2

As the patrol car made its way through the empty streets of Raccoon City, the young passenger's ears caught a loudspeaker, blaring an announcement across the streets as they made their way further into the city.

Attention all citizens. Due to the citywide outbreak, you are advised to take shelter at the Raccoon City police station. Free food and medical supplies will be provided to everyone in need.

Leaning back in her seat, Claire listened as the message start over again on loop.

"Oh my god, this is so unreal..." she sighed.

"The police station's not much farther. They'll know something."

Claire looked at the empty streets; there were plenty of signs of carnage, but no souls could be seen.

"Yeah but...what if we're the only ones? What if there's no survivors-"

"No" Leon suddenly stated, cutting her off "There's survivors. It's a big city...there has to be."

There has to be...

Leon noticed a roadblock ahead and brought the patrol car to a slow stop.

"Looks like we're walking from here" he sighed.

Claire looked out the passenger window, seeing more of the undead making a meal of whatever faceless soul lay sprawled across the pavement. She silently hoped it had been quick for them.

"More like running" she answered.

Leon leaned forward, seeing the gruesome scene.

"Yeah, good call"

As the pair prepared to leave, they were suddenly surrounded by the undead, their guttural cries attracting more zombies from every direction.

"Leon! We gotta back up!"

Claire turned her sight to the rear window, but she didn't quite register the new danger from the bright light headed their way.

"What the-!"

Leon turned his attention to her obvious fear. A huge, semi-trailer truck was barreling its way towards the trapped pair, plowing its way through the undead with minimal effort.

"Holy shit!" Leon stated "Claire, get out! Get out NOW!"

Claire pushed with all her might against the car door, but the weight of the surrounding zombies trying to get at the pair made the task impossible.

"I cant!" She cried in desperation.

Leon gripped the wheel and braced.

"Hold on!"

The semi tipped, crushing several undead beneath it's weight, and smashing into the patrol car with a violence that the passengers felt right down to the marrow of their bones. Fires erupted around the devastation, and recovering quickly, Leon kicked his door open and stumbled into the road. He turned, trying to catch his breath, when he noticed the tanker leaking it's fluid...so very close to the open flames...

The blast was intense, and threw him back wildly into the side of another abandoned car.

Leon pulled himself up, gripping onto his painful ribs, and observed the carnage.

Claire...

"CLAIRE! CLAIRE, YOU OKAY!?"

Tense seconds passed, and then Leon was filled with relief when Claire's reply carried over the roar of the flames.

"YEAH! I'M ALRIGHT! HOW ABOUT YOU!?"

Leon surveyed his surroundings, now aware to the danger as the undead made their way steadily towards him.

"I CAN'T STAY HERE! IT'S NOT SAFE! I'LL MEET YOU AT THE STATION!"

"I'LL BE THERE!"

At her reply, Leon made his way swiftly towards the darkened alleyways.

Claire turned away from the carnage, and head towards the closest alleyway.

Shit, I hope this is the right way...

She turned a corner, and a moan surfaced from the hump blocking her path. Claire waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkened alley, and raised her pistol just in the nick of time to shoot the thing in the head, thankful that head shots seemed to do the trick. She lamented that she had wasted so much ammo back at the gas station with pointless body shots.

Claire rounded another corner, and the bright lights of the Raccoon Police station were met with a breath of relief.

Leon said we were close...thank God.

Claire surveyed her surroundings. Cars were so tightly packed together that she felt the desperation of the struggle that must have occurred only hours before. Fortunately, it worked in her favour. The undead didn't seem all that steady on their feet, so decision made, Claire threw herself from the darkness of the alley and up onto the cars roof, using all of the abandoned vehicles as a bridge that led right to her destination.

She jumped nimbly down, and threw herself through the mighty front gates. At seeing the hordes of undead as they turned towards the sound, she slammed the gates shut and threw the huge metal bar across, locking the gates up tight.

Claire scanned the carnage, hoping she'd glimpse Leon and realising that she'd just locked him out, as well as attracted every zombie towards her location from the sound of the iron. The undead creatures threw themselves up against the metal gates, with their rotting arms reaching desperately for Claire when she backed away.

She looked at each distorted face in sympathy.

How did this happen to you...?

Claire sighed, and then pushed herself up onto her tiptoes to see if she could spot Leon anywhere.

Where are you?...I hope you're okay.

She really did. Leon seemed like a nice guy, and she didn't want to see him come to any harm...and, he'd saved her life.

"LEON! ARE YOU OUT THERE?"

Nothing. Claire then realized with a heavy heart, that she would have to continue on without him. If anything, she was only making the situation at the front gates worse. The undead would not clear off whilst she stood there advertising herself.

Maybe when I go inside they'll clear off...then I can step back out and see if Leon's around...

Claire then turned towards the mighty doors, and made her way into the Raccoon City police station.