Chapter 33 - One Of Us

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⚠️ This chapter contains descriptions that might bring you discomfort. Be advised! ⚠️(mentions of torture and murder)

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| - Extremely Long Chapter - |

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7:30 P.M.

"DAD!" you cry out, feeling sick as you observe your dad's horrendous condition. He's barely recognizable—beaten and bound like a lifeless ragdoll in a chair across from you. Scratches and bruises soil his arms, neck, and legs, while his battered face is covered with shades of dried and fresh blood. 

Even when the material is pulled away from him, he lacks reaction. He doesn't move or speak. His head hangs low, shoulders rising and falling in shallow breaths. Unable to hear his voice or meet his eyes. He's been tortured.

Does he even recognize you anymore? Know that you're right across from him?

This sight of your father brings a wave of nausea to your extremely fragile stomach. "What the hell have you done to him?!" you roar with pure hatred, snapping your head towards Wesker.

"No need to exasperate, Miss (l/n)," Wesker says with fake politeness, "everything done here was with your father's...shall we say, consent," he pauses, seeming to enjoy your reaction through his subtle smirk. "Consider it a mutual settlement of sorts."

Your sobs turn into hiccups as Wesker continues, ignoring completely your distressed state. On the other corner, Krauser and the other guards stand a few meters away from you and Wesker, watching and listening.

"1989. The year Umbrella was threatened to collapse for the first time. James Redfield, Captain of A.B.G.S (Anti Bioterrorism Global Services) was sent to take down our corporation after private information regarding a developing virus that had leaked to the public," Wesker starts, his walk slow. "Redfield, along with a small contingent of his most trusted soldiers and his special doctor, Vector (l/n) - your father - attempted to invade Umbrella's headquarters in order to stop the corporation," his gaze flickers between you and your father's broken form. "But their mission was doomed from the beginning." Approaching you now, Wesker's voice takes on a more menacing edge. "That night, over 500 lives were lost, including those of Redfield and his wife. And your father?" he gestures with a nod towards his chair. "He was a breath away from joining them."

You feel your ears ringing from all these revelations. Your father didn't work for them as Hercules mightily insisted, but against them—Chris and Claire Redfield's parents didn't die in a car accident, as you were always told, but they were instead brutally murmured by...Umbrella.

It all starts to make sense now—why your parents kept you in the dark for so long about their connection with the Redfields. Their relationship wasn't just personal; it was deeply professional. Perhaps more professional than you ever realized. Just like your mom told you the other day.

Your eyes slowly shift back to your father, who seems to be the single witness of that horrific night amongst all of you and carried the weight of that burden for years. That's why he took Chris and Claire in—not just because they were James Redfield's children...but to protect them.

So the documents Hercules brought to the table were- forged.

Fucking Luis...

Your tear-filled eyes return to Wesker, who now stands at the center of the room, hands casually clasped behind his back. "After that night, Vector made sure to erase his tracks and disappear from Umbrella's radars. And now, 16 years later, I don't only manage to be the one to locate him, but do it through his skillful daughter."

"You sick piece of shit!" you spit out. "Let go of my dad!" you demand in desperation.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Wesker says. "There's no point in doing it. Your father is long gone,"

Before you can process his words, the guards move. One of them walks up behind your father, and with force, he tangles fingers on the back of his hair, yanking it behind to your view. You avert your gaze until the other guard walks up to you and grasps your jaw roughly, forcing you to look at him.

Through his filthy condition, you can see his skin pale, adorned with abnormal, bulging veins. The iris of his eye carrying a hue of mold. His jaw hangs, letting low, inhuman growls. The side of his neck is gruesomely swollen and bruised.

He's infected. With god knows what. He's no longer your dad.

You don't know what to say—How to react to something like this. All you do is have mixed feelings- guilt, pain, and blame. Again, and again, and again. These three fucking feelings all over again!

"Your father chose to sacrifice himself for your sake, accepting to be I can be generous enough, and take your father out of his misery," just then, he retrieves his gun from his holster, and your heartbeat quickens, "or keep him alive for another 500 experiments, to repay the soldiers he cost my superiors 16 years ago. It all depends on you." 

"What the hell do you want from me anymore?!" you ask, barely maintaining your cool. "I told you everything I know about the suitcase! What else do you want?!"

"Don't worry," his thumb and index grasp your chin. "What I wanted from you, I already got it." A lopsided smirk grows on his lips. "Once the experiments end successfully, you'll be...upgraded. Enhanced. From there, you will undergo medical and physical training. Make you unstoppable," his voice slow, his tone betraying this twisted anticipation. "And then, you'll become the first immortal, invincible doctor. Working solely for me, for as long as I see fit."

You spit right into his face in response. Your jaw clenches tightly, feeling disgusted by his words and his touch. He's truly sick, his head is over his ass, thinking he owns everyone and everything. 

Wesker's face grows into a scowl. With a rough yank, he shoves your head away from him and before you can blink, his gun raises, and a bullet pierces the side of your father's head, cutting the thread of life in just one second.

"NO! Daaaad!" a heartbreaking scream tears from your throat, writhing violently against the chair, desperate to reach him, to do something...anything!

But he's gone. Just as simple as that. After being tortured, humiliated. And he died like that, while your mom is expecting him at home. He died, thinking you hated him. "No..."

"Take her inside," Wesker orders, handing off his gun to one of the guards, completely unaffected by his cruel actions. "Examine her closely for the next few hours. If she performs no side effects, proceed with the first round of experimentation."

At his orders, the guards walk up to you. But the pain in your chest transforms into loathing. Frustration. They killed Claire's family, your dad, and now you'll be used for experiments. Your mom, Ava- Irene...who says Wesker's not after them too?

"Don't touch me!" you sob angrily, squirming harder against the unbreakable metals that hold you firmly. The guards pay no attention to your reactions, one keeping you in place while the other begins to undo the bounds. "I'll fucking kill you!"

Your pathetic threats fall literally on deaf ears, being completely ignored. With a final click, the restraints release you, and in a desperate attempt to escape, you lunge from the chair. However, the guard is faster than you and immediately wraps his arms around you, yanking your back against him. You use your strength to break free from his strong grip, but the second guard joins in, and their combined hold becomes steel.

Wesker gaze pierces you through his sunglasses, and his ignorance only heightens your fury.  With a firm jerk, he motions the guards and they begin practically dragging you to the exit with forceful tugs.

"I'll fucking kill you next! Mark my fucking words!" you bark, your legs give up, heels scraping against the floor.

Before you're forced to the exit, your gaze meets your dad's deceased body on the chair for one last time. This isn't how you wanted things to end between you and your dad. This isn't how you wanted to see him again. You hoped for a second chance in your complicated relationship with him. But now it's all gone.

"Dad..." you whisper, your voice tremoring before the doors close with a resounding slam.

You're in Umbrella's mercy. Specifically Wesker's. No one's coming after you this time. Not the team, not your family, not Leon.

So that means you're all on your own. And you need to find a way to get out of here. No matter what it takes.

Even if it means...to kill.

----

"What are you planning to do with the team?" Krauser finally speaks up with a question, his voice cutting through the heavy tension as he walks up to Wesker, the soldiers protectively behind him.

"Patience is a virtue, Major," Wesker looks over at Vector's lifeless body, the blood pooling dark and thick on the light floor. "It won't take long for Kennedy to come after her."

"I hope so." Krauser's fingers curl into fists as he steps dangerously close to Wesker. "Because after all these months, I have little to no patience. Either you do the job, or I am," he says lowly, not caring how Wesker will take his words. 

The soldiers instinctively tense, their hands drifting towards their weapons, but Wesker simply raises a hand, his expression untouched by Krauser's attempt to seem intimidating. His silent command keeps the guards in place. With that, Krauser turns heel and begins to walk away from them, the loud bang of the door resonating through the room seconds later.

----

Wesker is already on his way back to his office, escorted by the high security. After dealing with the nurse, it's time to bring Luis into the fold. Final arrangements need to be made. His usefulness has reached its end.

However, the moment he reaches his floor, and the doors of his office open, Wesker is met with an unexpected, but mostly, unwanted guest,

"Ada."

----

Luis grunts lightly, feeling painfully uncomfortable as the ropes dig into his flesh. He's tied up on the chair, inside the main room of the base. Right across from him is Leon, Chris, Piers, Claire, and Hercules, their glares almost deadly, watching him struggle.

"Can you just untie me? Dios mio, it's not like I'm gonna run away, eh," Luis pleads, irritation seeking through the tone in his voice as he shifts against the ropes. Still, no one makes a move. No one says anything. "What do you expect me to do with a broken leg?"

"A lot," Chris says harshly, walking up to him. Looming over Luis' seated form, he grabs Luis' chin roughly, forcing eye contact. "You killed Carlos, sent off (y/n) to Umbrella, and who knows what other shit you've pulled that we don't even know about yet." he leans closer. "If I find out this is another trap to lure us to Wesker, I'll put a bullet through that thick skull of yours before he gets the chance to kill us."

"I already told you all I know," Luis insists, his eyes darting around the room, seeking any hint of sympathy. "Look, the longer we sit here arguing, the more time Umbrella has to do God-knows-what to (y/n). You want to save her or not?"

Leon huffs, pushing off from the table. "That's rich, coming from the guy who shoved her into that car in the first place." His words are dripping with venom, shutting Luis up.

"Hate to say it, Luis has a point," Piers pipes up. "It's been hours already and time keeps ticking. We need a plan. Fast."

"Yeah, but not just any plan. We need something that'll get us into that building without setting off every alarm in the place," Hercules also chimes in.

"There's no way you can sneak in undetected," Luis cuts in quickly, looking straight at Chris. "Especially you and Leon. The moment they spot either of you, it's over. They'll take you too."

Chris sighs, turning heel and striding towards the table. It's already known that Umbrella is guarded to the bone, especially with Wesker in there. Getting in is going to be one hell of a challenge.

Leon goes silent, his mind running through possible scenarios to intrude and escort (y/n). It's his top priority, after all. Meanwhile, Luis keeps talking, "They've got masked guards at the block, at the entrance, outside Wesker's office..."

"So...everywhere imaginable," Claire murmurs to herself, her hands crossed as she leans against the wall.

"Almost," Luis confirms. "Your main barrier is the entrance of the building. They need every single one's information."

"Then we'll let Umbrella's own people do the heavy lifting for us," Leon finally speaks, catching the team's looks of curiosity. "We'll have their guards escort our team's doctor instead." He seems to have formed up a specific plan.

----

"You have little to no shame," Wesker stands still, watching how shamelessly Ada is sitting confidently across from his desk, legs elegantly crossed, one arm draped casually over the back of her chair, meeting his gaze with calm indifference.

With a sharp motion, he signals the guards to close the door behind him. "After everything you did, you dare to walk into my office as if nothing happened?" the click echoes and without hesitation, he draws his pistol and aims it right at her. Ada doesn't react. "Tell me, Ada—why shouldn't I finish you right at this moment?"

Ada remains motionless, her expression still cool and composed. Slowly, she reaches into her jacket and retrieves a small vial, holding it up for him to see.

"To make amends," she finally says, shaking the small vial lightly. "Isn't this the sample you wanted?"

----

- 2 Hours Later -

Leon is inside the cold bunker room, his palm softly lying atop her bed; her characteristic scent radiating from her pillow. Her room is a place he can't bring himself to walk out of, especially from the moment he knows she's in danger. Unless Luis is lying once again.

Gradually his fingers curl on the matress, his jaw clenches and his eyes close as Piers and Chris can be heard from inside the main room.

Reaching for the forgotten novel on the nightstand, he takes it in his hand, immediately moving onto the final page, where his name is written by her hand. Her letters.

His thumb tenderly reaches it, a very weak smile crosses his lips as it hovers over it. 

"I'll get you out of here," he whispers to himself.

This moment gets interrupted, the moment the door creaks open, Hercules appears right at the doorframe.

"Everyone's ready. We have to go," he calls out coldly, though there's some type of...warmth in his voice. All that, the moment his eyes make contact with the book in Leon's hands.

Clearing his throat, Leon curtly nods, shutting close the book and place it back on the bed.

As he walks out, Hercules stands still for a moment, hand still on the doorknob as his gaze never leaves the novel. After a few quiet seconds, the empty bunker room falls into darkness, as the door that offered some light, closes.

----

??? A.M.

You feel your consciousness gradually creeping in. But the moment your eyes open you see...nothing. Darkness. Trapped in a void. Suddenly, a soft crackling sound tickles the back of your head but you brush it off.

Time feels...weird. Distorted. You can't tell if you've been out for five minutes or five hours. You can't even understand if what happened before with your dad was real or not. You're at pure loss.

Then out of nowhere, snippets of conversation pierce through the darkness,

"There should've been immediate reaction,"

"There's something else in her. It conflicts with the vaccine to spread."

Your ears perk up at the men's voices while you desperately try to locate the source. Despite trying to focus, the persistent crackling grows, drowning their voices.

"What the hell..." you whisper to yourself, gaze snapping downward to look at your arms take a pale hue. 

Thud...thud...and then, footsteps reverberate. Heavy, ominous thuds that only get closer and closer, even though you can't see anyone approaching.

"She's still unconscious," the first voice says again, sounding further away this time. "Call in a doctor and a virologist to examine the cause of the fainting."

The crackling sound morphs into a steady, buzzing sound, that tortures your eardrums. Your arms feel tickly, causing you to look back down at your arms. The black, venomous lines Leon had when he was infected with that parasite are spreading all over your body, followed by a sinister laugh as the steps grow much closer. 

Is this some fucked-up dream? A hallucination?

"You're carrying so much more than you think," you raise your head to follow the source of the sound, and you see that asshole, Krauser, approaching you. But he's...different. His eyes glow an unnatural, blood-red color, and his arms are disgustingly swollen. In defense, you take a slow step backward. "Hand her over. She won't survive much longer."

You try to speak, but no voice comes out of your mouth. You try to look at him, but your vision grows black, the parasite screaming inside of you - a discomfiting feeling that makes you want to peel your skin off. What is happening to you?

----

12:11 A.M.

It is only a bit over ten minutes after the clock hits midnight. The jet-black, military truck reaches its destination—A few meters away from Umbrella's local headquarters. Within, the team is with Luis and two other B.S.A.A. operators who covered them during the trip.

The operator brings the car to a stop and calls out to the team their arrival.

With that, Piers leans forward. "That must be the HQ," he murmurs, observing the building outside, filled with guards. With practiced ease, he slips on a pair of high-tech night vision goggles, the world outside suddenly flushes bright in the eerie green light and sees Umbrella's logo on every visible soldier's biceps. "Looks like Luis is truthful for now,"

Leon turns his head towards Luis, his face hardened as he watches the traitor's wrists handcuffed, and held by Hercules in place. "'For now'," he emphasizes.

Piers removes the goggles and leans back to face everyone. "We can proceed with the plan."

Claire picks her rifle and removes the mag to ensure it's full, before with smoothness, she draws it back in. Hercules takes the first aid, getting ready along with the others. Leon's attention, however, remains fixed on Luis. The traitor's head hangs low, his eyes locked on the floor, wisely keeping his mouth shut. As he should. He already has caused too much trouble.

"Captain, the helo is in position." Chris' radio crackles, and he reaches to send the response.

"Make sure to stay out of Umbrella's sights. If they locate you and attempt to open fire...you reciprocate."

"Roger, Captain."

"But that will cause...a war," Claire says, her brows furrowed in concern. "We're supposed to invade in secret."

"The war has already begun the moment Wesker decided to go after us." Chris cocks his rifle, turning his attention to Leon. "Leon, at your signal, we begin."

Leon nods, clasping the vest on his chest while Piers picks his gun. The team, and 50 soldiers of the B.S.A.A. have discreetly surrounded the block, everyone awaiting for Leon's next move. When ready, the two men push the truck's doors open, but Claire's soft voice stops them.

"Be careful. Both of you. We can't risk losing anyone else." she says, looking at Leon and Piers with concern.

"Don't worry, Claire. We'll be back," Leon softly assures.

Just then, the two men emerge from the truck, the metal doors creaking shut behind them with a muffled thud, t their rifles that hang on their chests. Their steps are slow and deliberate against the rocky ground as they begin their path to the headquarters. 

With each second, they inch closer and closer to the building. But as they walk, Leon exhales lightly, feeling the constant thoughts eating him alive. Because a part of him believes that...it's his fault.

"You were right all along," he finally speaks up, grabbing Piers' attention. "Dragging (y/n) to this mess even when she tried to leave was...a damn mistake."

"It was wrong of Chris to bring her from the start," Piers says while looking ahead. "From there, I don't think it matters anymore. Umbrella had their sights on her since Rosewood. Through her father too."

"He never worked for them. Claire told me."

Piers' steps slow down, hesitantly looking over to Leon. "Even if her father wasn't truly involved, it was a matter of time before Umbrella's clutches reached out. With Luis giving report for our every move."

"Fucking Luis," Leon mumbles with a shake of his head.

The conversation comes to a sudden end, the moment the lights of the building threaten to expose them. Instantly, Leon and Piers split up, one hiding on the left and the other on the right, on nearby trees and rocks.

"Fuck," Leon curses under his breath, watching the top-notch security that is after Wesker. Not that he didn't expect it. Luis made sure to go on detail about it too. But seeing all these obstacles with his own eyes is a different type of pain. Then, five meters away, two masked guards stroll around, looking towards the exit, where the guys are. Already, Leon's earpiece crackles.

"We'll have to kill them," Piers whispers, but Leon...shakes his head.

"No. We can't do that."

"These men already killed thousands of people."

"And we're not them," Leon whispers at him, retrieving his gun.

"What do you suggest then?"

"We'll go with the traditional way. Knock them out, and pull them out of sight. Consider killing as last choice."

With Piers' sigh, he concedes and the two of them carefully now hold their weapons from the heavy base. "Choose."

"I'll take the right." Leon whispers, his grip tightening on his weapon. "When their backs are turned, we move. No hesitation."

Piers nods, fingers tightening around the grip, both of them waiting with tense muscles for the right moment to stealthy attack. The two guards continue to walk closer and closer, until they stop just a meter away from Leon and Piers' hiding spot.

Given the perfect chance, Leon and Piers quietly and warily begin to leave their spot, approaching the two guards.

At the same time, their guns connect with a powerful hit against the guards heads, and before they collapse, Leon and Piers drag each one into the shadows.

Their movements become hurried as they strip the guards, wearing the Umbrella uniforms with practiced efficiency. The stolen clothes fit awkwardly, but they'll have to do the job just about right. As they adjust their disguises, Leon takes a deep breath, knowing what else is going to follow.

----

"Wesker knows everything. The first chance you get, you get out."

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??? A.M.

You slowly regain consciousness, small hums and huffs reverberate as you turn sides, finding yourself inside a glass-walled cell, firm metal bars stopping you from breaking free.

You jolt, sitting straight immediately, the panic settles in once more. You barely remember what happened when the guards took you out after Wesker killed your dad. In fact, you have no clue when what really happened. You were injected with something that made you doze off. From then on, just cut-off, blurry flashbacks...

-

With a blurry vision, you watched around the white depressingly room getting settled and tied up on a chair, something heavy crowning your head.

Your eyes tiredly fluttered, to see across from you, some people in white aprons, all of them watching you. Muffling, incoherent words to your ears before two masked men walked away from you.

"Target secured. You can proceed with the first injection."

Despite your frail attempts to fight with another round of bounds, you give up eventually. Then all of a sudden, you could feel something sting your neck. From there, barely a minute later, you passed out.

-

Your hand flies your neck, already thinking the worst. Were you injected with something? Something that'll turn you into the fucking monster your dad was? No matter what it is, you need to find a way to get the fuck out of here before they notice you awake and get back to the others.

Sitting up, you try to study your surroundings. It becomes quite challenging since your head still feels heavy from what they apparently drugged you with. Once your vision grows completely crystal clear, all that you see is empty cells, and the grey bars restraining you from freedom.

Suddenly, a bang resonates with a reverbed echo through the cell block, jerking you in panic. You quickly lie back down in place, facing front to sneak peeks of whoever comes here. Watching through the glasses with barely open eyes, you see two masked guards march into view, weapons strapped across their chests.

"Boss said we should wait for Ares," one of them drawls, their voices growing clearer as they near your cell. "Then, we take the girl to the laboratory so they can proceed with the removal operation."

Operation? Removal? What the fuck are they planning to do to you? What are they gonna remove from you? Staying in the dark about what's going on with you drives you insane.

Your fingers curl involuntarily as the fear returns, but you force yourself to stay still, feigning unconsciousness. One of the guards leans casually against the bars of your cell, while the other stands right before him.

Risking it, you open your eyes just a bit, their attention further away from you. That moment, you decide to silently and discreetly observe anything that can help you break free. But only solid walls, and floor firm, black, and polished perfectly. There's nothing...until your eyes drift down to your body. Desperation sharpens your focus. And then, they reach your shoes—The laces.

And the bars...

"And then what?"

"How the hell should I know? Just doing my job as a guard."

A brief silence stretches between them before the first guard speaks again. "I think Wesker's gonna get rid of Luis. He got the nurse, and a stronger sample to work with. Now all he needs is that agent Krauser's been going on about—to turn him into a bioweapon. Then he'll finally have someone to take out Redfield."

They're after Leon now. That explains how they were after him in Rosewood, how he was infected in Cuba. All this, to destroy...Chris?

The revelations continue, finding out more about how Wesker tries to play his own game. And here you are, unable to do anything to reach the team.

"He can do whatever the fuck he wants," the other guard dismisses. "The less we get involved the better our chances of staying alive."

Quickly, you close your eyes shut as one of the guards shifts and steps closer to the bars, peering into your cell. "She's still out?"

The one leaning on the bars joins him, taking his own look. "Looks like it."

"Then you won't need my help," you hear keys jiggling, someone catching them. "I'll go grab some coffee. Want one?"

"Since you're at it, yeah sounds good."

Your body remains still, every muscle is tense, trusting your hearing instead of risking another glance. Footsteps begin to echo through the small corridor that gradually grows more distant.

The other soldier who is leaning back against the bars sighs and removes his mask and hooks it on the side of his belt. Retrieving a packet of cigarettes next, he bites one off from the box. All in the meantime, your eyes hesitantly flutter open once more thinking of how to execute the poor plan you have just thought of. It's extremely dangerous. If they know you're awake. All of this is over. If you remain 'asleep' until Luis arrives, they'll take you. You're caught between a rock and a hard place.

Once more, your eyes land on your shoes. Here goes nothing...

You decide to put that poor plan into action. Slowly and carefully, you sit up, your eyes darting towards the guard, and begin untying your shoelaces. Maybe if you use the laces to try and immobilize him, it'll give you a chance to grab the key and make a break for it....right?

No, no. Fuck it. Crawling very quietly, your shaky hands extend out and begin to tie a knot around one of his tactical ankles, careful of course not to put too much pressure.

Glancing up, you see the back of his head leaning back, the smoke curling up, seeming to be oblivious. So far so good surprisingly.

Your next move is to unclasp the belt from his torso that supports the rifle in hand. But how are you going to pull that off?

Lost in the thoughts, you forget for a moment and you accidentally pull the knot tighter to secure it, making him notice the sudden tug.

"What the..."

You panic, pushing backward. As he's about to turn around, he trips from the knots, almost falling. Without much thought, you take advantage of it by jumping to your feet, grabbing the strap of his rifle, and yanking harshly towards you. He slams back against the cold bars with a pained grunt, and in an instant, your hand sneaks out, reaching for the first weapon in sight. Fingers close around the knife in his holster and in one fluid motion, you draw out, pressing the blade to the side of his throat.

"Give me the fucking key," you rasp behind him, your fingers tightening protectively around the black belt that holds him in place.

He bitterly chuckles, feeling your trembling. "You think I'm scared of you?" he raises his hands in surrender. "You're making a big mistake, sweetheart."

"You're about to make a bigger one if you won't give it to me," your thumb hovers over the leather, the knife feeling slippery from the sweat your palm has. The tip presses harder, eliciting a hiss. "Now go on. The keys."

The soldier seems to value his life and concedes, reaching slowly for the pocket to retrieve the specific key. "You better not try to play anything smart or I swear to fucking god I'll kill you right on the spot," you warn, eyes following every single movement. Your heart hammers, the adrenaline courses through your veins, while the guard's hand inches closer to the pocket the key is.

But instead of reaching for it, he pulls out the handgun from his left.

And where you least expected it, your body reacts on pure instinct. Before you can even process what's actually happening, the knife in your hand plunges deep into the soldier's neck.

You both gasp, your eyes wide open as the realization sinks instantly. The guard's gasps turn into wet, bloody gurgles, the pistol clattering on the floor.

What...what have you done...How could you actually do it?

I need to help him...Is the first thought that crosses your mind as you watch him struggle, his fingers curled, scratching down on his neck helplessly. But the more you look at him, your dad's image comes back, and a darker thought takes over. But I won't.

With a graphic squelch, you pull the knife out. Blood begins to squirt from the wound, hot and watery against your skin. You force yourself to turn your focus, fumbling in the soldier's pocket for the key, ignoring completely his state. At the small, muffled jiggle, you shove your hand into the specific pocket and retrieve the key. The lock clicks as you twirl, the cell door sliding open with a loud creak.

You let the guard go when he feels too heavy for you to hold, letting him collapse on the floor. Next, you step out slowly, watching his dark red blood begin to pool over your feet. He looks up at you, knife back in hand, choking on his own blood.

Until he doesn't react anymore. And his dead eyes look directly at you.

You killed someone. You killed a person.

...He deserved it.

Kneeling down next to the now corpse, your shaky hands reach and unclasp his radio and take the handgun, their surfaces slick with blood. The holster comes next, the leather smoothly hugs your skin as you fasten it around your thigh. The knife sheathes inside, and from there, you get back on steady feet.

Before you get in further trouble, your footsteps are as fast as you can, a part of you still not wanting to realize what you did.

But the evidence is all over your clothes, and skin.

----

12:50 A.M.

Each ping signals to which floor Hercules, Luis, and Chris are on. Inching closer to the 17th floor, the trio remains silent, Luis' head facing the floor, feeling the heavy atmosphere through the thick air and Chris' mindful looks.

"It's my fault," he whispers, shaking his head as if trying to shake away the guilt. "But at least...I hope...after tonight, you..Senorita, Carlos will forgive me, eh..." he lifts his head, and looks over at Chris and Hercules from the door's reflection. "Do you think I can redeem myself?"

Chris doesn't make a single comment. Because the blinded trust he had once for Luis is vanished. Right now, for Chris, Luis is just a pawn that'll help him uncover Wesker's mess. His only redemption towards Carlos is death itself.

His question hangs heavy, left unanswered as the doors ping open. Chris and Hercules stand still behind Luis, waiting for him to step out first. With the help of his crutches, he manages to walk out, slowly directing his way towards Wesker's office. Chris and Hercules follow closely behind.

"Stick to Leon's plan," Chris reminds him firmly, prompting Luis to nod. Upon approaching the guards, Chris and Hercules stay silent, one of the guards lifts his hand to his earpiece, announcing Luis's arrival with a quick, professional tone.

"Did you check him for weapons?" the second guard asks, eyeing the trio suspiciously.

Just then, the door finally opens, and Wesker turns around, watching the two guards lead Luis inside. Chris and Hercules stand right outside, and it takes some huge effort for Chris not to burst inside and deal with Wesker himself, end this already. Hercules glances over at him, before he looks back at Wesker, staying perfectly in role.

Luis' steps halt right in front of the desk, both men inside stay silent, silently waiting for the two guards to leave and close the doors behind them.

Then, in perfect sync, Chris and Hercules act. Before the guards can turn around or react, they knock them out swiftly, catching their unconscious bodies before they hit the floor, preventing any noise that might draw attention.

"Come on. This way." Chris instructs, whispering, and alongside him, Hercules drags the other guard towards the elevator.

--

"It was about time you contacted," Wesker pauses, taking a moment to observe Luis' current condition. "For a moment, I believed you would try to bail. Again."

"I was at the hospital recovering," Luis explains, nearing the desk. "You wanted Raymond alive, so I had to follow your orders."

"I never told you to kill off members of the Sinfuls," Wesker replies sharply, spinning his chair before settling into it. "Oliveira could have been just as valuable—a potential bioweapon. But once again, you acted on your own."

Luis doesn't reply. He's not in a position to do so. Wesker leans back and asks directly, "What is your intel?"

Luis lies the crutches on the arm of the chair, his gaze not meeting Wesker's at first. "The team read the letter," he begins with his usual report, adjusting his weight with care on the chair. "They suspected a traitor among them. All eyes were on the nurse, and they ended up kicking her out."

Wesker's expression sharpens in curiostiy. "Why?"

"I wasn't present for the confrontation," Luis lies smoothly, "But whatever happened, there's no chance they'll come after her now. Especially after...everything."

"So you don't know the full details of what went down," Wesker repeats as considering the new information, he looks at Luis with the same suspicion he had from the very beginning. He leans closer to him, hand resting on the surface. "Are you being honest, 'Ares'? Or are you as truthful as the day you told me Chris took care of the samples...when they were in your hands instead?"

That moment Luis realized...he's fucked up.

--

Leon and Piers stroll quietly through Umbrella's third floor, blending in among Umbrella's soldiers. So far, none of the 'fellow' guards had recognized either of them, but Leon's tense gaze scrutinized each person they passed. His desperation to find her—alive and unharmed—was apparent in his sharp, blue, vigilant eyes.

Soon, a virologist hurriedly passes by them next, dressed in a white lab apron, heading somewhere with clear urgency. Noting the apron, Leon and Piers exchange discreet glances, before with a subtle nod, he motions Piers to go along with him.

They trail the virologist to a specific lab. As soon as they reach, the doors slide open, and Leon and Piers manage to catch a brief look inside. Leon steps forward, using those precious seconds to scan the room, his heart racing as he searches for any sign of her familiar face or figure. But instead of finding the team's doctor, his eyes locked onto someone - something far more disturbing.

"What the fuck.." he mutters, he and Piers becoming witnesses of a human figure in a monstrous form bound, and literally being injected by two men.

"Hey!" Someone calls out to them from the large table where the virologist are, making them immediatelly move away from the door.

"This isn't your spot. Move along," the guard of the laboratory strictly says as he walks towards them, urging them both away. Not wanting to raise suspicion, Leon and Piers step back, walking away from the laboratory.

"Did you see her anywhere?" Piers asks as he and Leon continue their path.

"No. Maybe we were lucky enough and they didn't bring her over yet."

"Or she's in another lab."

"There's two more labs. Should we try to split up?"

"You head to the labs, I'll search for the cells. Luis mentioned he's been there when they captured him."

"Okay. Update me when you got something."

With a final nod, Leon adjusted his rifle, his sharp blue eyes scanning the surroundings from beneath his mask, already set on the next search.

----

"You'll only be collaborating with Chris, (y/n). Perhaps for a few months at most... He needs our help," Your dad tries to explain while you walk away from him, inside the hospital's hallways. "This is the only thing I am asking from you. You know what the hell that kid has been through almost his whole life!"

-

"You didn't sacrifice shit! All you wanted was to parade around with your two perfect daughters becoming doctors!" you shout at your dad, your mom and Ava remaining silent at the table. "If you truly cared about Ava and me, maybe I wouldn't be leaving, and Ava wouldn't have cheated on Aiden-!"

-

The last conversation you had with your dad. The last thing you said to him.

Wandering inside the hallways of Umbrella, your hand weakly finds its place on your stomach, the other holding tightly the metallic gun. You're at a loss, walking around without really knowing where you're heading.

With each step you take, every reverb it makes, you feel yourself shrinking. Your mind can't let go of the memories, process the past moments. All this is a lot to take. Those thoughts. Your parents' intentions, Chris' request and you accepting...led to all this. To this torture.

You don't know for how long you can keep pushing. At this point, you wish you could've died back in Cuba-

The dark thoughts fade, as finally, you manage to see find from the far distance across from you a wide door. That must be the way out—the exit. But you know you can't let your guard down. You're a target, and if anyone spots you, it's all over. Krauser, Wesker, or their muppets. If you run into any of them, you're done.

Holding now securely with both hands your gun, you begin to cautiously advance towards the specific direction.

Suddenly, the door in the distance slides open with a hiss. You freeze, a quiet gasp escaping your lips. Your blood turns to ice as a figure slips inside. One of the masked guards from the entrance of the hallway. His rifle is cradled against his chest as he glances over his shoulder, clearly checking to see if he's being followed. Odd.

Instinctively, you slowly raise your gun, barell aim directly at him.

As he ensures no one's around, he turns his head back straight ahead, only for his steps to halt next the moment he sees you. You swallow thickly. That hesitating feeling twists in your gut, whether you should just...shoot him or not.

You instantly feel shame at the thought. Because you're someone who supposedly helps people. Save them.

But then you remember how shamelessly they killed your father.

Your gaze hardens and your other hand joins the pistol's grip that suddenly feels very heavy in your grip, unwavering aiming still at the guard.

"Get out of my way and I won't shoot you," there's this coldness lingering in your tone, determined to get out of this hellhole, before you end up like your dad...or whatever Wesker has planned for you to be.

However, the guard stands still for a moment. He's not defensive, either startled by the gun aimed right at him. He doesn't say anything at all.. But suddenly, he starts to approach slowly. Carefully.

"Are you deaf? Get the fuck out of my way!" you raise your voice at him. You can see from the distance his eyes looking directly at you. The closer he gets, the better view you get. They're...Familiar. Blue, tired eyes, adorned with low-set eyebrows and dark circles.

You are caught in a moment of brief surprise but quickly shake your head. He can't be. How would he find you? Your mind is playing you games. "Stay the fuck back, or I swear I'll shoot you!" you now threaten him through your trembling voice, feeling the gun will slip from your shaking hands.

Your fear doesn't go unnoticed by the guard, but he doesn't take advantage and act on it to silence or frighten you further. Something that leaves you stunned, considering he's heartless enough to work dirty for Wesker. In fact, with slow and cautious movements, he obeys to your powerless threat, one hand reaching to slide the rifle on the side of his torso, while the other reaches for the hem of his mask. Your brows furrow in question, lips part slightly. The moment the mask leaves, the blackness of the fabric gets replaced with straight honey-blonde hair falling in front of his face, revealing only his nose and lips, head bowed.

The hair, those lips- No. There's no way.

His gaze gradually lifts to reveal his identity. The moment you see him, you feel your breath hitch, and this lingering fear twists to relief that spreads throughout your whole body.

"Leon..."

The lump in your throat feels almost impossible to swallow. While you stand frozen, trying comprehend his presence, Leon takes the chance and carefully approaches you to disarm you.

With delicate movements, his leather-gloved fingers find your wrist to take the gun away from your trembling grip. His fragile touch jolts you to act, your arms wrap around Leon's neck, and his around your waist as tight as they can be. You sink in his embrace, and tears immediately escape, tightening with strength your hold on him. For this quiet moment, everything vanishes. All this nightmare you've been enduring for the past few hours, that seemed like weeks, fades.

"It's okay..." Leon whispers, his hand running soothingly behind your head. "You're okay now,"

"They killed my dad, Leon..." you manage through tears, the sound of the bullet cutting the thread of your dad's life follows in a loop. "They killed him. Not for what they did. But for what we do."

Leon's hold is equally tight as your fingers curl on the vest on his back, refusing to pull away just yet. You don't want to let him go.

"They'll have it coming back to them."

Pulling away after a few seconds just to look at eachother, Leon's palms tenderly cup your cheeks, thumbs rubbing against your soft skin, your hands on his forearms. "Did they hurt you?"

What are you supposed to tell him? Yes? No? You yourself don't even know. So you just shake your head slightly.

"Then who's blood is this on you?" he asks. You can see the way his brows changed slightly at the question, showing some type of concern. And you can't deny it. You don't want to deny it to him at least.

"Theirs." Your mouth parts slightly, not knowing how to excuse the reason behind murdering someone. "...I had no choice."

Leon doesn't say anything for a bit. He just pulls you gently back to his arms and allows you to spend those quiet moments in his warmth. "We need to get you out of here as soon as possible," he murmurs, pulling away. "Just follow my lead, and everything will be alright. Trust me?"

Nodding, you wipe the remains of your tears, sniffling lightly while Leon reaches for his earpiece to inform everyone.

"I'm with her," he says, hiding the relief his voice as he glances over at you, his eyes lingering on your disheveled state. "She's safe...Okay...Got it."

Releasing his hold from the earpiece, Leon turns back to you, his expression serious. Then, he retrieves duct tape from the side of his holster. Your brows furrow in confusion for a moment, but his steady voice quickly explains.

"I'm gonna have to tie you up," he says as he moves behind you, your hands automatically moving behind you, securing your wrists together at your lower back with careful, deliberate movements. "It's just to make sure no one suspects anything. We need to make it look like you were captured."

The cool pressure of the tape against your skin feels strange, but Leon's touch is gentle, like he's trying to make even this as painless as possible. He continues speaking as he works, laying out the plan. "Piers has already headed for the top of the building. A helo with Claire will be expecting you there. You get in, and leave somewhere safe."

"And what about you?" you question. "The others?"

"We'll take care of Wesker, and we're going to follow."

"I don't believe you," you shake your head, the thought of losing anyone else already stucks in your head. "If anything happens—"

Your words cut off mid-sentence, the moment you feel Leon's lips on yours. You missed that feeling. You missed this tender touch of his you didn't have the chance to fully live. With a soft clack, he pulls away, and your eyes slowly open to see him. "Nothing will happen to anyone," he says, his voice low and certain. "I promise."

As much as you try, you can't believe it anymore. But his kiss, is something that help you to hold on.

Leon's hand moves slowly and reaches for the mask to set it back in place so you can continue with the plan. But then, that sound. That crinkling, faint but unmistakable, returns to your mind. Suddenly, your throat tightens, and your breath feels wrong. Heavy. Panic spikes through you, your mouth goes dry, and in the next instant, it's like drowning. Water fills your lungs.

You turn away, coughing violently, the taste of blood hitting your tongue as you spit it onto the floor. Terror replaces your features as your wide eyes fix on the splatter. Leon freezes beside you, his gaze darting down at the sight.

"What the hell..." he mutters through his mask, his tone shifting, his concern creeping in. His eyes scan the black lines trace along your skin—just like in the hallucination.

"Shit..." he cups your cheeks and gently forces your gaze to meet his. His gaze goes cold as he stares into your eye. "You're...infected."

----

1:30 A.M.

Chris and Hercules stand rigidly outside the office door, the muffled conversation between Luis and Wesker drifting out but remaining indecipherable. Frustration builds within Chris, the weight of intrusive thoughts gradually taking over.

"They've been in there for over an hour. What can they possibly talk about?" Hercules whispers under his mask.

"Whatever it is, it won't be for much longer," Chris says, gaze never averting from the elevators at the end of the hallway across from them.

"Should I call in for the helo?"

"No. Instead..." Chris looks over the closed door. "Call for reinforcements."

"What do you mean?" Hercules continues to question, worry etching him.

Without offering a response, Chris acts boldly, a sudden act of sanity, suddenly removing his mask, and bursting inside Wesker's office, revealing himself. Inside, he finds Wesker and Luis seated, their eyes on him while Luis' hand resting uncomfortably on his hip.

"Chris Redfield..."

----

Leon holds you firmly from your arm, his other held on the grip of his strapped rifle, the mask back to covering his true identity, his eyes being the only glimpse, as he leads the way for the rooftop. You play along, your hands still wrapped in the cheap, black duct tape.

In a quiet gesture, his fingers gently squeeze around your skin once. Always finding his ways of soothing you when you need it.

A soldier passes by, but his path becomes your direction, as he sees you out of the cell, where you were supposed to be in. Leon maintains still his cool and the facade as Umbrella's trusting guard.

"Where you taking her?" the soldier asks sternly.

"The lab. Sera's at the boss' office," Leon firmly responds.

Even though your head meets the floor, you can sense the soldier scrutinizing you. After a second, he nods in response. "You'll take her to the ground floor then."

Leon returns the gestures, and with a purposeful yank, he leads you towards the place.

The area becomes eerily quieter the further you walk. Figuring you're alone, Leon takes the risk and cuts you free from the poor bounds. "Better?"

"Much," you murmur, removing the last straps of the tape.

Minutes in, and you follow Leon's footsteps, light lingering whispers begin to take over your subconsciousness. Your steps halt for a moment, head facing the floor, trying to desperately push all those unwanted creepy voices away, making Leon stop right beside you.

"You okay?" he asks, fingers still wrapped around your arm.

"Yeah," you mumble, shaking your head. Physically, you somewhat hold on. "I think so,"

"We better be quick, before-"

"Not so fast, Rookie,"

Rookie?

The deep voice echoes from the shadowy distance, making you both whirl around. There stands the man you saw hours ago, Krauser, rigid right across from you, his arms growing swollen, eyes reddened—Just like that hallucination you had. "Long time, no see."

"Major Krauser..." Leon addresses him coldly, bringing you to his side, protectively, and removes his mask. They know each other?

"Came here to play the hero?" Krauser asks, his taunting tone lingering. "Touching."

"First working for that cult, now for Wesker. When are you gonna stop being everyone's puppet?"

"I'm not working for anyone, other than myself." Krauser sneers. "Collaborating with Albert will benefit me to create my own army—one that can't be killed."

Leon shakes his head, his eyes not leaving him. "The island. This. You were supposed to protect others. This was your role from the start!"

"We're past the melodramatics. Open your eyes, Rookie," Krauser motions around the melancholic, desolate lab room. "Everything's changed. The world's changing. And this is just the beginning."

As Krauser begins to circle you both like a predator stalking its prey, Leon's eyes never leave him, his hand hovering over his holster. Until he positions himself behind you, just a few meters away. "Your little girlfriend here got the last sample of the plaga, swimming around in her veins. Think you can save her before she fully turns into one of these things you saw back there? Or are you going to look after yourself and wait for her to rip your throat out?"

Your head lowers to look down at your hands, the black venom throbs under your skin. You can practically feel its..heartbeat in sync with your own.

"I don't look after myself," Leon snarls.

"Is that so?" Krauser questions, eyeing Leon's discreet movements. "Prove it. Kill her."

Your heart stops. Your breath hitches, and your body freezes with fear. Leon stands there, gun in hand, fingers gripping around the gear before he looks up in your direction.

His next move brings shivers all over your body. Deliberately, he raises the gun...and the barrel points directly at you.

Your eyes slowly close, tears roll down your unexpressive face. If he pulls the trigger, everything will be over. You can hear your heartbeat thundering against your chest, feeling you'll throw it up any moment. You don't want to become one of those things, but also, you don't want to die.

YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE-

Three sharp gunshots shout inside the place, A gasp of terror leaves your mouth in reaction, and your fingers curl tightly. Opening your eyes, you see Leon's gun aimed exactly right behind you, piercing Krauser's chest.

Krauser only bleeds through his chest but remains unstoppable. A harsh laugh escapes his lips.

"Looks like you made your choice," he wipes a droplet of his blood from the corner of his lip. "Let's see if you remember my lessons, Rookie,"

With a single hand movement, a consistent buzzing sound begins to assault your eardrums, making you hold your head. You can feel your heart throbbing hard enough as if it'll burst out of your chest any moment now. The pain stings.

What the fuck is happening to you-

A groan leaves your lips, palm clutching against your chest. You look down at your veins, the black color gliding down your skin.

"It's you or her now."

You fight to stay conscious, but your mind just doesn't listen. You fall on your knees, feeling the stinging pain in your heart as if it's about to break.

Leon rushes to your side, concern carved across his face. "Are you okay?" he asks, reaching out to you. But his voice sounds distant, muffled as if you're underwater. All you can hear clearly is the crackle of the parasite worming its way through your brain, and Krauser's taunting words and twisted orders in your mind.

, you lose complete control of your body, your movements begin to work on autopilot. With sneaky efficiency, you unsheath the knife from Leon's holster, stabbing him right into his arm.

A loud, painful grunt leaves him, shoving you away from him, and making the knife pull out of his flesh with a squelching sound. He steps backward, hand reaching to find the knife missing, now in your hands - the blood beginning to leak from his arm.

Before you know it, you're the muppet, and Krauser your puppeteer, forcing you into a physical fight,

with Leon.

Striding towards him, the knife begins to swing, each one directed to Leon. Luckily, he manages to dodge each one of them. At your attempt to attack him again, his hand roughly grabs your wrist, trying to stop you, but perhaps Krauser's knowledge is passing through you, twisting Leon's hand with your wrist.

Seizing the unwanted chance, you scratch Leon's bicep, eliciting another painful growl from him.

"Too slow." Krauser taunts in the background. Thankfully Leon's focus remains the same, paying attention to every single detail of your movements. But still...there's this unfamiliar speed you have and try to stop. The voices in your head only say otherwise.

And just like that, next, you scratch his stomach, ripping the fabric of his shirt, and Leon begins to bleed from your wounds. You can't bear what you're doing. Tears roll down your cheeks, feeling completely helpless.

"....stop..." you sob quietly as Krauser's control is expertly manipulating your body, the venomous black lines throbbing against your skin. The Plaga starts over your whole body much faster than you thought.

But he completely ignores you and suddenly...everything turns upside down. Another stab follows on Leon's thigh, and you shove him harshly on the floor, making him groan painfully. His moans of pain torture you, his blood on the blade a sight you can't face.

Before he can comprehend your sudden moves, you step on his ankle to weaken him and bring yourself atop him, ready to insert a fatal stab in the center of his neck. You cry uncontrollably...because you can't do anything.

"Time to end it for once and for all," Krauser says behind you from a distance, making you slowly raise the knife. Leon is beneath you, looking at you with a mix of disbelief...And...fear. "Because once, we were the same."

With that deadly sentence, your arms move with terrifying force, the knife in your hands aiming straight for Leon's throat.

"NO!" But at the last possible second, Leon's hands shoot out, grabbing your wrists in a strong grip, and the sharp blade stops right against his Adam's apple, quivering from the strength you both put.

"We're not the same....never be..." Leon grits out, his whole body shaking with the effort he puts in to save himself,

From you...

Krauser's steps thud lightly, approaching the two of you. Crouching down, he looks at both of you, an evil and arrogant smirk crossing his lips. Because he finds joy, in using with expertise his powers to manipulate you physically, and Leon mentally.

"Look at you, rookie. Even now, you think you can save everyone. But you can't. Look at her,"

For a few seconds, everything falls into stillness. Leon looks up at you with sorrow and impressive patience, maintaining his hold while you try to end his life. Both of you shaking like a fish out of the sea, each pushing against the other with equal force. The evil voices in your head scream for blood, urging you to press the blade deeper.

"I gave you many chances," Krauser breaks the silence, getting back on his feet. "But you remain that boy, holding on to fantasies! Hoping to save the world. But you're none of that!"

"I don't want to do it..." you choke out between sobs, putting every effort left in your consciousness to fight against Krauser's invisible manipulations.

"I know..." his voice strained but somehow still comforting. Even now, facing death at your hands, he's trying to reassure you.

"You can't save her! You can't save anyone!"

This is worse than death itself. Make it stop...

"STOP! PLEASE!" you scream, practically begging Krauser, unable to hold on any longer.

A poisonous chuckle leaves Krauser at your desperation. Finally, he pushes you with his unseen powers off of Leon, making him roll to the side, and hurling you hard onto the wall. Leon pants, hands holding on the floor, trying quickly to regain steady breathing.

"Not bad," Krauser snarls, walking with confidence towards Leon's laid form, Krasuer's arms transforming to something you can't even describe. All they look like are some large, sharp bones and his flesh. "But it's time for your final lesson."

Leon seizes his chance and reaches the abandoned rifle from the side, shooting with unwavering aim at Krauser. But with the Plaga's power, he's unbeatable. With a hard slam, he pushes Leon further away and the rifle falls away from his grip, hitting the wall. "You forgot what I taught you about knives, Rookie? How disappointing."

Meanwhile, you're sprawled on the floor. Your whole body is pain, breathing is weak as your hand finds your stomach. Through your closed eyes in the background, you can hear Leon and Krauser fight, Leon's grunts filling the air, predicting his upcoming loss.

-

"And...maybe when all this is over," Leon starts as he chews, "we can go and grab some dinner?" he finally suggests, his voice a bit hesitant, avoiding eye contact. "You know. Dine you properly."

"I'd love that," you reply with a smile, already looking forward to it. "Maybe some pasta with those creamy sauces...parmesan," you daydream, feeling your mouth salivating just at the thought.

Leon smiles at your enthusiasm, fishing another piece of cake and taking a bite as he seems to listen intently.

"And finish it off with a sweet dessert, a nice night walk at the beach..."

"You weren't joking when you said you're a hopeless romantic," he quips, making you chuckle.

"I warned you," you playfully point finger at him.

As you both go back to eating on his bed, you can't stop looking at him. He's...the most handsome, kindest, and most caring man you've ever met. And noting the change since yesterday fills you with pride. It feels like accomplishing an impossible mission - being able to call him happy.

"You know..." you break the silence. "When last night you told me I was the first good thing that happened to you, I felt like I made it," you pause, fiddling with a piece of bread that's gone cold in your fingers. "Because...seeing this side of you feels nice. I mean- seeing you smile more."

And you mean it. For you, the sight of Leon's smile was rare from the very first time you joined the team. So, it surely feels like an improvement, compared to now.

Leon's chewing slows as he processes your words. He's propped up on one arm, close enough that you can feel the warmth radiating from his body, his eyes meet yours with a mix of surprise and vulnerability.

"What I want to say is that- you made me prioritize your happiness, in a way I can't explain. And I feel like I managed to do that. Make you happy. And I want to keep doing that, you know? Just...keeping you happy because you deserve it. More than you'll ever know."

Leon leans backward slightly, taken aback lightly by the sudden outburst of affection behind your confession. Shit. You already start to overthink it. Regret it. Was it too much?

"I'm sorry- was I too dramatic?" you quickly ask, only making it worse.

But Leon instead, cups the back of your head, and kisses your lips, allowing you to taste the piece of the chocolate cake. Breaking apart, his hand slides down to the side of your neck. "I am," Leon confirms, his thumb gently tracing your chin. "And I want to shield my little source of happiness. Be her protector. Because she deserves it. More than she'll ever know."

At those beautiful words, you feel the heat radiating from your cheeks. Without saying anything else, you wrap your arms around him and give him one more kiss, before you break apart and let Leon's arms embrace you.

-

Your eyes open as those memories that shimmered through fade, and you see Leon being sprawled back on the floor, Krauser, despite the blood leaking from his body, walks towards him with his chest heaving. With unknown strength, the moment you catch a glimpse of the scene, you begin to crawl towards the dusty floor, hand slapping on the knife. You're determined to take down Krauser, Wesker, and whoever else is involved. You had enough of this shit for months.

"It's over, Kennedy," Krauser says, the cruel satisfaction carved on his features. "It's all. Over,"

Your jaw locks, brows furrow with aversion as with encouraging strength you get on your feet, the metal gliding from the floor echoes.

"You fought till the end, and you still lost,"

You advance towards him, facing the disturbing enchantments from the parasite bulging from his back shoulders. Your fingers tighten, ready to make Krauser your next 'victim'.

Krauser's dark chuckle mingles with Leon's pained grunts, completely unaware of you coming behind him. Leon looks utterly spent, barely able to crawl away from Krauser's intimidating presence.

"That's right. Accept your defeat. And sleep tight-"

His words cut as sharp as the knife you just drove into the back of his skull with every ounce of strength you have left in you, blood sputtering on your face, and shaky breaths leave your lips, feeling Krauser's weight falling towards you, already...dead on the spot.

The moment Krauser collapses, the knife falls from your grip, while Leon looks with wide eyes, his arm frozen against the air, an early attempt to protect himself. The weakness already strikes you and the effects of the adrenaline leaving your body, replaced with unexplainable tiredness, immediately after Krauser's death.

With that, you collapse on the floor too, next to Leon as both of you are completely out of breath, and now covered in blood.

"Are you okay?" you manage through the heavy breaths.

Leon pants, looking at Krauser for a bit, until he finally turns his head to the side to face you. How you killed two people in only some time. You don't know what's going on through his mind, but he needs to understand you did this to save him. Only for that.

And you will do it again if you have to.

"Could've been better," he gruffly responds, swallowing hard as he's far from okay.

For a quiet minute, you both just lie there, until you reach out with a trembling hand, seeking connection, and reassurance that despite the blood and violence, you're both still here, still alive. Leon's hand weakly turns, intertwining your fingers with his.

You close your eyes, and now the crackling sound slowly dying within you...

"Leon! (y/n)!" Claire's voice calls out from the distance as you hear her rushing towards you, Piers trailing behind. "Oh my god, you're both alive!"

Relief washes over you as you sit up slowly, seeing the team finally coming in together. Piers pauses to see just a meter away Krauser's lifeless body. "What the hell happened..."

Accepting Claire's hand, you get up slowly and pull her into a tight hug, her arms immediately around you too in an instant. "Thank god..." Claire whispers in relief as Piers helps Leon to his feet.

"You need to be patched up," he observes.

"I'm fine," Leon replies, wincing as he presses his palm against a bleeding wound. Piers quickly retrieves gauze to stanch the flow. Leon's gaze shifts to you, concern deepening as he notices the sudden changes on your skin. "She's infected with the parasite."

Claire's eyes widen, pulling away to look at you, and Leon continues, "We need to take her back to the base before it progresses further."

"How's that possible?" Claire asks in shock. "Luis ruined all the samples."

"Doesn't look like it," Piers murmurs,

"Claire, why are you here?" Leon asks as he realizes that Claire isn't at her spot.

"Because last minute, Chris sent our men in to secure the area. Claire told me when she found me," Piers explains instead. "The helo is not on the rooftop."

"What?" you exclaim, shocked. "Why?"

"No clue.."

"And where are the others?" Leon presses.

"They're still at Wesker's office," Piers responds. "I can't reach any of them. I'm afraid if Chris attempted to do something."

Suddenly, a massive shooting occurs. Umbrella has officially started its attack against the 50 B.S.A.A. soldiers. Leon slowly reaches for his gun, ignoring his fucked up condition, turning back to the rest of you.

"Then look's like we're going to confront him too."

--

"Redfield. What a... surprise," Wesker says, standing up slowly from his chair, watching Chris, and Hercules' still-covered face. "After five years, we finally meet again."

"Not your most ideal, huh?" Chris mocks, his rifle pointed at Wesker. "Seeing me well and alive, standing an obstacle to your twisted plans."

"Alive? Yes. Well, not so much,"

"I should've expected you would be behind this. But the head of Umbrella too..."

"Life is full of surprises, isn't it, Chris?" Wesker asks. "And for once, you weren't my main target. So why point it at me, instead of your trusted teammate, who made sure to keep me update for everything?"

Chris' gaze flickers at Luis, finding his hand frozen towards his well-hidden revolver. "Because you were the one behind Saddler's resurrection, after the fucking samples, and my most capable teammate! But we're taking her out of here, and once again, your plan will fail."

Wesker darkly chuckles, hands shoving inside his pockets. "I have the nurse, Chris, and soon, a lot more."

Chris frowns, trying to make sense of Wesker's enigmatic hint. Who says though this isn't another tactic to manipulate Chris?

"You won't leave."

Just then, the doors burst open, guns intact, revealing the rest of the team, all of them reuniting at Chris' side. Luis joins, pointing his revolver too.

--

"This is over, Wesker," Chris' index hovers over the trigger, itching to press it. "We're five, you're one. No matter what plans you had, they all end now."

Wesker freezes in place, watching every single member of the team- including you, aiming right at him. This is something that ends tonight. No matter at what cost.

"You're a naive man, Redfield. Because no matter what," he pauses as a hum grows louder the more it descends. "I'll always win in the end."

Just then, a chopper appears, an Umbrella soldier inside, including two in a heavy body duty armor suit and heavy machine guns on the sides of the chopper.

You take a hesitant step back, discovering that for once more, Chris managed to walk you into a trap.

"No..."

"Shit!"

"EVERYBODY GET DOWN-!"

And just so suddenly, the following seconds pass like a sudden hurricane. Everything becomes a blur the moment the chopper opens fire. The lights shut down, the large, tempered windows shatter, making the microscopic and sharp shards spread everywhere, leaving stinging scratches on your skin. Bullets rain down, each one seeking its target on you and the team.

Chris finds coverage behind a small wall, Piers on the left, behind the same colored leather couch, and Leon kicks over Wesker's black and wide desk for a shield and Claire quickly joining his side, leaving Luis exposed on his chair...and already dead from the first volley of the attack, his body slumped backward unnaturally.

Truth is, you can't pity him. Not even feel bad about him. He deserved it. Because of him, Carlos is no longer with you. Because of him, the team is here, fighting for the life. Because of him, you're what you feared of becoming since you accepted Chris' offer.

Turning your attention back to the situation, you desperately try to search for your own shelter, almost heading where Piers is, until you suddenly feel a strong grip on your wrist. Before you can react, you're yanked forward, falling against Leon's chest - his arms wrap around your back and head protectively as Chris, Hercules, and Piers try to take down Wesker, since both of you are in no condition to fight him too. 

"YOU TWO STAY LOW!" Claire instructs, cocking her rifle, before deciding to peek and join the others in the fight.

"CLAIRE, DON'T!" Leon warns, but she ignores him.

And luck does not seem to be by your side this time. At all.

Suddenly, things take a more tragic path. As Claire peeks without thinking of the sensitive spot she's hidden at to shoot Wesker, she becomes his next victim—taking her last breaths as the chopper's bullets tear through her.

You watch in horror, your mind unable to process this. Claire's eyes widen in shock, her body jerking violently from the bullets. Blood sprays from the open wounds, the sheer force of the small metallic pieces pushing her backwards.

And all you can do is stare...your childhood friend's life being taken away next.

-

"So we will be temporarily sisters?" Claire asked (y/n). Her 7-year-old self nodded, clasping her little hands together. Claire's sadness is replaced with a smile, and her arms encircle her before accepting (y/n)'s offered chocolate.

"Then we can share our toys and clothes." Claire suggests with a wide smile. Her pinky extends along with yours, and intertwine.

"Sisters it is then."

-

"NO!" you scream, raw with pain and grief while Leon holds you tighter, his own face masked with the sudden loss.

Claire's body gives in to gravity, falling back with a force, a loud thud resonating, and her blue eyes now stare blankly at the ceiling, void of life.

From the corner to your right, tears stream down Chris' ice-cold face as he watched the whole thing, and now his little sister's lifeless body on the floor, her blood spreading from her form.

"NO! CLAIRE!" Pain, mourning, but most importantly, a murderous rage courses through Chris' veins. With recklessness but determination, he exposes himself to Wesker and the chopper's sights, emptying his clip at his now eternal enemy. But only one bullet manages to find its mark, striking Wesker on the right side of his chest.

Everyone became a witness to this heartbreaking scene, including Piers, who in a desperate attempt to reach Claire, he lunges forward, trying his best to drag her to safety - hoping they'll be able to actually save her. Some fucking how. But the merciless bullets manage to find him too, specifically one on his thigh, and the other on his chest, right above from the vest.

Piers shouts in pain and gets immediately dragged by Hercules to his hiding spot, before he ends up like Claire.

"Son of a bitch..." Leon growls, his building rage overlooking the pain. With every strength he has left in him, he retrieves his handgun and peeks along with Piers, now both of them shooting at the helo. Your eyes, on the other hand, don't leave Claire.

She's no longer your temporary sister.

Once Wesker is inside the chopper, the assault stops. The aftermath pure chaos. The floor is flooded with fragments, blood is splattered over the walls, and the objects are completely ruined.

Wesker holds on his bloody wound, retrieving a mysterious sample in his hand, announcing for once more, the team's failure. "This is over, Redfield," he sneers, his words barely audible over the chopper's roar. With that, the chopper begins to fly away.

He killed off everyone. Claire, your father, shot down Piers, and many others. Now, he's trapped you inside his office like rats, and finishes everything by bombing the place, while he fleets. You're boiling with anger.

With a sudden, renewed strength, you grab Claire's discarded rifle and use the entire mag on the chopper, few of your shots missing as it flies away.

As the gun clicks empty, you sniffle as you toss it away, your face looking at the chopper leaving from your point of view through the night sky. How peaceful everything seems compared to the people you keep losing...

Leon's already moving, sprinting towards where Piers lies wounded. You and Hercules turn your attention to Chris, but he's in a world of his own pain. Settling the rifle to his side, the tough-as-nails B.S.A.A. Captain collapses to his knees, and gently takes her in his arms, his broad shoulders shaking with sobs that break you completely.

"Claire....no..." his voice breaks, cradling his baby sister's limp body against his chest.

The raw pain in his voice makes Leon and Piers look over too, tears leave your own face at the scene. You want to comfort him, but maybe it's the last thing he needs right now.

"Can you walk?" Leon asks, trying to focus on Piers.

"I don't think so," Piers hisses, his hands over his wounds. "Shit..."

Hercules moves to check on Luis, his fingers searching for a pulse that isn't there. "Luis is dead." he announces.

"As he deserved!" Chris snaps. The rest of you stay silent, not daring to say a word. Not when Claire's lifeless in his arms.

You turn your head to Piers, and force yourself to focus at him too, by kneeling beside him.

"I tried to pull her over, but-" his voice fades, watching Chris heartbreak take over the place, while Leon hands you a bandage to patch Piers' chest. He doesn't complete the sentence, letting Chris' tears take over the heavy muteness, because no matter what you, Piers, or anyone will try to say, it won't help Chris' grief.

Suddenly, Chris's radio crackles to life, a frantic voice breaking through the static, "C-A....ptain! T-......ploded the.....boratory-!...Virus!" The message is garbled, but the panic in his voice is crystal clear.

Right that moment, a muffled boom shakes the building. Hercules stumbles, his eyes wide as he scans the office. "What the fuck is going on?!" he shouts, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

Shit. On top of all that, you forgot that the B.S.A.A. is literally battling with Umbrella, floors below you, thanks to Chris' last-minute orders.

You can feel the floor vibrating, the walls cracking, but yours, Hercules, and Leon's attention turns to the horrific consequences. Another explosion rocks the building, louder this time. The situation is spiraling out of control fast.

"We need to leave. NOW!" Hercules warns and jumps into action. Leon right behind.

Leon turns to you, his voice urgent. "(y/n), patch Piers up and help me carry him outside," he orders. You nod, forcing your trembling hands to work faster as you secure the bandage around Piers' chest, and ignore the weakness that develops further into your system.

Chris on the other hand, hastily scoops Claire into his arms as if...he can possibly somehow bring her back into life. The sight makes Hercules hesitate, his movements slowing as he watches the grieving brother.

"Claire's dead, Captain-!"

"I won't let her get buried under Umbrella," Chris growls, holding Claire protectively in his arms. The more Hercules talks, the more he pisses you off more, seeming not to care at all about Piers and Claire's condition, other than himself.

Piers' cough is what brings you to reality, draining your rage with concern for his well-being.

"You need...to go without me...."

"I'm not losing you too, Piers!" Chris shouts, his voice in despair. "Hercules! Leon! Take Piers, come on!"

"No," he firmly declines, his voice strict. "You two head out with (y/n) and Claire. Get them to safety. I'll bring Piers."

"I'm not going anywhere without you, Leon," you declare steadily with determination, refusing to leave his side. Like hell you ever would.

Leon exhales sharply. "(y/n), you heard me-" he starts, almost frustrated.

"And you heard me!" you sharply cut him off. "I'm not going anywhere without you!" you press on, ready to help Piers and dismiss Leon's heroism.

What you both do is suicide. So you'll do it together. You made it in Cuba. You'll made it and now.

"Captain, we need to leave!" Hercules now shouts almost impatient, one foot already to the exit, ready to bolt any moment.

Chris looks down at Claire's lifeless form in his arms, then back at you and Leon. The conflict in his eyes is palpable–the need to save his sister's body warring with his desire to help Piers. Finally, he makes his decision. "We'll meet you outside," he says as a promise before he actually leaves along with Hercules.

And just like that, it's down to the three of you – you, Leon, and the badly injured Piers. Luis' body completely forgotten in the back. Leon wastes no time and returns to Piers. "Wrap an arm around him and help me get him up," he instructs you, already moving to Piers' side.

But before you can even touch him, Piers speaks up, his voice weak and raspy. "No..." he gently pushes your hand away. "I will only slow you down..."

You and Leon ignore his protests, each wrapping an arm around Piers' shoulders to haul him to his feet. But as soon as you start to lift, Piers lets out an agonized shout. Leon's movement has triggered the wound on his chest, and the scratches are clearly too painful for him to move.

"Fuck!" Piers hisses, his hand flying to his chest. "I can't..."

"You have to try, Piers," you speak up, the despair lacing in your voice.

But Piers is stubborn and doesn't listen. "Listen-...Take this..." he gasps, fishing for a pair of keys inside his pocket. His breaths are heavy and unsteady. As he retrieves them, he slaps them on Leon's palm. "..and both of you...get the fuck out...before she turns...."

Leon looks down at his palm while you look at Piers, never letting go of his hand. "Piers-"

"GO!" he cuts you both off with a shout.

The weakness in his voice, and the plea for you to leave makes you and Leon slowly stand up, both of you with a heavy heart turning heels and heading to the exit. As the other flee through the sole door of the office, you turn to take one final look at Piers, whose back is resting against the ripped couch, seeking support. His breaths are slow and heavy, meeting your hurt gaze. With a gentle nod, he motions you to leave, before his head rests back on the leather arm of the couch.

--

You both run. Run as fast as you can as everything behind you collapses. For some magical reason, you managed to reach the laboratories through the emergency exits.

Around you, there's a dark plume of smoke. B.S.A.A. and Umbrella soldiers lie dead on the ground - a walking graveyard inside the corporation's headquarters.

"I think we're on the second floor. Just a bit more!"

However, your breathing grows much heavier as time passes, and your steps grow slower no matter how you try to keep on moving along. You feel extremely weak as the minutes pass. You're so close to the exit, but it feels for some reason, too far. The toxins of the smoke add to the difficulty, causing you to stop, the veins in your arms now to a very light shade of purple.

You're not going to make it. Is this...your end?

Leon notices the sudden switch and stops, turning towards you. "What's wrong?" he pants but is met with no response. "(y/n)?"

In only a millisecond, you succumb to the weakness and pass out on the spot.

"Shit!"

--

".....Come on...."

Gasps. Crackling flames. The strong sound of the dusty wind, spreading ashes of the corporation's dead bodies into the air, and the smell of smoke burns your nostrils, making each breath a struggle.

"...Stay with me......alright?...."

All you can hear faintly is Leon's deep, soothing voice, encouraging you to stay awake. Keep going.

And you try. For him. He's the only one you try for now. But for some reason..it becomes a challenge.

Your arm is draped around his broad shoulder, while his arm is holding you from your waist protectively. Your body is barely responsive—his strong frame is the only thing to keep you upright.

Behind, you can feel the warmth of the flames hot onto your backs. But neither of you give up. Still, you keep going.

Because you're only a breath away from the end. You have to keep going.

Coughing, every step...starts to be taken with huge effort—with each second passing, your vision and the sense of your surroundings grow foggy.

Despite trying to listen to Leon's voice, and the frantic attempts to keep walking at a snail's pace, your weight starts to feel heavy, legs grow weaker, becoming impossible to take another step. With an exhausted moan escaping your dry lips, you give in and begin to sink on the ground, feeling the dust of the floor making contact with your body. Eyes close, no longer being able to keep them open.

Before your body can fully meet the ground, you get pulled back up as Leon's strong arms suddenly encircle you. With a strained grunt, you're hoisted up, nestled against his solid chest. Blinking slowly, you see that face. His, who no matter how wounded, and tired he is,

He puts your well-being above his own. Again.

"Leon..." you call out weakly, while your gaze drifts to his arm, watching blood seeping through his sleeve, the liquid flowing in quite a large amount now that he's carrying your weight. "Your arm..." you mumble, your voice a faded whisper. Your hand reaches out, feebly attempting to apply pressure to the wound.

"I'm fine," he assures you through strained and ragged breaths. "You focus on staying awake. Okay?"

Nodding weakly, you close your eyes again. Where he's taking you is unknown—and in your current state, you can't even muster the energy to be worried about it. But you trust him. You do.

Now...All you want...all you crave...is sleep. You feel so weak...sleepy-

Just then, another loud explosion comes from far behind you, making your ears buzz. Leon stumbles from the hot air blowing at both of you, a pained groan escaping his lips as he nearly collapses. But with herculean effort, he regains his footing and presses on.

Umbrella's headquarters becomes the teams' grave...all of them burning into the ground—

"You better stop right where you are, Leon,"

Suddenly...Leon's steps halt. Someone's voice calling for him through the pure chaos behind you both, telling him to turn around. Which he does.

Your eyes weakly flatter open, your vision blurry now, seeing someone standing before you, just a few meters away, the fire spreading everywhere in the background.

You can't concentrate. Leon's voice begins to buzz into your head, along with a woman's- no. Rare, yet, it's still very familiar.

"I'm not doing it..."

The voices grow louder, more intense, mostly coming from Leon's side. Then, only a minute later, unexpectedly, Leon carefully sets you on your feet. You're barely holding it together at this point. Lifting your head, you watch Leon's back, shielding you from the threat.

"You give me no choice, Leon."

"ADA!"

*Gunshot*

----