Lost Survivor: I wish I could say that half these ideas that you think are brilliant were actually mine. But the truth is, I'm sticking quite closely to the events of the actual Resident Evil series. Through this story, I am only showing where my original character, Kenny, is seeing things from and what he goes through. But the thought of publishing my own book does sound enticing though!
Blizzard Dragon: Thanks for your compliments! I hope you will continue to enjoy this story!
Enzik: For someone who hasn't played Code Veronica, you're definitely on the right track. The last chapter and this one are supposed to take place the night the Rockfort facility comes under attack by "mysterious" forces, at the very beginning of Code Veronica.
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Standing there, staring out the window most likely with a dumbfounded with shock, I could feel the adrenaline pump through my entire body in those few seconds. My mouth went dry as cold sweat broke out all over my back and forehead. I couldn't quite wrap my mind around the concept – that Claire was actually on this island. What were they doing to her? Why was she knocked unconscious like that? Was she hurt? Perhaps if I didn't tell her the whereabouts of her brother, all of this could have been avoided. I had so many questions, but no answers.
There was only one way of getting the answers I was seeking. It was a simple conclusion to come to, really, but at the time, the pure shock that completely took over my body hindered any movements my brain commanded my body to perform. I finally mustered enough courage to head over to my room door and make my way out into the hallway.
The rain was still pouring outside – I could hear it splashing relentlessly on the roof of the compound. I wasn't worrying about getting wet, or about the consequences that would I would incur if the Rockfort guards caught me out of the dorm after curfew. But Claire … I actually had somewhat of a personal connection to this girl – her life was in danger, and worst of all, it was probably because of me! I felt entitled to at least be able to see her.
I made my way down the hallway, cautiously listening for the footsteps of approaching guards. I was sure to keep my form bathed in the shadows, pausing occasionally whenever I would hear something. But fortunately, there were no guards around the dorms that night. Perhaps they were too occupied with the new prisoner? But if they were with her, there was no way in hell I would be able to get through to see Claire.
I entered the foyer of the building and grasped the cold handles of the main doors that led outside. Clenching my teeth I pulled on the handles, slowly increasing pressure until the massive door swung open a tiny crack. My efforts to not make a noise while exiting the complex proved to be futile however, as the splattering of the rain outside echoed through the empty halls. I decided to screw the silent approach and just jet out of there with a bang. I opened the doors until the crack widened enough for me to slip through. I instantly felt the force of large, heavy raindrops hitting my head, threatening to snap my neck upon colliding with my skull.
Closing the door, I marched through the dirt composing much of the courtyard that had now turned into a thick mud. And that was when I realized for the first time that I was still in my pajamas without any shoes on. I was tempted to go back and get some shoes, but only for a moment. It would be pointless. I had already waxed my boots for the night and there was no way in hell I was going to get them dirty walking out here and have to wax them all over again. Besides, my feet were already caked in mud and wearing the boots would not only get the outside layered with mud, but the insides as well.
I continued trudging through the mud until I came to the fence and pushed the gate open. It wasn't any fancy kind of perimeter fence - just a rusty chain linked one. It squeaked as I forced it open against the rust and the mud on the ground, but I figured there weren't any guards at this section of the compound. They were more than likely tending to the new prisoner … the girl I wanted to see.
The dirt path outside, also consisting of mud, eventually led to a long flight of stairs, leading far down the natural cliffs, onto a long wooden bridge that provided a walkway across a canyon that stretched farther down than I could see, and into the prison compound. True it was raining that night, and the entire island was enveloped in a thick layer of fog, but even on the brightest of days, I could barely make out the river running at the bottom of the canyon. The Rockfort facility was built atop high cliffs that made up the entire terrain of the island.
I started walking down the stairs, holding onto the railing with a death grip, afraid of slipping and tumbling over the railings to a very messy death. And I must admit, it was pretty difficult to watch where I was stepping in the dark while looking around to make sure there were no guards anywhere. Then again, if there were, I was stuck halfway through a long ass flight of stairs with nowhere to hide. So I just decided to concentrate on my footwork instead.
The bridge was getting closer, beckoning at the bottom. It took me a good ten to fifteen minutes to clear the entire flight of stairs. I was never a fan of heights – ask anyone I've met in my entire life. The rain was trying in vain to chill me to the bone, but the adrenaline that coursed through my veins kept my heart pumping fast, thus keeping me warm. By the time I reached the bottom platform where the bridge began, I almost knelt on the ground and began kissing it, but the thought of mud on my face was enough of a turnoff. I proceeded across the bridge staying clear from both of the edges.
Then my heart threatened to stop beating. At the opposite end of the bridge in front of a pair of tightly shut metal doors, dressed in a white T-shirt with his arms folded across his broad chest, Rodrigo stood staring me straight in the eye. He said something, but he was too far away for me to comprehend. All I could hear was the sound of his gruff voice echoing off the canyon walls.
"What?!" I called, breaking from a walk into a slow jog.
"I said get over here!" he ordered sternly, sounding quite pissed off. Suddenly I wanted to turn around and run back into the dormitory. Even the stairs looked very enticing at this point. But doing so would've pissed him off and Rodrigo was strict enough to physically hit the cadets to punish them – especially if they were little prepubescent teens like me. And I didn't take all this time and effort to stay clear of the edges of the bridge and to be careful on the stairs above the canyon, only to be thrown over the edge by him.
"Yes sir," I said nervously, slowing down from my jog at the same time. As I neared, he never broke eye contact with me, not even once. I could feel him stare right through me like I was nothing, like I was just a mere fly in his way and should've been grateful he hadn't crushed me like the bug I was.
"What are you doing out of the dormitory?" he demanded.
"I couldn't sleep, especially after hearing the commotion," I replied sheepishly. "I just wanted to come by and check out what was going on."
The cocked eyebrow he gave me told me he wasn't buying my story. The next thing I felt, after the intense fear, was a sharp slap across my right cheek. The world just turned back before my eyes, only for the darkness to be replaced by spots and stars as my vision returned slowly. Despite my best efforts, hot tears seeped their way out of the corners of my eyes and mixed with the rain that soaked my skin.
"You know what happens to cadets who disobey the rules."
"Yes, sir."
"And you also know the punishment wouldn't be worth satisfying your curiosity. Normally I'd send you to the disciplinary hall, but I really don't think you're this stupid to risk your own freedom. I want the truth, no more lies. Otherwise …" he leaned in closer and stared into my eyes, his face only inches from my own to the point that I could see the pores on his face. "I am this close to sending you there …" He emphasized his point by pinching his index finger and thumb against each other, holding the hand formation between our noses.
"I …" I didn't want to say it, afraid at what he would do if he found out I was connected to Claire. I thought about lying again, but decided that he was exceptionally good at recognizing lies. And God knows what he would do if he caught me lying again, so I thought the truth would be the best policy at this point. "I want to see the new prisoner."
"What kind of connection do you have with her?"
"It's nothing big really …"
"Obviously for you to defy the rules set by the facility for the cadets, meeting her is worth breaking the rules, the same rules to which you have been bound to by agreeing to serve Umbrella. Tell me the truth, and don't make me tell you again."
"I know her."
"How?"
"She survived Raccoon City, just like I did. And I want to know if she's alright, and what she's doing here."
"Claire Redfield was caught awhile ago while infiltrating an Umbrella establishment in France searching for her brother. There is no doubt that she is on her brother's side, and he is a pest to the organization that needs to be disposed of. And that just makes her another one to deal with."
I gulped a thick lump in my throat. For the first time in my life at the Rockfort facility, I began seriously rethinking my original intentions for joining Umbrella. What if Rodrigo ever found out that I was allied with Chris too? Well it was a no-brainer. He'd have me killed, or do it himself.
He looked at me strangely. My heart sank into my stomach. What kind of fucked up faces was I making? It seemed like the guy could read my mind! "Is there something you're not telling me, Kenny?" I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I was at a dead end. I couldn't think of anything to say that would save my life now … literally.
Thankfully, a high-pitched whistle filled the air, and bought me a few more seconds of life by capturing Rodrigo's attention – and mine. I glanced up to see a missile soaring incredibly fast overhead, aimed right at the Ashford residence sitting at the highest point of the island. Rodrigo and I stood rooted to the spot, staring in shock and awe as the missile connected with the main tower in the center of the mansion, causing a bright orange ball of fire.
The missile produced a streak of smoke across the sky. Within seconds of the first one impacting the Ashford residence, a whole swarm followed in its wake, bombarding the building. Some of the explosive shells diverted from the main group, changing their courses in what seemed like a very random pattern, smashing into various areas of the island. Explosions of various volume and intensity could be heard in rapid succession from all over the island. But it never really struck me just how dead we were until one flew just a few meters over our heads and collided with the prison compound. The resulting explosion shook the very ground we were standing on, and Rodrigo and I lost our balance, nearly falling ass first into the mud.
"Shit, DUCK!!" he yelled, throwing his body over mind. My entire torso hit the ground violently. My back burned for just a moment and a sudden gust of wind swallowed our bodies, as yet another missile flew by us, narrowly missing our heads even as we lay pressed to the ground. This one broke through the bridge, right in front of where a jeep was situated. I thank my lucky stars today that the jeep wasn't hit. If it were, the explosions from the gas tank would've taken the whole bridge down, and us along with it.
But the rapid succession of explosions did not stop, as Rodrigo and I lay belly down in the mud, with our hands protectively over our heads. "What the fuck is going on?!" I cried over the noise.
"We're being attacked!" he replied, his voice filled with dread.