Chapter Five: Wild Island.
Two weeks later.
'There's an island that's a zoo?' Lilia asked disbelievingly 'Oh for God's sake you have to be kidding me' her, Ada and Jill were getting ready to go on a night out and reading through their newest case file. Apparently an Island had been developed to be a tourist attraction. It was an Island Zoo, with a caged animal's area and also a safari area where the animals roamed free. Nothing had been heard from the island for almost a month and the government suspected something terrible so AUCOS were heading out tomorrow, Her, Ada, Leon, Jill and Chris. They'd decided to celebrate this mission by going out on the town. Lilia suspected Genevieve style foul play. What better place to play off her new experiments against each other than on an inhabited yet secluded island. Lilia decided she'd hope for the best, than a Lion had eaten the construction workers and zoo keepers rather than a zombie Lion, or zombie penguins.
'It's an interesting Idea' Said Ada 'Imagine how fun it would be to go to a zoo island, live amongst the animals'
'Can't you just go to Africa and stay on a games reserve?' Asked Jill 'Wouldn't that be easier and cheaper?'
'Ah but you wouldn't get such an exotic mix of animals' Said Lilia wisely 'An Island with penguins and monkeys roaming around sounds like fun...if it it doesn't go wrong'
'I hope a Lion just got a bit hungry' Jill said echoing Lilia's own thoughts 'Or they are out of power or something'
'We can hope for the best' Said Ada carefully applying eyeliner. 'Wonder what the guy's are up too tonight?'
'Chris said he and Leon might pop in and see us' Said Jill 'could be fun' Lilia rolled her eyes, yet again she would be the odd one out whilst the loved up ones danced together. No matter how much Ada denied there was anything serious with Leon, well she could see the look in their eyes. They had it bad. Lilia had decided on wearing a short black dress, stiletto heels and her hair was curled for once, her makeup more dramatic than usual. Ada was in a short silky purple dress and Jill in a longer blue one.
'Well come on guys' Said Lilia as they made their way to the front door someone knocked it. Lilia answered it and nearly dropped dead of shock when she saw Wesker. 'And what the hell do you want?'Asked Lilia.
'I wanted to know if you'd found out anything about Zack, and about this island' Said Wesker.
'Oh you're not in on anything, I thought that's what you wanted' Said Lilia nastily pushing past him. 'Come on girls.'
The morning dawned bright and beautiful. Lilia was up early in the shower, enjoying the warm water massaging her sore muscles; she always seemed to be on a mission or out and was always aching. She found Wesker was less in her thoughts since he'd made his feelings quite clear. He only helped AUCOS when it suited him. She shampooed her hair, rinsed it out and climbed out of the shower feeling refreshed. Her clothes were laid out on the bed; it was a generally warm area except in some of the enclosed areas where there were the polar bears and penguins. She went for a white tank top and khaki shorts; she had weapons in her luggage. She let her hair loose around her shoulders. The plane was waiting for them at AUCOS headquarters. She was excited. It wasn't ever day you got to visit an Island Zoo, infact she was sure it was the only one of its kind. She grabbed her luggage and made her way to her car where Ada was stood leaning against it, sunglasses resting on her nose, she was dressed in a pink tank top and white shorts.
'About time too' She said smiling at Lilia 'lets go walk with the animals' She said and let out a laugh. Ada was in a horrifyingly good mood and Lilia again, didn't want to think why. Lilia was just glad she'd passed on the last martini.
'Wow' Said Lilia as the plane landed. The island was big and it was beautiful, the sky above it was blue and cloudless and the landscape was green and full of hills and tropical trees. There was a corner of the island with several buildings; she imagined these were for the enclosed animals that couldn't live in the natural island habitat. There were also a few houses further away where the zookeepers and the builders lived. It had been due to open this month but when people tried to contact the island they'd heard nothing. People were wary to go there due to Racoon city, anywhere that went suddenly quiet was considered dangerous. Which is why AUCOS were sent in. Lilia put on her sunglasses as she climbed off the plan, her hair whipping around her shoulders.
'Hello' a man was stood at the bottom of the plane steps. It was Wesker; he was dressed in black trousers and a t-shirt. Lilia barely suppressed herself from attacking him.
'Why are you here?' Snapped Chris 'No one wanted your help'
'I'm not here to help, I'm just here to say I'm on business as well, and not to get in my way,' Wesker explained casually, a woman approached him from a helicopter on the other side of the field. She was beautiful, her blonde hair rested in perfect curls and her face was flawless, she was dressed in a short white skirt and white blouse and managed to look effortlessly beautiful. Chris's and Leon's eye's had almost popped out and Lilia sighed.
'I've seen more than enough of both of you' Snapped Lilia 'More than I ever wanted to see' she saw the woman blush and felt satisfied. Wesker was up in her face.
'Back off Lilia, I have a right to be here' he snapped 'so you better stay the hell out of my way, or else' Lilia laughed loudly and brought her fist back and without thinking punched him full pelt in the face.
'Ow' she said, Wesker went flying backwards, it had been worth the pain, punching Wesker was like punching steel. The woman looked horrified. Wesker got on his feet and pushed Lilia down onto the stairs.
'Stay out of my way, I will kill you if you get in between me and my research' He hissed his face up in hers, Lilia pushed him off and he grabbed her wrist hard, squeezing it, she could see his eyes glowing red behind his sunglasses.
'Get in my way and I'll kill you' Said Lilia 'Now we've got that sorted out get out of my sight' Wesker gave her a look and stormed off, his pretty minion following him.
'I really hate that man' said Jill, Chris put his arm round her and nodded.
'Are you alright?' Asked Ada worriedly, Lilia smiled at her and pushed her sunglasses up on her head.
'I'm fine' Said Lilia 'Infact I'm quite interested to see what's happened here, I vote we walk to the populated part of the island and start there'
'Good plan' Said Leon 'We can store our supplies in one of the huts as well, will save us carrying a load around everywhere we go'
'It's agreed then' Said Chris 'lets go'
'Does anyone else feel like a lions going to leap out of the forest and maul them?' Asked Jill, it was boiling hot and they were all sweating, Lilia's hair was damp and lank about her face. She was exhausted but they were almost there. They'd reached the outskirts of the zoo, where all the huts were. They approached the first one as they emerged out of the jungle. It had been quiet all the way through which either meant they were lucky or they were about to fall into trouble.
'That hut looks a decent size' Said Leon gesturing towards a large hut to their left. Lilia nodded and they walked over. Lilia pulled her gun out of her bag and gestured for Chris, Jill, Ada and Leon to move back, they nodded their own weapons out. Lilia approached the door and pushed it open, it swung open easily, eerily. She stepped inside the brightly lit room and frowned. The first room was the kitchen; there was a pan on the cooker and plates full of food on the table.
'Shit' said Chris who had come up behind her; there was blood on the floor and footprints leading to where they were standing. It looked like there had been a struggle and someone had been attacked. Then one person was left. Lilia could hear the buzzing of flies and frowned before slamming the door shut. 'Next hut, don't fancy sharing with a corpse' they all nodded in agreement and they tried the hut next door, it looked like whoever had lived there had fled and it was clean and empty, they put all their supplies in one of the bedroom.
'We're going to need someone to stay with the bags at all times,' Said Leon 'We'll all take it in turns, two left at the hut at a time, don't fancy getting stuck on an island with no communication or supplies, again'
'Or me' Agreed Chris. 'Me and Jill will do the first shift if you like' Lilia let out a laugh and covered her mouth with her hand.
'Make sure you watch the bags' Teased Ada, 'What are you going to do Leon?' Asked Ada.
'Me and Lilia are going to venture into the zoo part of the island' Said Leon 'Ada I'd like you to set up communication with headquarters and secure this building'
'Will do' Said Ada mock saluting him 'be careful guys'
'Will do' Said Lilia strapping numerous weapons onto herself, she pushed her damp hair off her face and exhaled heavily. 'I'm so hot'
'It's boiling' Agreed Leon 'we can hang out with the penguins we'll feel better'
'As long as they're not flesh eating zombies' Said Lilia the thought making her feel a little sick. 'Honestly, what is the world coming too?'
I don't even want to know the answer to that question' said Chris giving her a small smile.
'Holy cow' said Lilia her jaw dropping open, the buildings were massive with huge glass panes to see the animals, each area was a huge habitat enclosed in glass. The most worrying sign was the majority of the glass was smashed. 'This is not good' said Lilia, she saw something to her left and went to have a look. It was a severed arm. 'Could still be rogue lions' she muttered out loud. They were stuck on an island where wild animals had escaped. She sometimes wondered why she did the job she did. Leon was looking incredibly worried; he pulled out a camera and began to take pictures of the scene to send to headquarters.
'How does she get away with this?' Asked Lilia shaking her head, she didn't understand how Genevieve got away with such blatant crimes. They knew it was her but they couldn't prove it and they couldn't stop it. She walked up to one of the glass displays and pressed her face up against it, it was a polar bear enclosure, with icy domes and a big pool of water. It was cracked and there was a hole big enough for her to squeeze herself into the enclosure. She guessed it hadn't been long since what'd happened because the snow was still there and the ice even though the hot air was circulating, she sat on top of one of the ice blocks, it was lovely and cold and she sighed happily and pulled out a granola bar out of one pocket. She was just unwrapping it when she saw Leon frantically tapping the glass and gesturing towards the other side of the enclosure. Lilia looked up and saw a massive polar bear, although it was no longer a white polar bear, it's fur was almost scarlet with blood, it opened its mouth and let out a primal raw and charged towards her. Lilia didn't fancy her chances with the polar bear so she leapt to her feet and ran and jumped from one side of the enclosure to the other, the polar bear turned round growling and Lilia's eyes met blood red ones. It was purely existing on the need to eat flesh, or eat her.
'Leon' Lilia said panicking,
'Just shoot it' shouted Leon the polar bear gave a glance in his direction.
'HEY' Lilia shouted, 'Keep your eyes on me!' The polar bear snarled and charged at her once more, Lilia pulled both of her handguns out and aimed at the polar bear and shot of several rounds, it didn't even slow it down, she found herself crushed under the polar bear, he was twice the size of her and his jaws were almost round her neck, she managed to pull one arm out from under the polar bear and grabbed a rock from the display and smashed it around the bears skull. It whimpered and fell backwards. But it wasn't down for long; Lilia held her gun in front of her and pulled off two shots aimed directly at his head. The polar bear finally fell to the ground, it twitched slightly and then stopped moving. Lilia began to breathe heavily. That had been terrifying, almost more so than Genevieve's home brewed mutant monsters, she left the enclosure shaking.
'That was horrifying' she said, 'And I didn't even get to finish my lunch'
'Lilia' Said Leon shaking his head, 'Lets go to securities office, we might be able to find videos from the cameras set up'
'Good idea' said Lilia and followed his lead.
Leon slid the tape into the player, it was the tape from the start of the previous day, they forwarded through most of it before they saw one of the zookeepers. They had something in one hand as they entered the Lion's enclosure, when the weather was bad they rounded up the Lion's and kept them in. The island was divided into fenced off into different sections so that the Lion's didn't eat the monkeys and so on. Yet it was still safari style. The female figure injected one of the Lion's with what Lilia presume was the T-virus and before long the Lion was attacking the others, it wasn't long before they had smashed their way out attacking the zookeepers and buildings. Soon it was carnage with zombie animals and humans ripping through each other. Lilia shook her head.
'At least we know what happened' said Leon quietly, he looked tired.
'It's always what's happened' Lilia said 'Genevieve decides to experiment and people and cute animals died'
'I know Lilia' Said Leon 'this needs to stop but I don't know what to do'
'I'm going to have a walk around' Said Lilia quietly 'I'll see you at the house' Lilia spent a good half an hour searching the area but she could only find corpses, no signs of survivors or any more zombie animals. Tomorrow they'd venture into the fenced off areas of the island and see if they could find any clues and information. She made her way back to the security office.
'Lilia, you head back to the hut' Said Leon, 'I've radioed Ada, Chris and Jill, they're going to meet me here and we're going to go through all this are more thoroughly, you can have a rest after the bear ordeal'
'Thank you' Said Lilia smiling at him, 'I'll see you later' Leon gave her a curt nod and she made her way back to the hut.
Wesker was stood inside the hut waiting for her, he was dressed in his black t-shirt and black jeans, his sunglasses strangely absent, he smiled as she walked in.
'If it isn't my favourite mutant' He said smoothly.
'What are you doing here?' She asked coldly walking to the dressing table and slamming her bag down on it.
'Can't I see my favourite AUCOS member?' Wesker asked smiling sweetly at her. 'Plus wanted to see if you'd found anything interesting.'
'As If I'd tell you' Said Lilia 'your not working for us anymore are you? You're a traitor'
'Oh get off your high horse' laughed Wesker 'Let's help each other out here'
'No' Said Lilia simply 'I'm done trying to help you, and I'm done trying to prove to people you can be something other than a heartless and cruel monster'
'Oh dear' said Wesker laughing 'Got a little jealous did you, Meredith is indeed a pretty one'
'That's not my concern' Said Lilia 'I don't care whose your current squeeze, I care about finding out what we can and getting the hell off this island, we need to find any survivors'
'There are no survivors, just the odd arm and leg lying around' Wesker said laughing at his own joke. Lilia regarded him coldly. She didn't understand how sometimes he could see almost like he cared, and other times like he really didn't.
'I hate you' Spat Lilia 'how could you just let me die like you did and then even when I'm back you don't act remotely happy to see me?'
'I'm not that kind of man' Shouted Wesker 'My research is my life'
'Why?' Shouted Lilia her hair in her face, her eyes wild with anger. 'Why does it have to be that way?' Wesker shrugged his shoulder; he looked at her with his strange red eyes.
'It's all I know' Said Wesker 'I've grown up learning, researching, and Umbrella was my life for so long, I've made so many mistakes I can't come back from'
'We can all have fresh starts' Said Lilia quietly 'We can do so much with our lives...you just don't want too'
'I am who I am' Said Wesker shrugging 'I'm here to find the virus, I'm here to achieve my life time goals, none of which you could understand. I'd do anything and you can't make sense of it can you?'
'I just don't understand' said Lilia quietly, Wesker was frowning, he was handsome, Lilia would give him that, with his high cheekbones and light coloured hair. He was tall and broad shouldered but at the moment instead of standing proud his shoulders were slumped and he looked old and tired.
'I don't expect you to understand' said Wesker quietly,
'I really do hate you' Said Lilia 'Your an asshole and a looser' Wesker's eyes flashed with sudden anger and he moved so he was directly in front of Lilia, she raised her fist and hit him, his head snapped back and he looked at her strangely. He grabbed her head in his hands but instead of hutting her she felt his soft lips on hers. He kissed her like if he didn't he'd die. Lilia wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. His hands moved from her face and down the smooth curve of her back, he pulled back suddenly and looked into her eyes, searching them, he looked confused and unsure. Lilia opened her mouth but he put a finger to her lips and shook his head. He took a step back and pulled his t-shirt over his head, he was slim but muscular, his body was crisscrossed with numerous shiny scars. There was the recent scar from Zack. Lilia stared at him, their eyes met and she slowly pulled her own tank top over her head. She saw Wesker swallow. Lilia pulled her band out of her hair and shook it loose over her shoulders as she stood up. Wesker walked over and pulled her back into his arms, he pushed her against the hut wall and began kissing her again, he let his kisses trace her chest and her neck, she let her hands slide along his muscular body. She pushed him towards the bed and they fell down on it together still kissing.
'Oh God' Said Lilia as she looked at the sleeping form of Wesker next to her, she pushed him hard. 'Wesker wake up will you' He woke up and his eyes shot open.
'Oh GOD' He said loudly, 'Oh god'
'Oh your girlfriend going to be cross?' Asked Lilia sweetly. Wesker glared at her as he pulled on his clothes, he was out of the hut before she could say another word. Lilia fell back onto the pillows and stared at the ceiling. That was a strange thing to have happened but she wasn't going to let it distract her from her mission. It was evening, time to sleep, tomorrow they'd venture out.
