Resident Evil: Tangled Web

By: PhantasmBabeIvory

Author's notes - Sorry that this chapter and the next are so short. I do have a lengthy one planned for Chapter 11. Hope you all enjoy the updates.

Chapter Nine

When Claire didn't respond, Elliott turned his attention to the main door. He spent some time examining the entryway and the wall next to it. When Claire asked, he said, "I'm looking to see if there's any way to open it from this side."

"Doubtful. I know Wesker's too thorough to allow us a simple escape route."

"Can't blame me for trying." Elliott turned to face her and leaned against the wall with a sigh. "How did you even meet this guy?"

"Through my brother, Chris. He and Wesker were both part of S.T.A.R.S."

"That stands for Special Tactics and Rescue Services, right?" Elliott asked. Claire nodded. "They didn't have the best screening process, I take it."

"The screening process was fine. Wesker was just crafty enough to play everyone around him for a fool for an extended period. Truth be told, Wesker was the commanding officer of the S.T.A.R.S. division and the captain of my brother's team. For two years, at that."

"Now you have to be messing with me," he said.

"I wish I was. None of the other S.T.A.R.S. members knew he was moonlighting as a top researcher within Umbrella until it was too late. Wesker's teammates all trusted him, and he betrayed them. Used them as cannon fodder so that the top brass at Umbrella could see how the creatures they created would fare in combat. S.T.A.R.S. was built up over two years only to be destroyed in one night. Half of the unit died as a result of Wesker's treachery." Claire sighed. "S.T.A.R.S. was the first thing in my brother's adult life that really mattered, and he was friends with almost everybody who was signed up. That's why he hates Wesker so much."

Elliott crossed his arms. "Okay. Then what does Wesker have against your brother?"

Claire hesitated. "That's one thing I don't have the answer to. Ever since Wesker's true colors were revealed, he's had a sick obsession with hurting Chris in particular."

Elliott took a step towards her. "And Wesker's used you, at least once before, to do so."

She turned her head to the side. "If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about this anymore." Her gaze wandered to a clock on the wall. "I would be at my co-worker's baby shower right about now, if this hadn't happened," she said offhandedly.

Elliott jumped at the opportunity to get her focused on something else. "Was she at the fundraiser? Your colleague who's expecting?" he asked.

"No. She's far enough along to be on maternity leave."

"What's her name?"

"Essie."

Since the answers were succinct, Elliott didn't have enough material to continue the conversation. He switched tactics. "Any other family besides your brother?"

"Just our grandparents on our father's side and Aunt Trish on our mother's. Chris and I have never been close with any of them." Unbidden, Claire kept talking even though this memory had to be causing her pain. "Our parents died when I was seventeen. Car accident caused by a drunk driver. Chris and I weren't as friendly with each other beforehand. I suppose it was the notion that all we had left was each other that brought us together."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

Claire shrugged. "It was a long time ago. You know, I'm thankful that Umbrella never had any hand in what happened to my parents. That would have been worse."

Elliott went to sit on the sofa. When he prompted her, Claire took a seat in a chair across from him. "What's your favorite memory of your family?" he asked.

Claire was silent for a moment. "When I was nine, my parents rented an RV for two weeks. We spent part of the summer driving along the east coast to see the sights. New York, DC, Boston." A smile came to her face. "Funny story – Chris had just gotten his learner's permit, and my Dad decided that teaching him to drive a Winnebago would be a good learning experience. Dad came to regret that after a thousand dollar repair bill."

"What did your parents do for a living?"

"My Mom was a caretaker in a nursing home. Dad had a management position in a factory. For the most part, they earned enough to get by and take care of us." Her eyes glazed over, as though she were staring at a far off point. "I had a bit of a rebellious streak at the end and I caused more than a few headaches, but I know they loved me."

"Where was your brother at this time?"

"Chris had been honorably discharged from the air force only a month earlier. When he found out about the accident, he came home immediately. We relocated to Raccoon City when he got hired on as a S.T.A.R.S. member. He saw me through my last year of high school. Started paying for my college. He even taught me combat techniques, firearms, and self-defense. Said he'd worry about me less that way."

Elliott raised an eyebrow. "So that's where you learned to fight?" he asked. "No wonder you fared so well against Jessica. Remind me never to piss off your brother if I ever meet him."

Claire chuckled. "I'll try to keep that in mind." She covered her mouth with one hand to muffle a yawn. "How about you? Any fighting expertise?"

"I studied fencing, if that counts. And my father used to take my brothers and me on big game hunting trips when we were younger. I never liked it much, but know how to handle certain rifles and shotguns. That's about it."

"That's something. And if we ever get out of here, it may come in handy," she said.

Elliott leaned forward. "Maybe you could teach me what you know in the meantime."

She nodded. "Sounds like a plan."