Disclaimer: Capcom owns Resident Evil.

Author's Note: Last chapter, I explored Jake's past and background. Now, it's Sherry's turn. Watching the game, it got my brain churning of what horrible experiences she went through when she said her blood was tested after the events of Raccoon City. I was always in the dark of what happened to her between RE2 and RE6 and this is how I imagined how it was for her facing her own demons and nightmares. Bringing it to present time, I tried to write how she is dealing with them as an adult and how it still affects her. I hope I did Sherry some justice and I hope I managed to capture her character well. Enjoy!

Chapter 14 – Recalling

She let the hot water cascade down the soft skin of her back. The hot water steamed the whole room creating a misty hue in her small bathroom. Every muscle in her body ached in agony after her physical and blood examination. After each test, she always takes a shower, almost as if scrubbing away the pain and horrible memories she collected from her ordeal.

She had perfected her daily routine. Each morning was spent doing stretches to prepare her for the day. She does two hundred and fifty sit ups and a hundred push ups that kept her body fit and toned. It's what kept her from losing her mind for all these months. Afterwards she would watch the news or whatever was good on TV that she was given in her small cramped cell. Two uniformed guards would come and escort her to the labs where the woman would be waiting for her. No matter what she does or what she says, the woman never tells her anything. She was kept in the dark in most days, only was told that she is needed for experimentation to further the research of the G-virus.

When she asked about her partner, she was met with silence or a curt answer that he is not her business anymore. She felt helpless more and more each day as she was subjected to physical torture in order to research the effects of her healing abilities. Her blood sample was always taken before and after each test for analysis. The physical examination started with simple tests. A cut on her wrist or shoulder to make her bleed and scientists and lab researchers would watch and time how fast her wound would heal. They tried cutting her in different parts of her body to see if there are any differences on her healing factor. Once her body was nearly covered in cuts, blood running down her open wounds. Other experimentations include electrocution and they never missed to torture nearly every part of her body to see how fast her skin would heal from the burn. There are times when her hand was held down by restraints and an open flame was put over it. She couldn't describe the excruciating pain as she watched her skin burn and melt off. She screamed her throat hoarse, she thought she broke one of her vocal chords. In the end, they always heal up and by the time she gets back to her cell, no trace of wound or scars could be seen. It was a daily nightmare of a routine and if she didn't anything to occupy her mind, she knew she would go insane.

She turned her face towards the hot streaming water and wincing a bit as it stung her skin. She allowed the water to wash down the sweat and remaining blood off her skin. She recalled her time after Raccoon City when she also subjected to a similar examination by the government officials. Although not as intense and excruciating as her examination now, she was held under constant supervision and daily tests for her blood analysis. Still it was terrifying for a twelve year old to experience that and some guards and scientist didn't care if she was a child or not. She was treated as a test subject and her thoughts and feelings weren't considered at all. At that time, no one knew about her healing ability so she wasn't subjugated to torture. She merely found out when she was cut her finger open cutting herself an apple. She watched in fascination as the open would begin to seal up and close after a few seconds. She never told anyone about it, the only people who knew are Claire and Leon when they visited her regularly. She would often cry and beg for them to take her away from that place but knowing their jobs are top secret they were not capable of taking care of a child in the long run.

Leon became a top agent working directly for the President and he couldn't risk her safety. With top missions around the world, he couldn't take care of her growing up. Claire on the other hand, continued to search for her brother after Raccoon City and knowing she would put herself in constant danger, she couldn't take Sherry along with her and risk her life too. So she had to stay under the government official's supervision until she grew up.

She leaned her head against the cool tiled bathroom. She suddenly felt dizzy.

Put her back together again…

She jumped a little as she felt a shiver ran down her spine. What was that? She gave her head a shake as she tried to clear her thoughts. Don't be stupid, it's nothing, she thought to herself.

She ran a hand down her tired face.

The memories twisted up in her brain, the force strong enough to knock her body against the tiled wall.

Please, please! Let me go! I'll be a good girl!

The voices, her voice echoed against her head, obscured and terrified.

"Not right here. Not now, please…"she whispered, her voice shaking.

She pushed herself off the wall and saw her fists clenched tightly, knuckles white. She had dug her nails against her palm creating crescent shaped dents against her skin, blood coming out.

"Come on. Get yourself together," she hissed.

But her memories are coming back. Ones she worked hard to push away at the back of her mind. She could feel them pushing against her skull wanting to come out. She's already falling apart, she's beginning to break into pieces like a shattered mirror.

She bit her lip hard and tasted the metallic taste of blood running over her teeth. She forced her back to straighten up and tried to steady her shaking hands. She glanced up and saw her reflection on the small rectangular mirror hanging over the sink.

She almost didn't recognise the person staring back at her. Her eyes were clouded with dread, fear creeping in around the edges making her crystal blue eyes seemed dimmer than usual. Her lips were tightened and pursed like a frightened child enveloped in fear.

She pressed her palms on her face, the blood staining her cheeks when she dug her nails into them. She doesn't want to remember this. She wanted to forget this feeling, her thoughts she locked up. She could feel it re- emerging chasing her like a shadowy, hidden demon.

Sooner or later, it would catch her.

Reaching up, she snatched the towel hanging against the metal rod next to the shower. She wrapped the material tightly around her body and she stumbled out of the bathroom towards her cell. She had to get away from here, from these horrible memories, they were closing in and catching up to her and she's terrified…

The cold hit her like icy water against her face as she stopped in the middle of her cell. There's nowhere to go. She can't hide anywhere. Her legs felt like jelly and she forced her legs to hold her as she clutched the towel against her shivering body.

Sitting by the window looking out. Watching, waiting. Waiting for who?

"No, no, no…"she chanted like a broken record. She grabbed the railing at the edge of her bed as she tried to steady herself. She reached with her other hand against her hair, wet blonde locks tangling against her fingers and she pressed them against her head. She bit her lip again and tasted blood running over her lips. Hot tears stung the back of her eyes.

"That's enough! Stop it already!" she yelled at an empty dark cell.

Nothing but silence greeted her.

The woman's hand clamped tightly against her small wrist in a vice like grip. She tried to twist out of her hand but she held on tightly. She could see the long sharp needle getting closer and closer to her, the sight enough to make her head spin.

"I told you to hold still!" the woman said angrily as she tried to restrain her. "I told you this is important. I don't care if it hurts, we are going to test your blood."

She whimpered like a little child as tears ran down her cheeks. "Please. Let me go. I'll go to my room and be good."

Vulnerable and fragile.

"I just…I just want to go home."

"Silly girl. There's nowhere for you to go. You have no home now. Your parents are gone. This is your life now and we need to know more information about the virus you're carrying. I know you don't understand this all but it's what's best."

"You've said that a million times already. I'm not stupid," she said quietly. She knew what she said was wrong to the woman. Those words cannot be taken back. The woman would use them to punish her even further.

"Don't be a stupid little girl. All you do is nothing but cry. If it wasn't for the virus inside your body, we would have disposed of you a long time ago." The woman yanked her arm roughly and stabbed the needle against the sensitive part of her arm drawing blood. Pain shot up through it.

She yelped in pain and struggled against her hold but she was holding so tightly and it was hurting her. She could see bruises forming against her wrist where the woman was holding her.

"Please…" she begged. But her cries fell on deaf ears.

She felt dread at the pit of her stomach. She felt sick as she struggled to keep the bile rising up her throat. She swallowed hard as another memory invaded her thoughts, images and feelings darting beneath her lids.

She watched the leaves fall down the tree from the big window she sat by. Quietly, she wrapped her arms tighter around her legs. She waited for the familiar figure of Claire or Leon to appear. She always looked forward for their visits. Once they're together she can forget about her nightmares and worries.

"They're not coming for you."

She felt her icy voice as it pierced the air. She felt her shoulders stiffen. She focused on the scene before her and tried to block out her voice.

"Let's go. It's time for your blood testing."

She squeezed her eyes shut. She tried to make her body as small as possible. For once she wished someone out there would come for her and take her away. She opened her eyes and watched a small bird flutter its wings as it flew into the air. She wished she's a bird.

Even the smallest birds can fly away…

"I'm going home. I'm leaving this place. I don't belong here, I hate it and I hate you!" she cried as she turned her head to meet the dark stare of the woman.

She let out a scornful laugh. "You? Go home? Where are you going to go? There's nowhere for you to go. Are you going to Leon or Claire? Foolish child. They have far more important things to take care of than a brat like you. Last I've heard Kennedy isn't even in the country. Now stop wasting time and let's go."

She grabbed her arm roughly and dragged her out of the window. She nearly fell on her butt on the floor as she was yanked off the windowsill.

"I don't want to go! Let me go!"

The woman curled her fingers around her arm tighter, the long nails digging on her skin. "Why don't you wish them to come here? Why don't you call them and ask them to come and get you? Maybe you can call a boy and he can take you away in a white horse," she said scornfully as she dragged her across the hall towards the lab.

It was a nice thought.

"You just sit there and waste away dreaming your life in fairy tales. Stupid girl," the woman laughed harshly.

She tried to choke back a sob as she prepared for another session of research testing about the G-virus. She hated it. It felt like a curse doomed to follow her forever.

Her shoulders were shaking. Goosebumps appeared over her arms and legs. Her breathing was short and ragged as if she'd been running for miles. She closed her eyes shut forcing the memories out of her head but they just keep coming like tidal waves, strong and unstoppable.

She was in her bedroom looking out again at the big window watching the leaves fall. She watched the sun sink lower into the horizon, the sky painted into a reddish hue against the sunlight. She must have sat there for hours. With each passing hour, she sank lower and lower against the windowsill, her heart yearning for them.

"Claire…Leon…where are you?" she whispered.

No one came for her.

She must have drifted off to sleep. To her dismay even in her dreams, she could not escape the nightmares.

She was running now. Faster and faster. She had to get away, had to leave this place. If not, he'll catch up to her.

She didn't really know what was happening. She didn't really understand why all these scary people are attacking each other and doing horrible things. She was petrified and she doesn't know what to do.

That thing is after her. She doesn't know what is it or why but she knew that if he catches her, something bad will happen.

So she continued to run. It was cold, wet and dark in the sewers. The only company she has are rats and other vermin. She sniffled as she looked around the place. Maybe she'll run into Claire again. She likes her. Claire is sweet, kind and trustworthy. She knew she would never hurt her. Here she is alone in the sewers trying to find a way out.

A growl erupted in the darkness.

She felt herself freeze from head to toe. The skin at the back of her neck stood straight up, goose bumps lined her arm. She turned around and saw the most frightening thing in her life.

A person, no, a monster stood tall behind her, red eyes glowing that pierced the darkness. Blood covered its entire body, its flesh wrinkled and covered in muscled tendons that pulsed like a heartbeat. Its mutated arm dangled against its side, razor sharp claws raking the wet floor. On its shoulder was a massive eye pulsing and moving as it eyed her dangerously. She raised her eyes to its face saw an angry and horrifying face. The skin was cracked and blood and pus oozed out of the skin releasing a rotten stench that filled her nostrils.

She nearly gagged. She screamed as she turned her heel and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She could hear loud booming footsteps behind her as it chased her like a mouse. Climbing through a garbage chute she crawled as she could and landed in a garbage heap. She looked for a way out then she felt the ground move underneath her. Before she could do anything, the floor opened up swallowing her along with the garbage, her scream echoing in the darkness as she fell.

She landed hard and she felt her head hit something. She felt her breath knock out of her as she blinked a few times, dazed and confused. Feeling consciousness slip from her she choked a cry feeling helpless. She saw a brief glimpse of the monster walking towards her. It raised its huge meaty arm but she didn't know what happened next as her eyelids closed and darkness enveloped her mind.

Tears were running down her cheeks. No matter how hard she tries, she can never escape the memories. She raised her hands in front of her face and recalled the last events she experienced recently. Although wounds have healed the scars remained in her.

"Your healing abilities are remarkable, Ms Birkin. I'm amazed at the effects of the G-virus on you. Can you imagine what we could develop if we can make BOW's that's virtually indestructible? The possibilities are endless," the woman in the blue dress said as she paced in front of her.

Metal shackles bounded her wrists and ankles on the medical bed restraining her movements. She glared at the woman with all the hate she could muster.

"I will never let that happen. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you from creating BOW's and destroying the world."

The woman gave her a scrutinizing stare and raised an eyebrow. "How? Chained to a medical bed? Good luck with that." She walked towards her and grabbed her wrist. With the other held a blow torch.

Seeing the torch, her face paled. The heat made her dizzy and she felt cold fear wash over her body. This was like the events in her childhood when they were testing her blood but instead of a needle, it was a torch. History has a funny way of repeating itself.

"No, please…"she whispered hoarsely.

The woman ignored her and in a flash put her hand under the flame, the fire licking against her skin and burning it off. She could smell the skin burning, it made her sick to her stomach. Excruciating pain enveloped her entire body. She didn't know how long she screamed. By the time the woman was done, the skin on her hand was black and burnt. Bile rose up her throat and she vomited the contents of her breakfast meal on the floor. Breathing heavily, she watched as her burnt hand began to heal. The skin returned to its natural fair color, the skin became soft and supple once again. As her cells regenerated, the pain disappeared along with the burns.

"Now that's exactly what we need to create the perfect BOW. That didn't even take three minutes to heal," the woman continued, her voice silky against her ragged breathing.

She opened her mouth to protest but all she could muster was a meek cry. All the screaming had made her throat raw and she couldn't utter a word out.

"Let's continue. I wouldn't worry too much, Ms Birkin. You will heal." With a nod, a scientist wearing a lab coat took out a combat knife and approached her. "Let's see how fast you heal against a knife when we cut you open."

She squeezed her eyes shut as the man got closer and closer, the knife glinting against the light.

She didn't realize she was gripping the metal rail so tight, her knuckles are completely white. She had chewed the inside of her cheek as well and now, blood ran down her lips.

Sherry Birkin sat on a wall.

"Getoutgetoutgetout…"she chanted as she tried to force the memories burning through her head.

No one is coming for her. No one is coming to save her. Just like the first time, she's always going to be alone.

Sherry Birkin had a great fall.

Her wounds, her scars will forever be a part of her. Will she ever heal? There are some wounds that ran deep, wounds the G-virus couldn't even heal.

All the king's horses and all the king's men…

"GET OUT!"

She sank on the cold floor, sobs racking her body. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably and hot tears flowed down her cheeks, mixing with the water from her shower that pooled around her trembling form. She shuddered against the cold. She thought she had changed. She hated that child years ago, so helpless and vulnerable to everyone. She resolved to become independent and self-reliant as she entered adulthood. She wanted to escape the nightmares. She told herself a million times that she's left the helpless child she was back then. But no matter how fast she runs, how hard she tries to forget the dark memories never seem to elude her. For this instance, she's that helpless twelve year old years ago once again. She felt defeated but most of all, she felt tired.

She tried to press her lips together to stop her sobs. But no matter what her tears flowed and her sobs escaped her lips. She felt her heart break into a million pieces.

Couldn't put Sherry Birkin together again…