-CHAPTER 8-

Rebecca fit perfectly into the cramped hole, the tiny opening surprisingly steep. When she finally climbed down to the bottom, she took a good look at her new surroundings; cold, dank and slightly foggy, just as any cave would be. Rebecca found herself feeling nervous, the "cave" getting much more darker as she proceeded. It got to the point where she needed to feel her way around, giving her much attested doubt. She mentally told herself she'd turn back if it remained that dark, but she knew herself better than that; she wouldn't turn back empty-handed.

Wait, is that light?

She paused for a second, feeling a surge of relief at her finally being able to see her surroundings. The large antechamber she encountered was lit by several melting candles, the wax dripping onto the dark, rocky ground. There were nearby oak desks, all worn and half-decaying in the moisture of the room. She immediately shifted her eyes toward the desk when she noticed the papers lying there, some of which were mere order sheets for supplies at the mainland. Other documents, though, seemed to stick out much more than the others.

Dicalcium Phosphate, Lithium, ATP imbalances . . . these are test subjects' long term conditions. These should be important documents to them, but they're just lying here getting destroyed.

Rebecca felt a bittersweet emotion throughout her as she began to think just how many more people had to suffer at the hands of cruel and vicious research. With the government at large and no one with a higher voice in the country, more of them were going to die. And to think she was thrilled to help them achieve some insane goal they had in mind. It disgusted her, much more than their creations even did.

After sifting through the "patient diagnosis", noticing the absurd and horrific details just from skimming, Rebecca found something that made her eyes go wide. Parasite P, what they named a parasite they discovered not too long ago, was a specimen that took over its host, using them like puppets. The "queen" would control most of their actions, as well as use them as windows to see the outside without having to face dangers. Furthermore, there were now variants, according to the report. Ones that were milder, yet acting like an electric collar, prodding workers who's intellect was needed. It wasn't long before Rebecca pieced it together with the government's need for this abominable research. God only knew how many were tainted with that strange creature. In addition, it was probable that the creature she killed inside the soldier's body in Area 6 was Parasite P.

Just as she realized the disturbing truth, something sounded clearly through the continuing path ahead, the pitch darkness preventing her from seeing anything. A horrible shriek came from the dark void, the noise anything but human and somehow vaguely familiar. She raised her handgun shakily, her eyes trying to adjust to the open blackness with no target whatsoever. All the same, she felt like her time was up. She saw the hunched over figure of something almost ape-like approaching, but when its yellow reptilian eyes began to glow, it became apparent what it was; a hunter.

The hunter, one of Umbrella's deadliest weapons, still walked over slowly, not keeping its unnatural eyes off of her. It seemed intent on savoring her fear. She didn't hesitate, firing three shots into the beast's upper chest before it began to advance in a frenzy of a run. Rebecca, losing ground almost instantly, took a chair from one of the desks and with one hand tossed it in its path, trying to buy time for her to take aim again. There was no stopping the creature's single-minded bloodlust. The hunter merely leapt into the air, winding up directly behind her. With a cry of surprise, she ran behind one of the desks in hopes of creating some distance, but the hunter was easily gaining ground. It literally tore through the desk with its razor sharp claws, its greenish, scaly skin pulsating wildly as it shrilled mightily. Rebecca was too stunned, only able to stare at it with awe, also dumbfounded at the futility of her pitiful attempt to escape. She backed up slowly, her legs unable to move more than that; dread was overtaking her body. It would have all been over, but something broke the four-second silence, a noise so unusual, it somehow caught the hunter's attention also.

Rebecca, too, glanced for a second in the direction of the strange moan, not quite like any zombie or monster she ever heard. To her surprise, the hunter began to back away from the obscure hall the noise came from. Something . . . abnormal came into its view, the hunter roaring before lunging at the thing head-on. Rebecca didn't know what to do at that moment but back away from the fight. However, she couldn't elude the view of the creature that stood just a few feet away; it was the same deformed "zombie" she saw just out her window hours ago. It had one eye noticeably larger than its other, only the larger one swaying around as if to take in the environment. All its bones seemed rearranged, and its gray skin added to its mutant appearance. It continuously shuddered violently, as if in chronic pain. And the giant tumor-like bump behind it made it seem more like a monster than what it was. Wearing only ragged straps, probably the remains of its clothing, throughout its distorted body, it advanced awkwardly toward the hunter.

The hunter began tearing up the mutated mess, strange, discolored ichor seeping from each wound. Yet, the enigma barely faltered. The area beneath the wounds seemed to undulate profusely, as if slithering serpents moved within. It grabbed the lizard with long-fingered hands and lifted its own horrible face up in the air, its mouth opening wider than Rebecca could have possibly imagined. And just like that, it took a gigantic chunk from reptilian beast's neck, the creature crying out in pain. It continued feasting on its throat until Rebecca saw a long, vine-like appendage pierce through the hunter's upper chest. The mutant tossed the still-spasming body aside, blood smeared all over its crooked jaw and mouth, turning its dumb-like look toward her. The wounds it had just seconds ago were already nothing more than grayish, whitish skin, healing instantaneously. Furthermore, the vines seemed to grow out from the countless orifices of its grotesque body.

This can't be real, can't be happening . . . !

Rebecca turned straight around, dashing back toward the hole she came from; she could easily climb the rocks and get out before the slow creature caught up. Even as she ran, she heard its rough, sporadic breathing behind her, making her go faster even through the dark. She had just gotten there when she noticed the light from hole flickering. Small pieces of rocks were crumbling down to her feet, and at that moment, she felt all hope dwindle down to nothingness.

"Hey!" she shouted, somehow hoping someone was up there listening. But she knew well enough that whoever, whatever it was did it to purposely trap her within. The only possible answer was that her helpers who guided her there were leaving her to die with the mutated freak, lost and forgotten.

K I N G

The last body collapsed onto the glossy floor, thick blood spilling viscously all over. King lowered his handgun, exhaling through his mouth to avoid sniffing that horrible stench. He kept asking himself what the hell was going on, but he wouldn't get an answer that way. Umbrella wasn't the kind of group that would make the same mistake twice, or so at least he imagined. Someone must've screwed them over. He figured he would investigate on that matter as he searched for evidence; he'd learn something and complete his objective just like that. But first, there was his comrades to worry about. They probably weren't having much luck either.

King turned to Joker, who simply nodded stiffly, apparently startled himself. Yet, he did an excellent job dispatching the stumbling freaks. He took one last, hard look at the twitching corpses in front of him before moving on to the next hall. There was a loud blast from somewhere much closer than before, making him feel more anxious. He couldn't just run through each door anymore, unless he felt like running into the arms of a carrier.

"Joker," he began, "these are the ones I mentioned before, infected by the . . ."

"Yeah, I figured that already," he responded before King could finish. "Lets skip the talking and help the others." He wore a look of utter distress, although he hid it well. Joker wasn't the worrying type, but King supposed under these circumstances, anyone would feel frightened.

They continued down the hall, this time the doors reading the 180's. As they made their way down, one of the doors rose up automatically, something moaning pitifully shuffling into view; another zombie, what a surprise. King, who was in front, blasted a single gaping hole in its neck, the choked, gurgling creature still advancing less than three feet away. Joker finished it off with a shot to the inner ear, rending the walking cadaver dead for good.

"Thanks," King said in a low tone, crouching down at the fallen dead.

"What are you looking at?" Joker said curiously, his weathered face distorted with a mild interest.

"His name badge . . ."

Joker took a quick look, noticing the name "Ned Levin" written on it. Their pathetic plan to investigate "Ned" from before was now useless, Joker thought.

"Well, no use gawking at that," he said shaking his head in disappointment.

"Wait, his card is different from the others."

King took it off, standing up to show Joker what he uncovered.

"You see, it's actually two cards, this one his badge and the other this green keycard."

"Yeah, so? Do you know what it unlocks?"

"On our way, didn't you notice those locked doors with the green design next to it?"

"Nope." Joker was getting more and more anxious, not knowing what the boss was trying to imply.

"There were more doors all over with different colored motifs near the lock. Using this card as a keycard could get them open . . ."

"And help us get around and find the others quicker!" Joker finished. "Boss, what would we do without your logical thinking?"

"Freeze," came a voice from behind the two, alarming both of them from their moment of accomplishment. If it was a one of the surviving lab people, they would most likely be screwed. "Turn around slowly, with your hands in the air." They both had no choice, turning as the female voice said. It was a young-looking lady, her appearance seeming unusual for a typical scientist. She had blond, straight hair with bangs to the side, and she looked at least in her early twenties. She had her lab coat on, but with no name badge. Could someone her age possibly be a scientist?

The girl lowered her gun, shockingly an AK-47, leading King to wonder just how she got a hold of one. Still, she didn't seem hostile, as she immediately put down her gun with a relief-stricken face.

"I thought you were both zombies at first," she said, her face wearing concern. "I heard the shots, but was unsure if you were infected. They can't control themselves or reason, let alone understand anything anymore."

"Are you a scientist here?" King asked, lowering his hands just as Joker did.

"Well, yeah, I guess you can say that."

"What do you mean, 'you guess'?" Joker spat. "Tell me what the hell's going on here!"

"I really don't know! I'm from the Main Palace, not too far from this lab. I was told to come here and evaluate on the situation, then report back. The soldiers escorting me had to help out the others down here; it was that bad! And so, I was eventually left alone . . . with this." She held out her automatic weapon, the way she held it making King wonder if it just made her feel better to carry it.

The girl looked up at them and gasped suddenly, her eyes wide. The two turned around to see more zombies stumbling into the hall, obviously sensing potential food. Between Joker and him, they were reduced to headless chunks of rotten meat, hitting the ground from more than seven feet away.

"It must've been a blessing to run into able soldiers," the girl stated with a sigh. "All the others in the security team were completely decimated."

King gave Joker a look, one that Joker exchanged in turn. Apparently, she thought they were surviving clean-up soldiers. They figured they'd take that for their own advantage, using her to navigate around.

"Well, sure. Just stick around with us, we'll keep you safe." Joker's tone seemed more lightened. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Alanis," she replied simply.

"Okay, Alanis, don't stray too far from us."

"Alright, but would you mind not treating me like a child?" Joker laughed almost nervously, nodding in response. King smiled, the girl actually reminding him of that fateful day when he met her, the one who spared his life and helped him. He wondered briefly what she could possibly being doing at that moment, then closed his eyes. If she only knew he was trying his utmost best to stop Umbrella's madness from behind the scenes. It was the best way he could possibly repay her, especially since he couldn't go back.

He reopened his eyes again and continued down the hall. A door with a green motif stood blocking the path. It didn't take King more than two seconds to slide the green card down the reader and open the door. The hall was quite empty, but it seemed to be the area where he heard the last gunshot.

"Where does this hall lead?" King asked Alanis.

"Oh . . . um, if we keep heading down, we'll hit an elevator."

"Think Queen and Ace would go onboard?" Joker asked King with a puzzled tone.

"Maybe."

"Um, may I ask who we're looking for?" asked Alanis.

"Several other members of the security team were spotted, so we've been trying to locate them all and regroup." It was the best King could come up with at such short notice. Next time, they'd have to be a bit more careful what they said around her. It would surely suck if she found out who they really were, or who they weren't rather. Any Umbrella goon would apprehend an intruder accordingly, even a young girl such as her.

Especially when they carried an AK with them, his mind chimed in.

"Well, I don't think going down there is the best idea," Alanis suggested with a serious-set tone.

"Why not?" Joker asked skeptically, almost sounding offended.

"The last living soldier I came across was nearly dead," she began. "But he told me to leave, to get out before the whole place fell apart. What's more, the control consoles are still on this floor."

"The control consoles," King repeated, "what do you mean when you say 'control consoles'?" His expression was rather stern.

"Oh, most of the entire facility here is not operating because of the viral outbreak, what caused these depraved killers. My guess is that during the calamity that ensued in lower floors, the mindless carriers made there way up here and wrecked the place. As a result, we have inaccessible rooms and partially operating devices."

"And that includes the elevator, apparently . . ." Joker added, looking up at the row of unlit lights above the elevator, only B2 and 1st floor bright red.

"Well, this makes things easier," King said in higher spirits. "They're bound to be on one of these floors."

King took a sharp glance at Joker, who in turn did the same.

"I want you to stay here with Alanis and wait at this exact position," he said, occasionally shifting his eyes on the young lady. "I'm going down the take a quick look at the basement level, since Alanis claims it's the most dangerous. Should the others be there, they'd need the help. But in the event that any of them are on the first floor, they may or may not come back to this spot. That's why you're both going to wait here."

"But boss, that could be way too dangerous, even for you!"

"Hey, if gets too hectic, I'll stand down and come back. Don't worry about me." King gave them both a half smile, nodding as the elevator door opened upon hitting the down button. Joker nodded, although his face highly disapproved. He was always uncannily good at anticipating upcoming dangers, which made King feel tense. However, he had no choice. His friends could be in danger at that very moment. And Alanis sure as hell couldn't go down with them; who knew if she'd blow one of them away by accident.

As he stepped inside the rather frigid elevator, the doors closed on the two, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

R E B E C C A

Rebecca was on the verge of a breakdown as the narrow tunnel became much darker, only the faint light from the cracks of the entrance hole shining down like tease. The deformed monster was making its way gradually toward her, its hard breathing making it hard for her to even think.

It's gonna kill me, just like it did to the hunter if don't do something! Think, think . . .

Rebecca was taking her aim on the monstrosity even as she began to think. She fired two rounds, one going off into its shoulder and the other nailing it on the lower jaw. It shrieked violently, staggering backward from the impact, its voice vague as to whether it was male or female. Once it regained balance, the disfigured hulk seemed infuriated, charging in a most disturbing, yet effective way. Bones clicked and whined as it gave its best attempts to control the limbs on its body. Rebecca couldn't back up anymore.

She jumped up in incredible fright, looking down immediately to see the journal from above at Area 8 on the ground. As that happened, the monster paused in its tracks, not even paying any mind to the healing wounds she inflicted upon it. It made an odd noise, its eye trained on the notebook in her hands.

Does it want it?

Rebecca was just as puzzled as she was afraid. However, the creature was still advancing. In a desperate ploy to get away from it, she tossed across the rocky chamber, the monster actually stumbling after it. Rebecca took the few precious seconds to fly passed it as it took the journal into its odd arms.

Don't look back, just run!

In a heartbeat, Rebecca found herself in the room with the trashed desks, wondering what exactly that could've been. It had an odd resemblance to the creature at the estate Chris, Barry, and Jill said they encountered. With B.O.W., nobody would surely know.

Rebecca, filled with a new fear, held her pistol up, ready to fire at the next thing that so much as twitched in her presence. She knew she had at least thirteen bullets still chambered and a nine-bullet clip left. However, it wouldn't do anything to stop the voracious hunters. Rebecca sighed, her breathing shaky. It didn't seem like there was any other choice. She continued through the path, making sure to keep her hearing in check; any faint sounds of the hunchback creature or hunter could save her life, but for the moment it seemed the mutant was preoccupied on the journal of the Jennings victim.

The hall narrowed again, taking her into subtle darkness. Her foot kicked something hard and moist, causing her to flinch with her gun outstretched. Upon taking a closer look, she noticed it was a carcass of another hunter, the parts mangled into a twisted mess. Somewhere behind her, she could hear the low roars of the mutant; she was safe for the moment. The pathway's stone ceiling began to drip excessively, the sound of a distant waterfall sounding ahead. She jogged over in a hurry, wanting badly to finally get out of the dank caverns. However, where she'd end up worried her.

Moonlight seeped in through the cave-like opening at the end of the tunnel, an illuminating miracle. She took a minute to view where she was at the moment and noticed the rocky exterior connected to a large metallic door. Several enormous holes from the ceiling above released not only faint light, but also gushing water from a source she couldn't see. It would've been a beautiful sight if she weren't involved with the nostalgic horrors of the past. Her shoes splashed against the puddles on the ground as she hurried over to the enormous door, pausing to view the access code entry. Strangely enough, yet to her relief, someone had screwed up the controls and left the door completely unlocked. Whether it was a good thing or a bad thing she'd have to see, unfortunately.

Behind her came another reptilian shrill. Rebecca heard the clicking sound of sharp, long nails against the rock floor, spurring her into immediate action. She took a quick glance as she hauled open the heavy door, the time slowing to a crawl as the hunter glared hungrily at her. In followed two more from the cracks above them, just as Rebecca entered and, with all her remaining strength, shoved the door shut. Several nails clattered loudly against the reinforced door, Rebecca backing away at the sounds of angry, shrieking monsters beyond it.

Rebecca exhaled deeply, trying to get her heart level back to something near normal; she was still dizzy from the rush of adrenaline. Where she stood was some underground laboratory, probably more inland than where the residences were. The hall wasn't too narrow, actually much roomier than the horrible tunnels. How or why they led to that lab she couldn't say. But the lab was quiet, revealing no danger that she could see or hear. However, if the hunters were released, her guess was that something must have gone very wrong down there. That would also explain the shortage on security in the halls.

She took in the simple hallway, the walls grayish blue with the wirings of the ceiling all exposed, leading her to believe this area wasn't completed. There were two enormous double-doors, one to her immediately to her right, and one a bit further down on the left side. Both were locked by some key card. But the hall stretched around toward the left. Rebecca approached the end of the hall with caution, her body shivering slightly from the cold air after being in the moist caves. Nothing, luckily, stood in waiting for her as she veered the corner. But suddenly, there was a hum from somewhere nearby, making Rebecca's attention swerve somewhere in front, where she was heading. After noticing the peculiar door with an "up/down" switch, she turned back to the corner, peeking her eye out to see who, or regrettably what, peered out of the elevator.

Damn, it could be a scientist! Maybe they used the tunnels for the hunters, and they spotted me . . . ! Or it could be those parasitic zombie things . . .

She took yet another deep breath, the panic that set in dissipating very slowly. Too many thoughts about the mansion entered in her head and flooded her with the horrible images of the monsters and her comrades. But she held on bravely, her gun inches away from her face as she waited for any sudden movement that appeared threatening.

"W-what . . ."

Rebecca's eyes became contorted with a sense of shock and utter disbelief, releasing hidden emotions that made her feel like crying, laughing, and being afraid all at once. But the image was real, not a false one. She could hardly believe her eyes. She wanted to run right over there, but something inside her restrained her from doing so.

Standing right outside the elevator was Billy Cohen, alive, unhurt, and right there in the midst of the chaotic T-virus . . . with her.