Everything feels weird.
Alice can't really describe how she is feeling other then weird. Waking up in the mansion with no memories was strange but she didn't feel scared. Her mind instantly working to try and figure out who she is and what is happening.
The Hive did scare her. Everything she faced down there. Watching the soldiers die one by one. Spencer's betrayal. Matt being infected and chartered off to God knows where. That was all terrifying as it was confusing. Having no memories only made the situation worse. But she felt safe around the soldiers. Not in the they will protect me way. But in the I know we have each other's back in a heartbeat kind of way.
It's difficult to describe. They all knew her name, so she assumes they were all friends or something like that. That's actually how she learnt her name was Alice.
Nothing made sense to her at the time, and everything was such a rush of life and death that she hadn't had the time to process everything. Even after the Hive she never got the chance to figure things out as Umbrella came for her and Matt. Voices she vaguely recognised lingered over her as they experimented on her. But even that was a blur to her. Like it's blocked out just out of reach but visible. All she can really remember after the Hive before waking up in pain. There was so much pain.
Now she's back in Raccoon City surrounded by the dead again. Only this time she's alone. No Matt looking for his sister. No Rain to joke with. No Kaplan to mock. No Shade to surrender her role of leader to take some of the pressure off.
Just her and thousands of undead.
After escaping the hospital, she realised some of her memories had returned. She remembered Rain was her best friend. She had a small fling with Medic. Shade took on the father role with her when she was younger. And there was another woman in her head. She isn't entirely sure who she is but she's important.
She had vague flashes of her in the Hive, but that information wasn't helpful at the time, so she pushed it down to focus on not getting eaten. Now though out of the Hive and still fighting the undead more and more images of the woman are coming back. As well as the need to find her.
The first thing she did once she got out of the hospital was find a weapon. A wrecked police car had an unattended shotgun she quickly grabbed before moving on. Shattered shards of glass cut into her feet before her broken skin healed on its own. Now she may not remember a lot, but she knows that her speeded up healing isn't normal. Nor is the way it feels like something is crawling under her skin seeking to burst out of her.
Her senses feel disoriented. Every whistle of the wind or distant scream sounds like a gunshot going off in her ear. The air smells thicker. Like everything around her suddenly has its very own strong scent that makes her dizzy as it overwhelms her. Everything around her is brighter. Time seems to move differently around her. Everything seems slower around her. It's a strange mixture of sensations that make it difficult for her to focus on any one thing.
It doesn't help that her mind is a disorganised clutter. Memories from her past are blurred and shattered. Mixed up in her head. Yes, they are growing clearer but nothing in her mind makes sense. It is a cocktail of different voices and vague faces. It hurts. The blurs and confusion thudding against her skull her mind desperately tries to make sense of everything while adapting to her stranger senses. It's too much. Far too much.
But she knows she can't stay out in the open and go around dressed like this. So she forces her body to trudge on. The cool autumn air actually helped battling against her burning skin giving her some relief. Which is something else that is strange. She feels cold but her skin is burning. That doesn't make any sense but it's how she feels. The inside of her and the outside seem to be on opposite ends of the scale. An icily chilling her to burn while it feels like lava is being poured on her skin. The two shouldn't be happening at the same time but are.
It seems that the supposed sixth sense would also be heightened. It's like she can sense where the infected are before she can see or hear them. It's a feeling on her skin and a whisper in the back of her mind. Following it she manages to avoid any infected as she makes her way further into the ruined city.
Finding the gun shop next to the clothing store was a surprising turn of good luck. The fact the gun shop hadn't already been raided only added to that. Quickly she got dressed. She had just finished putting her jeans on when it felt like the thing moving under her skin was seriously about to tear its way out of her skin. Pain ricochets around her body as she drops to her knees. A lump in her arms begins to move and her mind flashes back to being in a lab somewhere. She was injected with the T-Virus and put into the Nemesis Program. As what Matt. But what is the Nemesis Program. Where is Matt.
They experimented on her. they kept injecting her with the T-Virus. it burned but they kept going. even when she screamed. She was injected with so many drugs. What did they do to her. Is that why everything feels out of place within her own body right now.
As the pain begins to dull another memory hits her. One far more happy and less traumatizing.
"So, there's something I've been wanting to ask you," Jill states bluntly but with a hint of nervousness. The two of them are lying in Alice's bed the first few rays of morning light beginning to shine through the open window.
Wanting to ease any worry about her personal question Alices reaches out taking one of Jill's hands into her own. "You can ask me anything Jill you know that." It's a statement. A fact of the matter. Jill is the one person Alice can trust without fear or regret. The one person she knows will always stand beside her.
A terrifying idea when Alice first figured it out but something she has grown into. Something she has come to love about Jill. The warm safe feeling she gets from the raven haired woman beats back any insecurities she might be feeling. What are they in comparison to Jill's endless kindness and love. In a fight between her own negative thoughts and Jill the STARS member would win every time.
Jill smiles softly at her. "I know but I never want you to feel pressured to say or do anything you don't want."
Ever since Alice opened up to her about her past Jill has been far more considerate of everything action, she takes regarding her. Never wanting to overstep. Which to Alice is a nice change of pace. Even though it's unnecessary for Jill to do. "I know. It's sweet you still make sure though."
Jill has never liked the way she easily brushes off her past experiences. How she always seems to minimise what happened to her. "I will always make sure. But not the point. I was wondering if you would be willing to come to the BBQ Captain Henderson is hosting this weekend for all STARS members. A sort of team bonding thing. He does it a few times a year when it's nice to boost morale."
Alice goes silent as what Jill is asking starts to sink in. "And... You want me... to come with you." She stutters out, her heart rate shooting up.
Jill doesn't dare break eye contact with her. "Yes."
"As your friend," Alice asks cautiously not wanting to take the wrong end of the stick. Although Jill is out as bi to her out of work friends and family, she hasn't informed anyone at her work that she is in fact not one hundred percent straight.
The dark haired woman shakes her head scooting closer to her. "No. As my partner."
Alice blinks at her partner's words. "Are you sure. You wanted to keep us quiet." It wasn't said to be accusatory. She gets it. As Jill works for the Stars who are very open and loud about their dislike towards Umbrella it made sense for the two of them to keep their relationship quiet in fear of repercussions on Jill's job. Especially since Jill is the only woman on her team and under enough scrutiny for that as it is. Never mind throwing in her sexuality and her girlfriends being seen as the enemy.
Jill sighs in response closing her eyes tightly before reopening them. Her hand reaching out for Alice's. "I know I did. But I thought about it and realised it felt like I was trying to hide you from them. And I'm not. I wouldn't hide you. I'm not scared or embarrassed about being with you. But I think it's time I make everyone see that I have the most amazing woman at my side."
She knows Jill isn't openly talking about her because of any of those things. It was something the two of them had discussed when they first got together and again after they got back together. It was agreed at the time it was what was best for the unique situation they had found themselves in. A Romeo and Juliet relationship.
She herself doesn't mind the idea of meeting Jill's work friends. And if either of them worked a different job she would be jumping at the chance. But they can't ignore the whole Stars vs Umbrella rivalry. The last thing she wants is to cause issues for Jill at work because of who she is. Not everyone on the workforce will be happy with Jill's choice of partner. "People will know you're dating a member of Umbrella. Won't that affect your work."
"No," Jill states firmly. "I talked to Henderson the other day. I told him I was in a relationship with a higher up in Umbrella. Someone I wasn't going to be leaving." Alice can't help the smile that grows on her face at hearing those words. "He wasn't thrilled about the idea but had me fill out some forms and congratulated me for finding someone who makes me happy. And you do Alice. You make me so happy, and I want others to know that."
She told her Captain. She's serious about this. Jill is ready to let people know about them. Happiness wells up her chest at knowing this. To the point where she can't stop her smile from over taking her face. "Well, if you are one hundred percent sure then I would love to meet your friends." Alice ignore the way nerves start building in her stomach at the thought of meeting them.
"Really," Jill asks making sure.
"Really," Alice assures her fully meaning the words. "You've already met mine, so I guess it's only fair." The rivalry between Umbrella and Stars is famous but mostly from the Stars members. That is mainly due to how much better paid Umbrella soldiers are and how they can get away with far more then any cop could. It's no secret that Umbrella used its power and influence to cut corners which has never sat right with police. Which is why it was safer for Jill to meet the people Alice works with rather than her meeting the people Jill does.
Not that the meeting between them was planned. It accidentally happened when Alice was in the hospital after being shot. Jill refused to leave her side and was there when the Commandos came and visited her after hearing the news.
From what Alice understands it wasn't the greatest first meeting given the fact the whole team knew that Jill had recently broken up with her and asked for her help on the case which resulted in her almost dying. As you can imagine the Commandos weren't all too thrilled to see Jill when they came to check on her. Medic told her there were lots of screaming and insults traded between everyone. Blame was cast on Jill and if it wasn't for Shade ordering everyone to shut up all of them would have been kicked out of the hospital.
Shade kept everyone in line while she was still unconscious. After she woke up things seemed to settle but her team still didn't like the fact Jill was there given everything that happened. It took some time but they eventually saw that Jill did really care about her and they were very accepting of her when they officially got back together but did warn Jill she would have to deal with them if she ever hurt her again. Which is both sweet and embarrassing.
Thankfully after that encounter her teammates have become more understanding and open to Jill. "Your friends were far more normal then I was expecting."
Was that an insult or a compliment. With Jill, she can never be too sure. Especially when talking about members of Umbrella or Vickers. "I'm going to take that as a compliment."
Jill lets out a small laugh at this understanding her confusion. "It was." Now she might tell her friends that Jill approves of them but that would be giving them the satisfaction of knowing Jill likes them. She prefers to leave them wondering.
"Good..." She going to meet Jill's co-workers. She's going out with Jill in public openly as partners. No more hiding or pretending. "I should bring expensive drinks shouldn't I." When meeting people for the first time it's expected to bring them something. Her parents instilled that into her when she was younger and had to go to many different functions. If her captain is hosting a BBQ she should bring something to add to everything already brought. Her own contribution.
Jill's smile dims a little at hearing this but looks at her with understanding eyes. Alice tilts her head looking for what it is she did wrong. "You don't have to buy them off." Jill quietly tells her in that soft voice she only uses when they are dealing with something traumatic for either of them.
Which begs the question why Jill is using it now."They are the people who surround you at work all the time. I do need them to like me. This might just be the most important meeting of my life so far." Anxiety begins to creep back in. What if she messes up. What if they all she her. What if she embarrasses Jill.
"Hey." Jill's quiet voice interrupts her spiral as her thumb brushes against Alice's cheek. Alice sinks into the touch. "If you really want to bring something we'll go out and buy some beers or something. But they won't care if you don't." Jill leans forward gently pressing her lips against Alice's. "They will love you just as I do"
"Jill." Both Alice and memory Alice say her name but the memory version of her says it more shyly and amused rather than the confused version Alice mutters out. "Jill." She repeats again with a sense of familiarity. The name lingers on her tongue as if she's said it a thousand times before. It's more familiar to her then her own name is.
The woman who was appearing in her mind while down in the Hive was Jill. The dark hair and voice match. Jill is someone important to her. A girlfriend or maybe more. She isn't entirely sure. But she does know that she loved Jill. That much is obvious from her memories. But where is Jill now.
STARS... they were police Alice recalls. With the city gone to hell STARS would have been the first line of defence. So, Jill would have been out fighting the infected.
A dark rational part of her mind tells her if that is the case Jill is most likely dead. Those who go up against the infected first are more likely to perish as they couldn't have truly understood what it was, they were going up against. But the larger part of her brain is screaming at her that Jill is still alive. That Jill was smart enough to understand what was going on and has the skills to look after herself.
Something inside of her tells her she needs to arm herself. Trusting in her instincts as she did in the Hive when facing the mutated dogs and the hordes of infected humans. It feels like she's being tugged to head north. Pushing herself up onto her feet Alice wastes no time in gathering what weapons she can gather before borrowing the motorbike parked outside. The feeling of need to head North only seems to increase so Alice heads off in that direction. Maybe it's a warning to not be in the area and infected are coming. Maybe it's just her being crazy.
Either way, she heads north. The sun long since set and the only light sources from around the city are broken street lights or fires burning in cars, shops, and buildings. The sight alone is what you would expect in an end of the world movie. Is the whole world like this. How far has the infection spread. Is it just Raccoon City or does the rest of the world look like this. Is there anyone else left alive.
The drive is somewhat calming. And Alice is thrilled to learn she can in fact ride a motorbike and with no one else around she can go as fast as she likes. It's almost freeing. Did she own a bike before. Can she drive a car. Surely if she drives a bike, she can drive a car. That's something else she can test out later. It's not like anyone is going to arrest her for stealing a car and seeing if she can drive it.
Passing a graveyard, she immediately brings her bike to a stop. All her senses are being assaulted as dread pulls in her stomach. Alice barely has a second to try and understand why as every scene in her body is yelling at her to fight as her body strangely fills with adrenalin but hyper focuses on the Church.
A second later a volley of gunshots are heard coming from inside the Church and Alice reacts. Revving her bike, she charges towards the stained glass window ramming into a licker as it moves to eat one of the people trapped inside. Taking a quick glance around three people stand in her way surrounded by an equal amount of lickers. She doesn't give the survivors too much thought as the Lickers start circling her. Turning her bike around one Licker drops from the roof in front of her near the armed survivors. "Move." She yells at them once again revving her bike before backflipping off of it sending it flying towards the Licker. Pulling out her pistols she aims for the gas tank.
The explosion blasts one of the lickers away. A scrambling noise behind her has her turning to face the second Licker. Its claws dig into the wall as it makes its way down to her. Judging her as she judges it. Putting her pistols away she pulls out her submachine guns. The last time she used a pistol against a Licker down in the Hive it didn't do anything. If it wasn't for Matt slamming that bag of pipes into it and opening the grate after she used a pipe to lock it in place the pistol alone wouldn't have been enough to kill it.
The Licker jumps down in front of her directly in front of the cross as well. Behind her, the licker that she hit with her bike is getting back up. She can't take two on at the same time. Looking at the cross she sees how it's kept in place by two metal chains. The Licker rolls its tongue out at her in a threatening manner. In response, Alice starts shooting the area around the chain as the Licker starts to run towards her. Just as it's about to jump at her the cross falls landing directly on top of the Licker trapping it.
Whipping out her shot gun Alice turns towards the last Licker kicking one of the long benches towards it making it jump up and over it to get her. Only instead of a delicious meal the Licker is greeted by a shotgun blast to the head. Cocking the gun Alice marches over to the trapped Licker. It's tongue flailing wildly towards her. Levelling her gun she fires again directly into its head. Bits of its exposed brain fly everywhere.
Even on to one of the survivor's shoes. Alice can't help the twitch of her lip at the sight. Only for that to fall in pure shock at who the boot belongs to.
"Who the fuck are you." Comes Jill pissed off tone as the dark haired woman stares her down. Behind the helmet, Alice freezes. She found her. Out of everyone in the city she could have stumbled across it had to be Jill. Her heart starts to work overtime. What does she say. How can she explain everything that has happened to Jill. Fuck she doesn't even know the full extent of their relationship. They might not even be together anymore. If that is the case this is going to be really awkward.
"Jill." She manages to croak out in response.
Jill's eyes narrow at her even more. An injured black man in Stars get up limps forward along with a woman in heels and an office styled shirt and skirt. Not the best outfit for an apocalypse but then again Jill is also in a mini skirt and tube top. At least she is wearing boots rather than heels. Though she does look good in that skirt. Why does she recognise the outfit. A memory tugs at her mind but nothing comes forward. "How the fuck do you know who I am."
Shaking slightly Alice removes her helmet dropping it to the floor. "I... uh... Jill." Looking back Alice would curse herself for not having some witty line or smart response over her fumbling but in that moment, Jill was the only word she could say that made sense to her.
Jill's eyes widened as the helmet was removed. It was the calling of her name that brought her back to reality. As soon as the name slipped past Alice's lips Jill moved. Well, more like sprinted forward jumping on to Alice who managed to keep the two of them standing up as Jill wrapped Alice into a tight embrace. One Alice was all too happy to return. The warmth of Jill beat back the coldness she had been feeling since she woke up. The scent of gunpowder, lavender and something else filled Alice's nose in a comforting way.
Something stirs inside of her rejoicing at finding Jill again. It's like everything finally clicks into place. All her senses that had been going haywire before all locked onto Jill forgetting about everything else. Nothing else matters at that moment but Jill. Even her mind seemed to settle by Jill's presence alone.
"You're alive. You're alive." Jill whimpers into her neck over and over again. Her grip tightening on the dark haired woman.
"I found you. You're safe." Alice says more to herself then Jill. Is this what her sixth sense was screaming at her for earlier. Is Jill why she was pulled north. She doesn't really care. All she cares about is the fact that Jill is in her arms again. The rest can be sorted out later. For now, she has a small moment of peace. One she is all too willing to savour.