Sometimes they Come Back
By: diddly day
Disclaimer: Not mine.
A/N: Okay, There were so many jumbled up words in this chapter it was rediculous! I had to comb through it just to get out all the bullshit.
I know my last chapter was a little. . .well, it. . .it sucked. But that was kind of a setup chapter. So I hope this will satisfy everyone's hopes. Although I hate to say it, this story is winding down. Yes, winding down. By far the longest thing I have ever written.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, those mean the world to me.
And so we continue. . .
Chapter Ten:
"Didn't you hear what I said? Move!"
Claire couldn't believe her ears. It was as if a ghost was shouting those words at her. And it hurt.
"Steve . .I. . ."
It was hard to speak. Her throat still hurt from where Leon's hands had gripped. She was interrupted by him sticking the barrel of his rifle shoving closer to her face.
"I'm not kidding. Do it," he ordered. A sudden rush of anger flooded through her.
How dare he How dare he after everything they'd been through.
"So it was you who brought us here. What have you done to Leon? And what about Ada? You killed her didn't you!" she croaked.
Claire couldn't help it all spilling out. It was if she had been bursting to say it ever since she saw Leon laying on that cold autopsy table.
"Don't be ridiculous!" he shouted back. His voice still held that smug, conceit tone . "I'm just the messenger. Besides, if I were to kill Ada, you'd be the last person to care." Although she hated to admit it, it was true. But this wasn't about Ada now.
"Just one question. Why?" His face flushed with undoubted rage.
"You left me there to die!" His hair flopped over his face as he shouted with rage. Claire, herself, couldn't keep her own fury at bay.
"What am I supposed to do? You want me to feel sorry for you?" she stated calmly, but with little pity. His face slacked, but his emerald eyes pierced hers.
"No," he sounded irritated. "You were supposed to sacrifice yourself for me."
"That can't be why you're working for them."
"Wesker helped me! He saved me when you left me to die. I hate Umbrella," his voice lowered, almost to a whisper, "and I hate you." That stung. She knew it shouldn't, but it did. "I hate you for what I've become, what you've made me become."
"Well, I'd hate to disappoint you, but I didn't make you become anything. Whatever monster you've become, you did it to yourself." His face scrunched with wrath. "With a little help from Wesker," she added.
"Enough," he closed his eyes and jittered his head. "You need to get going."
She didn't budge.
"NOW!" Claire jumped slightly at his tone of voice. Without another word, she obeyed, turning around to the, now, open door. She could feel the tip of his gun shove at the base of her back.
He directed her down the hall, all the while her eyes scanning for Chris. Where had he gone to? The terrorizing thought punctured her mind as she thought that Chris had been taken by Steve as well. No, she couldn't think like that. She had to believe he had gotten away. And unless she saw him dead, she wouldn't give up hope. She knew that he'd come through, and if it meant her life, then that was the small price that she was willing to pay.
His gun nudged herto one of the doors she and Chris had tried to open. She wasn't sure what to do at first. After all, the door was locked, it was to complicated for her lock-pick, she needed a real key. She stood for a moment and waited for Steve to give her his next order. The sound of clanking metal was heard behind her.
"Stand aside for a moment," he said. But he pressed the gun into her temple to hint that if she tried anything stupid, like trying to get away, he would kill her.
Scooting over, she let him by. One of his hands held a key chain. His fingers fiddled over them, looking for a certain key to help open the door.. Meanwhile, holding the light rifle with his other hand.
"Here it is," he muttered to himself. Sticking a long, thin, gold key with a picture of a serpent on it, he opened the door.
There were wooden stairs, all leading the way to a row of rooms. Guiding her to the furthest one back, he ordered her to open the door this time. Her hand trembling, she did as he demanded. The door creaking with lack of use. Her heart pounded so fast she could hear it in her ears and the blood rush was making the vain in her neck throb, which caused to surge of pain shooting to her throat. The room was dark, too dark to see anything. She could hear the door close behind her.
"Turn around."
She did. He was going to kill her. Kill her and then kill the rest. It would be her fault, all her fault.
"Now get down on your knees." Claire couldn't argue as her kneecaps hit the hard floor.
Her eyes were just beginning to adjust to the dark when the light flickered on. She was in an office of some sort. Much like Chief Irons, only smaller. Steve stood before her, his gun pointing that the ceiling.
"Glad you could join us,"a deep, but womanly voice said behind the desk. Claire's head jerked around so fast, she was afraid she might hurt herself.
"Ada."
For some reason, Claire wasn't surprised. She had heard about when this so called friend had betrayed Leon. Ada smiled at Claire the most cold and deadly thing she had ever seen.
"You don't sound to pleased to see me." Ada rose from the desk.
"You're the average stereo typ for a traitor," Claire shot back. "Beautiful and lethal."
Ada let out a soft laugh.
"It's nice to see you have a sense of humor. Considering that fact that your husband has the rage virus coursing through his vains."
Rage virus? Wait, no. That couldn't possiblybe true. Not true atall not one bit. But then, why would he attack her like that? Why was he so hateful towards in in the morgue? Why had he tried to strangle her. . . why had he tried to kill her?
This was making so much sense, but Claire could not believe it. She didn't want to belive it. The realization of what had been done to Leon was almost to much for Claire to bare.
"You put that in him? You bitch!" Ada closed her eyes and made a painful look with her face, but attached to the pain was mockery.
"I guess you could say that. But I didn't do it all by myself," she lifted her chin in Steve direction. "He helped."
"So this is all a lie? Wesker was never after us, this was just some sick way of getting what you wanted?"
It was everything Claire could do not to jump out and kill Ada.
"I never lied about Wesker. However, I didn't inform you that I was going to betray you. It's really that simple when you think about it," she purred, smiling.
Ada pulled a large handgun from the desk. Walking straight up to Claire, she pointed it in her face.
"You're weak," Ada stared coldly at Claire. Her eyes burning into hers. "I know what you're thinking. That you can take me. You think that you could beat me if you tried. Well, we've already been in that situation. And I won last time. You just fell to the floor, and took it."
Those words shocked Claire. She had a sudden flash. She had met Ada before. Even before they
were properly introduced at Chris's house. She remembered something. Before she hit the mirror on the day that she was attacked. A beautiful Asian woman.
"It was you!" Claire breathed. "You're the one who attacked me!" she raised her voice louder. "Why didn't you kill me?"
"That wasn't the point of hurting you. It was knowing that I was superior. I wanted to see what the brave Officer Kennedy's wife had that I didn't. I don't see what he sees in you," she grunted with distian.
That almost made Claire laugh. For so long, she had wondered what Leon had seen in Ada when he told her about what he went through in Raccoon. What did Ada have that she didn't? But after tonight, Claire knew she could stop worring. . . that is, if she got out alive.
She watched Ada point the gun only centimeters from her face.
"You're just upset that I'm getting some from you dream man," she darted back bluntly. Ada's face drained of all color.
Claire had suppress a laugh. She had struck a cord with Ada. The paleness in her face was replaced with dark crimson. Reflexively, Ada brought back the handle of the gun across Claire's face. She could feel the sting on her lips as a warm liquid trickled into her mouth. She sucked on her lip, trying to stop the bleeding. Her eyes, somehow, found Ada's.
Didn't matter, the pain was worth it.
"Did I say something wrong?" Claire smiled.
Ada pointed the gun further in her face. It gleamed in the soft light. She closed her eyes, trying to think of some way out. The memory of Leon struck her. The time, for "fun" he wanted to show her how to get a gun from a perpetrator, or if she was ever held at gunpoint.
"Okay, here's what ya do," he had said.
He stood in front of her, holding a plastic squirt-gun in her face. "I have it pointed at you, and all you have to do is grab the barrel, twist my arm to face me, pull the gun around. . . .and voila! You have the gun! Try it."
She had. . .and failed. . .several times. But he didn't let her give up, and eventually, she got it. Then rubbed it in his face.
Her mind snapped back to the present when Ada pushed the gun so it was almost touching her forehead. Before she had even realized what she was doing, Claire found her hand reaching out, tugging on the gun, and pulling it away from Ada's hands. To her surprise. . .it worked! Easily. And suddenly, Ada found herself at the wrong end of the gun.
"Don't move," Claire said as she got off her knees. Ada stared at her, dumbstruck. She also appeared mildly impressed against her will.
"How did yo-"
"Shut up!" Claire snarled.
She took a few steps to the door, in effort to get further away from Ada. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw Steve flinch and swung the gun around topoint at him. He froze, and she gestured to him to put the rifle down. He got the hint, and slowly rested his 22. rifle on the wooden floor.
She was about to pick it up when Ada made a dive for it. On reflex, Claire trapped the gun under her foot, and skidded it to the other side of the room. Ada lay flat on her stomach, glaring at Claire with shock.
If she had been impressed with Claire before, she clearly wasn't now. Ada looked utterly pissed.
"Not so easy to hurt me when I'm not unconscious, is it?" Claire stepped further away from the two. "What did you do to Leon?"
Ada's head sagged and then she brought it back up.
"There is nothing you can do for him. He's working for us now. You can get away now, but it doesn't matter. He'll find you, and when he does, he will kill you."
No, that was bullshit. Why should she believe Ada now? After all the lies? The betrayel? What could she possibly do to break Claire down even more? There had to be some way, some way to help him.
"I don't believe you," Claire sighed, shaking her head.
"He's not your husband anymore." Ada was now crawling off her stomach.
"Stop it," she couldn't do this, she couldn't hear this.
"He's going to come after you. And murder your brother, all of your friends, and then himself," She was now on her knees facing Claire.
"Shut up," Claire warned, but Ada wasn't buying her bravery anymore. The tears now burning in her eyes. She walked backwards, putting her hands over her ears, while the trigger of the gun hung loosely on her finger.
"You are all going to die a slow horrible death, and you will be to blame, because you couldn't help you husband."
Ada stood facing her. That was it, in an instant, Claire grabbed the gun and pointed it at Ada.
"Shut up!" Tears were streaming down her face. "That can't be it. This can't be the end." Her voice died away.
"You will die," Ada stated slowly.
"Stop!"
"And I'll win," she finished, staring at her, with an evil grin, the most evil grin she had ever seen. It was the smile of Satan.
"Please," Claire begged, her voice so soft that she knew she would have to repeat. "Please, I have to help him. You have to have some good left in you Ada. Some human left. There has to be a small part of you that still wants to help people. Please?"
Ada just stared at her, coldly. Quietly.
"Please? Please?" Claire was beginning to sound desperate. She bowed her head as the tears dripped off her was the single most humilating moment of her life. Begging for her husbands life in front of two demons. But if she had to make a deal with the devil, she would do it.
"I can't lose him," she broke.
Claire could feel Steve's eyes on her as she stood there, weeping silently. She half expected Ada to take this opportunity to make a grab for the gun, but she didn't. She didn't need to. She had already won. She had broken Claire.
Then a she heard his voice.
"There is something."
Claire's head snapped up to look at Steve. He stood there, gazing at her. For a moment, Claire felt as if she were back on Rock Fort island again. Quickly, Claire tried her best to composed herself and continued to point the gun readily at Ada's face.
"What?" she whispered faintly.
"There is something you can do for Leon," Steve repeated. Claire couldn't believe her ears.
"I'll do anything," Claire was staring intently at him, preparing herself for his instructions.
"There is a cure, it's very rare, but it will save your husband."
"Shut up Steve!" Ada shouted at him. Steve looked closely at Ada, as if he were about to do as she commanded. But then he looked at her, and his eyes softened.
"I have the cure. It's in my coat pocket."
Holding the gun to closely to his face, Claire walked up to him and felt in his pockets. Her hand grasped around a small vile of bright blue liquid. She stared at it closely. Then she grabbed the syringe and chain of keys that Steve held.
"Why should I trust you?" she asked as she stepped away from the two.
"You've got no one else to trust Claire!" he barked. His face softened again. "It's hard to see you hurting. Even if. . . .even if it's because you love him."
"I thought you hated me," Claire growled bitterly. Steve only shook his head.
"Claire, if that were true, you wouldn't be alive right now."
And she knew it. She knew he was telling her the truth. If he had hated her, he would have killed her the moment he saw her. And that was all she needed to know.
Claire walked to the corner of the room and grabbed the rifle.
"I'm taking this so you don't do anything stupid," Claire said as she passed Ada, who was scowling. "How long does it take to work Steve?" He shrugged.
"I'm not sure. It cold take five minutes or five hours. But you need to get it in him now before it's too late. The medicine won't work if it's been in his system for more than eight hours."
Claire stood still, trying to grasp what he just told her. She nodded and moved to the door.
"Thank you Steve," she said as she grabbed the door handle.
"No time for that. Go!"
Claire bolted out the door. Running to the exit, Claire turned around and locked it with the gold key that she had seen Steve us when he held her hostage. With a turn of the key, she locked them in. She found that it was very hard to move with a gun, a ring of keys, a syringe, a cure, and a rifle in her hands. Deciding that she would give the rifle to Chris when she found him, she placed it carefully in a nearby closet. It wouldn't do her any good. She couldn't shoot a rifle to save her life. It was better off with Chris.
She took off running down the hall to the boiler room.
Her hand trembled as she unlocked the door. Heart racing, pulling the door back, she breathed again as she saw Leon sprawled on his stomach. She crept into the room, and sat the gun on the nearby machine to free her hands.
Pulling the vile out with the needle, she filled the syringe with the blue medicine. It looked full, no air. Claire tapped it and looked for the right vain to put it in. She found a good one in his arm as she stuck and injected him with the cure. All there was to do now was wait. It was only a matter of minutes before she heard Leon's drowsy voice.
"Claire? That you?"
She grinned widly. Cut on her lip from where Ada had struck her split again. Warm blood trickled down her face. But it didn't matter. He was awake! He was okay, and he was awake!
"Leon! Are you alright? Do you need my help walking?"
As soon as she said that his eyes snapped open so wide that she could see dark red that swelled the whites of his eyes, making his blue iris burn brighter then the sun. They moved quickly, searching for Claire's voice.
"Claire? Baby. . .I hurt my head," his words were slurred with stood over him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, you're going to be alright now."
She was so happy she didn't notice the feeling of his hand gripping her around her ankle.
"Lets get you out of here," she beamed down at him.
He gripped the skin of her ankle tighter. A sudded bolt of pain made her jerk her foot away, but he held fast to her. His large fingers turning white at the grip he had on her.
"Leon. . .what are you doing?" she question, bemused. She gazed down at him. He was staring at her intently. . .smiling. . .His blue eyes flaming as the red that surrouded the whites of his eyes turned darker.
"Gotcha," he grinned.
Confused andtrying to pull herself free from his grasp, she fell backwards.
"Leon stop. What's wrong?"
His grip on her ankle was crushing. With sloppiness, got on his knees, latching on to her ankle as if it were a life-savor.
"You thought you could get away. Didn't you?" he was now crawling up her body. "Think that I wouldn't figure it out? But now. . . .I. . . .gotcha!"
His hands were close to her neck. The terror then seized her. Its icey fingers trickling down her spine with horrid realization. He was still infected, still infected and now she had woken him up. But instead of trying to strangle her as he had last time, he got up, and stood over her. His smile had now vanished.
"You used me!" he swayed slightly, bending over her so she could see his outraged face. "I was just a filler in that deep hole in your heart. The one you saved for Steve!" he was talking nonsense. "That little bastard!"
"Leon, that's not true. You know that's not true. I've always loved you," she begged.
"Liar!" he screamed.
He brought his hand back and slapped her hard across her face. Claire's eye felt as it were about to explode. Not expecting the blow, she lost her balance and fell with a flat THUD. Water stung her eyes, making it hard to see him. He was hunched over, his back curved and his long arms drooping below his knees as though they were dead. His face was contorted, his eyes wide and bright while his mouth slacked, exposing his teeth making his face frozen in some horrible snarl. He didn't look like Leon.
"I know what you want! I've always known. Did you think I was stupid? That I wouldn't figure it out? We'll, I'll fix you!" His hands were now on her shoulders, pulling her up to face him.
"You turned everyone against me. That was the worst. All of my friends. Now they think I'm a killer."
His face scrunched with self-pity
"You can't hurt me Leon. I know you can't."
Claire tried to sooth him, brushing the back of her hand tenderly across his cheek, trying to help him remember how much she loved him. He ignored her gentle touch and pulled her roughly to him.
"But I can kill you," he whispered harshly through gritted teeth.
Automatically, she threw her body into him sending him flying backwards into a pile of iron polls used for repairing the boiler. Twirling around, she grabbed her gun that she had so foolishly left on one of the close machines. Sprinting to the door, she dashed out of the room and back to the hall toward the fusion room.
She had to find Chris.
Claire could hear him behind her. Terror gripped her harder than her husband's boiling hands. She had always thought that she was safe with him. That no matter what, he would be there to protect her. And now she was sprinting down a deserted hallway, with her demented husband hungerly chasing her.
His loud footsteps were seconds away from hers. She was about to reach the elevator when she felt a force so strong that it knocked her off he feet, and sent her skidding across the floor. Her arms stug as the floor ripped across her skin, burning her arms. Strong hands gripped her, turning her body around to that she was facing Leon.
His hands were on her neck in seconds. Grasping them tighter then he had in the morgue. She reached for her gun. . .damn! It had flown out of her hand when he had tackled her. Thinking carefully, she intertwined her legs with his, and despite is large stature, flipped him over her head. She heard him land and he let out a gasp of pain.
Scrambling to her feet she tried to pass him and reach the elevator, but he was quick. Amazingly quick. His hand shot out and snagged her pant-leg. She tripped, smacking her jaw against the floor. Her was up before her, grabbing something from behind him that he had dropped.
At first she thought it was her gun, but then she saw something silver glint in the light. Long and slim. It was a bar. A long iron bar, much like the ones that she had sent him flying into back in the boiler room. He must had grabbed one from the pile before chasing her.
"Oh, no you don't!" Leon grunted nastily as she pressed off the floor, her jaw aching.
In one last miserable attempt to make it to the lift, she felt a sharp pain in her side as his weapon came crashing down on her back. Her muscles jerked and spasmed in pain. He swung to hit her again, but this time she was the quick one. She rolled aside to resist his blow. She heard him curse as his body sprung back from the force of his failed blow. Trying with all of her strength to get away, she began to slide her body across the floor. Her leg then exploded in pain as Leon brought down the bar again on her body, wilding trying to recover from his missed strike.
Crawling toward the wall, she inched her way up,steading her back against it. Her legs weak and trembling. Her eyes spotted the fire extinguisher. She lunged for it,grabbing it with all of her might. Claire waited until he came closer. Swining it back as far as she could, she smashed it hard into his face with all the force she could muster. His head snapped back as his body flew into the opposite wall. The bar dropped to his side.
"Leon, you have to stop, I don't know what you're thinking, but you have to stop!" she cried.
She pressed her back firmer against the wall for support. Hoping her knees would keep her standing. Leon pulled himself away from the wall. Blood oozed down from his forehead and into his face from the blow he had received.
"You bitch!" he dragged his feet toward her. "Look what you did to me! LOOK AT ME!"
He swung his fist back to punch her, but she jumped aside, casing his hand to go smacking into the hard, thick wall. Leon howled in pain.
"Please, Leon, just listen to me!" more salty tears splashed down her face.
He won't listen. You can't compromise with a lunatic.
Her throat was growling out her please. She could taste copper in her mouth. He lifted his smashed hand to his lips and closed his eyes. This expression on this face seemed like a wounded puppy. So much so that for a moment, the only emotion readable on this face was blinding pain. Claire didn't think as she stepped toward him. It was a natural responds to her hurt loved one. Blood fell over his hand. He turned away from her, as if afraid she would hurt him again.
"I'm so sorry," she hushed quickly.
Her hand reached toward him. Within a few seconds he whipped back around again. Holding the bar once more, and ramming it hard into her side. She shrilled in pain and she thought she felt something inside her snap. Falling to the floor, she crashed on all fours, trying to find the strength to get up.
"You're going to wish I killed you already," he sputtered, blood spraying from his mouthin fine bits.
He limped toward her. He had hurt his ankle when he fell. Bringing his boot back, Leon swung like he were kicking a soccer ball and it and crashed into her stomach. The pain in her side amplified as her rib re-broke with a sickening crack. Blood gushed up her throat, as she lay there. The hot, crimson liquid spilled from her lips. His boot hit her stomach again. This time, it was more centered. Claire's eyes snapped shut tightly in agony. More blood gushed out of her mouth.
All was lost. She had failed.
She rolled onto her side when she felt something press in her pocket. Reminding herself quickly that it was Chris's knife. She had always carried his knife. Digging into her pocket, she snatched the small switchblade. Her eye's shifted to see Leon's hand ready to strike her again. In one swift motion, she scraped it out, lashing it in front of her. Low and behold, her aim was true as his soft flesh dug across the sharp blade.
Leon shreaked and leapt away from her.
"Ah! You bitch! YOU BITCH!"
The bar was slippery in his bloody hands. Claire brought her back up against the wall. Staring at him with such sorrow, such pain that she wanted her life to end right there.
"That's not you talking Leon," she sobbed, trying to will the hurt to leave her body. "You're not well."
His hair hung in his face. Those dark, brilliant blue eyes, burned like coals. He gazed down at her. Full of anger and hate. The gleam in his eyes. No man. . .no human could ever stare at someone like that. He wasn't her husband anymore. He wasn't a man. And he wasn't human. He was. . .a Thing. A demon. A terrible monster lurking closer to her. The oily blood sliding down Its slippery face. Staining Its white teeth. The smile. . .pure evil.
"Maybe you're right." It stared straight over her at the wall. "Hell, of course you're right. But I'll be better soon."
It brought the bar down once more over her kneecap. A thousand knifes cut through her bone. Letting out a wail, she grabbed her leg.
"When you're gone." Its toothy grin made her shiver. The dark blood outlined Its eyes.
"No, please. . please!" she cried weakly, holding a crumpled hand to shield her face.
All of her strength was beginning to fade. The Thing that looked like her husband stepped closer. Rasing the bar over Leon Kennedy's head. Its bloody hands tightening around the bar for a better grip. She closed her eye's waiting for the final blow, when the sound of a door opening shattered her nerves.
"Claire?" he brother questioned. His tone dazed.
She looked up to see the shell of Leon's head whip around. A confused Chris stared at her and the maniac bending over her.
"Congratulations Chris!" It shrieked.
Claire took this opportunity to snag her gun. Her blood staining the white floor, she slid toward it on her belly. Her ribs snagging on her organs inside her as she crawled to the small pistol that had clattered to the ground an enternity before.
"Leon? What the hell happen to you?" Chris gawked at Leon's broken sight.
It stepped closer to Chris, swinging its weapon back and forth loosely.
"You're now the Ultimate Fighting Champion!" Chris was staring at Leon, a scared and muddled experssion plastered on his face.
Claire, now on her feet, struggled to get her gun. Swinging her head around, stared behind her.
"Chris! Watch out!" she screamed.
"And here's your prize!" It wheeled Its arm back, striking Chris across the face. A gross thud was heard as Claire had averted her eyes. When she looked back, Chris lay on the ground in a pool of dark liquid.
"No!"
Claire bawled. She couldn't bend over to grab her gun. Her rib hurt too much. The Thing that had once been Leon turned once more to her. Its insane figure creeping toward her.
"Oh sweety," It lectured mockingly, "shame on you. Look what you made me do to Chris."
Slowly, It paced toward her. Taking Its time.
"You know, I've been waiting to do that for a long time. Stupid son of a bitch. I've always wanted to put him in his place. Sometimes things just work out the way you want them to."
The blood from It's mouth and head soaked into the white work shirt he was wearing, turning it red. Blood smeared across Its neck and face. Eyes wild with madness. All the while, stepping closer.
"He used to really intimidate me. I hated it. I felt like I couldn't kiss you in front of him,"a smile rippled its way across that mad face. "Remember when he came over to stay the night? The guest room was right next to our bedroom. You wanted to make love, but I was afraid he would storm in on us and beat the shit out of me."
"I know you're in there somewhere Leon!" Claire gasped.
"That was how I used to be. I was chickenshit. A scared, worthless, little pussy. Terrified of my own brother-in-law! I was afriad. Afraid of him, afraid of my job. Hell, I was even afraid that you would leave me! I was scared that one morning you'd wake up and realize that you really wanted that punk-ass little Steve! That just goes to show, huh? I Was afraid."
It turned Its head and stared at Chris as he lay on the floor. Those blue eyes found their way back to Claire. Wide and terrifying.
"But not anymore," It whispered stepping closer.
"You're not my husband," she growled. "He would never hurt me. He loves me."
Closer.
"I needed him." Claire felt she was losing her mind as well.
Closer.
"I loved him."
It stopped. Directly in front of her. Swinging the bar back once more, she jumped back with all of her might. A shot of pain coursed through her legs as the bar missed, whistling though the air as It stumbled forward. The bar jittering wildy back away from her, as if rebounding from its near miss.
Lifting her good leg, she brought it back as hard as she could. Her foot meeting the Ex-Leon's groin. Her once-husbands face turned a ghastly green as the shadow of him fell to his knees in front of her. Its hands opened like broken claws, dropping the bar. Hands clutching Its crotch.
Bending over somehow, she was able to grab her gun. Heavy and cold in her hands, she lifted it to his forehead. She had to kill him. She had to kill him before he killed anyone else. Her fingers twitched as she placed them on the trigger. Her greasy hands slipping slightly as she began to pull faintly back.
She wanted to vomit. Its head twisted upwards to meet her, she saw Its lips move.
"Claire," the grunting sound It made broke her heart.
Then she remembered her dream. Raccoon. The stranger holding a gun to Leon's head. Him calling her name. His head being blown off. Death, her crying over him. She was the one. The one to kill him. She then realized with utter horror that the shadow in her dream was her. She had killed him.
It was fate, it was her fate that she would have to end his life right there. Pulling her finger slightly back on the trigger.
You don't believe in fate a little voice told her. What if your dream was only a warning?
Couldn't she change her fate? It could be done, couldn't it? Make the decision. Follow the dream, or change it. Kill him, or spare him. Knowing what she had to do, she pointed the gun directly over his head. . . .
Boom!
Claire brought the handle of the gun over his head. Knocking him out cold. His unconscious body slumped to the ground.
Clicking the gun on safety, it slipped out of her bloody hands. Clanking onto the floor. Her knees suddenly gave way, and she crashed to the ground. Moving to toward him, she knelt over him crying. Running her hands lovingly through his soft hair, which was now stained with crisp, dry blood. At least he had hair to run her fingers through.
She felt his pulse again. It was strong. She hadn't killed him, just knocked him out.
Kissing his bloody face, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Trying to pull him closer, while rocking him back and forth. Guilt washed over her. It wasn't him who had tried to kill her, it wasn't him. She was just as much to blame. The fact that she had almost killed him made her want to faint and for a moment she felt light headed. She could see stares. Everything was starting to go black.
Oxygen. . . The room was spinning. She bent down and placed a soft kiss on hislips. Harder to breathe. . .One breath. . take another. . .don't forget to breathe!
"Claire?" someone groaned. Claire looked down at Leon. He was still passed out. His faced pressed into the curve of her neck.
"Claire?" It was a little bit louder. Her head snapped around from side to sideand she saw Chris's mouth move.
"Chris!" Claire hushed.
She placed Leon's head softly down on the ground. Dragging herself toward her brother, her hands felt greasy against the floor. She bent down over Chris, placing her hands on each side of his face. She then moved them down to his shoulders.
"Claire?" he mumbled once more.
"Chris! Wake up! Please! Wake up!" His eye's fluttered open and he stared at her.
"Claire!" He sat up slowly and rubbed his temples. "Why did Leon hit me?" Claire looked over her shoulder to make sure he was till out of it.
"Leon? No, that's not Leon. Leon's gone," she muttered. A few drops of blood spraying from her mouth. She licked her lips to keep the blood from drying there.
"Claire. . Oh my. . .Wha-what happened to you?"
She felt Chris's hands pulling her away from her gaze. His eyes were fixed on her.
"Did he ? I- I need to get you to a hospital!"
He pulled her into his arms. It felt good to be held. His arms were so warm. Always count on Chris, her big brother, to protect her.
"We need to get the rest of them out."
Both of them turned to see who was talking. Steve stood there the rifle back in his hands. Claire had forgotten that she had put it back behind the door.
"Who the hell is this guy?" Chris asked.
"Steve," she gasped. "You'll help us?" Steve nodded. Chris hauled Claire up to her feet.
"Okay," he said wearyingly. "Lets get to it."
Their battle was coming to an end. . .or perhaps, it only getting started.
To be continued. . .
A/N: I don't know about you. . But this was one of the funniest chapters for me to write. I don't know why. But I love this part and it's so big, I have to cut it into sections. Don't worry, I still love Leon. L/C fan! I hope this made up for the last chapter. Ummm, now I can't wait to get started on the rest!
Saunce: Did ya like? I hope this made you happy. Steve is a good guy. You were pretty on the
nose with your last review. I've had all this planned out for a while and you seemed to call it very
well. Does that mean I'm predictable? Oh well. You're too cool You're a S/C fan, but you still
read this story faithfully. Thank you.
Belldandy-sama: Shocker huh? Leon the killer. Bet this chapter was a eyes you
guys seemed to call it a mile away! But thank you for the nice review. When are you going to
put up your story? Ya know Steve vs. Leon? Hint hint. But you are so nice. I can't believe how
many Steve lovers like this story. It's kind of refreshing! Thanks!
Darryl-Flowers: I'm glad you think this story is coming along. I'm wondering if I'm painting
myself into a corner with this story. But you've made my day. I really thank you. Don't give up
on Leon. More is still to come.
tre0220: I confused you? That's to bad. I did send you an email. But it wouldn't send. Sorry.
Basically, Chris and Claire found an underground lab under the Mansion, they got separated.
Claire found Leon, but he tried to kill her, so she locked him in the boiler room. And that's were
this story started off at. I hope this chapter made sense. And no, I don't think you're stupid.
Thanks for the review.
Tifa Redfield : Tifa! Hey, what can I say to the person who I always look for? You rock, but you
already know that. Just stating the obvious. Thanks for the Review! You don't waste any of my
time? What's that about? You need to show me some tips on how to not rush things so fast. I
kind of have a problem with doing that.. I hope I didn't give you a heart attack with this last
chapter. Leon. . I still love him. I'm in no way a Steve fan now. That's one thing you and I have
a strong bond on. We both love Leon and Claire. How can you not? But Thank you. You're the
sweetest thing. And I mean that in a good way, not sickening sweet way. Thanks again.
Joanne Beverly: Wow, I have talent? That means a lot. I'm glad you liked that chapter. Because
I didn't. I was kind of rushing it. But thank you for your sweet words. And thanks for the
Review.
Frenchy:Well, I'm glad you weren't disappointed. I was worried I had you built up for this big
thing. But Ada still to come. Thank you.
Dale: Thank you! That means a lot that you think I'm one hell of a writer. Very Sweet! You kick
butt, as always, thank you!
REM: dude! Were have you been? Thanks for the review. You're too cool. Don't fall of the edge
of your seat. Thanks