This is where my make belief comes into play. This is a short one, chapter 3 is going to be a longer one to make up it. As always, Thank you for reading and enjoy.

Chapter 2

Plans in the making

It has been a week since the anti-virus has been released. Alice and Claire found refuge in a nearby commercial plaza that had a mini store attached to the offices. There they we were able to find a small med kit that allowed Claire able to attend to Alice's wounds and to keep it infection free. To survive the t-virus and to die from sepsis would be almost insulting.

The Red Queen estimated that it could take a year before the world will be completely infection free. In the meantime, Claire can still see Alice's determination and willingness to continue on despite everything that has happened. She's been practicing her aiming her gun with their discarded canned dinners, a better shot now than it was during the first couple of days. Her hand is starting to scab over and it doesn't seep as much as it used to. Making the best out of her new circumstances Claire can also see her tired frustrations as she tries to open their mystery canned dinner.

"Ugh.. I give up can you help me open this fucking thing?" Alice sighs handing over the knife stabbed can.

Claire smirks taking the can from Alice "I told you to let me help you."

Claire stares at the lid deciding which is the best entry point without cutting herself from the sharp points of where Alice missed.

"Yeah. Well.. I can't always rely on people to help me; I have to figure out how to do this on my own" holding up her bandaged hand exasperated.

Claire stops cutting open the can and gives Alice a pointed look. She too knew betrayal. Finding people to truly trust you with your life was rare these days let alone finding love. Claire sets the can down and grabs Alice's hands while smoothing over the bandages reminding herself to change them before looking into Alice's 's a pregnant pause, she can hear Alice swallow hard, while Claire ignores the proximity between her and Alice and her sudden irregular heartbeat. Claire takes a ragged breath before finding a response that isn't offensive and yet understanding on Alice's stubborn terms.

She let's out a shy smile, "Let me help you in the meantime? While you figure it out how to do things by yourself?"

Before waiting for a response she drops Alice's hands and picks up the can and shakes it for emphasis. Claire resumes her work on getting the can open.

"Besides it has only been a week, your body is still healing and figuring things out?"

A toothy grin sneaks in, "Also, I would like to eat someday..."

This earns a Claire a genuine smile and a light shove from Alice.

"Got it!" erupts Claire with a victory smile that makes Alice's heart flutter.

"What is it?" Alice peers into the cans contents

"Peaches"

Days are long -Claire does perimeter checks to keep her focused and makes sure her weapons are always loaded and ready in case a quick escape needed. They are running low on water and food, Claire knows they should get moving but to where? She wants to try to find her brother and K-mart if they're still alive. First, she must make sure Alice is healthy enough to move and be able to fight if needed, through the new world Umbrella created and now starting to eradicate.

As if Alice was reading her mind.

"Let's open this thing up, I am ready to get going." Alice says holding up the Umbrella tech.

"Hello Alice." the Red Queen suddenly appears from the piece of tech in holograph form. Given Alice's history with the Red Queen she wasn't so keen on being in possession of or willing to work with the AI.

"What is it I can assist you with?"

"What is the extent of Umbrellas powers?"

"I do not understand what you mean Alice, please be more descriptive "

Agitated, "If we are to save humanity. I need to know the extent of Umbrella's powers. For instance, can you use your satellite to detect people? The infected? Where I need to go and the best routes to get there?"

"I am able to detect B.O.W, the infected and human life."

"However, to navigate or as you say (best routes). I will need an upgrade. My navigation system hasn't been fully integrated into my OS. In order to upgrade, you will need to go to the nearest Umbrella facility NEST, which is according to my sensors is running at approximately 80% power. From there I will be able to upgrade my bios system where I am able to calculate more accurately and assist you in your directives."

Stunned but not entirely surprised, "Another Umbrella hive? Weren't they blown up along with the Racoon location? How many of you assholes are there?"

This peaked Claire's interest, she comes to stand next to Alice.

"We have 20 locations across the world. Four of are in the United States of America. While the Umbrella Racoon and Umbrella Japan locations may have been terminated, I assure you other operations are running in at least some capacity."

"That's comforting" mocked Alice's response to possible resistance. She notices Claire moved closer to the Red Queen and was mulling things over.

"What is it?" asked Alice

"Maybe Chris is at one of these facilities, he was member of S.T.A.R.S, he could have gone to one of these locations after Arcadia. Maybe K-mart is with him?" Claire stares at Alice with a glimmer hope in her eye.

This is the Claire that Alice admired and greatly respected within her friend.

Resilience.

Alice didn't want to ruin her hopes and instead nodded confidently turning back to the Red Queen.

"Where's this NEST exactly?"