Hi guys... sorry I disappeared for awhile there. But now I'm back, so PRAISE ME!!!! Just kidding, read, review and tell me what you think, PLEASE!!! I apologise to those who follow this story that it's been so sporadic, but I thank you for having patience. Hopefully I will be more motivated to write this story now that I have some inspiration!

Special thanks to Zarbok and Shady777 because quite frankly, you guys just rock. (And yes, Victoria sends her compliments to Veronica and congratulates her on her nice use of torture against the rebellious descendants)

Chapter 27:

He still couldn't believe how well it had all gone. He would never forget the look on her face when she came round the corner and saw him, ready to let hell loose. Of course, his timing could've been slightly better. He was singed and grumpy.

No one ever really knew how such a spectacular blast was made. Even the maker probably doesn't know, not that he'd ever admit it. Perhaps over the years drug importers and factories had left chemicals of a delicate nature down there, or perhaps HCF and Victoria were up to something.

The explosion Wesker had created rumbled through the sewers and tunnels, erupting at every pressure point it could find. Wooden foundations lit. Worn brick-ware that had supported the town of Brideswell began to crack under the extreme heat.

It was like some sort of hellish earthquake. Parts of the city sunk. Shock waves rippled through the streets, shaking houses and upsetting fires. As a result, people woke finding that their fire or stove had flared and ignited a humble object, such as a couch.

Wesker stood over the collapsed mineshaft and marveled at the effect. Somewhere below him Celia's body had been consumed by the flames. Around him the world was been ravaged by the explosion.

His clothes were ripped, in some places intentionally so he had a rope of sorts to give him and extra boost out of the mineshaft. Blood smeared his face, but there were no cuts on him. He watched unemotionally as fire licked the bows of the tree, but turned to leave lest he was caught up in the chaos that was Brideswell.

Wesker took several steps before the cold giggle reached his ears. Swiftly, he turned to see Victoria drop from a tree branch. She stood at the mouth of the mineshaft and smiled at him.

"I should've known you'd somehow have avoided the inferno down there," he said, almost pleasantly.

She inclined her head. "Didn't want to disappoint."

His mouth was a thin line. "Care to tell me how you got out?"

Victoria regarded him stoically. "I've lived in the sewers for a very long time. Did you really think that I wouldn't know any emergency exits? Why, as soon as I saw you with that lighter... I immediately dashed to one. This place, I knew it well."

Wesker cursed inwardly, but managed to keep a poker face.

"But I see you've kept your end of the bargain. I believe STARS to be dead..." she frowned slightly. "Which can also be said of my vampire horde. No matter, I will muster an army in time."

Wesker raised an eyebrow, vaguely impressed that the near extinction of her sordid virus had little effect on her. Already she was plotting to gather more vampires and do something... vampire-y.

"So now what?" he asked mockingly, readying himself for the oncoming fight.

She frowned again. "Well... I do want your virus."

As he had expected, Victoria lunged at him. Wesker ducked, pivoted, and slammed a fist into her stomach. She stumbled back, gasping. Then her eyes hardened. "So you have some speed and power," she muttered.

She darted forward, feinting a punch to the head and then kicking left hard instead. Wesker fell heavily, eyes watering steadily. Both of his legs had been systematically broken in one easy sweep. He looked towards his legs and saw the yellow-white bone protruding through his calf, cutting through skin and trouser.

Even as he watched, the bone began to repair and the flesh to knit together. He stood, slightly dizzy by the sudden pain and shock.

Victoria gave a small scream of irritation, and threw herself at him. She became a whirling, snarling and kicking demon.

---!----

Jill sensed rather than smelt the far off presence of gasoline, fear and a sulphury match. With a premonition of what was about to happen she tensed, ready tp s[ong to freedom. Sena unknowingly took advantage of the vampire's distraction, wrenching her leg free and catching Jill round the head with severely dirtied sneakers.

The young girl hauled herself to safety desperately.

Jill was barely dazed by the attack to her head, and her survival reflexes gave her enough speed to jump for the concrete rim. She sailed through the hole and landed easily. Then the world rippled.

Jill and Sena were propelled through the town's streets by a violent explosion that rattled the earth. Sena came into heavy contact with a set of stone steps that led to the bank. There she stayed. Jill hit a car, but got up a minute or two later and daedky headed to the forest, where she could wait out the confusion.

----

Chris lay quietly. It hurt even to think. A hand grasped his own. "Uhn?" he asked groggily.

"Hey mate, it's Barry. Had a bit of an explosion, but it's going to be alright. You just sit tight but be ready to move when we tell you to, ok?"

Chris didn't have the energy to reply, but he thought distantly that for Barry to be so chipper something had to be really wrong. He felt a weight lift itself of his back.

"Now Chris!"

He rolled painfully over as fast as he could, and scrambled blindly. Thick black smoke assaulted his eyes. "Whoa, where are you off to?" Barry asked lightly.

Chris stood painfully, adrenaline beginning to give him pain relief and energy. "What's happened?"

"Some sort of explosion, I think. Parts of the tunnel have collapsed, and there's a fire. Rebecca and Claire are fine though, barely a scratch on them. I'm fine too, in case you're wondering, but wanting to get out before we get choked by the smoke."

"Where's James and the kids?"

Barry's voice dropped and became its usual solemn tone. "James is dead, a big slab of concrete... well, at least it was quick for him. Life sure ain't fair. But the kids are gone, we can't find them anywhere!"

"You've done a search?"

"Yes, while we were trying to find you too."

Chris sighed. He reached through the dark till his fingers came into contact with Barry's shoulder. He punched it lightly. "Then let's get going. I don't like to admit it but there's nothing we can do."

Barry nodded. "Girls! Let's go!"

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