Disclaimer: I do not own Resident Evil or any of the characters.

Chapter One: Destination

Claire tried to walk as quietly as she could but the clanking of her boots against the metal stairs was impossible to silence. She shivered from the frigid breeze on her bare legs and arms. Claire reached the top of the steps after what seemed like forever. Somehow her achievement didn't seem like something to be happy about. Her surroundings were quiet and creepy. She walked steadily along the metal catwalk which framed the large building. The only sound louder than her footwork was her heart pounding in her chest. Her heart almost leapt from her body when she saw a nearby door open. Alarmed at the fact that there was now a person outside with her, Claire slammed her body against the side of the building, forcing herself to be as hidden as possible. The character was wearing one of those white laboratory coats and he was smoking a cigarette. Claire was shaking eminently and she was trying to hold her breath.

The figure took a last drag from the cigarette and went back inside. Claire, assuming this to be her only opportunity, leaped forward with her knife and stuck it in the doorway forbidding the door to shut completely. She laid there for about ten minutes before she moved even one muscle. Deciding that maybe, just maybe, this was a good time to move go for it; she slowly opened the door and crawled inside.

Claire studied her surroundings. She was inside some sort of laboratory. Claire knew why she came to Umbrellas new refuge, she just wasn't sure what she was going to find.

It's amazing how invincible and powerful these people can be. How they can take so many lives and get away with it. This time they're not going to get away with anything…

Claire felt anger in her blood as she stared at the Umbrella logo on the wall. Then she remembered her duties and that she had to act quickly. There was no time to get caught and imprisoned again by these fools. Claire searched around the laboratory room. She saw just what she expected to see, different specimen cooped up in large tanks. Claire approached a certain tank and stared at the unconscious, yet probably very alive, creature. Claire jumped when she heard the door that was behind her open. She was surprised that she didn't hear the click of a gun getting ready to blow her to bits. Claire spun around and found herself face to face with…

"Chris!"

"Quiet." Chris reminded her. He spoke in a low whisper. "I thought we were going to meet in the south west corridor."

"Like I know my way around Chris," Claire whispered back. "Mental mapping can only go so far…plus…"

"Plus that could have been anyone walking in on you?" Chris asked, knowing her excuse was going to be…

"I was examining the area."

"Claire," Chris held her cold hands. "You're so cold. Maybe this was a bad idea; you're in too much danger."

"It's a little late to change your mind Chris." Claire explained, a little frustrated that he'd even said that. "I mean he has to be here, right Chris?"

A month earlier…

The water sprayed Ashley's legs every time Leon took a sharp turn with the powerful Jet Ski. Her arms were wrapped around Leon insuring her ability to stay on the thing.

"Leon?" she called over the sound of the motor. "Are we almost by land?"

Before Leon could respond he heard an even louder engine. He looked up to see a helicopter and it was coming down towards them. Next thing he knew the helicopter was right beside them. The side door was open and a man in all black was leaning outside. Leon tried to pull his vehicle out of reach but the helicopter was on his every move. The man in black aimed a gun at Leon. He pulled the trigger and a dart struck Leon right in his shoulder. It worked fast because in seconds Leon was slumped over and the Jet Ski had come to a very slow pace.

"Get away!" Ashley screamed. With tears in her eyes, she shook the body in front of her. "Leon please wake up!"

"Sorry girlie," the man who shot Leon was now pulling him into the helicopter. "You're going to have to find your way on your own."

Ashley watched in horror as the man roughly pulled Leon inside and slammed the door shut. On the door of the helicopter was a picture of a black and red umbrella.