Claire couldn't help but notice the awkward silence in the car on their way to the social services office. She wasn't sure what the reason was, maybe it was because he didn't want to upset her, or maybe it was because he was nervous the same as her. Either way, it was doing her head in. "Radio not working?" She asked a slight tinge of sarcasm in her voice. "Nah, afraid not" Leon replied, giving a quick glance in her direction.
She sighed lightly turning her attention to the world passing by her window. It was a grey and cloudy day, wet although the rain had stopped some 30 minuets previous. It was warm in the car, with a slight smell of pine. She felt comfortable given the amount of tension there was to be felt. "Do you think they'll let us see her?" Leon chirped, snapping Claire quickly into reality. "Maybe, although I doubt they will, in case it gets her hopes up. You know how much she wants this. The same as us" "I guess, but still, we've got nothing to loose, we own our own apartment, we both have jobs, and she gets on well with us." Claire nodded, knowing that he was right, everything that Leon say's is right. Just like Chris.
I crept down the stairs careful not to wake Jill as she slept lightly on the sofa, I noticed how she had managed to drink a glass of whisky before falling asleep with Chris' picture in her hand. It was weird how things had gotten so out of control, I never knew she had felt so strongly against me before, and I never knew Chris had a temper like that. It had been a full three hours since he had left, leaving me locked in the bathroom waiting for Jill to fall to sleep. I was glad she had forgotten that I was still in the house, at least I could make an easy exit. I crept to the front door pulling the door open as silent as possible, the hinge had let out a small squeak and I heard Jill stir in her sleep. "mmm hmm Chris" She mumbled, not waking. I slowly closed the door behind me and headed to the bottom of the street, I saw a figure sitting on the curb under the far left street lamp, smoke flowing up from its mouth dancing under the lights beam. It was Chris. I strolled over, eyes fixed on him, why was he sat there? "hey bro" I whispered, "you ok?" "Yeah I'm fine" he answered raising his head and taking a drag from his cigarette, Marlborough light to be precise. "She just gets to me is all" he lowered his head again shuffling his feet underneath him. "I'm sorry if I upset her in anyway Chris, I haven't meant to" I looked at him with bright eyes but a heavy heart; I could see he was upset and it was hurting me too. "Don't be silly Claire you haven't done anything. I think it's just the wrong time of the month" He said, looking over and flashing that cheeky grin of his. I smiled; he always knew how to lighten the mood. "Everything will be fine Claire I promise" "I know it will" I replied, you're always right.
Leon sat in the reception whilst Claire reported to the front desk. His nerves were beginning to kick in as a light bead of sweat formed on his brow; he sat up and straightened his tie whilst observing the room around him. It was a plain room, painted cream with a few simple pictures of flowers hanging cheaply on the walls, the furniture was a ghastly pale pink covered in various stains. He watched as Claire walked back towards him and sat in the chair opposite. He thought to himself how beautiful she looked, dressed in a suit jacket with an open white blouse showing the necklace she always wore. It was a necklace her brother had given her back when she was in college, a simple design of a star, he didn't know a lot about it, but he knew what it meant to her. She also wore a knee length skirt, black that had a small slit to the left side. It was simple but she looked beautiful in it. "Nervous?" she asked, staring into his big blue eyes "Yeah I guess" he answered fully aware of how much he looked it. "Me too" she replied sweetly giving a slight smile his way. He smiled back warmly before returning his attention to the paintings.
"Mr Kennedy, Miss Redfield?" A woman called from the end of the hall. Leon looked at Claire and noticed how she too was beginning to show signs of nervousness. "We'll be fine" He said before slowing standing and allowing Claire to walk ahead of him towards the woman at the end.
Claire sat down in front of a large mahogany table with Leon to her left; the woman closed the door behind her before taking her seat in front of them. "Hi I'm Allison" the woman said "I'm sure you remember me from a few weeks back, I'm sherry's social worker" The woman extended her arm towards the pair and exchanged a handshake from each. "Nice to see you again" Claire said, forcing a smile to her lips. "Now then, you understand why you're both here. This is to discuss the re homing of Sherry Birkin" Claire nodded "Now everything seems to be fine, the home you have provided seems suitable and it's obvious you both care deeply for Sherry but there is one more thing that I need to check with you" Claire leaned forward slightly not sure if she would be able to provide a suitable answer. "I need to know what type of work you are both involved in and if you will be able to provide full time access for sherry" Claire relaxed slightly knowing that this would not be a problem. "Well, Leon is a police officer, he works during the day and is home by 6:30, and I work part time as a waitress." Claire answered confidently. "Ok" Allison replied "And when you say part time, what are your hours?" "10am until 2pm" Claire answered. "That's great, then I see no problem in allowing you to become Sherry's new adoptive parents, we just need to run a check with your current employers to make sure the information you have given us is correct, and we will be in contact soon" Claire gazed at the women amazed at how simply all of this was. "That's it?!" She asked, a huge grin spreading across her face. "That's it" Allison replied simply exchanging smiles with the two. "You can leave now, and we should call you in the next few days"
Leon couldn't believe it, he didn't have to say a word and yet here they are hugging in the car park because Sherry was coming home, where she belongs. He was overjoyed and seeing Claire this happy too made him even happier. He knew how much she missed the girl the same as he did. They made their way to the car in silence, but a happy silence, one that was comfortable to be in. He put the key in the ignition and turned to face Claire who was grinning like a 3 year old with a lolly-pop. He flashed a smile at her and patted her on the shoulder before pulling away and heading home.
His heart was pounding like thunder in his chest, his palms sweating, teeth clenched. He lay there wide eyed and afraid as he watched the two Spaniards approach him to tighten his wrist and ankle straps. He was trapped. Leon lay there on a hard stone surface raised some 3 ft from the ground, staring up into the emotionless blank stares of the inhuman. The table was covered in blood, he was fully aware of that, and there was a large piece of cloth hanging on the wall to his left that depicted some sort of symbol. The room was dimly lit by no more than 16 candles placed all around him, the heat becoming too intense to his sensitive skin. He looked right and saw one of the Spaniards walk towards him with a long piece of leather, Leon winced as his hair was being pulled fowred to lift his head where the leather was placed around and over his mouth, making a cheap gag of some sort. Leon watched as a third man entered the room in a long black cape, a hood covering his face, he was much taller than the others, and walked with a slight stiffness to his upper body. He could smell the hair on his arms beginning to simmer as the wind blew the candles flame closer to his naked torso; a few drops of wax had blown onto his chest giving him small burning sensations. The hooded figure stood over Leon pulling a shining silver object from his cloak, Leon's eyes went wide when he saw the man pull out an 8 inch steel blade, hot tears streaming down his face. He watched as the man held the blade over his head and chanted in some kind of Spanish. He shook his head violently from side to side, trying to scream but the gag simply silencing his cries, he pulled with all his strength on the shackles trying desperately to break free. The hooded man placed a hand on Leon's forehead and plunged the blade into leons chest with the other, Leon cried out in agonising pain, tears, sweat and blood running down his body. He arched his back from the clammy surface and pulled against the straps on his wrist so hard that he snapped his left wrist. He panted, staring into the eyes of the man who has removed his hood, before slowing slipping away into darkness.
Claire's heart jumped, hairs on the back of her neck standing on edge. She reached for the pistol she kept in the kitchen drawer, dropping the cutlery she was drying. She ran through to the living room as quickly as she could, grazing her leg on the side of the dining room table, causing it shake slightly. She found Leon led on the sofa, covered in sweat, his hair noticeably stuck to his forehead. He was shaking, staring straight up towards the ceiling, She knew that it was another dream and knew that nothing she would say would make him better, she had tried before. She lowered her pistol and walked slowly back to the kitchen. She collected a bottle of water from the fridge and placed a tea towel under the cold tap before ringing it out slightly. Claire retraced her steps back into the living room, careful not to knock herself of the table again. She handed the bottle of water to Leon, her hand cool against his hot clammy skin. She placed the towel on his forehead and gently dabbed. He was looking up at her with an expressionless face, something he did often when this happens; it's probably because he feels un manly. But she knew that when he had that look he was ok. She smiled at him and simply asked "pasta ok for tea?" He smiled back and replied "sounds great"