Resident Evil: Abduction

Chapter Thirteen

"How's she doing?"

Carlos paused in the doorway, studying Riane while she peered at the computer screen, typing furiously as she set up the parameter of the program to begin searching for the components that made up the T-Virus. She had barely allotted him time to remove the bullet from her arm when they arrived, so eager was she to begin her work.

He had to strap her down to keep her from struggling or jumping since they couldn't afford the time for painkillers or anesthesia of any kind. Angie was losing time and if Riane was out of it, more time would be lost. He had given her a folded towel to bite down on against the pain while he probed the wound and removed the bullet. Once the last stitch was in place, he removed the restraints. Through the ordeal he purposely permitted his mind to block out everything except for what he was doing. If he weakened, allowed her tortured moans to affect him, he wasn't sure he would have been able to get through it.

After all was said and done, she seemed weary, but determined. Once she had rested for a short time, she donned a protective suit and entered the inner sanctum of the lab where she removed a vial of the tainted anti-virus from its case and inserted it into a secured chamber of a highly sophisticated analysis machine. It was then that he left her to check on Angie.

"She's resting fitfully. Her temperature is up again," he stated, his thoughts returning to the present. He ran a hand through his thick black hair, then as if its weight was more than he could bear, dropped it to his side and entered the room to sit in the swivel chair next to her.

Riane looked up when he spoke. The sadness she heard in his voice was unmistakable and heartbreaking. "This will work," she said, offering what hope she could to him.

"It has to," he answered. He needed to change the subject to anything that would keep him from thinking about the inevitable. "How're you holding up?"

Riane shrugged and returned her focus back to the console. "I'll live, Doc," she said and managed a smile. "I've fed the data Angie recorded into the computer. Now," she said as she punched the enter key with determination, "the system will target the components listed and pull them from the serum. After that..."

"How long?"

Again, Riane looked up from her work. She turned in his direction, noting the white of his knuckles while he clutched the arm of the chair. "An hour...maybe longer. I can't say for sure."

He nodded but remained silent.

"How'd you know about this place?" she asked curiously. Her hand reflexively went to the throbbing pain in her arm, but as her fingers began to curl around it, he released his death grip on the chair, leaned forward, reached out, and pulled her hand away.

"Try not to rub it," he admonished softly as he released her hand. "I'm surprised the lab is still operational," he commented while leaning back in the chair. "And that Umbrella didn't realize its existence."

"Oh?" she prodded as she turned back to the console to check the program's progress.

"Ashford went to great lengths to hide certain holdings, but perhaps they didn't dig deep enough. This house belongs to Angie, now, although I'm not sure she remembers it," he explained. "Umbrella may never have known all of Doctor Ashford's secrets."

Riane leaned back in her chair, attempting to relieve the ache in her back from sitting hunched over the keyboard. The half smile that suddenly touched his lips and then quickly disappeared caught her attention. She felt mesmerized, off guard, and completely out of her element. She stared at him, transfixed by his mouth; for how long she had no idea, but was suddenly aware of the heat that flushed her cheeks. She looked down at her hands as though they were some significant discovery that needed close inspection. Anything to keep her eyes averted from him. "What do you mean?" she stammered.

He shrugged, oblivious to Riane's discomfort. "It took some major digging, but I discovered Ashford held several offshore accounts in his late wife's name. I found this place by dredging through Dummy Corporation after Dummy Corporation. Ashford did his best to secure Angie's future and keep Umbrella in the dark about it."

He glanced slowly around the room as a wave of uneasiness passed over him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Was it Jill? Had LJ failed to get her to safety? Possibly they both had fallen victim to Umbrella. Then, his thoughts turned to the missing Alice and her warning that nearly came too late. Where was she and why had she not come to their aid when she knew they were in trouble? Her behavior and odd disappearances as of late had become steadily worrisome. Nor could he forget that Angela lay resting in a room just beyond the hidden laboratory.

"Carlos?" Riane asked concernedly. He seemed a million miles away so she laid a gentle hand on his forearm causing him to slowly turn his gaze to her. "There's no way to guarantee Umbrella 'doesn't' know about this place, is there?" Nervous for reasons other than the fear for her life, she pulled her hand away, pushed her chair back from the console, and went over to the security monitors several feet away.

"Of course there isn't," he agreed. "We need to get moving as soon as humanly possible." He watched her curiously when she began to pace slowly back and forth while the security monitors cycled through their stations. "What's bothering you?"

She stopped and turned to him slowly. It was a subject she hadn't broached since those quiet moments on the porch at the secluded cabin. "This silence is killing me. I need to talk to my family."

Shaking his head, he stood and closed the distance between them in two long strides. "Not a good idea at this juncture."

"When will be a good time?" she asked dejectedly.

"When Angie's well and we're out of your life," he supplied reluctantly.

"You'll never be out of my life," she insisted as she slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "We both know I won't be allowed to move on from this."

"Perhaps...I will rot in hell for bringing you into this and ruining your life."

Riane shook her head vehemently. "Don't say that. You..."

A self-deprecating laugh escaped him. "No excuses can make up for the things I've done in my life. Believe me when I say I have a debt to pay." He reached out and cupped her chin in his hand. "But if it meant restoring your life to normalcy...I'd gladly spend an eternity enduring the tortures in hell I've earned."

"Carlos..." she whispered, leaning in to the soft caress of his thumb as it grazed her skin. His simple, compassionate gesture tortured her, his skin scorched hers, confirming thoughts she had struggled to deny. When had she gone from terrified prisoner to a sympathetic comrade? When had fear and loathing turned into need and desire? If anyone deserved to burn in hell, Riane was beginning to think it was she.

Suddenly feeling uneasy, he dropped his hand and stepped away. "Enough of this morbid talk." He reached over to the security console and pressed a button. Music filled the room, soft, calming sounds in a classical overture. "No more silence."

She nodded, grateful for the distraction. Soon this would be over and she would be back with her family. That is, until Umbrella decided her fate.

The music faded and the announcer began to speak. A breaking event occurred during the late hours of the evening, and he sounded thrilled to be able to inform the public of the atrocity. "We've just received word of a devastating explosion on the east side of town. Presumably a gas leak caused the blast, killing all residents at..."

Carlos heard Riane gasp as her hand flew to cover her mouth when they both realized whose residence had been destroyed. The color drained from her face and he pulled her into his protective embrace, fearing she was near fainting.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered against her hair while he tightened his hold on her. Her body wracked with near silent sobs, and it tore him to pieces. How had he come to care so much for this woman's well being? It was a question for which he knew he'd never have an answer. The one thing he was certain of...he was lost.

...to be continued.