Resident Evil: Tangled Web
By: PhantasmBabeIvory
Author's notes - The chapter that some of you have been waiting for. Enjoy!
Chapter Six
Of all the locations that Claire expected to wake up in, the interior of a steel cargo container wasn't one of them. Nor did she expect to find herself lying on a plush queen-sized mattress of all things. She rolled onto her side, groaning and putting one hand to her brow when her head spiked with pain. She waited for it to pass before staggering to her feet. She moved towards the doors, taking note of the light shining through the seam at the center. She couldn't be sure, but it seemed to be morning now.
"Don't bother trying to open it. That's the first thing I checked." Claire jumped at the sound of a voice behind her. She whirled around, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
"Elliott!" Claire took a step towards him, feeling dazed. "They took you too?"
"Seems that way." He looked up at her with an accusatory glare. "What the fuck have you gotten me into?"
"I don't know. Jessica, Raymond – I'd never seen them before last night."
His eyes narrowed. "Given how quickly you anticipated an attack, I find that hard to believe. You had Jessica disarmed in no time."
Claire sighed. It would be difficult to explain the email without giving him an extensive history lesson. "I knew something was wrong, Elliott. It's complicated." When he didn't respond, she turned and walked to the doors, testing them anyway. It was just as he'd said. They were locked. However, it was the scent that gave her some indication of their surroundings. She turned back towards him. "How are we near the ocean?"
"We were on a helicopter at some point." When she looked at him questionably, he said, "I regained consciousness during the night. Got clocked over the head again once our captors realized it." He shifted his weight. "Have you been out this whole time?"
She hesitantly nodded. "I believe so. They drugged me."
Elliott looked pissed. "Lucky you! At least you're getting the star treatment!"
She crossed her arms. "Hey! I've been taken against my will same as you! Don't you dare get snippy!"
"I'll be whatever the hell I want to be!" He sighed, rubbing at his eyes. When he spoke next, he sounded a little calmer. "God, Katherine must be worried sick by now."
His reference to his sibling made Claire think of hers. Chris was bound to go ballistic when he discovered she was gone. She sank into a seated position, hugging her legs to her chest and burying her face against her knees. Ironically, it was worry over her cat, Tyrant, being alone and potentially starving that caused her to break into tears.
He was silent for so long that it surprised her when he spoke. "It seemed Jessica didn't want any witnesses to your capture. I'm guessing that's why I'm here. That tells me that our captors aren't doing this for money. They're planning to hold on to us for a while."
She wiped at her eyes. "It wouldn't be the first time I've been imprisoned." Voicing that made her start crying again when it brought up some bad memories.
Elliott eyed her warily. "Who the hell are you?"
"You tell me! You're the one who claimed to be good at reading people!"
He shook his head. "There is nothing about you that suggests you did time."
She scoffed. "I'm not a criminal." Deciding he needed an explanation, she said, "It was about a decade ago. Some of the top officials of Umbrella had me detained for breaking into one of their facilities. They sent me to a prison they reserved for punishing their own employees. A place called Rockfort Island. No trial, nothing."
"For trespassing in the office of a pharmaceutical company? Give me a break!"
"I know how it sounds, but it's the truth! Umbrella's founder, Oswell Spencer, had considered himself above the law for some time. He had gotten so good at cover-ups that his top scientists shared the same mindset. Umbrella's development of viral weaponry and genetically engineered creatures had been going on for over thirty years before it was exposed. They didn't care who they had to hurt or bribe to keep their secrets."
Elliott sighed. The news reports he had read about Umbrella had told of the genetic experimentation. He'd not known just how much control the company had wielded. "How long did they hold you?"
"Only a few days, before..." She hesitated, then cleared her throat. It would be better to simplify how she'd escaped. The truth was far too complicated. "Before my brother found me. I doubt I'll be so lucky this time."
Elliott tilted his head back, looking skyward. "That's just great!"
Claire didn't say anything further. She couldn't blame him for being angry. She didn't like the idea that her brother and friends would have no clue what happened to her. She imagined that Elliott's family would likewise go crazy not knowing.
Her thoughts eventually turned to last evening's events. She reasoned that Jessica must have taken her phone while Claire was writing down the lipstick name. It was unclear how Claire's e-mailer, RogueChild, had foreseen this possibility. Keep track of your phone, and nothing bad will happen, Claire thought bitterly. Couldn't your message have been more helpful?
She was wondering what she could have done differently when someone banged on the container from the outside. Claire winced as the noise thundered around her. Elliott snapped alert, looking towards the doors with wide eyes. "Jesus!" he said.
Claire barely heard Jessica's voice over the ringing in her ears. "Back away from the door, or it stays closed!"
Claire climbed to her feet. Though she didn't much like the idea, there was no point in refusing the demand. She didn't know how Jessica knew she'd moved to the opposite end of the container. The lock was disengaged and the door was opened in seconds.
Claire blinked several times when the bright sunlight trickled in. Once her eyes adjusted enough to see Jessica, Claire's gaze narrowed. After the brunette informed both captives that they were being allowed a breakfast and restroom break, Claire took a step forward. Now might be the best time to get some answers.
"Who hired you, Jessica? What does your boss want with me?"
"You'll find out the answer to both in due time," Jessica said with a smirk. "I will say that the boss is very anxious to see you again. That's all the clues you'll get, Miss Redfield." Jessica stepped back as Claire and Elliott approached the door. They saw that Raymond was nearby when they stepped out. If either captive was entertaining thoughts of overpowering Jessica, Raymond's presence dissuaded the idea.
Claire's eyes darted back and forth as she and Elliott were ushered towards the right. They appeared to be aboard a freighter, but she couldn't determine much beyond that. There were multiple metal containers stacked four high obscuring her view of their surroundings. "Do I at least get to know where you're taking us? Which country?" Claire asked.
"You should already know the answer to that. Just think about it, sweetie."
Claire sighed. Questioning Jessica was probably pointless if the latter was going to be this vague. And Raymond, as near as Claire could tell, wasn't a big talker. The redhead resigned herself to playing the waiting game.
Claire and Elliott were separated to be taken to different restrooms. The cafeteria where they were reunited was very small and cramped, despite being virtually empty. It was hard for Claire to find her appetite with their captors watching. She had to remind herself that she didn't know when her next meal would be. She hoped the plate of dry toast, orange slices, and water would sustain her for however long.
Once they were done eating, Claire and Elliott were escorted back to the cargo container and locked inside. As she sat down on the mattress, she said, "So much for getting the star treatment."
Elliott scoffed at the sarcastic reply to his earlier statement. He remained standing, though he leaned against the wall opposite her. "This CEO, Excella Gionne, was the one who brought Jessica and Raymond. Any chance she could be the boss they're speaking of?"
Claire mulled this over and shook her head. "Excella and I haven't even interacted before last night. She'd have no reason to do this."
"Maybe that's what she wants you to think."
"Then we'll find out once we get to wherever we're going."
Elliott tilted his head to one side. "I don't know how you can be so complacent about this."
She looked up at him. "What do you want me to do, Elliott? Fight my way out? Even if I did, we're likely out at sea. Our only option to escape would be either a helicopter or a lifeboat. I can't fly, and we're not liable to get far with the latter. The best thing we can do is wait for an opportunity."
"Easy for you to say. They want you more than me, Claire! It's as Jessica said. I'm collateral damage. Odds are that I'm a dead man unless I get away from these people."
She blinked, hurt that he used the word 'I' instead of 'we'. Biting back tears, she quietly said, "I'm sorry, Elliott." She hated that she couldn't offer him any guarantees. Yet, she refused to take all the blame for this mess. Not when he'd been the one to initiate their fledgling relationship.
His next words and the hatred behind them still wounded her. "I wish I'd never met you!"
/*****
The next several days were much the same. Claire and Elliott were let out twice daily to eat and relieve themselves. If not for that, one or both of them would have gone stir crazy. Their captors always seemed to know when they were by the door. Elliott eventually reasoned that Jessica may be using some sort of thermal imaging device. When he and Claire were alone, they couldn't say a word to each other without it turning into an argument.
The tension between them was compounded by the fact that they were denied the right to shower. The smell eventually caused them to keep their distance from each other. At least, as much as the confined space would allow. If the stink bothered Jessica or Raymond, neither of them cared to comment on it.
By Claire's count, four days had gone by before the routine changed. Prior to Jessica's arrival, Claire was laying on her side on the mattress, tear tracks staining the right side of her face. Her thoughts were on Chris and how he was handling her disappearance. He had to have visited her apartment by now. She wondered if any clues had been left that would enable him to find her.
Claire wiped at her face and sat up when she heard the lock disengage. Elliott was next to her in an instant. Claire glanced sideways at him to see that he looked antsy. She didn't question it for two reasons. He had been getting increasingly restless during their time together. And she feared that it would start another fight if she said something.
Jessica greeted them with a cheerful smile when they stepped out. Raymond was as stoic and quiet as ever. "Good news," the brunette said. "We're about to reach port. The boss expects to see both of you at your best. We'll be escorting you to adjacent state rooms downstairs where you can freshen up. You'll both be provided fresh clothes as well."
Claire scowled. "I'll stick with what I'm wearing."
Jessica looked amused. "Not an option, sweetie." She gestured for them to start moving.
Once they were in motion, Elliott spoke up. "How about a smoke? I'd say I've gone without one long enough."
"Hmm, going through a little nicotine withdrawal, are we?" Jessica purred. "Sorry we can't oblige you. I imagine kicking the habit is going to be a bitch."
"If I'll be dead in a few hours, what does it matter?"
"Who said anything about killing you, sweetie? If that's what the boss wanted, you'd be long gone by now."
"How comforting."
Claire had known that Elliott was going through withdrawal. He had said once or twice during their captivity that he would kill for a cigarette. He must be pretty desperate to be asking their captors. Until she heard Jessica belittling him, Claire couldn't bring herself to feel sympathetic.
The stateroom that Claire entered looked very cozy and inviting. She didn't linger to soak it all in. Instead, she quickly stripped off her grungy clothes and adjusted the shower knobs to the desired temperature. She swore that nothing had ever felt so wonderful as the hot water sluiced over her. She took her time cleaning up, relishing every second of the luxury she would otherwise have taken for granted.
Claire sighed when she twisted the knobs to turn off the shower. She wasn't surprised to see her soiled clothes were gone when she stepped out into the bedroom. In their place was a blue and white flower print summer dress and brown sandals. She was, however, startled to find a bra in her size. She didn't want to think about how Jessica had determined that. She grudgingly got redressed and stepped back into the corridor.
Elliott didn't look happy either in the camouflage t-shirt, black denim shorts, and matching sandals he'd apparently been given. He and Claire remained silent as they were escorted back to the deck of the ship.
The harbor wasn't at all what Claire expected. It was surrounded by cliffs on three sides and appeared completely secluded. As she and Elliott traversed a metal walkway leading from the docks, she didn't see any workers so much as milling about.
She and Elliott had to climb quite a few staircases before finally coming to a set of doors built into the mountain. When Jessica punched in a series of numbers on a nearby keypad, Claire was surprised when the open doors yielded an elevator. It must have cost a fortune to install a shaft in this location.
Claire noted that there were buttons for ten floors, six of them labeled as sub-levels. Jessica punched the one for the ground floor, and the elevator began a slow descent. When the doors slid open again, Claire and Elliott were ordered to get out.
The room that the captives stepped into was surprisingly archaic. It looked much more like a stone temple than a high-tech facility. Claire was marveling over it when Elliott abruptly said, "You're not coming?"
Claire turned, surprised to see that Jessica and Raymond were still within the elevator. "This is where we part ways, sweetie," Jessica said. "Have fun exploring until the boss gets here."
"Wait a minute!" Elliott took a step towards the elevator, stopping when Jessica pointed her Browning pistol at him. He and Claire watched the doors close without a word. Once their captors were gone, he moved towards the wall and soon growled in frustration. "There's no call button!" he said to Claire.
"Of course not. That would be too simple." She turned to survey their surroundings. She soon moved to the balcony overlooking an open area. Apart from the pillars lining the length of the balcony, she could see another door on the lower level opposite them.
Claire took her time descending one of the two curved staircases from the balcony. Elliott had rushed down ahead of her and was checking the other door. Even from a distance, she could see an electronic keypad next to this entry point. There was no escaping that way.
Elliott turned towards her. His eyes lit up when he spotted a third door sandwiched between the two staircases. As she expected, it too could not be opened. He growled again, burying his head in his hands. "There has to be a way out!"
Claire didn't like the idea that they were stuck. Unlike him, she was determined to keep a level head. "They wouldn't have left us alone if it were that simple."
Her words must have struck a nerve. Elliott looked so furious when he moved towards her that Claire took a few steps backwards up the staircase. He stopped at the base of the stairs, glaring up at her. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he yelled. "You haven't been fighting one bit to try to get out of this mess! Do you even care whether you live or die?"
Her gaze hardened. "Of course I care! Do you honestly think you're the only one who's worried about that?"
"You sure haven't been acting like it!"
"Well, I'm sorry that I haven't been freaking out as much as you have! That doesn't mean I'm heartless!"
Elliott looked prepared to answer when his eyes suddenly darted upwards. Before Claire could register that something had drawn his attention, she heard someone speak behind her. She hadn't even heard the elevator doors open. The cold but still velvety tone was all too familiar. "Miss Redfield's assessment of her character is correct."
That voice was enough to send chills down her spine. Not him! Anyone but him! She didn't want to look. But she knew that she couldn't ignore who was behind her and hope he vanished. Steeling herself, Claire slowly turned. A rare smile was on Wesker's face when her gaze landed on him. He hadn't changed from the last time she had seen him eight years ago. Immaculate blond hair smoothed back with gel, dark sunglasses to hide his eyes, and a black leather outfit seemed to be his consistent pattern. Take away the shades, and anyone would see him as a monster in human form.
Wesker addressed her directly with a pet name she remembered him using from their last encounter. Personally, she hated the moniker. "Welcome, dearheart. Our reunion is long overdue."
Author's Notes - I know that there as a call button for the elevator seen in the Monarch Room in RE5, but, for the sake of argument, I'm going to say it wasn't present three years earlier. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'll try to have the next one out as soon as possible.