Chapter 3
I felt sick, listening to the crying from outside. I leaned against one of the desks. Looking back and forth between Piers and Chris. All five of us were silent, waiting…just waiting for something to happen. I couldn't confirm if Snow was infected, and Leon fucking Kennedy is here? Why can't my luck get better? I couldn't stand the thought of running into him again…not after…Raccoon…and Claire. I closed my eyes behind the mask, and I let out a soft sigh. Chris was starting to pace, looking at Snow.
"It said it takes roughly thirty three minutes on the dot, for the infection to set in. Gangrene starts underneath the tongue or the gums start to lose blood, and you start to have a constant nose bleed." He looked from Snow to Piers.
"Get in contact with Kennedy and tell him to stay where he is, and we will be there shortly." Chris looked at me, and pointed to Snow.
"You're on guard duty Cadet. Don't fuck this up." The anger within his voice, made me stand a little straighter. He was completely different from the office, to the field. He was in charge, commanding, and…I couldn't help but notice the small droplets of sweat against his forehead.
"Nothing yet on Kennedy sir." Piers said, typing away.
Both men were nervous, Snow was leaning on the bar, and Jameson was silent. And I, I stood by Snow, looking him over carefully. I reached up and took the mask off, finally being able to carefully breathe. Sweat dripped down my neck, listening to hands banging against the door, the walls, even against the windows. Snow looked directly at me, and nearly held his breath. I could hear it through his mask. I looked at him, raising a brow.
"What?" I said, he kept looking at me, and swallowed.
Piers looked over at us, keeping an eye on Snow.
"Just…never saw how beautiful you were." He turned away from me, and I rolled my eyes. Piers started to glair. Chris, stayed silent, he kept pacing, his jaw clenched. I lifted my head, chin straight, squaring my shoulders.
"Getting hit on by an infected man." I sighed lightly.
Thump
Thump
Thump
Slide
Slide
Skin against wood, disappearing slowly. I started to rub my arms, a shiver shot through my spine and I turned. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched a shadow run across the floor, I leaned up from the spot I was leaning on. My brows creased together, Piers looked over as well. He held his gun at his side, his shoulders lax, the men grew silent.
"Help...help me…" A soft cry, sounded more human, than all the others. I looked to Chris, and he raised his hand, looking at the far corner of the room. Another shuffle, skin against floor, clothes a soft whisper.
"Help…me…please…" I reached for my gun, and I nodded at them, taking a step forward. Taking aim, I crouched walking slowly to the far end of the café. My eyes, already used to the dark atmosphere, silence followed as I stopped.
"Hello? Whose there?" Creaking of a door, a small face peeked from behind a storage room. I sat up straight, the little girl looked up at me, her eyes were open and covered in gray.
"Hello…?" She whispered, and I reached down, holstering my weapon.
"Hi there little one." I knelt down, placing my hands out, to hold her own. Her eyes filled with tears, as she cried out, releasing my hands and wrapping her arms around my neck. She buried her face in my gear and cried.
"My mommy and daddy are gone! I can't find them!" She whimpered, and I held her small shivering form. She had on a school outfit. Brown, and white. The skirt torn at the hem, and her stockings a bloody mess. Her small flats covered in mud, and dust. I pulled her away, softly wiping the tears. Piers was right behind me, covering my rear.
"What's your name sweet pea?" He asked, placing his weapon back in its holster. I watched her tilt her head at the sound of his voice. She turned to look at him, and gave a shy smile.
"My name is Fayth Elizabeth McNeil. And what's yours sir?" She asked, rocking on her heels. I was surprised at her manners, even in a time like this. I looked back at Piers, who's blue eyes softened at the sound of the little girl. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she tried staying strong.
"My name is Piers. Nice to meet you sweetie. How long have you been here?" He asked, kneeling down. She was tilting her head, listening to him.
"I've been here for a few hours…I'm hungry." Fayth looked down at her shoes, just like a normal child would. Piers reached into his side pack, producing a granola bar.
"This is all I have right now dear." He held it out to her. She was timid, shyly reaching out for the bar. Opening it, she slowly nibbled at it. Piers looked at me, and I looked at him. I couldn't help but giving him a soft smile, he smiled back at me. A flash of interest crossed his eyes, mine reflected the same interest.
She was slowly creeping up to priority number one. She reminded me, of me as a child.
"Fayth sweetie, who's your father?" I kept my voice soft and gentle. Snow was making no sudden moves, Jameson was silent and Chris stood there watching Piers and I.
"My daddy works at the Umbrella facility underneath Wal street." My jaw tightened watching this child eat at the granola bar. Piers placed his hand against my shoulder. What were we going to do now? Now that we had a child in tow? What could we do? Piers followed as I stood. We turned around looking at the captain, his jaw was tight. Everyone in the room was silent.
"Thank you, Mr. Piers for the granola bar." Her manners were stunning. Fayth, stood behind us. Her cheeks were stained with tears, dirt, and grime.
"We have to find Kennedy and the governor. Piers, Clio, Jameson." We stood straighter, he looked us over while looking at the child.
"You take the child to the nearest evac station, Snow and I will head to the theater to find the governor and Kennedy." Chris was looking Snow over, he shown no symptoms. He seemed just fine. Fayth walked up to me. Her hand reached out holding mine. My hand wrapped around hers in a reflex. She was terrified, I could feel it in her trembling hand. Piers was already nodding, Jameson walked to us and looked down to the child giving a light smile.
"Hello there sweetie, my name is Jameson. But you can just call me Jamie alright?" Fayth seemed to smile at his southern accent.
"You sound like mommy!" She giggled, at least we had some way of relaxing the child. I took in a deep breath, slowly I let it out through my nose. This mission had just gotten much harder. I looked at Fayth.
"Are you up for walking sweet heart?" I asked, she nodded.
"I've walked all the way from Wal street to here." Piers gave the captain a nod.
"Let's do this."
…
My nerves were set on high, Fayth was beside me holding my hand. I wouldn't allow her to get hurt…not on my watch. She reminded me so much of how I was during the Raccoon attack. That thought didn't settle right on my stomach. All was silent around us; the chirping had died down and dissipating into nothingness. Fayth's grip grew tight around my hand. Piers gave me a worried look. Jameson was close behind us. Snow and Chris had went the other way at a trot.
"Alright, which way Piers?" I asked, Piers was working at the data pad. Looking through the coordinates.
"This way." He was off at a trot. Jameson picked up Fayth. Carrying her piggy back style. I kept up with ease. Piers kept looking at each alley way, to be sure no creatures were following us. The silence drew out longer then I had liked. We couldn't see a foot in front of us…who's to say one of them weren't following us right now? I shuddered at the thought.
I stopped in mid trot to look over my shoulder, Jameson halted looking behind as well. There was nothing…
"There!" Fayth cried, I turned to watch one of them stagger from the fog. Walking with a limp, it's mouth agape. Green-black blood dripping down it's chin. I took aim, shooting a three-round burst.
"Run!" I turned looking at the trio. Piers was about to reply.
Chirping.
More and more chirping. I turned back around, taking careful aim, I pulled the trigger shooting off another three-round burst.
"I said GO!" I screamed, Piers gave a nod looking at Jameson. They were off at a sprint. The gray skinned creatures were coming in close. One was faster than the others, took off at a run. Flipping my gun to single burst, pulling the trigger the BOW fell right on its face.
Pop
Pop
Pop
Pop
The gun jumping in my hands with each round I take off. With each creature falling, another replaced it. My mouth grew dry, my heart stilled. I reached to my vest pulling the grenade from my lucky pocket. Yanking the pin with my teeth I tossed the grenade. I kept counting down the second in my head, I pushed my body to its limit. Ducking in a nearby alley way, I felt the thump from the blast before I heard it.
Rubble fell from the shop next to me, glass shattered all around me. I held my breath trying to keep my eardrums from popping.
I failed.
All I heard was ringing within them. All I wanted was to see Piers again, his bright blue eyes and that perfect smile of his. I wanted to survive this mission so we could talk…just, talk. Get to know each other better than just on the battlefield. He had moves, and he was sweet. Piers was starting to grow on me…
"I need to get up, I need to find him and the rest of my team." Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up. Screaming at the sudden burning sensation on my calf. Looking at my leg, I watched as blood pumped from the wound. A piece of shrapnel managed to get stuck within my skin.
"Fuck!" I looked it over, wanting to scream out in pain. I grabbed the end piece of it and pulled. The shout that spilt from my lips was broken by more chirping. The metal sliding from my body made a disgusting slurping noise, as if air was trapped inside the wound. I howled in pain. The metal bit fell onto the concrete with a soft ping. I looked at the metal piece covered in blood. I sucked air through my teeth. I watched my skin sizzle as it began to pull itself back together. Piece by piece. Leaning my head back I moaned out in satisfaction as my body began to heal the wound.
Within a minute I was back on my feet, keeping my gun in hand. I looked to the broken wall of the shop. I turned and started to run.
"I have to get back to my team. To Piers and Fayth. They need me." At a dead sprint, I made sharp turns. Feeling my body collapse into someone, or something. I brought my gun up, my hand was smacked before I felt it be pinned against my back. Dropping I spun, knocking whatever it was off their feet. Another punch to my sternum. Air was knocked from my lungs, I forced my elbow out to nail whoever it was directly in the face. The person dropped down, knocking my legs out from underneath me, I rolled. Grasping my knife, I was up behind them, arm wrapped around their throat knife following.
"Clio?" He breathed out, I took a step back. His short blonde hair, blue eyes and five o'clock shadow stood out against his sharp jaw line. Nose at a perfect point, his blonde brows knitted together. Full lips pursed out for a moment, his own breathing was rapid. Black t-shirt with his regular gear, cargo pants and work boots. I had to take a moment to breathe before realizing.
"Leon?" I gasped out, my stomach felt sore from the strike. He stood there blinking away his own tears and sweat. I couldn't help the insult spouting from my lips.
"How's Helena?" I stood straight, keeping my shoulders square. He dropped his gaze from me for a moment before looking back up.
"She's fine." He replied, there was something deeper within him that he wasn't saying. I looked around him, registering who was missing.
"Where's the mayor?!" I shouted. He looked away from me again.
"No…you didn't…" I growled out, he grunted.
"He was turned by the time I found him." He stepped back, I couldn't help but scoff.
"Just like the president huh?!" I couldn't keep the anger from my voice. He looked me over before stepping back.
"That wasn't my fault!" He shouted, I took a warning step forward. I wouldn't have minded slitting his throat right about now…
"Where's your team?" He asked, I sighed.
"Piers, come in?" I touched the ear piece.
"Piers here. Are you alright? We managed to get away before you pulled the pin." His worry made my heart melt a bit.
"I'm fine. I ran into Kennedy. The mayor's dead. We need to regroup, get the captain and- "
Clicking
More clicking.
"Shit." I whispered.
"Clio?! Clio?!" He screamed, I raised my gun taking aim at the other end of the ally way.
"New boyfriend?" Leon snickered.
"Watch that tongue Agent Kennedy or I'll cut it right off you." I shot him a glair. He only looked at me.
"Clio, come in!" It was Chris. I touched the ear piece.
"Come in Captain." I replied.
"The mayor's dead. He's been shot. Kennedy is on the run." I gave Leon a look.
"Infected?" I asked.
"Negative." He replied, the chirping was growing. I gave Leon and side glance, slowly turning my gun onto him.
"You killed the mayor, he wasn't infected." Cocking my gun, I readied myself.
"Sir, I have Agent Kennedy here with me now. Should I detain him?" I asked. Leon was about to say something.
"Shut it." I snapped, anger burning within my eyes he started to speak.
"I found your father Clio." The look within his eyes made me stop. Gritting my teeth.
"Lair!" I shouted, Leon shook his head slowly.
"No Clio. I'm not lying. I've found him. He's not who you think he is!" He stepped up, I shot at the ground.
Silence rang throughout the area.
"Drop the gun Leon. Now." I snapped. He started shaking his head.
"No Clio, that's suicide. You don't know what- "He started, I screamed.
"Drop the gun NOW Leon!" He looked to the left, I turned the gun over pulling the trigger once.
The creature dropped to its knees, falling dead. I turned the gun back onto Leon, my eyes never wavering from him.
"You killed the mayor of New York Agent Kennedy. You're under arrest. Drop the damn weapon, or I'll have to use force." I stepped closer to him, Leon looking back at the creature.
"I had to shoot him, he was a part of the attack Clio." He tried again, I laughed.
"Yeah, just like you loved me and didn't leave me for Helena. Turn the fuck around." I reached for the plastic cuffs.
"It's not like that Clio, I loved you- "
"Shut the fuck up." Using my foot, I gave a solid kick to the back of Leon's knee. He went down without further hesitation. I snapped them tight.
"Clio, please listen to me. You're the only one who can stop this. The G-virus that's in your body. It's the key to stop this. Ada…Ada Wong." I rolled my eyes.
"Would you please, shut the fuck up?" I pulled at the cuffs to get him up.
"Piers, how's the little girl?" I asked through the headset.
"Asleep on Jameson's back. It seems the grenade you set off lead them away from us, and right to you. We're taking shelter in a nearby police station. We're going to meet captain here and figure out what we need to do next. Think you can make it?" I looked at Leon, his eyes pleading.
"If I don't kill the major suspect first. Clio out." I turned away from Leon, as I headed down the alley way.
"Please, I can show you what I mean Clio. I can show you the proof that we need. It's in that theater." I stopped I turned back to Leon.
"I swear to all that is holy. Do I have to stop and feed you to the monsters? Don't tempt me Leon. I swear to god I will. You're getting on my very last damn nerve. That's hard as fuck to do." I was huffing, puffing.
"I know what I did to you wasn't right. How many times do I have to say I'm sorry? That I didn't mean to hurt you the way I did?" My body started shaking as I stared into his bright blue eyes. I turned away from him. He started to walk to me, talking.
"Please Leo, listen to me- "On the balls of my feet, I lifted myself. The heel of my combat boot striking him square in the chin. Leon spun as he fell right on his ass. I stared at him slowly letting my foot back down. I stared him down, blood dribbled from his bottom lip. Leon moaned slightly.
"I forgot how good you can fight." His eyes started to roll to the back of his head. I smacked him twice.
"And I forgot how much of a little bitch you can be. I warned you about breaking my heart, and what did you do? You went and did it anyway. Now, I'm stuck with you in the middle of a recon, and you just killed the god damn mayor!" I screamed into his face.
"Get the fuck up!" I smacked him again. Groaning Leon got to his feet.
"God, you kick hard…" He mumbled.
"Shut…up…" I groaned. I touched my ear piece.
"Piers, can I please shoot him?" I moaned out.
"Negative Clio. Sorry dear." I sighed stomping forward. Leon following close behind with shuffling feet. Stepping over the bubbling corpse of the creature, I continued forward.
"The faster we get to the station the faster we can get rid of this baggage." I gave a look over my shoulder, Leon's eyes were casted down to the concreate.
"Though…I wonder what information he has on my dad…" I bit the inside of my cheek.
"Mission first, interrogate second." I wanted to kill him for what he did to me, even more so for what he did to the mayor.
"Clio, he was in on the attack. Just like Simmons was back in twenty thirteen." Ignoring him I looked both ways before heading down fifth and sixth. Taking careful aim, I listened.
Nothing.
"At least not yet." Breathing through my nose, I kept walking down the street Leon in tow.
"I swear to god Clio, I had to kill him. He was going to end the world. Ada is too!" He kept pushing.
"If he says another word, I'm going to put a bullet in his brain…" Gritting my teeth harder.
"Ada and your father is behind all this. So is Jill." I stopped in my tracks. My blood going cold. I turned slowly staring at him.
"What?" I whispered.
"Jill Valentine, Ada Wong and your father is behind this attack. I'm here to take down those who are involved." I stared at him, watching his eyes.
He wasn't lying.
"For once." I closed my eyes, seeing the pain in the captain's eyes.
"How am I going to tell him this?" I sighed softly looking at Leon.
"How do you know it's Jill Valentine, Leon? She worked for the BSAA for thirteen years." I stepped back, keeping my eyes out on my surroundings. His breathing grew rapid.
"I was informed by a rat." He answered honestly.
"Someone who was on protection detail. Jake Muller." He struggled against the bonds on his wrists. I stared at him for a moment longer.
"You need to tell this to the captain himself." I grasped his shoulder and pulled him to the road.
…
He waited by the station entrance. Fayth had finally fell into a peaceful sleep by the operations desk. Piers looked at the door, his foot kept bouncing. He couldn't help but keep thinking about her. About Clio, hoping the new cadet was alright. Jameson was patrolling the area. Everything seemed silent, for now. He walked up the few stairs, and looked right at him. He looked at the southern black gentleman, giving him a soft smile. He returned it.
"Thinking about the new cadet huh?" He asked, he leaned against a nearby wall. Piers forced himself to look away from Jameson's honest white smile. He refused to answer that question. He didn't need too.
"Your face says it all. You've got the hots for the new girl. I don't blame you. She's one hell of a shot. A little on the heavier side for being in the BSAA, but hey. Can't get picky can you Piers?" He chuckled. Piers shot him a look.
"We're on a mission Jameson." He snapped. Jameson shrugged.
"You know, she's not all innocent. She had the G-virus coursing through her veins." He spoke up, Piers felt his stomach drop, his eyes stared at him.
"What are you talking about? You know nothing about her, or her life." He snapped, Jameson shook his head.
"Neither do you sir. She survived the Raccoon incident. Apparently, her father was some sort of right hand assistant to Birkin. He helped create G, and well…she got infected when Birkin became that mutated thing. Her father saved her life by giving her the vaccine. The same thing happened to Sherry. Remember that another new girl that came through? The one who was placed on protection duty for Wesker's son? Yeah." He looked at his boots, then back to Piers. His stone blue eyes narrowed.
"So, what? She's not a zombie, she's not attacking us. There's no reason to judge. Besides, I like the way she looks. She a bigger girl, but she athletic. Her confidence could use a little help…she's been hurt before. I can tell." He leaned a little more against the wall. Waiting.
"How so?" Jameson asked. Piers gave a smile.
"The way she reacted to me when I talked to her. She was on her guard, protective of herself…and well, she just seemed shy. Out on the battlefield she is so sure of herself. Where she's lacking confidence in herself on the normal day to day. She has it here, on the battlefield." He gave Jameson a look, who seemed rather surprised.
"How do you know all this?" He asked.
"Sensitivity training. Something we." He nodded to his arm.
"Get when we lost something. So, I would understand." He moved slightly uncomfortable.
"Besides, I like her. She's cool." Jameson busted a gut laughing.
"Are you sure you just don't want to tap it?" He was laughing harder than before. Piers shot him a look that shut him up.
"Ever since I joined the BSAA, I've been following the captain trying to set him straight. Ever since the twenty thirteen attacks done by Simmons, I've lost more than just my arm. I lost my family. And, my girlfriend at the time. I refused to allow myself to love someone else, because I was going to propose to her. I can feel with the captain on some certain aspects. He lost Jill, I lost my girlfriend." He turned to look at the door.
"I feel something with Clio. It goes so much deeper than just wanting a quick fuck." He spat the vulgar word out.
"You didn't see her on the training grounds like I have. She has a strength in her, that everyone is lacking. Whether she's a test subject, or some sort of survivor. I want to know her, far deeper than one night thing." He looked at Jameson who grew silent.
"When was the last time, you had something heart to heart?" He asked, Jameson shook his head.
"Never." He replied. Peris smirked.
"Figured." He was about to touch his ear piece when Jameson spoke again.
"She'll be back Piers. Relax. I promise. Like you said. She's stronger than any of us?" Piers nodded at the comment.
"What if I don't make it back?" He asked Jameson, who didn't seem to understand the question.
"Why wouldn't you?" He asked, Piers looked at him.
"I lost my arm in the attack on China…nearly lost my life. I remember everything flashing before me. Next thing I know, I wake up with the captain by my bed giving me his big smile, telling me they saved my life…but my arm was already far too gone. I almost became one of them Jameson. I want that chance. I want that chance to tell Clio what I want to do. I want to take her out to a nice restaurant. Talk to her, and get to know her. There's something about her that just drew me into her. I know this is out of protocol…but, I just don't know. Clio is something completely different. When she walked in that day for orientation. She was shy, so low in herself. I couldn't help but walk up to her and train her. The captain seemed to have an interest in her as well." He made a slight face.
"I just hope she likes one armed guys." He chuckled.
"I'm not different in any other way. I guess." Piers ran a hand through his hair, unsure of how else he was going to speak about it.
"You love her Mr. Piers." A soft voice came from the back. Fayth had woken up from her nap, rubbing her cataract eyes. Piers's face turned a light shade of red.
"No, I can't love Ms. Clio. It's impossible. I hardly know her." He chuckled rubbing the back of his head. She spoke up again.
"It's not impossible Mr. Piers. Love can happen anywhere, at any time. My mommy was a secretary at the twin towers, when my daddy saved her from the planes. She fell in love with him right there." She gave a light smile.
"A few years later, here I am!" She gave a big cheeky smile that melted Piers's heart. The little girl truly didn't understand.
"You fell in love with her the moment you met her." She piped up her opinion again.
"Oh, come now little girl." Jameson walked over, picking her up.
"There's no such thing." He ruffled her hair lightly. She stuck her tongue out at him. Piers looked at the door waiting again. He was getting nervous. It had been fifteen minutes before their last transmission…he wanted to see her again. Her and her strange colored eyes and short hair. That…pretty smile of hers.
"No! Stop it!" He shook his head slowly, he couldn't get wrapped up into thinking about her all over again. He would start to get more worried than before.
"You're thinking about her again. Ms. Clio." Fayth spoke up. Piers looked at her, slightly confused.
"How…did you know?" He asked. Fayth gave a cheeky grin.
"I can feel it. I may not be able to see it. But I can feel it. It's weird I know. It's something my mommy loved to call 'energy reading'. She likes you too, you know? You should try it." She laid her head against Jameson's shoulder yawning.
"Piers!" Clio's voice spoke through the comm. His heart leapt up.
"Piers here." He replied, relief swallowing him up.
"I ran into the captain we're on the way. We have a lot to talk about." There was so much more he wanted to say. He switched over to the privet comm.
"Clio, it's good to hear your voice…" He whispered. There was silence before her soft voice returned.
"It's good to hear yours too. I thought I was going to die out here…" He held onto her words.
"Hey Clio, I know now's not a good time. It never is when you're fighting bioterrorism…dinner and a movie?" He asked, he had too. Her soft laugh came over.
"Of course, Romeo. Would love to. Date?" She asked, his own cheeks flared up. He couldn't believe he managed to snag a date with the new cadet. Jameson and Fayth were talking over in the corner.
"Maybe drinks at my place after?" He asked, his cheeks burning as he had a bright smile against his lips.
"Sure, make sure you got some Crown Royal buddy. Or the night is going to be boring." They both laughed.
"Clio?"
"Yeah Romeo?" He replied.
"Thanks." He could feel her confusion.
"For?" She asked.
"Not looking at me and thinking I'm a liability instead of a good comrade. And…potential boyfriend." His awkwardness made her burst out laughing.
"Alright blue eyes. E.T.A five minutes. See you soon."
He cut the COMM off, it was hard enough for him to wait. He wanted to make sure she was safe. Face to face. He needed to make sure there wasn't one scratch on her. He had to make sure Clio was alright.
"Didn't I tell you she liked you?" Fayth said from the other side of the room, he gave a look over. Jameson held two thumbs up. He couldn't help but give his comrade a look. They've been eavesdropping the entire time. His cheeks were on fire from embarrassment.