Four: Looking Out For You
Author's Notes: This project is going better than I expected, but I'm still pretty nervous about it. Apologies for not getting through the plot as fast as I had hoped; it seems my tendency to pad the game events with character development takes longer to get through the story. I think it's better that way, but you might disagree. Timeline: RE2
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Quiet moments in Raccoon City never lasted long. Within a few minutes, Ada Wong was surrounded by the undead once more. Her mind would have to contemplate her situation while her body fought to survive.
At least the zombies died quickly. Four of them had lurched up to her as she sat by the ventilation shaft, worrying about her mission to kill Leon Kennedy and the reporter, Ben. She had scaled a pile of crates and taken them out swiftly, even netting two with one bullet for conservation. However, she wasn't impressed with her own handiwork; instead, she felt ashamed. If she could kill these creatures so easily, why was it so hard to kill real people?
Because they haven't done anything wrong! some part of her mind reasoned. Perhaps that made sense, but using people never bothered her before, and death never did either. She was left frustrated with herself and her inability to understand her own feelings.
Ada began to circle the building, making her way back to the jail cell. She would have to kill Ben at least. He knew information that Wesker didn't want him to know. There was no helping that.
Another, more snide voice in her mind spoke out. So if killing Ben is alright, what's wrong with killing the rookie?
He was just a harmless kid, that's all. It seemed... wrong.
She found a window broken on the second floor. Climbing a nearby dumpster shortened the distance, but jumping to the ledge was a bit tricky. Next time, she should have Wesker buy her a grappling hook or something. Scrambling up brick walls wasn't very graceful.
The ear piece clicked back on as she was brushing broken glass off her skirt. "How is the mission going, Ada?"
Trying not to pause too long, she replied, "I am making my way back to dispose of the reporter."
"And the police officer?"
"He disappeared. I believe he won't make it very far in this city, and even if he does, he knows nothing."
"Alright." He had bought it. For now. "When you're done with that, I've located a possible sample of the virus. It could be inside the chemical plant. Be on the lookout for a blond woman in a lab coat."
"Yes, Wesker."
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Near the cell, Ada heard something unexpected. It sounded like screaming, followed by shouting. She made her way cautiously down the hallway.
"Hang in there!" It was the rookie cop's voice. Peeking around the corner, she spotted the two men. Ben had fallen on the ground, his shirt bloody. Leon half supported him in his arms, a look of distress across his face. She thought this odd; they were almost complete strangers, but he seemed to genuinely be upset.
This would have been the perfect moment to kill them both, but before she committed herself to it, the reporter's body began to tremble. Back arched, Ben screamed one final time before his chest ripped open. In shock, she watched a small creature emerge and race down the opposite side of the hallway.
"Good God, what was that?" she gasped. Leon, having scurried back once the seizure began, looked up at her from the floor. His eyes were wide with fear, but at this moment she could not mock him. Why the hell had Wesker sent her here!
He was standing up now, but Ada had already turned around and started back towards the exit. If she had to get that stupid virus sample, fine, but she was doing it as quickly as possible.
"Ada!" A hand on her arm. She looked down at it, startled. Leon looked startled too, and let go.
"Where are you going?" he asked her, taking a step back. He wasn't acting like a tough cop now; she thought there was a touch of loneliness in his tone.
Well, too bad. Raccoon City was infested with zombies, mutants, and who knew what else. She wasn't going to spend time comforting some inexperienced kid.
Ada turned her back on him. "I'm going to the chemical plant." Then she was gone, running down the hall and out of his sight.
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She had stopped to eat at a convenience store. Beef jerky and potato chips weren't vital parts of the food pyramid, but keeping her strength up was too important to ignore. And it gave her an opportunity to mull over recent events. Since seeing the strange thing emerge from Ben, Ada had been thinking. What exactly was she there for?
Never before had she questioned Wesker's intentions. She had no desire to know his plans further than how they pertained to her. But in her current life or death situation, she had to face facts: Wesker was at least partially responsible for the destruction of Raccoon City.
Her whole life she had been trained to do the bidding of others, without question. Her life with Wesker had been perilous and sometimes uncomfortable, but not before now did she ever feel the need to stop doing his dirty work. Maybe it was just the situation; all she had out here was basic survival, and no further rules applied. Perhaps some part of her still stung with the shame of their last night together.
Ada thought about Charlie. He was so soft-spoken, gently instructing her through her lessons. She had his letter tucked in her clothes, in case Wesker searched her room. Sometimes she reread it, trying to figure out his final lesson for her...
The harsh beep of her ear piece caused Ada to fumble with a bag of crackers. "I've been wondering..." came Wesker's level voice out of the speaker, "why didn't you kill that police officer yet?"
She was aware of her heart beating fast, as it had been occasionally since she saw Ben's death. "I apologize. The other man had been host to a mutant creature and I... became scared."
He chuckled. "How cute. Perhaps I should come down there... keep you safe."
"That would defeat the purpose of sending me in the first place, wouldn't it?" She silently added, besides, how safe would I be with you?
"Fine. I look forward to your return, Ada."
Finishing her meal, she stepped out. The chemical plant was across the street. Avoiding as many zombies as possible, she managed to make it there safely, using the fire escape stairway to get to the fourth floor. That was where the virus was, most likely.
The doorway proved difficult to open, so she climbed onto an outstretched portion of the roof, hoping to break a window. But unfortunately, the ground was not stable. It gave way beneath her and she was left inside the building, flat on her back and covered in dust.
Ada Wong stood, brushing herself off. Her judgement was getting worse and worse. Well, at least nobody saw her.
That's when she looked up the staircase to her right, and saw Leon standing there, staring at her.
Why was she always running into him? And why did he always just stand there gaping at her!
"Ada!" He ran down the stairs, taking two at a time. More agile than she expected, but then who was she to judge at this point? She had slipped and fallen through a ceiling!
He stood by her, composed himself, and then puffed his chest up. "Running off like that was reckless... and stupid!"
Alright,now she could judge him. Was this kid really standing in front of her, telling her she couldn't take care of herself? Was he ACTUALLY wagging his index finger in her direction!
"Those zombies are everywhere, not to mention that thing that got Ben." His gray eyes were stern, but he was dead wrong if he thought she was intimidated.
"I was there, Leon. I know." It was unlike her to snap at someone, but it had been a shitty day. Even emotionless spies had breaking points.
He relented a little, sighing. "Look, Ada, as an officer of the law it's my job to look out for you. But we're not going to get through this alive if we don't work together."
Speak for yourself, buddy. She said nothing. For a few moments they eyed each other. Ada realized that their meetings weren't coincidence; he was probably seeking her out, trying to protect her. Her initial reaction to this was contempt... but...
He was so determined. She was trained to read people, and she couldn't sense any ulterior motivation from Leon. He didn't want to sleep with her, or kill her. He only wanted to accompany her out of the city.
She broke eye contact; it was starting to make her feel uncomfortable. "Alright, we'll do things your way. For now." Ada would have to find another way to convince him to leave her alone. Despite what he thought, sticking around with her was definitely dangerous for him.
A brilliant smile broke out across Leon's face, and he ran past her towards the opposite end of the hallway. "Great! Now, I think there's an easier way out over here. I've checked the corridor behind us."
As his hand touched the handle, he paused. "By the way," he said, turning to give her a rakish grin, "great job catching yourself back there."
He was out the door before she could respond, leaving Ada to follow, indignant and hot-faced. Something about Leon continually made her lose her cool.
Next Chapter: Ada finds out what her mission really is, and must decide whether being Wesker's pet is her only option.
Note: School has started back up, and updates are going to get harder and harder. I am going to keep working at this, but I wanted to be fair to you guys and let you know it's not going to be as timely as I'd like. Sorry, I'm upset about it too! (
