No Balm For Grief 10
By: Hotaru
Notes: I confused myself greatly while writing this. I kept thinking that May was after June, so I fixed chapter 8, then re-uploaded it. Then I realized that I had messed it up when it was fine, I fixed it again and uploaded it again. Anyway, this is the last chapter, and I'm using the lyrics of L'arc~en~ciel's Neo Universe for the end! I think that the song fits it quite well, so I hope when the lyrics start you will listen to the song.
To the Reviewers:
The Magnificent Kiwi: You have a keen intuition.
Tek: Heheh, it's my job to confuse and baffle you. I have a chicken sticker on me...
Ota: Hah hah, that's unique. She has black out sessions, and when she wakes up....she's commited murder!
GruntyLuv: As I said above, I confused the bejeesus out of myself here...
On my way down the hall, I ran into Leon. He had been suprisingly fast at the gift shop. "Where are you headed?" He asked me from behind a basket of flowers.
"Back to Chris's place for a shower and clean clothes." I told him.
"I'll walk you to your car, just let me bring this to Claire's room." He offered.
"'Kay. I'll wait here." I dawdled around, glancing in rooms and whatnot until he came back.
"She loved everything." Leon informed me with a smile.
"That's good. I'm suprised that she's so optimistic and cheery." I replied, pressing the call button for the elevator.
"Yeah. I've noticed her general outlook change substantially since I first met her. She's happier. I wonder if Chris notices."
"Probably. He hasn't really said anything to me about it. Then again, they hadn't seen each other for awhile since the Raccoon City incident, so she might have gotten depressed and started missing him around that time."
We stepped onto the elevator, and the doors closed slowly. "That's true. At any rate, I'm happy for her." Leon replied. There was silence, except for the music on the elevator. It sounded like a midi version of "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. I guess that was appropriate for the situation. "So how did your boss react to the news about figuring out the attacker's pattern?" Leon questioned as we stepped off the elevator, and into the parking garage.
"Well, he was happy about it, and said he'd put an APB out of the description that Claire gave." I told him as we walked toward Chris's car.
"Hopefully the catch the guy quickly. Otherwise, she'll probably have to look at mug books, look at line ups...anyways."
"Yeah, thanks for walking me. Let Chris know I'll be back in about an hour or two, alright?"
He smiled and saluted me lightly. I got in the car and slowly backed out of the spot before driving down the ramp. A car started to pull out in front of me, so I pressed the break and turned to see if Leon had gone back to the elevator. He was running, and practically slammed into the door, and started pressing the button frantically. /What the hell?/ When the doors started to open, he slipped inside, and started pressing the buttons inside. /What's the matter with him?/ The person in front of me was gone, but I hadn't moved. When the doors finally started to close I saw someone else running towards the elevator. Something glinted in his hand. Leon pulled his gun and aimed it at the person, who stopped just short of the doors, before they closed.
I put the car in reverse, and sped backwards up the ramp. He was gone by the time I got there. Reaching under the driver's seat, I pulled out a gun. I knew Chris kept it there for emergencies. Putting the car in park, I slowly got out, and extended my arms. There were a dozen places this guy could be hiding, and I was out the open. I heard loud footsteps from the ramp about a hundred feet ahead of me. I aimed the gun and waited. "Jill! Where is he? Where'd he go?" It was Leon. He had his gun out too as he ran towards me.
"I don't know! I just saw him coming after you, and he disappeared before I got back up here." I told him, looking around.
"He was coming at me with a knife. I don't know why I didn't think to pull my gun out.." He replied.
"At any rate, he's gotta be here..unless he ran down the ramp on the other side. There were two ramps on each side of the level. One for cars going up, one for cars going down.
We looked under and behind all the cars parked on that level. Then my eyes caught something. A large garbage can right near the elevator. "He could have jumped in there to hide." I whispered to Leon.
"Let's check it out." He whispered back. We both walked towards the garbage can, aware that there could be a knife-weilding man inside, eager to kill Leon. I went to the back of the can, and Leon nodded, signaling me to pull of the lid. I did so, and he pointed his gun inside. Empty. There was a dull crash behind us, and we swiveled around.
"He was in a garbage can!" Leon exclaimed, running back towards the direction he came, while the man looked for somewhere to go. I ran down the ramp, and towards the elevator on the floor below us. If I could get to the level above us, me and Leon could ambush the guy. "Come on..." I told the elevator, as it slowly headed up to my floor. Finally, the doors opened and I flew inside, and pressed the six button, and hit 'door close'.
Those were the longest twenty seconds of my life. Leon could be dead. The killer could have gotten away, and I wouldn't be able to stop it. He'd be going after Chris, next. Finally, the doors opened on the sixth floor, and I silently crept down the ramp, making sure to keep hidden. "Put the knife down on the ground." I heard Leon order the guy. "Now!" He barked. Finally, I could see what was happening. Well, I could see the killer at least. He had a scarf around his face, but I could see his eyes. He didn't look like anyone I knew.
"Put the knife of the floor, or I blow out your kneecap." Leon said. Slowly, the killer began to move downward, finally placing the knife on the ground. "Kick it to me." Leon instructed. As the man did so, I saw his hand move to his back. I wanted to say something, but I didn't want to blow my cover. It'd be better to suprise him. As I thought, he pulled out a gun and aimed at Leon. It was my gun.
"Now Mr. Kennedy, you're going to do exactly what I say." He said. He had a scratchy voice, like he was a smoker.
"Why should I? You just want to kill me, right?" Leon replied.
"Yes. But if you listen to me, I'll make your death as painless as possible."
"Did you promise that to Carlos too, before you butchered him?!"
The man chuckled. "He fought back." He said simply, as if that would explain everything. He was still aiming at Leon, and I'm sure Leon was still aiming at him too. I wondered what I should do. I couldn't get behind the guy. I couldn't really move without him seeing me. I'm not much of a sharp shooter, and even though he was only about fifteen feet away from me, I was getting nervous about having to shoot him. I could aim for his feet, taking him down long enough for me to go and retrieve his weapon. But if I missed, it would be pointless.
"So, are we right about your pattern? Killing us by our birth months?" Leon asked.
"It took you people so long to figure out what was so obvious. I guess Umbrella over-estimated your intelligence. You'd never be able to take them out. Part of me wonders why they even bothered sending me to kill you."
"So it was Umbrella. They were worried we'd take them down, so they hired you. What are you, a hit man? Hired killer?"
"Something like that. Some might call me a bounty hunter. They put prices on each of your heads. I was the one who made if fun, but putting a pattern to it. I gave you a chance to stop it all."
"That's very kind of you. Well, we figured it out, and we're going to take you down."
The man chuckled. "'We'? Where'd your little friend go? Run to hide, just like when I went after her?" He taunted. I bit my lip, and held my ground.
"I don't know where she went. Why didn't you kill her when you had the chance. You got her gun, right?" Leon questioned.
"Yes, I did."
"Then why? You could have shot her easy enough."
"She's just too pretty to kill. Just like that Claire Redfield. I could have rammed my car into her, and crushed her pretty body to pieces...but that would be a waste. There just isn't enough pretty people in this world."
"Don't you talk about Claire that way!" Leon shouted. He was letting his emotions get to him.
"What? There's nothing between you two. Her brother wouldn't allow it...as a matter of fact, he's next on my list after you." The killer took a step forward.
"Well you're not going to have a chance to get him, cause I'm stopping you." Leon said back. I moved to the end of the ramp and peeked out. If he moved up a little bit more, I'd be able to sneak out and get him.
Instead of moving forward, he started walking sideways, towards me. "Stop right there, I am not letting you escape." I heard Leon start running. Then the killer started running. I climbed up from the floor, and started to run up the ramp. If I could just get some distance between us...I yelped as the killer grabbed my shirt through my jacket and yanked me to the floor. He kicked Chris's gun from my hand, and grabbed me by the hair. "Don't play me for a fool, Miss Valentine." He breathed into my ear. He held his gun, which was actually my gun, against my head, and walked back down the ramp.
"Mr. Kennedy, I'd suggest you put your gun down. But, if you want your friend to die..." Leon's eyes widened when he saw me. /Why didn't I just take the shot? Goddammit...I should have shot him/ "I'm waiting, Mr. Kennedy. Put the gun down, and back away." The killer instructed.
"Don't do it, Leon! End everything right now! You can't forgive him for what he's done to our friends." I said, hoping to God that this guy wouldn't shoot me.
"Jill..." Leon was struggling with his heart and mind. Then, he started to lower himself, and put his gun on the floor. I felt a tear roll down my cheek. "I can't..."
"Don't, Leon!" I could imagine the killer smiling now. He had won.
"Kick the gun towards me." He said, tapping my gun against my head. His arm was slowly choking me, but it was the only way of keeping me where I was. Leon kicked the gun towards us. "Goodbye, Mr. Kennedy." The pressure from the gun was released from my head, and he aimed and shot at Leon. I squeezed my eyes shut, and felt myself moving.
I was shoved into the back seat of a car. Opening my eyes, I tried to look for Leon through the tinted windows. The killer was in the drivers seat, and still had a gun in his hand. As he started to drive, I lunged for it, and wrestled for a few seconds, before he released the steering wheel, and smacked his fist against the side of my head. I fell against the plush seat of the car, and tried to shake off the dizziness that I felt. Once I could see clearly, I reached and grabbed both of the guy's arms. He dropped the gun, and raised his knee to control the car so it didn't swerve into any other cars. I guess he thought he'd knock me out, and keep going. I tried to bend his arms backwards, to the point where they would break.
He pressed on the accelerator as we went down a ramp. I looked up and saw someone with a gun, aiming at the car. "Chris!" I exclaimed, using the last of my strength to move to the side, while still holding the guy's arms, so Chris could shoot. There was a boom, the sound of glass cracking, and a sound I couldn't describe. I felt a warm liquid spray on my face. I opened my eyes, and dived to press the brake. I pressed the pedal to the ground, and my body flung forward. Despite the awkward position I was in, I found the gear shift, and put the car into park. The driver side door opened, and the killer was pulled out. "Jill, are you okay?!" Chris asked frantically.
I started to push myself up, and get reoriented. He handcuffed the guy, who had been shot in the neck. "He's going to die if he doesn't get treated." I said, looking in the rearview mirror at all the blood on my face. Grimacing, I climbed out of the car. Chris pulled me into his arms, suprising me slightly.
The scales have started to tip upwards
I'm going to build up one side,
so the other reaches higher than heaven.
"I was so worried about you." He whispered into my hair.
"You were? H-how did you know where we were?" I questioned.
Even for these kind of innocent angels which can't fly,
morning will come to them gloriously.
Don't let go of that hand,
feel the world awaken.
"Claire was getting worried, since Leon hadn't come back. She sent me to go after you, and I figured I'd check to see if my car was still in the garage. I saw it, parked off to the side, and my gun was missing. Then I saw him shoot at Leon, and toss you in the car. I had the gun that I got when I became a detective on me, and headed down here to stop him in his tracks." He explained.
Even though it seems ready to shatter, it stays clear
You waited yesterday without sleep.
Miracles you'd seen in dreams aren't coming but
the distant sky will lead you to them.
"Leon! Is he...okay?" I asked.
"Yeah. The bullet grazed his leg, but he should be fine. What about you? Are you hurt anywhere?" He said, looking me over.
"No, not really. He tried to fracture my skull when I grabbed him. Other than that...I'm okay." I said, the blood starting to irritate my skin.
"Well, let's get this guy some help, and have you cleaned up, okay?" He said with a smile.
You are gentle like the wind
Like a bird flying freely in this world
without fear neo universe
Even if it ends in tragedy
I'm glad I met you.
Chris half-dragged the killer into the emergency room, still handcuffed. A doctor took a look at Leon's leg, and I went into the bathroom to get washed up. So much had happened in the past few days. Someone tried to kill me, and my friends. I was almost kidnapped. God knows what would have happened if Chris wasn't there to rescue me. Thoughts like that make me doubt myself. I found that I had been doubting myself a lot lately. I couldn't defend myself when he broke into Ms. Bass's apartment. All I could do then was run. I couldn't save Leon, and I couldn't save myself.
The bind I've gotten into, I entrust it to you
I want to believe forevermore.
Walking out of the bathroom, I went to find Chris and Leon. A doctor was stitching up Leon's leg. "You okay?" I asked, pushing the door open.
"Yeah. I was more worried about you! Where'd you go?" Leon replied.
"I thought it would be a good idea if I could sneak up behind him. Unfortunately, it didn't work out too well. I'm sorry for leaving you alone with that guy." I apologized, and it was a lame one at that.
"Sorry your plan didn't work out. Are you okay, otherwise?"
I nodded, even though the side of my head had started to ache awhile ago. "Yeah. Thank God Chris came after us, huh?" Chris blushed slightly, and looked embarassed. The female doctor smiled at him, before covering Leon's wound with a guaze pad. "Alright, change the dressing twice a day, and clean the wound out with a mild antiseptic and you should be alright. Come back in about a week and we'll see about removing those stitches." She said, pulling off her medical gloves.
"Thanks Doc." Leon replied, pulling his pant leg down.
Laugh like a pretty flower
Shine like a star
Flying over this world
Without fear neo universe
"I bet Claire's wondering where everyone went." Chris said, as he let Leon lean on him to walk.
"I put all that candy out of her reach. I bet she called the nurse and asked for her to bring it over." Leon chuckled.
"Do you think that guy's going to live?" I asked, as we waited by the elevator.
"Who knows? He was bleeding a lot. Part of me wants him to live so we could figure out just what he was told to kill us all for, and then there's a part of me that wishes he'd die." Chris said. I knew that having a dead man on his conscious would probably haunt him forever. At any rate, I'd be there for him, to help him through it.
It's the time of rebirth!
It's the most painful time!
Let's be tied as one like the sky,
Neo universe.
~Fin~
:( It's over! Cry, cry, cry! I have to give a shout out to those who stayed and reviewed til the end. Tek, you rock dude (or dudette?). I'm really glad that you enjoy all of my fics and take the time to actually give me your opinions. It lets me know that people appreciate my creative brain. Ota, I'm going to put a 'ku' at the end of your name. I'm trying to figure out where I can remember that name from...anyways, thanks for sticking around, and reviewing all the chapters. The fact that you were actually guessing what happened told me that you were really enjoying the fic, and were eager to figure out what happened next. ScoobySnax! With the flying monkeys and the J-Pop! Love the music, feel the music, die for the music. Well, maybe not die but...yeah. Werd. Panny, part of me thinks you read the fics out of uh...what's the word. It's right there...fuuuuu....goddamn. I had it. Damn you ZONE! DAMN YOU! Obligation! Do you? Doth thou? Gruntyluv, you signed on towards the end, but it's all good. Anyone that I left out, don't feel bad. I'm shouting out the people who've been constant. If you haven't, it's your fault! ;p
So, in the words of Hyde:
The bells have rung, the time has come
I cannot find the words to say my last goodbye
This scenery is evergreen
You've always been so dear to me
I was going to use the lyrics to Evergreen like...when Chris died. I actually planned on killing everyone, and have Rebecca figure out who the killer was when he was in her apartment, and she'd have to hide and all this. Then, I felt bad, and realized you can't talk in first person, and then kill them off and go to third person. That'd be weird. Sigh. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the fic, and the J-pop...and most of all....the memories...
