-CHAPTER 5-
The wooden door reading "104" opened slowly, an eager-looking Nash waving an arm for entry. Rebecca forced a smile, feeling sort of awkward. The pleasant atmosphere he generated just wouldn't cloud the raw distress she held in among her thoughts. It was as if she wanted to enjoy his company but knew there were other "duties" to attend to. Ever since getting involve with Umbrella and the virus, she felt almost obligated to do as much as she possibly could for the future of the world.
Well, as they say, 'business before pleasure'. . .
Feeling even more uneasy, Rebecca stepped inside, getting straight to the point . . . well, sort of.
"Nash, there's something . . ."
. . . I wanted to discuss with you, Rebecca finished mentally, knowing Nash would just act all goofy and counter it. After pausing briefly, she chose her words carefully and commenced.
" . . . you should be aware of."
Surprisingly enough, he was silent, bearing an amused look on his face.
"I . . . received a strange note earlier, a note that mentioned personal incidents of mine only a handful of trusted people and I would know. Ever since, I had problems trusting people, but it seems the one who sent it wanted to protect me." She lifted her t-shirt and showed him the butt of the gun, making his facial expression morph into a more grave one.
"But, still, I trust you. Please don't mention this to anyone." Nash nodded, forcing a smile himself.
"Of course I won't," he proclaimed. "But, I have to know. What was it these weird people spoke of? What scared you? Did they use blackmail or something?"
"Well," Rebecca began, giving a long pause as she turned away from him, "remember how Cecil mentioned me being involved with the T-virus?" Nash took a step closer to Rebecca, her hands folded behind her back.
"Yeah."
"How do you think I first came across it?"
"Um, you got me."
"Use your brain, Nash. The T-virus turned everything it touched into violent, flesh-craving maniacs. The branch of STARS was involved in the murders six years ago. And ever since, I became interested, despite my fear, my sorrow, my loss . . . my dignity. I was determined to stop it from hurting anyone, no matter the risk."
" . . ."
At that point, she thought he understood. The emotions welled up within her, the ones she suppressed for so long, making her want to escape its wrath. However, she remained and held stronger. She closed her eyes tightly, fighting back tears that probably wouldn't fall anyway from constant use.
"I was there when it was taking lives. That's the big detail they mentioned in the note." She turned around, still rubbing at her teary eyes. Yet, she let not a single one touch her cheeks.
"Rebecca . . ."
Nash hesitated, not knowing whether to go forth and comfort her or leave her be for the moment. Instead, she came closer to him.
"Nash, I have a horrible feeling something's going on here."
He didn't falter or say a word.
"I want to confirm my suspicions somehow, but I don't know where or how to start."
"Well, Rebecca, use your brain. This place is under heavy security. We'd get shot on the spot if we went beyond the visitors' spot!"
"I know," she answered in a defeated tone. "But something is off. Call me crazy, but I saw something outside my window. It looked close enough to those zombie creatures that were in the mansion and took the city."
"Wait, are you saying the virus is free?"
"I don't know yet. But what I saw was most definitely not human. It glared at me, the same exact way those zombies did. Those empty, emotionless eyes. It seemed more conscious than the zombies, but . . ."
"But we have no other leads!" he interjected, gesturing with his hands. "There aren't any ways to . . ."
"Shhh!"
The two quieted down, listening to the footsteps outside the hall. Eventually, a knock broke the silence.
"The door's open," Nash replied, the two maintaining ordinary stances.
"It's room service," came a woman, the expression on her face unusually cheery. "You know," she continued, "you can take a nice stroll around outside. We have a deck out back where you won't get soaked."
Rebecca figured the woman assumed something of them, being in the same room and all. While it would typically embarrass her, she simply nodded and took Nash by the hand. Nash wore a slight look of discombobulation. She gave him a brief look of seriousness, Nash's eyes quickly shifting from her in cognition.
"Well, I guess we'll take your advice. Thanks!" With those brief words, Rebecca led him outside the hall. She let go of him and started across to her room.
"Where are you going?" Nash questioned her.
"Follow me."
They went into her room, Rebecca glancing around her bed for something Nash couldn't see. She sighed and began to rummage through her bag, the tenacity of her search becoming more intense with each passing second. She turned to him slowly, her expression filled with a fresh anxiety.
"It's gone."
"What is?"
"The note. It's gone. Probably taken by room service. They must've ran out after finding this. That's why they left so quickly." Rebecca put her hand on her sweaty forehead.
"Well, how could it worry them? It can't be that bad. You're just being extra paranoid."
"It had lists of different things that had to do with this place. The reason I wanted this room was because it said to take it. And now I'm in it, and I found the gun." Rebecca stood up, pacing the room in grievous rumination. Too many thoughts filled her fragile mind, too many memories of her evasion from people like the Umbrella operatives taking over.
"Calm down," Nash said in a relaxed tone. "Maybe they just simply threw the note away."
"Yeah . . . well, I guess you could be right. Besides, if they actually read something like that, they would be confronting us by now. But they haven't yet. Still, that was too quick. I barely had my back turned for a few minutes."
Rebecca thought for a moment. The only one she could possibly suspect would be the room service ladies. It definitely wasn't Nash, and the others were unpacking just as they were. There was that strange thing from outside; it noticed her as well as she noticed it . . .
"Rebecca, maybe we should get some fresh air," Nash said with a worried look on his face. Another rumble of thunder sounded from outside, Rebecca nodding after it passed.
"Sure, some fresh air."
She felt a sort of guilt rush over her for including Nash all of the sudden. This mystery she held on her shoulders should be dealt with alone. She'd been a STARS member, for crissake, even if for a few weeks.
Nash went to open the door, Rebecca treading through until she noticed a bright face, startling her to a stop. It was the same room service lady, fresh blankets and mint packets in her hands.
"Oh, did you two forget something in this room? If you want I freshen up a little later."
Rebecca exhaled deeply, smiling back at the lady. "No, that won't be necessary, Miss," she replied. They left the room, Rebecca's eyes appearing preoccupied.
"Not room service," Nash blurted out. Rebecca nodded in agreement, seeming stressed.
"Don't worry, Rebecca," Nash said, putting his arm around her as they walked together toward the end of the main hallway. "I'll be right beside you all the way."
H C F
The office was dark, the room illuminated only by the occasional lightning pouring over the land. A young man with blue eyes stepped regardless, his entire body drenched from the rain.
"I came as soon as I could," he said while catching his breath. His small ponytail was also soaked, unruly strands getting in his face. He wiped them off, continuing onward toward the large desk. The computer console on it was lit, a figure sitting behind it. And the behind the figure was a wall-sized window, the rain and lightning clearly visible among the forest and mountains.
"You're late. Did have any difficulties?" The voice came a collective woman. The man with blue eyes tried to smirk, but was too drained.
"Well, your request wasn't exactly a trip to the park." He threw a folder that landed onto the table with a wet splat. The woman in red turned her attention away from the monitor at last, turning her chair around to face him.
"What did expect?" she said coolly. "With Wesker receiving help not only from that corporation, but also the United States, we have no choice but to stick to infiltration missions."
"But that island," he said shaking his head with a frown, "I just can't stop thinking about it. How ironic."
"Enough with your past. We need to act faster. Our 'boss' issued us another mission, starting tomorrow."
"What! I just came back from one!"
"You know," said Red, "you're lucky nobody's here at this time. Don't worry your little head off. I'll be the one going. You just sit tight and wait for our operatives to gather more information. By the way, a day ago, I received info from an operative saying the island is infected. How that was possible is beyond me. Would you happen to know?" There was a light, sarcastic tone to her words.
"Are you trying to insinuate that I was responsible?" he questioned her, his eyes sharply meeting hers.
"Oh, no. In fact, I have a feeling I know exactly who it was."
"Well, spill it," said Blue, his childish smile reappearing.
"We'll wait," she simply said, turning back to the computer. "There are still some loose ends I have to tend to. Why don't you do me a little favor."
"Are you sure it's a 'little favor'?"
"I want you to change the electronic lock code in the fifth floor. That room must be kept locked until I tell you otherwise. The boss won't be back here for another four days, so if any other employee questions you about it, tell them it was the boss' order, strictly to him, not negotiable. Any grief, use force if necessary."
"So, can you at least tell me what's in it?" Blue asked her, his face turning to the electrical show outside.
"Hmm, now that wouldn't be fun."
"And you call me your sidekick," he responded while shaking his head. Red turned to him, smiling slyly.
"Oh, stop it. You know I have only one sidekick. One I long to see."
"Don't forget we both have someone we long to see, me especially." Red shot him an amused look. "At least you saw him recently. I haven't seen her in years."
"Ah, every double agents' weakness," she sighed.
"Um, could you at least tell me when we'll stop hiding in the shadows?" His face appeared sincere that time.
"Seriously, I don't know," Red replied, her tone almost perplexed-sounding. "But one thing's for sure. You can't ever give yourself away to her. Remember that you're 'different' from the rest."
"Yeah, yeah," he said, sounding bothered. He headed for the door, his shoes making wet noises. Red smiled, shaking her head. She would have never guessed two totally different kinds of people would have so much in common.
R E B E C C A
Fresh air whipped across Rebecca's face like a gift from the heavens. She closed her eyes, letting the sound of the rain and the breeze calm her down. After a minute, she turned to Nash who was watching her intently.
"Feel any better?" he asked her, Rebecca replying with a sturdy nod.
"Yes, much better. But still, I have to find some way to reassure myself that everything's okay. I mean, come on, this wasn't a coincidence." Nash sighed deeply, understanding her determination, yet frustrated because he knew there wasn't an easy way.
"Well, maybe if we tell the others, they might cooperate."
"I had something else in mind."
Rebecca made sure they were alone before continuing, her voice softer that time.
"On the way over here, I noticed something. Remember when we headed down what looked like a cliff and crossed that huge bridge with the huge pit?"
"You mean the one with all the fog in the way?"
"Yes!" she said excitedly, but still quietly. "Well, there was another ladder near where we first entered that area. It led down, I noticed, and into an underground room, maybe a cellar."
"Where are you going with this?" Nash asked with a bewildered look, although Rebecca assumed he already had figured out.
"The security there was light when we crossed. My guess is that at night, there's barely anyone guarding. We could check it out, even explore what's down there a bit."
"Are you on something?" he questioned her, although he did seem kind of fond to an extent.
"Oh, it couldn't be that bad. And if anyone finds us, we could just make up a lie, like we were just looking for a 'hot spot' to make love." Nash blushed this time, looking away.
"How ridiculous."
"Of course, I don't mean it." She gave him a sweet look, as if begging for his approval. It didn't take long for him to break, his smile signifying the answer.
"Alright, you got me. We check it out for a little while, then march right out of there. If you find something, good. If there's no clues, tough. Okay?"
"You're the best!" she said, hugging him. He pretended to be surprised by the hug, his face reddening all the more; apparently, he wasn't too successful with the ladies.
"Well, I liked what I heard," came a voice from somewhere behind. The two looked over in shock to see Dolph, the smart boy, walking toward them. "Can I come along?"
"Dolph? You heard . . . what we spoke about?" Rebecca said worriedly.
"Don't worry. I won't dare say anything either. It so happens I saw something that aroused my suspicion, too."
"Oh?" Nash said, quite interested in what he had to say. "What did you see?"
"I noticed some of those soldiers taking in prisoners to that room you spoke of. They also brought a jeep filled with boxes. They had the biohazard symbol on them."
"What do you think they were doing there?" Rebecca asked in a low tone.
"Whatever it is, I suspect foul play," Dolph said, his eyes filled with an emotion similar to fright.
"And you'd be willing to accompany us? Boy, I guess your excuse won't cut it, Rebecca."
"We won't get caught," she stated, "we'll make sure of that."
"You seem more driven," Nash said, "you have another plan?"
"Yeah. We can do it now that Dolph is with us. Are you sure you'll be fine with it?" Dolph smile broadly.
"Of course. I always wanted to be a detective."
The trio made their way to Rebecca's room, where they'd plan out their strategies. But something told her that something was terribly wrong. That room, they were taking prisoners. The government had the access to the T-virus; her being able to study it and find a cure was proof enough. Could they actually be using it for bio weaponry? She discarded the idea posthaste. If she couldn't trust her own government, than the whole world was doomed.