Chapter Nine:

Back at the second to last floor before the rooftop, Hernandez struggled to keep himself walking using the wall as his support. Page followed watching him.

"Is there another way to the roof?" He questioned behind him.

"I don't know," she answered.

"Where is he taking them?" He continued to ask.

"The main lab."

"Where's that?"

"Last level before the sewers"

"Damn, how in the hell am I going to get down there?" Hernandez said grabbing his leg.

"There's a service elevator that goes straight down." Page replied.

"Alright, well where is it?" he questioned.

"Not sure."

Hernandez faced the young woman and grabbed her close, "I've had enough of your shit!" he shouted. "Take me down there or I swear I'll kill you!"

Page pushed the enraged man away with a slight grin, "Fine I'll take yea," She said.

"If you even flinch—" Hernandez replied.

"—I know. I know." Page said. "You'll kill me blah blah blah." She cynically snapped.

Hernandez pointed his shotgun at her and she laughed. "You think your puny weapon will stop him?" She asked. "You know what he's going to do to her?"

Hernandez pushed the gun into the young woman's side.

"He's gonna suck her dry." She replied as she started to walk and Hernandez limped slowly behind her.

"What are you talking about?" the soldier shouted.

"His body craves her blood. Once he absorbs her, he'll be unstoppable."

"That's impossible!" Hernandez said.

***

As the three entered the last level of the hospital, Arynn recognized a large hall with the numerous lab stations. This was where she first encountered Peter and his love for carnage. She also remembered grabbing the documents of administered drugs for Hernandez. Peter kneeled and let Arynn down from his shoulders. He seemed calm and collected. Adam let go of his father's hand and walked over to one of the lab stations.

"Stay close, okay?" the man called out to the little boy. Adam nodded in compliance. "And as for you," Peter continued as he turned to Arynn, "Don't try to leave. I'll find you."

Arynn remained silent as she watched the mutated man walk towards an empty white wall. She narrowed her eyes and thought how odd it was for Peter to be standing before a wall. Then she thought back to the Umbrella facility back in Raccoon City. The floor had opened and there were stairs leading to another corridor. Maybe that would be the same case here. Peter pressed the palm of his hand against the mid part of the wall and almost immediately the outer padding lifted up into itself and a keypad appeared. Arynn widened her eyes in amazement. Peter turned around and signaled for his son and the woman to join him. They silently walked over hand-in-hand.

"I've spent my whole life looking for a way to out-do what my uncle started. I think I've done it." Peter called as he led the two down a long dark corridor. "Once I evolved, I knew that the others would probably stop me. So I made sure to save what I could of my research…"

Peter paused and clicked on a switch alongside the wall. Lights overhead began to flicker on and light the way. Arynn thought about Hernandez and where he was. Wherever Peter was taking her and Adam meant that the solider probably would not be able to help her. She was on her own.

***

Hernandez groaned in pain with every step that he took. Page turned and saw him drop to the floor.

"Need any help?" she asked folding her arms.

"No!" the soldier replied as he strained to regain his balance along the wall.

"You won't make it to the elevator," Page said without holding back.

"Yea, thanks for letting me know that," Hernandez replied quickly.

Page started walking again leaving the wounded soldier behind.

"Wait!" he called. She turned to face him.

As she folded her arms again, something silent and large emerged behind her. Hernandez immediately took out his weapon.

"Get out the way!" he shouted as he fired at the creature. Page gasped and jumped.

The weapon pierced the creature and the creature instantly went down. Page got up from off the floor and looked down to the menace. She looked back at the panting man and walked toward him.

"Here," she commanded as she took the weapon from his grasp and put his arm over her shoulders. She took up the slack from his damaged leg and helped him along the corridor.

"Thanks," Hernandez said as they walked.

"Don't mention it," Page replied. There was a small pause; "No really…" she muttered rolling her eyes.

Hernandez cracked a smile.

They turned another dim corner and saw an elevator lobby ahead.

"Is this it?" Hernandez questioned.

"Yep. Think so." Page answered.

As they neared the small lobby, Hernandez could see claw marks on the metal door. The marks were deep and penetrated into the thick layer of metal. Rust was also eating up the door giving off signs of age and ware. Page let go of Hernandez and pressed the down button. She stood waiting. Hernandez noticed an interesting keychain clipped to one of Page's belt loops. It was a symbol that he had seen before in the artillery room. He remembered that Page said it stood for Tricell, the pharmaceutical company known for military biological weaponry.

"Nice keychain," he spoke quietly.

Page looked down and immediately tucked the chain into the ridge of her pants.

"Thanks," she responded.

"Thought you worked for Umbrella…" he said looking up at the lit numbers indicating that the elevator was getting closer.

"Na," she said resting her hand on Hernandez's shotgun.

"What's in it for you?" he continued.

"Ah, quiet will yea…" She blurted as the arrow above blinked.

The door opened and the two walked into another empty elevator. Page immediately pressed the basement floor button. The doors closed and the elevator descended.

"You're just like your little girlfriend with your questions and all…" Page muttered.

"She's not my girlfriend." Hernandez sharply replied. "What is he giving you in return for all this?" the soldier continued to probe.

Page rolled her eyes and looked away.

"There's gotta be something. I mean why would you risk getting kid by zombies and shit?" Hernandez said.

Page remained silent.

"Are you two—you know?" Hernandez chuckled.

Page turned around and gave him a lethal look. Hernandez put his hands up expecting her to hit him as hard as she could. When she didn't do anything, he looked at her puzzled but intrigued.

"I expected you to say something like that…perverted American…" Page said as she lowered her voice.

Hernandez folded his arms while leaning against the metal wall. He took in a breath and exhaled. Page watched him attentively.

"Whatever he's giving you, split it with me…" the soldier spoke.

Page looked at him bewildered. She came close to him and stared into his eyes. He looked into hers making sure that she knew he was serious.

"I don't think you can handle what Peter is giving me…" she whispered.

"Try me…" Hernandez stated looking away from her gaze.

"I will..." Page answered. "Besides it's not in you to betray her."