The dog came out of nowhere, it's red eyes burning in the darkness like embers in a dying hearth. There was a flash of white as its jaws clamped around my arm, it's weight almost knocking me over. It snarled, crunching powerfully, grinding it's teeth along my flesh, tearing away at it. I groaned, pointing my gun at its head, squeezing the trigger. Their was a deafening "BANG!" that echoed through the empty dusty lab. Its body dropped limply, freeing me from its jaws. I cradled my mangled arm against my chest as Sherry ran into the room "Jake!" Her voice was dripping with concern. "Stay back." I spoke harshly, my back to her, hunched over the corpse of the deceased canine. I didn't know what other monsters may lurk in Wesker's hidden lab but I wasn't about to let them get her. I took a deep breath, pushing away the pain in my arm before getting to my feet. My eyes scanned our surroundings once more, double checking it for anymore beasts. Sherry must have done the same because I heard a sharp gasp come from beside me. I glanced at her only to see her hand covering her mouth as she breathed "Jake." Her eyes told me she was afraid. She looked on the verge of tears. I looked away, returning my gaze to the damned dog before me. Gently, she reached out and touched my shoulder, a gesture begging me to look at her. She took my hand, careful of my injury and guided me out of the room, down the hall to an old examination room. The one she was searching only moments ago. She gestured for me to sit as she removed her scarf, wadded it up and carefully applied pressure to stop the bleeding. I grimaced, looking down at the blood that had already begun to dry on my skin. Sherry dug through a small pouch on the table, her expression was serious and protective like the kind a mother has when her child gets a cut. She was focused. She pulled out a roll of gauze and a clean cloth. Carefully, she removed the scarf and cleaned the injury the best she could then with quick hands, she wrapped it expertly. We both knew the virus infecting the canine wouldn't affect me. It was the same strain that Wesker had been working on in this lab. That dog was just another one of his pets, always waiting for intruders, killing all who enter and turning them. Though this was the first of our encounter so far. It seemed the rest were either killed or escaped, roaming the surrounding woods, attacking civilians nearby. "Thank you." I spoke softly but my voice seemed to boom in the silence of the little room. Sherry smiled up at me, stopping amidst her task. That smile was all I needed. She didn't speak, just placing a gentle hand upon mine once more before returning to finish with the bandage. I sighed, testing the functionality of my hand, finding my movements stiff, a sharp pain bolting through my muscles. I looked at her, playing it off that I was alright, concern still lingering in her eyes. She knew. She could see right through me every time but she never said a word about it. I stood up, looking down at her, waiting. Her mind seemed to be swept away in thought but she shook it off and stood by my side. She always did. No matter what happened, she would always be there watching out for me, even when I thought I didn't need it.