Chapter 22 - Strangers
Now that we're lonely
Now that there's nowhere to go
Where you been hiding lately?
Because we've been fighting lately
We've been fighting with the wolves.
Ben Howard
"How many more miles to the coast?"
Chris' beard is crusted with the frozen snow that has been falling almost without a break the past week.
Jason stops, eyeing the pale silver horizon, inhaling the air that contains a slight sign of salt.
"Not far", he eventually says.
"Are you still sure you want this?", Jill asks.
The further they travel each day, the more knots seem to appear in her stomach.
"We can't turn around anymore", Chris answers darkly. "I wish, I could bring you to a safe place, Jill. Away from him. It's not fair towards you."
"Trust me, I understand you", she says, surprised about his words.
Her legs are tired from stomping through the snow for many miles each day.
It reaches almost up to her knees. Even between the tall buildings, the flakes have found their way inside. It's almost like winter is celebrating to not be stopped by humans anymore.
The trio's feet are cold and their faces are pale.
Jason and Chris have their facial hair at least that saves them from the worst, but Jill's cheeks are accentuated by two red dots from the icy wind.
She hides half of her face under a black, woolen scarf, but still it is never enough.
If not for the miserable situation, the snowy, silent city would have almost looked beautiful.
"We should really try and find a place to stay … and most of all something to eat before night falls", she pleads.
Food has become scarce the past few days. The shops in the areas of the city that were populated by more people only showed empty shelves. Or food that went bad already.
"You are right. I am starving. And we need as much strength as we can before we reach our destination. We can't show up like half-starved dogs."
"Let me take care of this", Jason says.
His body doesn't require as much food as Jill's and Chris' does, due to the special way that the P30 has bonded with the Uzuri virus.
Wesker would probably describe him as a dirty mongrel.
As the light of the afternoon slowly starts to fade into a deeper shade of grey, they find shelter inside a big mall. Chances of finding something useful here might be positive.
They remove the hoods off their heads and look around impressed.
"Damn. A whole mall to ourselves. Isn't that a dream we all had once?", Chris exclaims, slightly sarcastic.
Jason shows him a crooked smile, but Jill swallows, feeling uneasy.
"Of course I dreamt about that. But in my dreams the mall was flooded with light and candy, not with dead bodies."
Chris turns on a flash light he has brought with him.
But the hall is too big for the streak of light it provides and therefore the far ends of the big mall remain eerily dark.
"I am sure we will be able to find provision and gear in here. Maybe we should split up."
"Chris, we can't-"
"You guys stay together, I will go and look for food", Jason offers.
Although it's dark he seems to notice Jill's worried stare. "I'll be fine, okay?"
She can do nothing but nod.
After agreeing that they would meet at the center of the mall in an hour they split up.
Keeping as close to Chris as she can, Jill unsuccessfully squints her eyes in hope to break through that gripping, hopeless darkness.
The mall is covered by a thick glass ceiling, but the night is slowly creeping up over the sky, bringing dark clouds that swallow the light of the moon.
A visitor map in overly merry colors shows them where to find which shop.
"We gotta get to the second floor … there is a shop for outdoor equipment", Chris observes.
A few feet before the inactive escalator the first dead bodies show up.
Both walk around them, silently, with goose bumps over their skin.
The childish urge to take Chris' hand into hers awakes. But instead she buries her hands in the pocket of her parka.
They find the entrance into the outdoor equipment store, which looks like it has been ransacked by careless, panicking people.
Jill walks to one of the aisles to check, if there is anything useful to take with them, when she feels his hands on her shoulders, turning her around.
It is dark, his silhouette only shadow, his warmth only a ghost touching the layers of her clothes down to her skin.
"Chris", she says softly. Her own voice sounding too loud in this empty, dead place.
She knows what he wants.
"How can you even be in the mood, when there is dead bodies lying only a few feet away from us?"
"Because I want to feel that warm, sexy body of yours against mine. Because I want to be reminded that there is still life in this world."
He puts his lips on hers, gently. Almost like a question. And finally she gives in by opening her mouth, allowing his tongue to enter. Their kisses grow deep and full of hunger. Even bigger than the hunger inside of their stomachs. She expresses a low sound in her throat, when he presses his nether regions flush against her.
He breaks the kiss, running his hand along her ponytail. "Come", he says.
Taking her hand, he pulls her towards an exhibited tent in the camping store.
She chuckles. "Are you serious?"
"Why not?", He shows her a seductive smile and together they disappear inside.
Once more they are in their bubble. The warm illusion of being safe.
Inside their cocoon he lies on top of her, drawing her into his kisses again.
Naked skin meets naked skin and they melt into one another, becoming one.
"Harder", she urges after a while, quietly and lustful. "Harder."
His thrusts intensify, slamming into her, driven by her ecstatic breaths.
It's hard to be gentle anyway, after not having been with her for way too many days.
Soon she comes. Her release washing over her like warmest rain and she slightly parts her lips. It's like waking up to the beautiful blossoms of spring after deepest hibernation.
It's almost torture to have to open her eyes, so she leaves them closed for a few minutes.
Only living in the existence of their satisfied breaths.
"I wish we could be in here forever", she says, smiling.
"As do I", he answers. She can hear the mournful tone in his voice.
She rolls over and lies down on top of him. Her breasts pressed against his chest.
"We should get back to Jason. I feel bad for leaving him alone for such a long time. It's dangerous."
"You sure do worry a lot about him, don't you? I am sure he is alright. At least he carries that damn virus inside of him. He can defend himself. He has done it before … Who knows how long he has been by himself."
"It was safe, where he was. We were protected in your apartment too, Chris. Maybe he hasn't stepped out into the real world for weeks."
"He didn't leave that impression on me."
"Maybe." She attempts to get off him, but he holds her firmly in place.
"Another round? You on top?", he suggests, letting his gaze wander upwards from her navel to her smiling lips.
Afterwards they dress themselves and step out of the warmth that the tent has given them.
Before returning to Jason they check the equipment the camping store offers.
They find sleeping bags, new warm winter boots, thick parkas, warm gloves that will also resist temperatures below zero degrees Celsius.
Chris also grabs two flashlights and the few left-over packages of batteries.
He changes into his new garb and inhales happily. "That's what I needed."
"You know what I need?", Jill asks, lacing up her own boots. "A long, hot bath … I swear, if we reach this ship and manage to kill that bastard I will use his queen's damn bathtub and soak in there until someone drags me out."
Chris lays his arms around her and kisses her forehead. "You. Gloriously naked in a luxurious bath tub. Now that is a battle plan."
She grins. "I'll lock you out of the bathroom. Believe me."
When they return to Jason, they are relieved to see that he has discovered edibles.
Ravioli, different vegetables, soup – all canned. There are even a few vacuumed plastic packages of dried beef meat.
"Thank god", Jill sighs.
Without a word they each wolf down a can of ravioli – cold - and a few bites of the beef.
Jason is slowly chewing on a piece of meat. "So … I suppose it would be good, if we started discussing some sort of plan?"
"We'll kill him by surprising him", Chris answers grim, eyes set on the can of Ravioli before him. "That has always worked so well in the past."
"He's not serious", Jill apologizes.
"I wonder, if he even knows what the term 'surprise' means."
"I am sure that they know of my existence", Jason claims. "I mean … at least I can feel the two of them. I feel like I am a piece of metal that is being pulled towards a massive magnet."
"You are theirs", Jill answers quietly and Jason nods.
"But I don't think that she knows that it is me she can feel", he continues.
"Does it matter?", Chris asks between bites. "She is like him. His equal. The destroyer of humanity."
'You don't know him, Chris', she wants to say. 'You don't know what kind of power he can have over you, when it is steered by desire. And I believe it is the same for Jason with Nebraska."
Ignoring the tension that has crept up, Jason takes another bite of the tasty meat.
"Well … I guess we had a long day. Let's nap for a few hours. I'll take the first watch."
Jill agrees. After filling her stomach, she realizes how incredibly tired she is.
She cuddles up in the sleeping bag they have found before and after closing her eyes, she almost feels safe, she almost feels happy in this place.
'Keep your eyes closed', she thinks to herself. 'That's the only way to bear this world.'
'Keep your eyes closed.'
Slowly, still drunk from sleep, she follows her queen's stature out into the moonlight.
Although it is shimmering pale on the surface of the ocean and the destructed city, Claire briefly has to squint her eyes.
Every sense is so much stronger with that virus inside of her.
"Where are we going my queen?", she asks, as they step off the ship.
"You will see soon enough", Nebraska answers with tension in her voice.
Claire would've followed her to the end of the world, but being away from her other leader, her king and god, leaves her with a longing pain in her heart.
But never would she disobey.
The pier is undamaged and empty. Like the end of the world has never happened.
But as they reach the entrance into the city a different kind of calm lies itself like a cloth over them.
Artificial lights don't exist anymore, but the stars and the arch of the Milky Way are bringing a ghostly glow on their skin.
The half-moon is hiding behind a skyscraper out of their sight.
An inexplicable shiver runs over Nebraska's skin and she has to admit that she'd feel safer having Wesker by her side. As much as she despises him right now, he is still her creator, lover and partner.
But will she return to him? She doesn't know.
Not even the depths of her heart would reveal it to her. Not even the devil.
With effort she swallows that heavy lump, threatening to choke her, whenever she thought of him.
"I know you will come back. You are nothing without me."
This time it is Wesker's voice she can hear, calling from the ship.
But she knows he isn't there, it is nothing but a fog in her head that won't get out.
"Claire", she speaks up for distraction. There are too many ghosts right now. "Does the name Chris Redfield mean something to you?"
"I … I honestly don't know, my queen", she says in a quiet voice.
"But it does sound familiar to you. Be honest. There's nothing to be afraid about."
"Yes", she admits. "Yes, it does. But why?"
Nebraska sighs. "He is your brother", she says softly. "And I will to bring you to him."
"But why, my queen. I don't have a family. It is my dedication to follow you."
"Why?" She smiles bitterly. "Because it is the last good deed I can do on this fucking planet."
It looked just like the last time he was there.
The double bed was covered in light sand-colored duvets. The headboard decorated by too many cushions. A pile of novels on the nightstand.
The sunlight fell in dimly through cracked shutters.
He could smell her. Her favorite scent.
And then she walked past him, wearing nothing but that unblemished skin of hers.
Only that now it wasn't this unnatural white, sucked out by P30. It was clean and sun-kissed.
She fell down on top of the bed, her back still towards him and as she looked over her shoulder her icy blue eyes met his.
"Love" she said. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you down in the cold. Forever."
Slow steps towards the bed, towards those familiar curves.
He knew that he was wearing his Captain uniform. He felt the weight of the tactical vest, of the Berretta attached to his hip.
Her hands grabbed for his, pulling him down, pushing him on his back.
"Forever" she whispered again, leaning down to kiss him, grinding against him.
Getting fiercer and fiercer. Taking him inside of her. He didn't even notice how she undressed him. But this is possible. It is nothing but a dream.
The sweat glittered on her skin, between her breasts, on her forehead.
Heat gathered and the light suddenly turned brighter and brighter … like the African sun.
The shutters emerged smoke and caught fire that wandered to the curtains.
A bright, burning African hell in Jill's bedroom.
"Oh, forever", she moaned, completely oblivious to the destruction.
He tried to push her off him, to shout at her, to save them from the flames licking the wall.
But she turned into a monster, locking her red eyes with his.
Her flawless skin broke into ugly scars.
And she hurt him. Hurt him so much. His heart clenched, his breath uncontrolled and panicking …
"My king, my king, my king" she whispered.
"My king … my king … my king …"
Wesker immediately shoots up into a sitting position.
He feels how his clothes are sticking to his body, how his hair is stuck to his forehead.
When he turns to the familiar spot on the bed to the left of him, he sees that it is empty.
Then that clenching pain in his chest again. It isn't only in his dream. It is real.
"My king." That voice again. Coming from the right.
He turns towards it and sees one of their female Uzuri standing there, an alert look on her face. But he knows what she wants to say. She doesn't need to spell it out.
"Our queen … she has disappeared. And so has the other one …"
That alerts him. He hasn't expected that. "So has who?"
The woman looks at him with big eyes and flinches, when he raises faster than any normal eye could follow.
"C-Claire Redfield" she brings out.
For the split of a second she believes to get out of this, but his killing is quicker.
Never anger a god.
Silence has been their companion these past days.
The closer they got to the coast, the more intense the breeze got, the less words spilled out of their mouths, the less the relaxed mood is staying.
Today the sun has decided to break through the clouds and let the snow glitter like a thousand diamonds.
Jill squints her eyes, soaking in the beauty. It reminds her of the Antarctic.
Despite the warm rays meeting her skin, she shivers as her mind wanders back to those intense and emotional days in that bunker.
Yet she won't ever feel sorry for herself again.
For being reminded of Wesker on every step of the journey they took so far.
At least the world carried his hand signature over it now.
A noise behind her makes her turn around and she believes to see a figure quickly hiding behind the wall of a building.
After putting on her sunglasses, she picks up the pace to catch up with the guys.
Slightly panting she joins Jason's side. Chris is quite a few steps ahead of them.
"I think I saw something … or someone" Jill says quietly.
"I know" Jason answers calmly.
She raises her eyebrows. "You know?"
"They've been following us since we left the shopping mall a few days ago."
"They're not human, are they? What do they want?"
"I don't know what they want. But they are Uzuri."
"Why haven't they attacked us yet? Why are they only watching?"
"I don't understand it either. But keep in mind that this isn't Africa anymore. This is not the same type of virus. Whatever Nebraska has done with it, it seems to be an advanced and refined version. Trust me, I pray that they will keep their distance and only observe until their curiosity is satisfied … It's not my intention to interfere with any of these creatures."
Jill crosses her arms, trying to ignore the goose bumps running over her skin.
"Jason … please don't mention it to Chris. He will only act stupid and try to attack and interrogate them."
Jason can't help but to crack a smile. "I know. My lips are sealed."
It must have been over a week now that they have left the ship behind them.
Who counted the days anyway?
Nebraska has reached extreme levels of suffering by now. The virus inside of her felt like dying without its counterpart close. And it took her to the mounds of hell with it.
For the felt hundredth time this week, she grabs for the closest pole of a street lantern.
The feel of it cold and lifeless under her sweaty palms.
Her vision turns blurry and a fever-like heat takes possession of her skin.
Letting out a desperate, exhausted sound she throws up.
Right into the white, fresh, virgin snow.
The distance to Wesker is giving her more trouble than she has expected.
Whatever he has done to her, whatever it is that is going on between their bodies, it must have intensified over the past months.
The more miles she puts between his and her heart, the more she can feel a strong internal pulling.
Like the force of the moon plays with the water each night.
His virus is calling for hers and hers is longing to answer. But she wants to fight.
Even though it's a nightmare in her head and a nightmare in her body.
The following more symptoms take over her, making her teeth chatter or her skin burn.
The way that Claire's worried eyes and hands follow and touch her every second of her suffering, makes her angry. She knows she is sick, but she doesn't constantly want to hear it.
"Why are you doing this for me, my queen?", she says sadly. "Look, what is happening to you. Let's return to the ship. Let's return to our king."
"Fuck him", she growls under her breath, quiet enough for Claire to not hear it.
Wiping the sweat off her face, she straightens herself.
Trying to look reassuring. "Look at me, Claire."
What does reassurance mean to an Uzuri?
"I'll be fine. We are too close to give up. We both won't give up."
They have found rest inside of a large, abandoned bank building.
The floor is made of light-colored marble, several pillars to the left and right stick up high to the ceiling and a broad staircase leads to the offices upstairs.
It is hard to imagine that this place was busy once. Full of people dressed in suits and ties and blazers. Shuffling papers around, the sound of high heels echoing.
Jason kicks the door open that leads to the back offices behind the counters.
They would be safe there.
Accompanied by brief conversations only they eat their dinner and then already settle down for the night. Chris is taking the first watch.
With a grim expression and his handgun in his hand he sits down on the chair behind the counter, watching the silent, vast hall beyond the protection glass.
Jason, tired from the journey today, quickly falls asleep, his breath quiet and steady.
Jill sighs, turning from one side to the other in her sleeping bag, just not finding that one comfortable position.
Or maybe it's her mind keeping her up.
For a while she watches Chris' back, trying to ignore that inexplicable sick feeling in her stomach. A sick feeling that doesn't come from foul food, but more a feeling that told you that something dreadful was about to come up.
Careful, to not wake Jason up, she gets up to join Chris' side.
"Hey" she whispers, lying her arms around him from behind.
"Hey" he whispers back. "Why aren't you asleep?"
Seeking his proximity, she lets herself down on his lap.
Tightly she presses her thighs against his hips and nuzzles his neck with her face.
Her lips brushing that one vulnerable spot. The one that told her how alive his heart is beating. For her alone.
"I can't sleep … There's something strange in the air. I can't explain it …"
"I know. I can feel it too" he admits, wrapping his left arm around her waist.
We should turn around, Chris. We should return to where we came from.
We don't belong here, so close to him. And her.
How badly she wants to say these words. They are lasting like weights on her tongue for many days already. But their heaviness allowed her not to speak.
Chris is set on doing this. And so is Jason. She wouldn't stand in their way.
With her head on his shoulder, she closes her eyes.
Trying to still feel the way he used to make her feel before Wesker came in between.
She let him into the deepest corners of her heart, while Chris would always have to be content with the areas surrounding it.
She'd never tell him how on certain nights she dreamt of Chris and Wesker pleasing her both. At once. Every time she woke, she was heated up to her most inner core.
And most of all she felt ashamed.
The threesome that would only ever happen in her dreams.
So Chris has it - the bombed down heart that carried only a few surviving chambers.
He had to accept that the dark side of it would always belong to Wesker.
"Chris? Remember how we talked about marriage a while ago …"
Of course he did.
"After we have brought all this bullshit behind us, we should finally do it."
It's an honest statement. He sees it in her eyes. Feels it in that body against his.
"How?" His tense mouth breaking into a slight smile.
"Well … we'd be alone. We could make our own ceremony."
Gently he strokes a strand of her dark-brown hair behind her ear. It feels smooth under his fingertips. He could have dug his whole hand into it, gripping it tight, kissing her fierce.
But he wanted them to be gentle. Tonight it is about seeking comfort.
"It would be my honor."
She smiles, laying her lips against his, their smooth surface brushing hers.
A shudder runs through her, when his hands find the outlining of her panties.
Following them lazily with a fingertip. The skin of her hips and stomach even softer than her locks of hair.
"Chris" His name is a plea, a half moan, a call of need.
A sudden bang and a cackling noise wake them up from their intimacy. Jill gasps, pressing the palm of her hand against her mouth to subdue any exhale of panic.
Somewhere in the upper halls a metallic bin gets kicked over, its sound rolling through the building like enormous sounder.
Unwanted the hairs on Jill's neck rise and her breath accelerates as adrenaline pumps into her body. Chris throws a questioning look at her and she shrugs her shoulders, acting as if she is as surprised as he is.
So, their curiosity isn't satisfied with observation alone, she thinks desperate.
A deep growl is the answer to the high pitched cackle, which is even worse, Jill finds.
Slowly Chris lets Jill slide off his lap, every movement had to be carefully planned now.
"Who is there?", a low, inhuman voice coming from the dark demands. "Who steps into our territory? I can smell you dirty peasants."
Another bone-shaking sound as more items are thrown to the floor.
"It's them" Jason says, who has suddenly appeared next to them. Creases of sleep still visible on his face.
"Them?" Chris asks. "Who are you talking about?"
Contours of figures slowly emerge from the dark, coming towards them.
A sick feeling takes over him as he sees their eyes – the only thing that is glowing in the dark. Pair after pair of orange lava. Uzuri.
"Fuck", Chris curses under his breath, but his hand is steady, the red laser pointed right at the skull of the leader.
A tall, burly man with a demon-like face. His bared teeth are sharp like needles, his cheekbones sticking out in an odd angle.
He opens the door that Jason has kicked open before. A strange self-confidence in the way he stood below the door frame.
The urge to open fire takes over Jill, but something tells her that keeping up the white flag for now would do them better. Maybe they were satisfied with looking only. Maybe …
Chris furrows his brows, a bead of sweat visible on his forehead, but his angry gaze is set on the other one, staring back without blinking.
There is a dominant smile crinkling at the corner of his mouth.
"You smell … different", he says in that inhuman voice. "Where are you from?"
"Stinking aliens", the man with the high-pitched voice throws in. He has a blind eye and a hunchback. When he spoke it sounded as if he had trouble keeping the saliva in his mouth.
"Shut up", their leader bellows.
A motion goes through the crowd gathered behind him. Most of them are dressed in rags, their faces covered in foul skin. Jill can sense their fear.
Like sheep that are dependent on a wolf's protection.
"Where we come from and where we are heading is our business" Jason speaks up.
"You're one of us", the leader says, slightly leaning his head to the side. "But at the same time you aren't …"
"Why aren't you joining your king and your queen?", Chris tries to say as neutral as possible. But they can both hear the contempt in his voice.
Warily the leader squints his eyes and then spits down on the expensive marble floor, almost hitting the tip of Chris' boots.
"Because fuck them" he curses.
Slightly fascinated Jill thinks that the breed seems to carry not only dedicated survivors, but also mutations that decide to turn against their leaders.
Once more it shows to her what an incredible virus this is that Nebraska has created.
The strength of the will could remain on certain people.
"Yes, fuck them" Chris answers, his voice soaked in disgust. "We are on the same level right there. At least none of us have chosen the way life has become."
"No, we haven't" the leader agrees. "But non the less … get the fuck out of our territory or we might have some blood mingling with my spit."
A gun cocks. Jill's VZ. The leader's eyes turn on her.
"Mmm look at that", he growls appreciative, scanning her body. "Now what are you?"
Just like Jason he can sense the special mixture in her blood.
"Don't touch her" Chris warns him.
"Or what." With a black tongue he licks his lips. "Maybe I want to get me some of that and then I will let you go. Does that sound like a deal?"
"I think your blown out brain would make a better floor decoration than our blood" Jill threatens. "Lay a finger on me and your head is gone."
He shows another one of his dirty grins and presses his forehead against the barrel of Jill's VZ. She might not show it, but it is unsettling to see him not the least bit impressed about the amount of guns pointed at him. Is he indestructible?
'Dear Lord, make them go away' she sends a silent prayer.
And what comes next none of them would have expected.
It's not god that appears – but the queen.
Against his will Chris' mouth slightly drops open.
"Holy fu …" he utters.
She looks even more beautiful than the image his weak, human memory has saved.
Although her dress is ripped, her porcelain skin dirty and a visible sickness seems to mark her body, she radiates an incredibly feline, wild and powerful aura.
It's her eyes, he thinks. Her goddamn eyes.
Jason next to him falls to his knees and even the 'disbelievers' do so.
Quiet cries of agony, a begging of forgiveness, a wave of fear.
Chris almost follows the others movement too, his knees ready to bend themselves.
Unwanted his mind wanders back to the hours they spent in the tent in the Antarctic cold.
How she sat on his lap in that cold space. The tip of her tongue on his lips, her hand on his crotch, so very close to taking him inside of her.
Let's pay them in their own coin.
But one look on Jill's fearful face drags him back to reality.
"Look at that" he says derisive. "Wesker's little whore has found us."
She smiles sadly at him. "Wesker's little whore has something for you."
From further away she steps out of the shadows.
"Claire" Chris breathes.
Immediately the gun in his hand is forgotten, the danger around him is forgotten, Nebraska, Jill … everyone is forgotten.
He pushes the Uzuri aside, which are standing there. Dumbfounded and awestruck.
Nebraska pierces them with her amber gaze. Sending sparks.
"Go. Away. Now."
A second demand isn't necessary. Under panicked growls they run out of the building.
"Claire" he taker her hard into his arms, breaking into a sob as he feels how skinny and fragile her body feels. "I'm so sorry. So sorry. All my fault."
She lets him hold her, confusion and unease showing on her face.
But she doesn't push him away. The contact between their bodies stirs something in her – like a long lost memory crawling back into misty light.
Over his shoulder her open eyes seek for Nebraska's.
A slight, warm smile is on her face and she blinks reassuringly.
He grabs her by her upper arms, checking the state that she is in and it's like acid in his stomach, when he sees her eyes.
"What have you done to her?" he asks bitter, trying to keep his balance. Nothing but a rhetorical question.
"I'm sorry" Nebraska whispers.
"Do you remember who I am, Claire?"
"My … my brother" she replies softly. "That's what my queen claims …"
"Well, she told you the truth … god, Claire. Where is Leon?"
She shrugs her shoulders, obviously feeling uneasy about this whole interrogation.
"You don't remember who he is" Chris concludes quietly, throwing a look back at Jill.
He's dead. It's on both of their minds.
After a moment of heavy silence, where everyone drowned in their own thoughts and emotions, Nebraska raises her voice again.
"Jill."
An ice-cold fist seems to grab her stomach, making it freeze in anger and pain.
It hurts her more than expected to see this woman again. And to hear her voice directed at her. Even the healed scar on her right shoulder is starting to itch and pulse.
"Can we talk somewhere?"
"Oh no, you can forget that, whore." Chris steps in front of Nebraska, his brown eyes glinting with an intense threat. "I'm not letting her out of sight. Ever again. Not after what you and your fucked up dick of a lover have done."
"Chris" Jill interferes from the back. "It's okay."
"But …"
"Don't worry about me, alright?" In front of the whole crowd she stands on her toes to place a gentle kiss on his stubbly cheek. "Take care of Claire. I'll be back. I promise."
He can see the pain in her eyes. The sheer power she is bringing up, trying to hold back this whole flow of emotion seeping out of her sloppily stitched heart.
It hurt him so much to see this. But he lets her go.
"Come back to me" he says quietly, accepting the gentle smile she gives him.
And then she joins her side, silently walking away next to this ghost of a woman.
Chris has to press Claire against him, surprised by her strength, as she struggles against the force that wants to draw her towards her queen.
"My queen, don't leave me."
"You're staying here, Claire", Chris says as soothing as he can. "She will come back."
That gets him her attention. With big eyes she turns around to him. "Are you sure she will?"
He nods, stroking back her dirty hair. "Yes, I promise. Now let's get you cleaned up."
"Why did you bring her here?" Jill tasks, at a safe distance away from the others.
"You mean why am I not with him, right?"
Avoiding to look at Nebraska, she nods.
"He doesn't know what he wants. And he doesn't know how to love."
"And you do know what you want?" Jill asks with slight bitterness in her voice.
Holding on tightly to not let old wounds rip open like thinnest paper.
"No, I don't" Nebraska admits. "But I do know that what I have done for Chris was right. It might be a tiny gift after what I have brought over the whole planet. But even the smallest things matter, don't they?"
"You made him very happy" Jill admits after a short pause.
"I know what you are thinking. Will Claire ever be the same person again."
"I don't know what to think anymore."
Nebraska smiles softly, this constant sadness underlining every one of her gestures.
"The line between her true self and a monster is so very thin."
"I have noticed that the virus you have created seems to leave the will of some people untouched … is it the same with Claire?"
"I think so."
"Does that mean that you … can undo the damage?"
"Not exactly – but I know a way of bringing back humanity into her body. Or at least her human memories. Parts of her human personality."
"And how should that work?" Jill asks, not anger but fascination and interest in her voice.
"Look at Jason … although the Uzuri virus has bonded with him P30 was able to keep the worst monstrosity out of his body."
"But he was infected with P30 before you spread Uzuri. It acted as a shield. Claire was infected with the virus many weeks ago already. If not even several months."
"That shouldn't matter" Nebraska claims. "Let me give it a try, Jill. For the sake of your peace and my peace."
"Then I have something that might be of interest to you …" Jill says, sticking her hand into the wide pocket of her parka. With insecure fingertips she digs for something at the very bottom. In disbelief how she is working together with the woman now, who has been responsible for a lot of her nightmares too.
Then she pulls it out – the last sample of P30.
"He- … he left it for me at the base, but I couldn't use it" Jill explains, never meeting Nebraska's amber gaze. "Maybe it would be of help for your … experiment."
For a while Nebraska stares at the sample, at this neutral liquid that has brought so much pain. Even more pain Uzuri.
"Thank you, Jill. I'll do my best …You …" She exhales sadly. "You have always been good to me down there in the Base, while I was having my … episodes. You were good to me, although I probably haven't even deserved it. Especially after what I have done to you … I hope you can find it in you to forgive me."
Jill slightly nods, feeling pain taking over her. But it is a bearable pain, a pain that left you in a state of tranquility and peace. "I can forgive you" she answers, quietly.
Clutching the fragile glass she watches Jill turning around to get back to the others.
"And Jill", Nebraska speaks up. "Before you go … I wanted to advise you to stay away from him. Especially Chris. I am aware that his wish of killing Wesker is still there, but please talk some sense into him. Now that his dream is fulfilled, you have no idea … how he is." Nebraska has to swallow, as she thinks of him, his cruel words, his anger, his painfully hidden love for her. "Or maybe you do" she adds bitterly, trying not to see their past under the glimmering hot African sun or under the miles of thick ice. "Just tell him that. Okay?"
Now the hardest part came up. The part she was dreading more than anything – Jason.
"Jason" she says softly. "Can we speak somewhere … alone?"
In silence Nebraska and Jason make their way up the stairs to the second floor.
She walks before him, his eyes are set on her fragile figure.
Her arms and legs that peek out of the dress with the straps are slim and her hair is so dirty it looks like rusty copper. Her skin so pale, it almost seems transparent.
'She looks like a lost child', he thinks, his heart clenching in pain. 'A fallen angel in hell.'
She opens the door to an office. 'International Transaction' is written on it.
The room is big and about twelve desks are in it. But with the dark computer screens, the papers scattered around and the lights off it looks abandoned and spooky.
In front of a desk she turns around to him, her amber eyes glimmering with silver tears and she falls against him, shaking violently as the sadness is allowed to run free.
Jason swallows, not sure how to react. Words are not to be found in this moment, so he lays his arms around her, stroking that broken body of hers.
"I can't do this anymore, Jason" she whispers. "I don't want to go back there."
"Then stay" he says back just as quietly, resisting the urge to run his hand along her jawline, through her hair, to kiss those full lips. God, he has missed her more than he would ever openly admit. Those weeks of loneliness in his apartment had given him way too much time to think about her.
With big, sad eyes she looks at him. "I know. I should stay away. He tells me the same …"
Jason slightly shakes his head. "He? You mean Wesker? I don't understand."
"No, not Wesker." But she won't go into further detail. The tall fiery figure standing only a few feet away from her, would ever only exist in her own mind.
"Look what the distance is doing to me … what he is doing to me … no matter where I go, it's like his virus is calling for mine. I'm losing my mind … fuck, I have lost my mind already."
As sad as she is, he has to speak the truth.
"Nebraska", he starts. "You are so beautiful. If not even the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on … even before you turned into that outcast that you are now … but at the same time you always were the saddest creature. So very very sad …
"I was never more than a band-aid to you", he continues. "I know that now. You needed something to keep your hopes and your heart together, which I did. But in the end you ripped me off. It hurt you to do it, but whatever it is that you feel for that monster, it will always be stronger than anything. I see the proof of it now."
"Jason, I …" Hurt she takes a step back. "Maybe you're right. What else can I expect anyway? I took it all away from you … and yet I am the one that has to be pitied, isn't it so?"
"I'm rather stuck in my skin than yours" he admits. "Do what you have to do … but don't linger here, if you are going to leave one day anyway. You are on your own now. This mess around us is your burden. And so is Wesker."
"I know … I know." Overwhelmed she leans against the desk, taking a deep breath.
Wiping the wetness of her cheeks and the corner of her eyes.
"But at first there is a job I have to do … I am going to stay here and help you guys."
"Help us with what?"
"Claire … there is a way I can …" She seeks for the right word. "Fix her, I guess."
Jason furrows his brows. "What do you mean?"
"I want to give Chris his sister back. There is a voice in my head, telling me to give it a shot. And as it happens the place I used to work at is close to here."
"Ashton Ltd" Jason says quiet, his stare ahead.
A slight smile plays on her lips. "You still remember it. Of course."
They're both quiet as images from that fateful day, where she was dragged into Wesker's facility appear. Jason was one of them, who took her.
"Then let's go there" he gives in under a sigh.
He is angry. So very angry. And hurt.
Every step of his boots beating off the ship's floor like war drums.
If they had emotions, they'd probably flinch.
But the Uzuri stand there, spine straight, eyes empty.
"You will look for her and you won't return until you have found her … There will not be a single nook, not a single corner, not a single room in this city that you won't check. And don't dare to return with empty hands."
His eyes wander over the crowd.
"GO" he yells, watching with grim despair as his breed spreads out into the city ahead.
After they are finally gone, he doesn't have to hold his composure anymore.
Under a groan he rests his hands against one of the laboratory tables.
His virus – it hurts so much.
The pain makes him blind and desperate. And weak.
What would he do, if they found her?
There are so many things playing in his head. So many scenarios.
He wants to see her crawling towards him. Mirroring how broken he felt.
He wants to take her in his arms. Crush her bones. Hurt her insides.
He wants to kiss her. Tell her he loves her. To never leave his side again.
He wants her to apologize. On her knees. Begging his forgiveness.
Or is it the other way around? Would he have to beg?
Such duality, such agony. It rips him apart.
With his fingers curled into tight fists, he steps outside.
Watching the shadows of the broken city with heavy, pain-filled breathing.
"I will find you, Nebraska" he says. "I will find you and …"
His words fail.
"Please Chris, you have to trust me", Nebraska begs. "I can make a vaccine. But you have to give me a few weeks. Maybe even a couple months."
Chris, a nervous haze in his eyes, keeps pacing up and the down. Along the empty counters.
"What would be different about her, huh? What would change? The virus is inside of her."
"Yes, it is. But all of you must have noticed that it has different signs of development in every human. I believe that there is a way to wake her humanity up …"
It's tempting Chris. She knows it is tempting him.
But she understands his mistrust too. Who is she to him anyway?
"Chris" she tries again. "I have experienced it myself. After Wesker has injected me I have realized that my humanity hasn't left my body. But I made the mistake of giving myself to him …" An ashamed blush colors her cheeks. "I pushed it somewhere in the dark corners of my mind. It is still there though. I can feel it."
Chris sighs. Torn. "And what makes you so certain it will work on Claire?"
"I'm not human anymore. At least the biggest part of me isn't. And it's a feeling I got inside of me. An instinct that she is different than the infected here in the city."
"Don't you think you are the one, who is in greater need of medicine?" He slightly frowns, when he takes note of her obviously awful state once more.
With a wave of her hand she puts that subject aside.
"No need to worry about me. I'll be fine as soon as I'm … back with him."
"I'm not worried about you" he huffs. "Why would you return to him though?"
"What else do I have on this planet?"
Chris presses his lips together and slightly nods in bitter understanding.
He doesn't know that she might have lied. That she might never return to him.
"Fine." He gives in. "Then let's head to Ashton Ltd."
Nebraska relaxes, closing her eyes for a moment. Thankful.
She needs this. For her conscience.
"But just to make one thing clear. I don't trust you. I never will."
Slowly Chris makes his way back behind the counters. To Claire, Jill and Jason.
To his only family left on Earth.
"I know" Nebraska whispers. "Neither do I."