Before we get started, I'd like to take a quick liberty with my author's note and address the "eye color debate". Apparently this is a very serious issue with some people. You will have noticed by now that in my stories, Alice has blue eyes and Claire has green. That was the first observation I'd made as far as their eye colors go. If you don't believe me, go watch Extinction again and pay real close attention in the scene where they're in the back of the truck, discussing Arcadia - Claire's eyes are green. That's how it is in my little world and as I'm writing while in my world, that's how it ends up in the stories. If you don't agree, that's perfectly fine, but I'm not going to change it.

Now read on, my dear kiddies.

Claire's POV

I haven't said a single word to the woman since she found me. We've been together for four days now and I haven't offered up even a syllable – unless an animalistic grunt counts. She still talks, though. She talks to me, makes video logs…

I'm still trying to work through the haze of everything. The first thing I remember is waking up tied to the landing gear of the plane we're currently in. My second memory is her interrogating me, then dumping a bucket of arguably cold water on me.

I don't even know my own name and she expects me to trust her. She's said her name a dozen times and said mine twice as much. I don't remember what they were though. I have no idea who I am and it scares me.

There's a strange comfort about the brunette's presence. I have no idea why, it doesn't make any sense. If I don't know myself, how can I know to trust her?

The night before last, she kissed me. Maybe that was some indication that we actually knew each other, because instinct slowly started to tell me to return the kiss. She pulled away before I could though.

That has only left me more confused, more resolved to my silence. I'm trying to remember something, anything, but everything is just blank. I don't know where she found me or where we're going – she keeps rattling off destinations to that video camera, but I hardly pay attention.

Most of the time, my attention is directed outside of the plane. I watch as snow and heavily forested land gives way to waste and destruction. What the hell don't I remember? The more I see, the more I doubt I want to know.

Today I overhear her saying that we're heading for Los Angeles. Even with my blank slate, I can't help but think that's a bad idea. Just from what I've seen, places that had big populations at one time now see the most destruction.

"So, your name is… Alice, right?" It's the first time I've offered up anything in the way of conversation since she found me.

"She speaks." Somehow the brunette's dry, sarcastic tone strikes me as familiar.

"Look… I'm sorry about back there." The apology is broken as I try to gather my thoughts. With everything such a mess in my head, speaking isn't easy. "I just… don't remember anything. Not even my own name."

She's said it well over a dozen times before, but she says it again for me. "Your name is Claire. Claire Redfield." There's so much meaning in her words, like she's trying to will me to remember. If only her willpower was enough to put things together in my head.

"Claire…" I test out the name for myself and it feels unnatural rolling off my tongue. Was that really my name? I don't necessarily feel like a 'Claire'.

After a few moments of silence, she seems to realize that no memories have sparked to life. "You'll get used to it."

Her words aren't comforting in the least. I don't want to get used to not knowing who I am. I want to remember, no matter what kind of shape the world is in. Again, silence creeps into the small cockpit.

I glance down, idly picking at the rope around my wrists for a while before I hold up my hands. "Perhaps you could cut me loose now?" It only seems right; she's kept me tied up for four days now.

"We should get to know each other a little better first." Alice's suggestive tone makes my heart flutter in a way I wouldn't expect it to, especially since she's a stranger.

I fall back into silence after that, picking at the rope again. At least it doesn't feel like I'm going to be sick or pass out anymore. She mentioned something about going through drug withdrawals. I don't remember doing any drugs or having anything injected to me, but maybe that's exactly why I don't remember anything.

It feels like the memories are there, just beyond my reach. There's so much I wish I could remember and something Alice is trying to will me to remember… but I just can't find it. It's frustrating as hell, so close but so far away. It's also terrifying, because I have to wonder if I'll ever remember or not.

Eventually, I feel the plane start to make a descent. There's a strip of clear highway beneath us and apparently Alice is tired of flying. It's getting close to dusk and I'm sure this heap of rust needs fuel too. The brunette is pretty good about landing and taking off, in no time we're on the ground once more.

She gets out first, then comes back to help me out since she refuses to untie me. On the ground, I settle by the plane, resting back against the landing gear. I'd offer to help her as she sets up a crude perimeter, but tied up like I am, I wouldn't be able to do much.

"In the morning we'll have to find fuel for the plane. Then we can keep working our way to L.A." Though I seem less than interested, she keeps me up to date on our plan.

After setting up the perimeter, she gets a fire going. Each night, it's been exactly the same drill. Once the fire is going, she'll set a can of food next to it to heat up. After it's warm, she'll come over and feed me, since she just won't cut me loose yet.

My expectations are dead on. The food gets set out and as soon as it's warm enough to eat, she's next to me. I can see she finds comfort in the fact that I don't have a bad reaction when she gets close anymore.

"Open up." With her coaxing, I accept the food she's offering to me. She makes sure that I get as much food as I need, putting off feeding herself.

When I gauge that half the can is left, I shake my head and look away. Tonight, I'm going to make sure she eats too.

"Had enough?" She waits for a response, but I don't offer one – which is actually a very good answer. Just as I thought, since I didn't want any more, she finishes what is left in the can. I watch the darkening sky as she gets rid of the empty can and stows away the utensil we used.

Silence settles between us as she checks what supplies are left – everything from weapons to food to the fuel in the extra cans. Every now and again, I watch her. Alice's actions are methodical, but there's some reassurance to her confidence.

Once everything has been gone through and I'm sure mentally logged, she settles down next to me again. "We should get some rest." Though her voice is rough – I can only guess it's from a lack of use – there's comfort to it.

I let my attention turn back to her before offering a nod. Since the night she kissed me, I've fallen asleep in her arms and that's exactly where I want to be again tonight. Her embrace is warm against the cold of the night and despite myself, I feel safe there.

In another life, I'd probably know exactly who I am. I don't want another life though. I just want to remember who I am.

What? No smut? I know, I know. I hear you all yelling and screaming at me loud and clear. This is a very important stepping stone in the story. You'll get what you want soon enough - even sooner if you review. And for those who have posed questions about our dear Miss Redfield, your questions will be answered. I promise. And you know what? I think you're going to love it.