Chapter 3

Jake sat listlessly on cold concrete. Not so far away in this desolate building in which he found himself water dripped. It was the only noise that invaded his senses, that and a chilling cold, but he paid no mind of it. He reclined his head back and thought back to the girl with almond hair that shone red in the sun, not red like his but a deep mahogany, like reddish woods. Jennifer, she often haunted his thoughts. Despite the five years that had gone by she still stayed in his head. He closed his eyes and let out a loud sigh. Jennifer, the girl with the red hair and the sincere smile, Jennifer…

.

.

"Leave her alone!" Jake bellowed as they came around her and tilted her head back. His whole body shook with rage, but the ropes around him were tight and no movement showed signs that he could break free and escape.

"Tell us, where is it." A deep voice commanded the one who held her chin.

Jennifer shook her head. Bloodied strands of hair stuck to her face which remained half hidden, but Jake could feel her resolve. She wouldn't break. Family had been important to her and though there might not have been fervent love or care from her's but there was a respect and sort of reverence she held for them. She would not betray them.

"Very well," the man nodded to two men in back of Jennifer and they came walking towards her as he walked away. "Do as you see fit," he left said before leaving the room.

One of the men took out his knife and placed it near her face. "It hurts doesn't it? And it can hurt more lest you want to tell us where your father hid the information.

Jennifer let out a small sob before shaking her head no. "Very well," they smiled to each other.

Jake howled with all his might, "STOP! Leave her!" If only words were stronger. Life was cruel. Right before him, as he yelled with all his might and fidgeted with his ropes so desperately that he felt no pain, as the rope teared at his skin, the men carved the side of Jen's face. What felt like an eternity, a scene slowly disglossing itself before him, Jake heard her through broken cries say "No."

.

.

Jake awoke in a cold sweat. A nightmare, a memory, a recollection of a time he wished had never happened. He wiped the sweat away and rubbed his eyes harshly. When he calmed down he looked up and realized it was a new day.

"Any luck?" A blonde man placed a cup of hot coffee on her desk. She shook her head and kept typing. He took a seat beside her and watched her work.

"Only theories." The keys kept clicking away.

"Better than nothing, I guess," her companion replied. She made no response for a long while until finally the clicks became more spaced out, slower and slower, she had come to a halt. She groaned under her breath. She reached for the mouse and was prepare to clear all her work when a hand stopped her.

"Leave it," he smiled, "It's something we can work off from." She stared at his hand still on her's and as if guessing her thoughts removed it just as fast as she noticed it.

"Alright," she sighed. Saved it and ejected it out of a USB and handed it to her supervisor, Leon Scott Kennedy. He had taken her under his wing and she had been leading the research ever since. Amelia was labeled knowledgeable regarding BOWs and their potential growth. She often shot down that title and would always add it was her father that had been the scientist not her, but the BSAA encouraged her to aid them in what she could. Three years of that and nothing much had come out of it. Still, Leon wouldn't let her give up so easily and part of her wanted to help, badly. There was only so much she could do nonetheless.

"Thanks," Leon replied as he took the chip.

"But that's it. I'm turning in for tonight." Amelia stretched and then let her head hang before reaching for her coffee. "I'm beat."

"I'm sure," he smiled apologetically, "but your work will give us a few necessary leads. Or else we're just running around like blind mice." She smiled widely as she drank the coffee. The thought of Leon running around blindly was comical. Him? He was much too cool for that.

Leon got up to leave, "Need a ride?"

Amelia smiled drowsily, "Please!"

…

"What are you thinking?" Leon's voice snapped Amelia out of her wandering thoughts of cold lands and a faraway time. She turned to him and he in turn stared at her with earnest curiosity for a moment before turning back to the road.

"Nothing," she lied.

Leon said nothing, but he didn't quite believe her. He juggled whether to probe or not, but part of him knew better. Amelia was nice and rarely defensive or of ill character. She seemed nice enough to divulge anything if asked, but through the years since he had met her he realized a part of her would always remain tightly shut. Her eyes would turn distant, lips tightly pursed, just a slight furrowed brow, her demeanor, everything about her would go off record, but only he seemed keen enough to notice. So over the years he always decided not to steer too deep. He couldn't say that he knew that when she was ready she'd talk, but rather whatever lurked in there was something that made her more than uncomfortable and he knew better than anyone to resurface old wounds.

"We're almost there." Leon announced as he made a turn. "How's your place?"

"Good," Amelia replied and then, realizing she had become curt added, "It needs homier touches but I rarely spend time at home so…"

"They should just place a bed by your desk and you'd definitely spend more time at 'home.'"

She smirked, "There's more to a bed that makes it home, you know."

"I wouldn't. All I do when I get home is sleep." Leon stole a look at her, "I don't even eat breakfast at home."

For a moment she felt kind of bad. He was in his thirties and nothing but work seemed to be his life. Wasn't he lonely? She knew she sure was and she was barely twenty.

"We're here."

"Thanks," she quickly snapped back to reality and fumbled with the seatbelt.

"Here," he easily unbuckled it. "Sorry, it's an old car."

"I'm the one that's half delirious." She got her bag and opened the car. "Do you want to come in?"

"What for?" Leon asked,

"Pfft," she raspberried. "Sleep, nothing else, Mr. Kennedy. I'm much too tired. I wouldn't be much fun in my current state," she teased.

"I have my own bed, thank you very much."

"On the other side of town, okay have fun driving another hour or so. Besides who said about sharing a bed? You'd get the sofa."

Leon laughed, "Get some sleep, Amelia. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, good night." She closed the car door and ambled up to her apartment.

Inside Amelia groaned as she stretched and dragged her feet around her apartment. Where did I leave them? She asked herself. "Aha!" she finally exclaimed despite her weariness. Whether it was with all the work entrusted onto her or what else lurked in that mind of hers sleep had been taken from her. Only strong pills could induce her to finally sleep. She ran the tap water and quickly filled a cup and downed it with a pill. Truth be told she hated being home. Truth be told she hated being alone with her thoughts. She almost enjoyed work compared to her mind taking her to places she did not want to go.

"You're a heavy sleeper!" a voice exclaimed outside.

"Leon! What are you doing here?" Amelia exclaimed as she neared his car.

"Get in. I've been calling and calling. I also honked but after I woke up everyone in this block except you I decided to just wait."

"Exaggerator!" she grumbled as she got in. Leon eyed her as she checked her phone, "You DID call!"

He shook his head, "Get more sleep, you always seem in a daze even when awake."

"Well, because you give me so little work sure! I'll retire at 8pm like a good little girl." Amelia retorted causing a small laugh from Leon. "So what's up?"

"I'm going abroad and I need a partner. You've been cooped up at a desk for years so interested?"

"On a mission?"

"No, on our honeymoon."

"I have never gone on a field mission before."

"You have hands on training don't you?"

"Well, yeah…" Suddenly, feeling like her privacy had been invaded she crossed her arms.

"You can take care of yourself and it'd be a good change for you."

"I could gather information." She pouted, "Better than sitting at a desk and playing with the blocks they decide to disclose to me."

Leon chuckled. "So are you in?"

"Well, I'd break your heart if I refuse your invitation so I suppose so."

"Alright," Leon ignited the ignition to his car.

"WAIT!" Amelia yelled.

"What?"

"Don't tell me you're not going to let me pack?"

Leon motioned to bags in the backseat. "It's all there."

She pointed at herself. "Like clothes and stuff for me?"

"Among other stuff, yes." Amelia stared back in astonishment as he began driving towards the airport. She pulled a red bag that she guessed must be her's.

"What if I had said no?" She zipped it open.

"I'd take my chances."

"Wow." Amelia wasn't even sure how to react properly. Clothes and any feminine products she'd possibly want or need were all there. "Leon, I guess anyone can guess the size of someone's shirt or pants, but in whatever manner you acquired the sizes to my undergarments that really shines an awful light on you."

"What can I say? I have a good eye."

Amelia had woken up without much hope this morning, like every other morning. She had also expected it to go like any other day, but somehow her superior had grown on her and made her feel more than a bed would ever…at home.

"Can we stop for breakfast?" she asked.

"Sure."

"Jake?" Said man turned around. "Jake Muller?"