Story: Quicken, Question, Quantify

Chapter Three: Unravel

"Nothing says hell has to be a fire."

-Robert Goolrick (1948 – Not Dead Yet)

July 13th, 1998 – Racoon City – Home of Albert Wesker:

I groaned as consciousness started to filter back into the comfortable black that had taken me over the night before. My memory of where I'd ended up last night came back all at once and I started, barely stopping my foot before it slammed into the floor, having fallen from the pile of pillows. I moved it back to the top of the pile and then blinked at the room. It was quiet, though I could see better than last night thanks to the light filtering in from what I hoped was still morning beyond the windows. My ankle was sore, more after my jolting it. It would probably be worse if I hit it though, so at least I hadn't done that. My bag and bow had been left on his coffee table and the crutches the hospital gave me were nearby. The narcotic I'd been given, and a water bottle were at the side table too.

He must have moved me and put my foot up. There was a blue pack near the couch that was probably cold whenever it was still on my leg. I expect it fell when I was flailing. He'd really taken care of me. It didn't look like he messed with my stuff. I was hungry, but I couldn't complain about having a nice place to sleep. It was better than trying to find something outside, which was probably where I'd be when I could walk again. I knew how to camp out thanks to all the time in the feudal era, but I'd always had people with me, and the forests hadn't been infested with these sorts of monsters. I'd have to deal with that issue when I got to it though.

For now, I had to pee, and while I could see a room with tile that was probably a bathroom, the five to seven feet between the couch and it were looking quite inconvenient with my bum leg. I knew it would probably heal faster than most people, it was sore, but I expected it would have been worse if not for the faster healing I seemed to possess as a priestess. Still, I had to at least pretend I was normal, which meant staying off my foot for at least three days. Assuming I didn't crack my skull trying to use the crutches, I wasn't good at being off my own feet. Half the time I was clumsy without trying to use sticks to walk. Still, this cop had done enough for me. I didn't want to ask him to help me get to the potty. Him carrying me was bad enough now that I was clear enough minded to remember it. That embarrassing thought got me to push myself up onto my good leg and catch myself with the sticks before I landed on my bad one. Okay. I could do this.

Eventually I managed to get to the bathroom, though I'd more hopped on my good leg and used the crutches to keep from falling over any direction than as intended. I doubt if he'd been asleep, he was after I got the door shut – I slammed it on accident. I cursed a few times getting my pants down and trying to wash my hands while balancing precariously, very appreciative he had a towel hanging up since I hadn't checked before I'd washed. Then managed to fumble my way back to the couch, out of breath after the experience of moving an entire twelve feet there and back. This was horrible.

A moment later I nearly fell off the couch again when the dog set it's face against me. It was looking at me with hopeful eyes, a leash in its mouth. I inwardly groaned. I knew the dog couldn't possibly understand what difficultly there was in my walking, or that I couldn't walk it. Where was his master? What time was it anyway? I didn't see a clock anywhere, and my cell I'd never been in the habit of taking to the feudal era, so I didn't have it. I really had to buy a watch one of these days.

"Hey, Fang." I greeted, petting the large breed gently, his tail wagged a moment. Then paused when I didn't get up. It dropped the leash on the couch and pushed it at me. "Sorry boy, I'd take you if I could."

"I'll take him in a minute. Fang, door." The dog perked up, tail wagging again as it padded over to the front door, sitting patiently. The scent of cologne swept into the room with the freshly groomed officer that had helped me. His hair was slicked back as it'd been the night before though he was without the vest, he'd had on then he still wore the boots and shirt. I expected he just hadn't put it on yet, since he otherwise looked like someone that was preparing to go to work. He put on coffee before walking to the front to hook the leash on his pet.

He'd given me his name, but after all that had happened, I didn't remember. I was sure it started with W. I didn't really want to ask again; it was rude to forget the name of the person putting you up. Hopefully I'd come across it before that happened.

"After I've walked him, I'll make some breakfast." Hair Gel explained, I lacked a better name so it would have to work till I figured it out again.

"Oh, uh, okay. Thank you." His groomed appearance made me painfully aware that I hadn't brushed my teeth or hair and that I hadn't had a bath or shower lately. I probably looked homeless sitting on his couch, I hoped I didn't smell it, but I feared that was also the case. "I'll try to get better soon."

"At least three days, the remote is on the table there." He repeated the doctor from last night before exiting and I sighed, leaning back into the leather.

What the hell was I doing? I should have asked him to use the phone…but who would I even call? If he let me call internationally, I could call mom or grandpa. I'd have to figure out time zones to even do that. There wasn't anyone else for me to contact, not really. It was probably also expensive to call Japan from here, few people paid for international coverage on phones.

I picked up the remote he'd mentioned and flipped the tv on to find the news. Maybe I could figure out where I was. It took me a while to find a news station, but I paused on one with a weather radar playing. It was over an area I didn't recognize at first, but then it switched to a more zoomed out picture. It looked like the middle part of America; the lakes much further north on the map were the only real landmarks I recognized.

"Good morning, it's gonna be a hot July 13th, record temperatures are gonna be set much of this week." One of the announcers came on as the radar zoomed in again. Racoon City one of the areas that appeared on the map. Over one hundred most of the week? Ouch. That wasn't good. That was very hot, more than I was used to running around. It'd be hard to get much done in peak hours even when I was better if that held up. Mid July. It'd been a month that I'd lost then in the jewel or after I'd wished it away. We'd left for the battle with Naraku in June.

I stopped paying much attention to the tv, letting the news drone something about Northern Ireland being stupid again. I was more concerned with what I would need to do to get a bath and a shower. I had soap and shampoo but there wasn't a tub or shower in the half bath I'd been floundering around in. He must have one upstairs since he had clearly used it today. Stairs though, were suddenly as climbable as the sheer walls with this bum foot. Ugh, she really didn't want to go several more days without bathing, she was probably sticking up this guy's nice house.

The door clicked open, and he let the dog free before walking inside himself. Right past me toward the kitchen. He had mentioned he would work on food upon his return.

"Bacon and eggs all right?" He asked through a small window into the kitchen, I nodded since he was looking at me. It was almost silly the way he always wore those sunglasses. If his eyes were that sensitive couldn't he get contacts that would help these days? I heard the sizzle of the meat shortly before I smelled it, my stomach rumbling in protest of not having been fed in what was basically a month. I probably would have eaten dirt if he'd have cooked it in a few spices now that I thought about it. I pushed away the sudden crushing hunger as best I could.

"Uh, sorry to ask this. But do you know anyone that would be willing to come and help me with a shower?" I spoke a little louder despite being slightly mortified at having to ask.

"My shower had a seat inside. You can use it." He didn't have any awkwardness on the topic, so I didn't press. I wasn't all that comfortable doing it myself, but I didn't want him to help. I'd have preferred a girl around. Weren't there girl cops he could ask at least? He was already doing so much though; I didn't want to keep imposing. "If you need help upstairs, I can carry you. You aren't heavy."

Him lifting me from the car with ease last night came back into my head and I frowned. No, I didn't need to be considering that. This poor guy had no idea what I really was, besides, I had to figure out a way back to Inuyasha.

His silver hair flickered through my mind a moment before the image of his wrapping his arms around Kikyo and her smirking at me over his shoulder. I shook the thought out of my head. What was that? Kikyo had stopped trying to come after Inuyasha a while ago…

He still loved her though…

He might be with her right now, ignoring everything I went through to wish the jewel away…

"You in pain?" The deep voice pulled me away from the anxiety that had ripped through me at the thought of what could be happening since I'd disappeared. A plate with eggs, bacon, and toast was set down on the coffee table in front of me along with a glass of orange juice. A moment later, after another swift trip to the kitchen, he sat in another chair nearby with one of his own.

"Yeah." I answered mutedly. I could hardly tell him I was nervous about the loyalty of my sort of half-demon boyfriend from another time. The foot was a great excuse.

"If you haven't taken any more medicine, you should after you eat. It helps with the swelling; I'll make sure to bring you another ice pack before I leave for work. I'll try to keep my shift short, if you need something, I'll bring the phone close so you can call the office." He explained, and I nodded to all of it. Not wanting to keep him from work, but a little nervous to just be alone in the house of someone I didn't really know. He seemed very nice, but I didn't know if the monsters here might target me, the way demons used to cause of my powers. My bow was here, but I didn't want to put him or his cute dog in danger. I needed to recover so I could get out of here.

"You seem to get lost in thought often. Are you not hungry?" He pointed out, he'd been watching me while he ate instead of the television, which immediately reminded me of the food and my stomach let out a protest that earned me a canted head from the dog and a raised brow from the master.

I picked up the plate to dig in, hoping we could just not mention my stomachs rumbles. It also gave me an excuse not to answer aloud since I was shoveling my mouth full of food. It was good, not the best thing I'd ever tasted but hunger alone made it much better than it would probably be otherwise. Without thinking about it, I'd finished it in a few minutes and he still was working on his. God, now I looked, smelled, and acted like a pig…fuck my life…

"Would you like something else?" He asked, the vague smile canting one edge of his lips. "I didn't realize you were starving, or I'd have gotten downstairs sooner."

"No, no. Sorry…I didn't mean to eat like that. I just…haven't really had a hot meal in a while…and I am a bit nervous. I don't want to impose." I repeated lamely.

"As I've said, you aren't an imposition. I'll make you another plate." He remarked, this time it was not an offer, just something he would do. "Would you like me to stay here? You had mentioned a shower too."

"No, I definitely don't want you to miss work for me." I immediately shook my head. "You've done so much, and I feel really bad already."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to pay me back." He replied, shrugging lightly. I hated he was so dismissive when he'd taken me in and helped me like I expected very few people would. He didn't even know me, and he'd helped me again and again. "I'll let the office know I'll be in tomorrow instead, don't start protesting. My second in command could use the experience leading at the last minute."

I couldn't really argue when he specifically told me not to and even had a reason for it. He tucked his phone under his neck as he asked for someone and took the plates back into the kitchen. He'd finished his and I heard the sizzle as more bacon hit the pan, he really was making me more. I was the worst. I'd gotten this guy to take time off from his job. Then, was anyone this nice all the time? He seemed quiet and clearly liked keeping to himself. I didn't really see the sort of details you'd expect from someone living here now that I looked around. No family portraits, no pictures at all. No collections of some sort of favored décor. It looked more like a rental room than a home…

He could just like it tidy. Keeping down clutter was a popular thing these days. I just…there was something I was missing about him; I couldn't put my finger on it…but something told me I shouldn't trust all this good will. He did keep talking about me paying him back. He'd said yesterday it would be in housework, but maybe he'd want something else. He hadn't acted lewd though, not even when he'd carried me inside his hands had remained appropriate places for such a job. He hadn't been looking me up and down. Then, comparatively, he was much more attractive than I was. He didn't need me to get that sort of attention. I knew that for sure after the nurse yesterday.

So, what did he want then? The house was already immaculate, so I wasn't convinced of his need for housework. Had he seen me last night? Taking down the zombie people? Maybe he knew more than I thought. He had asked a lot of questions.

"Here. You should take your pill, then eat this and we'll get you upstairs for that shower." He set one of her narcotics out for her. He'd brought water this time instead of more orange juice. I picked it up to listen. Regardless of what I was worried about. He hadn't hurt me, and he could have yesterday. I took the pill to maintain my normal person image and ate the extra food he'd brought over. Slowing some when I reached the last few bites, he was going to carry me upstairs to the shower after all. That was embarrassing, I pushed the eggs around on my plate not sure I wanted him to help. I wanted him to find someone else to help me…just about anyone if they were a girl instead. I didn't get the chance. He took my plate and picked me up before I could protest. I swallowed nervously the last bit of water I'd had; glad it wasn't eggs.

"You don't have to finish if you're full. Come on. Let's get you upstairs." He was very steady at least as he walked me through his house. I knew my face was on fire. Even Inuyasha had rarely carried me bridal style and this guy kept doing it. I couldn't even remember his name. He was either W, Sunglasses, or Hair Gel. Cologne maybe, whatever he used smelled very nice so I could add that to my list of not names I was calling him until I deciphered his real name again.

His room upstairs was large, also clean. The king-sized bed was neatly made. There was a full bath, but it had a walk-in shower instead of a tub. So, he didn't like baths? Who didn't like baths? American's were weird. There was a bench on one corner of the shower and the heads had snake like pipes so they could me moved around. He set me down gingerly. "Do you have a change of clothes?"

"I do…" Not that I wanted to wear my uniform with him around, but it was better than the sweater and pants I had on that I was sure stank. "though this is probably a bad idea. I won't be able to get out of here on my own."

"That's why I'm here." He stated, it didn't come off as perverted. "I used to help a lot of soldiers in poor health when we were in the field. There's little that bothers me. Would you rather I not help?"

I shouldn't have been that surprised he'd been military. No wonder he'd been good with all the medical stuff. He acted like he'd at least played the role of a nurse for a while. I still would prefer a girl…but the lack of lewd behavior made me guilty about asking him to do anything else.

"It's okay…just a little embarrassing." I admitted.

"I can try to find someone if it bothers you this much." He stated and I felt worse.

"No, no. It's okay. I really appreciate you helping me. I'm not trying to come off as if I don't." I wanted to reassure that.

"It doesn't bother me to call someone if it makes you more comfortable Miss Higurashi." He was already reaching for his phone and I stopped him. I didn't want anyone else involved, this was bad enough. I could take a few indecent moments after that whole conversation.

"It's okay, really. It'll be embarrassing no matter who it is." I said, hoping it would mollify the discomfort I'd inspired.

"If you really don't mind?" He checked again. I nodded assurance and he stood up to start preparing soaps and towels. He started the water then, so it could get warm.

"I'll run and get your clothes, so they'll be ready when you are done. You can go ahead." He stated, just before closing the door. Great, now I'd made him think I was certain he was a pervert. He might still be a pervert, but I still felt bad in this moment. Gah, this was horrible. I had to figure out a way out of here before it got worse. I slowly got undressed, it took a while with the weight leg issue, but eventually managed to toss all my stuff out of tiled area and pick up the shower. The water felt great, it was nice and hot the way I liked it. It wasn't a bath, but it was still divine. I could have just melted into it, and if I wasn't worried about him checking on me if I took too long, I would have.

I got myself cleaned up, soap, shampoo, conditioner, rinse, second rinse, sit the water a bit, hesitantly turn it off because it was rude to keep using all his water. I couldn't really reach the towels from here. Yeah there was a bench, but it was all the way in the back of the shower. I had no way of getting out without making my problem worse. Then, I couldn't really call out to him that I was done since I couldn't remember his name. Shit…

"He…hey! I'm done." I finally went with. I disliked it since it was rude, but I still wasn't gonna just toss out that I'd forgotten his name. He came in when I asked for the help, bringing over two towels and waiting while looking away from me as I dried as best I could my body and hair while sitting. I wrapped one in my hair then, and the other around me before he returned me to the bed. I supposed, it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. He'd left me on a third towel he'd set on the bed and immediately left the room. So far, it was getting harder and harder to feel ill toward him, but I was still hesitant to just take him as Bonafide nice guy either. I shook my head since thinking in circles wasn't going to get me dressed any faster and put on the uniform, he'd left me. It was a little easier to get on thanks to the skirt, but I still would have preferred something that covered more.

Beggers can't be choosers, at least he hadn't been forced to offer to buy me another set of clothes. I also felt a bit more like myself dressed in something I'd regularly fought monsters in, that I'd fought Naraku in.

"I..I'm good." I offered this time. That was better than 'hey'. He re-entered, nodding to me as he walked up.

"I was wondering if you'd rather stay here. The bathroom wouldn't require me to carry you up and down the stairs, and there's still a television. I expect it's also more comfortable than the couch downstairs." He offered as he gathered towels.

"I'll feel extra like a worthless bum if you let me have your room." I commented, surprised at another gesture. There had to be something happening here, no one was this nice.

Except me. Using up my happiness to make the suffering of others go away and getting stuck here…

"I have another guest room, it's very comfortable. It doesn't have a bathroom attached but I can stay there. It's only a couple of days." He pointed out. Ever reasonable. His calm, if somewhat haughty, voice made it difficult to argue. He smiled when I glanced away, dammit he even read me better than I could him. Was it those glasses? Was not seeing his eyes messing up my empathetic mojo?

"Here, let me help you finish getting cleaned up. He aided me with a small bucket and items for brushing my teeth and provided a hairbrush as well. It was very strange having someone do these things, but also it would have been very difficult for me to brush my teeth at the sink or get up and retrieve a brush. Not being able to put any weight on your foot was extremely inconvenient. I had a newfound respect for people that couldn't walk at all. I'd taken it for granted. I was a little woozy, I expected because the narcotic was kicking in again since the ache had largely vanished from my leg. This bed was much more comfortable too, it was far less soft than the couch and had the support I liked from a firmer mattress. The blanket was a lovely soft material too, I kept subconsciously rubbing it between my fingers. I knew none of this was cheap. He made good money being the Captain of his group.

He vanished a while to do…I wasn't sure what but when he returned, he'd brought my things again. My backpack, my bow, my spiteful crutches that were going to get me killed. He set them all carefully within reach either next to or on top of the small side table.

"You don't have any pictures here." I blurted out, not really wanting him to leave but not sure what to talk about.

"No, I don't take many photographs." He explained, pausing near the bed and regarding me behind those damned glasses. I was really starting to dislike them, not seeing his eyes made it hard to get a gauge of him.

"You don't have any family pictures." I pointed out.

"I told you, I don't have a family. I was an orphan. It is just me and Fang. That's all." He remarked, not seeming offended, though I frowned at the comments.

"I didn't realize. I shouldn't have…"

"It's okay. I got over it a while ago." He remarked, and it was the first time I was certain he was lying to me. There was a distinct hint in his voice that made this topic not okay. Then, that meant I couldn't really keep asking either.

"Still, it must get lonely." I said instead.

"Fang is good company." He replied. "Do you need somewhere to stay after the leg is better? I have the space."

"NO." I held up my hands, how did I always give the wrong impression. "Sorry, no. I wasn't trying to ask to stay here. I was just concerned."

"I appreciate you thinking of me, Miss Higurashi." He stated. His professional mask back up so I couldn't really tell what was genuine again. "I assure you; I don't think much of my life in this house. Most days I spend very little time in it, and there are too many people at work."

He sat on the edge of the bed since we'd continued to speak. "Though, I am curious. How is it a woman as young as you came to be homeless here? Your accent doesn't imply you were born in America."

Shit.

Now I'd gotten him interested back. I should have just let him leave.

I hadn't wanted questions in return.

"It's complicated." I finally said, not wanting to lie. "I would like to go home, but I'm not sure how to begin."

"You have family then?" He asked.

"Yeah." I nodded to him. "I do. I miss them, they are a little goofy but they're also great and kind and even when they bug me, I still love them."

"I'm not sure why you would have wanted to leave then, that sounds like what most people would want." He remarked, though I could tell there was a bit of sting. He'd just told me he never had a family, so I wasn't surprised.

"I didn't want to…so much as I needed to. I had something I had to do." I explained as best I could. "I was sort of the only person that could do it, but when I finished things went a little sideways and I ended up stranded here."

"Someone left you here?" He asked. "Left you behind?"

The image of Inuyasha hugging Kikyo as she smiled at me flickered back through my head.

"Yeah…" I said shakily. Not wanting to see that. What was my brain doing to me?

"If you give me contact information I can try to see if we can get ahold of your family." He commented.

"I, I'm not sure. I'm not sure I can go back yet. Like I said, complicated." I said, feeling my story was a bit all over.

"Can I ask you something unrelated to your home?" He changed the subject and I appreciated that, nodding to him. "When I was on patrol and shortly before I found you, I saw several flashes of light. At first, I thought it was a firearm discharging but I hadn't heard the blast. Did you see that?"

Yeah, see. He knew something. He had to. He was playing all nice but there was more to it. Why would he ask about the lights unless he already knew there was something strange? I didn't know how much he knew, however. What I could say or not without incriminating myself somehow?

"When I was on the phone this morning." He continued to explain. "I was told a few bodies were found right near where I picked you up."

Fuck…

"They had been dead a few days…"

Fuck…

"…but they were almost exactly where we met."

Shit…

"Did you see them when you were there? Is that why you were panicked?"

I couldn't really say no without it sounding like a total lie…but then I couldn't deny seeing lights either.

"Uh, I don't wanna think about that." I stated. Perhaps he'd take it as some sort of PTSD, that was a common cop and military thing. People got that after seeing all the horrible sort of shit I was accustomed to, right?

"Did you do something to them? The bodies?" He asked. Oh lord, I didn't know if my arrows had done anything. My arrows had reacted very differently to different types of demons or spiritual creatures before this. Had I left burns on them or something?

"Did you see someone do something to them?" Lord he was just piling the questions on. How was he still so calm about this? Why had he helped me so nicely when he thought 'well maybe this nice young woman mutilates corpses'? He thought it wasn't me then. But I couldn't say I'd seen someone else, then people would be sent on a wild goose chase over whoever I made up. What if they were off doing that and someone got hurt when they could have been doing real work.

What did I say? It's clear I knew something or saw something. Did I keep up the idea of PTSD?

"I don't want to alarm you." Those words were never good, they always ramped the anxiety up immediately, people shouldn't be able to start any story or phrase with those words. "However, right now you are the only possible witness we have to whatever strange things are happening up there. If there's anything you remember I need to know. Otherwise the report of you being in the area will eventually be dug up by the investigator and you could be implicated as involved."

At least he didn't think I was behind it, that was sweet, sort of. Minus the whole I might go to jail just for having woken up in a zombie-infested woods. I really, really didn't want to be here. Nor would it do me any good to return to the scene until my leg was better. I wouldn't outrun muscles here without my leg being better. So, there was no outpacing him just to get to the well and try it…even if I did it might not work. The well in Japan had been picky, so this one could be fickle too.

"Miss Higurashi." He prompted.

"Uh, so…I don't want to sound crazy." I started nervously.

"You can tell me anything, I won't judge you for it." His calm encouraging me to take a deep breath and continue. Well, I was going to the funny farm, but maybe I could break out from there and get back to the well.

End Chapter

Wesker's totally playing her. She is sort of onto him, but only sometimes. Not as much as I originally pictured when I started. Though that's largely because deep down Kagome wants to believe the best of people. Bad idea in this case…but it's moving along all the same.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Thanks for the support. A bit surprised me just sort of doing a writing practice makes folks happy. I hope my brain doesn't start to disappoint : )