Chapter 12

"Dammit, it just occurred to me!" said the doctor as he set up straight in bed at the underground Umbrella Medical Facility. "She had a close aunt, but where? She had one in Brahms City or something of the sort."

He stood from his bed, and quickly clothed himself. A nurse from the next room heard his startledness and quickly came to his side. "Sir, is everything okay?"

"That girl we experimented on--"

"The one we contaminated?"

"Yes, it just occurred to me that her last name was McKinley. It was convenient because Alice was named McKinley, so we only had to nickname the girl 'Alice Beta', but you don't suppose they are related in any way?"

"Well, it is convenient that their molecular structure and DNA are similar, but you figure that's because they are blood related?"

"It doesn't seem possible?"

"The mother's name at the time of her death was McKinley. She's been married before, unless you figure she converted back to her maiden name?"

"Speaking of the mother, have you found the sibling yet?"

"She can't be too far off. After all, it's only been two days, and we're assuming that she is at a friend's house and hasn't had contact with her mother yet. If she could have contacted her by phone, we could have traced her whereabouts, but no, she hasn't, so we can't say where she is as of now."

"Could she be a threat?"

"Doubtful. She's only fourteen, after all."

"Then she couldn't fight back?"

The nurse blinked. "Sir, surely, you're not planning on experimenting with her as well?"

"What bad could come of it?"

"You know people who don't 'die' of contamination evolve and mutate! Just because they're sisters and have similar genes doesn't mean she won't become a hazard. She isn't as of now, but we don't want a risk of having one of those creatures similar to those in Raccoon make their way into our town. Do you understand?"

"Raccoon was full of fools. They've set the example, and we can follow it with fine precautions. If the girl doesn't prove to be suitable enough to be Alice Delta--"

"Just how many weapons do you need?!"

"Are you becoming hysterical about this? We have already lost the prototype into Brahms, and we don't know of her whereabouts right now. You don't think Alice Beta could try and escape?"

"But you're pushing this too far! We are a company intended on making household products! That was our main objective! Thanks to the T-virus that was discovered, a whole city was wiped from existence! You're willing to put a few more thousands of lives in danger for a weapon?!"

"Look, I don't even know why those workers in Raccoon decided to make a weapon, but there could a risk that the prototype is within this city. We need one as protection, and you also need a backup."

"You're going to repeat the same mistakes Raccoon did."

"If you're so worried about it, then leave. I am an entrepreneur, which means I take risks, and we can go far with this company, even for this small rural area."

"But this is a big city! It's not all rural! You are going to kill the rural people, which may not matter to you, but there are thousands of people living in this city!"

"Leave! You are doing nothing but giving me a migraine!"

The nurse bit her lip, turned on her heels, and left the room. She wished not to listen to anymore of his blasphemy.

"I can't remember anyone.." Amelia whispered to herself, lying in the darkness, staring up at the ceiling. "I can't remember my friends' names, my teachers, anything! And why am I going to a high school? They said I'd be going to a high school. I was just in the eighth grade before this. I guess they figure my intellectual statuses are higher than anyone's giving me a chance for. I won't know anyone. I'll have to make new friends.."

She readjusted herself in the darkness. She glared at the thought, yet smiled, when it came to mind: "At least Rodney will be there.. or will that be a good thing? At least he knows his way around the place, so maybe he'll have lots of people he can show me to. I'll be popular with the high school kids!"

"It's not as nice as you think it is," Rodney mumbled from the other side of the door, "but it's not so bad. I think you'll be able to survive by their standards."

"Were you listening to me?!"

"Well, you're talking to yourself. I figured you were either crazy or needed someone to talk to."

"Maybe I am crazy, seeing you think I have amnesia and all," Amelia said, resting her arms behind her head.

"Aren't there a few holes that are unfilled? You said yourself that you can't remember--"

"Just how long have you been standing there?" she questioned. She scoffed. "How rude."

Rodney shrugged and turned away from the door. "Don't mind me. I'll be off to bed, now. Goodnight."

She did not respond with even a polite "Goodnight" in return, but simply rolled over and fell into a silent slumber.

(Yay, two settings!)