Sometimes they Come Back
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.
Chapter eight:
"They couldn't have just disappeared!" Chris shouted, throwing his hands up in the air. Leon sat on the couch, his head in his hands. Claire, behind him staring at the empty fireplace.
"Well, that's what it sure as hell looks like!" Carlos snapped. At his harsh words, Leon jumped up and fiercely pointed at Carlos, all the while his blue eyes burning into his cinnamon ones.
"Don't panic!" Leon yelled. "I swear, sometimes I wonder how you made it through Raccoon," Leon muttered as he sat back down on the sofa.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Carlos spat. Chris whipped around, and before Leon even had the chance to defend himself, Chris was barking in Carlos face.
"That means whatever the hell you want it to mean!"
With that, the hall erupted into shouts and words of venom. All the while Claire standing perfectly still in front of the fireplace. Chris and Carlos bitting one another's head off, with Leon, trying to act as the peacemaker, and getting screamed at in the process.
"Have you got an ice seckel stuck up your ass?" The room got quiet at as the words left Chris's lips. Carlos's eyes bulged out of his head, and Leon shot a look of utter shock in Chris's direction.
"Can you blame me? Huh? I'm stuck in this hell hole, with my friends dropping off the face of the earth. Who knows who's gonna be next, and not to mention it's colder then the dark side of the moon is this damn Mansion!"
Carlos spun away from Chris when he was finished, with Chris clutching his fists.
"Fine! Fine. You want heat? You say you're cold? Well, I can fix that."
Chris grabbed the small wooden chair next to the piano. Swinging it back as if it were a twig, he smashed against the china cabinet.
Glass flew across the hall like water droplets. The cold shimmering of the china crunched as splinters of wood exploded against Chris's pounding blows. He did not cease as the once tiny chair lay mutilated on the hard, cold floor. He swung his boot back, causing it to come crashing into the already deformed cabinet. His foot broke through the wood like a hot knife slicing butter. He stomped, stuck, trampled until there was nothing left but a heap of broken glass and demolished wood.
"There's your firewood," Chris whispered, standing in the middle of the mess.
No one voiced a word. He covered his face with his hands, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to flow. Both Leon and Carlos stared at the glass that sparkled like diamonds in the pale moonlight.
"Chris?" Claire's comforting, soft, smooth voice came from behind them. They all turned to look at her. Her eyes hadn't shifted from the spot at the fireplace.
"Yeah?" his voice was softer now, almost on the brink of a breakdown. Claire turned around, not bothering looking at the chaos Chris had made.
"Did you hear Barry scream? Yell? Anything like that before he disappeared?" She held such grace, such calmness. Chris furrowed his brow, trying to remember.
"No. No, I didn't hear anything." Claire turned her eyes to Carlos.
"No, I didn't either. In fact, all I heard was glass breaking, I assumed he must have knocked over one of the wine bottles. Why?" Carlos eyes held light for the first time that night. He was curious to see where she was getting at.
"Because when I think about it, I never heard Rebecca or Sherry scream. I never heard Ada scream, and I never heard anything breaking, like the CB."
Leon tossed a glace at her.
"Yeah, I never heard anything either. It's as if they vanished without a trace."
The room was silent for only an instant.
"What if they were lead away?" Claire announced.
"Lead away?" Leon ran a hand through his hair.
"What if they didn't put up a fight?" Claire said, staring at her husband. Chris's eyes bulged out of his head. He couldn't believe what his sister was implying.
"You mean they went voluntarily?" Chris almost shouted. Claire put her hand up to shush him.
"No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying something could have made them want to keep quite."
"What about the CB? I didn't hear that being smashed into a million pieces," Leon stated.
"What if it was already broken?" Carlos, who had only said a few words ever since Chris's outburst.
They all stared at each other. That made perfect sense. The CB probablyhad already been trashed when they came to the chilly mansion. The realization hit all of them. It was a trap. And no one wanted them to get out.
"What are we going to do?" asked Chris. Claire looked at the floor.
"We can't go looking for them. We tried that the first time, and look what happened!" Carlos's panicked voice was not settling Chris's nerves. He looked up at Leon to ask what he thought, when he saw Leon's eyes drooping. Chris looked at his watch, it was almost three in the morning.
"Maybe we should get some sleep," Chris suggested. He had seen this one too many times. Men would go out trying to do missions on lack of sleep, and then they would get themselves killed. Hell, it had almost happened with him at the Spencer Estate.
"I agree," Claire stepped up. "But one of us should stay awake, just to make sure nothing happens while we are all asleep."
"I'll stay up first," Leon volunteered. Chris was about to protest, but Leon interrupted." Look, I've gotten the most out of everyone here, trust me."
Chris shut his mouth again. He then turned and walked over to the couch.
"Fine, but when you get tiered, don't hesitate to wake me up," Chris said as he shut his eyes. Carlos followed Chris's actions.
"I'll stay up with you," Claire declared taking a seat next to Leon. Leon's head wrenched in her direction.
"No, you need your rest." Leon nudged his head over to the vacant seat next to Carlos and Chris.
"It's fine."
"Claire," Leon started. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I'm not tired." She gave him the don't you dare mess with me tone. He shushed himself, then threw an arm around her shivering body.
I I I
Chris was right. The broken mess made good firewood Claire thought to herself as she watched fire dance.
She then turned to gaze to her husband to watch Leon deep in thought. She had insisted that he use it since it would have been a shame that they stay up to watch the remaining group, but instead freeze to death during the night.
Death.
The word made her head hurt. Something about this night was making her sense of mournfulness more thick then it had ever been in Raccoon or on Rock Fort. What was going on in this place? What did everybody disappearing and the lugers have to do with anything? What was the connection?
Steve, he was here, she knew it. She could feel it.
"Claire?"
She tugged her head over in Leon's direction. He was staring at the fire. He looked so innocent. Like a little boy who was going to tell his mother that he did something wrong.
"Yeah?" she smiled a warm smile. He looked her straight in the eye, but as soon as she met his gaze, his eyes feel to his hands. She watched as he rubbed them together.
"Nothing happened between you and Steve right? On that island I mean."
His question surprised her. She couldn't find her voice. It took her a moment, so she took a deep breath and spoke slowly.
"Why? Why would you think that?" She wasn't angry, just confused. She would have never thought that Leon would be jealous of anyone, let alone Steve. He ran a hand through his hair, something that Chris did. He was picking up on her brothers habits.
"It's. . .it's just," he paused. He was afraid to say. She nodded her head, urging him to continue. "Do you remember what I had said to you when you left? To find Chris?"
She had. And it still hurt her to think about it. How could she forget? A headache crept its way to her temples. The serge of pain centered itself behind her eyes. She pinched the bridge of her nose. The pain didn't go away. Her eyes shifted to him. He looked just as stressed as she felt. She'd never forget the day she left.
It was selfish, but she knew that. But she didn't want him to know she was leaving. He would've never let her go if she had told him. She snaked herself into his small hotel room that he was staying in after Raccoon. It was early in the morning, and she needed to get her cell phone she had lent to him a few days before. The hum of the air-conditioner filled her ears, and the smell of a clean room calmed her a bit. Even in December, Arizona was still deathly sizzling.
The cell phone was there, she knew it was in the room somewhere. She threw a glance at the bed, only to find him gone. He must have gone to get some ice. All the more reason for her to rush.
She shuffled around his messy sheets. The scent of him sent a thrill up her spine. Just knowing she was close to where he slept was enough to intoxicate her. She moved over to the end table. Through a few drawers. . .found it!
Holding it up she started to back away toward the door. She hadn't even heard it open.
"What are you doing here?" Leon's cunning voice rippled behind her.
She spun around in surprise, her bag strap slipped over her shoulder and landed on the floor with a thud. She scrambled to pick it up. His eyes followed her, then they fell onto the bag.
"Where ya going?"
His brow furrowed at her. He tucked the paper he had purchased under his shoulder. She didn't answer.
"Claire," he asked again. "Where are you going?"
She stood and brushed a few stray hairs away from her face.
"I have a few lose ends to tie up."
A phrase she used when something was important. She could see his face lax, his eyes grew serious and his mouth twitched. He settled against the back of the door.
"You're going away, aren't you?" his voice was detatched. Tired. Far off and distant.
"I need to get going." She tried to brush past him.
But before he knew it, his hands were on her, gripping her with such force that it startled her. "Leon?" she almost shouted. She was about to tell him to let her go until she felt his body press against hers. All of the air escaped from her lungs.
"Don't go."
He voice was rough but tender. And at the same time firm, yet gentle. Crossing between strength and shameful begging.
She moved her mouth, but nothing, not even a squeak could came out of her mouth. His hands eased to her waist and rest there, pulling her closer. Her heart pounded and her breath quickened. So close. So personal. So intimate.
Claire somehow found the feeling in her arms and slid them up to his chest. She tried to push him away, but couldn't find the strength. He wouldn't budge.
"I have to. I have to find my brother," she whispered weakly.
He closed his eyes. She knew what he was thinking. Telling him so many times that she would leave to find him. Now that time was here, and it didn't seem like Leon was going to let her go so easily.
"What about me? What about Sherry?" He opened his eyes to look at her again. His blue pools touched her, in a way that if she had stared into them any longer, she would've done anything for him.
"You take care of Sherry until her aunt comes to pick her up. And besides, this isn't about you, or Sherry, or me. This is about Chris."
Leon dipped his head in a way that Claire felt a burning feeling in the pit of her stomach. Nervousness washed through her. Was he going to kiss her?
"Let me go with you," he murmered.
His face was inches away from hers. A million responses flew through her mind. 'I have to do this on my own' 'Leon that's crazy' 'You'll be killed' 'You can't, because I can't lose you' but only one sound leaked from her mouth.
"No," barely a sound, hardly a whisper, she wondered if he had even heard her at all. His head pulled up and dropping his arms, he backed away from her. She felt suddenly cold without him near.
"So that's just it? You're going to leave? Just like that?" Now he looked angry.
"You don't understand-"
"Oh, I understand," he cut her off, "I understand that you want to leave us. You want to get yourself killed!" His voice was rising. Claire took a step closer, but he just stepped back. And that hurt.
"It's not like that, and you know it!" Claire was beginning to feel desperate. She couldn't leave with him angry at her. Leon's face scrunched in pain.
"What if you don't come back?"
"Why do you care?" she snapped.
Oh no. She wanted to take it back right then and there, but the look on his face told her all the damage had already been done. His face turned bright red.
"Why do I care? You want to know why? Because Claire Redfield, you are the only thing that is keeping Sherry sane. You are now the closest thing she has to a mother. Also, you're the only reason that I'm still here. You keep my feet on the ground. And if you want to throw that all away, get yourself killed. Fine! Good riddance!"
His words stung.
"Leon please!" she gasped. He turned his back to her.
"Go, away. Go. Leave Sherry and I the hell alone," that was the straw that broke her.
The air was thick, so thick that Claire thought she might die if she was stuck in that room another second. She could feel the lump rise in her throat. Without saying another word, she moved to the door, and throwing once last heartbreaking glance, she drifted out. It wasn't until the latch of the lock closed that Claire allowed the tears to run freely down her face.
His eyes brought her back to the present. The memory was forever embedded in her brain. The light of the fire made his eyes glow. He looked beautiful. But she had neglected to give him an answer.
"Yeah, I remember what you said to me," she finally answered, responding to his earlier question.
"I just, was wondering if I had pushed you away," he struggled to get the words out. "I've always regretted saying those words to you."
"I know. You told me that the day I got back."
She smiled that first time that evening. The memory of him kissing her forehead, hugging her while whispering in her ear: I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry at the airport flashed through her mind..
"I did?" She nodded.
"Mmm."
Just then Carlos shifted in his sleep, his lips slurred: "Becca."
"I've was worried that maybe I pushed you to Steve. That maybe I hurt you so much that you went to Steve for comfort." His comment almost made Claire laugh.
"No. Nothing happened between Steve and I."
His face relaxed. He stayed silent for a moment or so.
"I almost kissed you that day," he smiled at her. She grinned.
"I thought so."
His smiled widened.
He stood up and walked to her, pulling his seat behind him. He sat it next to her, and when they were both facing each other, he glided his hands to hold her face. He stared into her icy eyes. The reflection of the flames bounced off of them. He brought her face to his, and captured her lips with his.
She loved him. The best decision she ever made was marrying him. She felt him pull her closer, much like he did the day she left. When she thought she was going to burst from lack of air, he drew away. Pulling his lips far enough way to sigh.
"I'm sorry," he murmured before placing his lips back onto hers again.
He did that several times, pulling away and muttering words such as: I never meant a word of it or I love you. His lips lightly sucked her top lip, and her tongue ran over his bottom lip. Her eyes closed, drunk of the sensation he was giving her. Finally he pulled away, for good.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he promised.
His hands still holding each side of her face. His thumb stroked her upper cheek. She reached out and grabbed his wrists.
"I'll die before I let that happen."
His words scared her. In her life, death wasn't an uncommon thing.
I I I
"I'll die before I let that happen."
Chris creaked one eye open. He was woken by someone talking. His eyes held his sister sitting in a chair next to the fire. Leon was cradling her head in his hands. Both of them were sitting intimately close to one another. He had a sudden suspicion that he had detected something very personal.
"Don't talk like that," Claire hushed. Leon looked as if he were about to lean in and kiss her.
"What in the blazes?" Chris sat up and Leon and Claire sprang away from one another.
"Sleep well?" Leon asked. Chris shook his head. He then turned to the roaring fire.
"I see you used the broken wood," Chris stated. Leon nodded slightly. "I'm ready for my shift
now."
"Are you sure?" asked Claire she was starting to get up. Leon mimicked her as he rose from his chair next to the fire.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Leon reached out, while tenderly grasping her hand, he guided Claire toward the couch. He plopped down next to her, and threw an arm around her. She nestled next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Chris spied how exhausted the couple seemed. He hoped that Leon would take care of her.
Drawing a hand up over his eyes, he had no idea how he was going to be able to stay awake for the rest of the night.
I I I
Something cold, hard, and dangerous was pressing into his temple. Leon squinted his eyes to shake off his grogginess. The image of Chris passed out in the chair by the fire sent a chill up his spine.
The object pressed hard into his head, and a click of a gun echoed in his ear. He froze, expecting his life to end right then and there.
"Move, and you get to see your wife's brains blown out before you." The deep voice said.
It was so quite, that he couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman. Out of the corner of his eye he another person holding a small black revolver pointed and Claire's slumbering head. His palms grew sweaty and his heart lapsed.
"Now get up, slowly, without saying a word."
He took another glace at the muscular hand holding the revolver to his wife's head. The man's thumb cocked the gun when he didn't get up. Obediently, Leon stood up. He felt the gun dig into his back.
"Come with me," the voice said again. Leon gently, roughing trying to not make a sound, maneuvered around Claire and Chris, desperately afraid to wake them.
"Head for the stairs."
As he slowly climbed up the stairs, he pitched one last look at Claire. She lay comfortably on the couch. A man stood over her, holding the gun to her head. He couldn't have been more than nineteen. Leon watched him for an instant, the way the boy was staring at her made Leon's blood turn to ice. The boy was staring at her with hungry eyes. Nothing but pure want reflected in those hard green emeralds that blazed in the firelight.
The gun jammed alarmingly deeper in his back.
"Don't worry," his stranger said behind him, "he'll take good care of her."
Leon's faced burned with fury. Nonetheless, he reluctancy scuffed his feet up the stairs. For a split second he thought about shouting out to warn them, he didn't care if he died, but then a remembrance of the boy with the gun. She would die if he did anything like that. So, pressing forward to his doom, Leon's feet marched up the steps.
Where was he being taken? The figure behind him seemed to be directing him to the end of the hallway. It was to dark for him to see, but he soon found himself in front of a door.
"Step inside," his captor urged.
Shakily, his hand wrapped itself around the cold metal of the knob. The door shuddered open. He hoped that it would wake up the gang, he hoped that anything woke them up. He stepped inside the dark room.
The door shut behind him. Beads of sweat were making it's way down his face. Without warning the click of the light switch was heard and all darkness from the room disappeared.
Finding himself standing in the center of Ada's room. The first thing his eyes held was a tall, blond haired man, dressed in black with matching shades standing before him. The man flung a terrible grin in his direction. His vampire-like-fangs gleamed.
"Don't be alarmed. He won't hurt you," the person said behind him. "Yet," the low, sexy voice growled out.
Spinning around, he found himself face to face with none other then miss Ada Wong. She stood next to the door, holding a rather large pistol toward him. A similar feeling ran through him. He sensed that he had been thrown back in time, in Raccoon, with the mysterious woman in red.
"Once a traitor, always a traitor," Leon snarled. She smiled, and looked like the devil.
"Once gullible, always gullible," she said calmly. The man in the corner of the room let out a harsh laugh.
"How do I know that gun in loaded? It wasn't last time." Leon eyes the gun. Ada's eyes turned
cold.
"I'm not that naive. And not that stupid."
"So you're working for him now? Why?" Leon jerked his head over to the monster's that he assumed was named Wesker.
"Better to be on the right hand of the devil, then to be caught in his path," Ada smirked before stepping closer to him.
"I'm sure all those civilians in Raccoon, and those who died in Rock Fort prison were willing to die for your noble philosophy." The bitterness in his voice appalled even him.
"Your friends were willing to leave quietly," Wesker said as he rose from the chair in the corner. "All we had to do was threaten their lives. And of course the lives of their loved ones. They went with no complaints. Much like you did."
"I'm glad I'm getting this assignment done," Ada said to Wesker, but her eyes glued to Leon. "It was awfully easy to complete my last one. That wife of his doesn't put up much of a fight."
The bile rose in his throat. It took all of the strength he had not to leap across the room and strangle her.
"Of course I did attack her from behind. I must say, it was one of the most pleasurable assignments I've ever had the privilege of concluding."
That was it, Leon leapt at her, but before he could even touch her, a hand seized the back of his hair. Pulling his head back so he was facing the roof.
"Do you want to live to see your wife again?" Wesker hissed in his ear. "Or do you wish to taste death? That can be arranged."
Lifting Leon as if he weighed no less then five pounds, Wesker flung him over into the bookcase. Books crashed over his head. Harsh hands hauled him out before the book case crashed over. He found himself confronting Wesker.
"We could use you." A cold grin lingered on his lips. The door opened and in walked the fourth member of their party. The boy from downstairs.
"Burnside, do you have the virus?" Ada asked. Burnside? That was a familiar name. The boy nodded.
"And did you take care of the other one downstairs?" Wesker barked, his grip tightening on Leon's throat.
"The Spanish one? Yeah, he's out cold. I hauled him off to the seller." The boy they called Burnside put his gun down on the end table and stepped casually toward Ada. He reached in his pocket and fished for a needle. A vile was pulled out of his other pocket. He handed it over to Ada.
"Sorry to do this to you Leon," Ada spoke as she filled the syringe with the sickly yellow liquid that was contained inside the vile. "But you're just to perfect to turn down the role of the psycho killer."
Leon struggled against Weskers death grip, but no avail. Ada inched her way toward Leon. He felt the pain in his collarbone. His body felt hot. It was burning, but he couldn't get out. Throbbing in his head caused him to fall to his knees. His hands were numb.
Everything was spinning. Vision blurry. . .hot. . .going to explode. . .vomit. . .black.
The three stared down out the young man, now still as death on the ground. The virus coursing throughout his vessels. Ada eyes flashed with wicked delight.
"Leon Kennedy, time to unleash your rage."
To be continued. . .
A/N: Okay! Okay! I promise the next one will be up soon. I just had a few delays. Hope ya liked it. And I think I will keep the chapters long. After popular request. Except for one reviewer. . .hehe.
Frisky-mantal: Well thank you! Yeah, I thought about cutting it down. But I've always loved
long stories. You think it was hard to read, think about writing it! LOL. But thank you so very
much for the nice review!
Jayne: You're too sweet! It's always nice to know people want more. Thank you ever so much!
DeathSovern: What a wonderful thing to say. I'm just glad people are reading the story! You left
me blushing when I was done reading you review. Yeah, hehe, I'm never sure how to spell
Barry's name. I'm glad you told me. I'd probably do it more. I'm glad I could make you laugh at
some parts in the story. Hey? Who says a drama can't have it's comic moments? Thank you
for the superb review.
Dale: what can I say? I'm always glad to hear from you. Your with me to the end? That's gonna
rock! You're too cool. And I'll tell ya what happened to Jill. It's all gonna make sense. . .I
hope. Thanks a million for your rockin' reviews!
He who didn't leave a name: Thanks for telling me I had a nice fic! I really appreciate it.
Upchuck: Dude, you rock! I can't believe you said this was one of the best fics you've ever read!
That meant the world to me. You have a way with words. What can I say?. . .I forgot,hehe.
Anyway thanks for the cool review!
Frenchy: thank you a bunch! Still more to come. Thanks for the review!
Tre0220: thanks for the email, and the review! Don't worry about writing novels. I love stuff to
read. And yes, your poetry is 100 awesome! You flatter me. I was thinking about the rage
virus, and I thought that maybe you might want to see the effects of it in future chapters if you
want to use it for your story, just in case you change your mind. I really wouldn't care if you
used it. I'm kinda flattered. But thank you so much for you great reviews, they can always make
me smile.( Uhh! I sound like a McDonald's commercial!)
Santiago: I've read your story, and I was very impressed. You are a fantastic writer! Everyone
read his story! I hadn't heard those rumors. Sounds like you were on the ball with Leon being
effected though, it sounds like that's what is going to happen in the fourth game. Thank you so
much, you're a fantastic writer, and a kind person. Thank you so much!
Tifa Redfield: Hey, thanks for the news flash, I was on an adrenalin rush to the max when you
told me Leon was the main character of the new game. I look forward to your reviews every time
you send me one. I think it's because your such great writer. It's like Stephen Kind saying he
likes my story! I have exams as well, those suck don't they? I'm patient, I can wait for your
wonderful story. But there is not much to say because you've heard it a million times. Thank you
a thousand times over for the best reviews.
Saunce: You beat CV? Congrads! It's one of the best games. Yes, it was sad when he died. My
friend was watching me when that happened so I felt kind of odd. But you rock when it comes to
writing reviews. I can't tell you how much those mean to me. Yeah, I love Wesker, he's so cool.
I hope he's in the new one. That would just be awesome. Thank you!
Lin: Yes, thank you. You are such a cool reviewer. I can't wait to hear from you. Thanks for the
review.
Did you know that. . .
Hunk or Carlos might me in RE4? And that Leon is the main character? That is so cool!
Also. . . Chris street clothes in RE remake are from the "Mexican" the clothes that Brad Pitt
wore.