A Star's Descent: Book Two: Star Fall

By evolution-500

Disclaimer: House of the Dead and Resident Evil are properties belonging to SEGA and Capcom respectively. I do not own any of these characters.

WARNING: This story contains violence, coarse language, mature and disturbing themes and imagery. Reader discretion is advised.

Chapter Eleven: Poisoned

Rebecca hunched over Richard, checking him worriedly as Chris came racing back.

"What happened?" Redfield asked.

"I think he's been poisoned," Rebecca said as she took of her backpack.

"Poisoned?" he repeated. "How? He wasn't bit."

"Richard had pricked himself with a dislodged fang. From his reaction, it still had traces of venom on it," the medic explained as she opened up her bag and sifted through its contents.

"Do you think you can treat it?" Star asked nervously.

"The antidote in my bag should work," Rebecca assured as she put on some latex gloves. At least, she hoped it did.

Taking out a bottle and a First Aid kit, she extracted a hypodermic needle, causing the albino to blanch and look away while she carefully read the instructions on the back of the bottle. Once the Bravo medic found the appropriate dosage, she carefully extracted the specified amount with the needle. Pulling the cap off, Rebecca started to swab Richard's wrist with a bit of alcohol and a piece of cotton, then carefully inserted the needle into the vein. Finishing, she pulled the needle away, pressing the cotton firmly down, covering it with a bandaid.

"It's done," Rebecca nodded. "He just needs some rest. I'll have to keep an eye on him to make sure, though. We should get him out of here before that thing comes back."

"I'll carry him," Star offered.

Rebecca shook her head. "No, Star."

"But-"

"You'll reopen the wound on your shoulder," she interrupted, indicating the wounded area, "plus you're carrying your suitcases. As much as I appreciate the offer, you're not Superman."

Chris approached. "I can help."

"Same here," Joseph volunteered

"Okay," Rebecca nodded, watching as they moved to Richard's side.

"On three," Chris announced. "One. Two. Three!"

Letting out grunts of exertion, they picked Aiken up from off the ground, the Bravo's arms draped around their shoulders.

"Okay, buddy, let's get you somewhere comfortable and safe." Chris nodded. "Everything is going to be okay."

"Any place spring to mind?" Star asked as he loaded up his suitcase and picked it up, grabbing hold of the other.

"I was going to suggest the bar," Redfield replied, "but since the storage room has a bed..."

He trailed off.

"I see," Star sighed.

"I'll take the lead. Rebecca, with me," Jill said, raising her weapon. Rebecca brought up her own, watching as the older woman stepped back down through the door. "All clear."

Once Chris and Joseph exited, Star went after. Giving the attic and the snake one last look, Rebecca turned around, shuddering in disgust.

Floors and doors creaked and groaned for the survivors as they marched along, eying every shadow and corner. Although everything seemed empty, Rebecca knew better than to let her guard down. Paintings and windows watched their every move, the walls feeling as if they were closing in. Despite the lush furnishings and lovely wallpaper, the mansion seemed more like a bear trap that was ready to spring; all it would take, the medic knew, was one careless step, and then the steel jaws come crushing down without warning.

As the survivors began their journey back, Rebecca looked over to Jill.

"Thanks for coming," she said gratefully.

Jill smiled. "Don't mention it, kid."

As they slipped back down the stairs one by one, something nagged at the medic. Then it hit her.

"Jill?"

"Yes, Rebecca?"

"...Out of curiosity... how did you and Joseph get here so quickly? How did you find us?"

Jill shrugged. "We found some stairs. All we had to do was just follow the screams and gunshots."

Rebecca blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry," she said awkwardly as she cleared her throat. "Stupid question."

"It's okay," the older woman said, raising a hand.

The teenager nervously glanced around as they moved past the pillar room.

"...So..." Jill spoke, "you and Wolf..."

Rebecca blinked. "Me and Star what?" she asked innocently.

Jill gave her a suggestive look.

The medic sighed. "There's nothing going on between us, Jill."

"Uh huh," Jill said, unconvinced.

"It's true!" Rebecca squeaked indignantly. "Star is just a friend!"

The Alpha laughed. "I'm just teasing, Rebecca!"

"Yeah, yeah, very funny, Jill," the medic said as she rolled her eyes. "Go ahead, pick on the newbie."

Jill then looked over her shoulder at the albino. "In all seriousness, though...what do you think? Do you think he's actually Wesker's son?"

Rebecca glanced over to him, then looked back to Jill.

"I'm not sure," the Bravo said honestly. "He's pretty certain that he is, but I don't really see any resemblance. If he is, then it's possible he inherited his eyes from the Captain."

She watched as Jill shivered. "Ugh! I just had an image of Captain Wesker with those eyes. It's kind of creepy to think about."

Rebecca shrugged.

Jill looked back to her curiously. "Is there a name for his condition?"

"According to Star it's a genetic disorder called 'Cat's Eye Syndrome'," Rebecca answered.

"'Cat's Eye Syndrome'?" The Alpha repeated.

"Also known as Schmid-Fraccaro Syndrome. Apparently, it's a genetic disorder caused by a chromosomal abnormality and is hereditary."

Jill blinked in surprise. "Huh." She tilted her head up thoughtfully. "I guess that explains why Captain Wesker wears sunglasses all the time. He must be pretty sensitive about it."

Rebecca looked to her curiously. "Do you...think he was bullied as a kid?" she asked hesitantly.

Jill considered it.

"...If you had asked me before tonight, I'd have said no, just because the idea of anyone picking on the Captain, even as a kid, just seems so...odd. Wesker always seems like he could handle himself." The Alpha shifted. "However, if he does it have this...'Cat's Eye Syndrome'...I don't know. Maybe? I guess it would explain some things about him." The older woman glanced back to Star. "What about that discoloration in his eyes? Is that part of his condition as well?"

"I'm not sure," Rebecca shook her head. "Star said that even his own doctor was stumped by it. Personally, I think it's an infection, but I don't really know myself."

At the word "infection", Rebecca noticed Jill giving her a concerned look, causing the medic to regret her choice of words.

"...Rebecca...what do you think of him?" the latter asked quietly.

The Bravo medic hesitated. "...What do you mean?"

Jill squirmed uncomfortably. "I don't really know how to say this, but...has he...ever...struck you as...strange?"

Rebecca detected the conspiratorial note in her tone. "What are you thinking?"

Jill frowned. "I don't mean to be offensive or anything," she said slowly, "but...every time I see him...I keep...getting odd...vibes from him."

Rebecca stopped, drawing her attention along with everyone else's.

"Is everything okay, girls?" Chris called.

Rebecca looked back. "Uh yeah, everything is fine!" She responded. Shifting her attention back to Jill, the medic gave a slight nod. "I know what you mean. Richard had felt the same way earlier and mentioned that to us as well. Sometimes even I would pick up on it. With that said, though...I would then think about Star's other qualities..."

Jill gave a teasing smile. "Why Rebecca! Don't tell me you have a crush now, do you?"

"What?!" The medic blushed. "N-No, I was just saying! Don't be ridiculous."

"Oh come on, Rebecca, you can tell a girl if you do. He is kind of cute."

Rebecca raised a brow. "Are you sure it's not you with the crush?"

Jill scoffed. "Nah. He's too young," she stated. "Plus, I already have a guy."

Rebecca looked at her in surprise. "You do? Who?"

The B&E specialist gave a glance behind, gesturing with a tilt of her head. Peeking over her shoulder, Rebecca found herself looking at Chris, then turned back to Jill in shock.

"...You and-"

"Yep."

"How long?"

Jill smiled. "Since the day we met," she replied quietly. "Of course, we've always been careful." She shifted with discomfort. "...I know it's a workplace violation, but...it would be greatly appreciated if you didn't mention this to anyone, especially the Captain."

Rebecca gave a thumbs up. "You can count on me!"

The moon gleamed over the mansion, casting its pale light over the building.

Once the survivors returned back to the storeroom in the west wing, Rebecca watched as Chris and Joseph lowered Richard carefully down onto the bed. As they cleared away, she stepped toward him.

"How are you feeling, Richard?" the medic asked.

"Like shit," he grumbled.

"Would you like us to take your vest off?"

"Sure," Aiken said reluctantly.

Unzipping his combat vest, Rebecca carefully took it off from his shoulders, putting it on the desk beside the bed.

"Does that feel better?"

He nodded drowsily. She then carefully checked his vitals.

"Okay, now get some rest, Richard. If you need anything, just let me know, alright?"

"Sure, Rebecca," Aiken said tiredly, his eyes closed. As the Bravo nodded off, Rebecca looked back to Chris and the others.

"Thanks guys," the medic nodded appreciatively.

"No prob, rookie," Joseph nodded back.

"Is he going to be okay?" Chris asked.

"He just needs some rest. I'll keep an eye on him, though, just to be sure," Rebecca said.

The Alpha Point Man sighed. "Okay." He then turned to Star. "Sorry, kid, but I'm going to need you to stay here with them."

Star nodded. "As you wish."

Chris looked back to Rebecca. "Rebecca, in the event that you're in trouble and need help-"

"I'll call you, Jill or Joseph," the Bravo medic nodded. "Good luck, guys."

Jill nodded back. "You too, Rebecca."

As the Alphas departed again, Rebecca glanced over to Star.

"Well," she sighed, "it's just us again."

The albino set down his suitcases.

"I'll sit here and keep watch while you take the chair," Star said as he sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Are you sure?" Rebecca asked. "Wouldn't you be more comfortable on the chair?"

He waved. "You need it more than I do. I'll be fine."

She shrugged. "Okay."

As the two sat quietly together in the room, Rebecca watched as Star pulled his hood off, leaning his head back with a sigh.

"Exciting night, huh?" the medic shrugged.

The albino scoffed. "No kidding." He then looked at her curiously, speaking in a quiet voice, "...Why did you do it?"

"Do what?" she asked.

"Save me? I thought you were terrified of snakes."

Rebecca frowned. "I am," she replied, "but...if I had done nothing... you would have gotten killed. I had to do something to help you. Granted, it wasn't the best decision I've ever made, but... I don't regret it."

"Even with the potential threat that I pose?" the red-draped albino asked.

Rebecca was still at first, then she nodded. "Yes."

"Why?"

Rebecca shrugged nonchalantly. "Aside from my...other reasons for joining, in general... I just...I just want to help people. That... and... well... I like you."

Star blinked in shock, his eyes wide and mouth partly open, looking startled.

"Don't look so surprised, Star," the medic giggled, her features softening. "Whether you're infected or not, I do care about you. And...so long as I'm alive...I want to do everything I can to help you."

The albino continued looking at her, his face unreadable. "...Rebecca?"

"Yes, Star?"

"...Thank you."

Rebecca smiled. "Any time."

Leaning back against the wall, Star heaved a sigh.

"I wish I had some extra apples," the albino said wistfully. "Or even a book."

Hearing that, Rebecca dug through the bowels of her backpack, searching around until finally pulling out the item she sought.

"Here," she called, tossing the book to him. Glancing to her in surprise as he caught it, the medic watched as he curiously looked at the cover, then looked back to her, raising a brow.

"...Garfield?" he said with amusement.

"What?" she said innocently. "I like Garfield. Don't tell me you're too good for it."

He smiled. "...Not at all! Thank you, Rebecca."

The medic watched as he leaned back, flipping it open and read quietly, chuckling at the strips inside.

The Alphas continued their way back to F-shaped corridor when Chris froze.

"...Did we explore this room?" he asked, pointing to a door that was neatly tucked into the side wall beside the exit.

"I don't think so," Jill answered honestly. "I didn't even see it until now."

"Same here," Joseph replied.

Looking back to the door, Chris gave a shrug as he grabbed the knob. "Well, here goes nothing."

Chris glanced around the room as the entered. It was tiny space covered by large carpets and cluttered with furniture, with a desk in a corner that had some picture frames hanging over it, a shelf with a ladder to the left, a dresser, a large kerosene jug in the middle and various chairs. Checking the desk, he tried pulling it open.

"Locked."

Jill stepped forward. "Leave it to me, Chris."

Redfield watched as she kneeled down, taking out her trusty lockpicks. Minutes later, there came a click.

"And, done," Jill said, giving a satisfied grin as she put her lockpicks away. Pulling open the drawer, she gasped.

"What?" Chris asked.

He watched as she extracted a Colt Python handgun out. Joseph grinned.

"Now we're talking!" he nodded approvingly. "Does it have any ammo?"

Jill checked the cylinder, nodding. "Yep. Five rounds."

Tucking it into her belt, the Alpha went back to checking the desk.

"Anything else?" Chris asked.

"I found a flashbang," she said, pocketing the item.

"Nice," the Point Man nodded.

"Some handgun ammo," Jill called, handing the clip to Chris. Taking it, he divided up the rounds between himself, Jill and Joseph. Once the trio finished reloading, they stored the rest into their pockets. Turning around, Jill continued her search.

"Let's see...ooh, shotgun shells! Looks like you're in luck, Joseph!"

Joseph grinned as she tossed him the box of ammo. Once he finished reloading, he cocked his Mossberg. "Groovy."

Chris raised a brow at him.

"How long have you been waiting to say that?" he asked.

Joseph's smile grew larger. "You have no idea!"

The Alpha Point Man rolled his eyes.

"Let's check the rest of this place and see if there's anything useful that we can use. You check the shelf."

Minutes passed as the trio navigated through the clutter. Chris coughed as dust sprung up into the air, waving his hands around as he checked each nook and cranny.

"I found a shotgun," Joseph called from the shelf, "but it's broken."

"Let's take it with us," Jill suggested. "Maybe we can find something to repair it with."

"I don't know, Jill," the Omni Man shook his head. "This thing looks pretty useless. The only way it could be useful is as a club, to be honest."

Chris sighed.

"Well, it's better than nothing," he replied. "Let's take it with us just the same."

Joseph shrugged, then tossed it to Jill.

Just as the trio were about to head back outside, Jill raised a hand. "Wait."

Chris looked at her curiously. "What?"

He watched as the B&E Specialist went over to the kerosene jug, lifting it up as she sloshed it around.

"The Captain said to load up on some kerosene," Jill said as she took a small canister out from her fanny pack. "Might as well make use of this."

Screwing open the cap, she poured the contents from the jug into the bottle before sealing it up.

"I don't suppose either of you have a lighter of a match, do you?" she asked.

Joseph shook his head regretfully.

"I do," Chris said as he took out his lighter, tossing it over to her. "Here."

Catching it, she nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Chris. I'll be sure to give this back."

Frost frowned. "You know, it just occurred to me - with all these fucking zombies and monsters everywhere, why not burn this entire place down?"

"That would be a great idea..." Chris started, "...if it weren't for the fact that A, we would have no shelter, B, we'd be exposed, and C, we may end up killing the Captain and/or potential witnesses."

The Omni Man sighed. "Yeah, you're right. My bad."

Chris clapped him on the shoulder. "Let's just get through this. Once we find the others and a way out of here, we can set up a bonfire for this shithole and hope whatever's infected burns."

Jill nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

The Alpha Point Man gave Frost a pat on the shoulder. "Let's go, buddy."

Stepping back outside, Chris inhaled, then breathed out, trying to clear his nostrils of dust bunnies.

"Well, all things considered, we've made some decent progress, huh, guys?"

When neither Jill nor Joseph responded, he turned back to face the door. "Guys?"

The two of them were gone.

Chris glanced around, puzzled by his comrades' disappearance.

"Jill?" he called. "Joseph?"

Where had they gone?

Opening the door, he peeked back inside, then looked around in confusion.

"Jill? Joseph?" Closing the door behind him again, Chris then peeked through the other door down the hallway. "Guys? Guys? Come on, guys, this isn't funny."

Searching up and down the F-shaped hall, he scratched his head.

"I wonder where they went," Chris said to himself.

Twisting around on his heel, he took a step toward the door leading back to the stairs when he tripped and fell forward, grunting as he hit the floor.

"God...damn it!" he groaned, pushing himself back up.

If Claire were here, she'd be laughing her ass off at him.

"I hope nobody saw that," Chris muttered.

Something trickled onto the floor.

Looking down curiously, Chris was surprised to see splotches of blood, followed by some red drips. He then realized that it was coming from his nose.

"The hell?" he said as he raised a hand up.

Ah hell, did he break his nose? Crap.

Just as he was about to cover his nostrils, Chris' nose came loose, falling to his feet.

"Wha?" Startled, the Alpha felt around, only to find an empty bloody space. Pulling his shaking hands away, he watched as the flesh on his arms started to melt.

'What's happening to me?!' he thought in alarm.

Was he infected?

His heart thundered and pounded in his head and chest.

Rebecca! He needed to find Rebecca - she'd know what to do!

Running down the corridor toward the stairs, Chris kicked the door open, only to find it empty. Sweeping his hands through his hair, Chris looked around in desperation. Pulling his hands away from his head, he stared in horror as clumps of his scalp and hair peeled off in his hands.

"HELP! HELP!" he screamed. "JILL! REBECCA! WOLF! ANYONE! HELP ME!"

No matter where he ran, no matter how loud he screamed, nobody answered, leaving him alone and afraid. Chris could feel himself rotting. A good portion of his skin had melted away. Checking the bottles on the shelf, he frantically searched for something, opening bottle after bottle, only to find them completely empty. Running up the stairs, he screamed like a mad man, calling for help.

"HELP ME! SOMEONE PLEASE! HELP ME!"

Running back through the dining room, Chris was now completely skinless, a walking horror. He felt the flesh in his own legs oozing down his pants. Even worse, he actually had released his bowels, causing tears to well up in his eyes and a shudder of disgust and humiliation crawl up along his spine.

"HLELP ME!" Chris begged, his voice a gurgling abomination as he sputtered, coughed and spat blood, phlegm and meat. "HLELP! MEEEEEE! PWEASE! HLEEEEEEEELP!"

With a final gurgling cry, the Alpha collapsed to the floor, watching as the flesh of his arm oozed onto the carpet, leaving behind nothing but bone. Chris could feel the rest of his body doing the same...and yet...for some reason, his own eyes were still open. He could still see, feel and hear everything around him. He wanted to cry out for help...but he couldn't. The Alpha lay there, sprawled on the carpet for some time when a shadow cast itself over him.

'Who is that?' he wondered. 'Is that you, Jill?'

He hoped it wasn't - Christ, he wouldn't want Jill to see him like this.

The mystery figure said nothing. It was then that Chris felt a hand grasp hold of the back of his head and neck. There came an audible snap and crackle along with a squelch. The next thing Chris knew, he found himself being lifted up from the floor, staring down at his now headless skeletal body, the S.T.A.R.S. uniform filthy, hanging off his bones.

'What's going on?!' he mentally shrieked. 'What the fuck is happening to me?!'

Chris felt the hand turn his head to the left, over to its owner. Staring contemptuously at him was a demon, kind of like those medieval depictions of the Devil that he had seen in movies and cartoons complete with satyr-like horns. A towering creature of metal, wire, hoses and sinew with pale eyes and steel horns, the entity held up Chris' head, regarding him as if he were nothing more than a specimen. Once he finished his examination, it gave an awful sneer, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth.

'Reminds me of Rogan,' Chris thought. The Alpha paused. What the hell? Who's "Rogan"?

Redfield tried to think back to where he heard that name, but despite his best efforts, the Alpha was completely stumped. Focusing his attention back to the demon, the two stared at each other, eye to eye. Whatever the hell this thing was, it was smart - Chris could tell just from the look in its eyes.

'This is just a dream,' Chris thought to himself. 'That's all this is, this just a dream!'

The creature gave him an amused smirk.

'Is it?' Came a voice in Chris' head, a bizarre-sounding thing that was layered and oddly mechanical, startling him. Before he could even respond, Chris felt a sharp pain that was pressing harder and harder into his head. He wanted to scream, but he couldn't; he only watched as his vision darkened. Something cracked and crackled as colors dimmed. Finally, there came a loud crunch.

"Chris? Chris!"

Fluttering his eyes open, Chris saw Jill and Joseph worriedly looking down upon him. As the memory of what happened returned, he sat up screaming, startling his colleagues.

"Jesus!" Frost yelped.

"Chris, it's okay!" Jill shushed. "It's okay! You're safe."

Chris shakily checked his arms, then felt his face. He was still whole. Wiping sweat away from his brow in relief, the Alpha gave a nervous exhale.

"What happened?" he asked, his throat muscles feeling strangely foreign.

"You just suddenly fainted," Joseph replied.

Redfield glanced up in surprise. "I had?"

"Yeah," Jill nodded. "You really had us worried."

Chris blinked, looking around curiously. "Huh."

"Why were you screaming?" she asked. "Bad dream?"

As he recalled that awful...experience, he forced back a shudder. "I guess."

"Must have been pretty scary," Valentine said.

"You have no idea," the Alpha Point Man answered.

Helping him up to his feet, Chris stumbled forward, causing the Alphas to catch him.

"Whoa! Easy there, Chris," Joseph said.

Chris looked at his arms and legs, puzzled by the curious sensation he felt.

"You okay?" Jill asked worriedly.

"I...I don't know," he said honestly. "It's like my body feels...new."

She frowned. "Maybe you should sit down and get Rebecca to look at you-"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Chris waved.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," he assured, steadying himself against a wall. "I wonder what made me faint?"

"Perhaps you had some sort of allergic reaction?" Joseph suggested.

"To what?"

"Hell if I know," the Omni Man shrugged.

As Chris leaned against the wall, he thought back to that dream. It felt...so...real.

"You okay?" Jill asked.

"...Yeah," he replied. Straightening himself up, he suddenly recalled that name. "Out of curiosity, do either of you know someone named Rogan?"

The Alphas gave each other confused looks.

"Uhh nooo?" Jill said questioningly with a brow raised. "Why?"

Chris sighed. It's just a dream.

"Nothing. My mistake. Let's go."

Making their back to the F-shaped corridor, the Alphas continued on.

"So where to now, Redfield?" Joseph asked.

"We continue checking the east wing," Jill answered. "I will check the bottom floor. You and Chris can sweep the upper floors and that attic, see if there are any useful supplies we can use."

"Are you sure, Jill?" Chris asked worriedly.

Jill smiled. "I can manage on my own," she assured.

Chris sighed. "Okay, but if you need any backup, don't be afraid to let us know."

"You got it," the Alpha nodded.

Redfield nodded back. "Okay."

Looking back to the darkened corridor, the Alphas continued their descent.