Resident Evil: Phoenix by Red Hope

Chapter 21

Leon Kennedy kept his hands visible but the voice control device was well hidden in his right hand. He flicked his head to one side and was able to get the hair out of his eyes. He had better view of the three barrels being pointed at his face.

Jill narrowly stared at Leon yet was unsure what he'd dug out of his utility belt earlier. She instead returned her focus to the countless Umbrella soldiers that not only surrounded her but also Claire and Alice behind her.

"Relinquish all your weapons," a soldier ordered to the captured intruders. He didn't wear a helmet unlike the others, and his last name was embroidered on his right chest. Captain Pawlak's voice rumbled through the holding cell and held notes of displeasure about what the intruders had already done to the facility. "Now!" he barked at them. He signaled for soldiers to take the discarded weapons.

Jill Valentine was the first to make an effort. She slowly and cautiously retrieved her guns then tossed them.

Claire followed suit, but she sensed that her partner wasn't inclined to do the same so she murmured, "You don't need them."

Alice decided now wasn't the time to be stubborn, and Claire was right. She had plenty of powers and hoped Umbrella didn't know about them. She recalled Jill telling them that Umbrella assumed she only had powers from the T-virus.

Captain Pawlak was nearly pleased but further commanded, "Remove your belts." He listened to the comforting sound of the heavy belts connecting to the stone floor. He then pointed at the tall blond. "You, over there with them." He vaguely recognized her too.

Jill shifted back several steps until she was next to Claire. She glanced over at Claire, who gave her a faint headshake. Jill knew better than to argue with Claire about making attempts, right now.

Captain Pawlak opened his mouth, but he faltered after he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He pivoted on his boots and instinctively stiffened at feeling the soft vibrations under his feet. He clenched his jaw when a young, blond man in a business suit came through the thick of the soldiers. But what unnerved Captain Pawlak was the young man's bulky body guard.

"Captain Pawlak, I see you caught our sewer rats."

"Yes, Mr. Ashford." Captain Pawlak bent forward in modest respect to the CEO, Alfred Ashford. However, his hesitant eyes went to the CEO's body guard.

The body guard stood directly behind Alfred Ashford and would have blended in with all the soldiers with his black attire. But he was just too large to fit in with most average humans. He was always silent and only seen wearing a black trench coat and gloves. Nobody knew his real name, but he was simply known as Mr. X.

Alfred Ashford approached the three women lined up together. Directly behind him was Mr. X silently watching over him. "Project Alice." He grinned at Project Alice's dark stare. "And Claire Redfield." His grin went wider now that he had a face to go with the name. "You are becoming quite the thorn in Umbrella's side."

"I'm glad I could help out," Claire remarked.

Alfred softly laughed and shook his head. "We'll rectify that shortly." His eyes flickered to Project Alice. "As soon as we terminate our most disappointing project."

Alice wasn't baited by his hollow threats. But she squeezed the detonator a bit tighter.

Alfred shifted two steps down to the blond, and he started shaking his head. "I see you couldn't keep up your end of the agreement, Valentine." He sighed, deeply. "You're such a disappoint to me." He took a step closer to Mr. X. "And here I wasted my resources keeping that monstrous freak alive." He enjoyed the immediate fire in Project Kill Jill after he spoke ill will of Project Ashford, his former cousin.

"You bastard," Jill snapped at him. She took one step near him, but she was slammed by a brick fist in the face. She toppled to the ground after being hit by the freight train dead center.

"Jill!" Claire hastily bent down next to her friend. She tore half her sleeve off and used it to stop the bleeding from Jill's nose.

Alice had gone near Mr. X, who had put Jill done in an instant.

Mr. X faced Alice and was an inch taller but also bigger built. He prepared to attack until the CEO's command made him stop.

"Stand done." Alfred glanced at Alice and added, "No reason to bloody anymore noses."

Alice remained near her partner and Jill Valentine. She looked down at them when they started to stand up again.

Alfred pleasantly smiled at the three women then turned on his heels. His hands went behind his back as he approached Leon Kennedy. "Mr. Kennedy, you've greatly disappointed me."

Leon watched the soldiers' guns get lowered, and he faced the Umbrella CEO. His attention flickered to Jill Valentine.

"You asshole," Jill snapped after removing the bloody cloth from her face. She wanted to go after Leon but Claire's hand halted her. "You're with Umbrella?" She fisted her hands. "All this time?"

Alfred half turned and corrected, "Before the outbreak, Miss Valentine."

Jill was dumbfounded and looked back at Leon. She considered him a friend after being paired with him by the police captain years ago. She didn't really know him after all, and it made her sick.

"Jill, this virus has to be stopped," Leon reminded. "Only Umbrella can stop it."

"They made it!" Jill yelled at him. She could have attacked him except that Mr. X was in between them. She growled and hotly reminded, "They killed this world."

Leon flexed his grip on the voice device. "Umbrella is working on an antivirus to fix it."

Alice shook her head and explained, "They already developed one." She glanced at Alfred Ashford. "But prefer not to use it."

Alfred smiled, darkly at Project Alice. "We're working on a stronger one."

Alice huffed because she didn't believe it and even if it was true then Umbrella was doing it for themselves.

"Mr. Ashford," Leon hastily cut in, "We have to go." He watched the CEO's smile fade. Leon stiffened and nervously explained, "They've planted bombs throughout the entire facility."

Alfred quickly looked at the three women and marched over to them with Mr. X at his back. He hotly demanded, "Give me the detonator!" He hoped it hadn't been triggered by now.

"Go to Hell," Alice replied.

Alfred was furious and swiftly slapped Project Alice across the face. He enjoyed her recoil, but his pleasure was short lived after a sucker punch landed solidly with his face. He tumbled to the ground only to find Claire Redfield at his throat.

Chaos broke out all at once. Alice hastened past Claire because Mr. X was nearly upon her partner. She met him with a powerful punch to his chest that sent him to his knees. But she tilted her head back when he stood up and towered over her. She gritted her teeth. Behind her she heard Claire and Alfred yelling at each other. Distantly Leon's voice called out, but Alice couldn't make out his words. Then Jill's movements caught her eye next just before Mr. X took a swipe at her, but Alice ducked in time.

Suddenly a single gunshot rang out followed by Claire's painful cry echoing through the cell. Claire slumped forward and gripped her bleeding shoulder. She peered up at her partner, who was taken into a choke hold by Mr. X. She didn't doubt her cry and pain distracted Alice.

Alice watched in horror at the blood seeping between Claire's fingers from the gunshot wound. She didn't know who fired on Claire until she saw Jill's arm extended with the gun. She became weak in the knees after the Umbrella logo flickered in Jill's eyes. She tried jerking Mr. X off, but she couldn't unless she used her powers.

Claire cried out after being forced off the ground by Jill. She felt cold steel pressed into her temple then a firm arm across her shoulder. She barely controlled a whimper at the painful pressure from Jill. She swallowed down her panic and gripped Jill's muscular arm. "Jill..." She felt the sharp rise and fall of Jill's chest against her back.

"I'm sorry, Claire," Jill whispered. She couldn't resist the chip's command in her head.

Claire grimaced from her injured shoulder and tried getting loose until the pressure against her wounded shoulder increased.

"Don't make it any harder, Claire," Jill breathed into her friend's ear. She hated the dread that filled her mind, but her body moved with her agreement.

Alice held her partner's eyes and implored her to stop struggling against Jill. She glanced over at Alfred Ashford, who had gotten to his feet.

"Well..." Alfred brushed the dirt off then rubbed his sore neck. "Shall we try this again?" He ruthlessly smiled at Project Alice. "The detonator... please?" He held out his hand near her.

Alice was locked in Mr. X's arms and couldn't extend the detonator to him. She was growing agitated by him and especially by the fact she was withholding her powers. But Alice had a plan building in her mind.

Alfred nodded at Mr. X to release his captive.

Alice took a step forward now that she was free. She glanced at Claire being held at gunpoint and hated it. She focused on the CEO then lifted the detonator in her left hand and placed it in his open palm.

Alfred brought the detonator closer to his view and glared at the remaining time left. He could tell there was no way to shut off the procedure and that the facility was doomed. He quickly looked up at Project Alice. "We were working on a stronger antivirus... here in this facility."

Claire tensed at the news and realized it may have been a mistake to target the Houston facility. But from her bond with Alice, she realized their choice was right despite the possibility of a new antivirus.

"You've condemned it now," Alfred announced. He walked away and called, "Captain Pawlak, I want this facility evacuated now!"

Captain Pawlak stepped forward. "Yes, sir. I will have a helicopter prepared for you and Miss Ashford."

Alfred nearly agreed but shook his head. "I want my sister evacuated first." He turned and looked at Mr. X. "You are to escort her out of this facility. See that she makes it safely and do not leave her side."

"Are you sure that's wise, sir?" The captain indicated Project Alice and knew that only Mr. X could control her.

Alfred peered over his shoulder at the wounded leader in Jill's arm. "Yes. We know Project Alice's weakness." He then nodded at Mr. X. "Go."

Mr. X fisted his hands and marched off with his heavy steps echoing through the holding cell.

Alice inhaled deeply after Mr. X's foul scent began to dissipate around her. She smelled the T-virus in him, but she didn't think he was ever truly human because the virus was so much a part of his blood.

"Now..." Alfred Ashford approached the women and explained, "Shall we head out?" He held up the detonator and displayed that twenty-five minutes and fifteen seconds were left. "I'd hate to be blown to pieces." He dropped the detonator and smashed it with his shiny heel.

Captain Pawlak returned to the CEO's side after barking out rushed orders over the radio. "There's a helicopter being prepared for us, sir."

Alfred was pleased and looked at Jill Valentine. "Keep Claire Redfield under control." He glanced at Alice, who was docile despite the anger in her eyes. He looked over at Leon Kennedy. "Let me see that," he ordered and started over to him.

Leon gave the voice command device to the CEO.

"You would have done better to take control of her sooner," Alfred angrily chewed out.

"The goddamn batteries were dead," Leon snapped.

Alfred didn't care and pointed at him. "I had more hopes for you when we planted you." He sighed and muttered, "Humans are so unreliable." He then looked over at the captain and nodded his single command.

Claire held her partner's eyes and silently asked what to do.

Alice clenched her jaw, but she wouldn't fight all the soldiers and Jill. She conveyed her message to Claire. This was their best way out of the facility since Alfred Ashford wanted to take them. In Alice's opinion, it was a quick and safe way out of the facility.

Jill quickly freed her left arm but grabbed the back of Claire's neck. She shifted the barrel to the rear of Claire's head. "Don't get yourself killed, Claire." Jill glanced over at Alice.

Alice was breathing hard, but she controlled her rage and started walking once surrounding soldiers barked at her. She gazed over at Leon Kennedy, who took Alfred Ashford's right side. She tasted venom and wanted his blood for being a traitor to them then forcing Jill under the chip's control. Claire wouldn't have been shot if it hadn't been for him.

Alice was pushed forward by a soldier, and she growled at him in warning. She'd strangle him if he tried that again. She started moving with the circle of soldiers all around her.

Jill waited until Alice was distant from Claire then she started pushing Claire forward. "Keep up the pace." Her hand tightened around Claire's throat in silent warning.

"Jill," Claire fought. She gripped her right shoulder that still bled. "Alice destroyed her chip," she hotly reminded.

"I'm not Alice," Jill sharply reminded her friend. She swallowed hard, but she couldn't ignore the chips burn against the side of her head. Its control was far worse than the mind control device on her chest. She thought she'd black out if she fought against it anymore. Sadly, she realized she was better off not fighting it so she could stay with the team. Jill just hoped she didn't end up killing Claire.

Alfred Ashford led the team through the facility at a rushed pace. He heard Captain Pawlak's radio roaring in the background and nearly wanted to toss it until there were reports about his twin sister.

"Project Veronica has been evacuated," a soldier reported over the radio.

Alfred let out a low breath of relief. "Is all the data being uploaded to Miami?"

Captain Pawlak retrieved his radio and started checking on the CEO's request.

"This is Doctor Willard at the labs. All data is being sent to Miami and backed up to Umbrella Europe," the researcher confirmed. He was second only to Doctor Alexia Ashford. "Shall we evacuate the projects from the holding cells?"

"There's no time," Captain Pawlak snapped. "All projects must be abandoned." He released the microphone and waited for confirmation.

"Captain, that is years of research just wasted," Doctor Williard argued.

"All projects are to be abandoned!" Captain Pawlak barked. "Report to the hangars. All researchers are to be airlifted from the facility immediately."

"Yes... sir." Doctor Williard's response was brief and there was a lot of chaotic noise in the background.

Captain Pawlak switched channels and ordered several soldiers to go to the labs. He didn't want the scientists and researchers to ignore evacuation orders. It would be his head if the scientists were lost to the explosion.

Alfred Ashford was pleased by the captain's handling of the situation. He then looked at the captain after he got off the radio again.

"Our helicopter is ready to take off," Captain Pawlak informed the CEO.

"Excellent," Alfred commended. "Let's pick up the pace." He imagined they only had twenty minutes by the time they'd make it to the hangar. He and the soldiers took a direct route to the hangar that was hardly known by the employees, who were most likely frantic with alarm. There was no way all employees, soldiers, and researchers could be saved. Only the most important would be taken from the facility. All the rest were just casualties of war.

Once at the hangar, Alfred saw the waiting V-22 with its rear cargo door open. He counted at least ten other helicopters starting up, loading, or preparing to lift off in the gigantic hangar. He allowed Captain Pawlak to handle the soldiers while he loaded onto the helicopter. But a commotion made him turn from his position on the V-22's ramp. He slotted his eyes at Project Alice slamming a soldier into the side of the cargo door.

Alice went still though when several guns were pointed at her head. She growled at the soldier in her grip after he'd shoved her again. She jerked him hard against the cargo door's lifting rod then released him.

The soldier adjusted his helmet then raised his gun at Project Alice. His pounding heart echoed in his ears, but he put aside his fear after being attacked by the feral project. He decided not to push her again though.

"Get a sedative ready!" Alfred ordered the captain. "I don't want any more trouble during the flight."

Captain Pawlak fully agreed and ordered a soldier to retrieve a needle and sedative to use on Project Alice. He then ordered another soldier to cuff Project Alice just to make it easier and safer.

Alice stood in the center of the V-22's cargo hole. She gritted her teeth when cold cuffs were put around her wrists behind her back. She looked over at Claire, who was in pain and slightly pale. She had to act soon but only after they were free from the facility. She cut her eyes to Alfred Ashford and watched him approach her.

"Get this damn chopper moving," Alfred snapped at the team. He heard his orders being repeated down the V-22 to the two pilots. He focused on Project Alice and mentioned, "After we land, we'll take a sample of your blood then terminate you. It's a shame to think you were such a waste."

Alice smirked and her reply shined in her eyes. She had nothing to say to the heartless CEO.

Alfred huffed, but commotion at the back made him turn his head. "What's the problem?" He felt the helicopter lift off, yet it didn't move down the underground runway.

"The damn door is jammed!" a soldier reported. He was only able to get the cargo door to close a quarter of the way.

Alice's eyes narrowed, and her smirk darkened in triumphant. She couldn't have done it better if she planned it. She happily watched the soldiers continue to screw around with the broken cargo door.

"Forget about it!" Alfred snapped. "We don't have time for this." He brushed past Project Alice and her guards then went to the cockpit. He ordered them to take off and get them away from the city.

"Move," Jill ordered Claire. She brought the leader past Leon Kennedy, who was helping with the jammed door.

Claire couldn't help herself and kicked Leon in the lower back. She enjoyed his holler then attempt to get her, but Jill pushed her away in time. She was half satisfied and knew that Leon wouldn't stand a chance once her partner had her hands on him.

Jill had Claire face Project Alice as the helicopter flew down the underground runway. She spread her legs slightly and retained the gun barrel against Claire's temple. She held Alice's eyes and read the buildup of a monster in Alice. Jill hoped Alice's attack would be swift and thorough when time came for it.

Alfred Ashford was still in the cockpit. He held onto the pilot's seat for balance, but he felt relief at seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He wasn't worried now and turned around. All the air from the open cargo bay messed up his blond locks, but he pushed them aside and started towards the soldiers.

"Is that sedative ready?" Captain Pawlak hotly hollered over the noise.

A soldier finished extracting the sedative into a needle gun. He put the sedative container away then carefully turned around after shutting the small door with the medical supplies. He looked at Project Alice in the center of the cargo bay. He assessed her superior height and body and hoped he retrieved the right amount from the bottle.

Alice was holding her partner's eyes. She and Claire communicated silently through their bond. She was thankful for it now. She wasn't sure her plan would work at all if it wasn't for their bond. But her bond was disrupted by her attention being drawn to the beautiful blue sky filling the mouth of the cargo bay. Alice thinly smiled at this and was happy to be free from the facility. In the background, she heard all the helicopters moving through the air in the early morning daylight. What a beautiful day, Alice decided.

The soldier came over to Project Alice and pointed the needle gun's blunt tip at her. He decided on her neck, which was fully exposed so he lifted it up. He tensed when Project Alice turned her honey green eyes on him. He went stiff when a spark lit up in her suddenly blue eyes.

Alice's arm muscles neatly coiled like rope against her skin tight black shirt. Then she gave a sharp growl and snapped the handcuffs' chain apart. Her right hand immediately went to the needle while her left went at the nearby soldier's rifle.

Soldiers hollered and went after Project Alice. They couldn't fire guns thanks to the close proximity, but they dove into her.

Alfred Ashford backed off but looked at Claire Redfield in Jill's grasp. "Shoot her!" He knew what affect it'd have on both Project Alice and Umbrella's future. He had to safeguard his company's future even if he didn't survive.

Leon saw the struggle in Jill Valentine despite the safety was relieved. "Kill her, Jill!" he barked but couldn't wait either. He rushed forward and grabbed Jill's trembling gun then aimed it at Claire's head.

Jill was powerless to stop Leon and instead held Claire in place for the sacrifice. She grounded her teeth as her body quaked from a war and nearly made her collapse.

Leon pulled the trigger after his sight lined on Claire's temple. He heard the shot echo through the cargo bay, but he was stunned when the speeding bullet slowed down then hung in the air an inch from Claire's head. The Umbrella logo brightly shined on the bullet's exterior as it slowly stopped twisting in the air. He quickly looked at Project Alice.

An explosion of soldiers were spewed around the cargo bay and sent the V-22 rocking in the air. But the pilots quickly righted the aircraft and continued the hurried flight over the city. Alfred Ashford was knocked over, but he sat up and watched Project Alice lunge for Leon Kennedy.

Claire let out a breath after the bullet fell to the steel floor and rattled. She knelt down, extracted her knife, and tossed it in front of Alice. She watched Alice catch it then Claire finally faced Jill. She harshly grabbed Jill with her good hand. "Wake up, Jill!"

Leon's scream was cut short after Alice's hand wrapped around his throat. His whole world went out of control after he was lifted up off the floor. He shook his legs yet gasped after a sharp burn tore across his stomach. He grabbed at his lower stomach, and his arms filled with his intestines. He stared in horror at Alice's primal smile. Leon lowered his head and stared at the blood and string of intestines rolling over his arms.

Alice was breathing hard, but she hastily carried Leon to the open cargo door. She hadn't felt so much satisfaction in killing somebody before, but she kept her promise to him. Alice imagined thousands of undead down in the city that would feast on him before the explosion. She darkly laughed in excitement then happily whispered, "Goodbye, Leon." Alice threw him through the open cargo door.

Leon cried out, but he lost hold of his clumped intestines, which flapped in the air above him as he began his fall to Earth. He reached for the fading helicopter, but his fate was sealed.

Alice spun the bloody blade in her hand so that it pointed down. She swiftly faced the soldiers that were getting back up. She spotted Alfred Ashford on his feet again, and she barred her teeth at him in a dark smile.

"Kill them!" Alfred hollered at the soldiers. He didn't care what it took now. After Alice's demonstration with Leon Kennedy, he wasn't sure what to expect of the killing machine. But Alfred realized that his company had indeed created a monster bent on destroying him and Umbrella. It had to end now at any cost.

Soldiers hastily lifted their rifles and gun safeties releasing resounded in the cargo bay. Captain Pawlak didn't care about Jill Valentine being in the crossfire. Right now he wanted Project Alice and Claire Redfield dead.

Alice had bright blue eyes lit up by fiery rage. She didn't have time to selectively focus her telekinesis on certain people. She silently apologized to her partner and sent out an ultra high pitched noise throughout the entire helicopter. All the humans screamed at once and covered their ears, but it was useless. Alice glanced at Jill Valentine and managed more of the strength on Jill.

Jill was in excruciating pain and clutched her head after she was sure it'd burst any second. She collapsed to her knees and screamed against it. Darkness crept up on her until suddenly it all stopped, and she gasped for air. Jill wearily peered up at Alice as she fought for another breath.

Alice felt a grin curl at her lips after the Umbrella logo flickered in Jill's eyes then cut off sharply. She knew that Jill was back with them again. But Alice had to leave Jill on her own so that Jill had her chance at vengeance for Angie. Instead Alice hastily stowed the knife away and went to Claire.

Claire was just lowering her hands and blinked several times. She heard all the commotion then felt Alice grabbing her.

Alice picked up her injured partner. She looked down at Jill Valentine and smugly mentioned, "That's my fucking version of an apology, Jill." Alice grinned at Jill's narrowed eyes, but truth be told, she knew setting Jill free from the mind device was a blessing. She hurried to the open cargo door after the soldiers' groans warned her. She glanced back at Alfred Ashford. It would be so easy to kill him, but she left it to Jill.

Claire tightly gripped her partner after she saw the distance to the ground. "Oh my god." She had second thoughts about Alice's idea. But a gunshot behind them made her realize it was their only insane chance. "Alice!" A rain of bullets started at them.

Jill remained down so she wasn't hit, but she looked up at Alice, who took a running step then jumped through the opening. She held her breath and wondered how in the Hell they were going to survive. Jill listened to the rifles go silent then she looked at the stunned soldiers. Like them, she was surprised Alice had really done it. Her thoughts quieted after Claire's white ball cap caught her attention. Jill reached out for it and grabbed the brim. She tucked it away then grabbed Leon's forgotten handgun.

Carefully, Jill stood up and realized nobody saw her as a threat. She developed a small grin and stared coldly at Alfred Ashford. She flicked the safety off the gun. There were twenty-nine bullets left in the gun. She had more than enough. Her left hand rolled into a fist. She would thank Alice later, if they ever saw each other again.

Claire struggled to hold down her screams. She was latched onto Alice. Flashes of her life flew past her faster than her fall to Earth. She saw the buildings coming closer and closer. All the panic nearly made her heart burst because she knew there was no way to live.

"Hold on tightly to me!" Alice hollered over the wind during the last seconds of their free fall. She rolled their bodies so that her back faced the ground and Claire's back pointed to the sky. She shut her eyes and prayed her powers were this good. Her telekinesis strained against the plunge to the city and hurt all across her head.

Claire gritted her teeth and buried her face in Alice's neck. Only Alice's distinct scent gave her any peace. She dug her nails deeper into Alice's shoulders after seeing the buildings in her peripheral vision. "Oh god," she whimpered.

Alice gave a low cry, but impact started after her next breath. First her ears rang out with glass shattering then something solid but thin slammed into the center of Alice's spine. Shocks rippled through her body and made her muscles go limp. She lost the air from her lungs then rolled off the metal bar and continued falling into a dark interior. Claire's scream forced her to use her powers in hopes to protect Claire from final impact. Alice barely caught anymore air before she plunged into total darkness.

Claire slammed into cool water that entered her mouth. It tasted so repugnant that she nearly puked. She thrashed against the water, but black roots and vines crept around her. She cried out and continued fighting the floating plant life enclosing her. But then her partner's body slowly sunk away from her, and Claire felt her bond facture between them.

"No!" Claire screamed and dove under the water and vines. She latched onto her sinking partner, but she was helpless to pull Alice up. She wasn't strong enough, especially with the bullet still lodged in her shoulder. But Claire wouldn't release her partner and save herself, like Alice planned it.

Claire broke to the surface for another gulp and more determination than ever before. She plunged under again and instantly found Alice. She snared Alice's under the arms then slammed her boots into the concrete floor. Claire forced them up to the surface, but she was surrounded by the vines. She sucked in as much air as possible then fought to get to the steps behind her.

Alice remained unmoving. Her limp body was dragging Claire down.

Claire was overwhelmed by a surge of adrenaline, and she made it to the steps within seconds. She better hooked her arms around Alice and drug them up the steps, through the vines, and out of the filthy indoor pool. Behind her were rusted and broken pool loungers. But Claire didn't care about her quiet surroundings right now.

Alice's head hung back weakly. Her heavy boots softly banged against the concrete steps as she was drawn out of the pool. A few vines clung around her legs, arm, and foot. She didn't respond to Claire's low cries.

Claire had her partner out of the pool and off to the side. She gulped down clean air after being in the revolting, vine infested pool. She fell to her knees beside her still partner and angrily ripped the vines away.

"Alice?" she called. She touched her partner's cheek and patted it. "Come on." She glanced at Alice's chest and saw it wasn't moving. "Come on... come on." Claire hastily touched her partner's pulse point at her neck, but she didn't feel any heartbeat. "Shit." She tried thinking fast and quickly shifted so she was bent over Alice. "Don't do this to me!" she yelled at Alice.

Alice's turned head was straightened by Claire's hands. Then warm lips pressed against her chilled ones. But she didn't respond to them. Oxygen was forced down her throat and into watery lungs.

Claire lifted up then hastily put her hands in the center of Alice's chest. She pushed down firmly and counted thirty compressions. "Come on, Alice!" She continued pumping and hoped to feel a beat. "Don't do this... come on!" She fought against her tears.

Alice's chin was parted again then two breathes were forced down her throat again. She still didn't respond to Claire's attempts.

"Wake up!" Claire yelled at her partner. But her bond was fading each second despite she continued the compressions against Alice's quiet chest. "Oh god please," Claire whimpered and placed more pressure into the remaining pumps. She prayed one of the hearts would be sparked back to life.

But a third set of rescue breathes didn't wake Alice up. She continued laying flat and motionless other than her chest being forced down by Claire's rigorous compressions.

"Alice, please," Claire begged in a broken voice. She felt the bond nearly gone then after the fourth set of rescue breathes, there was nothing but utter silence from their bond. Claire faltered from doing another set of compressions after the aloneness cut through her. She started struggling for air after the bond died.

"No!" Claire screamed in rage. She'd been alone before but this stung her body and blackened her heart. Nothing mattered to her without her blood partner. She bitterly yelled again until her throat was raw. She slumped forward and gripped Alice's soaked shirt. She was out of words to call Alice back to her. She weakly crawled around Alice's body then pulled her partner's upper body into her lap. Claire curled around her dead partner and started sobbing for the first time in years.

All the world could go to Hell now, in Claire's mind. There was nothing for her here. She wouldn't save herself like Alice wished her to do. Claire was dead the moment Alice left her. Tears were fresh on her cheeks and washed away the grime from the pool's water. Claire's aching whimpers continued, and she rocked their bodies together. She waited for the bombs to give them both peace.

For awhile, Claire had happiness in the screwed up world. She hadn't expected it and considered it a gift considering mankind's position in the world. She wondered what the afterlife would be like with Alice. Claire wasn't sure if they'd be together since they were blood partners. Did that even mean they were more in the afterlife? Were they bound to each other as souls or only in the physical world?

Claire didn't have the answers and was only overwhelmed by the raw emotions from her broken heart. She and Alice had started as lost spirits in a virus infested Earth. But Fate drew them together and created a friendship between them. Claire relearned what it felt like to have a heart after shutting it off from everyone. Her blood bond with Alice had nearly enhanced what'd already been there.

Claire bowed her head and nuzzled her partner's cool temple. She curled her fingers in Alice's damp shirt. She squeezed her eyes tighter and shakily whispered, "I love you." She held Alice's closer and imagined her partner's warm smile. It was her only comfort until she saw Alice again.

A long minute passed, and Claire cursed it. She wished the explosion would go off and take them. She didn't want to feel anymore. All her emotions were slowly drowning her that she was deaf to everything. Claire continued rocking her body with Alice's and became lost again. But a surge of warmth was welcoming to Claire, and she imagined it was from death coming for her. Finally Alice took her hand and held onto her. But Claire was jarred from her illusion after Alice's chest moved against her arm.

Alice coughed loudly, but her partner hastily rolled her to the side. She brought up the micro infested water and spit it out to the side. She was relieved and sucked in much needed air. She gripped Claire's reassuring hand harder and slumped back into her. She wheezed several times and shut her eyes in relief.

"Alice?" Claire was still in shock but touched her partner's cheek. She discovered fuzzy green eyes opening up to her. She stared in surprise and recognized their returned bond after its earlier failure. She'd been too caught up in her turmoil to ever receive it being renewed by Alice's life.

Alice continued holding onto Claire's strong arm. She was weak and breathing hard.

"Are you okay?" Claire murmured. She started moving until Alice halted her attempt.

Alice tried not gripping Claire too hard. She let out a strained breath and explained, "My spine... it's broken." She shifted her head and gazed down at her legs. "I can't feel my legs."

Claire looked down at her partner's sprawled legs. She then gazed up at the broken glass ceiling that they'd come through. She pinpointed the metal bar that was badly bent from Alice slamming into it. She cringed at what kind of pain Alice must have felt once they struck it.

"Oh god," Claire murmured. She looked at Alice again and asked, "What we do?" She couldn't move Alice that far. It was impossible.

"Just... give me a minute," Alice muttered. She could feel the viruses working in her body. She prayed they were fast enough to heal her spine before the bombs went off.

Claire held her partner and lowered her head again. "I thought..."

Alice shut her eyes and whispered, "I was." She still felt her partner's wrenching pain about what happened minutes ago. "I'm sorry, Claire."

Claire shook her head. She didn't want an apology. She just needed Alice back. She buried her face into Alice's neck, but the tears returned.

"Ssssh," Alice murmured. She hooked her hand behind Claire's neck. But the intruding handcuffs annoyed her so she grabbed one at a time and ripped them off. She threw them aside then gripped her partner's damp arm.

Claire shifted her head slightly and whispered, "We're not going to make it out alive." Her hope for making it back to K-Mart and Chris was fading now.

Alice sighed after hearing what was most likely their future. "Don't give up on me yet." She hadn't accepted failure before, and she wasn't about to start now, especially with Claire in her life.

Claire was about to respond until distant movement from beyond two double metal doors to her left caught her ear. She swallowed hard and muttered, "Undead." She knew without seeing them.

Alice didn't see a point in confirming Claire's assessment. Her powers were renewed and the blue glow returned to her eyes. She painfully managed over a dozen lounge chairs to go piling in front of the doors. She hoped it would slow them down. She then put her hands on the cracked tile floor and struggled to get up.

Claire hastily moved and helped her partner stand again. She was amazed by Alice's strength after suffering a broken spine.

Alice's back loudly popped into place. She released a relieved sigh then glanced at the infested, murky pool where they'd landed moments ago. She peered down at her partner, who held her waist. "Thank you." She may have not survived it if Claire hadn't drug her out from the water.

Claire squeezed her partner's side then ordered, "Come on." She assisted Alice with crossing around the pool. Shards of glass cracked under their boots as they went to the broken doors for the outside roof.

"Where's your ball cap?" Alice checked. She wasn't sure why she noticed that all of a sudden.

Claire kicked at the half fallen door and knock it out of the way. She guided Alice out the door. "Back in the Umbrella helicopter... Jill knocked it off in the cargo bay."

"Damn," Alice muttered. She knew how much Claire cherished it.

But the leader just shrugged it off. She paused though after hearing a boom so she looked back at the undead stumbling through the lounge chairs near the pool. "Fuckin' great." She hurried them to the rooftops ledge. Maybe she could find a fire escape ladder.

Alice crinkled her nose at smelling undead all around them. "We're surrounded, Claire."

Claire peered over the ledge and confirmed the undead down on the street. "Fuck." She wasn't sure what to do. But Alice's arm leaving her shoulder caught her off guard. "Alice..."

Alice looked over at the destroyed door that went to the pool. She glared at the undead following Claire's scent. "I'm fine," she softly promised. She then suddenly picked up Claire, who gave a low yelp. "And time to go."

Claire clung to her partner yet shook her head. "There's not enough time. Casey is on the other side of the city."

Alice agreed that there was probably only minutes left for them. But she wasn't going to give up after getting this far. She instead hopped onto the ledge, glanced at the undead below, and then looked over at the building across the street. She grinned.

"Oh shit," Claire whispered. She struggled not to scream when Alice launched off the hotel's roof and went for the office building on the other side.

Alice arched halfway across the street then came down for a perfect landing on the other building. She let out a breath and looked back at the undead flooding the hotel's roof.

"Let's not horse around," Claire reminded her partner. Then a roof door a few yards away flung open with advanced undead running for them. She went for her gun but come up with nothing.

Alice saw them from the corner of her eye. She turned to her right then sprinted towards the next building. She felt the advanced undead on her heels, but she jumped off the office building. What she didn't expect were several advanced undead making it across too.

"Shit," Claire murmured in shock. "What the fuck is in them?"

"No time to hang out with them and ask." Alice was racing across the roof so she could get distance from them. She was mildly impressed with the advanced undeads' abilities, but she could easily defeat them. But right now it was more important to get away from the bombs' epicenter before they went off.

Claire looked over her shoulder after they made it onto another roof. "Oh my god... Alice, the next building is gone."

Alice had already seen that the next block was empty of any type of building. She pressed harder in hopes she could gain more height in her next jump. She needed every bit of momentum if she thought she could make it across a full block.

"Shit! Alice!" Claire didn't have the same faith that they could do it. And she was sure hundreds of undead were below in the open block. Their low growls rung in her ear after Alice gave a cry and jumped off the ledge.

The advanced undead launched after the infected human that carried the sweet human. They whaled in defeat after their short jump took them tumbling to the ground and slammed into the other undead below.

Claire screamed once the building's side came into her view. She expected to slam into the brick side, but instead Alice sprung off it. Everything spun out of control for Claire until she finally found herself knelt down on the street with Alice's arm snared around her waist. Claire let out a gasp but stared worriedly at all the undead right in front of them.

Alice stood up with her partner, and her powers flared up into her eyes. She immediately fired off a psionic blast that spewed the approaching groaners. "Let's go."

Claire seconded it because she didn't have any weapons. She hastened alongside Alice down the street. But she slowed once hundreds of undead began flooding towards them. She turned and looked at the undead that'd been following them. "We're surrounded." Her back pressed into Alice's back. She fought against panic that crept up her chest. She stared at the creatures' decomposing faces, putrid teeth, and tattered clothes.

Alice immediately created a shield around them that blocked out the undead. But she couldn't hold hundreds of them off for too long. She gazed up at the building next to them. She calculated that it was much too high for her.

Claire reached behind and gripped her partner's wrist. She pushed into Alice tighter after an undead tried to coming at her but couldn't get past Alice's shield. A low tremble under her feet started, and she looked down at the tiny pebbles vibrating against the paved road. She shut her eyes once she realized the explosion had begun.

"Alice," Claire whispered in fear. She moved her hand down and threaded their fingers together. She turned towards her partner.

Alice faced Claire at the same time then held hands again. She felt the explosion moving down the streets towards them. She pulled Claire into her body and held her closer. She blocked out the sounds of the groaning undead that wanted to feast on them so bad.

Claire reached up and pulled her partner's head down. She sadly smiled and murmured, "Bye bye Umbrella."

Alice mirrored the content smile despite their plans hadn't gone perfect. She brushed their lips together and pulled Claire in closer. She kept their foreheads together despite the increasing winds made it hard. She heard the buildings collapsing and falling like dominos. "I'm sorry we didn't..." She grew angry at her failure.

But Claire caressed her partner's cheek and whispered, "We did it though."

Alice couldn't argue Claire's point that they did destroy the facility and god knows what else in it. She felt the abyss growing closer to them. She struggled to accept it, but she couldn't let it happen to them. She lifted her head and peered up at the beautiful blue sky that was about to be swallowed by the explosion any moment.

"No," Alice murmured. Dreaded d�j�-vu entered her taut chest and made her furiously yell, "No!" All her powers raged against failure and surrendering to death again.

Claire gasped once she and Alice lifted off the ground. She clung tighter to Alice as they started lifting faster and faster. She lost her words and became amazed.

Alice flew from the abyss that the explosion created under them. She flew higher and higher until they reached the bright white clouds and gorgeous blue sky. Her cry of defiance echoed over the city that was being swallowed by the bombs.

Claire threaded her hand in Alice's short hair and tightened her arm across Alice's waist. She felt secure in Alice's arms as they flew thousands of feet up into the cool atmosphere. Then the winds increased after she was lifted into Alice's arm. She brought her head out of Alice's shoulder and shook the red strands from her face. Claire stared in awe at the beautiful clouds as they flew through them. She looked down at Houston, which was dark and burning like Hell.

Alice held her partner close. She had the brightest blue eyes yet. Her telekinesis continued carrying them through the sky and away from the swallowed city. She headed west from the city and remained five thousand feet above the city. But her ears told her that the explosion was right behind them.

Claire wasn't scared anymore. She saw the plume right behind them and chasing them. But she felt her partner's determination to make it. Claire looked ahead again and whispered, "This is amazing."

Alice had a faint grin, but she was focused on her task to get them away. She sensed a cloud of heat wash over them. She increased their momentum and started out flying the blast that was finally reaching its peak. Alice noted they were coming over the suburbs now.

Claire sighed and leaned her brow against her partner's temple. She was relieved that they survived it. She believed they wouldn't make it, but Alice's powers was what saved them. If it wasn't for Alice's blood bonding with the viruses, none of this would have been possible. Claire could see the good that came from the viruses.

Alice knew they were safe from the explosion and started searching for a landing spot. She needed to rest before her powers were spent and left them in another free fall. She hastily descended and found refuge in a former park that had kids' swings, slides, and benches.

Claire slid out of her partner's arms and turned to her. "Hey," she murmured and touched her savior's pale cheeks.

Alice gave a weak smile and took Claire's hand.

Claire knew her partner was spent from the flying and quickly led her to a bench. "Sit down for a minute."

Alice seemed reluctant at first but followed anyway.

"We have time now," Claire joked. She and Alice sat down and took deep breaths. She combed her messy hair until her injured shoulder reminded her of a problem. She bit back a hiss then looked at her partner. "Did you know you could do that?"

Alice raised an eyebrow. "If I did, I wouldn't have fallen into that building."

Claire ruefully smiled. "Smartass," she teased. She cleared her throat then seriously asked, "Then how...?"

"I... don't know," Alice admitted. She shook it off and instead looked at her partner's shoulder. She shifted on the bench. "Let me see." She reached for it but hesitated when Claire withdrew. "Come on."

"We can't do anything about it right now," Claire reminded.

But Alice wasn't happy with that and saw the new blood seeping out. She smelled it too and it excited her own blood. "Don't start with me," she warned. She shifted closer and carefully rolled the torn sleeve back until the wound was exposed.

Claire studied it from a strained glance. "Bullet is still in there."

"I know," Alice murmured. She prodded the wound and flinched at Claire's hiss. "Sorry."

"I'll be fine," Claire insisted through gritted teeth.

Alice shook her head and sniffed the fresh blood. "No." She wiped some of the blood off and smelled it closer. "You're getting paler." She noted the color change in Claire's face. "You're starting to lose too much." She was afraid Claire would pass out soon.

Claire shook her head.

"I have to get it out." Alice was inspecting the wound visually.

"We don't have anything with us," Claire reminded. She wished Alice would let it go, including her arm. Her eyebrows hiked up when Alice tasted her blood.

Alice enjoyed the rare sweetness in Claire's blood. It made her tongue sing then her blood screamed for more of it. But Alice controlled her own hunger with an iron fist. The sweetness faded away and left a hint of bitterness on Alice's tongue. She couldn't help spitting it out to the side. Her eyes watered, and she blinked several times.

Claire stared and wondered what just happened. "Alice..." She touched her partner's knee. "What was that?"

Alice straightened up after spitting one more time to get the bitterness out. She wished she could wash out her mouth with Listerine. She cleared her throat and looked at Claire. "The G-virus is in your blood." She saw the alarm immediately in her partner's eyes. "It's extremely mild."

Claire was confused and worried all at once.

Alice let out a sigh. "It won't harm you." She shifted on the bench and drew her right leg up onto it. "You must have picked it up when you carried me from the hangar on the Arcadia."

Claire wasn't sure what it meant for her, but she trusted her partner's knowledge. She nodded then guessed, "If it was dangerous, I would have mutated already."

"Yes." Alice focused on the injury again and lifted her right hand. She focused on the bullet's location with her mind.

Claire saw the blue glow in Alice's eyes. She became uneasy.

"This is going to hurt," Alice forewarned. She felt guilt about it, but she had to get the bullet out and close the wound. Her telekinesis latched onto the bullet and started extracting it from the wound.

Claire gave a painful cry when the bullet moved through her muscle. She grabbed onto Alice and held on for support. She peered down and saw the back of the bullet sliding out of her wound. Then once the bullet's tip came out last, she slumped forward against her partner.

Alice grabbed the floating bullet and glared at it. She tossed it aside then slid Claire closer to her and turned Claire until Claire's back pressed into Alice's front. She brought her right arm around Claire's waist then positioned her left hand over the badly bleeding wound.

Claire leaned into Alice's solid body. She groaned at the warmth in her right shoulder. Then a tingle started around the bullet wound. Slowly the aching started to dull away then there was nothing. Claire twisted her head and looked at the now healed wound. She peered up at her partner.

Alice lowered her hand after using the G-virus in Claire's blood to heal the wound. She hadn't thought it would work. But she was able to control the virus in Claire's blood and concentrate its efforts in one place. Alice sighed in relief.

Claire was breathless despite the pain was finally gone. She rested her head against her lover's chest and murmured, "Can you heal humans?"

"No." Alice shifted on the bench some. "Just you." She felt how weak Claire was after the experience. "Relax for a few minutes."

"We have to find Casey," Claire weakly argued.

"We will... in a few minutes." Alice lowered her head down to Claire's and felt her partner give in to her idea. She calmed after Claire passed out. She shut her eyes but her senses were still alive in case of any trouble. Just for one minute, Alice told herself.

Continued.