The door opened with an ominous creak. Cass pushed it open slowly and looked around her old apartment. She hadn't cleaned the apartment since Joy attacked her, and it showed. Dust covered the shelves and countertops. Soon this apartment would be someone else's problem. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door to her old bedroom, trying not to glance at Joy's old room. Her bed made a slight creak as she threw her suitcase on top of it.

The clothes inside her dresser were the last things she needed to get out, then the moving company would come by later to pick up the rest. Thankfully the landlord had agreed to wait for them, and Jill would be there to let the movers into their new place. It had been strange living with Chris and Jill, but Cass did feel safer. The past three weeks had been a whirlwind after she'd seen those eyes staring at her from the darkness. She'd hid in the back of a closet until Chris had gotten home.

Part of her felt ashamed for hiding, but it wasn't like she had a shotgun on hand. If she hadn't clung to Chris, she had no doubt that he would have run out into the night, searching for some monstrosity. She'd lied and said that maybe it had been her imagination. Maybe she'd seen lights reflected on the glass. But they both knew that was a lie. The next day Jill had moved in. After weeks of arguing, they had finally settled on a plan.

Chris would drive Cass to visit her family in Florida, then he'd leave to investigate a lead about Umbrella. Jill would stay behind to investigate Umbrella on their home turf. While Cass didn't like the idea of leaving Jill by herself, Chris had given Cass a look that told her that he'd refuse to leave unless she left as well. Jill was capable and strong. No doubt she'd be fine until Cass got back. It was only a month. The school for dispatch didn't start until the beginning of October, but she'd promised her aunt that she'd help Elza get settled in at Raccoon University.

After finishing getting her clothes packed, Cass took one last look around the room. A picture frame was face down on the dresser. Strange, she noted. Maybe it fell during one of her trips to collect her things, but she didn't think so. With a shaking hand, she picked up the frame to take a look. It was a photo of Chris and her soon after they had found each other in Raccoon City. The memories of that day brought a smile to her face as she gingerly held the photo. Placing the frame in between some of her clothes, she checked to make sure everything else was packed. A creak made her jump. It sounded like it had come from Joy's room.

Cass knelt to the floor and pulled her gun from the bottom of the suitcase. Turning off the safety, she crept out of her room and towards Joy's old room. With a quick movement, she swung open the door and aimed her gun inside, but no one was there. The room was empty. Wind brushed her hair out of her face, and she looked toward the open window. Briefly glancing outside, she saw no one.

The bathroom was clear as well. Perhaps all of this paranoia was finally getting to her. She took another look at the room around her. She hadn't been in here since the incident. One of the cleaners probably left the window open to help with the smell of dried blood. She shut the window, and the sound seemed to echo through the apartment. With a sigh at her own fear, she reset the safety and walked back to her old room. As she put the gun back into the suitcase, she noticed something strange. Where had the frame gone?

She pushed down on the clothes, hoping to feel the solid metal, but it was gone. She checked around the room; however, she couldn't see how it could have fallen out. Maybe when she pulled out the gun? A shiver went down her back as she quickly closed the suitcase. Something felt wrong. Like she was being watched. Pretending not to be completely terrified, she picked up the suitcase and walked out the front door. As she slid into her car, putting the suitcase in the back seat, she felt a sense of relief.

The parking garage was thankfully empty as she pulled out of it and headed towards the police station. Chris would be putting in for vacation time. After he got off, Chris and Cass would begin their long journey to the land of old people and gators. She tried to keep calm as she debated whether she should tell Chris about what happened in the apartment. If he suspected something, then he would probably fight with her about her coming back next month. There was no conclusive proof that anything had happened. Just a creaky building and a misplaced picture.

As she pulled the car to the back entrance to the station, she decided not to tell him. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Maybe the picture had just fallen further down into the suitcase. What would Umbrella want with a picture of them anyway? She just needed some time away from this city.

A knock on her window made her jump, and she looked to see Kevin's guilty face as he apologized. Taking the key from the ignition, she got out of the car. Kevin bashfully ran his hands through his hair before he spoke, "So… uh, I heard you guys are going on vacation?"

"Yeah… to visit some family," Cass replied quickly, checking to make sure the chief wasn't nearby. "Just needed some time away."

"Oh, yeah, I get that," Kevin said and looked away. He seemed like he was holding something back.

"Want to ask me some questions about… 'the incidents'?"

"No! Uh, I mean, I already heard about that… I… just…"

As Kevin started to mumble incomprehensively, Cass put a hand on his shoulder and took a deep look at his face.

"Are you okay?"

"If you're that close… it makes this hard," Kevin said and turned away, but Cass had seen how red his face was.

"Aw… you going to miss me? Don't worry. I'll be back soon."

"That's not it… I mean! Of course, I'll miss you, but that's not what I'm trying to say…"

"Then spit it out. I promise I won't laugh. After all, that's what friends are for, right?"

Kevin looked back at her with an uncharacteristic frown, and Cass grew more concerned. Finally, he said, "What if… I… you… this isn't like me… I don't expect you to accept my feelings right now. You've been through a lot, and this is more for me than you. But… I just have this weird feeling. Like if I don't say this now… I won't have another chance. So… I… I like you, and before you say anything, no, not in a 'friends' kind of way. Not that I don't think you're a good friend! It's just… I want more than that."

Cass stood stunned as he pulled her into a hug. His arms gripped her tightly but still gently as he continued, "I wanted to be able to say 'goodbye' with a smile, but… I don't think that's going to happen today. I'll see you soon."

With one last gentle squeeze, he let go of her and walked back into the building, leaving a stammering Cass behind. What could she say anyway? It was better for him if he just forgot about her. Umbrella would undoubtably make him a target. Brushing aside a tear, she closed the driver's door and walked around to the other side. After collapsing into the passenger seat, she closed her eyes and waited for Chris.

The sudden opening of the driver's side door made her jolt awake. Chris gave her an apologetic smile as he climbed inside.

"Sorry about that, but it's probably not the best idea to take a nap anywhere near the chief."

"I wasn't napping. I was closing my eyes for a moment."

"Right," Chris responded with a smile. "You ready for our big adventure, partner?"

"Sure."

"What's wrong? Did something happen while you were at the apartment? I knew you should have waited until we could go with—"

"Chris! It's fine. I'm just tired… Just unbelievably tired."

Chris sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "Me too, but… we're on vacation." Chris gave her a big smile and continued, "We've got some time to have a little break. How about we make a couple stops on the way there?"

"You have somewhere in mind?"

"Nope!" Chris replied cheerfully, and Cass gave him a look. "Let's just keep an eye on road signs and see where that takes us."

"Sounds dangerous."

"We can handle it," Chris replied with confidence, giving Cass a hopeful smile. "So how about it? Like my plan?"

"Sounds exciting. Let's see where the road takes us."

Cass handed Chris the keys, and he started the car with a goofy grin. With one last look at the police station, she silently bid her friends goodbye.