Claire really didn't want to be back already and subconsciously tightened her grip round Alice as they approached the camp. This action wasn't unnoticed as a small smile made it's way across Alice's face she knew it was only a matter of time before she had to leave and returning wasn't a likely possibility. It was as they slowed side by side with the hummer that it sunk in, never seeing any of her friends again most of all Claire she just hoped to bring Wesker down with her. After stopping it was a couple of minutes before Claire let go and climbed slowly off allowing Alice to follow and looking up K-mart was already out of the hummer and Carlos was strolling towards them with an almost sympathetic smile on his face. Alice could feel Claire position her self right behind her slightly to her right.
"Your timer just clicked under thirty one hours looks like last night wasn't your last you really should have done the calculation before drinking that whole bottle," Carlos stated as Alice realised he was right it had only not long turned three she wouldn't have to leave till about nine the next day.
"Hey Claire," She mumbled out the corner of her mouth.
"Lets go am driving," She replied answering Alice's unasked question as they both turned almost in sync like they had been practicing. Then in that same manner they climbed onto the bike Claire first who kick started it as she felt Alice climb on behind her. Smiling as she felt her arms circle her waist they ignored both Carlos and K-mart as they questioned them. Quickly drawing away they were soon speeding away from the camp. She kept on the road driving away from the camp for about ten minutes before stopping at the side of the road. Even though the chances of any vehicle coming up the road were next to nothing the old habit hadn't faded as she cut the engine both stepping off into the sand. They both grinned widely at each other as they looked back at the distant camp.
An awkward silence fell over them both as they stood glancing at each other. "I wish I had grabbed a drink when we-" Claire started wanting to break the silence but was cut off.
"Here take some of this," Alice interrupted tossing her over an almost full canteen.
"Thanks," Claire said as silence fell over them again and she took a long drink before handing it back without another word.
"Look about last night," Alice started causing Claire to internally flinch at the thought of what was to come next. Alice took a deep breath before she continued this was going to hurt. "I just… I need to be sure you know that I might… well probably won't be coming back-"
"Alice," Claire started softly but Alice just continued.
"I'm going to die Claire," She finished bluntly as Claire stood desperately trying to think of what to say while holding back the tears that threatened to fall she saw a flash of fear cross Alice's face something she had never seen before in the brunette. When she saw this Claire couldn't help but take a step forward fully intent on wrapping her arms round Alice in the hope that it would make them both feel better though she doubted it she was going to try. She didn't get very far however before Alice took a step back. "Don't."
With that one word a single tear escaped and ran alone down Claire's cheek as she struggled with her feelings. "Why not? If your going to die what difference does it make?" Claire asked her emotions coming through in her words as anger.
"It'll only make it worse when I go just like last night it's all just false hope and expectations of things that'll never happen," Alice replied surprising herself with her sharpness as in reality she just wanted to step forward and take Claire into her arms.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn all the time why can't you see you pulling away just makes things worse maybe not for when you leave but when you don't come back," Claire replied still refusing to let the tears fall in front of Alice she turned and headed back to the bike.
"Where are you going? We should talk about this," Alice stated as she watched Claire climb onto the bike without moving.
"Talk about what? Nothing happened and as for last night you know as well as I do that I was pissed," On her last word Claire started the bike up and rode away without a glance back leaving Alice standing miles from camp alone with tears running down her face for the first time in years.
Claire didn't take long to get back to camp as she skidded to halt in front of K-mart who had been crossing the camp in the direction of the tanker where Carlos was likely to be. Right enough as Claire dismounted the truck door swung over and the man jumped out heading over to the two at a fast pace but still walking.
"Where's Alice?" K-mart questioned ignoring the fact she had nearly been run down to acknowledge the brunettes absence.
"Out there somewhere dying hopefully well at least it's only what twenty nine hours now?" Claire fumed back.
"Oh great their fighting again," K-mart rolled her eyes as she turned walking by Carlos, who had only just got there, to the truck and climbing in the open door as Carlos began talking to Claire.
"You just left her out there?" Carlos asked exasperated.
"She left me no choice," Claire stated as she began walking to the motel "Now if you don't mind I am going to take advantage of our hot water situation."
"No choice Claire would you wake up it's killing her," Carlos replied following her closely.
"I know but do you really think it would be any different if her life wasn't on a timer?" Claire asked rhetorically.
"That's not what I meant I'm not talking about what's in her head I'm talking about what's in her heart and that's you. She's dying I doubt she cares much for her feelings it's you she's trying to protect not herself your feeling not hers," Claire stopped at his words feeling like she shouldn't but seeing exactly where he was coming from and now she thought of it she saw where Alice was coming from. Shaking her head she started forward again.
"You better go pick her up with the hummer or quad best leave the bike we don't want you crashing it, just follow the road," Claire said without looking back.
"No problem enjoy your shower," Carlos said with a smirk knowing he hit home.
Claire nearly collapsed as she entered the shower the tears she'd been concentrating so hard to hold in finally were free to run endlessly down her cheeks. As the hot water ran through her hair she lowered her self to the floor leaning against the wall as the sobs took over.
Carlos jogged back to the truck to check in on K-mart and see if she wanted to join him. After K-mart declined his offer he decided to take the quad it would burn less fuel than the hummer and fuel was precious nowadays. It wasn't long before he was heading up the road away from the camp but it was almost ten minutes before he spotted Alice sitting at the side of the road. As he approached she stuck her thumb out like a hitchhiker would causing Carlos to smile and shake his head at his friend.
"Come on we can take a quick run round the camp and check the perimeter then you can go talk to Claire," Carlos said in a commanding voice he had never used on her.
"I don't think that's such a good idea I upset her again," Alice said sadly as she climbed on behind him holding onto the bars at the back rather than him.
"I think you both did your fair share of upsetting," Carlos said causing Alice to raise a hand and wipe her eyes once more wondering if it was really that obvious she had been crying.
"You keep an eye out while I drive it'll be faster that way," Carlos said as he turned off the road onto the sand dunes circling the camp without slowing. With no signs of any trouble Carlos had picked up Alice rode the perimeter and got back to camp within half an hour. Parking next to the tanker he planned to join K-mart back in the cab if she hadn't got bored and given up on there research topic already. "Claire was in the motel I imagine she'll still be there." Carlos said as he saw Alice scanning the camp.
"Thanks," Alice said but didn't move instead she watched as Carlos opened the door and climbed into the truck.
"Hey K have you seen Claire or is she still in the motel," Carlos asked the teen as he saw her sitting surrounded by papers.
"Still in there as far as I know haven't seen her," K-mart replied without looking up causing an eye roll from Carlos as she was unlikely to notice even if Claire had walked right by the front of the truck.
"K thinks she's still in the motel so I would try there first," Carlos shouted out the still open door at Alice.
"What are you two doing in there anyways?" She asked taking a step towards the door.
"Nothing good luck with the Claire stuff," Carlos said evasively shutting the door over. Once the door was shut he glance at the timer that was sat in clear view at the front. "Twenty eight and half hours K have you made any progress?"
Outside Alice was halfway to the motel still not sure what she would say but knowing she had to make things right or at least better than they were. She soon found herself standing just inside the front door a couple of people passed her but she didn't register who they were. Making her way through the motel Alice headed straight for the room she had used knowing that it was one that hadn't been occupied by the other survivors whom she didn't want to disturb in her search. She was surprised when opening the door she was faced with a view of Claire Redfield standing in just a towel her wet hair pushed back out her face running down her back.
"Alice!" Claire almost shouted snapping Alice out of her daze she spun round facing the door.
"Sorry I didn't expect you to be well you know," Alice said feeling her face heat up she heard Claire moving about hurriedly behind her.
"It's okay I will just be a minute," Claire stated getting dressed as fast as she could.
"Could've been worse I could have came in after you were dressed," Alice joked a smirk on her face.
"Oh your so funny," Claire said but she couldn't help the smile that was spread across her face. "Right am dressed."
"I just came to apologise I didn't mean to upset you," Alice said as she turned around to face Claire.
"Don't worry about it you were right am sorry I acted like that I didn't mean to upset you," Claire said as she made her way over to Alice raising a hand and resting it on Alice's cheek "I especially didn't mean to make you cry." She finished before turning to head out the door.
"Not so fast," Alice said putting her arm up to block the doorway. "Firstly I was wrong and secondly do I have 'I cried' stamped on my forehead or something?"
Okay so long time no write but I forced myself to write and it just started to flow not my longest nut not my shortest either hope it's good sorry for any spelling I missed.