Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Trigon
by Red Hope
Chapter 21
The doctor had a vial with a nearly clear liquid in it. "Yes." She obviously hadn't slept well, her hair in disarray. She met the convoy leader at the double doors of the ambulance, knelt down, and held out the vial.
Claire accepted the vial and hid it in her rear pocket. She didn't say anything else to Doctor Green and left the ambulance.
Doctor Green remained there for a long minute then looked across the space over to Betty. They held sad stares before returning to their duties.
The camp was very still at dawn, more than normal. Only a few survivors stirred which included the managers. At the catering truck, Claire found Otto already preparing breakfast so she climbed into his truck and shut the door. Normally Otto was cheerful, but today he was quiet and could barely look at Claire. Last night he'd been forewarned what had to be done this morning. He didn't envy Claire at all.
Claire reached behind and extracted the vial. She'd never asked Otto to do this or would allow him. Instead, she singled out one bowl of already hot oatmeal that was in a line up. Claire picked up the bowl, moved to the side, and freed the vial's cap. Carefully stirring the vial's contents into the oatmeal, Claire watched the oatmeal soak it up. She then retrieved two spoons and another bowl of steaming oatmeal.
Otto said nothing and merely watched the convoy leader leave the truck with the bowls. He swallowed hard, shook his head, and went back to prepping some food for tonight's meal. A strong sting entered his eyes, and he blinked several times despite tears slipped free.
Claire traveled through the camp until she came to the rekindled fire not far from the bus. Her searching eyes went over the faces and settled on a teenage girl's features. The teen, Amanda, was just a year younger than K-Mart. But it was the young girl in Amanda's lap that turned Claire's stomach.
Amanda adjusted her younger sister in her lap. She lifted her glossy, red eyes to the convoy leader, who squatted down in front of her. She bowed her head and breathed in her sister's soft scent.
Katie yawned then focused on Claire Redfield next to her.
"Hey," the leader greeted the pair. Her tone held strength despite the situation. She lifted her eyes to Amanda. "I brought breakfast." Claire held out the left bowl to Amanda then the right one to Katie.
"Thank you," Katie murmured. She finished rubbing her eye and accepted the hot oatmeal.
Amanda silently took the bowl but set it down.
Claire cupped the ten-year old girl's cheek. "Don't thank me." She stood up and briefly held Amanda's eyes.
Amanda licked her cracked lips yet managed a weak nod to the convoy leader. Her silent promise to make sure that her little sister ate the last meal. But Amanda wouldn't eat her own.
Claire slipped away and decided to get prepared for the seven. First she went to the M35 cargo truck and retrieved a worn shovel. She departed the camp and went in search of a good location. The oatmeal needed time to work on Katie. In the woods, the birds were rather lively and several squirrels and chipmunks scurried past whenever Claire came close. However, the wildlife weren't of any interest to Claire.
Finding a secluded clearing about a ten minute walk from the campsite, Claire visually scanned the area and decided it was a serene location. Its beauty would soon be tainted by Claire's hands. She first scarred the land by driving the shovel into the ground beside an oak tree. Leaving it behind, the convoy leader began the slow walk back to camp. Her boots felt heavy each step she took towards the convoy.
Just before entering the camp, a tingle started under Claire's skin and made her look to the right. She narrowed her eyes at the cause of her body's excitement. Her steel green eyes remained locked on Alice Abernathy as she came towards her.
Alice passed the cargo truck and a few trees to where Claire waited for her. She felt the reinforced metal under Claire's skin without even touching it first. She parted her lips slightly once she realized what Claire planned to do shortly.
Claire shook her head because she didn't wish to discuss it with Alice. For two years now she had carried out her duty as convoy leader. It could not be questioned or altered by anybody nor would she allow another person to takeover this particular duty.
Alice shifted closer. "Claire..." She faltered and continued searching frozen green eyes.
The seven faces flashed in the leader's mind then settled on the seventh one. Claire swallowed hard yet it did nothing to ease the pressure in her chest. "I don't need it."
Alice clenched her jaw and shook her head. It was hard to believe, even Claire Redfield needed support and comfort. Alice knew the only other way to survive what Claire did was to become stone cold. She'd been down that path once upon a time.
For a second time, Claire read Alice's open worry, which was unacceptable in Claire's book. She was the convoy leader and swore to it. However, it was the seventh face that increased the pressure further. Claire inhaled deeply and posed, "You want to show me... that this tri can work..." Her words hung in the air as a half question. The worry spreading across Alice's face made Claire continue talking. "Then take care of K-Mart... when I can't right now." Her last words shook with desperation.
Alice absorbed Claire's overwhelming need to have K-Mart safe. She shut her eyes briefly and gave a nod. "I will," she hoarsely promised. She studied the metallic gloss to Claire's features.
Claire accepted Alice's commitment and frail relief settled in her mind, for a few minutes. She brushed past but felt Alice behind her like a shadow. Nearing the main campfire, Claire studied all the familiar faces of the survivors that were left after yesterday's battle. Silence settled around the campfire and all eyes turned to the convoy leader.
Alice had separated from Claire and pinpointed K-Mart seated beside Mikey. Just next to them were Betty and Doctor Green, who seemed to be observers on the sidelines. Alice slotted her eyes at the doctor and nurse then focused on K-Mart. Moving closer, Alice's attention was drawn to Mikey and a sharp inhale confirmed her suspicions. Alice balled up her hands and the survivors' tension wired her.
"It's time," Claire announced to the dwindling convoy. She peered over her right shoulder and took in the first survivor's familiar features. His name was Greg. From the corner of her view, she caught Amanda standing up with her sleeping sister in her arms.
From the side of the campfire, Alice was intrigued by the survivors' pure loyalty to Claire Redfield. It amazed her how Claire could command such faith from humans. But one by one, the seven started circling Claire Redfield.
K-Mart felt slightly nauseous and tried quelling it with deep breaths. Mikey's rising movement on her right though made her heart accelerate and pound against her chest. Suddenly K-Mart burst from the seat and latched onto Mikey's arm after he took another step towards Claire.
"What are you doing?" K-Mart demanded.
Mikey stared at Claire for a second before he faced his friend. "I... have to go with Claire."
K-Mart's features fell, dread filled her eyes. She slowly began shaking her head and hotly whispered, "No... n-n-no."
"K-Mart, I was bit-"
"No!" K-Mart fought, tears already building up.
Mikey clenched his teeth against the emotions rising between them. He fisted his hands in hopes to resist the surge. "I'm sorry, K-Mart." Behind him, he felt the convoy leader's presence.
K-Mart trembled and lifted her eyes to Claire Redfield. She read the truth in Claire's eyes, and it made her tightened her grip on Mikey's wrist.
Alice drifted in closer, behind K-Mart. She pushed the chair out of the way and looked across to Claire. Now she understood exactly what Claire was asking her to do, for all of them.
"Please, Claire," K-Mart softly pleaded.
"I can't make a bite go away," Claire gently reminded.
Mikey turned his head when he couldn't hide his coughs further. He swallowed the vile blood and looked at K-Mart again. He flinched at his friend's obvious fears. "It'll be okay."
"No!" K-Mart yelled.
Mikey saw the fight rise in K-Mart so he hastily grabbed his friend for a hug. He wasn't disappointed when K-Mart feverishly returned the desperate hug. He kissed her temple and murmured, "I love you, Dahlia."
K-Mart fisted her left hand against his shoulder and whimpered, "I love... you too." She knew she'd wake up from this bad nightmare soon. But yet the hot tears felt very real against her flushed cheeks.
Mikey now understood why Claire did things the way she did all this time. He gritted his teeth and abruptly separated from K-Mart before she could do anything about it.
"No!" K-Mart hollered again. She tried for Mikey until an arm snared her by the waist. Much to her surprise Alice had grabbed her from behind. "N-n-no, please!" She tried wrenching free from the much stronger arms, but it was useless. "Please don't do this, Claire," K-Mart begged, desperation painfully raw on her face. But Claire kept her back to K-Mart.
Mikey took Claire's side and approached the six others. He looked over his shoulder at K-Mart, who was silently pleading for him to stay alive. Not to go, not to give up, not to leave her. But the truth was Mikey knew he was infected and soon would spread the virus if he wasn't put to rest.
Claire came up to Amanda and gently retrieved Katie. Once she had the sleeping girl in her arms, she glanced at the six others and confirmed they were in her care. Claire didn't dare look at K-Mart and simply started the march through the camp towards the infected seven's resting place.
"Mikey!" K-Mart hollered. She didn't even receive a last glance from him. She dug her nails into Alice's arm. "Claire, please don't!" she screamed, her throat raw. "Mikeeey!" Tears continued down her cheeks. K-Mart became frantic suddenly once Mikey disappeared past the M35 cargo truck. She slipped free from Alice and made it for a few yards before Alice grabbed her again.
"Let me go," K-Mart hissed at her lover. But Alice sharply jerked her, and it cut through her anger.
"Nothing can be done," Alice stated. Mikey's pending death made Alice ache, especially for K-Mart.
K-Mart shoved against Alice's chest, fists flying. It hardly stilled her anger and pain about Mikey.
"Let him go," Alice sharply ordered.
But K-Mart couldn't accept Mikey's fate. "Please," she begged, breathlessly. "Please... no..." Her nails loosened against Alice's jacket. "N-n-no... God, please." All the weight in her chest ached against her heart, so harshly.
Alice could feel K-Mart's strength fading out. She bent down as K-Mart began to weaken. Adjusting her arms quickly, she picked K-Mart up and held her close. Without having to look, Alice felt all the survivors staring at them, which she wouldn't allow any longer. Alice hastily left the watching eyes and beelined to the F-350 pickup truck. They needed the meager seclusion that the truck could offer them.
The truck was locked tight and would seal out any external noises, especially distant gunshots. K-Mart was curled up in Alice's body. Her tears dampened the soft white cotton shirt that Alice had just put on this morning. Long fingers soothingly traveled through K-Mart's blond tresses, over and over. But despite the soothing comforts, K-Mart wept for Mikey and how his life would end. If only she'd gone to him yesterday morning during the attack then he'd never been bitten. Mikey's last words echoed in her thoughts and made her cling tighter to Alice.
Shutting her eyes, Alice willed her emotions to stay fairly calm so that K-Mart could depend on her. She lowered her head and rested her cheek against her lover's head. She murmured soft words into K-Mart's ear in hopes it'd help, even a little. Yet Alice wondered just how hard this situation would be for Claire as it was K-Mart. Exactly what would it do to K-Mart and Claire and their relationship? Alice briefly trembled at the thought.
Beyond the Ford F-350, the remaining survivors sat quietly around the camp and attempted continuing the morning like normal. But too much silence led to dark thoughts and hopeless worries about the future. If yesterday's attack had ended with eleven dead and seven infected then nobody was sure what'd be left after another attack. Peppered around the campfire were only forty-one survivors left. To add to fears, the convoy had lost their fuel truck that carried gasoline, which meant certain vehicles would become useless soon. Each survivor felt their safety become thinner, and death was smiling at them.
Outside the perimeter, Carlos Oliveira tailed the seven that were led by Claire Redfield. He detected they reached their destination so he stayed back and climbed up one tree to the lowest branch. He kept his rifle at the ready and the radio on his hip was low enough to only be heard by him. Carlos always remained within range of Claire in case something went wrong. But yet he knew not to appear and only stay within earshot. From here, he could barely make out the few voices but couldn't understand what was being said among the seven and Claire. He didn't need to know either.
"Claire, thank you."
The convoy leader swallowed hard and dipped her head at Mark.
"For keeping us safe... for doing your best," Mark softly added. Like the other infected, he stood in front of their leader.
Bonnie was standing off to the left. She curiously studied the convoy leader, paleness tainted her skin. "Don't carry our deaths with you," she urged.
Claire inwardly flinched after Bonnie managed to cut through her skin for a second. Her dark green eyes cut to Bonnie and that's when she noticed the blue hue in Bonnie's normally brown eyes.
Like the other five, Bonnie remembered when an infected survivor turned and attacked several people in the convoy. It'd simply happened because the infected survivor was selfish and didn't disclose their infected wound. Ten survivors paid the price that day. And it was also the beginning of Claire's most hated duty as convoy leader.
"I promise to make this quick," Claire stated. But it'd never been a fast enough event for Claire. She adjusted Katie in her arms as her eyes traveled over the others, except for Mikey. "If you wish to share words with each other then... please do." She moved away from them and approached the three trees that were lined up next to each other. Bending down, she gently placed the sleeping girl on the soft grass and brown leaves. Behind her, the infected spoke to each other in choked voices.
Claire remained knelt beside Katie and silently watched the girl's peaceful features. It was hard to believe that soon the ten year old would mutate into a snarling, blood hungry monster. A shiver tried surfacing but Claire suppressed it. After accepting her pending duty, Claire fingered her right Beretta Cougar and garnered the security it falsely gave her. A last deep breath provided Claire with the ability to stand up and face the six infected that waited for her.
All six infected hesitantly shifted in their spots as the convoy leader neared them. Their eyes were briefly on Claire until she moved behind them. Greg closed his eyes and bit his lower lip once his leader gave her final order to them.
"Kneel down... and watch the clouds," Claire commanded them. Nothing was more assuring than mother nature's beauty before finding the afterlife. Claire stood behind the first infected and extracted her Beretta Cougar from the shoulder holster. She released the safety and lined the sight perfectly, too much of a habit now.
Claire's trigger finger tightened against the cold metal. Each infected's name would dash through Claire's mind along with any memories she held of them. The first infected was Jerry Williams, who joined the convoy fifteen months ago. Claire whispered a prayer in his name as she pulled the trigger. The first gunshot was the hardest, and the rest would be dominos.
Next the gun's sight lined with Linda Kevins, who had a son die from the flu last spring. Once the bullet pierced the back of her head, she started seeing her son in the distance. Third was Greg Sabol, and he was staring hopefully up at the blue sky. Prayers spilled from his lips until the Beretta Cougar popped loudly behind him.
Bonnie Padletti took a last breath after Greg began falling on her left side. She slowly released the breath and imagined her husband's handsome face before he'd turned during the initial outbreak. A thin smile pulled at her lips just before the gun fired on her.
Fifth was Tiffany Cole, and she hastily signed the cross over her chest and head. She linked her hands into a prayer just as the sun shined against her dark skin in the early morning. Wherever her sister was today, she hoped her sister was alive and not infected like her. But Tiffany would finally have her answer to her sister's whereabouts because Claire Redfield pulled the trigger. Tiffany softly gasped and toppled forward, lifeless.
Claire took another step to the right and stared at the last kneeling infected, but she lowered her gun. She sidestepped Mikey and instead returned to Katie, who slept through it all. Claire raised her gun some then aimed at the girl's temple. She fired only once and watched Katie's last breath.
Nearly done her duty, Claire turned on her heels and met Mikey's stricken features. He was the seventh, the last in the line. She flexed her grip on the Cougar Beretta then hoarsely ordered, "You can go."
Mikey stared at the convoy leader. Had he misheard Claire for the first time? He frantically trembled despite his loyalty to Claire.
"I said go," Claire angrily repeated. But he didn't move so she took two steps closer and yelled, "Go!"
Mikey bowed his head and no longer held down his frightened tears. He inhaled sharply then looked at Claire. "No." His voice trembled, and his heart pounded against his chest. "I won't become one of them." He imagined turning into an undead then somehow infecting those he cared about so much. Mikey refused to be them or do Umbrella's bidding.
Claire gritted her teeth and struggled accepting Mikey's choice. Because of his wishes she would have to honor them wholly. How else could she be both his leader and friend otherwise? Yet she shook her head at the idea of shooting the first person that began faithfully following her. Once the outbreak began, it was Claire and Mikey until others joined them like Carlos, L.J., Betty, and K-Mart. Now Claire was faced with shooting somebody she'd grown to care about, before she knew the consequences.
Mikey stood up, legs slightly weak. He approached the convoy leader and asked, "Please, Claire." He searched her cold eyes. But slowly he realized just how hard it was for Claire to do this and exactly why. He wiped his stained face first then whispered, "Everything will be alright." But the denial in Claire's eyes wasn't hard to miss.
"I won't lead you to your death," Claire murmured.
Mikey sensed the controlled emotions lurking under Claire's steel skin. He hadn't noticed it all this time until this moment. Perhaps the T-virus growing in his system made him more hyper sensitive to it. Or maybe it was the face of death that cleared his vision. But he understood now the weight that pushed against Claire each day.
"You never have," Mikey argued. He resisted a cough yet still tasted blood in his mouth. "You'll lead me to peace." Some part of him last night looked forward to leaving this life behind. Now he could feel that peace brushing his fingertips. Cautiously, he moved into Claire's space and drew her into a hug.
Claire stood stiff for a few seconds until she accepted Mikey's wishes. Slowly, she put her arms around him and held him tightly. The repulsive scent of infected blood tickled to her nose, and she knew he wasn't far from turning soon. The bite mark hidden under his jacket's collar had most likely spread, bigger and darker. She clenched her jaw and murmured, "I'm so sorry, Mikey." Apologies were a rare find with Claire Redfield. Guilt about Mikey's infection was gnawing at her, but she refused to regret her choices yesterday morning. If K-Mart had attempted to save Mikey then it'd been K-Mart kneeling under Claire's gun.
Mikey separated, reached behind and unhooked his silver necklace that he always wore under his shirt. He rehooked the chain after taking it off. "Please give this to K-Mart." He held it out, the charm dangling in midair.
Claire let the round charm fall into her palm, and she hastily stowed it in her pant pocket. "I will," she promised.
"It was my sister's necklace." Mikey bit his bottom lip but mentioned, "K-Mart always reminded me of her."
Claire cupped Mikey's cheek, his inhuman heat burning her palm.
Mikey gingerly wrapped his damp fingers around Claire's wrist. He wanted to tell Claire how he loved her, like family. But something told him that those words were not meant to be spoken by him. He instead offered her a tender smile then turned around.
Claire fisted her left hand as Mikey lowered to the ground. All the brown leaves rustled around them and settled again.
Mikey heard Claire shift behind him. But his attention was drawn to the blue skies. There he saw his family in the heavens, waiting for him. He actually began smiling as the gun behind his head popped loudly.
Claire turned her eyes away as Mikey slowly collapsed into the leaves. If she believed shooting the first was the hardest then she was wrong. The seventh was the hardest because he marked the beginning of Claire's leadership. And now Mikey would mark the end.
Like the six infected that'd knelt, Claire too stared up at the blue sky and refused to acknowledge Mikey's lifeless corpse at her feet. She rejected counting the blood spots on the brown leaves near his head. A gentle hum started in Claire's throat for a minute and ebbed the shake in her right hand. After awhile, Claire turned around and marched towards the waiting shovel behind the oak tree. She shoved the Beretta Cougar into her holster and instead grabbed the shovel. Nearing the dead, Claire set to work on digging seven graves.
In the distance, Carlos sunk against the tree's trunk and dropped his head. His legs were propped up on the branch, rifle between his knees. He'd strained for several long minutes until he heard the seventh gunshot. He sadly sighed at the last infected being put to rest.
Earlier Claire's yell had carried to Carlos and made him tense up, rifle at the ready. He hadn't gone to her aid though. The single word told him enough that it was between Claire and Mikey. There hadn't been any other infected in the past that Claire gave them the option to flee. Carlos waited so tensely and strained to hear Mikey's response. It wasn't until he heard the last gunshot that he knew Mikey's answer. Carlos couldn't understand how Claire pulled the trigger. However, he was thankful not to be in Claire's boots that very moment.
Unlike Claire, Carlos couldn't hold back his emotions for Mikey. He and Mikey had worked together for two years. Mikey's dedication to the convoy always amazed Carlos. In many ways, Carlos learned from Mikey how to be loyal compared to Carlos's shaky past. Overtime, Mikey had become a brother to Carlos and last night's time with Mikey didn't feel like enough to Carlos.
Several tears tracked down Carlos's face. He bitterly wiped them away then stared up at the beautiful sky. His anger at Umbrella rose up. Even to this day, Carlos hated the fact he'd worked for the cruel company. Nothing seemed to clean that stain from his past, especially when people like Mikey died from the T-virus.
Running his fingers through his hair, Carlos picked out the sounds of shoveling. He knew not to intrude on Claire. He was never asked to help after the infected were put to rest. Claire would not allow anybody to do her duty. Carlos would remain in the tree until Claire came to him then he would know it was done.
Two hours passed until Claire dug the seventh hole and carried Mikey to it. She carefully placed his limp body into it then positioned him correctly. Taking the shovel, Claire quickly started tossing the dirt back into the hole that was Mikey's grave. The dirt couldn't cover his lifeless face fast enough for Claire. Each toss buried Claire's memories of him and the beginnings of the convoy that she'd started with him.
Backing away, the convoy leader darkly stared at Mikey's grave that was the seventh mound in a long row. Claire tossed the shovel in the direction of the convoy then went to the center of the row. She knelt until her knee pressed into the cool ground. She bowed her head and murmured a prayer of peace to the seven. An apology to each of them passed her lips. But there was no way she could vow to them that their lives would be avenged. Perhaps someday Umbrella would be on the receiving end of death. Claire wished that on the corporation and the scientists that created the virus.
A shaky breath escaped the convoy leader before she stood up. She wouldn't return here, ever. Claire stole a last glance at the mounds, her eyes lingered on the last one for an extra second. Then she sharply turned, hurried off, and snared the shovel out of the leaves. Shortly Claire sensed Carlos at her side, but she didn't look at him. Together they returned to the quiet convoy that waited for them.
Claire went directly to the rear of the duce and half. The shovel was tossed into the rear, beside the four wheeler. She then faced Carlos. "They have an hour to say their goodbyes. Then we're leaving."
Carlos dipped his head in agreement. "I'll tell the managers." He knew to leave Claire, but he hesitantly lifted his left arm. The chill in Claire's eyes made him falter.
Claire silently dared him to offer her any comfort about the seven. Already her anger about their deaths was crawling up her throat. She dared him to contest it, to make it seem okay.
Swallowing hard, Carlos relented and took a step away. He hastily departed from the convoy leader's side and went off to carry out his orders.
For a minute, Claire stood there and darkly stared at Carlos's receding figure. But there were things that needed to be done. First thing was to speak to the new driver of Mikey's former van. Hopefully Johnny would be able to handle it. Yet Claire considered the fact that it may not matter once the news van ran out of fuel. Shaking off the dire thoughts, Claire focused on what she could deal with right now and the lack of a gasoline tanker would just have to wait.
In the Ford F-350, Alice was stretched out on the rear bench with K-Mart tangled around her. The soft breaths coming from the teen made her think that K-Mart had fallen asleep after crying so hard. But the movement outside the truck's tinted windows caught Alice's attention. Small groups of survivors were leaving the camp together in the direction of where the seven had gone. Nibbling on her bottom lip, Alice debated whether to wake K-Mart or not. It was just after half an hour later that she gently roused her lover.
K-Mart blinked several times until her vision cleared. Alice's voice made her focus and peer up into the older woman's concerned features. She wasn't sure what to say.
Alice brushed a blond strand from K-Mart's face. "I don't think we have much time to..." Her eyes lifted and locked on the survivors filing into camp.
K-Mart twisted her head around and studied the survivors returning from the woods. She shut her eyes and clenched Alice's black jacket tighter. None of it had been a nightmare, it was real.
Alice sadly sighed and whispered, "We should go say goodbye to him."
K-Mart nodded and was grateful that Alice planned to go with her. Many times she'd paid her respects to the dead, but this time it was somebody she loved dearly. She hoped she could make it out there.
It took a few minutes for K-Mart and Alice to get out of the truck. Neither of them saw Claire on their short trip across the camp. Perhaps it was for the best, for K-Mart's sake. They brushed by several survivors, who were headed back to camp. Once they approached the gravesite, K-Mart spotted Amanda beside a smaller mound.
Amanda twisted her head when she sensed people arriving at the site. She dropped the brief eye contact with K-Mart then looked at her sister's grave. She whispered a few last words and quietly brushed past K-Mart and Alice. The tear stains on her cheek were apparent in the morning sunlight.
K-Mart briefly watched the other teenager go. But then she weakly turned her attention to the seven mounds lined up in a row. She covered her mouth with her hand and fought against the sting in her eyes.
Alice remained still about a yard behind her lover. As K-Mart moved forward, Alice clenched her hands and stayed there, guarding her lover. She watched how K-Mart went to each grave and prayed for them, until she came to the seventh one. How K-Mart knew it was Mikey's grave, Alice was never sure.
K-Mart stood at Mikey's feet for a minute until she couldn't bare it anymore. She fell to her knees and folded her arms. She couldn't withhold the crying like earlier.
The sobbing made Alice bow her head, and her nails dug into her palms. She had to let K-Mart weep for her lost friend. But it didn't sooth Alice's anger that this had happened at all. Instead of Mikey in the ground, it could have been K-Mart or Claire. That was the only light that kept Alice from giving into her anger. However, it didn't quell the ugly fact that more humans were dead thanks to the T-virus's existence. If only she and Jill had been successful years ago then just maybe fate would have been a little better.
Time passed unknown until Alice first sensed a new presence from behind. A sniff of the air told her it was Claire's scent, and Alice didn't bother looking until Claire was briefly at her side. Alice turned her head and studied the hollowness in Claire. But what the other humans failed to see was the force pressing upon Claire. Parting her lips, Alice nearly spoke except that Claire moved away in time.
The convoy leader softly approached K-Mart, her right hand fisted with a silver chain tangled in her fingers. Claire knelt down behind her friend, their bodies barely touching.
K-Mart sat back on her heels and turned her head sidelong, Claire's profile in her view. She locked her jaw and withheld her pained sobs from earlier.
Claire raised her right arm and slowly opened her hand. The silver charm tumbled from her palm and swung in midair from the chain. She waited for K-Mart to take it.
Several times K-Mart opened and closed her mouth. There was nothing to say though. She knew what the charm meant. Shakily her hand clutched the silver charm, and Claire released the chain to her. K-Mart lowered the necklace into both her hands and heard Claire get up then leave. But K-Mart continued caressing the charm's face.
Engraved across the top was written Saint Christopher and below it was the icon of the patronage of safe travel. Once upon a time it had been a necklace that Mikey's sister wore, and she gave it to Mikey when he traveled to the United State for college. Mikey had worn it since then, until today. Now it'd been bestowed upon K-Mart in hopes it would protect her during her travels in a Hell ridden world.
Still rubbing the charm's image, K-Mart cried for her friend and prayed the pain would die with him. But it wouldn't leave her, like him. Mikey was a part of her family. He was the one that'd helped her through the hard times with Claire. She'd marveled at Mikey's patience and loyalty with Claire and learned from him. Despite Mikey often said that K-Mart was closer to Claire, it had been him that showed K-Mart how to befriend Claire. K-Mart felt she owed Mikey so much for what he'd taught her. Now there wasn't a chance, not even to thank him. If she'd known last night was their last time together, K-Mart would have spent it more wisely, but nobody told her that he was infected, not even Mikey himself.
Alice allowed K-Mart her final moments with Mikey. But a tilt of her head allowed the convoy's movements to reach her. Despite being left behind wasn't a concern, she wanted K-Mart to let go and leaving the gravesite was the first step. Alice approached her lover and gingerly clasped a weakened shoulder.
Understanding the silent request, K-Mart fumbled to her feet and balled up the necklace in her left hand, not quite ready to wear it. She stayed close to Alice on the journey back to the campsite. She murmured that she was going to get the truck ready for travel. She was grateful that Alice understood her desire to be alone before all three of them piled up in the truck together.
Briefly Alice's eyes followed K-Mart then she remained poised in the center of the camp. All the humans were milling about and packing things up. Soon it would be time to go and continue south towards some unknown destination. How insane yet comforting it seemed was becoming a joke to Alice. What would any of it matter if Umbrella sent in another wave of undead? How much more could the convoy take before it was wiped off the Earth?
The idea that Claire and K-Mart could be next made Alice's blood heat up and caused a ring in her ears. However, her haze was sharply cut off by Claire's scent drifting on the breeze. Instantly her eyes honed in on the convoy leader, who was briskly walking towards the old theatre. Everything in Claire's body language told Alice that something was wrong with Claire. Slotting her eyes, Alice slipped through the camp and followed the convoy leader's cold trail. Nobody noticed either of them leaving the convoy.
Claire Redfield wound through the mutilated chairs and entered the main aisle that was cracked from weeds. She hurried down the aisle and reached the stage. Scanning her eyes over the stage, she imagined there had been good shows for an audience once upon a time. Using the half rotted stairs, she got onto the stage and found her way behind it where no eyes could see. Desperation caused Claire to frantically search for the right location. Her breaths were heavy and somewhat frantic, but she found a small bathroom that had three stalls.
The sunlight poured through the window at the back of the bleak bathroom. It revealed the dirty walls, cracked sinks, and rusted stall walls. From the sealed window, an ivy vine had grown through a tiny opening and was headed towards the floor. But the bathroom's poor condition had no bearing on the convoy leader.
Claire turned in a full circle and seemed to gauge her surroundings or searched for something. She faced the stall wall near the cracked sink. Bitterly she stared at the peeling, rusted metal wall that made the perfect target. She seemed to struggle briefly with herself and played with her hat's brim. Suddenly Claire let out a holler and sharply kicked at the center of the metal wall. Its dent did nothing to satisfy her rage. Repeatedly she kicked it with stronger blows each time. She was energized by the growing dent and the bolted pillar ripping out of the cracked tiled floor.
Every alarm went off in Claire's head when the bathroom door's single door pushed open and creaked loudly. Claire went for one of her guns initially, but a sharp pain struck her hand and made her drop the Beretta. Her angry expression centered on Alice Abernathy, who stood calmly before her.
Alice briefly glanced at the destroyed stall wall and understood what the booms had been earlier. She focused on Claire after she felt the surge come at her. Not wanting to hurt Claire, she went on defense. She'd made a risky choice by invading Claire's only chance at releasing her anger and effectively became the convoy leader's new target. Alice ducked in time before a fist came at her head.
Claire growled at missing and attempted a kick at Alice's stomach. She was furious that Alice had followed her, and the rage erupted enough to make her attack. Whatever punch she threw was nearly useless, especially considering Alice's training and superior strength. Her fifth swing though brought so much satisfaction. The punch had landed to Alice's stomach, but it wasn't enough.
Again Alice ducked under another punch after taking the last one. This time she snared Claire's outstretched arm and in the process knocked Claire's hat off. She spun Claire around and wrapped her arms across Claire's chest and stomach. Furious yells pierced Alice's ears, and she squeezed her eyes shut against the rawness.
Claire was trapped and couldn't even move her arms. She snarled and lifted her legs, every muscle in her arms and stomach bulged. She slammed her boots against the nearly destroyed stall wall then pushed with all her strength.
Alice hadn't expected the move or Claire's power, and she went stumbling backwards. Air was knocked out of her lungs after her back collided with the concrete wall behind her. But she didn't release Claire or fall down and continued holding her prisoner at bay. A heavy inhale renewed her briefly troubled heart.
Another furious cry came from Claire when she wasn't freed. She fought to break Alice's arms from her body and failed at it. She gritted her teeth when the rage nearly caused her to black out, but she gasped for air before her heart gave up. Heat burned all over her body and reddened her cheeks brightly. Suddenly Alice released her, and she stumbled a few steps then hands were on her again. Claire was harshly spun around by Alice. She barred her teeth at Alice but strong hands had her wrists.
Alice gripped Claire harshly and saw the fight was starting to fade in Claire's eyes. Something much more unbelievable was about to happen if Alice pushed Claire the right way. Alice had to do it, for Claire's sake. She yanked Claire forward until their bodies molded together. At first they started to fight again, but Alice got her arms around Claire. Nails clawed into Alice's neck and lower back then slowly receded after awhile. Much to Alice's relief, Claire's hand left her neck and weakly tangled into her hair.
Claire tightened her arm across Alice's lower back and hid her face in Alice's neck. She fought it down, so severely. It wasn't enough this time though because Alice was here. The first tear cut so deep into her that she clung to Alice for help. At first it was completely wrong and impossible, from the convoy leader. But the second tear weakened Claire's two year old resolve.
Alice took a few steps back and drew Claire with her. Her back pressed into the concrete wall, and she slumped against it. She adjusted Claire in her hold and allowed the storm to begin in Claire, for however long it would take them. Once the first tear touched Alice's skin, she shut her eyes and remembered this same moment that happened to her over a year ago, alone in the woods. Alice shared Claire's pain and chained emotions that were suddenly released after the weight finally became too much.
Each one of Claire's tears carried an emotion and an ugly memory; an undead attack, an infection, starvation, low fuel, discovery of human suicides along the road, the last bullet fired, no safety... a survivor's death. Her mind raced further back to her family when it was destroyed by her mother's death. The years under her father's drunk fist molded her into a new human. She accepted her darker self when she shot her infected father in the head, gladly. From those days on, Claire harnessed the monster in her to get the convoy through the days. But this time, all the darkness harbored in Claire caused her to sob instead of become angry. There must have remained some life in her after all.
Gradually Claire remade herself with what pieces were left today. At first there seemed like no point in continuing the game in this fucked up world. But Claire first remembered that K-Mart needed her. She refused to ever abandon K-Mart, ever. Her devotion to K-Mart started rebuilding her foundation yet she needed the strength to stand whole again. Such a feat seemed like fantasy more than reality. Flexing her grip against Alice's strong body, Claire's memories from when she and Alice first met returned to her. What Claire was in Alice's eyes was no different than what Alice suffered through. Alice proved that there was life after death.
Lifting her head off the wall, Alice felt Claire begin to shift again, and the crying had subsided to the quietness of their breathes. She tilted Claire's head up and easily wiped the last few tears away from flushed cheeks. No words were necessary between them. Alice's promise that Claire could be renewed shined brightly in her eyes. Bending down, Alice lightly brushed her lips across Claire's salty ones.
Claire ran her fingertips over Alice's warm cheek after the feather kiss. She then hooked a loose strand of blond hair behind Alice's ear. Her searching eyes didn't leave Alice's features. Claire foresaw herself in Alice's eyes. She sadly smiled, something that was rare of her. She leaned her head forward and let their brows touch for a minute. Then willingly, Claire separated from Alice, reclaimed her hat, and each step towards the door gave Claire more confidence again. Once she passed the rusty door, she stepped into her place as the convoy's leader. But now a different mask fell over her face as she approached the worn stage in the theatre.
Alice remained in the bathroom and slouched against the peeling wall. She had Claire's sad smile now, but it made her feel good. As Claire's footfall faded away, Alice couldn't help her smile getting bigger. She lifted her head then peered down at her stomach. She rubbed her hand over the spot where Claire's earlier punch caught her.
"Damn," Alice muttered. Her smile shifted into an amused grin. For a human, Claire could pack a punch, or a kick. But in a few minutes the meager irritation would be gone from Alice's stomach. She decided to use her stomach's healing as a timer so that the convoy wouldn't catch on that she and Claire had been alone, together. They didn't need to know Claire's business.
A solid five minutes went by before Alice left the bathroom and followed Claire's rather cold trail. She entered a nearly empty camp and noted only one person in the pickup truck. From the position, Alice knew it was K-Mart in the passenger seat. Claire was most likely briefing the managers so she decided to load in the truck with K-Mart.
The truck's rear door opening and closing startled K-Mart. She peered over her left shoulder and confirmed that it was Alice. She then reached over and started the truck, the key left in the ignition. Shortly the truck's heat offered some comfort from the cool day.
Alice sat in silence, her kukris across her lap and the P220 Sports tucked in her waistband. She wasn't the one to use guns anymore, yet they proved valuable at times. She quieted her thoughts when the convoy leader climbed into the truck last.
Claire buckled up and glanced at K-Mart, who still faithfully sat in the front with her. She inwardly sighed at the Saint Christopher necklace around K-Mart's neck. She turned her eyes to the front window and grabbed the shifter knob.
K-Mart felt self conscious about the necklace. She reached for it and tucked it under her shirt, like Mikey always did in the past. Somehow the cool silver against her skin was a comfort.
Claire freed the handheld radio from her hip and hit the mic. "Let's roll," she ordered the convoy. She snared the seatbelt across her chest and buckled it as she drove the truck away from the Carter Fold location. She swore she would not return to this massacre, ever.
The snaking road back to Route 81 took a solid fifteen minutes. Claire spotted the signs for the ramps onto Route 81. But as she approached the highway, she slowed the truck down and stared at the bullet riddled sign for Route 81 South. She pumped the brake and slowed the truck further, her hands bent on spinning the wheel to the right. But it didn't happen, and the truck continued rolling past the ramp for the southbound lanes.
K-Mart was confused and looked over at Claire when they didn't get on the ramp. She nearly asked what was wrong, the truck's left blinker noise silencing her.
Claire approached the next ramp and turned left onto it. She roared up the road just as Carlos hailed her.
"This is northbound, Claire," Carlos stated the obvious.
Claire grabbed the radio. "I know," she answered him.
"Where the Hell are we going now?" Carlos was obviously put-off by the sudden change.
Claire hesitated on how to answer because she wasn't exactly sure herself. But when she looked over at K-Mart, she found her response. "Some place safe," she swore. She could tell that wasn't enough for Carlos so she added, "We'll discuss it later." She tossed the radio onto the dash.
K-Mart stared in amazement out the front window. After shaking her head, she glanced at Alice and confirmed that she was just as shocked by the change. "Claire..." She questioningly stared at the convoy leader.
Claire flexed her grip on the steering wheel. "I can't... do this anymore, K." Her words were rather low, but enough to be heard.
K-Mart wanted to ask if this meant they were going to Reston. But the question was just too hard to ask right now. She instead sunk into the seat and tried gathering her thoughts.
Claire was relieved that the conversation didn't carry on. A glance at Alice in the mirror also told her that Alice was startled by the change of direction. Claire hoped she was making the right choice. Reaching over, she inched up the music's volume and let it sooth her edginess. It seemed to work too well because Claire became rather weary all of sudden.
Alice peered over at the convoy leader when the driver's window went down. She frowned at Claire's worn profile and quickly recalled that it'd been over forty-eight hours since Claire slept at all.
K-Mart looked at Claire too and knew the problem immediately. She gently suggested, "Let Alice drive for a bit."
Claire ignored the idea and toyed with her hat's brim. Once the quietness settled again, Claire felt her eyes get heavy without her control. She sharply jerked awake after K-Mart yelled at her. Several curses filled the truck as Claire swerved around a rundown SUV on the road. She clipped its mirror but safely got around it in time.
Slamming on the brakes, Claire jerked the truck to a hard stop and gripped the wheel for dear life. Carlos's feverishly hails made her look at the radio, but she didn't respond to him. She looked over at K-Mart and saw she was fine thanks to the seatbelt.
Alice picked up the sheathed blades off the floor then slotted her eyes at the convoy leader. "I'll drive. Put it in park." All patience was gone from her tone.
Claire seemed to seriously consider the order. Hesitantly, her hand went to the shifter, and she jerked it into park. It was just safer for all of them. She released the seatbelt then started climbing into the back.
K-Mart took off her hat and sighed after Alice got into the driver's seat. She peered back at Claire and mentioned, "The blankets and pillow are under the seat." She was uneasy when Claire just nodded and didn't even look at her.
Alice became situated in the front and put the truck into gear after the window went up. She blew out a low breath then hit the gas pedal.
K-Mart related to Alice's relief that Claire didn't argue them further. She also understood why Claire hadn't stepped out of the truck. If the convoy saw their leader relinquishing her role from the driver's seat then they'd all become worried. K-Mart didn't know of any time that Claire allowed another person to lead the convoy down the road. What exactly had changed in Claire for any of this to happen?
K-Mart was not sure how she felt about the stark shift in Claire.