I will never forget those next months. I knew I was only being kept alive because I was needed in Wesker's plans - he'd said as much. Even so, that didn't stop him from taunting me. Enrico, Forest, Joseph, Richard, Kenneth, Kevin, Edward, Brad, Rebecca, Barry, Chris… We were a family in STARS, and he'd mock me for not being able to save the guys, and how I would see Rebecca, Barry, and Chris die before my eyes. At first, I would retaliate, and then he would hit me, and even if I wanted to, I was still too weak to fight back. Eventually, I learned to school my response, but each time he'd mention them, their faces would swim before my eyes. It's been eight years already, but the wounds have never healed and he knew it, and the bastard delighted in rubbing it in my face.

It was frightening, because there were moments that I thought that I would die, but what was even scarier was the fact that I started to welcome it. I wanted it to end. I wanted to die.

Yet that wasn't the case. Each night I would pray that it would be my last, and I'd feel heartache when I would wake up the next day. So I decided that I had to make myself useful, in any way I can.

First on the agenda was to take care of my physical health. I was still injured all over, but I've always been a fast healer, especially after Raccoon City… For the first time, I was thankful of this… abnormality I got from that, because it would work to my advantage now. Outwardly, I pretended that I was still broken in front of Wesker and all those other doctors that he'd bring in to check up on me. I'll be damned if they found out I was healing, even little by little. I didn't want to think about what they would do to me once I become fully healed.

At the same time, I paid as much attention as I could to my surroundings. I flirted with one of the doctors watching over me. Dr. Moretti. The man was a pig, but he was the stupidest from the bunch, so while it sickened me to even talk to him, I pretended to have a connection with him. I found out that I was in one of the facilities of Tricell, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies of the world. When I tried to inquire about Umbrella, Wesker became violent again, and it was only after that he said, his tone casual, "to not mention that name while we're under this roof." I kept quiet after that, but I continued to keep my eyes and ears busy.

I couldn't be too sure, but based on what I could see from the windows, we were somewhere in southern Europe, probably Italy, if the plants outside were any indication. If that's the case, if I could somehow make a break for it, I could try and get in contact with BSAA. I've worked for the European branch on one of my missions, and I knew that there were undercover agents spread out in the area. I memorized where the doors, windows, even the air vents were, and I plotted my escape. If I died in this attempt… Well, at least I've left enough clues to tell the BSAA who were staying here. One look at the room where they kept me would tell them very interesting stories.

Finally, I was ready.

It was already winter by then, and I'd probably freeze to death if by some miracle I make it outside, but at least the darkness would come earlier. I had a bigger chance to make my escape. I knew there were two guards standing outside my room, but if my plans worked, they wouldn't have to find out that I'm gone until later. I've stolen acetone from the supplies cabinet a few days ago, and I used it on the two video cameras in the room to fog the lenses. I had to be quick then, because they'd realize what I've done in just a few minutes. I grabbed the scalpel on the table: it was the only thing I could use as a weapon. The hairpins I've asked Moretti to get for me were already in my pocket. Thank God for idiots like him. Crouching down, I went under my bed and pulled off the cover of the vent. I pulled myself in. I've lost a lot of weight in the past months, so much so that I could easily fit in the opening.

Left. Left. Right.

Pushing the vent cover, I dropped down, one hand still holding the piece of metal. After I put it back in, I looked around. Perfect. As I planned, I was in one of the side rooms. It was still pretty far from the nearest exit, but it had two features that none of the other rooms did: it didn't have any cameras, and it was in the darkest wing of the facility, practically unused. I went to the door. It was locked, as I expected. I grabbed two of the hairpins from my pocket and twisted them on to the opening. A small click, and it was open.

Yes!

I peeked out. One guard was patrolling the corridor. I waited until he went past the door, and I snuck behind him and twisted his neck. I let him drop gently on the floor and continued on my way. The next corridor had no guards. Since the wing was hardly used, Tricell didn't bother to protect it as much as the other areas. At the next turn, there was another guard, but I didn't bother taking him down. I snuck in the closest room and waited for him to pass by it, and then I moved on.

Finally, the last door. It was all I could do to run to it, but I had enough sense to know that if I did, my footsteps would alert the nearest guards. I continued to tiptoe to it. I was about to reach for it when…

Ugh!

"Jill, how many times do I have to tell you? You can't leave just yet," Wesker said, standing over me, a syringe in his hand, the last drop on the needle glistening in the moonlight. I laid on the floor, unable to move, my shocked expression frozen on my face. My neck throbbed in pain, but I couldn't reach out to touch it.

No!

"What's the matter, Jill? Cat got your tongue?" Wesker said silkily. "Or perhaps the cat got you?" And he chuckled his hateful laugh. He brought his face close to mine. "You know what this is, Jill?" He asked me, bringing the needle to my face. "Pancuronium," he continued, without waiting for my response, not that I could, even if I wanted to. "Don't worry, it's not strong enough to be considered lethal, but it is enough to paralyze you completely for the next hours or so." He stepped back then, but he continued to stand over me. "It seems I've underestimated you, but no matter. The Pancuronium will make sure you stay nice and calm." His face twisted. "I've told you once already, Jill. You still have some use to me, but don't think I can't kill you when I want to."

Excella came in then, and she quite deliberately stepped on me to make her way to Wesker. "What is she doing here, Albert?" She asked archly, but her voice was edged with sharpness.

"Nothing that you should concern your pretty little head, Excella," Wesker answered, his tone bored.

Excella preened at Wesker, and then she spoke again, "Filth like that isn't worth my attention, anyway," while looking down at me in derision. She turned her head again at Wesker. "Albert, you were right. They found the plant you were talking about." There was no mistaking the hint of triumph in her voice.

"Good. Where exactly did they find it?"

"A small town in Africa. Kijuju," Excella said almost dismissively.

xxx

Just a thought: I might bring up the rating of the story in the next chapters if I'm going to continue in this vein.

Anyway, as always, R&R, please.