Chapter 5 "In Umbrella We Trust"
Tunnel B, it ran beneath the RPD station northward to the lab complex. It was a half mile of rancid sewer passageway that spidered out in several different directions. A, C, D and E were the extension tunnels, all of which ended in maintenance rooms or dead ends. Tunnel B, however, was the only direct line to the complex from this end of town.
Drawing from her memory of the maps she had seen, Charlotte found her way along the winding tunnel system wishing to God that Kevin and Cindy were okay. 'What have I done?' The anger that had consumed her earlier had surprised her. The feelings that Kevin had generated were very unexpected, but why Kevin? What was it that he had actually done? Not knowing was frightening her. Could she trust herself to be around anyone or would she have to isolate herself until the virus finally consumed her completely?
"You know what needs to be done."
"Who's there?" Spinning around she saw no one. She was alone, and while there were cameras set up throughout this part of the passageway, she knew that no intercom systems had been installed in this particular section. Placing a hand on her holster, Charlotte continued, her acute hearing picking up no movement other than her own.
"If you don't find them soon there won't be a city left to search."
'That voice...Could it be?' Charlotte called out. "Where are you?" A hand gently touched her arm. The fingers wrapping around in a strong grip making her breath catch in her throat. Even with her new strength; this venomous power that coursed through her, she felt her body tremble. It wasn't from fear, but rather, regret for the mistakes she had made. "Forest?" His scent, so familiar to her, so loved by her, filled her lungs. It reminded her of their one night together. 'I can't turn around. He won't be there. I don't want it to be over. Not yet...'
"You have to find them. You NEED to find Officer Ryman."
"Why? He wouldn't trust me now. I've hurt him because I'm a monster." She had to pause. That word symbolized what she had become. What had been set free that night at the mansion.
"You've saved him." The hand that gripped her arm pulled her into an embrace. His voice now whispered inches from her ear. "He sees what you refuse to. You're S.T.A.R.S. You protect the innocent, but even the protector can need protection."
"And Kevin will protect me?" She hadn't meant it to sound so harsh.
"It's a long road to redemption. Don't walk it alone. Not when you don't have to."
"Stay with me, please." Taking a chance, Charlotte turned around, praying inside that he would still be there. His pale blue eyes looked down at her making her smile as she reached out to touch his face. He felt warm beneath her touch and the feeling gave her hope that maybe he had survived. Maybe, like her, he had been hiding. Waiting for his chance to find her. His face, once warm and calm, now grew grim and Charlotte knew her hopes were nothing more than wishes.
"I can't stay. You'll move on and forget me." In frustration, she pushed him away.
"NO! I'll never forget you! I'll never leave you behind again." He smiled at her making her emotions turn to tears.
"I made a promise that I'd wait for you. I will." Forest reached his hand out and brushed a strand of hair from her tearstained face. "When the end comes, I'll be here. You won't be alone."
"You...were there, at the mansion. You came to me then. Why?"
"Because, I love you."
He loved her. After everything that had happened he still loved her. Running to him she hugged him tightly.
"Don't go." Ignoring her plea he pulled away.
"As long as you live, we all live. S.T.A.R.S. will never be gone."
"I promise..."
"Find Kevin before dawn. The city is headed for ruin."
He was gone, just like that. Charlotte found herself alone yet she felt a renewed hope at his words. "As long as I live, S.T.A.R.S. lives." She whispered to herself. He was right. Her friends were counting on her. She wouldn't let them down. "Hang on. I'm coming."
"Hey! Take it easy." Kevin protested as he felt the barrel of the semi-automatic press into the small of his back. He had been shocked when the large doors had opened after Cindy's plea with the camera. He had been even more shocked when their hosts had present themselves with full combat arms. 'This night is turning out to be one hell of a ride.'
"What are you doing down here?"
"We were looking for a new place to drink..." Kevin's comeback was cut short when the masked soldier slammed the butt of his weapon into his stomach. Doubling over, Kevin clenched his jaw as a wave of pain enveloped him. His hand hurt like a bastard and now he wanted nothing more than to vomit.
"Leave him alone!" Cindy shrieked as she struggled away from the grasp of the other man and ran to Kevin's side. His attacker was about to pull her away when his comrade shook his head.
"Leave them. We have a job to do." Stepping on a pressure plate he activated the door's hydraulic mechanism. It opened with a hiss then slid shut and locked behind them.
"What do we do now?" Kevin didn't answer. They had been stripped of their weapons and had no idea where they were. The soldiers were a part of Umbrella's Biohazard Countermeasures Service. A Para-military group charged with protecting the company's interests. With that bit of information he knew they wouldn't be getting out of there alive. 'There're here to protect Umbrella. To cover up what's going on. They won't want witnesses...'
"There has to be another way out of here. Help me up." Cindy helped to steady him as he leaned against one of the large metal desks. There was a computer mounted at one end, but the screen was reading no data.
"Stay here." She ordered. "I'll check the other room."
Cindy hadn't been gone long when Kevin heard a crash in the adjacent room.
"Cindy? Are you alright?" There was no answer. "Cindy?" Approaching the room cautiously, Kevin stopped suddenly when she held up her hand.
"Don't come any closer." She whispered.
"What's wrong?" He stepped just inside the door, enough to see what had caused the noise. Less than ten feet in front of Cindy was a creature so unlike anything Kevin had ever seen he couldn't have envisioned it in his worst nightmare. Its skinned body rested on its haunches while its tongue tasted the air. "Don't move." It was a stupid thing to say but he was still speechless. Reaching his hand out he edged himself closer to her. "I want you to take my hand. Slowly." She did as she was told. Her hand inched back until she felt Kevin's fingers tighten around her own. "Just take a step back. Not too quickly now." She did. The creature didn't move. Another step. The creature's tongue slowed as it lifted its head higher. 'Is it sensing us?' "Just one more step and I'll have you." One more step was all it took. The creature howled as its tongue sliced through the air. Darting with lightning speed in their direction. Cindy screamed as Kevin grabbed Cindy and pulled her to the floor. Finding nothing but empty space then creature howled a cry of hunger. The movement had triggered its attack. Putting a finger to his lips Kevin motioned for her to be quiet. He wasn't sure how long they could stay on the floor but he didn't have any other ideas at the moment, and staying still seemed their best option.
It was quiet. Too quiet. Even the sewer rats had sought refuge from the storm that awaited her. Popping the wall panel open Charlotte examined the keypad. It required a four digit password, nothing overly difficult as long as Umbrella hadn't changed it. Thinking back to her last visit some years prior when Albert had given her the access code to bypass the key card lock. 2-2-3-6. There was a moment of silence then the familiar sound of the unlocking mechanism. The doors could now open.
The complex itself hadn't changed at all; it still smelt of disinfectant and deceit. The layout, much like that of the Arklay facility, was a tangle of corridors and laboratories. The lower levels, Charlotte's destination, were restricted to top personnel with proper clearance. Charlotte had never had complete clearance, not like Albert, but she wasn't about to let that stop her. Birkin was somewhere within the complex and she was going to find him. It was Birkin's virus that Wesker had used at the mansion, she was sure of it. She was still alive so Wesker had to be alive as well. Birkin was going to tell her everything even if it meant ripping it from him piece by piece.
