Chapter 3: The Nightstalkers of Arizona pt 2

I don't own anything. Resident Evil belongs to Capcom and Tomb Raider belongs to Core Design, Crystal Dynamics, and I think Square Enix. The only thing I own is the changes made to the stories of the Tomb Raider games/comics and Resident Evil games/comics/CG movies, the Government branch S.P.E.L.L., the person that has taken over Kathrine Warren's life, and Rose Warren. This story also will be bloody, violent, and have cursing. It's rated T for Teen.

Country: America, State: Arizona, City: Saguaro Wells, Place: Entrance Road, Area: Kat's Range Rover, Month: October, Day: Monday 12th, Year: 1998, Time: 17:13 MST…

Kat smiled as the song Bullet with Butterfly Wings ended on the radio. She was kinda happy. Knowing Sherry and Rose were with their babysitter or in bed by then.

"So…do you think its vampires?" Leon asked as he looked out the window of the slowly setting sun.

"Could be. Could be something else." Kat said as she turned the radio down.

It was clear to them both that the long-delayed conversation was about to happen. Kat's smile had fallen.

"Kat, how have you been sleeping?" He asked her.

"I'm okay." She told him. "Nightmares aren't as bad as before."

He nodded. "Are you talking to anyone about them?"

"Yeah, you, Lara—"

"I meant a professional." Leon interrupted.

Kat swallowed; she didn't want to. She didn't want to talk to anyone. They wouldn't understand. They'd judge her. She didn't have time for it. She had her new job; she had her girls. "Have you?" She asked him instead of answering.

He looked down at that. He knew that she knew he hadn't. He didn't know if he even could. Could they even talk about what happened in Raccoon to a counselor? Would that get them in trouble? The first day of their training had also been the day they were told they couldn't talk about what happened in the city. Not until the Raccoon trials were over that is.

"I haven't." He admitted. "But…you could go to someone." He tried, even though he now knew the full story of what happened on Yamatai. The magic, the people she killed, everything.

"I can't…Leon, I try to talk to a professional about the magic, the spirits…I'd be thrown into some asylum somewhere labeled as delusional." Kat said as her hands gripped the steering wheel. "And if I get the wrong therapist…they'll leak it to the media. I'll be labeled as crazy and then everyone I've ever talked to, work with, loved…" She locked her eyes on the road. "They'd turn against me to protect themselves from the stigma or be labeled as just as crazy for being with a crazy person."

"I wouldn't." He told her looking form the dash to her. "Claire wouldn't. Neither would Lara, or Jill, or Chris, or your kids." He assured. "Not Sam, not Reyes, and sure as hell not Jonah. And if the therapist did do that, well, they should be fired and lose their license to practice."

She shook her head slowly. "Still…I-I can't talk to any professionals." She sighed through her nose. "Not now."

Leon tipped his head back as he thought. "What about the agency? They should have someone in S.P.E.L.L. that is a licensed therapist."

Kat shrugged. "Maybe? I didn't ask." She remembered that they would always be honest with each other. "I know this case is going to be hard because a child was involved. But there is something else."

Leon turned in his seat, so he was looking at her more and quietly waited.

Kat was quiet for a little bit and then sighed. "I'm forgetting my past. I think, or it is changing. I'm not sure. I tried to remember what I looked like, and I couldn't. I tried to remember how I died and got flashes of battles. But not like Afghanistan. It was an open field, fog, fire, smoke, and I could hear the sound of metal on metal. Men and women fighting with swords and axes. I was trying to find someone. Then I was back to myself looking in the mirror."

"You don't know who you were looking for?" He asked. "How long has it been that you can't remember?"

"No. I don't want to try and bring up the memory while I am driving. It was very clear and very detailed. I was there for a few minutes. Or at least it felt like it." She explained. She thought for a bit and frowned. "I think since the last few days of Raccoon? I think. I don't think I can say an exact time."

"There is something I have not mentioned because I was thinking it was related to your past life. A few times when you have gotten angry from something Irons did or said you would have an accent when you spoke. I can't place it. It is not Lara's; you did that one and I know it is not that."

Kat looked over at him and blinked then looked back front. "Well, I can speak several languages. Maybe because I was tired it was slipping into one of them." She nodded thinking. "Let me say something in each of them." She said a short sentence in Spanish, Latin, French, Greek, and Japanese.

Leon shook his head. "Can you say it in English but with the accent of the language?"

Kat tried saying the same sentence in English. "We are going on a mission to save a town." But she used the accent that someone from France or Spain might use. She shook her head at Latin. "I don't know what accent that would be, a mix of Greek and British?"

Leon shook his head. "When you spoke in Latin that was close-ish. But not quite. I don't think you want to get angry so I can record you with my phone?"

She laughed and shook her head, thinking of a line from The Hulk series. "Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

Leon shook his head and laughed as he turned back to face front. "I'll try to get it recorded next time."

"How are you…in your new apartment?" She asked him as she relaxed a bit.

He looked back over. "I'm good. Though I do miss being able to go see you guys."

Kat smiled brightly. "You love hanging out with my girls." She joked. "You spoil them."

"I do. I wouldn't mind taking them trick or treating if you can't take them." Leon offered as they passed the welcome sign for Saguaro Wells. Kat pulled over at the sign and they went around the back of the Jeep Cherokee to get their gear on.

Country: America, State: Arizona, City: Saguaro Wells, Place: Saguaro Wells Sheriff's Office, Area: Front door, Month: October, Day: Monday 12th, Year: 1998, Time: 17:15 MST…

The Sheriff opened the door to see two people that looked like they came out of an action movie. Both looked very young. The man had brown hair that looked like it had been lightened and had it a teen heartthrob haircut, like that Leonardo DiCaprio fellow. The woman had her yellow, blonde hair in a tight braid. They both then pulled out wallets and opened them like FBI agents would in movies.

"Hello, sheriff, I'm Agent Leon Kennedy with STRATCOM, and this is Agent Kathrine Warren with S.P.E.L.L." Leon introduced in a practiced manner, but it came of as if this was his first time saying it to a person in the field.

"Oh…I was expecting…" The Sheriff began as he looked at the two's IDs and then shook Leon's hand. "I was expecting the FBI or CDC. I've never heard of your branches before."

Leon looked to Kat as he let go. "We're relatively new."

"Trust us, from what we've read in the report, you need us." Kat assured.

Country: America, State: Arizona, City: Saguaro Wells, Place: Black Umbrella Hidden Mountain Base, Area: Lab, Month: October, Day: Monday 12th, Year: 1998, Time: 17:17 MST…

"I'm so sorry, Sir. But I—"

"I don't want excuses! I will not accept another botched mission!" Dr. Callos yelled at the elderly scientist. "We needed that final test subject for the next stage of the project!" He got in Dr. Vedley's face. "I want a full incursion team out at dusk. If they fail this time, they'll have you for lunch!" He said poking the man in the chest sharply.

Dr. Vedley nodded shakily. "Ye-yes, sir."

Country: America, State: Arizona, City: Saguaro Wells, Place: Saguaro Wells Sheriff's Office, Area: Sheriff's desk, Month: October, Day: Monday 12th, Year: 1998, Time: 17:18 MST…

"…Like a horror movie." Jim said looking down at his desk. "I…"

Kat took the Kleenex box on the sheriff's desk and held it out it him. "Here. It's okay to morn."

Jim nodded as he struggled to take a tissue. "I'm sorry…" He shook his head blowing his nose and whipping his eyes. "He-he was my only son…" He whimpered then blew his nose. "I didn't want to take time off, I can't be home…my wife…" He trailed off and tried to choke back a sob.

"I completely understand, sir. I'm a mother myself." Kat told him shakily. "I don't know what I'd do without my girls." She reached out and gently placed a hand over the one he had balled in a fist on the desk. "We are both so very sorry for your loss." She kept her hand on his just offering the comfort of one parent to another.

Leon nodded as he watched the interaction. He honestly couldn't imagine what it must have been like to see your child hurt, then succumb to something like rabies and then have to have them killed. He could only empathize that another human was in emotional pain. After a few more minutes of more questions, the plan was made, and the pair left the Sheriff to morn privately.

"I'm sorry." Leon said looking to Kat, knowing that for her it had to be hard.

"It's okay…" She tried to brush it off as they fixed their packs, aiming to head into the desert.

"No, it's not Kat." Leon told her. "I haven't known you for years like Claire or Lara, but I do know you. That hurt you." He placed a hand on her shoulder to make her stop putting on her gear.

She looked down. "Leon…we have the mission. We have other people to talk to and figure out what is going on." She didn't look at him. "I have to do my job. Just like the Sheriff." She hoped he would understand that by staying focused on the task, she could hold the pain and horror back.

"And we also need to talk about you being a mom and working a mission where a kid died." Leon told her trying to keep his vice low as he grabbed her arms to stop her from walking away. "Don't bottle it up, Kat, please. I need you to be here." He gave her a look that he hoped she would understand.

Kat closed her eyes a moment and swallowed. She knew what he was asking. She couldn't start having flashbacks like before. "I had a nightmare before…Before the briefing." She said as she looked down at the dirt. "It was-was about Sherry and Rose." She couldn't make herself say it any farther.

Leon didn't need her to, he could see the haunted look in her eyes. Just as friends do, he hugged her. He didn't say anything. Just hugged her. She welcomed the feeling. The safe feeling. The feeling of someone caring for her and letting her lean on them so she was not the strong one all the time.

Kat gave him a tight squeeze and nodded. "Let do this."

Country: America, State: Arizona, City: Saguaro Wells, Place: Saguaro Desert, Area: Rock Formation, Month: October, Day: Monday 12th, Year: 1998, Time: 20:09 MST…

Kat and Leon sat around the fire Kat had made. It was another subtle skill that showed more of what she'd learned. The stars were out now. The half-moon was climbing. The only other light was the warm fire.

"With everyone in their homes, we won't have to wait long." Leon voiced.

After talking with those who'd seen the creatures, they had all scurried inside. Kat had guessed that it could be vampires, just the real ones, not romanticized like the ones in movies. But she doubted it. Leon asked if the G or T viruses could've done it, but she really wasn't sure. Bio stuff wasn't what she studied.

"This is only a little familiar." She smiled ruefully. "Looking back on it, Sam was bait for the Solarii."

Leon shook his head but then saw it. He had to squint, but he saw the growing dark shapes. "Didn't teach us in training to be live bait. Same at the police academy." He said as he stood and drew his knife and handgun. "But they did teach us to be ready."

Kat nodded as she drew her handgun and climbing axe. "Ready?" She asked him as she gave her axe a swing and bounced a few times on her toes then settled in a fighting stance. "It is better to stand and fight. If you run, you'll just die tired."

Leon nodded; the accent was there again but this was not the time to get out his phone. He switched his knife into a reverse grip. "Show time."

The first one attempted to grab at Leon with its talons, but Leon ducked to the left and fired a shot at its wing. The bullet ripped the wing and the vampire bat ripped it more as it flapped while screeching in pain. Leon kicked it away from him and sliced the wing of another. Kat yelled as she curb-stomped the one Leon had kicked away from himself, as it hit the ground. She felt the head crush under her foot. She ducked a talon swipe before cracking her gun across the top of its head, dazing it before pulling the trigger for a very close head shot. She spun away from it to swing her climbing axe at another's head as it raced toward her.

Leon threw his knife at another of the creatures. Its head jerked back and the thing fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs and wings with the knife sticking out of its throat as it died gurgling on its own blood. He tucked and rolled to its body after shooting at another, yanked his blade from the downed one, and threw it at one to his right. He saw the blade sink into the creature's stomach as he took a quick look at Kat to see how she was doing.

Kat kicked the things head to give her leverage to pull her axe free before shooting at two more. Apparently, the gunfire from the last attack was not deterring the creatures this time.

Leon saw one coming at Kat from her blind side. "Kat, down!" He yelled.

Kat quickly ducked down to one knee. Leon ran at her, then using her back he rolled over her to kick the creature from them both, pulling the trigger three times on it. "Reload!" He called out so Kat could cover him as he put in a fresh clip. Kat got up to a crouch as she covered him, both working as a fluid team.

"Ugh! These things don't die easy!" Leon called, as it seemed like more were coming.

"There's too many!" Kat agreed as more came. "We need to get better ground!" She yelled over the screeching. "Leon!?"

She turned when he didn't respond and didn't feel his back on hers. The bats had knocked him out and were lifting him from the ground. They were leaving. Leaving her behind.

"NO!" She yelled and started firing at them. "Come and get me!"

They paid her no mind, just trying to leave. She holstered her gun and axe before drawing a rope arrow. She took aim at the closest one and loosed the arrow from her bow. The rope arrow flew at the closest bat creature and sank into the chest without killing it. Kat then wrapped her arm around the rope and held tight as the rope went taut. She grunted as she was yanked from her feet and into the air.

Gritting her teeth, she struggled to climb up the rope. As she climbed, her world flickered to a lightning and thunderstorm, what she was climbing was a rope that was draped along a tall wooden wall. She pushed it out of her head. Her friend needed her help. She couldn't let him be taken. As she got to the bat, she saw that it was slowing down and thus getting farther from the bat that carried Leon by the shoulders of his vest.

She started to make some momentum. She seriously needed to invest on some gymnastics training. At the right moment in her swing forward, she let go with a yell and flew toward the one that had Leon. She drew her knife and sank it into the back of the bat creature making it screech in pain. She didn't even care she could feel its hot blood on her fingers as she twisted the knife, using her other hand she gripped a hand full of hair on the back of its head to hold on with.

"Kat?!" She heard Leon call in groggy confusion.

"Here! This thing is hard to steer!" She yelled to him over the wind and wing beats.

Leon had come too and was shocked at how high they were. Then he saw light coming from a cave that they were headed toward. It didn't matter that he wasn't killed outright, and he didn't want to find out why he was being carried to the lair. His eyes scanned the dark as Kat's knife twists forced the bat to bob and turn side to side. He pulled his spare knife from his backpack and looked to the legs just above the shoulder padding on his vest. He then looked to the right. A ledge.

"Kat! Steer to the ledge on the far right!" Leon called.

Kat looked and saw it. "Got it!" She called to him as she twisted the knife again and pulled her climbing axe.

They had to time this just right. If they didn't, they'd be spilled soup on the rocks below. The bat screeched and turned, drifting toward the rocks and ledge. When they were six feet away, Leon lifted his knife and yelled.

"NOW!"

Leon then sliced the legs holding him as he swung his legs forward. Kat yanked her knife from the vampire bat's back and half-crotched like she would on a surfboard. The slice to the bat's legs made it yell it immense pain. It threw Leon forward, adding to his leg swing's momentum. This jerked it's back which also threw Kat off as she leapt forward.

The pair of humans flew at the rock ledge yelling from the movement and determination. Leon hit the rock first and just barely grabbed the ledge with his hands. He lost his grip with his right hand as his body bounced off the wall but held firm with his left. He pulled and got his right hand up on the ledge and turned to look at Kat.

Kat was next to him, her climbing axe sank into the stone. Her weight and momentum cause the axe to slip down before it finally bit into the stone and left a short gouge. In her leap, she spun a bit so her back slammed into the wall. She wheezed as she held the axe and looked out into the night.

Amazingly, they didn't die. They landed and will have bruises from the hit into the wall, but other than some sore shoulders, they were fine. Looking up they saw that they were just with in climbing distance of the cave that the vampire bats were flying into.

"You good?" Kat panted looking to Leon and seeing his hair was windblown and heavily messed up.

"Yeah. Sore shoulders. You?" He asked back seeing her turn and grip the wall after sheathing her knife.

"Yeah." She grinned. "That must be what a magic carpet ride feels like. Minus the violence and blood." She joked.

Leon snorted as he chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride."

"Yeah, you look like a Quidditch player with the messed-up hair." She joked more, trying to really lighten the mood of coming close to death again.

"Oh yeah? And how do you know that?" He asked as he adjusted his grip on the wall.

"From the Harry Potter movies that'll be out in a few years." She smiled as she got a better grip. "Gods I can't wait to see them in the theaters again." She looked up and then down. "Up or down?"

"Up. We need to see where they are going and coming from." Leon started to climb down, and Kat followed.

Country: America, State: Arizona, City: Saguaro Wells, Place: Black Umbrella Hidden Mountain Base, Area: Lab, Month: October, Day: Monday 12th, Year: 1998, Time: 20:13 MST…

As the vampire bats came in, the one that was the most injured and bleeding was screeching and screaming from the knife wound in its back that was as if someone had taken a power drill to it. It also had deep knife cuts to its legs that almost cleaved off the right leg.

Dr. Callos glared at it as it screamed. Its cries highly annoying to him. "Vedley, put it out of its misery." He hissed as blood started pooling on the floor from its pained thrashes.

Dr. Vedley startled but nodded as he walked over and shot it in the head, ending its life and stopping the pained sounds. But the other bats screeched in rage. Seeing one of their own, who was hurt and needed attention, killed just for its injuries by the targets they had been sent for. It made no sense to them. They started flapping their wings and screeching with rage and priming to attack the men.

Dr. Callos casually pushed the subdue button on the computer controls. A sound that humans couldn't hear was sent out and the creatures screamed as they wrapped their wing arms around their heads, trying to block out the painful sound.

"That's what my brainchild is all about, Vedley." Dr. Callos stated looking at the startled elderly doctor. "Total control."

"I-I see that now, s-sir." Vedley said nodding vaguely.

"Shame you didn't see it sooner. But without your incompetence, I'll get much more done. For Trinity." Dr. Callos said making Vedley spin around to look at him with wide eyes.

"Wha-what? I-I thought we worked for both Umbrella and Trinity!?" Vedley gasped.

"We do, but I was a Trinity Scientist before Umbrella came into the picture." Dr. Callos smirked and pushed the other button, the one labeled 'Kill'. "And as I promised, you would pay for your failure." He turned and quickly went through a door and locked Vedley in with the creatures.

The painful sound that hurt the bats stopped and a new sound hit their ears. The creatures screeched and surrounded the old man. They began ripping into him, ripping him limb from limb, tearing open his belly, spilling and stretching his guts, all as he screamed in fearful pain. His cries eventually ended as his throat was ripped open and blood gushed. His eyes glazing into sightlessness as he lies in an ever-spreading pool of his blood. The thrashing of the bat creatures flung blood and other bits on the walls, tables, and ceiling. Dr. Callos paid the bloody scene no mind as he looked through the little window in the door. He looked up at the metal box above him with a dark smile.