Okay, people. Here is the first chapter of my little Resident Evil story. I've lifted a few character details from the S.D. Perry books, mostly as background information for later happenings. The first few chapters are not very exciting, as they're just to lay the groundwork. Please feel free to review, criticize, rant, compliment, etc.
All characters belong to Capcom (insert your favorite legal rhetoric here) and this story is purely for my enjoyment. Hopefully yours, too.
Sacrifices
Chapter 1: A Brief Encounter
The train announced its arrival at the station with a loud blast of its horn. A young woman stepped outside from the waiting room to stand on the platform as the massive engine hissed to a halt. Her auburn hair blew wildly about her face as her dark eyes scanned the doorways watching the passengers disembark. The early morning air was bitter cold, not the kind of weather she enjoyed, but it was not the frigid air that made her muscles tense. The person she was looking for finally emerged and she waited for any signs of trouble. As if reading her thoughts, the others eyes sought hers, holding them for a moment…then, he smiled.
She watched as he turned back towards another figure still coming down the steps, offering his free hand as he clutched a duffel bag with the other. His hand was playfully swatted away and he stepped back as his travelling companion hopped down the last stair and stood next to him. She started towards them, a smile beginning to form on her chilled face.
The body slamming into her was completely unexpected. She cursed out loud as the man's massive weight propelled them to the ground. Moving as quick as she knew how, the young woman wrapped her arms around him as they went down, twisting her body and landing on top of him. She reached into her coat to draw the gun holstered under her arm as the sound of running footsteps grew louder behind her.
"Jill, no!" She froze, instinctively obeying the familiar voice. She took a deep breath and, with practiced ease, willed her adrenaline soaked body to steady itself. Slowly removing her hand from the cool handle of her pistol, Jill Valentine glared at the man who lay beneath her, noticing his eyes were wide with alarm.
"Are…are you all right, Miss?" he asked, breathlessly. Jill began to lift herself up, aided by a strong pair of hands clutching her from behind.
"Yes, I'm fine!" she responded, hotly. "Mind telling me why you just bowled me over?"
"So much for keeping a low profile", murmured a deep voice from behind her. Jill spun around, her abrupt encounter momentarily forgotten. A pair of smoky blue eyes regarded her, twinkling with a small glimmer of amusement.
"Chris…" she whispered. Jill found herself being pulled into the strong, warm embrace of Chris Redfield. Her taut muscles began to relax a bit as she responded to his enthusiastic greeting. They stayed locked together for a moment until a voice from nearby cleared its throat. In unison, both turned to the source of the intrusion. Chris' companion was helping the man who had crashed into Jill to his feet. The young brunette looked him over briefly and gave him a pat on the back.
"Are you ok?" she asked. The man continued to brush his coat, giving her a weak smile.
"Yes, thank you" he replied. "I slipped on a patch of ice. Very clumsy of me." He turned to Jill, his facial expression a mixture of apology and embarrassment. He reached his hand out to her and she stepped toward him, accepting it.
"I'm very sorry" he offered, shaking her hand briskly.
"Apology accepted. Sorry if I over-reacted. The cold weather makes me a bit cranky." The man chuckled, knowingly.
"Well…ah, good day, then." He turned and headed towards the train. Jill watched his retreating back for a moment and then turned her attention to the other woman.
Although they had never met before, the face was familiar to her, having seen it on almost a daily basis. Chris had a picture of her on his desk back at the RPD. It was actually a picture of the two of them, smiling happily, each with an arm around the others shoulders. Seeing her now in person, Jill couldn't help but notice the changes. The young woman's face looked weary and tired, her eyes shifting nervously, as if looking for someone. She was not quite the same carefree young girl she used to be, Jill noted.
"Claire…" Jill started. "How are you?" She knew the younger Redfield had been through some terrifying experiences, although she still didn't know the whole story. She, Chris and Barry had been in Ireland gathering information and making contacts when Chris suddenly took off, leaving a cryptic note about some trouble in Paris. After several weeks went by he finally contacted them through a series
of brief messages on the Internet, really just enough to arrange a meeting place. It was only dumb luck when Jill had stumbled upon a communication from a man named Leon, apparently a friend of Claire's, who tipped Chris off as to his sisters whereabouts. She and Barry had agonized over the decision to let Chris handle it on his own. But, in the end, they knew he had gone alone for a reason. Going in unprepared, without knowing what they were up against, greatly increased their chances of being captured or killed. If that happened, who would be left to fight?
"I'm better now. The train ride made me nauseous." Claire answered. "So you're the Jill Valentine I've heard so much about, huh?" She shot Chris a quick grin.
"Well, I'm not sure what you've heard, but this was not the best introduction I could have hoped for" Jill replied, looking casually over her shoulder.
"Oh, I don't know…" Chris interjected. "Claire knows you've got quick reflexes."
Jill ignored his comment. "We should get going. You can fill me in on the way." She walked across the platform and headed down the stairs towards the parking lot. Chris began to follow, reaching his hand out to Claire.
"Ready to go?" he asked. She paused, looking at his outstretched hand, a dark look forming on her face. "What is it, Claire?"
"What are we going to do?" Her gaze drifted to look at nothing in particular.
Chris studied his sister's face, carefully. She had dark circles under her eyes, betraying the sleep deprivation she had been suffering from recently. Her normally sturdy, athletic body was showing signs off recent weight loss. A bit too quickly for his liking, but she had chalked it up to all the travelling they had been enduring. His eyes were drawn to the scar she now sported just above her left eye. It was about three inches long, still showing some angry redness. She should have had stitches, but given their situation at the time, that had not been possible. Not for the first time, he silently prayed he would be able to get her through this, along with himself.
"Right now, we're going somewhere to get some rest. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in quite a while or a decent meal for that matter…" He paused, waiting for her to look back at him. She finally lifted her gaze to meet his. He smiled at her, beckoning with a wave of his hand. "Neither have you…so, come on, before Jill leaves without us." Claire batted his hand away, gently, giving him a little smile.
"Lead the way, Brother."
I know it's brief, but there will be more. Later, folks.