Chapter Five
The floodlights cast eerie shadows across the ancient walls of the temple, revealing long-forgotten glyphs and artwork. Claire stood at the center of the staircase, her heart pounding in her chest.
Albert Wesker, the man she had hoped never to see again, descended towards her with an unnerving grace. His sunglasses reflected the terror etched on her face, amplifying it as though mocking her vulnerability. Every muscle in her body screamed at her to flee, but her legs refused to obey, paralyzed by the unsettling presence that now loomed before her.
When he was just a few steps away, Wesker stopped, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "I must say, you are looking lovelier than ever," he purred. "The years have been kind."
Claire felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, self-conscious in the blue and white floral dress he'd given her to wear. It clung to her body, highlighting her vulnerability in a way that armor never would. She tried to steady her voice as she asked, "What do you want with me?"
Wesker tilted his head, studying her as if she were a fascinating specimen under a microscope. "There's no need to be afraid," he told her, though his words provided her no comfort. "I have no intent of physically harming you."
"Then why?" she demanded, trying to mask her fear with bravado. She had faced monsters before but never one so unnervingly human.
"If you're asking why I had you brought here," Wesker said, his voice taking on a sinister edge, "you're in for quite a tale, dearheart."
The tension in the air crackled like electricity, threatening to choke every breath from Claire's lungs. She braced herself for whatever twisted tale Wesker had in store, but a sudden, angry interjection cut through her anticipation.
"Save your stories," Elliott snapped, his voice tight with barely-contained fury. "I'm not interested."
Claire jumped at the sound of his voice, having momentarily forgotten he was there. She shot him a wide-eyed warning, knowing full well that provoking Wesker would only make things worse. "Elliott, don't—" she began, but he cut her off.
"I don't give a shit about—"
He never finished his sentence. In the blink of an eye, Wesker had closed the distance between them, his hand wrapping around Elliott's throat like a vise. Neither Claire nor Elliott had even seen him move; his superhuman speed made it impossible to track. He may as well have appeared out of thin air.
"Listen to the lady," Wesker growled, his voice low and menacing. "You'd be wise to heed her advice."
The harsh sound of Elliott's gasping breaths filled the air, tearing at Claire's heart. She couldn't stand by any longer, watching her would-be boyfriend suffer at the hands of this monster. With a surge of determination, she lunged at Wesker, desperately trying to pry his hand from around Elliott's throat. But her efforts were in vain. Wesker's grip was like iron, his strength far beyond that of a normal man.
"Leave him alone, damn it!" Claire shouted at Wesker, her voice breaking with emotion.
Wesker released Elliott without warning, and he fell to the floor, coughing violently. Claire dropped to her knees beside him, placing a hand on his back in a feeble attempt to comfort him. But Elliott jerked away from her touch, glaring at her with suspicion and anger. It stung, but she couldn't blame him; they had been thrown together by circumstance, and trust was not easily earned in this nightmarish world.
The animosity between them seemed to amuse Wesker, but he remained silent, watching their strained relationship unfold before him like a twisted play.
"Let's get back to the matter at hand," Wesker said, casually brushing off the tense moment. "I didn't bring you here to settle some score with your brother, Chris." He paused, letting the words sink in for a moment before continuing. "No, my interest in you only began last year."
His words sent a shiver down her spine, and Claire fought to keep her composure. "What changed?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
The temple's oppressive atmosphere bore down on Claire as she glared at Wesker, her blue eyes narrowed and her red hair framing her face like a fiery halo. She could feel the weight of Elliott's distrustful gaze upon her, but her focus remained locked on the man who had haunted her nightmares for years.
"Have you forgotten your little encounter with Frederick Downing?" Wesker asked mockingly, his voice dripping with condescension. "Head researcher of Wilpharma?"
Claire's hands balled into fists at the memory, anger surging through her veins. "Hard to forget someone who tried to kill me." Her words were sharp and laced with venom. "Were you working with him? Is this some twisted form of payback for his downfall?"
Wesker scoffed, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Hardly. Frederick was a colossal imbecile who was far too sloppy at covering his tracks." He paused, savoring the drama of the moment. "No, it was Excella's company, Tricell, that purchased what was left of Wilpharma after its spectacular implosion. And during the cleanup, they found something... intriguing."
Claire held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for whatever revelation Wesker had in store. She could see the twisted pleasure he took in drawing out the suspense, making her squirm with uncertainty.
"Imagine our surprise," Wesker continued, "when we discovered traces of blood in an undamaged part of the building. The control room, specifically. I found out from the video footage that you were the last one in there, dearheart."
Claire looked down, drawn into the memory. Her lower leg throbbed even though the injury had long since healed.
Wesker paused, letting the information sink in before delivering the final blow. "I analyzed your blood on a whim and found something quite unexpected – the G-Virus, coursing through your veins. And yet, despite being infected for over a year, you haven't mutated."
Claire's heart pounded in her chest, the chilling revelation of her infection threatening to consume her. She stared at Wesker, her blood roaring in her ears as she struggled to find her voice.
"You're lying!" she finally managed to choke out, her eyes blazing with defiance.
"Miss Redfield," Wesker said smoothly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You don't strike me as naive. Do you honestly think I would have gone to this much trouble just to tell a fib?" He gestured around the brightly lit temple, reminding her of the lengths he had gone to in order to bring her here.
Claire tried to glare at him, but tears blurred her vision. Her mind raced, trying to find a way to prove him wrong. But as much as she hated to admit it, Wesker made a terrifying amount of sense. She had been injured in an explosion at Wilpharma – infection was entirely possible under those circumstances.
"Please, don't let it be true," she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.
As she grappled with the horrifying implications, Claire could see Elliott's expression shift from concern to something bordering on terror. He took a step back, distancing himself from her as if she were a bomb about to detonate. His voice trembled when he finally spoke up.
"I don't even know who you are," Elliott said to Wesker, his eyes flicking between the two of them. "Or her, it seems. I'm not a part of whatever this is."
Claire's heart twisted in her chest, hurt by the notion that Elliott was throwing her under the bus and trying to negotiate his release. But she couldn't blame him for it – they'd only known each other for a short time, and the world of bioterrorism was far from what he'd signed up for. However, she also knew Wesker well enough to recognize he wouldn't be so merciful.
Wesker's lips curled into a sinister smile as he regarded Elliott, the lights casting eerie shadows across his face. "I don't recall giving the impression that your future is open for debate," he stated coldly. "I will admit that your involvement was something I hadn't planned for. However, you'll serve a purpose nonetheless. I could always use another test subject."
Claire's protective instincts flared to life, the words slicing through her like a knife. She didn't give Elliott time to react before stepping forward, the fire of fury burning in her eyes. "No! I won't let you do this again!" she spat, her voice trembling with barely restrained rage.
Wesker regarded her coolly, an unsettling smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Are you worried about our story on Rockfort Island repeating itself?" he asked flatly, his tone mocking.
She spoke quickly, fearing that she might lose her nerve if she hesitated. "You don't get to go there!" she exclaimed, her voice quivering with a mix of anger and determination. "You have to know I'll fight you every step of the way if anything happens to Elliott!"
Wesker cocked an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. "It sounds like you're proposing a deal, Miss Redfield."
Claire took a deep breath, steadying herself. This was it - her chance to protect Elliott, and maybe even find a way out of this nightmare. She looked Wesker directly in the eyes, her voice resolute. "Do we have one?"
Wesker's laughter cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife, sending a chill down Claire's spine. "What I wouldn't give to see your brother's reaction to this conversation," he mused, his voice dripping with amusement. He paused for a moment, then added, "As long as you uphold your end, dearheart, we have an agreement."
Claire tried to ignore the unsettling way he addressed her, focusing instead on the deal she had just struck. She only hoped it wouldn't prove to be a fatal mistake.
Turning to Elliott, Wesker decided it was time for full disclosure. "It may be best to lay all cards on the table," he said, removing his sunglasses with a deliberate slowness that seemed designed to unnerve them both.
Claire, no stranger to the world of bioterrorism and genetic mutation, couldn't help but gasp at the sight; however, nothing could have prepared her for the terror that gripped her chest as she looked into Wesker's cold, inhuman eyes. They were the color of molten gold, with a reptilian slit in place of a pupil - a horrifying testament to the monstrosities that man could create in his quest for power.
Elliott's reaction was immediate, his eyes widening in shock as he took a step back. "What are you?" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear.
"Someone who dislikes rude questions," Wesker replied flatly, slipping his sunglasses back on and effectively shutting out any further attempt at inquiry. He motioned towards the stairs with a gloved hand. "Miss Redfield can fill you in on the rest, I'm sure. For now, allow me to show the two of you where you'll be staying."
Claire hesitated for a moment, grappling with the reality that she'd just made a deal with a monster. She knew there would be consequences, but protecting Elliott was worth whatever price she might have to pay.
Claire's breath caught in her throat as Wesker pressed a button on a sleek, black remote control. The elevator doors slid open with a whisper, revealing the cold steel interior. She stepped inside cautiously, her eyes locked on Wesker's unnervingly calm expression.
The elevator's mechanical hum filled the air as it descended further into the depths of the underground facility, its sterile walls enclosing them like a steel coffin. Claire clenched her fists, feeling the cold metal railing dig into her palms. She focused on this pain to steady herself, refusing to let Wesker see her fear. Elliott stood beside her, his jaw set in quiet defiance, but she could sense his unease.
As the elevator came to a shuddering stop at sub-level five, the doors slid open to reveal a small steel hallway lined with three identical doors. The harsh fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting distorted shadows that seemed to writhe and dance along the walls. Wesker stepped out first, his boots echoing ominously down the corridor.
"Your accommodations," Wesker said, leading them towards the second door in the hallway. He paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder, his sunglasses reflecting the flickering overhead lights. "I hope they'll be sufficient. While this area was constructed with only one occupant in mind, there should be enough room for two."
Elliott glanced at Claire, his expression a mix of concern and anger. "There's no way I'm sharing a living space with her," he protested, his voice strained.
"Your preferences matter little to me, Mr. Gregory," Wesker replied flatly, typing a code into the nearby keypad. The door unlocked with a metallic click, and he pushed it open. "I hardly have the time or inclination to construct a separate room for you."
Claire hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, her unease deepening as she took in the space. The furnishings were surprisingly comfortable – a plush red sofa, a cozy lavender rug, and even a small kitchenette – but there was no mistaking the fact that this was to be her prison.
"Make yourselves at home," Wesker said, his lips curling into a sinister smile. "You'll be here for a while." The door slammed shut behind them, sealing Claire and Elliott inside their gilded cage.
"Damn it," Elliott muttered, his eyes darting around the room with barely concealed panic. "This can't be happening."
She crossed the room and sank down onto the sofa, her legs curling up against her chest as she fought back tears. In her darkest moments, she'd always clung to hope – the belief that she could survive anything, that she was strong enough to overcome whatever obstacles life threw at her. But now, trapped in this cold, sterile prison, Claire Redfield felt more alone and helpless than ever before.
"God help us," she murmured through choked sobs, her body racked with the weight of her despair. "Because I don't know if I can do it alone."
Author's Notes: I am working at editing the next grouping of chapters for this story, which will hopefully be ready and posted within the month. I don't know if any fans of my Transformers fanfics are reading this, but I am also working on a new and improved version of Starxis; I hope to post that story in its entirety relatively soon.
I hope you are all enjoying the revised version of Tangled Web, which was largely generated with an AI writing program called Sudowrite. If chapters 1 - 3 seem like a radical departure from the original version, it's because I'd been thinking of rewriting the events leading up to the abduction for some time; I'd just never got around to it until now. I will also be fleshing out Elliott's character more in upcoming chapters.
Stay tuned.