Chapter 24. "Something beautiful"
James dipped a washcloth into the water then began scrubbing his face. The rugged talented mercenary could not deny the relief it gave him. The days of sweat had built up, leaving him feeling icky. Even though he still could not remove his bandages, it was still great to slowly feel the water on his body. After the temporary relief, the reality seeped to the forefront of his thoughts.
The storm is back again, and it seems heavier than before.
'I hate this place.' He thought to himself.
Still, James was left wondering, what's next? Technically he was homeless. He cannot go back to his usual residence since an Umbrella operative might be trying to ambush him for his treason, for disowning them. After all, he was supposed to die in that town. He still didn't quite understand. What's the purpose of getting rid of their high-ranking workers? Then there is the fact that John wanted him at least semi-alive for the Tyrant experiment to work well.
However, the answer seems to be simple. He was caught up in the middle of a sick game. One wanted him dead, and the other tried to use him. Like he was a pawn in a chess game without his own agency. So, although he knew how much of an expendable asset, he willingly presented himself during his days in the Umbrella Security Service.
James recalled the Wolf Pack, the group of mercs that helped him in the past for a moment. What are they up to? Unfortunately, he was unable to contact them. James let the thought slip away as he refocused on his current situation.
James heaved a sigh and turned off the shower. There at the sink, fresh clothes were left for him to wear. A simple white shirt and black pants. The door of the bathroom creaked as he walked out feeling refreshed. Mike was on the bed stretching himself from sleepless days and lying on the rough ground. Claire was on the couch, checking the pamphlet about TerraSave.
Mike lifted himself up slightly and chuckled. "Do I need to take bleach to clean up your moldy water?"
James rolled his eyes. Belaboring the urge to murder his brother at this moment. But oddly enough, it's just... this always been their relationship. They annoy each other because they care for one another. Mike used to be such a quiet child when the two grew up.
"Enough of this talk," James replied in a deadpan tone and came closer to the bed. "We need to think about our next move."
Mike pushed himself to a sitting position, his bones still cracked in several places. Claire raised a confused eyebrow at the sound of Mike adjusting himself. Several cracks were almost as loud as movies overdramatized it. Claire needed to remind herself of the ordeals and changes these two were forced to experience.
"I know. We need to disappear, so we can start to have an actual life of our own." Mike rolled his shoulder. The cracking soothed out.
James shook his head. He can still feel the cold creeping into his wounds. Even though he wore a white fur shirt.
He sat on the chair next to his sibling and continued. "I know of a place we can move to. We have our own money, and it should help us up to half a year if we ration."
Mike raised an eyebrow, surprised. Since he does not know of an actual possible town. This is new to him.
"Okay, let's hear it." Mike nodded.
James paused for a moment, he does not like to open this complex subject, but the situation calls for it.
"Washington. The home our mom owned. It is a secret only we know."
It is a tragic secret, not even their late father knew. Before Judith gave her boys their guns, she took them along on a trip to show them the location. She made them promise they would never tell anyone about this house.
"So you actually remember our past now?" Mike's voice hinted at concern.
James cracked a smile to assure him that it was okay. He does not want to run from this anymore.
"Okay then." Mike laid back on the bed. "Although I'm thinking about looking for a job in a hospital, an emergency response helicopter pilot sounds perfect to me."
James sat on the side of the bed and scratched his head. "I could start to distribute flyers. Maybe there is a way for me to create a private business. Maybe work as a bodyguard."
Claire cleared her throat to get their attention. "Here's something for you to think about. I'm gonna need some help regarding gathering documents. I would pay a reasonable price." Her eyes twinkled.
James raised an eyebrow slightly. Something about this request felt strange. The way Claire looked at him.
Claire is attracted to him, and perhaps this contract was her subtle way to keep the brothers around.
Still deep down, James wondered why, after all, what they went through together and how he behaved toward Claire.
"If you want to ask me out on a date, I'm free." He said with a smirk. "I like lobster for dinner."
Mike howled with laughter.
The survivor rubbed her temple. This was getting annoying. "You are starting to sound like your brother by the minute."
James enjoyed himself at Claire's expense. "I'm not romantic. You should get used to it."
Mike held his hands together and started watching them like a hawk. "Come on, say yes, Redfield. I adore love stories."
Claire turned her back to them. In a way, she lamented her luck. Hunk is her luck, apparently.
"You really don't know how to get the girl, huh? Charming." She replied and glanced back at the siblings. "Fine. It's true. I do like you. I'm crazy."
To Claire's surprise, the smile vanished from James' face, and he didn't try to tease her at all. However, she knows why. Claire herself felt troubled by this, and she does not understand why him of all people. He terrified her in the past and the way they fought each other.
Not exactly the romantic Cinderella story.
"Then we need to talk." James broke the silence. He didn't wait for her to answer. Instead, he just went for the backyard.
Mike gave her a look that said. 'Go on and follow him.' It was a sincere concern on his part.
Claire wished for the earth to open and swallow her, to get away from this awkward situation.
"Alright." She said and followed him.
The wind had settled down slightly, but it was still snowing heavily. The two were silent, watching the sky. Nither one of them felt like talking. It was complicated and bizarre. But they indeed needed to talk about this.
"Look..." Claire finally spoke. "I don't think you are a good person, and I still didn't forget about what happened between us in that town."
James flinched slightly, but the girl was correct. He was not some typical nice person.
"But, the more I got to know you, I started to realize things about myself. You challenged me and my beliefs." She paused for a moment, this was hard to say, but it must be out in the open if the two of them could ever forge a genuine relationship.
"However, I still wonder if you see me for who I am or do you see your ex-partner."
James shook his head. His movement looked erratic, he couldn't stand still, and his hands rubbed his elbows nonstop. The amount of confusion this girl has caused him is unbelievable, but it cannot be denied.
"I'm sorry... for the way I treated you," James replied. "You challenged me as well. Your kindness and compassion were like a slap in the face I desperately needed."
Finally, he got the courage to face her and look into her eyes. He could see it very. Clearly, the confusion she felt about this. He reached for her hand and squeezed.
"I don't feel comfortable with us yet... Because." He paused. "I need to atone for what I did to you."
"They say someone can forgive and move on, or forgive and make a new life. I'm willing to try and forget what happened. It's worth giving this a chance, wouldn't you say?" Claire's lips formed a smile.
"But I..." He tried to say something, but she cut him off.
"Stop sabotaging yourself. This isn't living."
Claire reached out and wrapped her arms around him in a hug he didn't anticipate.
There is the hug of gentle arms that still gives the space to breathe; then there is the hug of strong arms that tells everything you are - body, brain, and soul - that they are with you. He could feel her breath, her heartbeats. Her touch was warm. For the first time, he felt... content.
This could be the start of something beautiful like she said. It's worth giving this a chance instead of living in wonder and regret of what it could have been. This could be his second chance at life, to be a better version of himself and try to move on from what happened, move on from everything.
At last, the two of them returned.
Mike scoffed and playfully shook his head.
"Ah, I'm so happy for the two of you." Mike pretended to wipe non-existent tears. "So when it's my turn to get a girl?"
The mercenary and survivor entered the room, holding hands.
In the early hours, the airport is as serene as ever. The people move with ease, quiet rivers of humanity freshly roused from their slumber. The floors are clean and white, reflecting the early rays and the manmade light the same.
Annie stood near the gate, her brown hair tied to a ponytail. She felt like she was hooked up to a cattle fence - not enough voltage to kill but sufficient to keep things uncomfortable.
It's been five days since Claire disappeared, and she's finally coming home today. But, of course, she couldn't be at peace all these days, and it's finally over. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the glass doors slid open, and Claire appeared, wearing an oversized thick dark blue coat.
"Oh my god, Claire!" Annie waved and ran for her.
Claire staggered back slightly from the force of Annie's jump, and she couldn't contain her laughter. It felt great to be home at last.
"It's good to see you too." Claire gently pushed Annie off.
"Tell me everything that happened. Were you alone? Who took you there?" How are you able to come back?" Annie held Claire's hand and started leading her out, speaking nonstop.
Claire shrugged. It's ridiculous how much she missed this worrywart of a friend. She had to pull her hand off of her to let her stop and realize she was babbling.
Claire didn't need to say anything. Instead, she gestured to look past her. A raven-haired man was coming. He wore a soft wool brown jacket and ankle boots. Underneath, he wore black pants and a white shirt. His hands had gloves, and his hair looked messy Puffed Back Brushing.
"Hello miss, Nice to meet you again." The man spoke in a deadpan tone.
Annie looked confused. "Um, hello, you have me at a disadvantage."
Claire faced him as he offered his hand. She shook his hand with her thumb and forefinger circling his thumb with a smile.
"Call me, alright?" Claire said. Once her hand retreated, Annie spotted a small paper in his palm.
Silently he nodded and started going on his way. In the distance was another young man in a crimson red plaid shirt, waiting. The two walked away as their respective best friends smirked.
Claire felt a light punch tp her shoulder.
"Let's go home. You have a lot to tell me." Annie smiled ear to ear as she led Claire out of the airport.
Their taxi dropped a few blocks away from their home, for they desired to have some fresh air.
On that fine day, the two friends walked down the street under the sun that warms their skin in the same way a Madam Redfield's apple pie brings warmth to their core. Music came from radio, yet somehow the background ambiance is clean as if this music was that freshly baked apple pie upon a white tablecloth, the tune dancing in the same way a fragrance does.
"Where do I start..." Claire said. "Well, I have a boyfriend now. His name is James, and his brother is Mike."
"Aw, I didn't know you were in love," Annie commented.
Love...
The word didn't really strike at the core of how Claire felt. It does not precisely describe their situation now that she thought about it.
"I won't call it love, but I do like him. I want to see if this relationship would work or not."
"James is quite the looker! Those broad shoulders! Mmmph!" Annie clicked her tongue.
Claire playfully shoved Annie. The best friend knew she had that one coming, yet she was happy for Claire. Before the two separated and months before the incident of monsters, Annie recognized Claire was in an emotional rut. At first, Annie thought it could have been a frustration of the physical kind, but it was more profound. It was the desire for genuine connection.
Annie knew that was not to demean their friendship, and she's glad Claire is open about her feelings on the topic. While together, Annie made sure to catch up with Claire by visiting the locations connected to Claire's favorite pass times.
Annie's pride as a best friend was on the line.
Claire did not mention the ordeal James experienced and the numerous near-death experiences during the conversation.
"Huh, I guess if your brother was here, he'd be happy for you too!" Annie stated with good intention.
At that moment, Claire remembered something important, something she had never counted on.
Chris!
How would he react if he knew his dear sister was going out with a renowned Umbrella mercenary? This could end in absolute disaster!
Until his next visit, at least. Right now, he is off working. Probably saving the world again.
"What's in your mind? Come on." Annie cut her train of thoughts.
"You don't need to know it all. I was taken with the same people responsible for the outbreak. So we don't need to talk about it."
Annie understood, and she didn't speak of it any further. That sign that she does not want to talk about it much because there is nothing to say.
"But I think I found the perfect work for me," Claire continued.
Annie's anger bubbled to the surface. Although Annie is glad to speak to Claire again, the recent disconnect in clear communication hurt her feelings.
"You better be. I was lost for a couple of days, not knowing what to do. I barely had the money for food, and I couldn't find a job." Annie muttered.
'Okay, I deserved that.' Claire thought to herself. Since she was resting with the boys while Annie was struggling here alone. How selfish of her.
"I'm sorry. I will apply tomorrow, I promise. You can take my place in the job I took a while back. I won't be going back there anymore."
-Meanwhile-
James stood motionless against the massive trunk of an oak tree near the steel gate of their new home as Mike moved their luggage, his patience running out by the second. Once the last one slammed the gate, he heaved and started looking at the place.
The manor walls sprang from the soil like the very dirt had insulted them. Such ornate brownstone was too arrogant to touch the earth; it was fancier than many an Italian palace. The windows were oversized, mullioned, and almost cathedral-like. They stood as murals, multi-colored, but lacked stories to tell their passersby. Inside, each room was bathed in daylight, carried from the first kiss of dawn to the darkness of twilight's hour. A thick forest surrounded the estate, and it was indeed hidden from view. Someone needs to be looking for it to see it. They had no neighbors for miles.
It felt isolating. Although fancy looking.
Mike pushed the hinged stainless gate open, and a gust of wind welcomed them.
"Welcome home, Lord Grim Reaper, would you like some tea and breakfast in bed?"
Honestly, that joke was not lost on James, a fancy gothic house for the two of them to live in.
The jokes wrote themselves.
The lack of light and the unimaginable amount of dust was the first two things they saw as they entered the home. Naturally, therefore, a lot of cleaning is needed.
Above them hung a steel chandelier within the decorated foyer they entered, silver and swaying back and forth because of the open door.
The living room laid off to their right, past the stairwell existed an expansive recreation room designed for lounging and games, and to their left was a darkly lit parlor that accompanied the smell of old smoke and visiting colognes not documented for many moons in this aged room.
Candles sat on pillars antiquated with dragons perching proudly on their hind legs, the figurines built into the structure in gargoyle fashion, hewn into the dead walls across the structure in as many corners as possible.
"Okay, seriously, was our mom Mina by any chance?" Mike said."What an odd house to live in. Like it's out of the nineteenth century."
"Come now. It's not that odd, there is still electricity we could use. Candles are just decoration or if the power is out." James replied. "Pick whatever room you like."
For the next thirty minutes, the brothers moved trunks of equipment and cases of personal items. They did not have much to have the place feel homely yet, but it's a start.
James picked his room.
It had three tall, narrow windows spaced along the wall.
Curtains diffused the long strips of cold, white light growing across the carpeted floor and up the opposite wall an oversized fireplace... The room was huge, and At the end, there was a king-sized bed with grey sheets.
"Alright, time to get to work," James whispered as he headed back down to help with the luggage.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you The95Will for your help.