Resident Evil: Guardian
Chapter 10
"Target Rich Environment"

Well I won't back down, no I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down

Gonna stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down

Tom Perry - "I Won't Back Down"

My eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, my mouth dropped open and might as well had hit the floor. Kmart had moved closer and was gripping my arm tightly, my heart rate started skyrocketing but for a different reason other than her. It was because the frightening sight that my eyes had unfortunately gazed upon outside the Humvee's windshield.

Birds. Lots and lots of birds. Hundreds of them. A massive amount of demonic, monstrous crows that were perched, covering the entire span of rooftops of the nearby buildings.

Holy Shit.

I heard Kmart shuffling to my right and forced my eyes away from the frightening spectacle to see her clutching my radio tightly and frantically trying to turn the damn thing on. She succeeded after a moment and then put all her heart and soul into her voice.

"Claire!" She half yelled, half whispered into the speaker, "I think we have a problem!"

"Kmart! Where the hell are you!?" Claire's distraught voice cried back through the radio, obviously she awoke to find that Kmart had disappeared.

"Claire it's alright, she's in here with me. We're both save and secure over here." I grabbed the radio out of Kmart's delicate hands and quietly spoke into the mouthpiece, attempting to defuse this situation so we could deal with the other outside. "Could we talk about this later? We kinda have a dilemma going on."

"I noticed." She replied, grimly. "Carlos?"

"I see it." Olivera's calm, profession tone transferred through the comm. It was completely opposite with that of LJ's.

"What the fuck man!?" Said person cried through the radio, shock and disbelief layered into his statement.

"Everybody stay in the trucks! LJ, calm down!" Carlos ordered over the transceiver, as quietly as possible.

As each second passed, more and more birds came flying in. They were everywhere, circling in the air and perched on anything nearby, one landed on the humvee and Kmart and I got a good up close look at it.

"What's wrong with it's eyes?" Whispering, Kmart questioned and I studied the crow carefully. It's feathers were ragged and bloody, skin looked decayed and it's eyes. They were bloodshot and crazed, but were empty and soulless. Almost exactly like…

I slouched my shoulders and dropped my head when I realized just what the hell was wrong with them. I turned to Kmart and sighed, "They've been zombified." She in response, opened her mouth to say something, but it caught in her throat and she instead turned her head toward the undead crow, who during our short conversation, had hopped around the humvee's hood a bit before it flew off, heading for the school bus. Kmart's eyes followed it's trail until it landed on the bus' hood.

"We need to keep calm and quiet, they are very territorial." She spoke at normal volume now that the bird was gone. I looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"How'd you-no wait, let me guess, Animal Planet?"

"No, Discovery Channel."

"Ah."

Suddenly we heard Otto silently swore over the radio followed by the loud cawing of the single crow on the bus hood.

It was then, that all hell broke loose.

Every single last bird that was perched on top of the motel and surrounding area shot into the air and flew up into the swarm which was already circling the camp. Every one of the bastards were cawing loudly and were very, very annoying.

"We're so screwed." Kmart muttered as she sank into her seat as if trying to hide from the flock of zombified crows.

"Fire it up! Let's get out of here!" Claire ordered over the radio as she started backing up her Hummer.

"I couldn't agree more." I muttered as I jammed the keys into the ignition and floored it. Unfortunately, our escape didn't even last ten seconds before Kmart cried out my name and I turned to look at her only to realize her head was looking the other way. Confused, I glanced into the rear view mirror and the sight of the crashed school bus met my field of vision.

"Aw, gimmie a fucking break!" I said as I went for the radio. "Claire, more problems."

"I know, I see it. Carlos we need to evac the bus." She replied.

"You got it." Olivera said as both 8x8 and Hummer made a U-Turn and headed back towards the bus. The rest of us followed suit, turned back and headed for both the bus and ambulance, which had apparently had some engine troubles. I halted the humvee halfway there as an idea popped into my head.

"What are you doing?!" Kmart exclaimed as I got out of my seat and headed for the back. I paused to look at her and frowned.

"Kmart, no matter what happens, I need you to stay here and hide, alright?" She looked beyond both confused and scared at what I was about to do.

"What?" Was all she could manage as a reply. I ignored it and reached for my thigh and unholstered my M9 sidearm, flicked off the safety and handed it to her.

"Hang on to this, if anything get in, shoot it."

Once again, all she was able to get out was a simple "What?" But now, she looked much more scared than confused.

As I reached the back seats, I looked back to her and spoke. "Please stay in here, stay hidden." Her hand dropped in horror when she realized what my intent and purpose was.

"You're going out there, aren't you…?" She whispered and I smiled sadly.

"K, promise me you won't do anything stupid, ok?"

"Bullshit!" She yelled, angered and I flinched. "Nathan you're the only one being stupid here!" Her beautiful blue orbs were getting misty and I hated myself for being the cause of her pain.

"Look, there's no time for this, the others need help and I can't just sit here and watch them get slaughtered!" I stated and her anger began to fade, overwhelmed by reason. "Please K, I'll be fine. Now just promise me you'll stay put, please?" I gave her the most sincere look I could muster and she broke under the gaze.

"Okay…" She sniffled, "I promise." I smiled in return and gave her a quick nod of thanks before I quickly removed the cloth tarp covering the humvee's gunner port and stood up in order to get behind the trigger.

The M2 Browning Machine Gun, otherwise known as the "Ma Deuce." Is a heavy machine gun which fires the fearsome fifty caliber round. The gun is usually used as an infantry support weapon, but is also extremely effective against unarmored or lightly-armored vehicles, boats and even low-flying aircraft. And when used against a flock of pissed off birds, it's effects are absolutely devastating.

I quickly checked over the gun's sights, making sure they were aligned, I made sure the ammo belt was ready and set and finally I pulled back the cocking handle, the weapon making a satisfying snap-click as a fresh round was loaded.

It was then that I screamed bloody murder and pulled the trigger.

Of course my scream was simply drowned out by the roar of the M2 as it unloaded it's .50 caliber Full-Metal Jackets. My whole body shook with the recoil despite the fact the gun was perched on the humvee. My fire had a definite effect on the bird swarm for I saw the distinct organic clouds of gore as the crow were literally exploding due to the lethality, stopping power and sheer force of the fifty. Four hundred rounds per minute is the widely accepted speed of the firing rate on a Browning and by god was I putting it to the test. Scorching hot smoke was rising out of the M2's barrel as it overheated and I slowed my firing rate down to short controlled bursts.

"Get some motherfuckers!" I screamed an insult at the top of my lungs, even then, I couldn't even hear what I was saying, all I heard was the fifty. Truth be told, I was having a blast. The Army had taught me that in the middle of combat, being as gung-ho and trigger happy as possible was a very good thing and how it just might end up saving my ass one day, or how my First Sergeant put it, "The more shit you blow up, the better chance you have of hitting someone bad." Yeah, Top was a good man, it's a shame he's dead…

The others were just about nearly done evacuating the bus and with the added fire of the fifty and the 8x8's flamethrower, the crows were currently held at bay.

At least until the poor soul operating the flamer was overwhelmed by the birds like locust on a field.

Not good…

It was then that I noticed a lone figure passing the humvee and heading straight for the convoy and the birds.

Said figure was actually a woman who looked armed to the teeth, at least from behind. She had a shotgun strapped to her back, pistols at her sides and a pair of menacing looking blades held in hand. She wasn't from our convoy, that's for sure, but then, who was she? And, where the hell did she come from?

I stopped staring and brought my attention back up to the battle only to see the flamethrower spinning out of control without no one operating it. At the same time, one of the convoy's kids had fallen from the bus and had attempted to flee, Carlos was in direct pursuit, firing madly at the birds that threaten them both. He finally reached her and was about to carry her back when the out of control flamethrower (which by some divine miracle, was still firing) spun around and shot a stream of flames directly at the pair. Carlos turned as to shield the girl from the unforgiving fire but I knew it was hopeless.

That was until the fire halted in mid air, as if some invisible barrier stopped it cold.

I blinked once, then twice, and then realized that the mysterious woman from earlier was just a few feet away from Carlos, and then, her body jerked, and the fire which was held at bay suddenly jumped to the sky and engulfed the entire flock of zombie crows. The sky was set ablaze until nothing was left but black ash which floated harmlessly to the ground, like snow. As if not even noticing what just happened and the impossibilities of the situation, Carlos approached the mystery woman and, from what I could tell, smiled at her, as if he knew her. She then collapsed into his arms and he carefully carried her back to the convoy.

Now what the fuck just happened?!?

"What the hell was that!?" I spoke aloud to myself after about a minute of shocked silence, Kmart had stepped out of the humvee and was standing beside it now. Her gaze never left the spot where the strange woman stood.

"I haven't the slightest clue…but it was so cool!" She exclaimed with glee, glancing up at me while I climbed off the humvee and hit the ground. Her excitement suddenly turned to rage as she realized who she was talking to. She scowled, stomped forward and balled her fist before she decked me on the arm, hard.

"Oww!" I cried, rubbing my now sore shoulder. Damn, can that girl hit! "What was that for?"

"Don't you ever do anything like that again!" She screeched and lashed out at me with both fists and my shoulders took another beating. "That stupid stunt could've cost you your life!"

"Please K!" I pleaded while trying to block her punches, I caught both wrists and brought them down to her chest where they couldn't do anymore damage…I hope.

After a few seconds of useless struggling, Kmart closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, her once stiff arms slacked and relaxed themselves in my grip.

"Are you calmed?" I asked and she nodded, "Good. Now I'm going to release your arms and I'd really appreciate it if you don't attack me again, okay?" I said and again, she nodded.

I released her and she immediately hugged herself tightly while turning the other way, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Listen." I spoke and after a few agonizing seconds of being ignored, her eyes drifted to mine. "I know what I did worried you and for that I'm sorry. But you and I both know that my actions were justified, the convoy was under attack and need our help. I acted accordingly and to my duty as a soldier. Please Kmart, you have to understand." She continued to pout and stare in the other direction, but her gaze softened after a moment and then she turned to me, taking a few steps forward. I myself was a bit wary, I doubted my arms could take another beating like before and watched her movements carefully. Instead of punching me again though, her arms extended and slowly wrapped around me in a soft hug.

My eyes widened and I was dumbstruck for a second or two before I returned the hug fully with my aching arms. After all, hugs mean apologies or something along those lines, do they not?

"Sorry." She mumbled into my chest. "I can get a little intense at times."

I laughed and looked down at her, "A little? Try, 'So intense that I nearly dislocated my friend's shoulder'"

She smiled too, a very good sign. "Oh stop being such a baby. I didn't hit you that hard."

"Oh no? Girl you could give Muhammad Ali a run for his money!" She laughed despite herself and broke the hug. And I suddenly and desperately missed the contact but shook it off as nothing. Kmart walked back over to the humvee and strapped herself into the passenger seat.

"Come on!" She said eagerly, "We have a new visitor and I wanna be first to meet her!"

I could only smile and shake my head, "Whatever you say, I just hope no one else got hurt…"

Here we go again, more crushed hopes.

Otto was dead, along with Nurse Betty and at least half a dozen others. Thanks to their sacrifices however, all the kids made it out a-ok. And thanks to the mystery woman and her…telekinetic abilities, a lot of deaths were prevented.

Which brings me to my next subject.

The woman's name was Alice, the same Alice that Carlos used to tell stories about. From what I heard, Carlos' stories made her sound like she had Navy SEAL training, and was apparently the greatest zombie killing machine to ever set foot on the Earth. His stories never said anything about her having psychic abilities.

None of this stopped Kmart though, she was so hyped up about meeting Alice that she hadn't left her side since we got back to camp. Hell, she's so determined to be the first thing Alice sees that she won't even get up to fetch her own food. She's bestowed that task on me; oh joy.

I picked up a pair of water bottles for the two of us and headed back to the motel, on the way, passing the memorial we made for those we lost today, and stopped to pay my respects. Ten graves, ten souls, ten people close to us who we lost today. I looked forward and saw LJ silently grieving; He was close to Betty, and I mean close, I can't even imagine what he's feeling right now. To lose that special someone…it's just horrible.

I tore my eyes away from the depressing sight and kept walking towards the motel. Carlos had set Alice down in one of the rooms to rest up and now I just had to figure out which one. I stepped into the hall and immediately heard the sounds of a conversation, Kmart's voice I could easily make out…but there was another unfamiliar voice, a woman's voice.

Holy crap, Alice is awake…!

I was both surprised and a bit scared truthfully, I mean, she did kinda just control fire and fill the sky with it. I think that's enough to make anybody a bit on the nervous side.

Well, unless your Kmart that is.

I opened the door as slowly as possible only for the door to make a loud creak as I pushed it aside. The two girl's conversation halted and their eyes locked onto mine as I stood there in the doorway, stupefied.

Awkward…

"Uh…morning?" I said stupidly.

"Oh, hey!" Kmart said, seemingly more cheery than usual, if that is even possible. I passed her one of the water bottles and then turned my attention to Alice. I tried my best not to stare and prayed to god she wouldn't set me on fire…

"Here." I said, handing her the other water bottle. Be considerate and she may not kill you…

"Thank you." She accepted it, her voice sounded dry and scratchy, the water would do her good.

"No problem." I replied and then stuck out my hand in greeting, "The name's Nathan."

She grasped my hand and shook it, "Alice. Of course you probably already know that if anything Kmart over here said was true." She motioned to Kmart, who was sitting patiently off to the side, obviously waiting for me to leave so she could talk to Alice some more.

I grinned and nodded, "Yes, Mrs. Gossip over here loves meeting new people." My poking fun earned me a slap from Kmart, right on my sore arm.

"Oww! Watch it!" I cried out and she chuckled at her mistake.

"Sorry, forgot. How's the arm?"

"Bruised, thanks to you."

"Hey, I said I was sorry." She giggled and I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever." I said and then sighed, "Look it's almost time, we gotta get moving."

"Time? Time for what?" Alice finally spoke, being quiet throughout our playful little argument.

Kmart quietly answered her, "We're doing a memorial for everyone who we lost today. Do you wanna come along?" Alice gave her a sad smile.

"Yes, thank you."

The three of us were silent as we walked through the halls of the Desert Trail Motel and out the entrance, towards a gathering of the surviving convoy members. Each grave was marked with a crude wooden cross with a name stenciled atop, I removed my patrol cap in respect and Kmart's hand slid into my own. I turned my head and our eyes met briefly before returning back to the burial. Alice had disappeared as soon as we stepped out the motel; which now allowed me to breathe easy now. That woman kinda scares me…

I turned and caught a glimpse of LJ as he hung a necklace upon Betty's grave, his eyes were bloodshot and tears welled in his eyes. It pained me to see him, the most laidback person I know, grieving this hard. I turned to Kmart and spoke.

"Hey" She broke her sad stare and looked up, "I'm gonna go talk to LJ, I'll catch up with you later, 'kay?" She nodded and walked away, probably off to find Claire or Alice. I walked up to LJ and took a knee with him.

"LJ" I said quietly and he slowly met my gaze. "You okay bro?" He stared at me for a moment before turning his attention back to Betty's grave, shaking his head.

"Naw man" He spoke, hopelessness in his tone, "I'm not okay…and never will be." He looked back to me and I saw nothingness in his eyes, they were just…empty. I couldn't meet his gaze and my eyes shot to the floor. After a few second of silence, I mumbled, "I'm sorry for Betty" before I stood up to leave, but LJ's voice stopped me.

"Nathan" His voice was an empty monotone, "Be sure to tell her how you feel…before it's too late."

"I…" I tried to find my voice but it failed on me.

"You'll only get one chance. Make it count." LJ finished with that and I was left speechless, shocked and alone to my thoughts.

Sorry if I haven't updated in awhile, I've been rather lazy lately ever since summer came around. And thanks to the following readers for reviewing.

Texan Rebel
Harteramo
Evershort
I'm-So-Loveable
Kustom
M3L2011

R&R, and I know it's a little late but still, have a great summer :)
-Tomato