A/N: Again, like last chapter, there was a change of narrative, which made it a little harder to start as well as work with. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Four
"I won't tell him." Claire felt the air that had been trapped in her lungs escape with a relieved sigh. "You should."
Claire suddenly regretted the air that escaped her lungs as her throat constricted, and all chances of air flowing to her lungs was cut off. She fingered the rim of her coffee cup. She tried to look away from Leon who sat across from her, look at the other breakfast patrons instead, but he held her gaze, forcing her to keep er eyes on him. She felt her stomach twist. Despite the fact that he was looking at her with a neutral expression, she felt guilty- like he was judging her.
You should.
He was talking about Chris. He was telling her to tell Chris about her agreeing to go with Wesker and his daughter to his home. How could she though? She had barely built up her strength to confide in Leon- and he had all but forced the words out of her! He had cornered her at her weakest point, while she was eating breakfast. He had interrupted her comfort waffles and asked her a simple, "What's going on?". It had been asked gently, respectfully, but Claire had caught the inflection in his tone- the indicator that he knew that something was going on. She had caved. She had had an explosion of verbal diarrhea and had explained it all to him. The shopping day, the lunch… and the invitation.
He had listened- bless him. He had not said anything during her splurging of information. He had listened to her, and she was grateful for it. As her guilt ate away at her, she had felt a strange relief as she had told her story. It had been eating at her since the night before, since she and Wesker had organized the visit. As relieved as she had felt, the feeling had disappeared the very moment she had finished talking about it, her guilt had returned. It churned deep in her stomach, tendrils reaching up, clawing at her throat.
It sounded easy. In theory it was easy. Simply go to Chris and explain to him that after their vacation, instead of going home, she was going to meet with Wesker, and go to his home. Where she was going to spend at least two nights with him and his daughter. Simple enough. Only it wasn't. Were it anyone else, it would be a simple conversation. But it wasn't anyone else, it was Wesker. The subject the man was touchy with her brother, let alone the subject of Wesker with her added to the mix. She could only imagine how he was going to react.
"I can't." She reached out for her glass of orange juice. Lifting it, she ran her fingers along the condensation, watching the water slide with her finger.
She could hear him shouting in the back of her mind. She could hear Chris yelling, telling her that she was stupid- that she was going to get herself killed. That by choosing to go to his home, she had agreed to allow the man to lock her away and use her in one of his crazy experiments. That she was going to end up dead, or worse, a zombie. The worst thing. That was always a possibly. However slim, there was always the possibility that Wesker had planned everything so that he could kidnap her. so that he could take her and get to her brother.
She frowned. No. It seemed absolutely insane, but she doubted that Wesker had any nefarious plans for her. Something in her gut told her. Her instincts had always been something that she trusted, they had never led her astray- even if they offered some questionable guidance, like sending her to Raccoon, or Rockfort… but they had both worked out in the end so could she really blame her instincts.
It sounded insane, and she could hear Chris cursing her for supposed naivety, but she trusted Wesker. Trusted that he would not hurt her while she was with him- at least while his daughter was there. Getting home… that was a grey area. Wesker had claimed that he would ensure her return home, but would he really? Would he play nice until she was set to go home, then turn against her? She sipped her drink. No. She doubted that he would. She couldn't describe why, but she just knew that he wouldn't. perhaps she was as naïve as the Chris inside her was saying she was.
"Why?" Leon asked gently. When she looked at him, he continued. "Why can't you?"
She shook her head. "He wouldn't understand." She watched as a droplet rolled down the side of her glass.
Leon reached for his coffee, the floral cup looking ridiculous in his fingers. "I think you need to give your brother more credit." He sipped his coffee, then cradled the cup in his hands.
Claire snorted. She could see what Leon was saying, that Chris wasn't entirely the person she was claiming him to be. But Leon needed to understand, she knew a different Chris. Not the one that he displays to the world. The overprotective Chris. The Chris who had once hunted her down when she had gone out to a party, simply because she was his baby sister. Take that Chris, then add his concern about Wesker- what was created was a Chris that would completely not understand.
She caught Leon's eye. He was staring at her with the expression that her mother used to give her whenever she had had a fight with her brother, or father. The expression that said that she understood. That she understood Claire's feelings but there was always room for compromise. Seeing it on Leon was a little strange. He had really changed since their time in Raccoon. He had grown, matured. His reminding her of her mother was a little strange, however.
"Alright." Her shoulders slumped. He had a point. If she didn't tell him, he would find out, eventually. "I'll talk to him when I get a chance." She didn't have to talk to him right away. Twenty minutes before they left was completely fine.
Leon wagged his brows. "Before we leave tomorrow."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes Mom." She put down her juice and folded her arms over her chest in a pout. When had Leon become so mature? Had he always been so? She frowned. No. He was a womanizing little shit, so what had changed? Had his work changed him. She liked the maturity, but wondered about him- perhaps he was just older now. They both were older… so why did she feel like the immature one in the conversation?
"Are you looking after yourself?" She asked. All of the attention had been on her, she felt that it was unfair. If he was going to dote on her, then she was going to return the favour.
His brow quirked, noticing her change of subject, but said nothing about it. He ran his finger up and down the side of his mug. "As well as I can be." He shrugged.
She tilted her head. "Leon." She whined. "Come on." She gestured with her hands. "You've been checking in on me, it's my turn. How's work?"
He returned the head tilt; his brows rose higher. "You know I can't talk about work."
Her eyes rolled with an exaggerated sigh. "I know that." She groaned. "I just want to know that you're looking after yourself- you know, eating right and stuff."
Leon chuckled. "Well," he sipped his drink. "I have quite the collection of cup noodles."
"Leon!" Claire snapped. "Here you are, worried about me!" she waved her hand at him. "When you're going to kill yourself from living on cup noodles!"
When he snorted his drink and laughter erupted from his lips, she joined him. Their laughter filling the breakfast room.
X
"Chris." Claire called as she opened her bedroom door.
Claire poked her head out of her bedroom, looking into the living room. Her eyes landed on the back of Chris' head. He was sitting on the sofa with Jill, the two seemingly watching whatever was on the television. She could understand why, they had to leave for the airport early tomorrow and watching the television was a safe space. It wouldn't keep them up all night, nor would it cause them to have to deal with the airport while hungover.
Her eyes scanned the two and she resisted the urge to flinch. Chris looked so comfortable, as did Jill, who was almost lying on him. They looked so close, and cosy together than Claire was half tempted to close the door and leave them be. She could not though. Even without the Leon sounding voice in the back of her mind, she knew that she had to talk to her brother. She needed to tell him what she planned to do. He deserved to know.
Chris hummed and tilted his head back. "Yeah, Claire?"
With a deep breath, Claire stepped out of her room. "Can we have a quick chat?"
She felt small. Like a child. She felt like a small child who had done something bad and was confessing to her parents that she had done something stupid- which, in Chris' eyes, she had. She watched as Chris pulled himself from the chair with a grunt- he was so much like their father- and turned to her. She nodded her head to the balcony and watched as he frowned at her. He said nothing, however and turned on his heel and walked out of the room and onto the balcony. He did not slide the door behind him.
"Everything okay, Claire?" Jill twisted her head back to look at her.
Claire nodded, waving a dismissive hand at Jill. "All good." She lied.
Jill eyed her, her lips thin. She eyed Claire. Claire pushed her hair behind her eyes. Something about the way that Jill was looking at her made her uncomfortable. It was as though she knew that Claire was lying. As though she knew that Claire had done something that she would not approve of. She bit her lip, she did not want to have to explain herself to Jill, Chris could tell her if he wanted- though if Chris freaked out, there was always a possibility that she would hear their discussion anyway.
Nodding, Jill turned back to the television and Claire noticed that they were watching an old episode of Cheers. She smiled. She could certainly use some cheer. With heavy feet, she pushed herself forward, her door closing behind her with a click. She willed her feet into moving her forward. Across the soft carpet, and within seconds that felt much longer, she found herself standing by the glass door. She looked out at her brother, who was leaning against the railing, looking out at the city, completely at peace. Her eyes narrowed as she caught him lifting a cigarette to his lips- when did he pick up smoking again? Hadn't he given up? She let out a breath of laughter and opened the door.
"You owe me one hundred bucks." She teased, sliding the door behind her.
He turned back to her with a quirked brow. He paused as his lips curled into a frown. She glanced meaningfully at the cigarette in his hands. He glanced down at the stick, then rolled his eyes with a sigh. Claire felt a sense of smugness at his realization. He waved a hand at her, then flipped her the middle finger. As she giggled, he turned away, looking back at the night sky and the little lights from the city buildings.
"Shut it." he hissed. "I'll smoke all I please."
"When did you start smoking again?" she slid beside him, leaning her arms against the cool railing. The smoke seemed to wrap around her, the greyish tendrils ghosting over her skin. She inhaled. It smelled wonderful. She felt her shoulders relax.
Chris shrugged. "I don't even remember picking it back up." He chuckled. "Figure if I survived zombies, then I can probably spend a little time having a cigarette or two."
Claire let out a breath of laughter. He had a point, she could hardly argue with it. Then again, by his logic, she could just drink every night because she had survived zombies. She licked her lips, wanting to debate with him about his bad habits, the urge to tease him almost irresistible. She held herself back, however and instead pushed her energy into finding the strength to talk to him. That was far more important than him taking up smoking again. She glanced at him through the corner of her eyes. He looked peaceful. Relaxed. She could see the flickering of the city lights reflected in his eyes. it had been a long time since she had seen him in such a way.
She loath to take that from him.
"What were you wanting to talk about?" Chris prompted. Smoke falling from his lips with each word.
Sighing, Claire felt her shoulders slump. "I've agreed to something." As the words left her mouth, she wondered if it would have been easier to rip the band-aid off, rather than taking it slow. "I don't think you'll like it though."
She rubbed at her arms as though there was a cool breeze, despite the warmth. She snuck a glance at Chris. He was looking at her curiously. His brow quirked and he was watching her in a way that reminded her again of when she was a teenager. She sighed. Honesty was the best way to tackle the situation. Knowing Chris, he would prefer that she just tell him, rather than finding out later. She sighed. Better now than never.
"Belle asked me to go home with them, and I.. I said that I would." She sucked in a shuddering breath, then added. "It's just for a few days and then I'm going home!" She added, hoping that the knowledge that she would be going home would lessen the blow.
Chris' mouth opened and twisted with his disbelief. He let out a breath of laughter. He pulled himself away from the bar and turned to fully face her. Claire felt the urge to flinch but held herself back. She was not going to allow herself to be frightened by him. She had made her decision and was sticking by it. She nearly jumped as he let out a laugh. His laughter seemed put on, as though he was putting on a show for her. it was the kind of laugh that one did when they had been told something absolutely absurd and were trying to see if the other was joking- or at least considered it to be a joke.
"You can't be serious." He said.
Her silence was his answer.
"Claire, what the fuck!?" He waved his hand wildly, his eyes wide. "You can't be fucking serious, why would you agree to that!?"
She took a step back, her hand grasping the railing. She took a quick glance at the door. "Belle was upset, we've been having a good time together." She explained, her heart feeling a dull ache as she remembered the way the girl had sobbed in her arms. "I didn't even think, I just suggested the idea-"
"Of course, you didn't even think!" Chris waved his arms in a huff. He huffed, then paused. His brow furrowed. "What do you mean, I suggested the idea!?"
She flinched. "She had asked if I could," she tried to hide the shake in her voice. "and I agreed.. Wesker said that he would get me home, it's only a few days."
Rough hands grasped her shoulders. "Claire!" Chris shook her. "Claire, you're being stupid!" He shook her again. "He could take you, god knows what that asshole could do to you!"
"Chris I-" Claire tried to interject, but Chris continued.
He waved his hands wildly before grasping her again. "Don't you think!? Don't you remember Raccoon- hell, fucking Rockfort?!" his fists held her strong, causing her to flinch, but he didn't notice. "What could fucking possess you to agree to this!?"
A voice in her mind called out to her. It agreed with him. That she was an idiot. It said that Chris was right, that it was very likely that Wesker was going to do something to her and that she would never see any of the people she cared about again. Chris was perfectly right. She should send Wesker a message. Tell him that she wasn't going to go, if only for her own safety. She opened her mouth to say something, then paused. Another voice. This one smaller. It reminded her of the happiness that she had caused in that girl. It reminded her that Wesker had not done anything to her. That yes, he had hurt her before, but she had never been his target. The voice pleaded with her. Argued that she had made the correct choice. An image of that girl flashed behind her eyes. The girl with blond hair and green eyes.
Her lips thinned and she grasped the hands holding her. With a grunt she ripped the appendages away, shoving them back towards Chris. "Let go of me!" she hissed, taking a step back. "You don't get to touch me like that!"
She rubbed at her arms, they stung a little. Chris looked as though he wanted to say something, but she cut him off before he was able to. "I'm only telling you out of respect- I wasn't asking permission!" she waved a hand in wild emphasis. "It's done! I'm doing it! If you're that worried about me, I'll call you when I get home!"
"Claire, you're being an idiot, you're going to-"
"You don't get to call me that!" she shouted, her arm waved wildly. She clenched her fists as her hands fell to her sides. "This is why I didn't want to tell you. I'm done. We're done. This is done."
She turned, slid the door open and walked away. As she walked away she expected him to say something. To shout at her. Anything. There was nothing though. She caught Jill's eyes as she walked past, and saw the other woman begin to pull herself up. She did not stay to talk to the other and continued past. As she stepped towards her room, she caught sight of Leon sticking his head out of his bedroom door. she gave him a small nod, then stepped through the threshold into her room.
She was not disturbed for the rest of the evening.
X
It was quiet when Claire stepped out of her room. The only sound was that of her suitcase wheeling behind her. Not only was it quiet, but the room seemed empty as well. Surely the others were up? They would have to head to the airport in a few hours. She could not see them, however. Perhaps Chris was doing what he could to avoid her? To avoid any unpleasantness? She frowned. Even with their fight the night before, she still would have liked to say goodbye to him.
"Call me."
She jumped at the voice. Clutching at her chest, she panted and turned. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Leon. Breathing heavily, she let out a breath of laughter. "You scared me half to death!"
He chuckled. "Good to know that my sneaking skills haven't decreased."
She rolled her eyes at him. "What's up? What do you mean, call me?"
Leon's face shifted. His lips curled down into a thoughtful frown. "I know that you won't, you know, not go, but if anything happens. Anything at all. I want you to call me, I'll get you out."
She tilted her head. He was worried about her. her lips twisted and she felt the urge to hug him. So, she did. Releasing her luggage, she pulled him against her, her arms winding around him. He smelled nice, she noted as he wound his arms around her. He squeezed her as she initiated the gesture. It was quiet, their cuddle, quiet but comforting.
"I'll be alright." She said, pulling back.
Leon rolled his eyes. "Just humor me."
Nodding, she stepped away from him and grasped her luggage. "I'll let you know if anything goes wrong, I really doubt it though."
Leon folded his arms over his chest. "Just be careful Claire."
"I will. Say goodbye to Chris for me."
XXX
Claire scowled as another taxi drove away from her. Her eyes slid to the people around her, they too, struggling to catch a cab. There were so many people out. So many people with their luggage, and even those without, all in the same boat as her. She looked up at the greying sky- she hoped that wasn't an omen of things to come. A taxi pulled in front of her and she moved to take it, only for an elderly woman and her granddaughter to take it. She wanted to argue, to claim it, but one look from the girl and that was it. She was such a soft touch.
A black car pulled into the taxi rink, and she frowned as the window slid down. It wasn't a taxi. What was it doing? She discretely leaned down, curious to see what the deal with the car was. She frowned, and jolted as linked eyes- well, glasses- with Wesker. What was he doing here? Where was Belle? Why was he there? His brows rose above the glasses, and she found herself stepping towards the door.
"Wesker?" she tilted her head, confused.
"Do you need a lift?" he asked, gesturing to the seat beside him.
Claire found herself opening the door, and putting the luggage into the leg space in front of her chair. Climbing into the car, she turned to him once she had righted herself. "Thanks, um.." she brushed her hair behind her ear. "How, um, why, are you here?"
"I had something that needed doing, when I see a Redfield trying helplessly trying to catch a taxi." A small smile slipped onto his lips, it matched the smugness in his voice.
Claire rolled her eyes with a shake of her head. "What were you doing here anyway?" She tilted her head to look at him. "Weren't you supposed to be waiting for me at your hotel?"
His fist tightened on the wheel and the hand that rested in his lap twitched. She watched as his lips curled downwards. She felt a small satisfaction at his obvious displeasure. After a pause, she leaned back into her seat, he obviously wasn't in the mood to answer her, and she wasn't interested in making their trip more uncomfortable than it had to be. She looked out the window, at the people walking. Their rush and hustle to get where they needed to go. They were lucky. They were lucky that the could go about their lives. Things could have been very different, had people like Wesker won.
People like the man she was currently riding in a car with.
"I did not expect you to come." Wesker said quietly.
It too Claire a moment to realise that he was answering her previous question. "I didn't think that I would either, if I'm honest."
"Hm."
She turned her attention back to him. Her eyes scanning over him. Gone was the scowl, having been replaced by a neutral expression. Her eyes scanned over his features, his nose, jaw, brow, his strangely full lips. He was quite attractive. She blanched at her thought. He was not attractive. At least, not someone whom she should be finding attractive. She cursed at herself. She needed to stop thinking about him. She looked around the car, looking for something to think about- something other than Wesker's lips. Her eyes fell on the rear-view mirror, and she caught the visage of a sleeping girl. Twisting her neck around, her eyes landed on the sleeping Belle.
Her eyes softened. "She's so adorable when she sleeps." She said.
Wesker hummed in response. Claire turned back to watch the road ahead. "What exactly is the plan?" she asked, her eyes locking onto the darkening sky. "How are we getting to your home?"
"Should the weather wait, we will collect our belongings and leave shortly via helicopter pick up." His head tilted in a way that indicated he was glancing at the sky. "Should it not be able to hold, we may need to wait."
She raised a brow at him. "You have your own chopper?"
The smug smirk reappeared. "Of course."
X
From dark to darker, Wesker's car pulled into the carpark underneath the hotel. Claire watched the other cars as Wesker drove past them. She glanced at the almost blinding light of the entrance. Considering the weather outside, it was impressive just how bright it looked. Claire glanced at Wesker. The weak florescent lighting washing over him each time he drove past one of the lights. He seemed to be concentrating. The car came to a crawl and Claire turned her attention back to the carpark. Her eyes landed on a 'reserved' sign above one of the parks. Wesker pulled the car into the spot and Claire turned to him with a raised brow.
"Of course, you have reserved parking."
He said nothing as he Claire pulled her luggage out of the car with a grunt. Once she had put her luggage on the ground of the carpark, she turned her attention back to the car. Her eyes landed on Wesker who was kneeling into the car, hunched over his daughter. His hand on her shoulder as he gently rocked her. She smiled as she watched the girl blink awake. She looked at her father before closing her eyes and rolling away from him to go back to sleep.
"Belle." Wesker rocked her again.
Claire's shoulders shook with silent laughter as the girl groaned and shooed him away.
"Annabelle." He said her full name and shook her. Like before, he was gentle with her.
Had it been anyone else, he would have been rough, Claire noted. It was strange, seeing the man be so gentle with something, with someone. The Wesker that she knew would have simply smacked them, beaten them into submission, yet there he was, being gentle with the girl. Perhaps there was something about him that she didn't know. Perhaps there was more to him- she doubted it, despite the evidence in front of her.
The girl groaned. She twisted awkwardly in the seat. Her eyes opened, squeezed, then opened again. "Daddy…" she grumbled. Her arms stretched outwards, and she groaned as her back arched.
A smile. "Good morning."
She rubbed furiously at her eyes, blinking each time she pulled her palms away. "Are we going home today?"
Wesker nodded and pulled back. "We have someone joining us, as well." he gestured to her as he pulled out of the car.
The girl pulled her eyes away from her face and inched forwards. Her eyes widened as she locked onto Claire, who waved at her with a smile. "Claire?"
Claire smiled and nodded. "Yes."
The girl let out a squeal and all but leaped from the vehicle. Arms wide, she lunged at Claire, her arms winding around her waist. Squeezing Claire tight, she nuzzled her head into Claire's hip. Claire looked down at the girl softly. It was very sweet- she was very sweet. She returned the embrace, one hand coming to rest on the girl's back, the other on her head.
Belle pulled back. "You'll get to meet our puppy, Licker!"
Claire frowned, her eyes sliding to Wesker. She caught the smirk on his face and knew that he knew what she was thinking about. She knew it was silly, to think of those creatures. The mere idea that Wesker would have one as a pet, was laughable, much less being able to tame one. Still though, she had once thought the idea of him having a child to be laughable…. She bit her lip, inwardly praying that there was not a licker waiting for them- a real one anyway.
"I am sure that Miss Redfield will absolutely love Licker." His lips spread outwards, forming the largest smirk that Claire had ever seen.
Belle giggled and released Claire. Stepping back she looked up at her father. "I hope she does!"
"I'm sure that I will." She stepped back and bent down to grasp the handle of her luggage.
She watched as Wesker popped the boot and collected a black briefcase. Her eyes zeroed into the object. He had said that he had had to do something that morning, did it have something to do with the briefcase? Curiosity and something else nagged at her, an urge to be away from the object washed over her- though that could have been her general anxiety about the whole situation. As Wesker closed the boot and locked his car, he took Belle's hand and started walking towards the door to the elevator.
Claire watched their retreating backs, their bodies taking on a strange hue under the florescent lighting. She glanced back at the carparks entrance, to the bright sunlight beaming through. She turned back to Wesker and Belle, to their linked hands. Her lips curled into a soft smile.
It was sweet. She thought before following after them.
The elevator, despite its stark, cold, appearance, smelled of expensive product, she noted as she stepped in behind Wesker. At least, she thought that it was the elevator, it could have been Wesker, she was quite close to him. She hadn't noticed the smell when she had been riding beside him, but the elevator was small, and she did have to stand close to him, closer than she had been in the car. She inhaled again, before realizing how that would appear and tried to look somewhere else, tried to think about something other than the way Wesker smelled. The elevator creaked, which offered a good distraction from the wonderful smell. She hoped that nothing happened, that the elevator took them to their floor. The last thing she needed was for the elevator to fail, and for her to be stuck in the elevator with Wesker.
The elevator groaned then came to a halt. Claire felt worry settle in her stomach. Surely it wasn't going to happen that way. Surely the world wouldn't do that to her. she wasn't sure how she would be able to cope if the elevator failed and she was stuck- why was the elevator making sounds? From the outside, the hotel had looked quite expensive, was it normal for expensive hotel's to have rickety old elevators? The door opened with a ding, revealing the warmly lit cream walls and beige carpet.
"Here we are!" Belle ran out to the hallway with her arms outstretched.
Belle turned back to Claire, waved at her to follow, before dashing down the hallway, past the other rooms and towards her. Despite the old appearance of the elevator, Claire found herself feeling out of place as she walked out into the hallway. The cream walls and soft lighting had almost a nineteen forties or fifties feel to it. She felt as though she should have been wearing a dress, or something nice- much nicer than her jeans and shirt.
"Something the matter, Miss Redfield?" Claire nearly jumped as Wesker slid past her.
Claire nodded with a hum. As he walked past her, Claire watched his retreating back. The carpet was far too soft beneath her feet as she followed him. The room he had picked was some time away, she noticed as the passed several rooms. It didn't surprise her that Wesker would pick a room in the furthest corner away from everyone, the man seemed as though he would appreciate the privacy.
"Daddy, Daddy!" Belle sang as she stood by the door to their room. Once Wesker had opened the door, Belle dashed into the room.
Wesker remained by the door and gestured for Claire to go in before him. Claire raised a brow at the act of chivalry, but thanked him with a nod and walked into the room. Her first thought was that the room had no real smell, it was clean, but there wasn't a clean smell to go with it, it just smelled like nothing. Her next thought, was that the room looked expensive- which did not surprise her. Wesker seemed the type to like expensive pleasures, when he wasn't locked away in a dark computer-filled room, or a lab.
As she stepped into the living room, she found herself freezing in awe. In lieu of walls, the room had full windows, which offered a view out into the city. She heard Belle call out that she was going to pack her bags, and she caught the girls retreating reflection in the window. She did not pay the girl any mind though, her attention focused on the black clouds. From her understanding, they were to be taking a helicopter from there, but would they be able to fly with the weather conditions?
She turned to ask Wesker, watching as walked into the kitchen, and turned his attention to the coffee machine that rested on the black marble benchtop. The raised a mug at her in a silent question, she nodded in response. As she walked to the bench, she took in the sights of the room. Everything looked expensive. From the leather designer sofas to the plasma television mounted to the wall. While it seemed smaller than the hotel that she had stayed in, she found herself feeling jealous. There was one thing that bothered her about the room, however. A wall. A feature wall that separated the kitchenette from the living room area. The wall was covered in thick fabric. It seemed to be padded and she wondered what it would feel like when she touched it.
"What's with the wall?" She asked, nodding her head back. She had never seen a wall like that before. It was bizarre.
"It's a wall, Miss Redfield." Wesker replied as he poured code into the two mugs. He held up the milk in silent question, when she nodded, he added the liquid to her coffee.
"I know it's a wall!" Claire hissed, almost defensively. "What I want to know, is why it's covered in fabric?"
Wesker remained quiet as he passed her the mug. She accepted the drink with a nod and watched as he took a sip before taking one of her own. As the warm liquid touched her tongue, she almost moaned. It was actually quite good! The complimentary coffee in her hotel had been bitter and tongue curling, whereas this coffee was smooth and delicious. She took another sip.
"Perhaps, Miss Redfield, it is for people who desire to lean comfortably against the wall?" he suggested with a shrug."
Claire eyed him with raised brows. It was as good of explanation as any, but there was something about the way that he had said it, it sounded as though he was poking fun at her. Her lips thinned and she sipped at her drink. She jumped as the room flashed, and a loud roar, followed by crackles echoed through the room. ignoring the warm liquid seeping into her shirt, she turned to look out the window. Lights flashed in the sky. Droplets touched the window, softly at first, then hard rivulets pelted against the glass.
"Your shirt is nearly as wet as the outside." Wesker commented. His footsteps clicking on the tiles as he came to stand beside Claire.
Claire turned to him with a scowl, only to jump as the roar of thunder came again. "How…" she licked her lips. "How are we getting to your home?"
Wesker opened his mouth to reply, only to pause as the lights flickered. He frowned and tilted his head up to look at the lights. Another flash of lightening, followed by another crackle. He looked back down to Claire, who was studying him. Claire put her mug on the table, not wanting to risk getting any more coffee covered on herself. She turned to the window and waited. When nothing happened, she let out a sigh of relief, perhaps the worst of it had occurred.
"Can I use the bathroom?" she asked, then gestured to her shirt. "To change."
Wesker's brow quirked. "You may-" he was cut off as another flash of lightening lit up the room, followed by the lights switching off.
Claire blinked as darkness took the room. she could see the window and the city outside, and the small part of the room by the window, but other than that she could barely see anything. She reached around, and found her hand pressed against the benchtop. She sighed, at least she could use the benchtop to help her feel around.
"Daddy! Claire!" Annabelle's cry was heard over the rumble of thunder. A loud bang could be heard, followed by a sob. "Daddy…"
"Annabelle." Wesker called out.
"Where are you Daddy?"
"I'll help you Belle!" Claire called out.
Putting her hands out in front of her, Claire stepped carefully through the room. Her hands waved wildly in front of her as she tried not to crash into anything. She hissed as her hip smacked into what felt like the sofa. She reached down and felt the leather fabric. Rolling her eyes she continued her journey. She wondered where Wesker was and why he hadn't said anything, or done anything about the lighting. As she continued, she wondered how a room with such a large window scheme, had such poor lighting.
She paused as her hands felt fabric. She pushed against the fabric and realised that it was firmer than she had initially thought. Relief washed over her as she realised that it was the fabric wall. Spreading her fingers out, she rested her palm against the fabric wall. Calling out to Belle, she listened for the answer, she was closer than she had been- which was a good sign. As she went to move, she froze- had the wall just moved?
Placing both hands on the wall, she pushed again. The wall was firm. Her hands slid across the fabric and she frowned. Something felt odd, it didn't feel the way that she was assume a wall to feel- not that she had gone around feeling many fabric walls. Her fingers slid down, tracing the odd shapes of the wall. Her fingers heated under the feel of the fabric. She froze as the wall moved again. She pushed down against fabric, it seemed to push against her finger. As she moved to walk away, she sucked in a breath as her fingers brushed against something that felt like a belt. Oh Gods. A chuckle that would stay with her for a very long time breathed against her ear, the breath causing a chill to run down her spine.
"Perhaps we could continue this another time, Claire?" She couldn't see him, but she could hear the smirk in his voice.
"I'm game if you are." The words pushed past her lips before she even had the sense to think. Her cheeks flushed hot, and she closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. Gratitude for the darkness sunk into her gut. She was glad for darkness encasing them, it made it so that she could not see his face, and she hoped that he could not see hers.
"Where are you two?" Belle's voice echoed through the living room. Footsteps padded against the floor, followed by a bang and the sound of something falling onto the floor. A groan sounded through the rooms, accompanied by the sound of a sob. "Owie."
"It's alright Belle." Wesker's breath fanned against Claire's forehead, causing her to suck in a breath.
The warmth left Claire's hands as Wesker pulled away. She heard his retreating footsteps and reached out, looking for something that was actually a wall, so that she could give aid to Belle. As she put her hand on the smooth plaster, she heard a zip and some rummaging. A click, then nothing. Wesker let out a grunt and the sound of plastic being smacked could be heard. Another click and the room became illuminated by a torch.
With the light, Claire was able to find Belle easily. The girl was on the floor, holding her head with one hand, and her knee with the other. The girl looked up at her with her watery eyes. She extended a hand and the girl reached out and took the offered hand. Claire pulled the girl up to stand, Belle clutched the offered hand and smiled weakly at Claire.
"Where's Daddy?" She squeezed Claire's hand. As torch flashed towards the two, Belle's eyes blinked rapidly as the light hit them. She rubbed at her eyes, her face scrunching.
"Daddy!" Belle released Claire's hand and dashed towards her father. Her arms flung around the man's waist and she buried her face into his side. "Why are the lights off?"
Wesker pulled back, detaching Belle from his waist. He held the torch out to her, and when she accepted it, he knelt down so that he was at her level. He reached for his glasses and lowered them to the end of his nose. His red eyes boring into hers, the light from the torch reflecting in them like little candle lights. He reached out and brushed his hand against the girl's cheek, before sliding up to brush his fingers through her hair.
"The power has gone out, probably because of the weather." He inclined his head towards the window. "If you stay with Miss Redfield, I will go investigate."
Wesker looked up at Claire, his brow raised meaningfully, questioning, she nodded. He nodded in response and slid his glasses back up. With a grunt he rose. Petting his daughter's head, a small smile curled on his lips, it was gone so fast that Claire doubted that she had actually seen it. He hastily left the room, to do what, Claire couldn't guess.
"It's going to be okay Belle." Claire held her hand out, when Belle accepted the hand, she squeezed. "Are you alright? You bonked your head just before."
Belle nodded. "I'm fine…" With her free hand, she clutched at herself, the light swishing across the room with the movement. "I'm scare Claire."
Claire tugged on the girl's hand and guided her to the sofa. Guiding the girl to sit, she sat beside the girl and wrapped her arm around her. She watched as the girl looked out at the city with fear in her eyes. The girl was afraid, she could understand why, storms could be frightening. She had hated storms when she was little, there were many nights where Chris would have to cuddle her in his bed when she had been frightened because of a storm.
"You don't like storms?" she asked.
Belle Shook her head. "No, I like storms."
Claire frowned. "Then what's wrong?"
Belle scooted closer to Claire, her hands clutching at the torch as though it was a lifeline. "I don't… I'm afraid of the dark."
"Oh, I'll keep you safe." Claire smiled wistfully. She missed those days. The days where all there was to worry about was storms and the dark. She brushed a hand through the girl's hair. "It's alright." She soothed.
The pair stayed on the sofa for some minutes, Claire soothing when soothing was needed, and talking when the girl needed a distraction. After some time, they heard the sound of the doorknob twisting. The click of the door opening was joined by the flashing of lights. Two large torches, one tucked under Wesker's arm, the other in his hand. He kicked the door behind him as he walked into the room. The large torches offered more light than the one that Belle had, and were able to illuminate most of the room. Claire noticed the way that the girl's face lit up.
"Daddy!" Belle scampered off the sofa, and dashed to her father. "You brought us more torches!"
Wesker passed the girl one of his torches and smiled as the girl became excited over her torches. She waved the torches around, giggling as she made the circles of light chase each other across the walls. Claire watched with a wry smile, it was amazing how a torch could almost instantly fix the problem. Feeling eyes on her, she looked up to Wesker, she eyed his glasses.
"Miss Redfield." He crossed the threshold to her. He held out the torch to her.
"Thanks." She accepted the torch. Her fingers brushed against his and she felt a warmth spread across her fingertips. Her mouth slipped open in a small gasp and she nearly dropped the torch as she snatched her hand away.
Wesker nodded and turned away from Claire. He walked back to his daughter who was making shadow puppets on the ceiling with her hands and the torch. He called out to her and she tilted her head back to look up at him. She did not stop from making the shapes with her fingers. Something that resembled a dog speared on the ceiling.
"I made a dog, Daddy." She grinned.
He smiled back. "Very nice. Now Belle, I will be heading out for a little bit, stay with Miss Redfield. I'll be back shortly."
Belle nodded. "Alright Daddy."
With a nod to Claire, Wesker took his leave of the room. Claire moved to offer him a torch, but he was gone before she had the opportunity to. She entertained chasing after him, before realizing that the man probably had very good eyesight and did not need the torch. At the reminder that the man was infected with a world ending virus, she felt her stomach drop.
Worry settled within her chest. Worry for herself. Worry that she had left and had not taken the time to say goodbye to Chris. The least he deserved was a proper goodbye. Biting her lip, she pulled herself up to stand. Walking over to Belle she sat on the floor beside her. She smiled as the girl waved her hands and fingers over the light.
"I used to like doing this too." She waved her hand over the light.
"Look at the rabbit!" Belle giggled, wriggling her fingers over the light.
"Is there anything you want to do while we wait?" Claire asked as she shaped her fingers into a dog. "We could play cards, or are you happy playing with the lights?"
Belle pursed her lips and her feet moved from side to side as she thought. "Can we go play in the rain?"
Claire Blinked. "Now way."
"Aww, but Claire!"
Thunder cracked. "Have you seen the outside?" Claire nodded her head towards the storm that was raging on.
Belle frowned. "But I have an umbrella."
Claire shook her head. "I don't think your dad would like you catching pneumonia."
Belle huffed with displeasure. "Fine." She folded her arms over her chest in a pout. "Can we draw then."
Claire wanted to giggle, she really did. The way the girl looked was hilarious. She instead nodded in answer to the girl's question. She watched as the girl picked up one of the torches and dashed from the room, and left to presumably get the drawing supplies. Claire pulled herself from the floor and headed to the living area. She knelt by the table and waited for the girl. Despite her reservations, she was glad that she was there, if only to be a support for the girl.
X
"I like your drawing of the rain." Claire commented as she coloured in the flower that she had drawn.
Sitting across from her, Belle smiled and picked up another pencil, a black one. Her tongue poked out as she scribbled against the paper. The black pencil drew the outlines of what appeared to be a stick person. Once she had finished with the black, she reached for a yellow pencil. She used the yellow to do some colouring, before moving to another pencil.
"It's raining, it's pouring." She sang softly.
Claire smiled. "The old man is snoring."
"He went to bed and bumped his head." Belle continued.
"And couldn't get up in the morning!" the two finished in sync.
Belle grinned and held her pictured up to Claire. "Do you like my picture?"
Claire examined the picture. It was of a stick figure in a yellow raincoat playing in the rain. It did not take Claire long to realise that it was a picture of Belle. She smiled. It was a cute picture, and she was grateful that the girl hadn't made much of a fuss over not being allowed to go out in the rain. At least the girl could live out her desires through her art.
"I like it!" she held up her own picture. "Do you like mine?"
The girl's eyes lit up. "I love your flowers, Claire! They're beautiful!"
Claire looked out at the city. She frowned. It was clearing up! The black clouds were clearing away and she could see blue sky pushing through, the light escaping in beams. Had the storm finished? Or was this a calm before an explosion of torrential weather? She glanced at the girl across from her, she too, had noticed the weather.
"Claire, is the rain going away?"
Claire nodded. "It looks like it," she smiled. "Maybe your song worked!"
Belle's eyes widened with a realization. Grinning, she pulled herself up to stand. She then proceeded to run around the room, singing, 'rain, rain, go away' at the top of her lungs. Claire watched her with grin. Was the girls voice loud and a little grating? Yes. Was her singing the cutest thing she had seen in a long time? Also yes.
X
It took roughly thirty minutes for Wesker to return, by then the weather had cleared, leaving Claire in awe and Belle proud of her 'song magic'. The power had returned to the building as well. Wesker walked to the two who were packing away their drawings. Belle, catching sight of her father, the girl dashed towards him. She held her picture out to him, and he accepted the offering.
"Daddy! I made the rain go away!" Belle laughed.
Wesker raised a brow. "Did you?"
Belle nodded eagerly. "Yeah! With my song! Do you want to hear it." She opened her mouth to sing, only for Wesker to cut her off.
"Guess what, Belle?" He asked.
Belle tilted her head. "What?"
"Miss Smith is waiting for us, they're on the roof."
Claire watched as the girl's face broke into the brightest of smiles. She clapped her hands and squealed. She had no idea who this, Miss Smith, was, but from what little information she had, she could gather that the person could be their pilot. Which meant that they would be leaving soon. Within hours she would be arriving at Wesker's home. The paper wrinkled under her tight hands.
"Yay!" Belle all but shrieked. "I'm getting my bags!" she turned and dashed from the room.
"She wanted to go and play in the rain." Claire said, walking to Wesker. She glanced at her luggage, then back at him.
Wesker shook his head. "Of course she did." He tilted his head. "You have time, should you wish to change your shirt."
Claire jumped and looked down. Her eyes locking onto the brown stain on her white shirt. It took her a moment to remember the coffee that she had spilled. She looked back up at Wesker and caught him smiling. He was amused at her. She couldn't even blame him, were their roles reversed, she would feel the same.
"I'll… go change my shirt…" she said sheepishly as she stepped towards her luggage.
"Ten minutes." Wesker said. "We'll go in ten."
He walked past her and towards his room. he patted a door on his way, "The restroom is here, should you need it."
"Ten minutes." Claire whispered as she opened her luggage bag. Grabbing the first shirt she saw she headed towards the bathroom. Ten minutes. In ten minutes, she would be going with Wesker to his house. Ten minutes.
Ten minutes.
A/N: I just wanted to know what you guys think of the changes that I'm making, do they fit/ work better? I'd love some feedback :)
Thanks guys!