Sacrifices
Chapter 9: Hopes and Dreams
Carlos reached for his beer and tossed some money on the bar as he stood up from his seat. His eyes settled on a familiar face as he made his way to a table against the far wall. He slipped into the booth and waited for the man sitting on the opposite side to acknowledge him. A pair of weary eyes regarded him over a tumbler of scotch.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in." Carlos smiled.
"Hey, Larry. How are you?" Larry drained the contents of his glass. He placed it back on the table and began to run the tip of his finger along the rim.
"Okay, considering I'm talking to a corpse." Carlos reached a hand up to signal the waitress, but the other man waved him off. "No thanks, I've gotta be somewhere. I shouldn't have had the last two." Carlos shook his head and the waitress moved on. "What the hell are you doing here, man?"
"I'm looking for someone." Larry grinned, although there was no humor in it.
"Ain't we all, my friend." His pale blue eyes rested on Carlos' face. "You're a real shit for never getting in touch with her, ya' know."
"I know", Carlos responded, sadly. "But, she was better off."
"Really? I'm not sure she'd see it that way." Larry glanced at his watch. "Losing you and Randy at the same time nearly killed her." Carlos' expression hardened.
"Look. Umbrella thought I was dead. I needed to keep it that way, okay?" he shot back, heatedly. "It wasn't safe for me to contact her. She would have led them right to me, and I couldn't let that happen. I had someone else depending on me."
"She depended on you, too", Larry responded. Carlos closed his eyes for a moment. He tried not to think about Alison Thomas, too often…or about her brother. Randy had been the only true friend Carlos had ever had...until Jill, of course. It wasn't in his nature to get close to people, but Randy and Allison Thomas had changed that.
Carlos and Randy first met when they joined the ranks of the U.B.C.S. The young Miami native was only nineteen years old when he was paired with a twenty-year-old, self-proclaimed "surfin' dude". Randy and his sister, Allison, had relocated to Florida shortly after their mother's death. Having lived in California their entire lives, they both decided they needed a change of scenery. Randy's only concern was to be in a place that was warm and sunny, and had a lot of water. Carlos never really understood how a guy like that had ended up working for Umbrella. He seemed like too nice of a guy.
So unlike Carlos, himself.
Randy could always make him laugh just when he needed it most. Even during some of the most intense missions they shared, he could count on Randy to make him feel at ease. After only two outings with the U.B.C.S., they were inseparable.
Carlos met Allison after coming home from a training exercise in Louisiana. Both young men had returned tired and hungry, so Randy dragged him to his favorite restaurant for beer and pizza. He complained all the way there, until he spotted a very attractive blonde waitress coming to their table. When she spotted Randy she smiled, broadly, and leaned over to hug him. Carlos couldn't help hiding his disappointment until Randy introduced them, then his mood improved quickly, much to his friend's amusement.
Although they never really dated, Carlos knew Allison had a thing for him, and he was all too happy to encourage it. He went out with a lot of girls, but usually just to get something and move on. The idea of a commitment to anyone was unthinkable. He had no desire to be tied down to anyone, and he knew that Allison had sensed this about him. He also knew that she was too good for him. So he continued to flirt with her and tease her, but he never crossed the line. He had respect for her, something he didn't have for many people. That's what had made his decision so difficult.
He knew he owed it to her to explain what happened to her brother, to tell her the real truth about Randy's death in Raccoon City. But, when he realized that Umbrella believed he was dead, it became too easy to hide. His desire to help Jill was definitely part of the reason he decided to let the lie be told, even knowing how devastated Allison would be, but there was also a part of him that was afraid to tell her. How could he make her understand what Randy had become? And that he had been the one to pull the trigger? In his heart, Carlos knew his friend was already dead when he fired those shots, but would Allison believe it?
"How is she?" Carlos asked, turning his attention back to the present. Larry sighed and shook his head.
"O.K. I guess. She's still grieving, but I think she's trying to move on, ya know?"
"Yeah." Larry checked his watch, again.
"Speaking of which, I gotta hit the road." He started to slide out of the booth when Carlos caught his arm.
"Wait. I need some information." Larry smirked at him.
"I figured you didn't just stop by to say hi. Walk me out to my car." He got up and headed to the door, with Carlos following close behind. Larry fumbled with his car keys as they walked through the parking lot. "So…you said you were looking for someone." Carlos looked about nervously as they approached Larry's car.
"I have a friend who's in some trouble. She got snatched up a few days ago and I've been trying to find her." Larry looked at Carlos with a troubled expression.
"Snatched up by who?" he asked, slowly.
"Umbrella." Larry whistled, softly. He locked eyes with Carlos.
"She's probably dead already."
"I don't think so. At least, not yet. " Carlos crossed his arms and leaned on Larry's car. "That's why I came here, Larry. I have to find her…soon. And you're the only one that can help me."
"Maybe. But, not in the way you'd think." Carlos looked at him with a puzzled expression. "I don't work for Umbrella, anymore. Most of us don't. The U.B.C.S is all but gone, these days. I think, after what happened in Oregon, they decided not to rent out us 'mercenary types' anymore."
"Then what have you been doing?" Carlos questioned. "And how do you think you can help me?"
"I've been doing some work for a company on the West Coast. Mostly industrial espionage, that kind of stuff. They're some kind of competitor. And who better to infiltrate Umbrella than the very people who use to work for them, right?" Carlos looked at him, skeptically.
"I guess. But, I still don't see how--"
"A group of us are doing a job tonight", Larry interrupted. "That's where I'm on my way to. Seems like your friend isn't the only one Umbrella snagged. We're going in to rescue some scientist they supposedly kidnapped. I won't know all the details 'til I get there, but maybe you could find out something about your friend."
"What? You mean, go with you?" Carlos asked, incredulously. Larry smiled and clapped Carlos on the shoulder.
"Sure, why not? We could always use the extra help. Of course, you wouldn't get paid for it, but who knows what you might find there? You don't know any of the people going in tonight, so the worst case scenario is you get caught on their security camera, or something. They're bound to find out about you one day, anyway, especially if you're poking your nose around. So, why not poke it where it might do the most good?" Carlos stood quietly, staring at the ground. This was a golden opportunity, he knew, but a very dangerous proposition. It meant going back into the belly of the beast. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear at the prospect, but he also knew he would do anything to help his friend.
"Okay" he started, looking up at his former teammate. "Let's go."
***
Rebecca moved about the hotel room, swiftly, packing up all of her belongings. She snatched a book off the table and tossed it into her suitcase, noticing something had fallen out from between the pages. Glancing at the floor, she bent down and picked up a photograph.
Looking back at her were the smiling faces of what was once the Raccoon City S.T.A.R.S. team. She dropped onto the edge of the bed, lightly running a finger over the edge of the picture. So many of them were gone, now. Kenny. Rico. Joseph. All of her teammates were dead. Wiped out in one horrific afternoon. Even after all these months, she still had a hard time believing it. The fact that she survived long enough for the Alphas to find her was a miracle.
Her eyes drifted toward the face of Brad Vickers. Although the rest of the squad didn't have much use for Brad, Rebecca had always liked him. He was the first person at Tactics and Rescue to extend a hand in friendship toward her. The fact that she was so young made it difficult for the other members to take her seriously. Brad's status as a bit of an outcast made them gravitate toward each other. Which made his behavior during the Spencer incident all the more difficult to understand…or forgive. While Rebecca wouldn't consider herself the heroic type, she was at least able to pitch in when it counted. The fact that Brad had abandoned everyone when they needed him the most was incomprehensible. She had barely said two words to him after they all returned from that fateful mission. And although she knew it hurt him, there was a part of her that was glad he kept his distance. And now, he was dead, too.
Jill told them about what happened to Brad…about the way he died. Rebecca found herself feeling guilty about the way she had treated him, even if he did deserve it. It wasn't until Jill confessed to her own guilt about Brad's death that Rebecca realized how foolish she had been. Jill didn't even like Brad, yet she felt some responsibility for not having tried to save him. Survivor's guilt was what they called it in her psychology classes. She could see they were all suffering with it in one form or another. Even Chris' sister Claire was still struggling with the death of her friend in the Antarctic. At night, Rebecca could hear her tossing and turning in her sleep, seized in the grip of a nightmare that would play in her mind over and over again.
Rebecca still found herself reliving some of the most horrendous moments of this unending ordeal in her own dreams. Sometimes the scenario would change, or the people would switch places. But, invariably the end result would be the same. Jill would die. Chris would die. Barry would die. And left alone to fight the monsters would be Rebecca Chambers, Bravo Team Medic.
What a joke.
A knock at the door snapped Rebecca to attention and she quickly tucked the picture back into the book before zipping up the suitcase.
"Hey, are you ready to go?" Barry's muffled voice sounded from behind the door. Rebecca snatched up her suitcase and hurried to the door. She pulled it open and held her suitcase aloft for visual inspection.
"Aye, aye, chief." Barry narrowed his eyes at her.
"You're getting' to be a real smart ass, Chambers." Rebecca beamed.
"Really?" she chirped. "I'm trying." Barry laughed, softly.
"I suppose someone has to fill Claire's shoes until she feels more like her old self", he remarked. Rebecca's smile faltered.
"Have you heard from them yet?" she questioned. Barry shook his head.
"No. Their flight doesn't get in until six. Don't worry. I'm sure they're fine." Rebecca nodded.
"Yeah. Umbrella would be crazy to take on two Redfields at the same time, right?" Barry flashed a brief smile. "What about Dick?"
"He packed a while ago so I suggested he try and get some sleep. He looks like shit. Hardly slept a wink since Jill's been gone. I told him we'd come and get him when it was time to go." Barry reached for Rebecca's suitcase. "Let's move."
"Hold on a second" Rebecca responded, kneeling down as she lay her suitcase on the floor. Barry watched as she unzipped the top and pulled out a book. She slipped something from between the pages and put the book back. She closed up her luggage and hoisted it up as she stood. Barry glanced at the item in her hand.
"A picture?" he asked. Rebecca handed it to him without a word, watching as he stared at it, thoughtfully. Suddenly, an emotion flashed across his face that she couldn't quite read. She reached a hand out and placed it on his arm.
"What is it, Barry?" He thrust the picture back at her.
"That bastard shouldn't be in it." Rebecca took it from him and looked at it, again. Her eyes were drawn to a familiar face. She shuddered as she gazed at his image. The ever present sunglasses covering his cold, murderous eyes. Of course none of them had seen it coming, but the memory of what he had done would stay with all of them, forever.
Especially, Barry.
Rebecca tucked the picture into her back pocket, following Barry as he grabbed her suitcase and headed toward the elevator.
***
Dick Valentine was dreaming…
"Good job, Jilly." He clapped a hand on his daughter's shoulder as she looked back at him with a wide grin. They both stood up from their kneeling positions, as Jill slowly turned the doorknob, swinging it wide with a quick push.
"That'll come in handy if I ever lock myself in the basement, right Dad?" Dick laughed and followed her into their back hall. He handed her the slim leather case from his shirt pocket and she dutifully began to put away the small tools.
"It sure beats breaking a window." He headed into the kitchen and grabbed a can of beer from the fridge. As he popped the top, Jill's voice rang out from the hallway.
"Dad!" He stepped back into the hall and found his daughter pointing at another door. Dick looked at it with a puzzled expression. He didn't remember a door being there before. He slowly stepped toward it and gripped the knob, tugging it firmly.
It was locked.
"Can I try it, Dad?" He glanced down at Jill, who was staring intently at this newest challenge. Before he could even answer she was crouched before it, working feverishly. He stood, transfixed, as Jill slipped the metal posts into the keyhole. He suddenly wanted to object, but couldn't bring himself to speak. A light sheen of sweat broke out on Jill's brow as she continued to manipulate the small mechanism, chewing her lower lip in concentration.
He heard an audible click.
No.
Jill looked over at him and smiled.
No.
She stood up and placed a hand on the doorknob, turning it slowly.
"No, Jill!" He finally called out, too late. Her smile abruptly disappeared as she swung the door open, replaced by a look of utter horror. A large shadow emerged from the other side of the threshold; it's dark hands stretching forward to grab her.
"Daddy!"
Dick was frozen. He couldn't move. Jill looked back, pleadingly, reaching her arms out to him.
"Daddy, please!" she cried out. "Don't let it get me!" The apparition took a hold of her and began to drag her toward the door. Jill continued to scream as she thrashed about, trying to twist out of its grasp. She locked eyes with her father as she struggled. "You promised Mom!" she began to shout. "You promised her you'd take care of me!"
Dick's paralysis broke as he lunged forward to grab Jill's hands. But he only succeeded in brushing the tips of her fingers before she disappeared; her final scream cut off, as the door slammed shut. He reached for the doorknob and began to pull on it frantically.
"I'm coming, Jilly!" he shouted, as he continued to pull with all his might. The door finally gave as Dick slammed back against the wall. He slumped to the floor as the door swung open, offering him a full view of what was on the other side.
Darkness.
He crawled forward on his hands and knees, looking into a void. It seemed as though nothing could penetrate the absolute blackness as he peered in, moving closer. Suddenly, something began to emerge from the inky depths.
A pair of blood red eyes…
"Nooooooo!"
Dick sat up quickly, his hands waving at empty air. He gasped for breath, struggling to free himself of the nightmarish image, as his eyes darted back and forth, looking for some unknown danger. After a few moments, he could feel his heartbeat slowing down. He swung his legs off the bed, resting his arms on his knees, as he buried his head in his hands.
For the first time since his wife died, he could feel the sting of tears in his eyes.
The sound of a key turning in the lock caught his attention. He wiped at his eyes and stood up as Barry and Rebecca entered the room.
"Hey, Dick. Manage to get any shut eye?" Barry asked.
"Sleep's overrated", he muttered. Rebecca and Barry exchanged a quick glance. The strain on his face was evident to both of them. Rebecca stepped forward and put a reassuring hand on his arm.
"We'll find her." Dick looked at her with such intensity that Rebecca found herself lowering her gaze. She pulled her hand away and walked to the door. "We better get going if we want to catch our flight." Barry nodded in agreement.
"With any luck, by the time we get to LA, Chris will have more info." he offered, following Rebecca out the door. Dick grabbed his bag and started to walk out behind them. He paused in the doorway, reaching out to shut off the light.
"I've never been one to rely on luck'", he whispered, taking one final look around before shutting the door and plunging the room into darkness.
***
Well, that's it for now. I hope people are still reading, what with all the trouble fanfiction.net has been having recently (not to mention an author who has been so busy enjoying the summer that chapters have been appearing a bit sporadically). Anyway, I should have the next chapter up by the end of the week. So long, for now!