Disclaimer: Resident Evil and its characters all belong to Capcom.
Author's Note: Sorry for the long update! Seriously, writer's block is killing me. The last couple of chapters had been dark and angsty. The next couple would be a lot more action oriented, although I have a lot of plots and scenes in my head that I want to write between Jake and Sherry. I feel that there's so much room for character development between the two and I've given my take on some possible paths. Slightly different take on the locker room scene. I'll stick to the main plot/storyline but I'll add more dialogue and interactions between the two. Thanks for all the reviews and support! They really keep me going.
Chapter 15 – Bloodline
The soft metal click coming from his rounded cell door signalled him that another routine blood test and physical examination is about to happen.
His eyes turned towards the door as three masked Javo's entered his cell with their guns drawn. He raised his head from his hands cushioning it and swung his lean body in a sitting position at the edge of his bed, arms resting on his legs. Slowly, he gave a little smirk as one of them approached him carrying a set of metal handcuffs.
"Put your arms out," the masked Javo said in their native Cantonese dialect. The red head shot him a glare but didn't say anything. He raised his machine gun and jabbed him on the shoulder using the nozzle. "Do as I say, now!"
Wordlessly, Jake slowly raised both arms out, shooting daggers at the suited man in front of him. He cuffed him on both wrists and moved aside as he stood up and began walking out of his cell. The other two began walking ahead of him. He walked slowly as he contemplated his next move. This is my chance to escape, he thought silently. There's no way he's going to spend any more minute in this shithole.
The masked man gave an irritated sigh at the pace Jake was walking. "Hey! Move it!" He raised a hand and gave a shove on his shoulder. In turn his eyes were met with a cold hard look from a pair of blue eyes as the mercenary turned his head slightly to look at him. The corner of his mouth lifted a little as he gave another smirk. He turned his head back to the other two Javos in front of them and spoke up surprisingly, in Cantonese.
"Sorry, guys. Time to move on."
In a flash, he threw his body back slamming in the Javo behind him. Using his cuffed hands, he grabbed the machine gun held by the Javo, aimed it at the other two and began firing. The two Javos ducked as they avoided the bullets. Spinning his body around, he grabbed the machine gun off the Javo's hands and took a savage swipe across its face. Dropping the gun to the ground, he did a quick semi cartwheel then gracefully swung his body around catching the Javo on his upper body with his legs. Using his strength, he brought him down on the cold floor slamming his body down. Giving him no chance to retaliate, he trapped his head between his knees and gave a brutal twist. Hearing the snap of his neck, the Javo stopped moving as his limbs lie limp on his side. Fumbling for the key, he found it on his breast pocket. Retrieving it, he unlocked his metal cuffs releasing his wrists from them. Picking up the crystal cubed GPS, he stood up and faced the remaining Javos. He showed them the unclasped cuffs and dropped them on the floor. Tossing the GPS, he caught it with his left hand and beckoned the Javos with the other.
Come get some, he smirked to himself as he prepared for combat.
"Subdue him!" cried one of the Javos as they pointed their guns at him and began to fire. They closed in on him.
He crouched low on the ground as he prepared to make a move. He felt adrenaline pumping throughout his whole body as his muscles tensed. Seeing an opening, he sprinted towards the Javos dodging bullets as he went along. He felt a bullet whizzed past his head, the wind piercing against his flesh. He stopped short in front of the Javo who fired a bullet to his head and he thrusted a palm towards its chest feeling the bones break under the force. The Javo stumbled back but raised his gun and swung it to his face. Ducking, he spun low on the ground and brought an elbow up catching his enemy on the chin, the force enough to make him drop on the ground, gun scattering across the floor. Raising a foot, he brought his heel down towards the fallen Javo's head, crushing his skull. Blood oozed from every opening on his face, his nose bent and broken under the sheer force of the mercenary.
He heard a shout of rage from the across the room. Spinning around, he gritted his teeth as he glared at the remaining Javo. Bullets flew towards his direction. Diving on the ground, he rolled out of the way as the bullets penetrated the hard linoleum floor of the facility. Getting to his feet in a flash, he rushed towards the Javo and threw a couple of punches to his face. Spinning around, he elbowed him across the face, blood spattering out of his mouth. Grabbing his head, Jake brought it down against his knee. A couple of teeth clattered on the floor. The Javo screamed in pain as it brought a hand to its mouth, blood gushing out like a waterfall. He raised his gun once again and fired towards him. Jake ducked, the bullets barely missing him. He ran towards the Javo and sprinted up against the wall next to him performing a back flip. On the way down, he grabbed the Javo's head and brought it down hard on the ground as he landed. It stopped moving, blood pooling around its head.
"Didn't need a weapon to get rid of assholes like you after all," he muttered as he stared at the lifeless forms around him. He looked around the room and his eyes rested on a metal box against the wall in the far end of the room. Hurrying towards it, he opened it and saw an electrical switch for the lights in the medical labs. He grabbed the handle and pulled it down and as expected the lights turned off, giving the room a dim outlook.
"Goodbye shitty prison cell. It's been a real slice of heaven."
Moving swiftly and quietly, he pressed himself to the door. Using a hand, he slowly pushed it open and peered in the hallway. Seeing the coast is clear, he snuck out and prepared to meet whatever's coming for him next.
She sat on her bed, a remote control in her hand. She pushed the on button and a Chinese pop song erupted from her stereo speakers in her cell. The woman singing has a high squeaky voice that seemed to pierce through to her brain. She pushed the button to change the station and this time an olden song came out of the speakers. The melody was slow and sad and it reminded Sherry of recalling old memories.
She had a tragic childhood and a lonely life growing up and happy memories seemed like a distant thought for her. A lot of her nights were spent with horrible nightmares and it still plagues her today. She has no old fond memories, at least none she cared to visit.
She sighed and switched off her stereo. She tossed it aside on her bed and got up. She glanced at the big glass windows of her cell and wondered if anyone is out there. She began to walk towards it to check it out when suddenly the lights went out. The room was dim, only the glow from the machines next to her bed and the control panel next to her cell door emitted a soft green glow. Wondering what's going on, she approached her door and found it unlocked and opened ajar. She was about to push it open when she heard a shuffling noise in the hallway leading to her cell. Biting her lip, she turned around and slid across her bed hiding under as the door burst open and a masked Javo entered searching for her.
He walked to the other side of the bed, still looking for the young woman held captive over the past six months. Anticipating this, Sherry crawled under the bed and hid on the other side. She watched his legs turn around his body facing against her. As quick as a flash, she hopped over the bed and gave a swift and graceful kick towards the back of the Javo's head. He uttered a cry of surprise as he spun around, his electric stun rod ready to strike.
Looks like the odds are against me, she thought silently as she eyed the cackling sound of the stun rod. She prepared for the attack.
With a cry of rage, the Javo ran towards her and swung the rod to her body. She was expecting this move. She grabbed his hand and diverted the rod away from her body. Spinning her body around, she twisted his hand behind him and using this momentum, she pushed him towards the bed making him land on his face. She dodged his attack as he swung the rod to her head, the electricity cracking and creating a blue glow in the room. She managed to catch the eyes of her assailant as the light washed across his face. They were cold and merciless, no trace of sympathy or humanity in them.
She grabbed his wrists and using her weight, she spun herself around him twisting the stun rod out of his grasp. Placing her hands on his back, she gave him a hard shove that sent him crashing against the glass windows cracking it like spider webs. Cracks continued to travel towards the edges of the glass. Sooner or later the whole thing would shatter completely. Breathing heavily, she pressed the button on the weapon charging the electricity to maximum. Electric currents ran down the length of the stick, the cackling intensified as it was charged. Without thinking twice, Sherry rushed to her enemy and brought the weapon down connecting to the exposed flesh on its neck.
The Javo gave a loud scream of pain as the electric current made contact with his body. She didn't let him go until he passed out, his body slumped against the wall as he fell on the floor. His glass cubed GPS tumbled out of his pants pocket catching her eyes. Bending down, she snatched it up. She hurried out of her cell glad to be out of there which had been her prison for the past six months.
As she stepped out, she glanced down at her GPS and located the locker room. She can't wait to get out of this horrible medical gown she was forced to put on as she endured test after test for months. She'll have to get dressed first then try to look for Jake. Her mission still stands and she's determined more than ever to find him. She doubted they would have killed him as he's better off for their lab testing alive than dead. The temperature outside her cell was slightly cooler making the hairs of her exposed skin stand up. A shiver ran down her spine and she looked towards the direction of the exit from her cell.
Strengthening her resolve, she clutched her stun rod tightly in her hand as she stepped in the hallway leaving her prison cell without looking back.
The intense whiteness of the place is blinding him. Everywhere he looked seemed to be an endless sea of whiteness.
Couldn't this place be any whiter, he thought sourly as he moved silently down the hall. Before he rounded the corner a loud voice over the speakers rang out, the sound seemed to bounce off the walls echoing throughout the entire room.
"Two test subjects have escaped. They must not leave the facility. Permission to use firearms has been granted."
Although a warning announcement was meant to slow his escape in the process, he felt something tug at his heart of what felt like joy and hope. "I knew she was here," he exclaimed. Although he had never seen or heard from his partner for the past six months, he always had the feeling she was still alive. Just hearing the announcement confirmed that made a huge difference in lifting his spirits up.
"There he is! Apprehend that test subject!"
He looked up and found three masked Javos making their way towards him, weapons drawn.
Rock and roll, he thought as he felt the initial rush of adrenaline pump through his veins once again. Bullets flew towards his direction. Pumping his legs, he ran with lightning speed towards a Javo firing at him dodging bullets on the way. Reaching in front of him, he grabbed his shoulders and brought a knee towards his abdomen. Grunting in pain, he doubled over throwing a flurry of curse words to Jake in Cantonese. Ignoring the comments, he grabbed his hand knocking the gun out of his grip. He spun his body around throwing his enemy over his shoulder on the ground. Have a hard twist on his elbow breaking the bone erupting a loud howl from the Javo. He dropped its arm on the floor and it laid there in an unnatural angle. Strengthening his hand, he rammed it down the Javo's throat breaking off his oesophagus blocking the airway off. It began choking and twitching on the ground.
He ducked as another Javo tried to kick at him. He gave a right hook across its face breaking the mask into pieces. Another one came at him with a machete and took a stab at him. Dodging the attack, he grabbed a fistful of their hair and slammed their heads together. He threw a couple more punches to the Javo nearest to him, his mask completely broken and fell on the floor in pieces. His eyes were red, the skin on his face is blotchy and leathery as he'd had severe burns on his skin. He growled angrily at him, his eyes devoid of any emotion but hate and anger. He threw a punch at Jake but he caught it easily with his hand. Wrapping the Javos hand into his fist, he increased the pressure on it until he felt the bones begin to crack. He extended a leg out and kicked the other Javo in the stomach as it made a move to stop him. Giving the hand a savage twist, he heard the tendons made a sickening crack it the bone completely broke. Moving behind his enemy, he kicked him behind the knees forcing him to kneel on the floor squealing in pain. Grabbing his head with both hands, he gave it a vicious twist breaking its neck.
He faced the last assailant, every muscle in his body alert and ready. With a loud cry, the Javo ran towards him taking out a combat knife. He gave a swipe across meaning to slice his face but he moved his body quickly to avoid the attack. Dropping on the floor he spun his body around, extending his leg out and performing a low kick that knock the Javo off his feet. He grabbed the hand holding the knife and turning it towards him, he shoved it down to its chest. A circle of blood began to stain the expensive shirt and suit the Javo was wearing.
Panting slightly, he got up and surveyed his surroundings. He felt like a rat stuck in a fucking white maze. Except there's no cheese reward at the end, just more Javos to face and kill. Using his GPS, he began to navigate around the walkways until he came up to a set of steel stairs. Climbing up he came to another white room with a lot of walkways and a couple more Javos patrolling the area.
Moving silently, he decided to go for the quick kill and not attract any attention. He knew he didn't really need a weapon to beat these guys but the more he stays here, the more Sherry is out there by herself. Although knowing she is more than capable of handling herself, he couldn't help but feel a little worry and concern over her. The sooner he sees her, the better.
A Javo was walking down the long walkway. He moved behind him careful not to make any noise. It rounded a corner and he waited a few moments before making a move to follow it. Hiding behind the corner, he peered from the wall he was leaning against and saw that the Javo had his back turned towards him. As quietly as possible, he sneaked up behind him and grabbed his head. He gave it a hard twist, breaking its neck. He caught it under his arms before he slumped to the ground. Pulling him quietly, he laid it down on the ground away from view.
Continuing forward he rounded off a few more long walkways before spotting the last Javo walking off away from his direction. Sneaking quietly once again, he followed it careful not to be seen or heard. Suddenly it spun around coming face to face with him. It uttered a cry of surprise and drew his gun.
Damn, so much for being quiet, he thought to himself. He did a forward roll as he avoided the bullets aimed towards him. Rushing towards it, he did an uppercut catching it on its chin. Momentarily stunned, he used this to his advantage and slammed his head against the wall. Moving behind him, he wrapped his arms tightly around its waist and lifted it up over his body performing a suplex. Its body remained still, blood began pooling around his cracked skull.
He glanced around the area and found no other doorways. He growled in frustration as he checked his GPS again. Looking closely at the blue print of the area he found a way through a vent up the wall. Looking up he found the vent situated high up against the wall. Looking around he found a set of steps just near it. He'll have to move it directly under so he can climb up. Why must everything be done the long and the hard way, he thought sourly as he moved behind the steps and began pushing it underneath the vent. Moving around the hallway he climbed up the steps and into the vent.
When he landed, he found himself in a dark hallway with the monitor room not far from where he's standing. Peering inside, he found no one monitoring behind the controls. Walking in the room he saw a set of TV monitors each showing different rooms within the research lab. Moving closer, he pressed the zooming button in one of the cameras and he found an empty hallway. Pressing another button, he changed screens and there he was the familiar blonde weaving through a set of lockers. He saw her hide inside one of the lockers as a Javo entered the code in the control panel by the door. He watched her get out and pressed the code on the buttons.
He flipped through more cameras until he came across a room with three Javos holding guns. He saw a flash of white and blonde in the corner of the screen and knew that Sherry was hiding behind tables. "I'm coming for you, Sherry." He found the trigger for the guns attached to the cameras and pressed it aiming towards the unsuspecting Javos. Bullets flew towards one of them, the other two jumped in surprise. She took it to her advantage as she rushed to her enemies and did a flying kick sending one of them on the floor. She pulled her stun rod back and drove it down towards the fallen Javo, the electricity running through its body. He screamed in agony and pain as the current shocked him. The last Javo gave an angry cry as it raised its gun towards her and aimed. He never got the chance to fire as a couple of bullets tore to his body from above. She ran to him and did a spinning kick that knocked him against the wall. She raised her bare foot and gave a hard stomp on his stomach and he remained still.
He watched her run towards the control panel. Pressing in the zoom button he focused on the buttons as she entered the code. Having a great visual memory, he was able to commit the symbols to memory after seeing the symbols. The door opened and he watched her go inside. Satisfied she's ok, he turned around and headed to the door the opposite way he came from. He came to another room with another vent and climbing up he crawled in the narrow space, finding his partner and getting out of here are the only things focused in his mind.
She knew she`s going to make an espionage journey from here on forward. When she left her cell, she came across a hallway patrolled by a few Javos. She knew the odds were against her with only a stun rod for protection. All of them were carrying firearms and she knew her chances are slim leaving this place unscathed. Pressing herself against the wall, she waited for the Javo to round off the corner before moving forward. Hugging the wall, she watched has it disappeared down the hallway out of her sight. She waited a few moments before moving forward. Once satisfied it won`t be coming back, she ran over to the next set of hallways. Surveying her surroundings, she noted that there are at least three Javos wandering the area looking for Jake and her.
Once she heard the announcement on the speakers she felt absolute relief. Although she doubted her partner will be killed off, hearing the confirmation he`s still alive brought pure joy to her. She bit her lip as she contemplated her next move. She can`t be seen otherwise things will go difficult for her. She waited for a while until the Javo nearest to her turned its back and began walking the opposite direction. Walking on her tip toes, she snuck behind him and grabbed its head, leaping over its body and slamming its head on the ground on the way down. She turned around and hugged the wall, waiting for the Javo to leave.
A loud shot rang out piercing the silence in the air. Curiously, she watched in amazement as each of the Javos was struck with bullets. She followed the direction of the bullets and found them coming from the gun installed under the security cameras around the place. She gave a smile of relief realizing it increased her chances of making it out of this place without a scratch. She ran into the next room which was filled with several lockers. She saw a door next to a control panel and knew she wouldn`t be able to get through unless she has the code. She felt a sense of anxiousness and urgency washing over her. She doesn`t have much time and figuring out the code could take a while. She heard the door at the side of the room beginning to open. She frantically searched for a hiding spot. Seeing the set of lockers in front of the control panel, she dashed inside and closed the doors. She watched as a Javo entered the room and stopped in front of her. Watching closely, she watched him input the security code and the doors slid open. Now`s her chance. Slipping quietly out of the locker, she carefully entered the code. The doors made a swishing sound as they opened. Great I`m in, she thought to herself.
She ran towards the next room that was patrolled by three more Javos. The room had a bar in one corner and a few tables by the wall. Ducking behind one of the barriers, she waited for the right moment to strike. Gunshots rang in the air and she watched as one of the Javos screamed in surprise as he was shot down from the camera.
After fighting off the Javos with the help of the security camera gun, she stood in the centre of the room. Surveying her surroundings, she made sure the Javos won't be getting up again. She dashed towards the electronically locked door and glanced at the control panel. "Lucky me. I hope that was Jake." She hastily punched in the code and entered. Running to another corridor, she entered the door at the end and came across a locker room. Walking passed a series of lockers, she wondered if there is anything she could wear before continuing on. She glanced around the rows and wondered which ones were unlocked. A sudden shuffling noise came from above her at the other end of the room. Spinning around, she felt her body tensed to meet whoever is coming.
He crawled forward and swinging his legs, he jumped down the vent and landed on his feet.
"Jake!"
He turned around at the sound of the voice and saw none other than his partner. He started forward as a short happy chuckle escape his lips and stopped short when he saw what she was wearing. Or lack of. Giving a low cough, he covered his eyes with a hand as he turned away from her out of respectfulness.
Sherry glanced down and her cheeks immediately flamed. She almost forgot she is wearing a thin and revealing medical gown that barely covered her chest. Covering them with her arms, she ducked behind one of the opened lockers, using the door as a barrier to keep her out of sight.
He uncovered his eyes and seeing she hid behind the locker door, proceeded in the same row opening doors. He just hoped there are some clothes in this place that would fit him. He didn`t fancy going out outdoors in nothing but a pair of medical pants.
"Where are we?" she asked as she found some clothing that could fit her.
"China," came his curt reply as he opened a locker. Inside were a black shirt, a pair of black pants and a pair of combat boots that seemed to be his size. Much to his relief, his weapons were also there as well.
"Obviously, but where?" she continued as she unknotted the ribbons holding her medical gown together letting fall in a heap around her feet.
He stopped in his tracks and drank in what he saw. His eyes travelled from her bare legs, up to her bottom and on the smooth bare skin of her exposed back to him. Several months ago, he had seen those curves back in the cabin but this sight is nothing compared from what he saw back then. He took the time to appreciate the feminine curves of her shoulders down to her waist and her shapely legs. He felt that familiar heat stir within him and blamed once again his damn testosterone. Luckily, she was picking out the clothes in the locker, she didn`t seemed to notice him staring at her.
Is he checking her out? Yes, he is. Damn it, get a grip, he mentally slapped himself. Just because you haven`t seen a naked woman in what feels like, shit, forever doesn`t mean you can check her out. With all the force he could muster, he tore his eyes away from her and back to the contents of his locker. Still the sight of his partner in nothing but a pair of white panties made the heat travel down. He cleared his throat and spoke up forcing the image out of his head.
"Don`t know, don`t care. I just know that I`m done being their guinea pig."
Sherry pulled on a white bra and a white button down dress shirt. She gave her body a slight turn towards his voice as she glanced behind her. She felt that worry growing inside her again and dreaded to think of what they did to him. "What did they do to you?"
He gave a scoff. "Plenty. They said something about using the antibodies in my body to enhance the C virus," he replied as he pulled down the black shirt over his head.
Her worry doubled and she felt the dread rise up. She secured her gun holster around her slim waist. "Oh no. What else did they say?"
He paused. He felt himself hesitate before opening his mouth. "Do you know an Albert Wesker?"
She felt her blood run cold at the mere mention of that name. She first heard of him as a young child when her father would spend hours in his research lab back in Raccoon City. He spent many days and nights in the lab, he practically lived there. Although her father rarely mentioned about him outside of work, she always heard that name from him whenever he was talking with her mother when he had the chance to go home for a quick shower or a bite to eat before he was off again to the lab. They were rivals for the most part but for brief moments there was a friendly partnership among the two men.
She had never met the man directly. However she heard a great deal about him from Claire who was in direct contact with her brother, Chris. She heard about Wesker`s betrayal to their special police unit, STARS. She also heard numerous stories about him and his involvement in the mansion incident in Arklay Mountains, each story more horrifying than the last. She didn`t really understood it all when she was a child, but growing up she pieced together the puzzle and concluded that Wesker must have some sort of involvement with her father`s research as well. Hearing the type of man he is, she wouldn`t be surprised.
She didn`t know how to answer him. She opened but she didn`t know what to tell him or even where to start. "What?" she responded meekly.
She heard him sigh behind his locker. "I`ll take that as a yes." He snatched the pair of boots from his locker and dropped them on the bench in the middle of the room. He sat on it and began lacing up his boots. "They talked about him. A lot. I guess he had some sort of antibodies that could fight off any virus. Apparently, he abused his gift. Took it for granted and then ended up turning himself into some kind of monster. And here I thought that dear old dad was just a dead beat who skipped out on us, no, no, no. Turns out he`s a freaking nut job who almost destroyed the world!"
She pulled on a pair of dark green cargo pants and wrapped her blue scarf around her neck. "Your father's actions have nothing to do with you."
"Yeah, but his blood does! It's the whole reason why we're here. I mean, come on! You really think that crazy doesn't run in the family? That nothing of who my father was didn't somehow get passed down to me? You of all people should know that's true. I'm just saying…the man that I am, the things that I've done. At least it all makes a little more sense now," he protested frustration etched in his voice. He moved to his locker and retrieved his handgun. Checking the ammo, he loaded a fresh clip into it.
After putting on her side gun holsters around her shoulders, she closed her locker door. She blinked and flashed him a hurt look. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She couldn't believe what he's saying. Does he really think that his father's deeds are the reason he's the way he is? Doesn't he ever think that it's up to him to shape the person that he is? Sure, her father has done some terrible things too. After all, if it wasn't for his creation of the G virus, the whole Raccoon City incident wouldn't have happened in the first place. Her parents had created evil things, terrible creatures she thought only exists in nightmares. Much to her horror, they followed her in reality. But she's not going to let her father's choice of path direct the person she is.
He saw the look in her face. "What?" he asked irritated.
"You can blame your father all you want. But at some point, you'll have to take responsibility for your own actions," she replied brushing past him, her shoulder knocking his on the way.
I am, he thought silently. His thoughts wandered back to his mother. It's his entire fault she's no longer here. "My mother's dead."
She stopped in her tracks. He spoke so softly she could hardly hear him. She hoped she heard wrong. "What?" she asked turning around to face him.
"BOW. She was waiting for me to get back home in our apartment. One of the BOWs went on a rampage and killed her."
She didn't miss the pain in his voice as he spoke. She felt her heart go out to him, she herself know what it's like to lose a parent. "Jake, I'm so sorry." She stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
He looked up and met her eyes. She had never seen him like this before. "Are you, really?" He stood up to his full height, his six three form towering over her. There was something in his eyes, there was a flash of anger. She saw the pain and sorrow behind those blue orbs but underneath all that, she saw something else. He almost looked stricken. He stepped closer to her making her take a step back. She could feel the coldness of the metal lockers pressing against her back through the material of her shirt.
"Jake…" she opened her mouth but her words trailed off. What could she possibly say to make him feel better? He just lost the only family he has. What on earth could she do to replace that? Nothing came to her mind. She became dimly aware that the proximity between them was becoming narrower and she was practically pressed against him.
"You say I can save the world. How can I do that when I couldn't even save my own mother? I couldn't protect her. What makes you think I can with anyone else?" he asked his voice low. His eyes never left her face.
She tried to move past him but he put an arm out, a loud banging sound rang throughout the room as he slammed a hand down the door of the locker blocking her way. She could feel his warm breath on her skin as it fanned across her cheek. His body seemed to radiate its own heat that travelled to her own as well. She could feel her body leaning in towards it. "Jake, I know you're upset. You have every right to. Please calm down and let's figure things out."
"I don't give a shit about saving anyone. My mother's gone. All I want to do is go to her side. I don't give a rat's ass about the C virus and the rest of the world. They're all fucking sheep anyway," he continued, anger in his voice as he lowered his head down to her eye level.
She raised her hands up and they ended up pressed against this broad chest, his warmth travelling to her hands. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her palms growing faster by the second. "Jake, please – "
"Do you understand what it's like? To feel completely alone? To know that you can't save anyone and that nobody is coming to save you? Do you how it feels to keep running? To keep going but each place leaves you with more questions than answers. In the end you just feel hollow and empty inside. Do you know what it's like? To run out of places?" he questioned as his eyes bore down to hers. To his surprise, he noticed her eyes were shiny with tears.
Yes I do, Jake. I know exactly what it's like.
The understanding in her eyes nearly undid him. Her eyes told him everything she felt without uttering any words. Her hands which were pressing against his chest curled into fists gathering the thin material of his shirt in her hands. The warmth of her hands seemed to penetrate through his shirt. As well as other things.
To her shock, she felt the soft leather of his glove on her lower lip as he ran the pad of his thumb across it. He lowered his head until it was inches away from hers. He could smell her sweet familiar scent that he found comforting as it travelled to his nose. They stared at each other's eyes, her gaze never once breaking from his. Her emotions were laid out in the open and she looked at him in a way that tugged at his heart and down to his groin. She looked very much open to him, her eyes brimming with tears and shit, she looked beautiful –
They held their gazes for a moment and she blinked, her body still and unmoving. He wanted to kiss her.
He felt the soft touch of her hand on his bicep.
"I believe in you. I always have."
Her voice was so soft, he had to strain his ears to hear them. She looked at him with hope in her eyes. It made him want to turn away. The truth is, he's tired. Tired of all the fighting, all the running and hatred. He just wanted to go away, to give up and drink himself to death with a bottle. He wanted to waste away where no one can find him and he's left alone to die. It's what meant for people like him anyway.
He withdrew and pulled himself away from her. He took a few steps and turned his back on her. He wanted to run. To get away from her and this place as far as he could. No one looked at him before like that, asides from his mother. That damned hope. It made him want to keep trying and move on. At least with other people, they never gave him hope, to give him a chance to be someone he could never be. He was never a savior in the first place.
She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't," he said as he turned his head around and regarded her with a cold look as he shrugged her hand off. "Just don't". With that, he turned and made his way out of the room, footsteps growing fainter as he walked away.
She felt a tear roll down her cheek as she watched him go.
She had lost him. She had lost him…
Foolish girl. You never had him in the first place.