The room erupted into chaos as the creature let out a guttural screech, lunging forward with terrifying speed.
"Move!" I shouted, diving out of the way just as its claws shredded the crate I'd been hiding behind, splinters flying past my face.
Billy reacted quickly, raising his shotgun and firing point-blank at the monster's head. The blast echoed through the room, and the creature staggered, blood dripping from its head. But instead of collapsing, it snarled, shaking off the blow like it was nothing.
"Damn it!" Billy cursed, pumping the shotgun. "This thing's tougher than it looks!"
"Get out of the way!" Rebecca shouted, her voice rising in urgency. The second monster darted toward Billy, its claws raised high.
Billy spun around, but it was too late, he couldn't evade in time. Acting on instinct, I raised my handgun. With two precise shots, the creature's glowing eyes exploded, its screech reverberating through the room.
Rebecca seized the opportunity, unleashing her SMG. The bullets ripped into its flesh, forcing it back.
"You two handle that one, I've got this guy!" I told them, turning my attention to the first creature.
"Be careful!" Billy warned, keeping his shotgun aimed.
"We'll handle it fast and back you up!" Rebecca called reloading her weapon.
I gave a curt nod, hoping I could take the monster down before they needed to intervene
'Every time my emotions spike, my powers act on their own. I can't afford that now.' I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay composed as I squeezed the trigger again, aiming at its eyes.
"Grahh!" The creature screeched, its claws raised defensively to shield its eyes.
It was smart, smarter than I expected. My bullets ricocheted harmlessly off its thick claws.
"Clever bastard." I muttered under my breath.
The lizard seized the moment to strike, swiping at me with terrifying speed. I rolled forward, narrowly avoiding its claws, and came up behind it. Slinging my hunting rifle off my shoulder, I took aim at the back of its skull.
Before it could react, I fired. The crack of the rifle echoed in the room, and the creature let out a pained howl.
It staggered, but instead of falling, it leapt into the air, its massive body hurtling toward me. I grabbed a nearby crate and hurled it upward. The makeshift projectile slammed into the creature, knocking it off balance. It crashed to the floor with a heavy thud.
Without hesitation, I closed the gap, driving my boot into its chest to pin it down. The monster thrashed beneath me, but I didn't give it the chance to retaliate. Raising my rifle, I fired point-blank into its head, as the beast twitched violently.
I exhaled sharply, stepping away from the body, scanning the area to assist the others.
But just as I turned, a faint, guttural noise from behind froze me in place.
"What the…" I muttered, glancing over my shoulder. My eyes widened as I saw the beast rising again, its mangled form trembling with rage. It was barely able to stand, yet it lunged forward, swinging its claws in a desperate, savage attack.
"Shit!" My eyes widened. My rifle was empty, and there was no time to draw my sidearm. Instinct took over.
I raised my arm in defense, feeling a surge of power coursing through it. The muscles beneath my skin shifted and hardened, red veins bulging as my arm transformed into something far denser—an unbreakable shield of living tissue. The monster's claws struck it with full force, but instead of tearing through, they skidded to a halt as though colliding with solid steel.
"Not today." I growled through clenched teeth, holding firm as the creature staggered, its strength fading fast.
Before it could recover, I countered. My arm morphed again, this time into claws. With a swift motion, I drove the claws deep into the monster's chest.
It let out a feeble, gurgling cry, its movements slowing as it fell to the ground. The light faded from its eyes, leaving behind only a twisted, grotesque shell.
"Umbrella..." I muttered, staring at the body. My chest heaved, trying to process the horrors this company had created.
…
Rebecca's Pov
The lizard thrashed wildly, its claws swinging through the air as its eyes began to slowly regenerate.
"Rebecca." Billy whispered, standing beside me. "It can't see right now. It's relying on sound."
I nodded, understanding instantly. Moving quietly, I aimed my handgun behind the creature and fired two shots into the floor.
The beast spun around, swiping at empty air where it thought its prey was.
Billy crept closer, shotgun at the ready. I held my breath, every second stretching into eternity.
The creature's tongue flicked out, tasting the air as it searched for us.
Billy closed the distance. Then, with a deafening roar, he fired at its head. The blast tore through its skull, and the monster collapsed to its knees.
"Ghraah!!"
But it wasn't done. With a final surge of strength, it lashed out, catching Billy with the blunt side of its claws. He hit the ground hard, his shotgun skidding across the floor.
"Billy!" I screamed, my heart pounding in my chest.
The creature loomed over him, its claws raised for a killing blow. My mind raced, and my hand shot to the hookshot strapped to my belt. Without time to think, I fired.
The hook embedded itself in the monster's arm with a sickening crunch. The line went taut, jerking its limb to the side and halting its attack just inches from Billy's face.
Billy wasted no time. Scrambling to his feet, he grabbed his shotgun and fired directly into the monster's face. Its head exploded into a spray of red liquid, and its lifeless body crumpled to the floor.
My breathing was ragged as I stared at the corpse. These weren't just animals. They were monsters, man-made horrors brought to life by Umbrella. The realization hit me like a freight train. The company I'd once trusted and respected was capable of creating such abominations.
"Thanks." Billy suddenly said, his voice strained as he steadied himself.
I nodded silently, still processing what had just happened. Then my thoughts snapped elsewhere. "Alex, he's–"
"Relax." Billy interrupted with a tired chuckle. "Look."
I turned to see Alex standing triumphantly over his defeated foe. Relief flooded through me as we approached him.
"You two done?" He asked, flashing a cocky smirk.
"Yeah, though I nearly got killed." Billy muttered. "How the hell did you beat it on your own?"
"What can I say? I'm one of a kind." Alex replied with a wide smile.
'With his more cynical outlook, still being able to joke and smile in such situations is baffling.' I sighed, unable to understand what drove Alex to act like this.
My eyes then started to wander around his form, noticing an unusual amount of blood on one of his arms.
"Are you alright?" I asked, stepping closer to him.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, of course." He replied, catching the direction of my stare. "The blood's not mine. No need to worry." He chuckled, brushing it off like it was nothing.
But even as he dismissed it, I couldn't help but wonder—how did it get there in the first place?
As we had our little chat, Billy crouched beside the corpse, inspecting it with a frown. "What's with these wounds?"
"Huh? Oh, I shot it in the head earlier. Must've been shallow enough to let it survive a little longer." Alex replied.
"I meant the claw marks." Billy clarified, pointing to the deep gouges.
"Oh…" Alex glanced away. "No idea. Thought I was dead for sure, but then…it attacked itself. Weird, huh?"
"Attacked itself?" Billy echoed, clearly unconvinced.
"Maybe the head wounds scrambled it." Alex exclaimed casually.
"Maybe…" Billy muttered, stepping back from the corpse, but I could tell he wasn't satisfied with the answer.
'Neither am I.' I thought, my suspicion growing.
…
"Evaluation of combat data, finished. Lifting protection protocol." A robotic voice announced, and the doors slid open, freeing us once again.
"You two want to take a break?" I glanced at Rebecca and Billy, noting the weariness etched on their faces. No sense in pushing too hard.
"A few minutes would be nice." Billy admitted with a small nod.
"Yeah, I've got a few things I need to sort out." Rebecca added, her voice quieter than usual.
The three of us moved into the next room, stepping through a door bordered by a large observatory window.
Inside, confusion replaced caution as we took in our surroundings.
"It's some kind of…entertainment room?" I muttered, my eyes scanning the small bar stocked with dusty bottles and the piano tucked into a corner, with couches placed in the middle of the room.
Weirdly enough, as I scanned the room, a sense of familiarity started to grow in me, vague but still there.
"What the hell is this doing next to a bunch of monsters?" Rebecca shook her head in disbelief.
"Who knows? Maybe someone figured if the creatures ever broke out, they'd just sit here with a drink and wait for the end." Billy said with a dry chuckle, though his tone carried a bitter edge.
"Unlike you to get so heated." I remarked, keeping my gaze on him.
"Yeah…just need to cool off. Too many close calls tonight." Billy's attempt at a grin faltered, his attention drifting toward the piano.
"How about a drink, then?" I suggested, moving toward the bar and grabbing a bottle.
"With all that's happening? Don't even think about it. Plus, we're not even of age yet." Rebecca snatched the bottle from my hand before I could twist the cap.
"Right…" I muttered with a wry smile.
"You think any of this stuff is worth something?" I asked, tilting my head toward the aged bottles.
"Probably." Billy shrugged. "Too bad we're not making it out with much more than the shirts on our backs."
"Shame. I wouldn't mind a little extra cash." I joked, trying to keep the mood light.
"Why are you so cheerful all of a sudden?" Rebecca asked, rummaging through her medical bag.
"No reason." I replied, forcing a grin. "Figured someone has to be."
Rebecca didn't respond, her focus returning to her supplies. Billy, however, had wandered over to the piano.
"You know how to play?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A little." He said, brushing the dust off the keys.
"How about a demonstration?" Rebecca chimed in, looking up from her work.
"You sure? Can't promise it'll sound great."
"Doesn't matter. We could all use something normal for a change." I said, leaning back against the bar.
Billy hesitated, then sat down, his fingers hovering over the keys. After a moment's pause, he began to play.
The melody started soft, slow, almost tentative, but quickly gained confidence, filling the room with a surprisingly upbeat rhythm. It wasn't professional, but it was far better than I'd expected.
The sound tugged at something deep in my memory. As the notes swirled around us, the room seemed to fade, replaced by another time, another place.
…
"Do you want to try it too?" A rough but welcoming voice asked, steady and full of warmth.
"I'd rather let you play, Dad. You know I'm not good at it." A young voice replied sheepishly—my voice, though it sounded so much smaller and softer than it does now.
"You don't think he learned to play the piano in a day or two, right?" Mom teased from the couch, her gaze warm and amused as it rested on us.
"Your mom's right." Dad chuckled, his encouraging gaze meeting mine. "I'll even help you learn if you want."
"Alright…but I don't think I'll ever be half as good as you." I sighed, climbing onto the stool beside him.
Though I didn't let it show, I cherished moments like these with my parents, especially since their jobs often kept them so busy.
"That doesn't matter." Dad said, his tone steady but kind. "As long as you give it your all, even if nothing comes of it, we'll be proud of you. You had the strength and courage to try."
"Seriously–" Mom cut in, standing and stretching. "With the way you're acting, it feels like you're the one who carried him for nine months."
"Well, you did your part. I'll do mine now." Dad replied with a chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah, move over, you two. Make some room for me." She said, waving a hand.
The three of us sat crowded on the stool, shoulders brushing as Dad turned to me.
"Alright, let's start with the basics. First, do you know the difference between natural keys and accidentals?" He asked.
I shook my head.
"No worries then. You see, they are…" His voice began to fade, dissolving into the present as the melody from the piano came to an abrupt halt.
…
Billy's fingers lifted from the keys, leaving silence to fill the air.
"Wow, that was…" Rebecca mumbled, her eyes wide with surprise.
Before any of us could speak, a low rumble echoed through the room. At the far end, just in front of the piano, a section of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden pathway.
"So good it opened a secret passage?" Billy quipped, though the surprise in his voice mirrored Rebecca's.
Rebecca stepped closer to the new opening, her curiosity overtaking caution. "We should check this out."
"Hey, be careful. Don't rush off on your own." Billy warned, following behind her.
I stayed behind, my eyes fixed on the piano. My gaze drifted to the sheet music still resting on the stand.
'Did he sit here…playing this song?' I couldn't help but wonder, my chest tightening as the memory resurfaced.
I let out a slow breath, an internal sigh that carried the weight of years I'd tried to bury.
'Why do they come to mind more and more lately?' My brows furrowed as I clenched my hands, fighting off the ache.
Billy's voice broke through my thoughts. "Alex, you coming? Don't tell me I left you that impressed?"
Rebecca glanced over at me, concern flickering across her face. "Do you still need a breather?"
"No," I replied, straightening up. My voice came unbidden, spilling out words I hadn't planned. "You know, I wanted to learn the piano once. But I kept putting it off…until that chance was taken away from me."
Both of them stared at me in confusion, Rebecca's brows furrowing slightly. Even I wasn't entirely sure where this was coming from or why I felt compelled to share it.
"Uh, what I'm trying to say is…there's something I need to settle now."
Rebecca's brows knitted as she started to catch on. "I guess now would be a good time for it…"
"Don't make it sound so dramatic." Billy chuckled, though his smile faltered as he studied my expression.
"Billy." I said, meeting his gaze, "You wanted to know why I lied to my captain, didn't you? I've got questions of my own too. So before we step into whatever lies ahead, let's settle this."
Billy held my gaze for a long moment, his easy going demeanor slipping into something more serious. "…Alright." He nodded.
Rebecca frowned, her voice dropping to a whisper. "This won't end badly, right?"
I exhaled, shaking my head. "No, nothing like that. But his answer…it might change things."
…
The three of us stood at the bar. Rebecca and I sat on stools, while Billy leaned on the counter, his gaze distant.
"When Enrico asked me about you…" I began, my voice measured. "For a second, I did think about ratting you out. But after everything we've been through, and after getting to know you, I couldn't help but wonder—could you really be a criminal?"
Billy stayed silent, staring up at the ceiling, as though searching for the right words.
Rebecca leaned forward, her voice firm but understanding. "Lying about something like this won't just get us a slap on the wrist. I'm sure you know that. So, help us understand—show us we made the right choice by trusting you."
Billy sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I get that. But even if I tell you, how can you be sure I'm not lying? Or that what I say won't sound too outlandish to believe?"
"We can't know until you tell us." I said, my tone softer. "To be honest, I kind of understand how you feel."
Billy glanced at me, his expression curious, and Rebecca turned slightly in her seat, waiting for me to explain.
"I've been treated with cold indifference for a reason I didn't know, or understood. Like I didn't deserve a chance to explain or redeem myself." I paused, the memory weighing heavy on my chest. "That's why I want to give you this chance now."
Rebecca's and Billy's surprised expressions flickered in my peripheral vision, but I kept my gaze steady on him.
Billy chuckled lightly, though there was no humor in it. "Guess I can't waste that, huh?"
"No rush." Rebecca said, offering him a kind smile. "Take your time."
Billy exhaled a short laugh and shook his head. "Man, this is embarrassing. Being shown compassion by two people barely out of their teens—people who should be arresting me, no less."
"We do our best." I said with a small laugh, easing the tension.
"And you should know by now that we're more than capable!" Rebecca added, grinning.
"Seems so." Billy replied, his smile faint but genuine. Then his expression darkened, his gaze dropping to the counter. "Alright, I guess it's time you knew…the truth about the crime that condemned me."
…
"Damn it…" I muttered under my breath as what was left of our team trudged through the suffocating jungle.
"We're close to the guerilla base. Stay sharp." Maverick, our leader, commanded. His voice was hoarse, the oppressive heat drying his throat as he scanned the dense foliage ahead.
"A break would help. I can barely think straight in this damned heat." David grumbled, wiping sweat from his bald head. His voice carried the weight of exhaustion and frustration, but the bags under his eyes told the real story.
"We can't afford that." Maverick snapped without looking back. "Wouldn't want to be ambushed again."
The mention of ambushes sent a shiver down my spine, the memory of our fallen comrades creeping back into my mind. Faces blurred together with the stench of blood and death.
'They didn't deserve it.' I thought bitterly, gripping my rifle tighter. Even though I hadn't known them well, I couldn't shake the guilt that came with surviving when they hadn't.
"The sooner we deal with those guerillas, the sooner we can leave this hellhole. No complaints here." Peter chimed in, his voice shaky but determined. He was the youngest of us, barely out of his teens, with a wiry frame that seemed ill-suited for this kind of mission.
I sighed, my throat dry and raw from the heat, as silence fell over the group. No one had the energy for small talk anymore.
…
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but when did this happen?" Rebecca asked, tilting her head slightly, her curiosity evident.
"Around this time last year." I replied, grateful for the brief pause that allowed me to gather my thoughts. "We were sent to intervene in a civil war in Africa."
Her expression softened with concern. "How did it come to that? Losing most of your unit, I mean?"
Alex, standing with his arms crossed, chimed in, his tone more reserved but cutting to the point. "What happened? Was it the guerillas' fault, or something else?"
I hesitated, the weight of the memories pressing down on me. "Back then, I'd have said it was all on the guerillas." I admitted slowly. "But now…I realize a lot of it came down to the incompetence of our superiors."
Rebecca's brow furrowed in surprise. "Incompetence? What do you mean?"
Alex, in contrast, remained silent, his piercing gaze fixed on me, as if gauging the truth behind my words.
"Our entry point was nowhere near their base." I explained, keeping my tone measured. "From there, the path to our objective was riddled with problems. Every step of the way, obstacles kept piling up."
Rebecca nodded thoughtfully, sensing my reluctance to dive deeper into the details. "I see." She said, her voice gentle, as if offering an unspoken invitation to continue or stop.
Alex, however, didn't press further, his silence feeling heavier than any question he could have asked.
"Anyway." I continued, trying to push past the lingering tension, "it didn't take long after that to find what we thought was the guerilla hideout…or at least what we assumed it was."
My gaze drifted to the floor as my words trailed off. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't stop my mind from being pulled back to that day—those sounds, those faces, and the unshakable weight of guilt.
...
"This is it." Maverick whispered, parting a wall of leaves to reveal a small village nestled in the jungle.
My stomach sank at the sight of it. The huts were little more than fragile structures of stone and wood, barely standing against the weight of the humid air. It didn't look like the base of any armed group—just a home for desperate people trying to survive.
"Sir…are you sure this is the place?" I asked hesitantly, unable to hide my doubt.
"Our intel is solid." Maverick replied, his tone firm but edged with the same uncertainty I felt.
"This is it, huh? All our efforts are finally paying off." Peter mumbled, though his unsteady breathing betrayed his unease.
"Let's move." Maverick motioned for us to advance, weapons raised.
As we approached the huts, an unfamiliar voice called out, cutting through the humid stillness. "Inna, su waye?"
We froze, turning toward the source of the voice. A boy, no older than six, clung to a woman's hand, his wide eyes fixed on us. The woman—his mother, most likely—backed away slowly, her face pale with terror.
"Me kuke so?" She stammered, her trembling voice laced with fear.
"Hands up!" Maverick barked, his gun trained on them.
"Sir, they're civilians! There's a kid!" I stepped forward, trying to lower the tension.
"They're suspects! Who knows what they're hiding?" Maverick shot back, his voice rising.
David shifted uneasily. "He's got a point… but this doesn't feel right."
"Exactly why we need to search them first." I argued, my gaze darting between Maverick and the terrified villagers.
The woman pulled the boy closer, tears streaming down her face. "Don Allah a bar mu…" She begged, her words a language we couldn't understand but a plea we didn't need to translate.
"Stop right there!" Maverick fired a warning shot at the ground, making the boy scream and the mother collapse to her knees, shielding her child.
"Everyone down! Hands behind your heads!" Maverick shouted, his voice trembling with something between desperation and anger.
As more villagers emerged, their fearful murmurs grew louder. "Me kuke yi!?" One man yelled, his face etched with confusion.
"Billy, search every corner of this place." Maverick ordered me sharply. "We'll keep them under control."
I nodded reluctantly, moving through the village, checking huts, and searching the perimeter. But all I found were signs of ordinary life—food, tools, clothing.
Nothing.
"Maverick." I called out as I returned, shaking my head. "There's nothing here."
"There has to be." He muttered, his eyes scanning the crowd of cowering villagers.
"Search them! There has to be something!" He barked at the others.
Peter's voice suddenly rang out. "What's this?" He held up a bloodied knife, pointing it at an older man who recoiled in fear.
"Ina shirya abinci! Shi ke nan!" The man cried, gesturing wildly toward a cooking area.
"Ka bar shi, dan iska!!" Another villager shouted, their voices rising in anger.
Peter flinched, his hands shaking as he aimed his rifle at the man. "Stay back! Don't try anything!"
"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, stepping toward Peter.
"They're hiding something! I know they are!" He snapped, his eyes wild with fear and paranoia.
"Peter… they're innocent!" I shouted, but when I turned to the others, I saw the same frenzied desperation in their eyes.
"We lost so many…" David muttered, gripping his weapon tighter. "We can't go back empty-handed."
"Sir, this isn't right." I said, my voice trembling.
Maverick glared at me, his face a mask of exhaustion and anger. "Billy, if you're not going to help, then stay out of the way."
Before I could react, he raised his gun.
"No!" I lunged toward him, but he struck me with the butt of his rifle, sending me sprawling to the ground.
The last thing I saw before my vision blurred was Maverick giving the order.
"Fire!"
Gunshots rang out, drowning the villagers' screams.
"No! Stop!" I screamed, struggling to get up. But it was too late. The air was thick with the smell of blood and gunpowder, and the cries of the dying echoed in my ears.
My hands trembled as I tried to rise, my heart pounding with rage and despair.
When I finally reached Maverick, I gripped his shoulder and turned him to face me. His eyes locked onto mine, but there was nothing left of the man I knew—only a raw, primal fury burned within them.