Chapter Three

Hernandez and Arynn had killed dozens more crimsons as they descended two more levels under the medical building. They picked up rifles and handguns off of the dead guards only to run out of ammo later. Now they hit the jackpot stumbling into the room of the very thing they needed most to stay alive.

"Hell Yes!" cried Hernandez as he opened some nearby double doors to a room labeled, "Artillery". Arynn smiled as she watched him quickly walk towards a large cabinet structure and huddle over it.

Arynn went to a small cabinet structure opposite Hernandez. Inside she saw various types of common firepower nestled onto black suede covering. They were beautifully detailed and well-equipped. She reached for the titanium-steel magnum with a peculiar emblem on it. A two-tone octagon was engraved into the weapon. Not in all her years as a Raccoon City citizen had Arynn ever seen this image before. She wondered what the insignia stood for. As she cocked back the safety and examined the gun, she noticed that her companion was quiet. She turned around slowly and saw the soldier sitting down on a stool next to the artillery case. He looked like he was in a deep thought. Arynn took the magnum and holstered it. She came over to him.

"You okay?" she questioned.

Hernandez looked up, "Yea I'm fine…"

"Are you sure?" Arynn asked.

"Damn." Hernandez began as he got up from off the wall and took the time to stretch. "I said I'm fine." He stated.

Arynn stepped away from the soldier, "You know…" She replied, "You're no help to me dead."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" the soldier asked as he watched her.

"If you're infected and you turn, you're dead to me—that's what I mean!" she looked at him sternly.

"What do you want from me, lady?" Hernandez yelled as he confronted the young dark-skinned woman.

"I don't want anything." Arynn sighed, "I just need to know that you'll back me up." she replied.

"I'm here, ain't I?" the soldier responded in fustration. He watched the young woman with his eyes narrowed. Hernandez wanted to know what was really on her mind but now was not the time probe.

A noise from outside the room startled the two. Hernandez picked up a double barrel pump shot gun. Arynn looked at the soldier and instantly her magnum was drawn. They weren't going to take any chances. With the amount of people infected in the facility and those Dorus running around, there was no telling what was behind the door. Hernandez went first armed and ready while Arynn took up the rear. Hernandez opened the door slowly and peered outside. There was nothing. He turned back to Arynn and they both walked out into the hallway. A strange silence seemed to welcome them into the barren corridor. The noise sounded like someone was scratching on the floor. The soldier and the woman followed the sound around the corner. A small figure was standing hunched over a water fountain draped in a white bed sheet. Hernandez and Arynn looked at each other, both interested yet uneasy.

As the two inched closer to the small being, Arynn noticed that there was an identification wristlet around the individual's left wrist. A patient, Arynn thought to herself. Hernandez stood tall and firm while Arynn knelt down towards the back of the person.

"Hello?" Arynn asked quietly.

The individual let out a soft minor cough. It sounded like a child or someone very young. Arynn inched closer but Hernandez put his hand on her shoulder and held her back.

"Do you need any assistance?" the soldier called out to the individual softly but with an ounce of assertiveness.

A small face turned from the wall and slowly faced the quiet duo. Its cheeks were a pale tone and its hair was long and shaggy. Arynn wondered how long he had been walking these halls.

"It's a kid…" Hernandez stated.

"A boy…" Arynn added.

Hernandez knelt down and joined his partner at eye level with the little boy. By the looks of it, the boy had a few scratches on his arms but no bite marks of any kind.

"Hey little guy," Hernandez said being as thoughtful and attentive than usual, "what's your name?"

Arynn looked at the soldier with a sense of understanding. A strong and rebellious man like Eddie Hernandez, in her eyes, always seemed a bit over the top and defiant at times. Back at Raccoon City, she saw a very demanding, ruthless soldier who only answered to his chain of command. But here, she was seeing a more sensitive and courteous individual. She wondered what other surprises the soldier would show.

The little boy wiped his nose and sniffled. "Adam…my name's Adam…" he softly spoke.

Arynn smiled and took the little boy's hand. "Where's your parents, Adam?" she asked him.

The little boy rubbed his eyes with his sleeve. He seemed a little hesitant to answer and Arynn could see why. He was under-weight and cold. Arynn looked at her comrade with hurtful eyes.

"We gotta get him out of here… He needs nourishment and clothing." Her voice whispered almost cracking under an emotional weight.

Hernandez nodded. "Listen, Adam," he began, "We're looking for a friend named Tripper, have you seen him?"

The little boy was quiet…

"Adam…" Hernandez continued, "Where are your parents?" Adam was reluctant to answer.

The little boy sneezed. He let Hernandez pick him up. The arms of the boy held firmly around the soldier's neck while his legs comfortably straddled Hernandez's waist. Hernandez looked at Arynn and the young woman simply smiled while the soldier shrugged it off. The three journeyed deeper into the dark halls looking for the remaining member of their crew. Arynn wondered if it was true what Eddie said. Was Tripper still somewhere in the facility or did the medical team really have him transported?

Hernandez could feel his little passenger breathing deeply. The soldier whispered over to Arynn wondering if Adam had fallen asleep. Arynn confirmed and Hernandez sighed.

"What do you think happened to him?" Arynn asked.

"I don't know…" the soldier whispered, "I hope he's not one of those things running around…"

"If he was, he would've turned by now. I think he's probably a patient…" she answered.

"True." Hernandez stated.

They found an abandoned cafeteria area at the end of the last corridor. Hernandez searched the metal cabinets for unspoiled food and leftover beverages. He let Adam help him with the lower cabinets. The little boy pulled out oatmeal and potato chips and set them on the countertop. Arynn was at the far end of the room looking through the large refrigerator. She found a half empty 2-liter soda bottle and a cartoon of orange juice. She brought both out and set them on the tile of an island structure in the middle of the kitchen-like room. Hernandez gathered a few more things and put them next to the potato chips. Arynn found a wooden stool and scooted it close to the island. Hernandez helped Adam on to it. The soldier pulled over two more stools and the young adults sat down to feast in their gourmet junk food. Adam grabbed a handful of potato chips and commenced to stuffing them in his mouth making his cheeks bulge. Arynn smiled and Hernandez let out a small chuckle.

"Man, this little guy can pack some chips, huh?" the soldier commented.

"Yea" Arynn answered as she ate some chips. She looked beyond the kitchen and into the quiet cafeteria. Even with the lights on, the eatery seemed a bit spooky with desolate shadows casting eerie illusions.

"Adam, how long have you been down here?" she asked the little boy.

"I don't know." The boy quickly answered while eating a chip.

"Do you know what happened to everyone?" she continued.

"Yea," he answered then paused. "They're all dead." Hernandez looked at him quietly.

Hernandez glanced at Arynn with a serious expression. The boy looked to the soldier and grabbed his arm.

"Is that gonna happen to us?" he asked.

"No," Arynn immediately answered.

"Nothing's gonna happen to us," Hernandez assured the boy.

They continued to eat their food and drink their soda never once letting their guard down for anything.

A soft noise coming from the cafeteria startled Adam. Arynn immediately got up and turned to face the adjacent room. Hernandez got up and pushed Adam behind him. Another noise now came from the opposite of the first and Arynn was prepared.

"Come on. Let's go," Hernandez whispered. Arynn followed closely behind keeping a side eye on the cafeteria.

Suddenly a person sprang up from the darkest part of room and onto Arynn knocking the weapon out of her hand. It was a female by the small frame and long hair. Arynn flung the individual over a table. Hernandez threw Arynn's gun. She grabbed it just as her gun came face to face with the head of the individual. Hernandez stood firm with his shotgun drawn.

"Who are you?" he shouted.

"Who are you!" the young woman shouted back.

Arynn pressed the gun into the young woman's forehead, "I believe he asked you a question…" she stated.

The young female gulped. "Page."

"Are you infected?" Hernandez questioned.

The woman remained quiet.

"Are you infected?" Arynn asked sternly.

Hernandez stepped up to the woman intimidating her with his tall stature. The woman looked back to Arynn.

"No I am not." She confirmed.

"Why are you down here?" Hernandez questioned.

"Are you law enforcement or something?" the woman said with a subtle English accent.

"Military," Hernandez corrected her.

"Are there more of you?" she asked.

"No just us," Hernandez replied.

"Great I'm saved..." Page cynically stated.

"Are there any more survivors?" Arynn questioned the female.

"There ain't none done here 'cept me," She replied as she looked away.

Hernandez took the woman by the arm and escorted her towards the doors, Arynn and Adam followed closely behind.

"Get your hands off me!" she shouted as he pushed her along.

Arynn got in front of the two and stopped Hernandez.

"Listen if you yell any louder, we'll be having some unannounced guests." She said.

"You listen to me…" Page said as she leaned in closer to Arynn, "I don't care."

Arynn looked towards Hernandez and silently went back to Adam.

A small snicker escaped Page's lips as Hernandez pushed her along.

Arynn immediately got directly in the woman's face and stared intensely into her unsuspecting eyes.

"Do you think I give a damn, little girl?" she said with a deep and serious tone. "I'll leave your ass here for those f***s to come get you."

Arynn had been through too much to be arguing with some "fast-ass woman". She did not have time for this. Page swallowed hard. She wasn't sure of what this strange woman was capable of.

"Well I don't give a rat's wanka, lady." The young woman replied as she turned her head.

"Fine. Leave her." Arynn commanded as she took Adam by the hand and walked towards the exit.

Page looked at Hernandez, he simply followed without argument.

The three disappeared into the corridor leaving Page in the quiet mess hall.

"F*** you blokes, who needs ya!" she yelled throwing her arm up in an obscene gesture.

Back out in the open, Hernandez stopped Arynn. He put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up towards him.

"I could've handled that, Arynn." He softly spoke.

"I know." She replied taking a moment to exhale.

They proceeded into the darkness.