Chapter: 3
"Claire, you should know by now we're not allowed to give that type of information out." The older man said, moving around the pillar that helped sustained the small facility.
"Clive-"
"Claire, I already told you, we can't tell you anything, it's confidential." Clive finalized, continuing to walk toward the stairs. Leon put his hands on Claire's shoulders moving her towards the door, her feet planted firmly on the ground.
"Tell me where in Europe, and I'll leave." Clive paused, visibly gripping his hand on the pillar. His hesitant stature clearly made it evident to Claire he was caught off guard by her knowledge. His shagged brown hair shook from side to side, cursing to himself as he knew that Chris bent the rules sometimes to his disposal, whether it be an accident or not.
"They landed in northern Italy." He finalized, walking away from the distressed young girl. Claire felt her whole body being dragged away hastily by Leon who shook his head in disapproval.
"Seriously Claire, you give the guy a harder time than he should have." Leon sighed out, the heavy doors of the facility shutting on their own. He scowled at Claire, his cold blue eyes scrutinizing the younger girl.
"I don't care, that's my brother." She wrapped herself in her white cardigan and took out her phone again, attempting to dial her older brother for third time today. Leon dug his hands deep in his pockets as peered down at the raccoon city survivor, her current actions reminded him of her frantic search for her older brother in the desolate city.
"Now that you have some idea of where Chris is at, what are you going to do?" Leon questioned, looking over her shoulder seeing her punch away on her phone, seeing Chris's name pop up on her screen.
"I'm going to call Chris hoping he answers, and find some way to get to northern Italy. I'll sneak into the cargo if I have to." Her voice was filled with determination which gave Leon a warming, only wishing someone were as worried for him one day. He smiled softly at her and nodded.
"You're an amazing sister." He said to which Claire turned back toward him, confused.
"If you had any siblings, you'd do the same, Leon." She said as she heard the voicemail tone fill her ears.
Leon's visits continued until instead of him appearing at the door on 10 am Monday morning, his greeting came in the form of a call.
"Listen Claire, the president needed me, he said I have to go with on some trip." A bitter tone was heard which made Claire giggle.
"It's okay, I'll be seeing you soon though, right?" There was silence on the line making Claire's smile cease and Leon gave a deep sigh.
"No, try more like a month at the least." Claire's corners dropped to a frown and she felt a tinge of abandonment, similar to when her parents passed away. She stayed silent and played with the wire, an empty abyss filling her numbed mind.
"Don't do anything stupid you'll regret though Claire," before Claire could speak Leon continued. "That includes going to Europe alone. If you go, tell me so I can try and at least get someone to go with you, you can't be going alone." Claire simply nodded and said a meek yes.
"Take care Claire, I'll call as much and as soon as I can." Leon hung up and Claire dropped her head into her hands in disillusionment. She bit her lip and opened her phone to call her brother, being put straight to voicemail once more.
"What am I going to do?"
She continued the question for a week, making sure to call Chris at least 5 times a day. Each time getting the same response. She was at her wits end, his long over due trip by almost a week and the wonder was getting to her. She tried to call as many hotels that were located in northern Italy but the language barrier was thick and the few that did have a somewhat good grip on the English language have never heard of any Christopher Redfield in their whole life, not to mention the endless possible hotels that didn't have their phone numbers listed online.
Claire went to a coffee store near her house, finding that caffine was the only way to keep her going through the day as of lately. She stood a line that was backed up all the way to the side walk, her breath hitching every so often from the cold air that filled her lungs. She looked to see the snow beginning to fall and the white flakes landing on the patrons shoulders. She over saw the flood of people walking back to their warm homes. Among the people a woman stood out to her. She had the attraction to go to her, which she followed the instinct to do so. Catching up to the woman she tapped on her shoulder, the bob hair cut lady didn't turn around until Claire grabbed her shoulder for a more effectivity to grab her attention.
"Get your hands off of me." A low hiss escaped her mouth and Claire quickly did so. The woman turned and instantly causing Claire's mouth gapped.
"Hmm, well, there's a lot of irony in this." Claire gave a mirthless laugh, her eyes scaling the Asian descendant. Her black hair and black leather jacket with her denim jeans complimenting her hips clearly showed she knew how to show off her body.
"I can agree on that. Surprise you spotted me out on the crowd, maybe you should be working my job instead." She gave a sly smile and turned.
"Wait, why are you here?" Claire asked, following Ada almost as if a lost puppy as she continued to walk without giving a speck of attention to the red haired girl.
"I thought I would stop by and say hi to Leon, it's been so long since I've seen him. God knows how much more handsome he's gotten." The tone in her voice was trusting but knowing her, she had different motives. She had a way with her words not many people did have in this world. Claire gave a grim expression, continuing to walk behind her. An idea popped into Claire's mind but before having the chance to ask, Ada turned on her heels, her charcoal eyes scrutinizing the desperate Redfield
"Listen, not to be rude, but why are you following me?" Ada asked turning her full attention back to Claire, standing by an alley way near a deli shop.
"I was wondering if you've heard anything on my brother." Claire's voice was filled with hope only to be shot down with Ada's response.
"No, but even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"Do you know anyone who might?" Ada put a finger to her chin in thought.
"I might know a guy." Claire's face lit up and clasped her hands together in excitement. "But it'll cost you."
"Anything." Claire listened attentively and held onto hope. Ada smirked at her and tipped her head up, appraising the young girl.
"Alright, tell me where Kennedy's at and you'll get a source that may know where your brothers at." Claire debated on giving her friends location away, but it was in public records, maybe. It seemed too easy of a trade.
"He's at the White House." Claire said with Ada's eyes visibly lighting up.
"Ah, he's still at the presidents house... Alright go to the pay phone by the coffee shop you started following me at at 3 o'clock in the morning tomorrow. If it's longer than a five minuet wait, just go home." Both of the women parted ways, each satisfied with their trades.
And there Claire was, in the half lit street waiting by the pay phone with eagerness, the fear of being mugged or even killed at these ungodly hours didn't seem to faze Claire, all she cares for was to see her brother in safe conditions, or at least hear from the man. Checking her phone every ten seconds she even came 5 minuets early in case the person would call beforehand.
She spent the agonizing 5 minuet wait, even waiting 3 extra minuets. After what seemed an eternatiy but only an extra 15 minutes, her face hung with disappointment, Ada's words began to echo off of her mind that if it was more than a five minute wait, to just head home. She began walking away with the mind set that she may never see her brother again, the promise of him being back by a week now was over due with 2 weeks going on 3. 10 feet away, she heard the buzzing of the pay phone from a distance, the silent tears that clung to her rosey cold cheeks ceased and she ran back to the pay phone, yanking the receiver from its holder.
"Hello?" She spoke excitedly, her hand swiping her tears and sniffles in the cold.
"Seems you're in need of assistance, am I right, dear heart?" A drawl of a voice spoke on the other line, one with elegance. Claire's once rosey cheeks drained color and her lips parted in more of a shocked state than anything else.
"Y-yes, I am." She was internally bashing her head with a club. Of course Ada would give her this trade. She thought to herself, shaking with anger more than cold.
"So tell me what you need." Wesker's voice cooly spoke and Claire could hear his footsteps thud across a hard floor.
"It's Chris. He's-" Wesker deep chuckle filled Claire's ears, giving her an eerie feeling. She predicted this would be his reaction but her options were little to none, and seeing how Wesker may be the only person to help her, she was willing to take this opportunity.
"Listen Miss Redfield, you and I both know how much I loath your dear brother, so you must be pretty idiotic to be coming to me for help." Claire opened her mouth and closed only to open again. "If this is all you needed to ask me, let me save the two of us the breath, the answer is no."
"Wesker, please," she pleaded. Claire clung onto the receiver as if it were her life line and a pool of tears began to stream out. Her voice shaking out, licking away at her chapped lips. "I don't have anyone else to go to. No one will help me, everyone's gone. For gods sake, please, I'm begging you."
There was a long pause and Claire debated whether or not Wesker just hung up or just ignored her until a heavy sigh gave out.
"What's the exchange?" Claire licked her lips once more and smiled wide.
"So you'll help me?"
"I asked the exchange." Wesker clipped out making Claire flinch from his cold tone.
"Anything." She said making Wesker pause in question.
"You're a foolish girl you know that," Claire's eyebrows furrowed and interrupted with Wesker's confirmation. "But I admire your perserverance, none the less I suppose I'll assist you. Go to the Washington airport by half past 12 in the afternoon tomorrow, I look forward to meeting you again." Before Claire could ask anymore she heard the click of the phone and a dial tone after. The slime of a promise gave Claire a twisted way of hope, one which included the feeling of disgust but hope none the less.
A/N: hope you guys enjoyed, comment r&r, follow and favorite, all that good stuff. :)
admirialsarah: hope you liked it! Here's the update :)
Frozenheart7: lol, you know I can't spoil the story xD thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!