Author's Note: I do not own anything within the Resident Evil Universe, though I do own Hannah/Annabelle/Melody.

I am new to the world of fanfiction, and this is my first story. It is the first installment of a quartet that I will write, but I really need the reviews and constructive feedback on fleshing out characters, emotions, and action.

Chapter Five: Past the Research Stage

"This is it," Annabelle reported, stopping in front of yet another metal door. Her nerves hummed, her heart races, her muscles tingled. She could not believe this moment was happening. It all felt so surreal as Wesker nodded to Krauser to open the door.

The world danced in front of her as she saw her parents over Wesker's broad shoulder. Only something was wrong. Her parents did not look shocked or alarmed. They were…smiling. A bubble popped somewhere in her chest, and she felt her elation dissipate as a coldness that had nothing to do with Wesker's voice entered her.

"Good evening, Dr. Wesker," Elena greeted, a look of smug superiority on her face. "We've been expecting you."

Wesker did not stay silent for long. "Oh really?"

"Quite so, Dr., yes. We trusted our young Annabelle to lead you right to us."

Everyone turned to Annabelle. She felt disgusting, she felt bile reaching up the back of her throat. She could feel her horror at her parents tugging at her face. They…planned this? How? How could they know what she would do?

Woodenly she walked into the overly warm room, carefully moving past Wesker, staring at her parents as if they had grown two heads. They may as well have. They were monsters. They took everything from her for the past ten years, and now they took her victory away from her as well. Rage bubbled up within her, threatening to consume her in its maw.

"Yes," James began, moving toward Wesker with confidence. "You see, Dr. Wesker, we have planned this for a long time." He smiled into Wesker's still face. Even through her rage, Annabelle wondered at the stupidity of her father to come within arm's reach of a man clearly about to kill in rage. Perhaps James had picked up on it because he moved next to stand next to Annabelle, stroking her hair.

Annabelle's skin crawled. So this was the plan the whole time. But it still did not explain how it would happen. Annabelle was morbidly curious to know how her parents planned to use her to gain control over Wesker. It was so ludicrous. All of it. Here were her parents, slinking around rattling off their plan as if it were the most obvious thing ever, there were the mercenaries staring with their mouths literally open, there was Wesker who she could see was trying hard not to kill the two people telling this ridiculous plan. And here she herself was, not quite feeling anything. In fact it was almost as if she were staring down at all of this from the ceiling.

James kept talking. "We have been molding young Annabelle here from the very start to be that which will bring you under our power. With a tyrant such as you under our control, well, we would rule to world, wouldn't we darling?" he crooned to Elena, who bit her lip in return.

"Perhaps, Dr. Wesker, you are wondering how it is possible that a young woman could bring you to such a state?" Elena asked. She smiled sickeningly and answered her own question. "Well, we engineered her just for you. Thousands of dollars and hours have been poured into the creation of…Annabelle." Elena walked over to her daughter, and stroked her arm lovingly. "You must admit Dr. Wesker, you are impressed with her. The perfect lady, everything you could need. And it is through her, that we would influence you."

Wesker stared at them, then burst into laughter. "You are fools. You really think you could gain me as some puppet?"

James continued where his wife left off, ignoring Annabelle. "Not in any conventional way, no," he acquiesced.

Sharp stinging pain lanced through Annabelle's neck, pulling her down from her ceiling perch and grounding her in the situation. She cried out in pain as her hand went to her neck. Looking at her mother, Annabelle could see a deranged triumph in her eyes. That is when her mind exploded.

Annabelle tried to suck in breath, but could not breathe. For a few seconds, as she fell to the floor, she could see the entire world focus on her. Then her eyes went dark, her heart stopped, and her mind shut down.

Annabelle Davenport died.

Wesker could hardly believe the circus show that was being performed for him. The Davenports were spinning some inane story about how he was to be their tool to take over the world, and that their daughter would bring him under their sway. They were idiots to assume they could ever have such a hold over him, but looking in their eyes he could see they were insane enough to believe it. Either way, as he listened to them spin their tale, he came to the decision that he would enjoy killing them. He doubted the Davenport girl would mind. She probably would help hide the bodies.

It was at that moment that Wesker noticed the syringe in Elena's hand. It carried a liquid he had never seen before, but his instincts told him that was the serum he sought. Suddenly though, it was plunged into Annabelle's neck.

Wesker watched as the girl fell to the floor and died. He sneered, not surprised a serum made by a pair of insane researchers would cause death. What he focused on though was the loss at an opportunity. Even if that serum had caused death, it was a step closer to finding the real serum. Rage filled his mind as he saw that opportunity wasted. He raised his fist, ready to strike the now afraid James Davenport when a moan sounded from the floor.

Everyone turned to stare, though his mercenaries kept their wits about them and leveled their weapons in case there was a mutation. Wesker readied himself for whatever rose from that floor, ready to kill the entire Davenport family if necessary.