beaten," he finished.
Chris let out an exhale. He couldn't have imagined how that must have been for his brother-in-law.
"You said something about listening to her. That someone would come after Claire. Who were you talking about, who told you that?"
Leon hesitated, then. . . .
"Ada."
"Ada? Who the hell is Ad - wha-. . .what? The Ada? The spy that you ran into in Raccoon? Didn't she try to kill you?"
"Kinda."
"Well, what did she say?"
"She said something about Wesker being alive and unstoppable. That he's going to come after each one of us, and kill us. One by one. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, huh?" Bitterness was the only way to describe his voice.
"When was this?"
"Earlier tonight, as I was leaving work. I couldn't get home in time. I didn't believe her," Leon muttered.
Just as the words left his mouth the double doors opened and a doctor walked out.
"Mr. Kennedy? I'm Dr. Rife," Leon stood up instantly.
"How is she?"
"Is she all right?" Chris chimed in. The doctor narrowed his eyes at Chris.
"Who are you?" The doctor was staring at Chris like some crazy who had just barged in at the last moment. Chris's eyes grew bright, and his mouth twittered as though offended.
"I'm her brother. And if I don't get some damn answers, it's gonna be you in the ER!"
Rife ignored him.
"First off. Your wife is fine. She's got a bad wound on her forehead, a broken rib, and some cuts on her chest, stomach and back. She had us concerned when she started throwing up blood. Turns out that her rib punctured her stomach, but we were able to stop the bleeding in surgery. The damage looked a lot worse then it really was. When we first saw her, we thought it was going to be a long night, but she'll make it out just fine," both of the men let out a suppressed sigh.
"Thank you," said Leon.
"Anything else?" Chris interrupted.
"A slight concussion. However, her brain-waves are good. I seriously doubt she'll need any physical, or behavioral therapy. Your wife, "he turned to Chris. "and your sister will be as good
as new in a few months."
With that, Dr. Rife turned on his heel, and left.
"Can I see her?" Leon shouted down the hallway.
"Beth, take Mr. Kennedy to room 202," Rife said to a nurse walking nearby.
I I I
"She's right in there."
Beth pointed Leon into a small room. He muttered a quick thank you, and walked in. Chris had insisted that he go first.
The doctor was right, without all of the broken shards of glass and blood, she looked much better. She didn't look good, but he could tell she would make it. He thanked the heavens every step of the way to her room. The delicate beat of the heart monitor filled his ears. Her easy breathing calmed him as he sat down next to her bed. Carefully, he touched her sensitive hand, trying to avoid the IV that pinched her skin.
"Hi honey," he hushed. He wanted to cry, but couldn't.
"Mmm."
He looked up. Were his ears playing tricks on him? Had she just said something?
"Claire?" Leisurely, she opened her fair, blue eyes. She looked at him through the slits. She saw him.
"Leon?" she throttled. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Yeah, yeah, honey it's me. You - your going to be all right."
He rushed his words out with excitement and joy. He could feel the lump in his throat again as she ran her thick tongue over her dry, swollen lips.
"Get the number of that truck that hit me?"
In spite of his grief, Leon let out a suppressed chuckle at her words. He saw the corners of her mouth tug up in a small grin.
"It's good to hear your voice."
"It's good to hear your laugh," she responded.
"How are you feeling?"
"My head hurts, and I feel like I've been kicked in the ribs," she turned her face to look at him. Closing her eyes for a moment, she opened them once more. This time, trying to focus on him.
"That would make sense since you were hit in the ribs by my baseball bat."
His eyes fell to her hand that she was holding on too so weakly. "Your rib is broken."
"Someone. . .Someone broke into the house," her voice was faint. Leon put his other hand on her forehead.
"Shhh. I know, I know, just rest."
Claire nodded her head. Her other hand wondered up to the corner of her brow, tracing the bandage along with her fingertips. She then looked at Leon, his eyes glued to her hand he was holding.
"You've been crying," she'd never seen him cry before. She reached out her hand and traced his tear stained face. His moist, blood shot eyes, didn't meet hers.
"Like a baby," he mumbled. Eyes still not holding her gaze.
"Leon, Leon look at me," she whispered softly. He didn't. She reached her hand out and lifted his chin. His eyes were shining with tears.
"I could've lost you," he uttered into the silent room.
"Oh," she soughed. She could feel tears burning her own eyes.
"I should have been there."
He buried his eyes in his free hand. His face breaking out in anguish.
"Don't talk like that. Don't even think like that."
"I called Chris. He wants to see you."
"He can wait," she clasped his hand that was over his eyes and he saw her own eyes dim. With that he stood up, and reaching out to her, she embraced him. Kissing her forehead, at first, he left a trail down her face until his lips found hers. Neither of them noticed Chris outside, but his eyes devoted to the ceiling, not able to watch such a heart breaking scene.
I I I
"You look wiped," Chris said as Leon closed Claire's door.
"That's the second time today someone has said that to me."
"How was she?"
"A little out of it. She looked so fragile. I was worried I would brake her if I handled her wrong."
Chris let out a laugh.
"Claire's anything but fragile. Even in death, I don't think she could break."
"Do you want to see her?" Chris shook his head.
"No, no. Let her rest. I'm just glad she's okay."
But Leon wasn't paying any attention. Instead, he was fixed upon the two men in approaching him. One, was short, with sandy blond hair, and sandy eyes. And the other tall lanky one, dark hair, but green eyes, he looked devious. Leon immediately got a bad feeling.
"Officer Kennedy?" the tall one said.
"Yes?" he replied as the two men stopped in front of Claire's door.
"I'm Detective Anderson. This is Detective Wise," they both reached out to shake his hand. "We're investigating your wife's attack."
"Can you tell us what happened?" Detective Wise said.
"I came home. I found her in the bathroom. Someone had smashed her face into the mirror, and hammered her with a baseball bat," Leon said bluntly. He was getting sick of having to repeat the horrible memory.
"Where were you?"
"I was trying to come home." Leon stated impatiently. Anderson gazed at him.
"You said your wife was beaten with a baseball bat?"
"Yes," he had no clue as to where they were they getting at.
"Well, we went to your home. We found your prints all over the baseball bat."
"Well, since it is mine, I guess you would find my prints on it," spat Leon. The other two looked at each other. Wise spoke up:
"Have you and your wife ever had any problems? Ever lose her temper with her?" Leon stared at them, dumbfounded.
"Hey, wait! You don't think Leon did this do you?" Chris butted in, coming to Leon's defense. "Leon would never hurt her!"
Chris knew Leon, and he knew that Leon would dump a can of gasoline over his head and strike a match before letting Claire be harmed.
"On her doctors report," said Wise, shaking the clipboard with Claire's vitals in his hand, "Doctor Rife noted that Claire had sustained a cut on her right hand. He also noted that it wasn't from this incident, because it was bandaged before she got to the hospital. You have anything to do with that?"
"She cut her hand last night!" Leon cried defensively.
No, this wasn't happening. Instead of him and Claire being in a log cabin for the weekend, relaxing, making love, he was being interrogated by two Detectives about being a wife beater.
"There was a message on your answering machine saying that something scared you. The message read that you called around 7:15pm. But you called 911 around 7:45. Doesn't it only take you 10 minutes to get home? You got home rather late to see your wife close to death."
"I had a small car accident! I was trying to get home because I was worried about her! I don't beat my wife. I've never touched her!"
"Why were you worried about her?" Anderson asked.
Man, these guys never gave up.
"I was warned that someone would come after her."
"Why didn't you call the police right away?"
"I am the police dammit!" Leon smacked the clipboard of Detective Wise's hand. He felt like he was talking to two children, asking him stupid question, and asking why about everything.
"Can't you just leave him be? He's had a hard enough day as it is!" Chris stepped in front of the two men. "We both have."
With that the men shot Leon a last suspecting look, and strolled off.
"Assholes." Leon muttered.
"You didn't exactly act innocent," Chris said pointedly. Leon threw his hands up in defense.
"They think I did that to her!"
"Well, you did hit that guy's clipboard out of his hand. That didn't make you look good," Chris moved over to stand by Claire's door.
Staring off for a moment, his eyes shifted to Leon and then back down the hall. Leon went and sat down on the bench again. Chris heardhim grunt something about a "Nightmare."
"You think I'm overreacting? About tonight, in general?" asked Leon. Chris stared back. Those eyes looked so exhausted.
"Tonight you ran into an old friend, a friend who was really a spy and probably would have killed you. She warned you that a psycho killer is going to murder all of your friends and loved ones, only to come home and find your wife fight for her life and she was battered, and in all likelihood, would have died if you hadn't gotten home when you did. Now, you're a suspect for her accident. So, no Leon, I don't think you're overreacting."
"Well, when you put it like that. . ." the two men stared at each other before smiling. It was good that the two of them could find comfort in all of this.
Chris peered at Leon for an instant. He had to admit, if anyone was to be with his sister, he was glad it was him. He remembered when he found out that the pair of them were involved. It had been when they went to help clean out at the store house for a friend.
Chris went back to check out the security camera's that they had installed after a break in. He looked at all the screens in awe. One by one they all changed views, when he caught Leon and Claire mopping. They were both dancing with their mops.
Chris laughed as he pictured Claire singing "Scrubbing Day" from Pippy Long Stockings, when Leon dropped his mop and started dancing with his sister. They both ungracefully slid over the wet cement as they danced. Without warning Leon pressed her up against the wall and gave her a tender kiss.
Chris's mouth dropped open as he saw that Claire responded to it casually, as if it had happened before.And beforeChris knew what he was doing, he was out the door chasing after Leon like a dog chasing after a rabbit. But he had forgotten that the floor was wet and went skating across into a pile of cans.
He chewed Leon out for the first ten minutes. But then Leon told him that he was in love with Claire. By the look in his eyes, and the tone in his voice, Chris knew it was true. And as he went to go give Leon a hug, he tripped again and fell into a bucket of soap-water.
Looking at him now, he knew Leon would find the bastard that did this, and with a good chance, kill him. Just then they saw Anderson and Wise coming back. Both of them walked calmly, but in perfect rhythm.
"Good news Kennedy, you're off the hook," Leon eyes shot up at the young men.
"Huh?" he said in disbelief. No more then twenty minutes ago, these men were out to make him look like the scum of the earth.
"You have an alibi. We called a few roadside assistance companies and we got a record that you called them just around the time of your wife's attack. We're very sorry for the mistake."
They turned around and left again.
"I forgot about that," said Leon still in unbelief. Chris laughed.
"You're lucky," Leon nodded in agreement.
"Do you think it was Wesker who attacked her?" asked Chris suddenly.
"I guess," responded Leon. "You don't think so?"
"If Wesker wanted to kill her, he would have. Kinda like if a dog intends to hurt you by bitting, he'll draw blood. This person only wanted to hurt her, not kill her. Maybe to scare us."
"Yeah, that makes sense. He could've just broken her neck. But Wesker could have just beaten her," Leon suggested.
"Nah, Wesker would think that would be too tasteless, to do his own dirty work. He'd go in for the kill, not the scare. It must have been someone else, someone who works for him possibly."
"Well, he's gonna come after all of us. Not just Claire. We're all in danger now," Leon's voice sounded feeble.
"I think we need reinforcements," Chris exclaimed.
"Think about it Chris. We're cops. There is no way in hell that our own Police department it going to believe us."
"I'm not talking about the police," Chris cut in. "By reinforcements, I mean it's time for a little Raccoon reunion."
To be continued.
A/N: Okay, not so much of a cliffhanger in this chapter, but there is still much, much more. I hope you guys liked it as much as the first chapter. Thanks again for all of the reviews. Peace out!
diddly day