CHAPTER 4:

The pipe led into a dry part of the sewers, with light coming from one end of the tunnel. Yoko looked around, dripping wet from her little swim, and then sat down for a moment to rest. Cindy came out of the drain pipe next, and sat down beside Yoko, taking off her vest and wringing it out before using it to dry her bare feet. Jim came after them, and he looked awful. His jacket looked like it was being pulled down by some kind of unknown force, and his hat was barely able to stay on his head.

Kevin came after them, and while his uniform was soaked, he didn't seem to mind it as much. David's attire seemed to protect him from the swim mostly, but it didn't make it any better for him. Alyssa came down from the pipe grumbling about how her nice clothes were soggy. George and then Mark came down through the pipe. After a moment of rest, Kevin took the lead towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Are you sure we aren't dead?" Jim asked as he followed.

"If we are, then we're definitely in hell!" David's raspy voice spoke up from the back of the group as they walked toward the light. Yoko stayed behind; weary of what might be up ahead.

It turned out to be a small, but open, area of the tunnel, with another tunnel leading to the left. The group followed it and came upon a ladder leading to what they assumed was the city streets.

Indeed, it was the city streets, and while it was still a chaotic scene, there were no zombies at least. They were in front of the Apple Inn, one of Raccoon's finest hotels. Up ahead was a police van, with a police officer standing in front of it with a loudspeaker.

"Attention please, this is the Raccoon City Police Department. Please remain calm and proceed to this area immediately for evacuation."

Almost immediately, the group broke into a run as they approached the area where the police officer was standing. As the last of them got there, Yoko was barely aware of another man and a woman, both appearing to be in their late thirties or early forties, standing beside the van.

"Alright, everyone, please remain calm. We're going to wait a few more minutes for other survivors, and then we'll get you out of here." The officer's voice was firm but calm.

"Aw, man, you think there's anybody else still alive out there? Give me a break!" Jim stomped his foot and then folded his arms.

"Would you please shut up? You've been nothing but complaining since we left the bar!" Alyssa moved towards Jim, apparently ready to fight.

Jim drew his shotgun, only to realize there were no shells left. At that, George got in between the two would-be fighters and separated them.

"I know the circumstances are not ones that we're used to, but we can't let it overwhelm us. We have to stay calm in order to survive." As soon as he finished talking, Alyssa sighed and turned away, muttering something under her breath.

For awhile, nobody said anything. Then, the police officer began gathering everyone into the van. Yoko was the last one in, shutting the door tightly behind her.

As the van drove down the various back alleys and side streets of Raccoon City, Yoko looked around silently. Jim and Alyssa were both out like lights, while George was staring into space, thinking intently about something. Cindy appeared to be asleep as well, but in reality, she was just looking down, lost in thought. From the look on her face, it was plain to see that she wasn't very happy, although for one to be happy in these circumstances would be truly unusual.

Kevin was talking to himself about something, presumably what was going on, while David was fiddling with something from his toolkit. Mark, while not asleep, was attempting to rest as well.

Yoko shook her head and gazed out the back window, when the driver spoke.

"We should be able to reach a safe zone very soon, so please be patient."

Suddenly, the van slowed to a stop, and Yoko heard the driver swear. Kevin scrambled to stick his head into the cab, asking what was wrong.

"I'm sorry, but this area has been blocked off. There's no way we can get this roadblock moved anytime soon, so I'm afraid we'll have to wait here until help arrives."