Resident Evil: Tangled Web

By: PhantasmBabeIvory

Chapter Sixteen

The first thing that Elliott said, after Claire told him everything about the meeting, was, "How can Wesker think we'd accept those conditions? He could hold us for months for all we know. Is he even thinking of what that will do to our families?"

Claire shook her head. "Could be he doesn't care. Or maybe he thinks all will be forgiven so long as we're returned home alive."

Elliott scoffed. "Will that be before or after we're presumed dead? Our loved ones will only hold out hope for so long. Wesker's not going to tell them we're okay."

"I don't like it either, Elliott, but we're not currently in a position to do anything about it."

"You make it sound like you're giving up."

Claire exchanged a look with her companion that spoke volumes. "Unless we're given an alternative, I don't see any other option."

Elliott frowned, though that was more for the benefit of whomever was monitoring them. He glanced toward the bathroom, his thoughts going to the mystery person who'd promised them a way out. I hope you have a good plan in store, RogueChild, Elliott thought.

"There's something else about the meeting that's bothering me," Claire said. "Wesker left me alone for some time after seeing something on his computer. Said there was something he needed to take care of. I don't know what he saw or what he did, but... When he came back, I could smell blood on him."

Elliot blinked. "That doesn't sound good."

She shook her head. "What if we're not the only ones being held here, Elliott? Maybe someone else was trying to escape and Wesker killed, or tried to kill, them for it."

"I'd say he staged it to unsettle you, but why go to the trouble?" Elliott asked. "Do you think we should question him about it?"

Claire hesitated. "No. He's probably already been made aware by watching us. Besides, I can just hear him saying that it's nothing that concerns us."

Elliott looked toward the newly installed intercom. He thought about getting up and contacting Wesker just to get it over with, but couldn't bring himself to do so. "If he wants us to know what he was up to, he'll tell us. Until then, we shouldn't let it bother us."

Day Five – December 10, 2006

It took so long for RogueChild to get back to them that Claire and Elliott wondered if they would ever hear from him/her again. Elliott was the first to see a bright blue light inside the bathroom vent. He quickly called Claire in with the excuse that he needed help finding something.

A message appeared on the wall opposite the vent once both prisoners were present. I'm in a better position to communicate this time, but that could change without warning. Whatever you want to ask, make it quick.

Claire exchanged a look with Elliott. "Can you tell us who you are?" she asked, keeping her voice low so it wouldn't be heard outside this room.

Better if you don't know. Safer that way.

"That's supposed to be reassuring?" Elliott said sarcastically.

Can't take the chance of the wrong person finding out we're communicating. Won't be able to help you if I'm caught.

Claire forced herself to focus. "You said you could have helped us avoid capture. So what happened?"

There were complications. Still are. Securing your release won't be easy.

"Why?" Elliott asked. "Can't you tell someone where we are?"

The two of you are too firmly entrenched in the facility. Wesker would be ready for anyone who comes and tries to rescue you. Was lucky just to get my mechanical helper down to you undetected. Promised to get you out and will. But going to take time.

"You're asking a lot for someone who won't even tell us their name." Claire said heatedly. "You could be Wesker for all we know."

Can't stop you from asking Wesker. But can promise you will regret mentioning me to him and putting him on guard.

Taken aback, Claire exchanged another look with Elliott. "Damned if we do, damned if we don't," she said to her companion. She returned her gaze to the vent and asked, "Since you're not being very forthcoming, what can you tell us?"

Best estimate is that it would take at least a year to undermine Wesker's operation without raising suspicion.

Elliott charged at the vent, hitting it hard enough with one hand to cause a loud clang. "A year? Are you fucking kidding?" he yelled.

Claire grabbed her companion's arm. "Elliott, keep it down," she said, fearful that he had been heard by the surveillance cameras.

His voice was lower when he spoke next though he sounded just as angry. "This is bullshit!" Elliott said with his gaze fixed on the vent. "For someone claiming to want to help us, you're doing very little in the way of help. Why should we trust you?"

What other choice do you have? I'm the only outside assistance you're going to get. And not operating alone. Albert Wesker not the only one who knows you've been infected with the G-Virus, Miss Redfield. I represent someone who genuinely wants to help.

Claire wasn't about to accept that at face value. "Help me or help themselves?"

That's for you to decide. Think about how long you want to be separated from your loved ones. Will be in touch.

Elliott looked at the vent. "Don't you dare..." He stopped when he saw the light disappear. "Damn it!"

Claire wrapped her arms around herself. "I didn't think we could get any more screwed than we already are. That's what I get for getting my hopes up."

There was so much discouragement in her tone that Elliott looked at her in worry. "Any clue on who our mysterious benefactor is?"

"I honestly have no idea at this point. RogueChild, whoever he or she is, didn't give me many clues. And if it's really going to take a year to break us out..." She shook her head. "I'm going to go crazy if we have to wait that long. There has to be another way."

Elliott took a step forward. "You know what? Maybe crazy is exactly what we need. What do you think would be better for breaking through the wall? Desk lamp or one of the frying pans?"

Claire blinked. "Someone would be here in no time if they saw us doing that."

"Pretend they wouldn't and we managed to break out. Next obstacle would be the elevator. Would it be better to go up or down?"

She hesitated, wondering if he had lost his mind. "What are you doing?"

"Offering you an alternative since RogueChild didn't come through. Now we know there are eight floors above us and, according to Wesker, a cryogenics lab below. Which do you think would be the better route?"

"Whichever one doesn't lead to a dead end. Elliott, we don't know enough about this facility to make that determination."

"Alright, then let's chart what we do know." He didn't give her a chance to respond before he rushed out into the main room. It wasn't long before he returned with a notebook and pen.

Claire silently watched him draw a diagram of the ground floor where they'd first encountered Wesker. Next to the two doors they'd been unable to open, he put in question marks. "Now, let's see," Elliott said. "Excella's office was one floor down. Were there six or seven other doors on that level? Do you remember?"

"I think six, but I'm not sure," Claire said.

"We'll fill in the blanks as we learn more. Where did Wesker take you for that private meeting?"

"Level four, second door on the left. His living quarters."

"Then that's probably a level to avoid if we do get out." Elliott looked down at the notebook, his brow furrowing as he tapped the paper with the tip of the pen. "I doubt that Wesker would show us the surveillance room, so pinpointing that location is out. The only other thing I can determine is that Jessica and Raymond have to have their own digs somewhere in this place."

"Doubtful we'll get a bead on those locations either," Claire said. "Same might go for any research labs Wesker utilizes."

"Wesker said that Jessica and Raymond have only been in his employ for two years. Assuming he didn't trust them enough to give them free room and board right away... Their lodgings have to relatively close to ours."

"Good point. I didn't even think of that."

"That's what I'm here for."

"Elliott, it shouldn't be your job to look out for me."

"If I don't, who will?" He stood up straight. "You're one of the nicest girls I've met, Claire. Over the past week, I've seen you take more blows than anyone should have a right to. I'm sorry that I personally caused some of the heartache."

"Given what you went through with your ex, I'm not going to hold it against you."

"The point I'm trying to make is, I can be the one you turn to whenever you need to vent, have a hand to hold, or even a shoulder to cry on. I know that probably sounds cheesy, but..." He paused, seeming to struggle for the right words. "When all's said and done, whenever we find our way home, I'd like you to still be the smart, witty, and cheerful girl I was inspired to ask out. The greatest victory you can hold over Wesker and his followers is to not let them erase who you are."

Elliott held his hand out to her, palm up and open, in invitation. "What do you say, Claire? Ready to let me help you survive?"

"Pretty hefty favor. Anything you'd like in return?"

He chuckled. "Buy me a pack of smokes when we're free, and we'll call it even," he said facetiously.

Claire burst out laughing. Clasping his hand in hers, she said, "We've got ourselves a deal."

"Okay, first order of business is to build a better map of where we are. Hope you're up for contacting Wesker over the intercom."

She sighed. Wesker had left them alone the past couple days and she didn't relish the thought of initiating a meeting. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Good," Elliott said. "Because to pull this off, we will have to play nice with him."