Haunting
Chapter 4: Remember Me
Warning: language and mentions of suicide
Whenever Claire came to visit, Chris could feel a wall between them .This wasn't new, no . . .it had been this way for years . It was on again off again, but it remained so they would never be what they use to be .
It started with Claire, when their parents died in that accident in the outskirts of Racoon City when Chris was only seventeen years old .
It was also the first time Chris had seen Albert Wesker . . .something he hadn't realized for years to come .He was one of the officers on the scene a rookie at the time .Claire and Chris were virtually untouched save for cuts and scrapes .But the emotional toll would last forever .
It was that reason that Chris refused to own a car to this very day and Claire would never sit in the front seat and had a prefernce for motorcycles .
The second time he and Claire were driven apart was was when Chris was thrown out of the air force,making him feel more worthless then ever .Claire was at the University of Penn working on a medical degree and was expecting to see Chris that weekend .
He never came .
Instead,he was in a bar in NYC drinking his sorrows away .A blonde stranger helped him to a cab and told him to take care of himself .
That was also the second time he met Albert Wesker,but again,he did not know .
The third time the two fell apart was when Chris argued Claire down about leaving her behind to go to Raccoon City because he wasn't good enough to be her brother .He was living with her in her apartment and even if Claire didn't mind,Chris felt himself a failure and unworthy of being her brother .
Again,in a moment in despair,when Chris nearly jumped off a bridge,a blonde stranger stopped him at the last possible moment .
'I
don't know who you are . . .but I have to think that someone cares about you enough that you will regret it .And if that's not the case,find someone',he said .A
Amonth later,Chris found Claire again .And a year after that,he found Albert Wesker,who turned out to be the blonde stranger who saved him from himself .
But then everything was swept away once again and the only thing that kept Chris going was the taste of nicotine,the feeling of losing his head in a bottle and the fear of a failed suicide .
He had seen a man try to take his life and he didn't quite make it .No,he ended up a disfigured mess,unable to move and stuck on life support because that everyone else in his life valued their guilt over his suffering .And Chris didn't know anyone who would kill him if he asked . . .
Accept Wesker and he would follow soon after .But he told Chris not to do the same .
'If I died,what would you do?',Chris asked as he laid out on a stretcher after a drug bust gone wrong .Wesker was in the back of the ambulance with him,leaving the others to handle the details .Yeah,he would catch hell for it later .But did he care?
No,not really .
'I would die with you',Wesker said .
'But if I were to die . . .I want you to keep living,for both of us',he said .
'Really?'
'Of course .That way I can haunt your dumb ass for the rest of your life for the stupid things you do,like that stunt you just pulled',he said .
It was another smartass remark,typical Wesker . . .but now it wasn't so funny .
Not when Wesker really was dead and he really was haunting Chris and probably was for the rest of his life .
Claire was here now,in the waiting room ,so Wesker had to go back to his place in Chris's dreams and he had to face one of his failures,Yes,Claire turned out well enough ,but he could not protect her from the worse things in her life and she would never be the same again .
No ,his sister was gone .Just a woman who forced herself to drag on through this hell,for a reason Chris did not even know .
No words were spoken when Chris was dragged into the room in a straight Jacket .Claire's face hardened at the cruelty of it all,but smirked when Chris easily shrugged the guards off of him,making one of them stumble .Even without the infection ,Chris was strong as an ox always had been,being big for his age since they were kids .
"Hey Claire",he said tiredly .
"Hi Chris",she said .They were silent a moment before she went for her purse .
"Smoke?",she said .Chris shrugged .
"Why not?",he said .Even if he was now handcuffed,he could still enjoy that small thing at rare times,never as often as he needed it .Claire,Jill and Leon were the only people who didn't reprimand him for it .This was because Leon was a closet smoker,Claire was following bad habbits,like now .She lit one up,a smirk on her lips and leaned forward to light Chris's .
As for Jill . . .Jill was gone .
There was one last person who said nothing and he was-
"Sheva said she's going to testify for you",she said .
Hope .
"What do you mean?",he said .
"Most of that stuff . . .most of that stuff that happened was in the past .I know those feelings are gone now so . . .I can forgive you .The type of man he was,I know . . .I know in my heart he manipulated you and you went for it because you needed someon .You needed someone and I wasn't there",she said .
Yes,yes he did .Albert Wesker manipulated the fuck out of Chris and made Chris enjoy it .For every smile on that innocent face,that touch any gesture of love,Chris was absoluetly under his spell .A spell so powerful that even now .
Chris had been in love before and had been broken hearted but my god .
Albert Wesker was so far burried into Chris's soul that he simply could never,ever,ever escape that man ,even if he died and went to . . .wherever he would go because there was no heaven for as big as a sinner as he .
And if Wesker wasn't there,he didn't want to be there in the first place
"Yeah . . .",he said,taking a drag .The two sat side by side in a gray room woth bright lights and gated windows that could be seen through .
"Claire?",he said .
"Hm?",she said,actually looking up .
"Thank you",he said softly .
"No problem,bro .What are sisters for?",she said with a smile .
Claire was more to him than just a sister could ever be .Claire was a friend,and likely ,the only one he had left .
She sat down,and there was more silence,only this time the two were smiling and their smiles reached their eyes .
"Did he make you happy?",Claire finally said .
"Who?",Chris asked .Claire rolled her eyes .
"Wesker",she said and Chris frowned .
"Once upon a time,yeah .He saved me from myself so many times it wasn't funny .Too bad I couldn't do the same for him",he said .Claire sighed .
"You can't save everyone,Chris ",she said softly .And she learned that the hard way .
"I know .But I really wish I could've saved him",he said .
"I know the feeling",she said .
'I wish I could've saved him',she said .
Steve Burnisde,they bothe knew it was him ,but neither of them spoked .Claire flicked some ashes and put out her cigarette .
"Let's talk about something that would keep that smile on your face",she said .
"You mean like seeing you shitfaced after you failed another drinking contest?",he said,raising an eyebrow .
"Shut up!".she said punching him in the shoulder .Chris flinched more in instinct and laughed .Claire sucked her teeth and Chris grinned at her .
"Well,let's talk about that time that you got high and was humping the carpet",she said,smuggly .Chris looked embarrassed and she giggled .
"Oh,so we're doing this now?",Chris challenged .
"Yup,that's exactly what we're doing ",she said .
By the time they were done,they had long abandoned the cigarettes and Claire was falling all over Chris,both of them laughing hysterically .
Claire hugged her brother around his strong shoulders and he almost did the same,but remembered the chains .The chains and the drugs that kept him weak enough not to break them .
Both of them quieted,the moment lost .
"Oh ,fuck it",Claire said and slide her arms awkwardly under his anyway and he returned the hug .
"Be safe ,Claire,I mean it .And please,don't fall off your bike again",he said .
"Oh my god Chris! That's what your worried about? Worry 'bout ypurself for once,okay?",she said .Chris nodded and she gave his shoulder a firm squeeze .
"I will ",he said ,becasue that's what he always does when he goes back to his lonely cell .
But at least he still had Claire .
And he had Wesker .
Sherry Birkin was sent to meet Ada Wong at a shady looking motel somewhere in Arklay County .The trip from there to Philadelphia was a short one,and she could be back at work the next day as if nothing happened .
When Sherry walked into the motel she saw Ada waiting outside her room,dressed in casual wear .Her hair was even different ,and she wore glasses .When Sherry approached,Ada wrapped an arm around her waist .
"Go along with it",she whispered .
"Okay",she said .
Ada pulled Sherry close,hands sliding down her hips .Even if this was an act,Sherry was on edge .Ada was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen and even as far back as child hood,she admired the woman for her strength her beauty and for trying to save her and . . .
Soft red lips pressed against Sherry's and she immediately returned the kiss .Ada,however ,let Sherry lead .They broke the kiss and Ada gave an seductive smile that spoke volumes .
Sherry remembered those days when she was in training .Her partner was beautiful, and she remembered those hands on her body, a beautiful female body .Legs spread, dripping wet and eager . . .
A last kiss on the neck and they broke contact and went inside .
"Who was watching us?",Sherry said,once they were inside .Ada strode away and Sherry missed her touch .She wanted to kick herself for this because Jake . . .
"I have no idea .But Steve's gonna take care of them,right,Steve?",he said .
"Steve? Who's-"
Before she could finish her sentence ,a black mist slipped from under the bed .The Whisps turned to black tendrils and the tendrils began to take the form of a man .Sherry stumbled back in shock immediately going for her gun ,but Ada stopped her .A man made of shadows stood as his clothes and colors came to form .
He was just under six feet tall,with longish auburn hair that hung over one eye and rested against his collar bone .He was dressed casual,a black hoodie ,blue jeans,black glovesand boots .Sherry bit her lip,trying not to stare too hard at the handsome man before her .His eyes flashed an eerie shade of amber before a smirk traced his lips .
"I already did .From what I gather,he was a Tricell sympathizer,or at least he use to work there",he said,approaching .His eyes flicked down and he licked a single drop of blood from his wrist ,before he tossed Ada a wallet .
"Who is this?"Sherry blurted out .
"A friend",he said,but Sherry was skeptical .Ada said nothing,just looked in the wallet,a frown on her lips .Steve slid his hood off and upon closer inspection,Sherry began to realize the man before her was VERY familiar .
"Really,Sherry .Is that anyway to treat your brother after all these years?",he said .
Sherry froze .
"Steve .Steven Burnside",she said .Ada looked between the two of them .Sherry,paced around him,looked at Ada and looked back at Steve .
"I-I don't believe it .How could this be .I looked you up years ago and all I found was that you were declared missing",Sherry said,suspicious .
"My dad worked for Umbrella .I had to go into hiding",Steve said .
"So…it's really you?",she said quietly .
"Um…yeah? We live in a world where the dead walk around on a normal bases,Blondie .This shouldn't even surprise you",he said,poking her forehead,a gesture that only Steve did .That along with her childhood nick name,brought a smile to Sherry's face and she knew all she neede to know .Immediately,Sherry flung herslef in his arms .
She Steve remembered him from those meetings at Umbrella,remembered him as the brat who tagged along after his father like a shadow .She also remembered Steve tried to get her to come out of her shell in the most annoying ways . .She remembered the few times when Uncle Wesker wasn't around,and she was dropped off at the Burnside residence .He had become her defacto baby-sitter and was like a brother she never had .
"I thought you died,Sherry .I know you were in Raccoon City at the time of the outbreak and…Damn . . .I remember when you were fun sized",he said .
"And I remember when you were an annoying brat",Sherry said .Steve rolled his eyes .
"Whatever ,Blondie",he said ,ruffling her hair .Sherry closed her eyes . . .
' for a brief momment and she could vividly see herself and Steve with Mr .Wesker,sittinga fast food resturaunt .Wesker had taken off his shades and had his arm slung over the back of Sherry's seat,Steve across staring from the window .
"I held my end of the bargain,Ada .So you hold yours .I want to see Claire",Steve said breaking Sherry's thoughts .Realizing now,as happy as she was to see Steve,seeing him show up now was suspicious .Worse,he was with Ada .And she was sure it was Ada…or was it?
"Soon,but not yet,at least not in person .I need to set up a meeting .But you can talk to her ,right now if you want",Ada said .
"As for you,what did Leon say?",Ada said .
"Not much",she admitted .
"Smart .The plan for now,is to try to Get Chris and Jake released by any legal means necessary .But if that doesn't work,we'll just have to take matters into our own hands",she said .
"How can we do that ? I mean the BSAA-"
"You didn't just see me creep from under the bed like a ghost?",Steve said sarcastically .
"Well…okay .Then we can get you a cure-"
"I'm not sick .I'm better than ever",Steve said .
"Oh",Sherry said .
"Be honest sweety .Without G,you'd be a goner .Can you honestly say you'd be happy if someone tried to 'fix' you?",Ada said . Sherry frowned .
There were days when she looked in the mirror and was disturbed by her flawless skin and nights when the inability to sleep gnawed at her sanity .But if she hadn't had her abilities,she was sure her mission would've failed and Jake…she wouldn't have Jake .
"Okay,so I see what you're getting at .Besides,whatever it is ,can't hurt me .Nothing can",she said and the very thought disturbed her .The mission to retrieve Jake as well as the many bouts of self mutilation let her know this .
"Which is why you're an asset",Ada said,reaching in her bag .She pulled out a small plastic bag with cut up pieces of apple with he skin removed .
"The question,Sherry,is what are you willing to lose? ",Steve asked .
"Not that we'll fail .But if they find out who did it,things are gonna get ugly",he said .
Sherry sat down for a moment thinking .
Comfort,stability,income…but then with her line of work,she didn't even have this half the time anyway .And Jake,she couldn't leave Jake in there,she saw what they did to him,Chris…even Piers .He spends most of his time at home in a dark room and pumped full of medicine and quarantined even after being vaccinated .
"What do I even have to lose?",she said .
"Good .I'll let you know the details in a bit .Here,finish these",she said,tossing the bag of apples to Steve,who immediately ate a piece .
"Want some ?",he offered Sherry who took the bag .
"Thanks .But I highly doubt you called me just to tell me that .What else do I need to know,and who else is in on this?",Sherry asked .Ada smirked and handed a Sherry a piece of paper and a smaller purse from her larger one .
"So far you,me ,Leon ,a few of our old friends and some people from Chris's STARS days .You'll be meeting them soon .But for now we need ass much intel on the BSAA base where they're held as possible",Ada said .
"I can help out with that .I know the place like the back of my hadn",Sherry said .
"Really? Then it should be easy for you to bug the BSAA place so that we can get proper intel,you know,security secheduals and all that kinda stuff .And when you get a chance,get us a blue print of the base",Ada said .She then gave Sherry the sheet of paper .
"This number .Ask for someone named Jack .And don't tell Leon,it's a surprise",she said .
"Why?"Sherry asked .
"Just trust me one this,okay?",she said .,getting up to leave .
"So um…about Claire-"
"You know her adress .Have fun",she said walking across the small,dingy room .
"Ada,wait,I forgot something! ", she said, but Ada ignored her .
"I'll give you some privacy",she called and exited the room .Sherry huffed, and dug up an ink pen .
"Gimme your hand!Or something! ",Sherry said .
"What for?",Steve asked .
"I don't have any paper! You do want Claire's number and adress, don't you? ",she said frustrated .
"Of course I do ", he said .Sherry quickly scribbled on his fore arm and took off after Ada .
She burst through the door in just in time to see Ada getting into a car .She tried to jog and catch up, but Ada drove off into the night .
"Damnit ",she muttered .She sighed then frowned .Sherry dragged herself back to the motel room ,eating her apples on the way back .
When she came back in Steve was playing with a pocket knife .His hands moved so fast they were a blur and Sherry felt uneasy about it .
"So . . .you ,how did you get . . .infected?",she asked .Steve stopped and a bitter chuckle left his lips .
"I met Claire on Rockfort Island after my father and I were imprisoned for going aginst Umbrella .They used us as expirements .Wesker saved me and I'm going to return the favor",he said .
Claire was tired,exhausted physically and mentally .Seeing Chris always did that to her .But after a long talk with Josh and Sheva and a few calls from some people she knew ,she could feel at least somewhat optimistic .
For now,she was content with her beer and her mp3 player blasting hard rock .She was lighting up again,feet up on the table and red nail polish open as she painted her toes .Her love for red started with Chris's love for green ,but became something more when she finally broke away and became her own person .
She could say some of her rough and tumble ways that she had tried to smooth out had come from Chris .Say that her that it was her toughness that made guys shy away because she could take care of herself and didn't need a knight in shining armor,say that it came from her brother who was made of testosterone and marshmallow (he hated being told this ,but she didn't care,it was true) .Even her wild side,street racing,party girl,back when she was barhopping with Chris and male friends that long since moved . . .that was all her and her idea and even since she settled down,old habbits died hard .
A knock on her door,and Claire in a short shorts and a thong and bare chested slipped on an oversized t-shirt and went to the door,a beer in one hand and a gun in the other because really,who the fuck was at her door at this time of night .
When she opened the door,she saw a ghost looking back at her .Eyes wide with shock and confusino,she stumbled back .The redheaded man in a gray hoody,made Claire's heart race,mad her head spin,and filled her with so many feelings that she had sought to forget .
"It's me Claire . . .it's Steve",he said .
Claire cocked her gun and aimed for his head .