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 9
Claire Redfield adjusted the M4 carbine away from her face after she pressed her back against the building's cool metal. She was hidden in the shade but all her attention was on the waiting team. She waved them on and gave the okay to Carlos.
Carlos dashed across the parking lot after coming out from behind the large, blue sign. There were running boots behind him, but he beelined for the door beside Claire. He took two more measured steps then jumped. All his power went into his kick that took down the rusted door. He quickly entered the building after flicking on his headlamp.
Claire stayed in position while the six team members followed Carlos's lead into the building. She unhooked her radio and pressed the mic. "We're in, L.J."
"Roger," L.J. confirmed.
Claire rehooked her radio. The lack of gunfire from in the building told her that it was quiet, so far. There was never such a thing as totally safe. Claire entered after the team and nodded at a team member to stay by the door. She fished out her large Maglite and shifted over to Carlos's side. A flick of the flashlight started the high beam, which revealed the gigantic metal towers that had wrapped pallets on them.
"Wow," Carlos murmured.
"I can't believe it hasn't been picked clean," a team member whispered.
Claire silently agreed with the comment. Typically the large stores and distribution centers were picked through or at least diminished. She narrowed her eyes and briefly considered their extremely lucky find. Why did it make her skin crawl so badly?
"We should get started." Carlos waited for the leader's command.
Claire set aside her thoughts then nodded. "You know the drill." All the team members left her side and started the task of sweeping through the gigantic distribution facility for any trouble, namely undead. But Claire remained by the entrance and grabbed the radio off her hip again. "L.J., bring in the deuce and half."
"On my way," L.J. promised. He and Chase were working together in the M35 cargo truck with the four-wheeler at the ready. He released the brake and started barreling down the road. But the cargo truck clipped a few rusty cars that were in the way.
Claire peered back into the darkness of the building. Distantly there were flashlights' streams of light waving about, and no gunfire was a good sign. "How we looking, Carlos?" she radioed to him.
"Clear so far," Carlos replied. "We're about to enter the office area."
Claire didn't see the need to reply. She instead tapped the guard at the door and told him she was going to go deeper into the facility. There was something specific of value that Claire wanted to get her hands on. So the hunt began down the aisles until she came upon their possible prize. Claire slung her carbine over her back and checked that the strap's clip rested on her shoulder. She then hopped onto the reach forklift that could get to pallets placed nearly forty feet high.
But there was a lot of doubt that the little yellow reach forklift would still operate. After a turn of the key, the forklift remained dead to the world. Its source of power came from electricity rather than gas or diesel. There was no use in toying with it further.
Claire hopped off and sighed after she realized they'd have to do it the hard way. She drew out a handgun and the radio again. "We'll need the ropes, L.J." She received a confirmation and also news that L.J. and Chase were out in the parking lot.
"Everything is clear. No exits tampered with and still locked," Carlos reported over the channel.
"Great. Get back here and let's get started," Claire ordered. She didn't want to spend any more time here than they had to. Plus it was a risk being away from convoy, which needed all the firepower possible to protect it. Brief thoughts about K-Mart's safety crossed her mind, but Claire quieted her worries.
The team met at the door and hastily prepared to raid the former Wal-Mart distribution center that'd once supplied at least a hundred stores in the region. But today it would supply a small convoy in a Hell brought world. It only took minutes for the well trained team to unload the quad, get the climbing ropes, and hooks. Each team member had to specifically hunt down certain items on the convoy's supply list. They worked in pairs and used the climbing ropes to get up higher for pallets stacked up to thirty feet or more.
But Claire was the only member on her own since she was on a personal mission, for K-Mart. She'd made a promise to her friend that she'd find a book or two. She didn't plan to disappoint her friend. If her memory served her right, then the books were stored in one particular section so Claire began her hunt in that sector of the distribution center.
The flashlight's beam scanned over the lower pallets then the middle pallets above Claire's head and finally the upper pallets. So far the books weren't in the twenty-third aisle. Once Claire rounded the corner, she shined the light up on the top pallets and sighed at the publisher names stamped on the exterior box under the plastic wrap.
"Fucking great," she muttered in annoyance. She didn't take any rope for climbing nor did she feel like going back to get it. Claire would have to do it the old fashion way. First, she checked both sides of the pallet rack and determined the best course of action. Claire sighed after she made her choice and stowed her Berretta Cougar in the dual shoulder holster she wore today.
Claire shifted to best spot, which was an exposed bar, but she paused after a distinct odor drifted up to her nose. She furrowed her eyebrows because the odor didn't fit into this sector so she quickly followed her nose. With the flashlight pointed down, she studied the small pool of liquid from her squatted position. The tiny pool was nearly black in nature and also quite distinct in its smell, especially around a former mechanic.
But yet disbelief still lingered in Claire's mind. So she touched it with two fingers and brought the sample under her nose. There was no mistaking engine oil. A deep concern settled in the pit of Claire's stomach. She rubbed the slick oil between her fingers then wiped it off on her pants. The oil itself wasn't outlandish, but the idea that a fresh engine oil pool was in the distribution center wasn't a good sign. The pool should have long ago dried up and have no odor.
Claire briefly swept the flashlight's beam across the aisle's floor from her lowered view. But there were no more engine oil deposits within the aisle. Stranger still was there weren't any forklifts or other equipment to speak of nearby. Plus the earlier reach forklift had been electric. All of it added up to a big knot between Claire's shoulder blades.
But yet Claire put aside her thoughts because the team had done a detailed sweep of the facility. She unwillingly accepted they were okay right now. She rose back up and slid the turned off flashlight into a heavy duty holster then put on her headlamp. The climb up the pallet rack was slow and steady, from metal beam to metal beam. Every muscle bulged against her tanned skin on the way up, but the workout was welcoming too. Once on top, Claire let out a breath but remained crouched on the wrapped box for a moment. She carefully went to the other side where the neighboring pallet had a load of books. But whether it was all the same book or a mixed lot, it was hard to tell just yet.
Claire unclipped her knife, popped out the serrated blade with her thumb, and started cutting away at the wrapper then the thick cardboard. Hopefully whatever was in the container box was something K-Mart would enjoy. There was too much work involved in hunting down books in a distribution center for Claire's liking. Usually coming across an old library or an Amazon distribution center was more promising for books. But this opportunity was still worth it.
After a solid two minutes of cutting away, the wrapper and box material were tossed aside and revealed the neatly stacked books inside the box from several publishers. Much to Claire's relief, there were different titles in the box that would most likely save her from doing another hunt. She took out one book and studied the cover. Slowly the book's dark cover and title started dawning on Claire.
"I'll be damned," she murmured. A wide grin spread over her lips. "K-Mart will never expect this." Claire decided she'd save this one for K-Mart's birthday, and that would be a test of her own will from now until the special day.
Claire reached at her rear pocket and dug out a balled up nylon knapsack. It took a second to draw open the knapsack but shortly it was filled with various books. The publishers' box turned out to be a gold mine after a lot of sifting through it.
Happy that her mission was complete, Claire pulled the drawstrings and slung the knapsack onto her back. She adjusted the strings over her shoulders so they wouldn't tangle with her dark long sleeve shirt. But a repetitive tap behind Claire made her go still. She remained hunched next to the mutilated box's mouth. Now the quad's running engine caught her ear for a minute before it went silent again. From the opposite end of the distribution center, the team's movements softly echoed throughout the facility.
But the soft taps started again and were moving then went eerily still. Claire was quick to pinpoint the origin point, but she first turned off her headlamp for safety. She hated the dark, but it was her chance at hiding from whatever danger may be lurking distantly behind her. Silently the Beretta Cougar was freed from its holster and the distinct night sight on the handgun was lit up in the darkness.
Cautiously, Claire silently turned on the balls of her feet and faced the direction she'd heard the noise. Another set of taps on metal helped tell her where it was coming from, but it was the location that worried her greatly. Claire reached to her other rear pocket and retrieved the small night vision monocular and pushed in the power button. Whatever was making the noise had yet to find Claire so she used that to her advantage.
The night vision monocular's view wasn't wide, but it quickly honed in on the source of the taps. Claire was caught off guard and nearly dropped the pocket monocular until she steeled her initial reaction. She zoomed in on the creature that clung to the metal ceiling of the distribution center.
The creature had to be at least the size of a bull or so. But everything else about it wasn't something from mother nature. The creature was a rustic shade and made from pure muscle. What helped it cling to the ceiling were its long talons that made up its hands and feet. The scent of humans caused its tongue to slowly snake out.
Claire sucked in a shaky breath after the creature displayed a healthy set of teeth. She set her gun down then reached for her radio. She turned down the volume all the way so she wouldn't draw the creature's attention. She then picked up the gun and decided on her options to handle the beast. After the creature turned its head, Claire quickly realized that it didn't have eyes and therefore was using its other senses like smell and hearing to hunt prey.
Again the creature continued its pursuit for the humans down on the ground. It softly whipped its tongue in the air and breathed in the various scents of human blood coming from the next two aisles ahead.
Claire raised the Beretta Cougar in her right hand while she kept the monocular over her left eye. This sure wasn't the most accurate approach, but there wasn't much time left before the creature attacked the unsuspecting team down in the aisle. She lined her night sight on the creature's head then gritted her teeth. A silent prayer went through her mind as the trigger pulled back.
The gunshot resounded in the facility followed by a low cry from the beast. Sudden frenzy broke lose as the team started hollering at each other about the gunfire.
Claire smirked at the perfect shot. Clearly the creature hadn't expected a surprise attack from across the facility. But her victory was fleeting because the beast was now angry at its attacker. She hastily stood up and through the monocular she saw the creature racing across the ceiling for her. The single shot hadn't killed the beast like it would have done to an undead.
"Shit," Claire cursed and frantically shoved her monocular away. She bolted down the pallet rack despite she couldn't see a damn thing. She nearly tripped, but she managed the headlamp and flicked it on. Everybody's cries echoed in her ears, but the racing taps were most distinct. Her heart rate matched the creature's speed.
"Carlos," Claire yelled, "Get the team out of here!" However, there was thick doubt in her mind that Carlos would listen. But little could be done as the creature barred down on her. The pallet rack's end came too soon for Claire, and she faced the creature with the headlamp flooding the ceiling.
The vicious creature snapped its tongue at the human it smelled down below. It released from the ceiling and landed on the upper pallets with more grace than expected from it. Long talons clicked against the wrapped boxes.
Claire lined her night sight on the beast and fired on it repeatedly, but she regretted it because the creature tensed up for an attack. Claire gave off a cry and took two wide steps towards the next pallet rack on the other side of the aisle. She launched off the edge within seconds before the creature caught her. Something slimy brushed over her ankle and altered her calculated landing. A loud smack erupted after her body collided with a large box.
The entire rack slightly trembled and groaned from the impact that it wasn't built for. Everything went steady around the rack, but it couldn't handle another hit or it'd topple down.
Claire whimpered from the hot white burn that went up and down her chest from landing face first. She lifted her head and spotted her Beretta Cougar inches from her fingertips. But her mind was swimming, and she briefly struggled to remember how she got here anyway. A roar from behind jogged her mind, and the M4 carbine's weight gave her solace within that second.
The creature not only wanted its meal but also to make this human suffer. It snapped its tongue back then launched off the pallet rack for the human on the opposite side.
All the yelling voices and frantic footfall boomed through the facility. Claire couldn't let the team get near the creature. She had to win the fight. The carbine was the last hope so she jerked the strap's buckle from the hoop, rolled onto her back while tearing the carbine free, and blindly aimed for the creature that was arcing over the aisle. The carbine was switched to automatic and the trigger was drawn back. Shell casings flew out from the side while the bullets rained on the beast.
Claire grounded her teeth once the creature came into the headlamp's range. She savored the beast's cutting scream then blood spewed all over from the exposed brain that popped like a balloon. She released the trigger when the beast tumbled down to the ground and nearly missed knocking the pallet rack down. Claire lowered the M4 carbine against her chest and gasped for air after nearly being chewed up by some fucking ugly monster. Soft movements from below filtered past her heavy breaths.
"Fuck," Claire growled. How the Hell could that damn thing survive all those bullets? She sat up after she heard metal cut into bone. But the headlamp was askew and was jerked back into place. Claire made out the creature but surprisingly it wasn't moving at all. She furrowed her eyebrows and wondered what she'd heard earlier. Most likely the last remnants of its life were draining from it. Claire slouched until she saw the stream of lights coming from the corner of her eye.
"Claire!" Carlos hollered during his frantic search for the leader.
"Up here, Carlos!" Claire saw the team enter the aisle with the dead beast. She slightly grinned at their hesitant movements and scared glances at the bloody thing.
Carlos was more concerned about Claire and shined his light up on her. "Are you okay? Do you need help getting down?"
"I'm fine," Claire promised. She let out a breath. "I'll be down... in a minute." She gathered her strength then stood up after her version of a minute. She gathered her handgun and noticed the strain in her back from the books digging into her spine earlier. But that was a small price compared to what could have happened to her.
"What the fuck is that thing?" a team member asked.
Carlos was shaking his head but gazed up at Claire, who was descending the pallet rack with skill. He went to her and finally had a visual scan of her body.
Claire wiped her face with her sleeve, and it helped remove the blood spatter. Yet her clothes were peppered by the creature's infected blood.
"Are you hurt?" Carlos checked again. He would take Claire back to Betty and Doctor Green in a heartbeat.
Claire brushed him off and instead went over to the creature. "Have you ever seen anything like this?"
Carlos tapped the beast's clawed hand. "No." A frown creased his lips.
"Look how long its tongue is," a team member commented.
Another team member nudged his partner. "Better to lick you with, my dear." He received a harsh shove for his joke.
"Do we have everything?" Claire's question fell on Carlos, but she was studying the beast. She wasn't sure what to make of it and especially where it came from or how it got in the facility since the entrances were locked up.
"Almost. We just need to resupply the medicines."
The leader nodded and decided it was important to refill their medicine supply. The season was quickly approaching cough, cold, and flu time so extra things were needed for Doctor Green and Betty. But the trick was always finding medicines that didn't carry Umbrella's label. From the start, any survivor refused to use the corporation's pharmaceuticals because they believed they were tainted just like the T-pill. Claire doubted they were, but she couldn't argue the survivors' deeply rooted disgust for the greedy corporation. As a result, it became difficult to find medicines made by reputable companies, but one called Tricell had products that saved many convoy member's lives during the flu season. However, what'd become quite apparent was that modern medicines were dwindling and caused Betty to begin learning herbal remedies. Thankfully herbs and ancient methods of healing were not lost.
"What we do with the Licker?" a team member inquired after Claire gave the order to get the medical supplies. He decided his earlier joke about the lick was a perfect nickname for the disgusting creature.
Claire crinkled her nose at the monster's new name. "Nothing." She turned her head sidelong at the team. "Let's wrap this up. Keep your eyes open... and above your heads." She removed the carbine from her back after she'd stowed it for the climb down. The team's march started again, but she didn't join them right away. Something on the beast's head caught her eye.
Carlos had followed the team but drew back towards Claire. He didn't want to leave her alone. "What's up?"
Claire stared hard at the distinct slice in the Licker's head along with all the bullet entry wounds. She nearly touched the deep cut that exposed brain matter below the skin, until she thought better of it. "Nothing." She broke away from the dead Licker and joined Carlos so they could help the team. On the fast walk across the facility, Claire turned up the radio's volume.
"You find any books for K-Mart?"
Claire briefly felt see-through because Carlos knew exactly what she'd been up to earlier. She rolled it off her shoulders then simply replied, "Yeah."
Carlos tasted the tension under Claire's tone, which had been there since Alice's brief arrival. He bit his bottom lip then tempted, "I'm sure she'll like 'em."
Claire wasn't about to be baited. She recalled K-Mart's confession last night about telling Carlos how Claire found Alice hot. Not that it was a lie, but it certainly wasn't meant for Carlos's ear.
"You seem to know what she likes," Carlos casually mentioned.
It took a lot of resolve for Claire not to slam Carlos into the nearby box at the next aisle's corner. She did not like Carlos prying into her personal life, especially because having any personal life in the convoy was nearly impossible. All the tension flowed off her and rippled into Carlos's space.
Carlos sensed it and was actually concerned by Claire's attitude lately. He quickly stopped them by stepping in front of the leader. "Claire, I'm starting to get concerned about you." Now wasn't the best time for this conversation, but there wasn't a better chance either. He had her alone, sort of.
Claire narrowed her eyes at him and replied, "That's truly touching, Carlos but I'm fine."
Carlos furrowed his brow after those harsh words. He took a step closer and explained, "What's been going on with you lately? You're so goddamn edgy."
Claire smiled, darkly but it disappeared suddenly. She seriously stated, "Just stay out of my personal life."
Carlos worked his jaw a few seconds then asked, "Since when did you have a personal life?" That actually worried him because he knew that Claire's life was the convoy and nothing else.
Somehow that question caught Claire off guard, and she reacted with an offense. She grabbed Carlos by the collar of his vest, forced him back into the pillar of the pallet rack, and leaned in close to his face. Most likely it was the closest they'd ever been and would ever be.
"I let you in this convoy because of your skills from Umbrella," Claire quietly drew out. She kept him in place but didn't cause any harm to him. "I didn't bring you in so we could be chums, and I'd have a big brother that'd look after me." She shoved him against the pallet rack and dangerously explained, "If you can't do your job then I can find your replacement."
Carlos was breathing hard and was amazed by Claire reaching this point in their relationship. He'd thought they were at least friends, but he'd realized only K-Mart was close to Claire in that way. All this time it'd been a delusion in his head. But if it was this way between them then he couldn't lose anything by speaking his mind.
"Replace me," Carlos murmured, "With somebody like Alice?" He earned a dark glare that told him plenty.
"I don't give a fuck about her," Claire chewed off. "She's gone, and I don't give a damn." She could tell his thoughts came from K-Mart's attempt last night. "This convoy is all that matters."
"I thought K-Mart mattered to you," Carlos further pushed. He needed Claire's reaction.
Claire smirked at his weak attempt. She simply reminded, "And she's a part of this convoy." She canted her head and reminded, "Don't forget the convoy is first or I'll take your resignation." Claire withdrew after she made her point clear.
Carlos leaned his head back against the pillar and couldn't believe how poorly their conversation went today. After what K-Mart told him last night, he had hoped to get Claire to open up to him more with his inside knowledge. Most likely K-Mart had told Claire about the conversation last night and was trying to extinguish any onset of concern from Carlos. He'd keep his silence, for now unless he saw Claire begin to slip off her pedestal. Claire was right about one thing, the convoy came first.
Claire joined the team, and Carlos wasn't too far behind her. She inspected the medicines that the team had selected and gave her approval. There couldn't be any Umbrella products. There wasn't any more time for the distribution center so the team started out of the facility to the guarded entrance.
Hastily the team loaded the supplies into the cargo truck, packed it neatly, and ran the quad up into the tight space left for it. Carlos swung the gates shut and locked them into place. He decided he rather ride on the deuce and half than go with Claire. Most likely somebody else from the team would go with her in the tow truck.
L.J. had the truck's window down, and he slid his hand out then patted the side. "Hey, cowboy... it's time to go."
Chase was standing on the roof of the M35, which easily supported his weight. The cowboy hat was tilted back and made it easier for him to peer through the scope.
"Chase!" L.J blasted.
Carlos followed the cowboy's sight and softly grinned at the three undead that wandered into the gigantic parking lot that was overfilled by dilapidated old Wal-Mart trucks. He still extracted his handgun just in case but wasn't that concerned about trouble.
Chase pulled the trigger and took out the first undead. The undead's fall tickled his ear, but he was already aiming on the next one.
L.J. hadn't realized what Chase was doing until he saw the undead were taken out one by one. He nodded once then praised, "Nice job." He drew his hand back into the truck then shifted the cargo truck into forward gear. After a glance in the rearview mirror, he saw Chase seated across from Carlos.
"Let's roll out," Claire ordered over the radio's channel. She had two members jump on the M35 with Chase and Carlos. The others loaded onto the tow truck with her while one climbed into the cab with her. What was his damn name? Claire went through her mental list and recalled the funny guy's name.
"Nice kill earlier," he complimented.
"Thanks, Charlie." Claire traded a grin with him. She liked him since he'd joined the convoy about nine months ago. Everybody nicknamed him Chuckles because of his constant jokes. But it was what people often needed after bad days with the undead.
"That damn Licker was ugly," Charlie further mentioned.
"Only a face a mother could love." Claire was watching her driving behind the cargo truck.
"If it had a mother," Charlie joked.
Claire shook her head but really didn't want to know either way. She was glad it was dead and not her. She and Charlie idly chitchatted during the fifteen minute drive to the convoy. Once the tow truck was parked beside the M35 cargo truck, the team hastily unloaded and also took the supplies to the box truck in the camp. Claire wasn't really needed since Carlos took care of it so she instead grabbed her knapsack and tossed the keys to L.J.
The yellow Hummer wasn't far away, but Claire spotted her friend jumping out of Mikey's news van. She decided to wait there for K-Mart.
K-Mart fought not to run down the open space and push the survivors out of her way to get to Claire. She had heard over the CB radio that Claire had faced off against some creature. But even from this distance, it was obvious that Claire seemed okay. However, K-Mart would be assured once she had a look for herself.
Claire stood there silently with the carbine in her right hand and the knapsack dangling from her left hand. She canted her head once her friend came upon her. The air between them grew thick while K-Mart visually scanned over Claire's bloody clothes.
K-Mart toyed with her hat's brim then mentioned, "I heard you ran into trouble."
Claire grunted and remarked, "Trouble ran into me." She hefted the knapsack then continued to the Hummer.
K-Mart ruefully grinned, and relief filled her because Claire seemed okay. She fell into step alongside the leader. "Did you get everything?"
"Mostly." Claire approached the rear of the Hummer but handed the knapsack to K-Mart. She then jerked open the rear door.
K-Mart was groping the knapsack and obviously trying to figure out what was in it. The distinct shape wasn't lost on her and caused a real smile this time.
"Give me that." Claire snatched it from her friend after she tossed the carbine into the back. She softly grinned at K-Mart's excitement. She set it down on top of their supplies in the Hummer but faced her friend. "Don't you have duties to attend to?"
The hint wasn't lost on K-Mart, and she looked up from the knapsack that tempted her so bad. She weakly smiled at the leader. "I just wanted to..." She couldn't confess her concern for Claire's health.
Now Claire's hands went to her hips as she studied her friend's shy manner. "I've gotta get cleaned up."
K-Mart nodded and suspected the quick shower would also sooth Claire's edge from the earlier fight with the creature. But there was something else K-Mart saw in Claire's eyes. She suspected Claire had a confrontation with Carlos. It'd just have to wait until later when they were alone in the Hummer.
"You'll have to do the bite inspection," K-Mart softly recalled. "Again," she muttered. Nearly a week ago Claire had gone through bite inspection after the drama at the rest stop. Now Claire would have to suffer another one thanks to today's battle.
"Just the drill," the leader reminded her friend. She had created the rule in the convoy that anybody that had close battles with undead was required to go through an inspection from Doctor Green or Betty. That rule went into full force in the early days after a survivor suffered a bite mark, didn't tell anybody, and eventually turned the next morning. Too many survivors died that day if it hadn't been for the infected survivor's selfishness.
K-Mart let out a breath because she hadn't done a bite inspection and hoped not to go through one. She was modest and not keen on being naked in front of Betty or Doctor Green. She nearly flushed at the idea. If anything, at least Claire's determination to keep K-Mart away from the violence also kept her away from bite inspection.
"I'm gonna go help Johnny with the incoming supplies," K-Mart finally gave in. She started to go until Claire caught her wrist.
"K, can you do me a favor?"
K-Mart faced the leader again and nodded. But a warmth stirred around her cheeks when Claire began removing her black shirt. She could see the muscles flex on Claire's shoulders then briefly tighten against Claire's upper arms. Her hat was a helpful distraction after Claire's nice display.
Claire turned the shirt inside out. She handed it to the teen after she was sure none of the blood would get onto K-Mart. Then she straightened out the black tank top that she'd been wearing under the long sleeve top.
"Take that to Doctor Green first, alright?" After K-Mart's nod, Claire softly added, "Tell her to keep it, and I'll talk to her about it shortly."
"Alright." K-Mart started off on her tasks again, but she heard Claire call a thank you. She flashed a quick smile then picked up the pace so she could get the supplies taken care of with Johnny.
Claire was pleased that her friend was on her way. She sighed after studying K-Mart's receding figure for a moment. She faced the Hummer's open back and decided to hide K-Mart's birthday gift.
Tucked deep under the supplies was a simple yet beautifully varnished wood box made from oak that had a brass latch on it. In easy fashion, Claire slid the latch free then opened it and revealed seemingly odd relics from another life. Claire had learned to school her emotions and today they barely touched her when the memory filled articles in the box gazed back at her.
Claire reached in and pulled out an aged badge that hadn't been cleaned in some time. She turned it over and ran her thumb across the name engraved on the back. The name still shined compared to the rest of the badge but that was only due to Claire's faithful brush of it now and again. The badge was nestled back in the box with the other items.
It only took a quick second for Claire to find the special book for K-Mart's birthday. She tucked it into the box, closed it up, and reset the latch. K-Mart knew about the wooden box but had no idea what it contained other than Claire's belongings from her life before the apocalypse. From the start, Claire explained to K-Mart that she could move the box if it was necessary to organize the Hummer. But it could never be open. K-Mart fully respected her friend's wishes and actually endeavored to make sure others didn't find out about it if for some rare reason somebody needed an item from the Hummer.
Claire ran her palm across the lid then tucked the box into its home at the bottom of everything. After she adjusted stuff correctly, she set the carbine on the left then shut the door. In her right arm were clean clothes that she'd need after the cleansing shower. But first was a visit to Doctor Green or Betty for the bite inspection.
Doctor Green was busy helping Betty go through the new supplies that the raid team brought back for them. She was quite pleased by it too.
Betty was knelt beside the stack of supplies and writing down the new items for their inventory. She lowered her pen after she heard the leader's footfall. "Rumor is you killed some kind of ugly monster on your own."
Claire grinned and replied, "I didn't kill Carlos."
Betty gave a laugh at the great joke, and she slapped her clipboard that had the inventory list. "Damn I knew we weren't that lucky."
"Poor Carlos," Doctor Green cut in. She stepped out of the right ambulance that she often drove while Betty handled the other one parked opposite. "He's not here to defend himself."
"That man does need all the help he can get," Betty pointed out. She shook her head, which caused her ponytail to whip around. She returned to her task.
Doctor Green approached the convoy leader and stated, "Bite inspection."
Claire held out her arms, including the folded clothes in her right hand. "I'm all yours, doc."
Doctor Green sighed and was obviously not pleased. "You're a magnet for undead, Claire Redfield." She turned on her heels and ordered the leader into the ambulance. She flicked on the overhead lights in the vehicle then drew the doors shut once Claire was in it with her.
Claire set her clean clothes in an empty spot then quickly began stripping down for Doctor Green.
The doctor took a seat on the stool and patiently waited for the leader to get undressed for her. It also gave her a chance to bring up the shirt that K-Mart had brought her only five minutes ago. "So, what's the story with the shirt?" She already had her guesses though.
Claire was removing her boots and socks. "Can you perform some tests on the blood stains on my shirt?"
The doctor tucked a long, dark strand behind her right ear. Several negative replies came to mind, but she honestly reminded, "You know my lack of equipment for those types of tests, Claire."
The convoy leader didn't accept the unspoken answer and stood back up. "I need to know something."
Doctor Green shook her head then stood up when Claire started getting her tank top and pants off. She turned on the lamps on either side of the ambulance so light would shine correctly around Claire's body. "This isn't a forensics lab or test lab."
Claire set the dirty pants, socks, and tank top off to the side of the floor near her boots. She still wasn't pleased by the doctor's lack of cooperation. It showed on her face while she removed her bra and underwear.
The doctor shook her head at the convoy leader's insisting attitude. Those types of challenges from the leader use to be something that Doctor Green enjoyed in life. But now it was a frustration because she didn't have the proper equipment to meet demands.
Claire shifted into the best light and waited for inspection. Nothing about her was modest, especially after countless inspections before this one.
Doctor Green grabbed a stethoscope and hooked it around her neck for later. She adjusted the lamp on the right then approached Claire. She went through the normal routine to make sure that Claire hadn't been bitten or scratched by any undead. If she found a suspicious spot then she'd take a sample and test it for infection. If the test proved positive, then Claire was the first to know that a survivor was infected. But if the convoy leader herself was infected then Doctor Green didn't want to think about what it would mean to the convoy.
"How in Hell you make out unscathed all the time is beyond me," the doctor muttered. She was behind Claire and removed the stethoscope then checked Claire's breathing from behind her. Rarely did she do this to other survivors during a bite inspection, but Doctor Green stole the chance with Claire because she wouldn't have an opportunity otherwise. And Claire was non-the-wiser that Doctor Green did it solely to her and not anybody else. The doctor was convinced that Claire's heart would just stop one day due to all the pressure of leading the convoy. Yet Claire still continued each day despite the nonstop pressure and stress.
"Can you tell me if it's at least T-virus?" Claire quietly asked after the stethoscope's chilly bell left her skin.
Doctor Green hung the instrument around her neck again then went around Claire. "I can try." She was a few inches shorter than the tall convoy leader. "There's no guarantee if I can tell it's a variant to the T-virus in the undead."
"I don't need a guarantee... I think it's pretty obvious," Claire argued. But she had to know if it was still T-virus or something new pumping through that Licker's veins. What if the infected creatures were evolving? Just the idea made Claire tremble with worry.
After another headshake, Doctor Green checked Claire's breathing and heartbeat from the front then was satisfied after several of Claire's deep breaths. She removed the stethoscope and concluded that Claire was still somehow perfectly healthy and not infected after all this time. "What did the creature look like?" She strolled away and wanted to update her records on Claire Redfield. She retrieved Claire's file that was tucked in a drawer with other survivors' folders.
While Claire got dressed, she described the creature to Doctor Green. Every detail caused the doctor's shoulders to tense up, and it wasn't lost on Claire. After getting into her dirty clothes and tied boots, Claire approached the doctor.
"You've seen it before," the convoy leader concluded and there was a sharpness in her words. She towered over the doctor.
Doctor Green removed her glasses and set them down on the report in front of her. She rubbed the bridge of her nose then peered up at the convoy leader, who had grown more intimidating over time. It was hard to say when that'd happened, but it was obvious more recently. For a moment the air was palpable between them then Doctor Green obviously broke under the convoy leader's need to know what the Hell was in the distribution center today.
"It's called a B.O.W." Doctor Green had to recline her head so she could see Claire better.
"B.O.W.?" Claire checked.
"Bio Organic Weapon," the doctor explained. She bit her bottom lip then further revealed, "The one you ran into was catalogued as L-251." The light in the ambulance clearly showed Claire's very displeased features. Then the sudden fall and rise of Claire's chest told her that this wasn't going to be good, at all.
Claire struggled to keep her temper in check because this wasn't Doctor Green's fault. But there was nothing gentle about her voice when she spoke again. "What the fuck does Umbrella do with these Bio Organic Weapons?"
"They were to be developed then sold on the market to whoever wished to buy them." Doctor Green leaned against the counter near the file. "It was a division of Umbrella that not many people knew about."
"The same division that made the T-pill?" Claire watched the doctor nod. She shook her head and moved away from Doctor Green.
"I was to move onto the L-200 Series project after the T-pill project." Doctor Green lowered her eyes and remembered her days at Umbrella from awhile ago. That was a dark part of her life that would not cease haunting her.
Claire barely heard the doctor because her mind was racing in several directions about what it could mean that they ran into a B.O.W. for the first time. But the answers were lacking right now so she half turned and ordered, "Test the damn blood." She started opening the right door then grabbed her clean clothes.
Doctor Green climbed to her feet then watched the annoyed leader leaving the ambulance. She inwardly sighed after probably putting a new dent in their recently formed relationship. There'd been a lot of trepidation and distrust between her, Claire, and Betty when she first joined the convoy. She'd confessed to Claire of her involvement with Umbrella as a high level researcher for Umbrella at the Raccoon City facility.
At first, Claire was very standoffish with Doctor Green and was close to wanting to push Doctor Green out of the convoy for the survivors' sakes. Most likely the thought that Doctor Green was a spy from Umbrella somehow crossed Claire's mind despite they were just a random hodgepodge group. But Betty insisted she needed the doctor's skill and general help with keeping the survivors healthy. Betty promised that she would keep a careful eye on Doctor Green's work to make sure nothing was suspicious. Doctor Green was open to it so that she'd win Claire's trust. Now she could only hope that Claire wouldn't retract some of that trust after so long.
Not far from the ambulance, Claire entered into a large rectangular shower enclosure that hung from a tree's heavy branch. It was a camp shower setup for survivors' use after a bite inspection so they could sanitize and clean their skin of any infected blood. Betty had really designed it after Claire's request nearly two years ago.
There were two Solar camp shower five gallon bags in the enclosure along with shampoo and soap. The first one had to be used and contained a special alcohol mixture that Betty formulated some time ago. The first cleaning would sanitize the survivor's skin of any infected blood. Nothing scared the convoy more than infected blood accidently being transferred. The alcohol sanitization mixture was a gentle yet effective method to clean it off. Afterwards, Claire shifted to the second shower, which was simply filtered water from a water source that they'd recently been near such as a creek or river. A quick shampooing and soaping helped removed the scent of alcohol and left her feeling refreshed after today's troubles.
By the time Claire was finished up, it was nearly dark and most likely dinner would be ready soon. For the first time, a twinge of hunger touched her lower stomach. But she had to clean her bloody clothes before dinner.
All around the camp news stirred about Claire's victory over the Licker. Charlie was mainly the one to tell the tale despite he hadn't seen it firsthand. His embellished story made it all the more dramatic than what'd really happened today. But he had plenty of listeners around the camp that hung onto every word, including K-Mart.
By the time K-Mart ate her dinner and enjoyed Mikey's company at the campfire, she'd heard the story twice from Charlie. She knew that Charlie probably was making some of it up, but she didn't doubt that Claire faced the creature head on, for the team's sake. K-Mart said goodnight to Mikey then went to the Hummer and got into the back. Much to her delight, she was greeted by a stack of new books on the backseat. K-Mart was both thrilled and touched by Claire's fulfilled promise.
Truly the textbooks should have been priority tonight, but K-Mart couldn't stop from starting a new book since she finished her other one this morning. She tucked away the other four into her leather knapsack then leaned against the window with her flashlight shining on her new book. She was so lost into it that she didn't realize how late it was until she glanced at her watch and noted it was nearly eleven. Typically the convoy quieted down around ten and only a few night owls could remain moving about until about midnight or so. Once in awhile Claire was one of the night owls, which seemed to be tonight. K-Mart didn't think anymore about it and returned to her book resting between her propped up legs.
Shortly after midnight, K-Mart was startled by the Hummer's soft chirp and the locks releasing thanks to Claire using the remote control. K-Mart smiled at seeing the convoy leader in the silver light from the moon.
Claire went directly to rear door, opened it, and climbed into the seat next to K-Mart. "I see the studying took second to the new books." She enjoyed her friend's embarrassed look.
"I couldn't help it... I mean you left them right there in front of me." K-Mart tried putting the blame on the leader, but it totally failed.
"It's worse than candy huh?" Claire smirked at the teen's low sigh. But she went a bit more serious. "Everybody is pretty much tucked in now."
K-Mart dog-eared the book after she processed the hidden meaning behind her friend's words. There was no mistaking the desire on Claire's face, and K-Mart wouldn't deny Claire's needs. She put the book down on her knapsack then lowered her legs. "Thank you for the books."
Claire nodded and seemed unmoved by the appreciation despite it did mean something to her. She then lifted off the seat and moved down to K-Mart because she couldn't wait any longer tonight. Once her knee sunk into the small space between K-Mart's open legs, her lips claimed K-Mart's in a wanting kiss.
K-Mart moaned and feverishly met her lover's hungry kiss. She nearly lost her hat after Claire's forehead knocked it aside during the frantic kiss. After the first kiss, she was able to toss her hat on the floor because it'd only be a hindrance. K-Mart prayed that tomorrow morning, after she touched herself like normal, that it would be enough for her. So much desire was burning between them tonight.
Claire continued the kiss after they stole a breath or two. She worked to remove her clean shirt that was a simple waffle design. She was grateful to get it off and be greeted by the cool air. But hot hands were on her back and made her whimper in appreciation. For a second, an idea to have K-Mart remove her shirt crossed Claire's mind, yet she snuffed the desire.
K-Mart removed Claire's bra then drew Claire forward over her. K-Mart sunk down enough so that she could get the right breast into her mouth. She savored the soft scent from Claire's recent shower, but she loved Claire's low moans as she played with the erect nipple.
Claire tangled her hand in K-Mart's long hair. She hid her face in the blond strands that mirrored the sun. But a low hiss escaped her after K-Mart's nimble fingers slipped between her jeans and teased her already throbbing clit. She shut her eyes and grinned against the soft hair. She already started rocking her hips against K-Mart's taunting motions.
There was no doubt that K-Mart would push Claire to her limits tonight. Maybe it was K-Mart's way of thanking Claire for the books. But drawn out foreplay tonight caused Claire to groan and dig her right hand into the backseat's headrest. Claire fucking loved blondes.