CLAIREVEMBER 2024
Day 8 - survivor
"My name is Claire Redfield. I'm a junior at the University of Colorado at Denver. And last year, I survived three biohazard outbreaks caused by the negligence of the pharmaceutical company, Umbrella, Inc."
Cameras flashed and click–click-clicked behind Claire. The flashes threw licks of white light across the aging faces of the suited and dressed Congressional members who sat at a wide, elevated, half-circle stand before her. They all looked down upon her, their bespeckled eyes full of expectation.
Taking a deep breath, Claire squared her shoulders, glanced at her notes, and continued.
"I know that Umbrella was the cause of the outbreaks because at the heart of all three were Umbrella employees using Umbrella property in Umbrella facilities recklessly, immorally, and with no regard for anyone but themselves. During all three incidents that I witnessed, including the one we now call the Raccoon City Incident, I gathered numerous pieces of documentation to support my claims. I have submitted this documentation to you for your review and verification of authenticity.
"In addition to the documentation, I will submit to you the names of other survivors I met while navigating the horrors of these nightmares that Umbrella wrought on your fellow Americans. They include: Leon Kennedy, Robert Kendo, Sherry Birkin, Rodrigo Juan Raval, and Steven Burnside. Likely you've only heard of two of these survivors, Leon and Sherry. That's because the other three didn't make it.
"Robert Kendo I saw die with my own eyes. Rodrigo Juan Raval my brother Christopher Redfield, who's with me today, saw die with his own eyes. And Steve sacrificed himself so that I could be here today, standing before you, telling you our stories because some of us can't. Because some of us are dead, because of Umbrella.
"Congressional members, I join Chris and the remaining members of his STARS branch – survivors themselves of an Umbrella-facilitated outbreak – in beseeching you to hold Umbrella responsible for what they've done. Thank you."
The Congressional members looked at one another.
"Is that all?" asked Congressman Johnson from Wisconsin.
"Yes, sir, that's all," Claire said.
"Are there any questions?" he asked his fellow Congressmen and -women.
They all shook their heads. Congresswoman Keeley audibly said, "No."
"No questions at this time," said Congressman Johnson. "You may have a seat, Ms. Redfield."
Exhaling, she grabbed her notes and returned to her seat beside Chris.
"That concludes the survivors' testimonies for today," announced Congressman Johnson. "We'll reconvene at half past two today to review the evidence in private. Once we have reached a satisfactory decision, we'll announce it here."
As the room rustled with the sound of the well-dressed standing and exiting, Claire and Chris remained in their seats.
"What do you think's gonna happen?" Claire asked.
"Hard to tell. I guess it's no use worrying about it now. We did what we could. Let's get some coffee and hunker down in the hotel room where it's warm."
"Sounds like a plan."
As Claire and Chris exited the room, Claire noticed a balding old man in a wheelchair sitting alone in the far corner. He wore all black, from his winter coat to his leather loafers. He was watching them, interest lacing his icy blue eyes like strychnine.
"Is that him?" Claire murmured.
"Yeah. Ozwald E. Spencer himself."
Spencer nodded, a slimy smile playing at his sagging lips. Claire did not return it.