23 September 2007

Another day of trying to stay alive. Another day of trying to keep Ben and Juliette alive. I've been thinking a lot about them actually. I left Angie and the others because I was a danger to them. Umbrella was tracking me and I knew I could've been turned into a weapon against them at any moment. I left to protect them but now I'm glad I have the Clearwater twins with me. Sometimes they're annoying with their constant bickering but it feels good having someone to talk to, someone who knows what's happening to me and isn't afraid of me. Lately my thoughts have been lingering on the other people I had in my life who weren't afraid of me. The people that I pushed away. The people I chose to give up. Still, I wish I hadn't left the way I did. I should've given them a proper goodbye…. Given HIM a proper goodbye. I didn't want them to follow me though. I know they would've if they had known what I was going to do. Five years. That's how long it's been since I've seen them. Or heard from them. I hope they're together. I hope they're alive. It's funny how 6 years ago if I had known them I'd wish them safe, but now… Now there's nowhere safe. There's just places less dangerous than other places. Would they be alive if I hadn't left all those years ago?

*Flashback*

Alice and the others had just left the facility were Umbrella had brought her back when Alice felt something in her switch on.

"Activate Project Alice" A voice rung in her ears before her vision suddenly changed colour.

Once the group made it to the motel they were staying in and Alice was brought inside she began to feel more like herself. Still Alice knew that Umbrella had control over her, no matter how limited, and she had to leave before she hurt Angie… Or Jill…. Or L.J…. Or Carlos. Alice knew she would never be able to forgive herself if she hurt them. Later that night everyone crowded around a small table eating dinner and watching the news. Jill and Carlos were now wanted fugitives. Great. Their lives weren't difficult enough already. After dinner Angie and Jill went to their room to go to sleep and L.J. went to the room he shared with Carlos. Carlos took first watch and Alice pretended to go to her room to sleep but really went to pack and write out her note to the others.

'Dear everyone,' The note began "Wow" Alice thought "It's sad I can't think of a better way to do this"

'I'm sorry I'm doing this to you all. Especially since you went through all the trouble to save me but you have to believe that this is for the best. I'm leaving. Umbrella did something to me and until I know what they did or if I can stop it I can't be around you. I'm so sorry. Jill and L.J. take care of Angie, Angie take care of yourself, Carlos' Here Alice paused. What could she say to Carlos? To the man who made her believe that she wasn't a freak, that she was a smart, independent, strong woman? "Take care of everyone. Don't come after me because you won't find me. Stay together, stay alive.

I love you

-Alice.'

Alice then grabbed her bag, sword, knives (Given to her as a present by Angie and Carlos), food and water, climbed out the back window and down the fire escape and tied everything onto her motorcycle the group got for her, then she climbed back into the room and walked to the motel door. She knew Carlos was on guard on the other side but part of her needed to talk to him one more time, to give at least one person in the group something near a proper goodbye. Alice took a deep breath and stepped through the door to see Carlos with his back to the door.

"Oliveira" Alice said with a faux smirk

"Abernathy what're you doing up?" Carlos replied with a small smile "I mean you've gotta be exhausted after what Umbrella did to you right?"

"You'd think. I can't sleep. I…" Alice looked at the ground blinking to clear the tears formed in her eyes.

"Hey hey hey what's wrong? Don't cry." Carlos said lifting Alice's head with 2 fingers.

"I can't close my eyes without seeing that lab… without feeling the needles and electric shocks they used to bring me back… I hear their voices talking about me… About all of us…" Alice said with a thick voice.

"Alice it doesn't matter anymore." Carlos said in a reassuring tone that only he seems to be able to pull off. "None of it matters now that you're safe and with us. Umbrella could send all of the undead in the world to us and it wouldn't make a difference. We'll keep each other safe until our last breaths"

"What if I can't keep you safe? Carlos what if I'm the threat?" Alice asked not being able to meet his eyes.

"Why would you be the threat?" Carlos asked with a small smile. "Since I've met you all you've done is protect the others with everything you had including your life!" Carlos paused and looked sincerely at Alice. "Alice no matter what Umbrella has done to you you can fight it. They want you to be a weapon so be a weapon against them."

"Thanks Carlos," Alice said with a small laugh "I think I just need to go for a walk to clear my head."

"You want me to come with you?" Carlos asked cocking his head to the side.

"Aren't you on duty?" Alice said mimicking his posture with a smile.

"Eh I can wake L.J. up. Guy hasn't been 'on duty' for a while now" Carlos said moving towards the door.

"No let him sleep." Alice said catching his arm. "I think I just need to be alone for a while so I can think."

"Oh um… Alright just stay safe and don't stay out too long. Jill wants to be on the move at sunrise." Carlos said, retaking his guard position

"I won't…" Alice said as she began walking away but she turned around and walked up to Carlos. "Oh and Carlos?" she said quietly

"Yeah?" He asked looking down at her.

"Thank you. For everything" Alice said with a smile as she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"Uh sure?" Carlos said raising a brow at her and watching her walk off. Hours later when Alice still hadn't come back and Angie found her letter Carlos found he wasn't shocked. He just hoped whatever she needed to do she'd do quickly and come back to him… to them

*End of Flashback*

"Hey Ali" Ben said walking up to her holding his bag.

"What's going on Ben" Alice asked gesturing to the bag in Bens arm.

"Oh uh Jules took inventory and said that we should restock soon. Apparently there's a gas station a few miles from here that she thinks might still have food and stuff"

Alice nodded and started walking to her pack. Ben gently grabbed her arm and looked deeply into her eyes. 'He's been doing that a lot lately' Alice thought looking down at Ben's hand around her arm.

"Hey are you okay? You seem… I don't know… Lost kind of" Ben said quietly.

Alice smiled a little at that "Benjamin Clearwater the jokester wants to have a serious conversation. Somebody better call Ripley's believe it or not"

"Hey I thought I was the jokester" Ben said smiling "Seriously Ali what's going on?"

Alice sighed "Nothing Ben. It's just…"

"Just what?" Ben asked gently.

"It's this journal. Writing down my past and my thoughts is bringing up somethings I'd rather not remember." Alice said so quietly Ben had to lean in to hear her.

"Like?" Ben said as quietly

"Like my last group. My friends that I left…" Alice said

"Alice look at me." Ben ordered lifting Alice's head gently with his hand. "You left to protect them. You did the right thing. I'm sure they understand that." He said reassuringly

"Do you really think so?" Alice asked leaning towards him

"I do. If I were them I'd know you well enough to understand why you did it." Ben said also leaning in.

"Hey Alice! Ben! We've gotta get moving!" Jules called to them.

Alice and Ben jumped apart both blushing profoundly and avoiding all eye contact.

"Imma…Um…Yeah" ben stuttered nervously before walking to his stuff.

Alice had a small smile as she also packed up her things and climbed on her bike. The ride to the gas station didn't take long and soon Alice was scoping the area for the undead.

"Sorry about this, Stevie." Alice said before shooting the undead in between the eyes pinning the now motionless body to the side of a vehicle.

"Nice shooting" Jules said nodding approvingly.

"Thanks." Alice said packing up her weapon. "Alright all clear. Get whatever you need quickly."

"Yes mam" The twins said, both mockingly saluting her. Alice rolled her eyes and proceeded to fill up her tank. After that she went inside to help the twins gather food and when they reemerged the trio saw a raven eating the flesh of Stevie.

"Oh no. This isn't good. This isn't good at all." Jules said Stopping and pulling out her 2 mm Kolibri and firing, killing the raven.

"Nice shooting" Alice mimicked Jules from earlier.

"I'm sorry but what isn't good?" Ben asked looking at Alice and his sister.

"Think about it Ben. The undead are infected. You can turn from a bit or scratch." Jules said reholstering her gun.

"Right. So?" Ben asked still not understanding.

"So if something feeds off undead flesh don't you think it's possible for them to get infected?" Jules asked them.

"Wait… you think that we're going to get undead ravens? Man that'll be a bitch to deal with." Ben said finally understanding.

"Yeah it will." Alice said nodding her agreement. "We should get moving" she said walking to her bike.

*Later that night*

Alice turned in early claiming a head ache. Ben and Jules sat around the fire with their weapons next to them listening to a broadcast.

"This is Claire Redfield's convoy, broadcasting for any survivors…" The broadcast said.

The twins sat in silence listening to the call.

"Is anybody out there?"

"Yeah we're here. How are you this fine evening?" Jules said with a quiet laugh.

Ben stared at the fire glanced over to the radio and to the sleeping Alice. "Do you think they're around here?" ben asked looking at his sister.

"How should I know. Besides it doesn't really matter. You know Alice hates big groups." Jules said staring at her can of beans before offering them to Ben who took them with a nod of gratitude.

"This is Claire Redfield's convoy. Location, the Desert Trail Motel. Lat. 35, long. 114. Calling any survivors."

"Guess that answers that question huh?" Jules said smiling to Ben.

"Ha ha." Ben replied dryly.

Suddenly everything around the trio started to shake and rise.

"What the fuck?!" Ben said jumping up and grabbing his gun.

"Alice." Jules said quietly gesturing towards the sleeping woman now rolling over and letting out small gasps.

"I got it." Said ben walking over to Alice. "Hey. Hey Alice wake up." He said gently shaking her.

"Uh Ben…" Jules said looking at the floating motorcycles.

"ALICE" Ben said louder.

Alice jumped up pulling a gun on Ben when suddenly there was a loud crash of the three motorcycles dropping to the ground.

"Shit." All three said at the same time.

"Now what?" Ben asked looking at the two women.

"Now we go on foot." Jules said laying down.

"Oh fun." Ben said also laying down.

"Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Alice said siting.