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 29
"That is absolutely ridiculous," Claire grimly stated in a critical tone. She continued shooting a nearly holocaustic glare at the flat screen television hung on the opposite wall.
The television continued playing the movie, which was a sci-fi action packed adventure starring Kate Beckinsale, one of Claire's favorites. The volume was instantly cut off thanks to the remote's mute button. But the actress continued doing high flying kicks and shooting bullets faster than Superman.
"It's also impressive," K-Mart argued. She tossed the touch-sensitive, clear remote between her hands. "I mean for them to setup all these digital movies for the entire apartment complex to use...." She peered over her shoulder back at Claire. "That's not easy."
"These people don't need to watch movies," Claire spat. "We're in a goddamn infected world and..." She pointed at the muted television. "And people will get complacent with this type of bullshit." She pushed off the kitchen counter.
K-Mart shook her head and gently debated, "I don't think a little escape is harmful." She ran her thumb over the power button, which shut off the television.
Claire slotted her eyes and reminded, "It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt."
K-Mart nearly spoke until Alice's entrance from the master bedroom caught her.
"What's wrong?" Alice questioned.
Claire shook her head and brushed past Alice, headed to the balcony's door.
Alice looked at Claire's stiff shoulders and furrowed her brow at K-Mart.
K-Mart placed the remote on the glass coffee table in front of her. "She's taking this safe haven a little hard."
Alice sighed then looked over at the open door. Claire's relaxed posture over the rail was a total lie compared to what was going on in Claire's head, and Alice knew it too.
K-Mart stood up and hooked her lover's hand. Right now was the best time, even if it meant a fight. She led Alice out onto the balcony but separated. K-Mart occupied Claire's right side while Alice took the other side.
Claire had her arms folded against the metal handrail. She was staring at the city in the sun's setting light. Shades of orange and red painted the quiet city. After ticking off a rear molar, she murmured, "I'm sorry, K." Her displeasure about the safe haven was misplaced earlier.
But K-Mart shrugged and mentioned, "I agree with you... about normalcy being dangerous."
Claire hung her head then finally looked at the teen, who was her best friend and lover. "I thought this was the kind of life you've wanted." A frown ghosted her features.
"Yeah sure like... a year and half ago," K-Mart explained. She turned her eyes onto the city that was utopia in Hell. "What's out there still scares me. I'm not... immune to the fear, like you," she admitted. She looked at Claire again and softly added, "But it scares me a lot less."
Claire continued blankly staring at the ground. Thoughts were rushing through her mind and trying to make sense. "I'm not immune to fear," she confessed. She finally met K-Mart's stare. "I'm not immune to the fear of losing you... especially to my own arrogance."
K-Mart let out a low sigh. Somehow she hadn't considered it arrogance that Claire wasn't fearful of the undead and the T-virus. Originally she saw that arrogance in Alice, who wasn't affected by the virus's survival or failure.
"So where does that leave us?" Alice posed to the group.
Claire shook her head and softly replied, "I... don't know." She hated to admit she didn't foresee a direction. The convoy always gave her direction just as much as she gave the convoy direction on the road. This new unknown made Claire quite unsteady and sick in her stomach.
"I think more importantly," K-Mart cut in, "Where are we?"
"Arcadia," Alice smartly supplied. She earned a nice glare from K-Mart.
"Don't pick on the birthday girl," K-Mart warned her oldest lover.
Alice softly chuckled then slowly became serious. "Where are we, Claire?" She studied the former convoy leader's distraught features. She could smell the fear about the topic under Claire's skin.
After a long silence, Claire straightened up and gripped the rail with both hands, knuckles white. "My last girlfriend was about a year before the outbreak started in Raccoon City. I was twenty-one at the time." Several aged memories surfaced and opened an ache in her chest. "We were engaged to be married... but I kept putting it off."
K-Mart didn't have any knowledge about Claire's past relationships. She was so intrigued and also rather concerned about the conversation's direction. She worriedly glanced across to Alice.
After a low sigh, Alice voiced what was on K-Mart's mind. "Why?"
"I didn't want a wife... a home... a child," Claire whispered. "I didn't need any of those things." She licked her lips and revealed, "I broke off the engagement the day I shot my father." She lowered her eyes and stared at her left ring finger. "Sold the engagement ring for a pair of Beretta Cougars with nightsight."
K-Mart's eyes traveled down Claire's figure and knew those exact handguns were concealed within the red vest. She released a low breath.
Alice folded her arms and smugly declared, "My kind of woman." She was rewarded by a slight grin on Claire's full lips. Thankfully her smart remark somehow eased Claire's stress levels. But they both knew there was some truth behind Alice's words and that offered an odd acceptance to Claire about past decisions.
Over long seconds, the grin slid away from Claire's features and went serious again. She looked at K-Mart and stated, "I'm not romantic. I'm not poetic. I don't do the girl talk or sensitive chats."
"But you say it physically," Alice concluded, for them all.
Claire peered over at Alice and realized it was true. Her passions and desires spoke from her body, not her lips. Her heart controlled her tongue during a kiss and gave her the superior strength to protect a loved one. And it had been a very long time since Claire viewed another human as a loved one, like K-Mart. Soon Alice would fit into that rare little niche if they all continued on this same path.
Shifting on her feet, Claire blew out a low breath and looked at K-Mart first. "You want a tri relationship?" After K-Mart's low nod, she reminded, "I'm not very good at relationships, K."
But that deterrent didn't work on K-Mart. "Not from where I'm standing."
Claire's shoulders slumped, mildly. She twisted her head the other way and held curious blue eyes. "And when was the last time you dated?" Strangely, she barely caught the evasive glance to the right from Alice. She noted it for later.
"It's been long enough for me to... forget," Alice answered. Yet she could tell what Claire was really asking her. "I'm tired, Claire of roaming this Earth like an undead." She could tell her words struck a cord in Claire too. "You and K-Mart..." Her eyes flickered to K-Mart then back to Claire. "Are my antivirus."
For a long minute, Claire was able to read Alice and understood exactly what Alice was feeling and thinking. The openness built a thin, sheer connection between them for the first time. After looking away, Claire took a steady breath and let go of the rail for support. "Alright," she murmured, shakily.
K-Mart grew weak in the knees after she started grasping what was about to happen between them. She thought she was going to need the railing's support. But instead her hand attracted to Claire's shoulder.
"We'll try..." Claire took another calm breath and gained her usual confidence after Alice's hand slipped under her shirt and vest at the base of her spine. "We'll try this tri," she stated firmly now.
K-Mart curled her fingers around Claire's shoulder, nails gripping the feather-down vest. She blew out a shaky exhale and whispered, "Damn." Somehow she felt exhausted after fighting a battle. She cleared her throat and gently teased, "I wasn't expecting that for my birthday."
Claire grinned and Alice's chuckle tickled her ear. She turned her amused features onto K-Mart. "It wasn't planned that way."
"It doesn't matter," K-Mart brushed off. Excitement bubbled up into her chest, and she struggled not to get all child-like about it. She hooked her arms around Claire's shoulders. "Thank you for giving us a chance."
Claire slightly softened from the affection, a rare occurrence. She leaned her brow against K-Mart's head and wished the hats were out of the way for once.
Alice smiled at the pair but then looked at the sun, which was no longer visible. She narrowed her eyes slightly once she recalled a promise she'd made this morning. Silently she signaled Claire with a light squeeze to Claire's lower back, in hopes it'd work.
Straightening up, Claire caused K-Mart to do the same. She noted it was about to get dark in forty or so minutes now that the sun was gone. "We should think about dinner."
"I'd like to clean up first," K-Mart admitted. She withdrew from Claire.
"Come on then," Claire encourage the group. Like always, she led them and went into the apartment.
"I think I'm going to go ahead," Alice mentioned to the pair.
Claire questioningly studied Alice until she remembered what needed to be dealt with soon. She folded her arms and checked, "You need to catch up with Luther?"
K-Mart was hanging out in the master bedroom's doorway. She watched the exchange between her lovers.
Alice nodded then offered, "I'll meet you both at the restaurant." Earlier they'd already agreed on which one to go to for dinner.
K-Mart flashed a brief smile at Alice, who passed her. "See ya there."
Alice simply winked and continued past the kitchen.
K-Mart slipped into the bedroom and sought out a lamp light.
Claire followed Alice's warm trail. Quickly she snared Alice's hand and drew her in before she was out the door.
Alice was briefly confused until they were sharing a brief kiss. Certain amounts of appreciation were in the kiss and made Alice smile at the end.
"See ya there," Claire echoed K-Mart's earlier words. She nearly strolled off except that Alice didn't let her go. She canted her head to the side and curiously peered up at the older woman.
"Tonight," Alice softly prompted.
Claire took a deep breath and wondered if she couldn't get anymore rattled after this evening. She placed a hand on Alice's chest and quietly replied, "It has to be about her... on this night."
"I agree," Alice murmured.
Claire nodded a few times and tried grasping what tonight would mean for them. "Alright..."
"It can wait," Alice offered.
Claire could tell that a wait wasn't needed for Alice. And truthfully Claire could feel she was ready too. But the question was left in K-Mart's hand now. "Only if she..."
Alice understood and gave a firm nod. She wondered if in the future it would be easier for them to discuss this without skipping through it in a broken conversation. But it was an improvement over a gun to the head.
"Alright," Claire repeated yet again tonight. She lowered her hand and took a step away. "See ya soon."
Alice let go and this time actually left the apartment. She fingered her kukris hooked to her back and confirmed their constant companionship. The trek to the southwestern side of the city didn't take long, especially at Alice's fast pace. Her nose picked out the location before her eyes, the smell so distinct. Much to her relief, she was just in time too as she ducked under the overhang of a smithing hut.
"Alice," a middle aged man greeted in his heavy voice. "I didn't think you were coming."
"I'm sorry," Alice offered. "I ran behind, Frank."
The blacksmith, Frank, took off his other work glove and approached the workbench. He set the glove down on top of the right handed one. He understood and gave a firm nod. He ran his fingers over his tightly trimmed beard. "Let me grab it."
"How'd it come out?" Alice remained on the other side of the bench. She noted that Frank was in the process of shutting down for the night. The ambers in the forge were already beginning to cool off.
"Better than I expected since I really haven't had experience with this kind of thing," Frank called. He returned and opened a cloth in his palm.
Alice studied it, carefully and was rather pleased with Frank's work. "This is perfect." She returned it to the cloth and received it from Frank.
"I don't work with titanium very often," Frank explained. He watched how Alice was unsure how to tuck it away. "Here... let me get you some string." He squatted down behind his bench and sought out the small roll of string. He cut off a three inch piece then stood up.
Alice held the soft cloth closed while Frank tied it off. She then was able to easily slide it into her jacket's pocket. "Thank you for doing this, Frank."
"It's no problem," the blacksmith assured. He rested his hands flat against the worn workbench. "Arcadia is in debt to you."
Alice became uncomfortable and argued, "It had nothing to do with me."
"So you tell yourself," Frank refuted. He smirked at Alice's uneasy manner. He patted the workbench then ended the conversation by moving away. "Have a good night, Alice."
"Thanks again, Frank." Alice escaped the uncomfortable topic and exited the smith's workshop. She blew out a sigh and decided to start towards the market. She wasn't in any rush, and it took a good five minutes to get there. Another minute passed before she found the restaurant, and her stomach happily confirmed its location.
The noise from the restaurant carried out from the open doors and drew in its customers. Alice climbed the steps quickly and entered the busy place. She hoped Claire and K-Mart had a spot already, not expecting such a crowd.
"Welcome to the tavern," a server greeted after leaving a table. "Do you want a table or a spot at the bar?"
"Actually," Alice started, "I'm wondering if..." She wasn't sure how to word it but hesitantly finished, "My friends are here already." She was scanning the tables. "A redhead and blond."
"Oh, yes." The server seemed to be aware of it. "They're right over there." She pointed to the pair by the left wall.
"Great. Thank you." Alice slipped past the server and weaved through all the tables. Once she was upon the table, she hesitated and studied the two women, who were now her girlfriends. The strange realization jarred Alice for a second until Claire's voice cut through her thoughts.
"How'd you make out?"
"Good... all taken care of." Alice took the last chair at the round table. Her back was to the wall, which was perfect since she had a clear view of the tavern. Luckily her weapons poked out from the open back of the chair, making it easy.
"So they're serving basically two meals to pick from," K-Mart explained to Alice. "There's a chicken dinner, which is whole but small with potatoes and two ears of corn. Or they have filet mignon with potatoes and vegetables."
"Filets are grilled," Claire explained, "and the chicken is rotisserie style."
Alice's mouth watered from either option, but the beef was most enticing to her. "How big is the filet?"
"I think eight ounce," K-Mart replied. But she wasn't sure.
Claire nodded in agreement. "It's a decent portion size."
"Filet for me." K-Mart had already decided long ago.
Claire grinned and wasn't surprised either.
"What you having?" Alice asked the former convoy leader.
"Filet too." Claire shook her head and revealed, "I haven't had beef since the outbreak." She sighed and confessed, "I hope my stomach can handle it."
The server appeared beside the table and was wiping her hands on her apron. "Good evening, ladies. Are you ready to order?"
Claire nodded but looked at the birthday girl. "You first, K."
K-Mart smiled at the server and ordered, "I'll have the filet mignon."
"How'd you like it cooked?"
"Medium... medium-well," K-Mart replied.
"And to drink?"
K-Mart already knew what was available for drinks. "The cider would be great." She was excited to try it.
The server then took Claire's order and Alice's last. She promised to bring the drinks out shortly.
"I wish they had ice tea," K-Mart mentioned.
"I think tea plants are mostly tropical." Alice crossed her legs and relaxed in the chair. "I doubt they can grow it here in Arcadia."
"Tea is probably still usable right now," Claire debated.
"Probably so if you find some." Alice imagined the tea leaves would hold up for years in their dried state.
"You don't think it would be moldy by now?" K-Mart argued.
Alice shrugged and looked at the teen. "If it's sealed well enough and hasn't been exposed to moisture... it's probably fine."
"Huh," K-Mart murmured. She hadn't considered it sooner. But it wasn't like they had time to brew ice tea in the convoy. She put away the topic and instead prompted, "So what's next after Arcadia?" Her question seemed to fall on Claire.
And Alice turned her eyes onto Claire too, waiting.
Claire pulled on her hat's bill after the pair seemed to shine an invisible light on her. "Why am I making the decision?"
"You're the convoy leader," Alice smartly reminded Claire. Instantly a warning look came at her from Claire.
"I'm retired, remember?" Claire sighed and leaned against the chair.
"We're going back out there," K-Mart stated to the group. "It's just a question of when."
"Spring time," Claire suggested, quietly and almost shyly.
"We could go sooner... this winter," K-Mart offered.
Claire shook her head and reminded, "It could be a snowy and cold winter. We're better off staying here 'til spring."
"The truck can handle the snow," K-Mart further debated.
Alice shook her head and cut in, "We can't take the truck."
K-Mart furrowed her eyebrows at Alice. "We can't walk it... not with our supplies we need to take."
Claire slotted her eyes once she realized what Alice had in mind. "No," she declared, harshly.
Very slowly a sly grin pulled across Alice's features. "A little scared of heights?"
K-Mart was briefly lost in the conversation until Claire spoke again.
"I don't do horses." Claire held a silent war of wills with Alice.
K-Mart sat there, mildly shocked after she realized they indeed could horseback ride rather than depend on a vehicle. It was perfect since the truck would require things like fuel and maintenance. The only advantage the truck offered was protection from undead attacks but yet Alice's addition was a perfect alarm system now.
"What's your idea of a reliable mode of transportation?" Alice challenged the leader.
"The truck will work," Claire replied.
"How are we going to keep it fueled up?" K-Mart broke in next. This time they wouldn't have a convoy with a fuel tanker truck.
Before Claire could answer, the server returned with the drinks. Once they were alone, Claire replied, "We just have to stay close to small towns... hit the fuel reserves."
"And when it breaks down?" Alice tempted.
"I'll fix it," Claire stated. "Or we get another one."
Alice shook her head and carefully started, "I'm not a mechanic but... I do remember one important thing about vehicles. Most of them use gasoline, and gasoline had ethanol, which breaks down. Plus it was hard on the fuel systems and engines."
"We'd have to stick to diesel vehicles," K-Mart suggested.
"And diesel is hard to come by," Alice reminded the pair. "People who are still using vehicles are using diesels and that doesn't leave much in the way of reserves to be found."
Claire listened to Alice's sound logic and knew it was all true. But it did nothing to excite her about riding a horse.
"You can walk, Claire," K-Mart teased, in hopes it'd lighten the mood.
The leader glowered and replied, "Thanks, K." She hated that Alice had a valid point about horses.
"Here we are," the server announced and brought the three plates that each had a filet mignon. She carefully checked which one was which and set them down properly. "Do any of you need refills?"
"Another water would be great," Claire requested.
The server promised a refill and noticed that the other two seemed content. She hurried off to refill the one mug with water.
"This looks really good," K-Mart decided aloud. She immediately cut into the filet and was excited to try it. She noted her lovers were doing the same.
"Damn," Claire muttered.
"What?" K-Mart was cutting a few pieces up.
"Mine came out rare rather than medium." Claire wouldn't touch it unless it was cooked for longer. "I'll ask the server to take it back."
Alice spotted the redness to Claire's filet, and it caused a hum in her. She glanced at her own meal and mentioned, "Mine is medium." She looked at Claire and offered, "Trade with me." She picked up her plate, prepared to swap.
Claire shook her head and warned, "It's not safe to eat it this rare." But she noticed the faint plea in Alice's eyes.
"I... I prefer it rare," Alice softly stated. Yet she'd ordered medium earlier despite her preference.
"Alice..."
Shaking her head once, Alice ordered, "Just... trade with me." She was glad when Claire gave in and took her plate.
Claire didn't say anything further. Shortly her refilled mug returned. But her attention was somewhat on Alice eating the rare meat.
K-Mart had watched the entire exchange but didn't say a thing. She did pick up on how quickly Alice ate the filet mignon then slowed down considerably when it came to the vegetables. Like previous times, K-Mart could tell it was a struggle for Alice to eat them.
Claire attempted easing the slight tension between them. "The beef seems gamier than I remember."
"Cattle is a bit more free range," Alice reminded.
"And probably not pumped with antibiotics and crap," K-Mart added. She too noticed the stronger flavor of the beef. But like Claire, it'd been nearly two years since she'd had any beef in her system. "It's really good though." She was eating slow and cautiously since her stomach only had some meats sporadically. She'd grown quite use to deer, quail, duck, goose, and the occasional rabbit. But like other humans, she needed the iron and protein that meats offered them.
Claire had cleared most of her plate except for two bites of filet and three small potatoes. She could tell that K-Mart was nearly full too. But she wondered if Alice perhaps could eat more meat so she wanted to test it.
"You want the rest of my filet, Alice?" Claire indicated the piece with her fork. She set the fork down and added, "I'm full." It was quite a bit of food for her when she was use to eating small portions.
Alice raised an eyebrow at K-Mart.
"I'm good," K-Mart responded to the silent question. She was pushing her cleared plate aside.
"Thanks." Alice retrieved the meat and easily ate it compared to the mixed vegetables still left on her plate.
Claire folded her arms and waited until Alice was done enjoying the meat. She then bit her bottom lip as different thoughts went through her mind. Finally settling on something, she tempted, "You seem to have a hard time with the vegetables and potatoes."
K-Mart slightly tensed and hoped it didn't stir any fight among them. She wondered why Claire had to press Alice right now.
Alice pushed the fork into a piece of broccoli and seemed to consider it for a second. She become solemn and murmured, "I use to be a vegetarian." Her mind recalled how tasteful broccoli use to be once upon a time, but her pallet didn't agree with it anymore. Like many past attempts, she ate the broccoli and forced it down regardless of its now bitter flavor.
"It's the T-virus, isn't it?" K-Mart whispered.
Alice put the fork on the plate and pushed it away. Her displeasure clearly showed for once. "Yes."
"It's done more than give you just powers," Claire summarized.
Alice sighed but knew she had to be open, especially now that she'd agreed to a relationship with them. She swallowed hard and continued staring coldly at the steamed broccoli and carrots. "I have increased senses like smell, hearing, and vision. I also have a prey drive."
K-Mart folded her arms against the table and leaned forward. She was interested in the new information. "Prey drive... like a need to hunt."
"To hunt and to have meat," Alice explained.
"The rarer, the better." Claire could tell she was right too.
K-Mart was still curious about the changes in Alice. "You can't abstain at all?"
Alice held her silence because the server came to the table.
"Are any of you interested in dessert?"
"What is there?" K-Mart prompted the server.
"Let's see..." The server was recalling her mental list while stacking the plates in her hand. "There's a carrot cake, baklava, honey puffs, oatmeal cookies, and a fruit bowl." She waited for any takers.
"Carrot cake," K-Mart ordered, immediately. She wasn't surprised that Claire got the fruit while Alice opted for nothing but a hot cider.
"What happens if you don't eat any meat?" Claire rekindled the conversation.
Alice leaned into the chair and accepted she was about to reveal more about herself to humans that only Umbrella knew. "If I don't eat any then I begin to lose control." The curiosity was obvious on K-Mart's face and so was the concern in Claire's eyes. "My prey drive comes to the forefront, and I will do anything necessary to obtain raw meat."
"What kind of meat?" Claire whispered. She was leaning against the table, like K-Mart.
Alice looked over at Claire and calmly answered, "Human."
K-Mart held her breath and wondered if Claire wouldn't renag on the tri-relationship now.
"That's if I haven't been eating any meat," Alice softly explained.
"You can sustain yourself with animal meat fine then?" After Alice's nod, Claire relaxed slightly but then posed, "You've tried going without any meat."
"Several times," Alice admitted. "I can't control it." She lowered her eyes to the table. "After a certain point, my higher brain functions begin to shut down... I become tunnel vision by the prey drive."
"Is it more the meat or the blood?" K-Mart cut in.
Alice focused on the teen. "Blood." She went silent because the server returned and gave out the desserts. She was able to enjoy the hot cider since fruits weren't a total loss like vegetables. Fruits' sweetness was nearly as good as chocolate once was for Alice.
"Umbrella understood this about me," Alice mentioned.
Claire was eating the bowl of fruit slowly. She suspected what Alice was about to tell them next.
"They kept me on the edge of hunger," Alice continued. "I was sent out on assassination missions with a high prey drive."
"If your higher brain functions are shut down then you probably couldn't use your powers," K-Mart guessed.
Alice dipped her head in agreement.
Claire hadn't considered that aspect, and her eyebrows knitted together. "Then how the Hell did you escape?"
Alice set the mug down after another drink. The warm cider was very sweet on her tongue and rather nice. But the next question brought back hated memories in Alice. She looked over at the former convoy leader. "I got human blood then I was able to use my telekinetic powers to destroy the NIM device."
K-Mart was impressed by the story. She couldn't imagine what Alice went through when under Umbrella's control.
Claire shook her head and grew more disgusted by Umbrella. "They purposely kept you in a.... savage state to use and control you."
"It made me a better hunter-killer," Alice reminded. "Sometimes aggression has its uses." She hadn't forgotten such words that were told to her from the other side of her cell in an Umbrella facility.
Claire huffed and glared at her bowl of fruit. She hated Umbrella, more and more.
"If you were always in that state," K-Mart brought up, "Then how did Umbrella know you had telekinetic powers?"
Alice looked at K-Mart and gave a slight grin. "I didn't have telekinetic powers at the start. I gained those from a different strain of the T-virus that Umbrella had designed after the outbreak."
Claire finished the fruit and shoved the bowl aside. She listened to Alice more intently rather than seething over Umbrella.
"So undead won't just suddenly... gain telekinetic powers if they eat enough humans?" K-Mart checked.
Alice softly chuckled and shook her head. "No." She finished her cider then put the mug down. She glanced at Claire before asking them, "Do you know how the T-virus works on the dead?"
"It reanimates them like zombies," K-Mart answered.
"Yes," Alice granted. "A human body, when dead, is still active for several minutes... hours, and sometimes a day. Electrical charges in the human brain especially linger for long periods of time. The T-virus takes advantage of this phenomenon and provides enough charge to the human body to reanimate it and continue basic cellular growth."
"After death, the human body goes into rigamortis, releases gases, brain activity shuts down, and muscles start to relax," K-Mart offered. "So does the T-virus keep those things from happening?"
"Mostly," Alice granted. "You notice how the undead walk so stiffly?" After a nod, she further explained, "Some of the rigamortis does set in but not enough to force an undead not to move."
"But why do they need the blood?" Claire questioned.
Alice looked at the former convoy leader. "It's partially the T-virus and partially the human body's need to function." She glanced at K-Mart before focusing on Claire again. "The human brain needs oxygen through blood to function. The T-virus is forcing the human body to seek out the blood from living humans."
"Then their heart remains dead," K-Mart realized aloud. "If it was functioning then they wouldn't be hungry for blood."
"If an undead had enough blood at once," Claire questioned, "Could they begin to reason again? Would the higher brain functions start again?"
"It's... possible." Alice considered it for a moment.
"But the human brain would probably be damaged," K-Mart debated with the pair. "It would depend on how they died before the T-virus reanimated them."
Claire looked over at her young lover and ran the ideas through her mind. She wasn't sure since she wasn't a scientist. She looked at Alice and asked, "So how did you get the telekinetic powers from a different strain of the virus?"
Alice recalled what little she understood about the newer strain of the T-virus. "The T-virus takes advantage of the electrical charge in the human brain. This new strain actually increased the charge further in my brain there by awakening even higher brain function that's normally dormant in humans."
"Wow," K-Mart whispered in awe. "So... is it possible that strain could benefit us?"
Alice shook her head and honestly answered, "I don't know if that strain will work for all humans."
"You're just lucky," Claire weakly teased. She heard Alice's low huff and gave a sigh herself. "Your blood likes the T-virus."
"Or the T-virus likes her blood," K-Mart argued. She felt for Alice, who was not at all accepting of what the virus had done to her. K-Mart scooted her empty dessert plate to the side. "So your heart is...." She already knew.
Alice peered across to the teen and nodded. "But if I don't consume enough raw meat then my heart begins to slow down. Then my higher brain functions shut down one by one."
K-Mart became confused about that aspect of Alice's body and the T-virus. "That doesn't make sense. If your heart is providing the blood to your brain then why do you need an outside source of blood?"
"I'm not totally sure," Alice admitted. "I think it has something to do with inhuman abilities like the accelerated healing, super strength, higher senses, and even smaller things like my thicker nails."
"The T-virus can't provide those things unless it has supplemental blood," Claire wondered aloud.
"That's definitely possible," K-Mart agreed. "Those aren't normal functions of the human body that the human heart would support. I mean besides adrenaline rushes for super strength." She let her ideas hang in the air.
Alice had considered such a theory, but she wasn't certain since she never learned about it scientifically. She was an anomaly among her kind, and Umbrella wanted her secret that her body just would not give out. She prayed it didn't give up the secret or else Umbrella would take full advantage of it for their own greedy benefit. All of it was an ugly reminder that Alice wasn't human, just another of Umbrella's monsters.
From the displeasure in Alice's eyes, K-Mart knew how much Alice was disgusted by her own mutated body. K-Mart wished that Alice could see it as a gift, not a curse. She inwardly sighed and stared at her empty dessert plate.
Claire toyed with her hat then straightened up after such a heavy conversation. "Come on," she ordered the pair. "Let's head out." She didn't want to continue the hard topic further. But it was obvious that K-Mart found it interesting. Claire wasn't sure how she felt about that part.
Alice stood up last and followed the young humans out of the busy tavern. She was grateful to get outside and enjoy the cool air.
"We need to get our things from the intake hospital," Claire reminded them.
"A walk will do me good," K-Mart agreed. She patted her rather filled belly.
Claire grinned softly and led the way north to the ward. She didn't expect to get all their belongings tonight, but they needed certain things now.
"We could lead people here," K-Mart announced after minutes of silence during the walk.
Claire looked over at her lover on her right. "Another convoy?"
"It doesn't have to be a convoy," K-Mart replied. "Just... we bring people here to survive... to live." She could tell both her lovers weren't inclined to the idea. She was unsure why and decided not to push them further for now.
"We don't have to decide tonight," Claire reminded them. She spotted the hospital ward ahead and was glad the fence gate was open. She beelined to the truck and handed Alice the keys for it. "I'm going to get our things from inside."
Alice was about to follow except Claire was too quick. She let it go and instead helped K-Mart deal with some of the supplies in the truck. She lifted the hard tonneau cover high and hopped onto the lowered tailgate. She pulled items forward so they could see what they needed now and what could wait until tomorrow. On the ground again, she was about to grab packs and bags but faltered after noting a small wood box.
K-Mart was organizing the items she would carry until she saw Alice held Claire's wooden box. She tensed once Alice's hand clutched the sealed lid. Just as the lid started to lift, K-Mart jumped over and smacked it back down. "That's Claire's."
Alice looked up from her right hand being covered by K-Mart's smaller one. "What's..." She didn't expect the protective stare from K-Mart.
"I don't know what's in it," K-Mart softly spoke. "But I promised her it wouldn't be opened... ever."
Alice lowered her eyes to the box that was made from highly varnished mahogany wood. The uncontrollable urge to open the box started possessing her so she forcefully took her left hand off the lid. Her right hand remained under it, clutching it tighter than needed. She didn't trust herself or Claire's wishes for it to remain closed.
K-Mart knew Alice would unmistakably open it if given the chance. And when her palm was flat against the lid, her left hand snared the side. Thankfully the box was released to her, and K-Mart drew it away from Alice. She sighed and a tremble traveled through her body at how close they'd both been to exposing the contents. Sudden heavy footfall on the building's steps made K-Mart tuck the box among the things she planned to take with them.
"Are we ready?" Claire asked the two.
Alice was hefting a heavy pack over her shoulders. Two more were snared in her hands. "I'm set."
K-Mart took a pack from Claire then carried a lighter one in her left hand. Tucked under her right arm was the mahogany box.
Claire closed the truck up. "Let's go," she ordered them. She casted a last glance at the yellow truck for the day. She'd deal with it tomorrow.
"So what will happen to our supplies and vehicles?" K-Mart asked her lovers but mainly looked at Alice.
"They'll take them into their inventory," Alice answered. "But not the vehicles." After some thought, she amended, "They may keep the M-35 truck to use it. The diesel fuel will be added to their tanks."
"They'll just scrap the other vehicles?" K-Mart checked.
Alice looked at the teen and couldn't really answer that question.
"No," Claire spoke up. "Luther explained to me that they'll melt down the vehicles... use the metal for weapons."
"So they'll try to recycle everything they can?"
Claire nodded at the teen and slowed until she was beside the pair. "He did say they'll keep the cargo truck considering its hauling power."
"It's a military truck," K-Mart stated, "It should hold up for a long time."
"They're designed to," Alice quietly agreed. She made a right at the next intersection, which brought them right to the apartment buildings.
K-Mart entered first and went to the elevator lobby. She was grateful that at least one elevator worked. It also made sense to her why the residence on the lower levels were required to walk up to their floors while higher floor residence were encouraged to use the stairs. But the elevator was necessary at times.
Alice entered the apartment first, and a heavy inhale didn't alert her to any trouble. Her vision was briefly flooded by the overhead light after Claire turned it on. She took their things to the master bedroom and deposited them in the walk-in closet after she had the door open. She stepped aside so that Claire and K-Mart could do the same.
"K, did you get my wood box?" Claire was out of the closet and waited.
K-Mart turned and came out of the closet with the box in hand. "Here." She handed it over and decided to go into the master bedroom, but Alice wasn't there so she drifted out of the bedroom too.
Claire opened the box under the closet's low light. She was greeted by K-Mart's gift, which was ready to go into the birthday girl's hands. Claire pulled it out only to be reprimanded by the box's old contents. But Claire shut it all out by closing the lid then stowing the box on an overhead shelf in the closet.
Out in the living room, Alice was relaxing and debating whether she'd eaten too much. But her internal controls were in great condition right now and that made her secure about tonight. She warmed at K-Mart sitting beside her.
"It was a nice day," K-Mart mentioned to her lover.
Alice smiled and nearly leaned in for a kiss until Claire's arrival made her pause. She watched Claire sit on the other side of K-Mart on the sofa. She barely spied Claire's gift, which was hidden from sight.
"Time for presents," Claire announced to the birthday girl.
"Seriously?" K-Mart looked between the pair then mock glowered at Claire. "I don't-"
"Just a thanks later will work," Claire cut off, a smug look quite apparent.
K-Mart realized she wasn't going to win. Some part of her felt guilty that either of them went through trouble to get her a gift. "Fine," she gave in, playfully.
"Go ahead, Claire," Alice encouraged.
Claire didn't argue and reached to her side where the book was hidden between her arm and the sofa arm. She placed it right in K-Mart's lap and patiently waited for K-Mart to take it in.
K-Mart stared at the book for a long few seconds then picked it up, close to her face. She was in total disbelief and whispered, "Holy shit."
Claire bit her tongue after the cuss word. For once it wasn't such a bad thing.
"How did you..." K-Mart quickly looked at Claire, her head seeming to whiplash. "This was never sold on the shelves before the outbreak."
Alice raised an eyebrow at the hardback book that had a black dustcover on it. She read the title aloud, "Twilight Black Sun." She curiously looked at K-Mart.
"It's the fifth book in the Twilight series," K-Mart explained to Alice.
"That vampire series for young adults," Alice recalled from memory.
K-Mart nodded and grew more excited as her hand ran across the cover. "I loved these books when I was a kid. The last book was Breaking Dawn... or so the readers thought." She looked at Alice again. "But the writer announced a fifth book out of the blue. It was due to be sold on the shelves on Valentine's Day... 2013." However, the fifth installment of the book never made it to the shelves.
Claire studied the book cover of a black rose with red veins that mimicked the cover from the New Moon book. Except the black rose wasn't losing a leaf like the tulip had done and instead was in full bloom and vibrant.
"You found it at that Wal-Mart warehouse." K-Mart peered up at Claire. She imagined it was hard for Claire to keep it a secret all this time. She smiled tenderly at her best friend then quickly moved in for a hug.
Claire returned the hug and whispered, "Happy Birthday, K."
After the hug, K-Mart sighed happily and ran her hand over the book. She couldn't wait to read it and could almost do it right now. Her fingertips brushed the pages' edges until Claire covered her hand. She shyly glanced up at Claire.
"It'll have to wait 'til tomorrow," the leader ordered.
A deep flush set in, and K-Mart cleared her throat. "Right." She patted the book until Alice's movements made her look over.
Alice had to wiggle her hand into her jacket pocket until she fished out her gift. She gently placed the tied cloth on the book.
K-Mart shook her head at the fact they both gave her something. She wasn't use to it, not since her days with her mother. She nibbled on her lower lip while gently undoing the string.
Claire exchanged a glance with Alice and hoped this wasn't too much for any of them. She watched the light brown cloth give way to its precious content.
K-Mart stared at the small piece of jewelry glistening back at her. It was anything but she expected, especially from Alice. Finally an exhale came after she'd been holding her breath. "Uh..." She couldn't gather her thoughts, shock still rattling her.
Claire bit the inside of her mouth and prayed that Alice was right or else an explosion would happen shortly. She took a deep breath herself and raised an eyebrow at Alice in full warning to take over.
Alice already knew and gently encouraged, "Try it on, K."
K-Mart picked up the jewelry, which softly chimed from two rings colliding like Alice and Claire could do. She held the third ring, which was made from gold unlike the other two.
Alice intervened and took the three rings and helped K-Mart try it. She indicated K-Mart's left hand and was able to smoothly slide it down K-Mart's ring finger. She was relieved it fit so perfectly and was thankful that Claire had told her K-Mart's size.
K-Mart stared at the three band rings that were interlocked to each other. They crossed each other and made a nice presentation of silver, gold, and black. She cleared her throat and pointed at the black ring. "What's that one made from?"
"Titanium," Alice replied. She admired the rings and explained, "The other two are of course gold and silver."
K-Mart saw Alice's meaning behind them, and it made her sadly smile. She carefully curled her hand into a fist and waited to see how it felt that way. To her surprise, the slim band rings didn't hinder her at all and were very comfortable.
"Did... you know about this?" K-Mart looked at Claire. She had her answer before Claire spoke it.
"Alice talked to me about it first."
K-Mart tried grasping how the two put their minds together for this piece of meaningful jewelry. She was amazed, and her heart pounded wildly as her emotions rose up. "Thank you," she hoarsely started. But her words failed to go further. She instead pulled Alice in for a strong hug.
Claire was relieved that it went well. She watched Alice exchange a brief kiss at the end of the hug. "Come on, K," she gently urged after they were done.
K-Mart was baffled but got up after Claire took the Twilight book. She then sensed Alice pressed against her from behind.
"Party hasn't even started," Alice purred into her lover's closest ear.
Claire kept the book and hooked her hand into K-Mart's. She led them out of the living room towards the dark mouth of the master bedroom. Somehow the journey felt so slow as they neared the bedroom door.
K-Mart's heart pounded wildly in her ears once she realized what her lovers had in mind for tonight. She softly gasped when Alice's hand traveled over her ass and squeezed one cheek. Her sloppy knees still kept her moving forward. And her heart jumped into her throat once she entered into the dark bedroom only lit by a few candles. This was far more than she expected on her eighteenth birthday and yet so perfect too.