End of training and time skip in the next chapter. Just like the other one, this story will be short, but will have big chapters.
Leon didn't know how long it had been since he had arrived there. They wouldn't let him out, and it wasn't as if he had a calendar on the wall in his room.
However, he would say that he had been there for at least four weeks now. Things were not getting any better. That same week, his training regimen would undergo a change.
At William's words, his training would become even more arduous.
Leon sighed. He felt as if he was destroying his muscles every time he left that room. The herbs helped, of course, but just one every time he rested was not enough. Not nearly enough.
Sighing once more, Leon got out of bed and put on his training clothes. There was no watch there either, nor anything to indicate that it was time to leave. According to William, his body should be ready no matter what time it was.
And if he was late, he would be punished.
Damn, it had been a month or so since he had looked in the mirror.
Running his hand through his hair, the young man leaves the room and makes his way through the corridors towards the training wing. On the way, however, he couldn't help but be surprised to see William standing at the end of the hall.
Although he still hated him, Leon had grown accustomed to the typical neutral stare of that so-called "superhuman".
"Sir." He greeted him, and as usual, William turned away, not answering him.
Honestly, Leon wondered if he was really obligated to present himself whenever he saw his "superior". William didn't seem to mind if he didn't say anything.
"As you already know, your training changes this week. This time, you will train outdoors." Leon arched an eyebrow in mild surprise. A pleasant surprise, for a change. "From here on things will get harder and harder. We will slowly decrease your physical aptitude training and include more complex arts for you to take on not only humans, but any kind of monster we know." William said, getting into the elevator ahead. Leon followed him without saying anything, and just watched him push a button next to it and feel the elevator move.
"Be warned, this part, it's going to hurt." William said, and Leon looked away to the floor. As if nothing he had done up to that point hadn't hurt.
As soon as the doors opened, they stepped out of the elevator, and Leon arched an eyebrow at the dimly lit gray hallway. He imagined something fancier like the underground.
However, he could see that it was just as well equipped as down there. There were several rooms of weapons and objects and devices that he had never seen before. Probably things he would use for his training. There was even a large room with several beds scattered about.
The air there was cooler, matching the empty feeling the place had.
They stopped in front of an iron door after a while, and when William opened the door, Leon's eyes widened slightly and he immediately hugged his body as he felt the cold wind whipping around him.
The white snow covered the entire area outside. The area was decorated with several lampposts, garages with military vehicles, and in the distance he even saw an airport.
They went outside, with Leon shivering from the cold. It was only then that he had a better idea of where they were. On top of a mountain.
William, without saying anything, started walking in the opposite direction from where all the garages and control rooms were, with Leon following a few steps behind him.
After a while, they finally reached a remote area. The area was quite long and there were very tall towers scattered around, one far away from the other and with no visible path to any of them. Other than that, there was nothing special about the place. Rock formations and small nature trails, it seemed.
In a moment, Leon grunted slightly in surprise as he felt something extremely cold being placed around his neck. His hands immediately went to said object, and he made a confused and somewhat shocked face as he realized that it was some kind of metal collar.
"What?! What the fuck is this, William?!" Leon asked, turning to the man, who had his arms behind his body.
"Your new training. This is a shock collar that has a strength of 45 volts. The key to it is hidden. Over there." William pointed to the path ahead, the white expanse that seemed to have no end. "You have about an hour before the collar is activated. And it will be constantly activated until you find the key, decreasing by 20 minutes of recharging with each electrical voltage."
"What?!" Leon asked incredulously. "Do you really want to kill me?! A human being can only withstand around 50 volts only!" Leon said with an irritated and somewhat worried look on his face. And William, as usual, remained neutral.
"I suggest you find the key as soon as possible then." That was all he said in response, and this time, Leon grunted loudly while rolling his eyes. "Think about the following scenario. Your communicator broke, your weapons became unusable, and you are in an unknown and hostile environment. Here, we will train your survival instincts. All situations are possible with these viruses on the loose." William said, turning around and taking a few steps away. At one point, however, he turned and faced Leon again.
"By the way... there are some knives lying around the place." He said, and in response, Leon just snorted in disdain as he put his hands on his waist and looked irritated at William.
"And why would I need a knife?!"
"To protect yourself, of course. I told you, alone in an unfamiliar and especially hostile environment." William said, and Leon blinked a few times, with realization becoming more and more evident on his face.
"You... you're not saying that-"
"There are some infected out there." William said with his neutral tone, perhaps, even a little more velvety than usual, and Leon stared at him as if he was losing his mind. But, of course, the blond learned quickly, and he would not be foolish to lose his temper with his superior.
Frankly, he suspected that was exactly what William wanted. And with an unfriendly expression, Leon saluted anyway.
"The entire surrounding area is secluded and is extremely monitored. Nothing gets in or out without us knowing about it. The towers have snipers, in case you are not up to the challenge. The infected are relatively weak, but in your situation... be careful." William said, running his eyes around for a few moments before turning back to face Leon.
Asshole, does he realize that these infected have been human before?! Of course not. What did Leon think? That that piece of shit would have created human emotions out of thin air?
And why are they using infected? Didn't he say that they wanted exactly the destruction of everything and anything related to Umbrella and their viruses?
Son of a bitch.
"You said you would try harder, right? Well, I hope you don't die, Kennedy." Willaim said, turning around indicating he was already leaving. "But in case you do die, maybe it means you're not as worthwhile as we think. Claire and Sherry will accompany you soon after, though."
Leon gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he watched William walk away. That asshole.
That son of a bitch! He was toying with him! Threatening Claire and Sherry to make him angry on purpose.
Oh, he wanted a good soldier? Well, he would have. And one day, Leon would stick a knife in his neck. As he himself had said, he was not human.
So he didn't need to feel bad about killing him.
Breathing harder due to anger, Leon runs his eyes across the vast white expanse, and begins to walk at a fast pace while hugging his body due to the cold.
The first few steps were harder than he could have thought. The snow, though plenty of it, was not cumulative enough and made the place slippery. Which, in turn, made his speed limited.
Another breath of cold wind hit him and Leon put his hands in front of his mouth trying to warm his fingers. Damn, if he didn't die from those infected scattered around, he would surely die of hypothermia.
Gritting his trembling teeth, he focused his gaze on what appeared to be a cave in the distance after some excruciating walking time. His steps soon hurried to said cave, but as he approached, he slowed his steps and approached cautiously.
A cave would be a great place for an infected to stay.
His eyes raced through the interior of the cave. There was no blood anywhere, no footprints, no sign that anyone had actually been there. Not to mention that it wasn't exactly a cave, more like a big hole in a rock.
There was nothing there.
Sighing, Leon turns around and begins his way into the vast white expanse. He checked a few small places hidden and barely visible in the snow along the way. He wouldn't say that the little waste of time was worth it, but he did get a jar of a single green herb and a flashlight.
It was already better than nothing.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but he was getting more and more worried about that collar. If an hour passed, it would be very lucky if he survived. Weakened in the cold, alone, and with infected prowling the area.
After walking for some time, he reached another cave. This one was considerably larger than the others he had been in before.
The place was very dark and seemed to be deep. Looking around once more, Leon tried to warm up his hands before entering the cave and at the same time took out his flashlight.
Like the others, it seemed that no one had stepped foot there in a long time. However, the further he went into the cave, the more the surrounding walls seemed to change.
Perhaps he was going the right way.
After a short while of walking, he sighed in frustration as he came upon the end of the cave. If he didn't know better, he would say that William had painted part of those walls to fool him.
Shaking his head, he turned, but as he did, he saw something in his peripheral vision. Turning again, he walks a few steps to the side and arches an eyebrow when he sees a cloaked bag inside a small hole in the wall.
He only saw the bag because of the strap, which, although camouflaged, was a few shades lighter than the surrounding walls. If it weren't for this, he would have no idea.
Crouching down, he picks up the bag, puts it on the floor and opens it. The first thing he saw was a jacket, which he quickly put on. It wasn't the best, but it helped a little to fight the cold.
The second thing he saw was a small lighter, and lastly, a key. But to his frustration and dismay, it was too big to be the key to that collar.
Picking it up, Leon notices a small piece of paper stuck to the bottom of the bag.
"Unlock the doors." He read it out loud, and his eyes again fell on the object in his hand.
A key to a door. Great, now he just had to find the damn door.
Rising to his feet, he slipped his head under the strap of the bag and began to make his way to the exit. Just as he took the first step, however, a growling noise made every hair on his body shiver, and he turned suddenly.
As soon as he did, something that seemed to be a huge tongue wrapped itself around his forearm, and a monstrous growl mixed with a human female voice invaded his ears.
In front of him, a woman... or rather, something that vaguely resembled a woman, was watching him from the ceiling of the cave.
That creature was... bizarre, for lack of other words. Its body was similar to the human body of a woman, but its limbs were slightly elongated, its legs were upside down, stuck to the ceiling. The thing's stomach was open and Leon couldn't really tell if what he was seeing was guts or malformed tentacles mixed in with the rib bones. The creature's face resembled a female face because of the long blond hair and the earrings in its ears.
But that was where the resemblance ended. The monster's mouth was wide, its nose seemed to be sinking into its skull, its hair had completely fallen out on the left side of its head, and the top of its skull seemed slightly deformed.
The creature, to Leon's surprise, was still wearing clothes, even if they were torn. It was wearing a small feminine white tank top and very short jeans. One of its feet was still wearing what appeared to be a clog.
Where the fuck did William got that thing from?
The tongue, the abdomen, and the noises that this... "monster woman" made sent Leon's mind back to his nightmares. More specifically, he remembered the lickers he had faced.
The creature soon attacked him, jumping at great speed towards Leon, who in reflex, jumped to the side and rolled on the ground, focusing his eyes on that monster soon after.
It was then that he understood why he hadn't found any weapon until that point. There was a knife stuck in the creature's lower back.
Fucking William!
The creature attacked him again, leaping toward him as it retracted its tongue. Leon grunted at the great force pulling on his arm, and when he saw that he couldn't dodge to the side in time, he simply ducked, practically lying on the ground.
The monster hit the wall behind him, and Leon stood in shock for a mere moment as he saw the destruction caused to the wall. That thing was strong.
Recovering from the initial shock, he quickly tries to grab the knife, but the creature moves again and, with one of its long arms, tries to attack the blond.
Leon dodges again and counters with a kick to the creature's rear leg, which grunts as it loses its balance. However, the creature recovered quickly and launched itself towards Leon, falling on top of him and opening its mouth to bite him.
Leon came face to face with that monster, and seeing his situation, he gritted his teeth and grabbed one of the rib bones that was exposed in the creature's abdomen and stabbed the bone into the side of the monster's neck, which grunted loudly in pain and backed away in reflex.
The blond man stands up, but to his surprise, the creature stands on both legs and stares at Leon with anger in its opaque gaze. It was as if there was still something human inside that deformed body.
The creature advanced towards Leon at great speed and grabbed him by the shoulders, throwing him backwards as if he were nothing. The young man grunts as he feels his back hit the wall, and despite the pain, he widens his eyes as he sees the creature moving once more, and in reflex, throws his head to the side, dodging a piercing attack by the thing's claws.
He was face to face with the monster's exposed stomach, and for a few moments even felt like vomiting.
Acting quickly, he kicked hard at the monster's knee, causing it to lose its balance again. Getting up while grabbing the creature's head, Leon slams the thing's head against the wall, getting a chance to grab the knife.
As soon as he did, however, the monster put both big hands on the wall and pushed back hard, bouncing back as soon as its legs touched the ground and sticking to the wall once more.
They both stared at each other, the creature began to move slowly up the wall and ceiling without removing its gray eyes from Leon as he returned the gaze already in attack position.
The creature then opened its mouth, and already used to that kind of attack, Leon already moved the moment it did, skillfully dodging the monster's piercing tongue. Acting at great speed, Leon in one precise and swift movement, cut the creature's tongue, which soon retracted what was left and grunted loudly in a mixture of pain and anger.
The creature then leaped towards Leon again, just as fast as before. In reflex, Leon dodged. However, it was somewhat obvious that this creature had a certain level of intelligence, for it seemed to expect Leon to do just that, and before he could even get up, he felt his leg being grabbed, then the side of his jacket, and finally, he felt a sharp pain in the upper back.
He screamed and flailed in pain, but the creature literally grabbed him from behind and lifted him into the air while ripping a chunk out of his flesh.
Leon tried everything, but the grip was simply too strong.
With his legs, he pushed himself backwards, feeling the creature crash into the wall, but it was useless, it wouldn't let him go.
However, his training soon came to his mind, and lifting his legs up high, he strongly forces them down while throwing his torso forward. They both fell and they rolled on the ground. Leon immediately let go as he felt the grip loosen, and as he stood up, he stabbed his knife into the side of the creature's body.
The monster growled and grunted, but before it could act, Leon stabbed it again. Again and again, until the last grunt was heard as Leon stabbed the blade into the side of the creature's skull.
The young man, panting, sat down beside the creature's body. God, he was shivering, but not from the cold.
He knew deep in his being that facing those things was... horrible, an experience he would not wish on anyone. But with the training, he even forgot a little about it.
He forgot about the cold, his body was focused only on the warm blood that flowed down his back.
He could have died there. Just as he could have died in Raccoon... just as he could still die. It wasn't over yet.
He needed to get better...he had to.
Grabbing the vial of green herb, Leon takes all the liquid in one gulp, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through his body as he stood up.
He picked up the knife again and focused his eyes on the exit of the cave.
But before he could leave, curse his luck, a noise made itself present behind him, and as he turned around, it was impossible for Leon not to grunt in frustration and anger.
"You're fucking kidding me." He muttered as he saw not just one, but two of those same creatures, moving slowly along the wall as they stared at him predatorily.
"See, I told you it was good! How can you hate a soldier who single-handedly risks himself to save war prisoners in Vietnam? Aren't you a soldier too? Wouldn't you do the same?" Sherry asked somewhat excitedly as she looked at Chris, who had a small, minimal, smile on his face upon hearing the girl.
Well, she seemed cheerful, and Claire didn't look as depressing as she used to, so that was worth it.
"Okay, I can respect him for doing that. But the movie exaggerates too much. Why do all the enemies miss their shots but he doesn't?" Chris asked, acting a little dramatic to please the little girl, who smiled slightly.
"Do you miss many shots?"
"No. I never miss."
"Then why is that exaggerated if you don't miss either?" She asked, and Chris opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out.
Off to the side, a small chuckle made itself present.
"She got you there." Claire said in good humor, happy to see Sherry smiling, enjoying that warm feeling in her chest in which she hadn't felt in some time.
To many, a little over a month was a short time, but she felt that month had gone by so slowly that it seemed much longer.
"Okay, fine, I'll admit that the movie isn't bad. Especially when he put that Russian guy in that torture electric grid." Chris said, opening the back door of his car so Sherry could get in.
"I must admit it wasn't bad either. I guess I was too hasty about the ending." Claire said, closing the door and watching Chris get into the car.
"I thought it was over the top." Chris said, and Claire laughed lightly, causing him to look at her with an arched eyebrow.
"Oh, that is so you."
"What? No, it's not."
"Yes, it is. You've always been a troublemaker, and I can totally see you shooting while screaming in your superior's office after going through something like that." Sherry laughed, Claire smiled, Chris snorted.
"No, I wouldn't do that..." Claire grunted. "I mean, maybe." Claire grunted again and he sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay. There's a high possibility that I would do that, but nothing is certain."
Claire just shook her head, turning her attention back to the road.
She still felt strange. As she herself had thought before, she doubted that she would ever be able to be truly normal again. Especially after learning that Chris was thinking of ending Umbrella.
She sighed. She had decided that that night was just for fun, so she wouldn't think about that subject for now.
"Hey, Chris, can I wear your hat?" Sherry asked in the back seat, and Chris handed her the hat.
"It's all yours."
"Why are you wearing a hat anyway?" Claire asked.
"So as not to attract attention. You know, from that thing you practically forced me to say."
"I had to know anyway." Claire said simply, sighing slightly and settling into her seat.
She watched the streets that passed by at high speed. That month was... interesting. She felt better than before, of course, but it was as if a big hole had formed inside her and she didn't know how to fill that hole again.
She didn't know if it was a consequence of Raccoon... or of Leon's disappearance.
Or both.
Argh, there she was thinking about it again. It was hard to try to ignore it.
But, well, now, she could see a path to a stable future, at least.
"Are you still going to that party, Claire?" Sherry asked, bringing her out of her thoughts, and the young woman runs her hand down the back of her neck.
"I don't know." She replied.
"I still think you should go." Chris said. " Of cours, you are forbidden to drink, accept anything they offer you, boys, and you should be back before eleven." He said, and slightly incredulous, Claire looked at the watch on her wrist.
"Before eleven? But it's already nine at night."
"Exactly." Chris said, and Claire shook her head. "I said it's good for you to go out, but I didn't say it should be for a long time. And I don't trust these college parties. Honestly, I'm only letting you go because I know your friend, and she's reserved."
"Hey, I don't need your permission." Claire said, crossing her arms and looking at him with fake irritation.
"Of course you do, I'm the oldest. Not to mention it's dangerous to leave you alone for too long." Chris replied.
"I'm an adult."
"You're nineteen, you won't be an adult until you're thirty."
"What? You're not even thirty."
"But I am more mature."
"As far as I know, it's women who mature earlier than men."
"Whoever told you that, lied." Chris said, and Claire couldn't help but laugh slightly. "Same goes for you back there, young lady." Sherry arched her eyebrows.
"What, but it's Claire who's going to a party."
"But someday you'll feel like going to one too, and I'm already giving you the rules beforehand. Only, in your case, you'll be back an hour earlier than Claire." Sherry feigned incredulity.
"An hour earlier? But I won't enjoy anything."
"And the boys won't have time to get close to you." Chris said, and Sherry, like Claire, crossed her arms and feigned irritation.
"...I'll let you have chocolate today." He said, and the smile on her face was immediate.
Claire felt a little envious of Sherry. At how the girl could so easily pretend to be fine, and from pretending and trying so hard to actually be fine, she would eventually get better.
The younger Redfield was having trouble doing that, despite her progress.
She didn't even notice when they pulled up to her college entrance.
At first, she thought she would be happy to go back there. But again, reality seemed to go against her.
She once again felt uncomfortable, but this time, she knew why.
College was something normal. Something that was once part of her everyday life and the normal people she had normal friendships with.
College, to her, represented normality. And that was something her insides no longer liked.
However, she did a good job of ignoring those thoughts and feelings.
Beside her, Chris opened the driver's door and got out, making Sherry and Claire look at him curiously.
He went around the car and opened the door for Claire, who arched an eyebrow and couldn't help but smile at him.
"Well well well, and they still say chivalry is dead." She joked, and Chris smiled slightly.
"If it died, it wasn't my fault." He said, and for a few moments, the small smile on the young woman's lips died. Memories returned to her mind, and soon she found herself facing that same perfect shy smile, stamped on the face of that fucking handsome cop.
"Are you okay?" Chris asked, snapping her out of her thoughts, and Claire shook her head in an attempt to push those thoughts away.
So much work to not think about anything that night.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm just... I'm anxious. You know, after everything. There were times I thought I wouldn't make it back." She said as she got out of the car, feeling Chris's gaze fixed on her. She knew he had picked up on her lie, or at least part of it, but she just ignored it.
"Don't worry, Claire. No one is stronger than you." Sherry's childish voice made the woman smile slightly and look at the girl. "I mean, except Chris." She rolled her eyes.
"Well, she couldn't have said it better. No one is stronger than you, just me." Chris said before Claire's mind could complete that memory, and the woman sighed slightly.
"Sure, in your dreams, you idiot." She said, and he gave a nasal laugh.
"There's the Claire bear I know." He joked.
"Ah fuck you."
"Claire bear?" Sherry asked, and Chris grinned mischievously.
"It's an affectionate nickname I gave her because she acts too much like a man." She rolled her eyes.
"Don't listen to him, Sherry. He's a big jerk."
"Okay, Claire bear." Claire turned incredulously to Sherry, who like Chris, had a teasing smile on her face.
"Ha! I love this girl. Get in the front seat, Sherry." Chris said with a victorious smile. Two against one.
Great.
"Okay, go ahead and have fun. But don't have too much fun. I'll pick you up at eleven." Chris said, already walking over to the driver's seat.
"Really? It can't be midnight?"
"At eleven, Claire. Not a minute longer." Chris said, and Claire rolled her eyes.
She stood there watching the car drive away, and waved back to Sherry who was waving out the window.
As soon as the car was out of her sight, she sighed once more and turned around, staring at her college building.
God, how many times had she thought she would never go back there? It was even weird.
But it couldn't be that bad, right? I mean, she survived monsters that could destroy concrete like it was nothing, she could certainly survive some drunk teenagers and young adults.
Right?
She was already regretting going there.
"Well, let's go... I only have two hours anyway." She said to herself, just before she started walking to the place.
She couldn't remember what that party was about, nor did she really care, but if she wasn't mistaken, almost all the students would be there. She could hear the sound of music and voices in the background.
The closer she got, the more she wanted to leave. Weeks ago she would have been nervous about her look, today she couldn't care less.
Not that she was sloppy, she wore a pair of jeans with black shorts underneath. A red jacket with an angel on the back and a black blouse underneath. Not exactly a party outfit, but she liked it.
As she made her way down the hall, her eyes quickly fell on the crowd ahead of her. The place was packed. The outside of the campus was full of people with drinking glasses in their hands, the inside of the campus courtyard was filled with a DJ and other people dancing and having a good time.
The lights, the noise, the loud conversations. Before she had always enjoyed all of this, today she couldn't stop herself from thinking that it all just made them targets for human-eating creatures.
She sighed again, shaking her head and pushing those thoughts away as she walked through the crowd.
Chris would be back in two hours, so she didn't need to stay there that long. She would just say hello to her friend, maybe have a drink, and then she would go somewhere more secluded and wait for Chris there.
Among the crowd she recognized familiar faces. Classmates, some teachers even, people from other classrooms. She even thought about saying hello, but in the end she gave up.
After some time walking aimlessly through the crowd, in the distance she could see a familiar hair. Hm, Claire even smiled a little at the sight of her friend's face, she had always been more reserved, and as usual, was further away from the center of the crowd with a drink in her hand and a stare at the sky.
It was great to know that she wasn't the only one who felt out of place there.
"A penny for your thoughts." She said as she approached, snapping the girl out of her thoughts and causing her to turn toward her. The girl smiled happily at seeing her and the two hugged each other as they always did.
"Claire. It's so good to see you here. Where the fuck have you been? I even tried to go to your house but no one would answer me." The girl said, and Claire scratched the back of her neck as she thought of an excuse.
"Well, Chris was on vacation, you know, last minute thing. We spent some time together." She said, leaning on the wall next to her friend.
"Really? That's nice, Chris hardly ever takes a vacation. I hope you had a great time, because you missed a lot, and there's some work coming up."
"I guess I won't have to worry. I'm getting out of college." Claire said, and her friend looked at her with slightly surprised eyes.
"Leaving? Why? Are you finally moving with Chris?"
"It's not that. On this... trip of ours, I've discovered other things I want to do. You know, I kind of mentioned almost going to medical school before." Claire replied, staring at the ground.
"Oh, hm, I'm happy for you then. Hell of a job, I tell you. But gee, I'll be so lonely without my Claire Bear to make me laugh at her stupidities." She joked, and Claire looked at her with a small grimace.
"Oh fuck you, Angela." She said with a smile.
"Well our dear friend Eddie tried last week. Can you believe he tried to kiss me even though he has a girlfriend?" Angela said and Claire feigned interest.
Gossip, boyfriends, those teenage intrigues that she had thought were cool before seemed nothing more than nonsense now.
Nobody there had anything to offer. The boys just wanted to have fun and the girls just wanted to feel famous, what was the point?
While teenagers were playing house, there were other places in the world being attacked by viruses created by Umbrella. Who would be there to care for the injured?
"Earth to Claire. Are you there?" Claire blinked a few times as Angela snapped her fingers in front of her eyes.
"Oh, ahm, sorry. Tiring week." She made up an excuse, and Angela just looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
"I know, they say medicine is pretty tiring. But that's for later, that biker of yours is coming." Angela said, and Claire almost couldn't control her expression of despair.
Oh no...
A few weeks ago she had sort of hooked up with this guy, he was older, redheaded, tall, and was known to have a few motorcycles.
He wasn't in college, she met him through a group of friends... no, a group of acquaintances... a group of people who were stupid enough to think that a guy who occasionally broke the law was awesome.
And to make it worse, it was with him that she had her first kiss. What a wonderful thing.
"Honestly, he's handsome but he's not for me. I don't know what you saw in him." Angela said, and internally, Claire had to agree. "But, well, have fun and good luck." Angela said, winking at Claire before leaving.
The young woman stared at her almost in complete desperation, opening her mouth to ask her to come back, however, to her misfortune, the guy caught up with her, leaning on the wall in front of her and looking at her with a smile... seductive, perhaps?
Was he trying to seduce her? Well, likely, she noticed the look he was sending her body.
Argh.
"Hello, princess. Where have you been?" He asked, and Claire felt her stomach turn as she forced a smile.
"Oh, you know, around. So... you know, I kind of-"
"You look beautiful." He interrupted her, and Claire scratched the back of her neck again.
"Ahm... thanks."
"Hey, I bought a new Harley. Me and the guys are going for a ride when this is over. Come with us."
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood. Not to mention that my brother is at the house today. He's staying for the month. I just came here to say goodbye to some friends."
"Oh, you're leaving?"
"...Yeah, I'm leaving college. I kind of have to go now, actually." Liar.
"Wait, if you're leaving, we have to have fun one more time. You know, like goodbye."
"... No, I'm sorry. I really don't-"
"It'll be quick. Look, you're really nice, different. And you said you were a Harley fan, I can show you mine real quick, talk a little bit and that's it. A few minutes." He insisted, and Claire cocked her head to the side, thoughtfully.
She really didn't want to. But at the same time, a Harley always made her eyes light up. Especially that hers was probably still at that gas station or stolen by someone.
Fuck.
And, well, she would probably never see him again, so...
Argh, she would regret that later, she was sure.
"Okay, sure. If it won't take long." She said, and he nodded with a winning smile, taking her hand and making his way through the crowd.
She sighed as she was led out, her eyes running over the tattoos on the arm of... wait... what was his name again?
Oh great, she forgot.
She liked tattoos, she still did, but small tattoos. At least 60% of the arm of the nameless guy in front of her was covered with tattoos, even a few scars which, now that she looked closer, didn't look like they were from a knife like he had said.
They were too few and too small, it looked more like he had fallen and cut himself by accident.
Jesus, how could she have missed this before? Or had she known all along but pretended to ignore it to be part of the popular group?
She really should stop embarrassing herself.
Before she would look at that guy and think he was strong, that because he ignored police warnings that he was cool. But now, up close, he didn't look like that at all.
His arm was bigger than hers, but he didn't have many muscles. He was tall, but thin. Did that guy even eat by any chance?
As they left, she soon focused her eyes on said motorcycle parked not far from there, and her interest grew a little.
"See, isn't she a beauty?" The guy asked, and Claire nodded as she circled the bike.
"She's just like the one I had." She said, more to herself than to him, but still, he listened.
"You had one?"
"Ah... yes, I mean, Chris helped me buy it. Unfortunately it was... stolen." She said, shaking her head.
"Geez, really? Did anyone see it?"
"No, no one saw anything."
"Was it here in town?"
"No I...I was going to visit Chris."
"Oh. Did you get a ride with him?"
"No... a cop gave me a ride... hell of a ride." She said with a certain bitterness, which seemed to make him pleased.
"Tell me about it. The other day a cop stopped me to give me a ticket, while he was writing I yelled that there was a guy with a gun behind him and as soon as he turned I took off. Most of them are such idiots." He said, and she ran her hand through her hair.
Dude you have no idea what a cop is capable of.
"So, you said you were a rider, and since yours was stolen, how about a ride?" he asked, and she looked at him with an arched eyebrow, wondering if he was serious.
In response, he just tossed the bike keys toward her, who caught them still in midair.
"Just try not to scratch my baby." He said, and with a small smile, she nodded.
As she sat down, she watched the bike more closely as her hands slowly stroked the handlebars.
God, she missed that feeling.
What she didn't miss, however, was that guy - whose name she had forgotten - pressing his body to her back. She felt something pressing on her that she didn't want to feel.
"Hey, what-" His arms wrapped around her waist and she felt his lips on her neck, something that almost made her cry out in surprise.
"You disappeared after that day. You left before we were done." He said in a husky voice next to her ear, and Claire pulled away somewhat violently.
She left because, although she had enjoyed that kiss that day, she wanted nothing more than that. Deep down, she was scared, and she felt that he wasn't the guy.
Without saying a word, she stood up, which left him looking at her somewhat confused.
"You wanted to show me your Harley, well, I've seen it. Now I'm leaving." She said, being able to hear his footsteps behind her.
"Wait, wait." He put a hand on her shoulder, but not for long since she moved a few steps further away. "Why are you like this? Is it something I did?"
She sighed.
"No. I'm just not in the mood. I don't want to. I told you that." She said with a serious face, looking him deep in the eyes.
"Okay, shit, I'm sorry. I just thought that... that day you were really into it, and since you had to leave I thought..."
"Well, sorry, but I'm not interested right now." She said, shrugging. "You should get back to the party now." She turned and walked away.
And to her happiness, he didn't follow her. A pity she couldn't say goodbye to Angela.
An evening of many sensations, which ended with Chris scolding her for going home alone, and then the three of them watching movies on TV until a few hours before the sun rose over the horizon.
At the moment, she was in the kitchen, sitting with her arms on the counter and her gaze unfocused on the window.
It was getting bright and early in the morning, but she wasn't sleepy. She was anxious, in fact.
The heavy footsteps beside her indicated the arrival of Chris, who stopped for a few moments to look at her, surprised to see her awake.
"...You haven't slept, have you?" He asked, though it was more of a confirmation than a question.
"No, I didn't."
"Claire-"
"It's not about Raccoon... I mean, sort of. But I wanted to talk to you." She said, and he arched an eyebrow.
Well, it was more than she had done in that last month, and if she wanted to talk, she was getting better... right?
"You said you are planning to destroy Umbrella. Jill, Barry... you already have some contacts of interest. I want to help." Chris was frozen for a few moments. His eyes widening more and more in disbelief as his mind repeated those words to make sure he didn't hear wrong.
"...What?"
"Exactly what I said. I want to help." Chris, in response, grumbled loudly and shook his head in denial. "I don't see myself having a normal job, Chris! Not after Raccoon! You went through something similar, you must understand me!"
"Claire, if you think I'm going to let you fight Umbrella like that, you're out of your-"
"And who said anything about fighting?" She asked, and despite the still stern expression, Chris looked at her with some doubt. "I can take care of myself, Chris, but I'm not a soldier. You said that other places in the world were hit by this virus or whatever, and that a lot of people were killed and the survivors were devastated. I want to help those survivors." She paused for a few moments, analyzing the older Redfield's reactions.
"I want to provide medical help, assistance for these people who have lost everything. What I saw in Raccoon... all the people who died but could have been saved. People who sought shelter in a police station that soon became another trap. I don't want something like that to happen."
"I understand, Claire. I really do understand. But Umbrella is on another level of dangerous. That kind of thing fucks with your mind, the deaths, the bodies. It's not something just anyone can just get involved in."
"I'm not just anyone. And I think I already got involved the moment I went to Raccoon." Chris ran his hand through his hair, grimacing at that thought.
"What about Sherry? She needs you." Chris said, and Claire looked away. She knew that.
"We can stay with you for now."
"What?"
"You said yourself that the place you're in is safe. A base. And as far as I know, we're a target, right? I am your sister, Sherry is with us now, and you are on the front lines against Umbrella. We'd be safer there than here."
Chris sighed again.
"Are you sure, Claire? This isn't like any job out there. And you'll be involving a child in it."
"...You were already planning to take us there, weren't you?" She asked, and Chris scratched the back of his neck.
"... I have to do this. Umbrella may know about you. And William Birkin is a known figure."
"I know. I noticed, all these phone calls. All I'm asking you is to not treat me like a victim and let me help."
"Claire, this is different. You won't be in direct confrontation with Umbrella, but you will run the risk of having their attention turned on you."
"...I know. But I'm not going to change my mind, Chris." She said with firm words, and Chris, again, sighed. Redfields really were hard to deal with, Jesus.
"You've always preferred to help people, I guess I should have expected it. If you are really going to do this, you will listen to me, every word, and obey. I'll see what I can do."
Chris said, and in gratitude and relief, Claire smiled, hugging him tightly soon after, glad that he listened to her.
Chris, for his part, was more than worried.
He just hoped that everything would be okay. Which proved to be a rare thing since those viruses had arrived.
But hey, he won't be the only one there to take care of the two, even if he has no idea at the moment.
