RJ

Exiting the house, we started to head towards a locked gate when I heard a dog whimpering. I look to the right of us and saw a large white wolf with his back paw snagged in a bear trap. “Oh that poor thing.” I said, going over to the wolf as it continues to whimper and cry, the teeth of trap latched onto its thigh.

”Hey, Leon…help me with this, please.” I said and Leon comes over to help me pry open the trap, freeing the wolf. It limps for a few moments before it looks at us, as if expressing its thanks, before taking off. 

“Take care of yourself, buddy.” Leon said as I give a small smile after the wolf. “C’mon…” I said and we head towards the metal gate, using the key we found to open the gate.

We walk down a path for a bit and open another gate to find ourselves back in the village square. As we started to make our way to the small church, an explosion suddenly goes off, catching us off guard. “What?!” We exclaimed as the tall tower next to the small church tumbles down in front of it.

We backed away and covered our faces from the dust and debris, when a low growl and barking is heard. We lowered our arms to see four large black dogs with long and large snouts and abnormally large fangs. “What the fuck?!” I exclaimed, quickly getting my gun out as both Leon and I started to fire at the dogs as they try to jump us.

Once the dogs were taken care of, we started to make our way around the debris to gain access to the small church. We enter to see smoke was billowing in the room and some chairs were gathered at the end, close to the large portrait of the hooded priest. Making our way through the room, we saw several skulls on a long table with a very large skull in the middle. 

We walk out the back door and follow yet another path until we came upon a large building with a cemetery, the church. “We made it.” I said and we run through the cemetery, only to see that the doors to the church was locked behind a gate. “Damn it.” Leon growls, pulling on the gate to no avail, it was locked.

I place my finger on my earpiece to call Hunnigan. “Condor Two to Roost. The church is sealed up.” I informed her. “And Baby Eagle?” She asked. “Negative, nothing yet. But they sure do have this place locked up tight.” I replied. “I see. I can think of one reason they’d want to do so.” Hunnigan said. 

“Oh, she’s here, that’s for sure. We’ll find a way in. Condor One and Two out.” I said and ended the call. “Looks like we need another medallion to open this gate.” Leon said and I sighed. What is with these villagers and their medallions?

Walking around to the side of the church, we found an open door to a small isolated room. Inside had several pictures and a map on the wall of the village, which held a note that was barely eligible.

A pest fro hey outsid has ome for the irl. Lock her n the chu ch and ait orders rom ur lord. ntil then, keep the chur door shut.

The key ill be held in th cave on the ther side the lake.

The monst r will deal ith the fooli h intruders.

”The lake is our next stop.” I informed Leon after figuring out the message. “Well, let’s hope for no more surprises.” Leon said and we exited the room, making our way to the back of the church. After taking a few steps, we could see a large wooden bridge up ahead and an arrow sign that said Lago on it. 

We make our way through the bridge and many paths later, ending up in a quarry. Walking through the quarry, I heard a low and loud growl and turn my head to see a large blue double door near the archway we were heading towards. “Uh, you heard that, right?” I asked Leon as another low growl sounds out. 

“I don’t like the sound of that.” He mutters and I shook my head. “I don’t either.” I agreed and Leon stares at the door then placed his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s just go.” He said and we quickly made our way out of the quarry.

Eventually, we reached the edge of a cliff where we could see a boat is out on the lake. I pull out my binoculars and look through them to see two villagers picking up a dead, decapitated body of one of our police escorts and tossing it into the water. “Fuck.” Leon and I whispered as the boat speeds off.

Then, out of nowhere, a large fish-like monster pops up and eats the dead body whole. Leon and I jump back at this. “What the hell is that?” I asked, lowering my binoculars to look at Leon, who’s still looking out at the lake and shrugs his shoulders. “Great, now this place has its own Lochness Monster? Wonder what else it has in store for us.” I said, a bit annoyed by all this weirdness. “Hey, looks like there’s something over there.” Leon said, pointing off to the right.

I raise the binoculars to my eyes once more to see it was a boathouse. “Okay…” I said, still feeling shaken about what we saw. Making our way down to the docks, we saw there was a boat, unfortunately though we soon found out it was out of gas. “C’mon, fill the tank when you’re done.” Leon grumbles. “Yeah, common courtesy.” I said, until I notice a small shed nearby.

I walk over to the shed and found a large red can, that’s full of fuel. “I found the fuel!” I said as I made my way back over to Leon. “Good! I wasn’t looking forward tearing this island apart for some gasoline.” Leon said and I chuckle as I handed him the can and he refills the boat.

Once the tank was full, he sets the can aside then jumps into the boat and turns to me. “Watch your step.” He said, holding his hand out to me. I took it and he helps me onto the boat. “Such a gentleman.” I said and kissed his cheek before I took my seat, noticing a long duffle bag that held some harpoons. Wonder what that’s for? I thought as Leon takes the seat across from me and starts to pull on the cord, starting up the motor.

It comes to life and he pulls down the accelerator, steering the boat out onto the lake. Despite seeing a glimpse of that Lake Monster, this lake did look really nice and the pink hue of the sunset made this area look beautiful. Not to mention there was an old looking Castle in the distance, that just added a great touch to the scenery.

”This is really nice.” I remarked. “Well, you always said you wanted to go on a boat ride.” Leon said. “Oh, is this considered our second date?” I asked and Leon chuckles. “Not unless something goes wrong.” He said and as if the universe heard him, the engine started to sputter and the boat slows to a stop. “You just had to jinx it, didn’t you?” I asked while Leon sighs and tries to get the engine to start back up.

Suddenly, the boat jerked a bit and Leon stopped. “What the hell?” I muttered as we looked around, seeing nothing. Until however, that lake monster jumps out of the water and drive over us like it was a ginormous dolphin. I let out a small scream as Leon cursed and the monster snagged on the rope that was attached to the boat and started pulling on us.

I look back at the duffle and open it, grabbing a harpoon then tossed it to Leon. “Here!” I shouted and he catches the harpoon to aim it at the monster while I grab one for myself. Leon throws the harpoon at the monster and it roars once the sharp spear stabbed it’s skin and I threw mine, getting the same reaction.

We throw a couple more harpoons at it until the monster lets go of the rope, leaving us stranded as it swims away. “Think you can swallow us whole, huh?” Leon taunted and the monster starts to turn towards us. “I think you pissed it off.” I said and we grabbed a couple more harpoons to throw at the monster as it gets closer, with its mouth wide open. 

Our harpoons hit it and the monster swims off to the side, going back under the water, disappearing from sight. “Where’d you go?” Leon asked as both he and I stood up, back to back against each other as he looks out at one end of the lake and I the other.

Suddenly, I see the fins of the monster as it comes back at us. “Here it comes!” I said and Leon turns and both of us threw the harpoons at the same time, hitting the monster and it lets out a roar before going back under the water. We look around again until the monster bursts out of the water to flop backwards on it’s back then sink under the waves, then everything goes quiet and still.

A pool of blood appears on the surface of the water and I let out a sigh, starting to feel overwhelmingly weak and tired as I fall to my knees. “Hey…you..” Leon start to say but he also falls to his knees next to me. I begin to cough and place my hand over my mouth, pulling it back to see it’s covered in blood. Leon also coughs and I noticed blood coming out of his mouth.

We share a look of disbelief until darkness started to take over my vision and I fell onto the floor of the boat on my back, the last thing I saw was Leon collapsing next to me.

Sacrificial lambs. 

You will receive our most sacred body. 

It begins now. 

When day breaks you too will join our covenant. To share in my holy blessing…forever.

I startle and gasp awake, just as Leon did. That vision…or dream…whatever it was…I saw that man again. He had his hand out towards me, vines came out to latched onto me, and I started to feel immense pain…it felt…too real. And yet, I’m fine. I look down my arms and saw nothing.

I look up and noticed that night had fallen and I look at Leon, who was also looking at his arms. “You too?” I asked and he looks at me and nods. “What the hell is going on, Leon?” I asked, my voice shaky. “I don’t know.” Leon muttered, his eyes briefly flickering down before meeting my gaze. “But we can’t let this stop us. We have to keep going.” 

I gave a small nod, understanding the mission still comes first. “Right.” I muttered, glancing down at my hand that still had blood on it. 

Leon scoots closer to take my hand and pull out a rag from his pocket. Dipping it into the water, he user the rag to wash the blood off for me. I smile softly at his tenderness and took the rag from him to wash any blood off of him as well.

After getting the boat started again, we made it to the boathouse when Leon makes the call to Hunnigan. “Condor One and Two to Roost. Do you read us?” He asked. “Condor One and Two? You two have been radio silent for three hours. Are you guys all right?” She asked. “Yeah…we’re fine. Won’t let it happen again.” I told her while Leon and I share a worried glance.

”And the church?” She asked. “Still looking for whatever key we need.” Leon said. “Copy that. I’m glad you two are ok. Roost out.” She said, hanging up. “Okay…find the key.” I sighed. We walk out of the boathouse and into a dense forest where low chanting could be heard. “This isn’t good.” I muttered as we keep on walking, the chanting getting louder.

We crouch down on a low ceiling cavern and walk out to see several candles making a pathway. Up ahead, we saw shadows on a rock wall and heard a man screaming. Then the shadow of the man’s head explodes and out of it, pops something grotesque. “What the…?” Leon and I muttered as we got closer and saw the monstrosity walking towards us.

I don’t know how to explain what we saw, it was just something gross. The head was long and it had two very long tentacles coming out of it that starts slicing at us with sharp claws at the end of each tentacle. Leon and I pull out our shotguns and fired at it as another one of those things come out at us. Leon took on the first one, while I took care of the second one.

”What the fuck?” Leon asked and I shook my head at this. “This place just keeps getting weirder and weirder.” I said and we continue on, heading up some wooden stairs and into a cave. “What is this place?” I asked as enter the cave. “I don’t know. I just know the sooner we get out of here, the better.” He said. “Agreed.” 

We eventually came upon a painting on the wall with two large stone hands on either side of the painting, palms up, and a small stone statue on a stone table. ”What the hell?” I asked. “It looks like a shrine.” Leon said as we look it over then I look at the painting and noticed that it looks like the symbol from the church, four arms crossing each other and the sun behind it. 

“Hey, Leon, look! Same symbol from the church.” I said, pointing at the painting, and he looks at it while I look at the stone statue that had many hands grabbing around a large medallion. “And I think this is the key.” I said, gesturing to the medallion that had four hands holding a spear with a large green gem in the middle.

We walked over to another part of the cave to see a painting of the lake then two areas with a couple of marks on them and a note mentioning about obtaining two stone heads of the Apostate. “Well, this is gonna be fun.” I said.

After exploring the caves and finding the Apostates heads, we made our way back to the shrine to place the heads on the palm, the stone shrine opens and releases the church key. Leon and I share a smile before he calls Hunnigan to report our progress. “Condor One and Two to Roost. We found the key to the church.” He informed her. “Copy that. Now, go get Baby Eagle.” She tells us. “Right, no time to chat. We’re going in. Condor One and Two out.” Leon said, ending the call as we made our way back to the boat.

”I’m calling it, once we get out of here, going on vacation.” I said as Leon steer the boat. “Vacation, huh?” Leon asked. “Yeah, I think after everything, I deserve it.” I said and Leon chuckles a little. “Where would you even go?” He asked. “An island. A nice one with a beach I can lounge at, watch the waves…and go to a local bar.” I said. “That does sound nice.” Leon said. 

“But what’s the point of going to a beach if you’re not gonna swim at it?” Leon asked. “Who’s to say I wasn’t gonna swim?” I replied. “Well you said…” Leon started to say and I cocked my eyebrow. “Do you just want to see me in a swimsuit?” I asked and he smirks alittle. “Would I be considered bad if I said I have thought about that from time to time?” He said and my jaw drops alittle which then turns into a smile. “Yes…but the good kind.” I said and Leon chuckles, lowly, as we come upon the dock.

We climb out of the boat and start to head back towards the Quarry. But once we got there, both the handmade wooden doors behind us and ahead of us shut, trapping us. “Shit.” Leon said as we look around. Above us was a large red hooded figure with a staff, he swishes it around and chants something as a large barricaded blue door started to pull forward.

A loud roar sounds out and the door bursts open, causing Leon and I to cover our faces with our arms. Once the dust and debris settled a large fucking mountain troll stomps towards us. “Jesus Christ!” Leon exclaimed. “What the…?” I started to ask when the troll roars and getting closer.

”Whoa! Damn, you’re a big boy!” Leon said. “Since when did we get transported to Middle Earth?” I asked as we backed away from the troll and fired our guns at it. I took out a grenade and pulled the pin, tossing it at the troll. “Present for ya!” I shouted as the grenade lands under the troll and explodes. The giant creature stumbles back and growls at us while Leon and I ran away.

Suddenly, a howl of a wolf sounds out among the thunder and pouring rain, I look up on the cliff to see that it was that wolf we saved from the bear trap earlier. “Hey, it’s that dog.” Leon said as the wolf barks and distracts the troll. “Looks like he’s trying to help.” I remarked. “Well, we need all the help we can get.” Leon said as we fired a few more rounds at the troll.

Then something big, long and white protrudes out of the upper back of the troll. “Looks like he’s got worms.” Leon jokes and I roll my eyes as we fire at the “worm” on its back. The troll raises its fists at us and starts to bring them down on us but Leon and I jump out of the way as the hands were brought down on the muddy ground.

Getting to our feet, we fire at the “worm” until the troll falls to its knees. Both of us run up on the back of the troll to slice and stab the worm several times before the troll gets back up and we jump back to safety. The wolf runs at the troll and bites him on the back of his right heel. The troll turns around, picks up his leg and flings the wolf off of him, the wolf quickly gets back up and barks some more.

The troll starts to charge at the wolf but the wolf jumps out of the way, making the troll hit the large stone pillars. The pillars collapse on top of the troll, pinning it down. “That’s what I’m talking about! Good boy!” Leon shouts and we shoot the worm again as the troll gets back up on its feet. 

We shoot at it a few times until it falls on his knees again. And you know the drill, we run up the back of it, slice and stab the worm until the troll knocks us off of him. “Man, this thing just doesn’t want to die.” I said as we fired a few more shots. We did this for a few more times until it falls on its knees and we run up on the back to stab the worm again but this time the troll lets out a pained roar, shrugging us off and lets out one final cry before it falls over and dies.

”Gah damn…we were almost a pancake.” Leon remakes as the wooden doors open and I let out a sigh of relief. “I’m just glad that’s over.” I said and I hear the wolf whine and bark. We look over and see the wolf lying on a ridge a few feet above us and I smiled at him, walking over to him. “Thanks, bud.” Leon said to the wolf, appreciatively. 

We enter the cabin and follow the noise to the back, where a man was hitting his hammer on the ground. He stops and turns to us right before Leon shoots him in the head. Walking over to the dead guy, we saw he was hammering planks over a trapdoor. So we remove the planks and lift the door open to drop down into the darkness.

We pull out our flashlights and walk along the path until we heard some rustling. Turning a corner, we saw a large sack bag was moving. Leon unties the rope at the top and pushes it down, revealing to be a man with long dark hair, tan skin and tape over his mouth. I rip the tape off of his mouth and he groans in pain.

”That hurts, you know?” He remarked, with a Hispanic accent. “Seemed like you really wanted to talk.” I said. “How observant, señorita. Now, say — you got a smoke?” The man asked. “You know, those things will kill ya.” Leon said. “Oh, well, maybe just untie me then?” The man asked and he starts to struggle but stops, his eyes looks past us as a look of horror appears on his face. “¡Joder! Not this guy!” He exclaims and we heard loud footsteps behind us, which made my heart drop.

Leon and I turn around to see a tall man with gray skin, a long beard and wearing a long black cloak and a hat. “Who are you?” Leon asked the newcomer. The large man starts to walk towards us, so Leon and I pull out our guns, aiming at him. “Stop right there!” I shout but the guy slaps our lights and weapons out of our hands then grabbed the two of us and tossed us at some crates.

I groaned from the impact and I started to feel dazed. I tried to fight the drowsiness but I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper into the darkness. But before I was completely gone, I saw the man coming towards us with two syringes in his hands.

*3rd Person POV*

Sacrificial lamb.

You will receive our most sacred body. 

It begins now.

Leon startles awake from a vision of a hooded man. Getting his bearings, he finds himself stripped of his jacket and in a completely different room with his hands handcuffed and chained above his head. “What the fuck?” He mutters and pulls on the chain. “Hey, stop it!” Another voice said and Leon looks over his shoulder to see it was the man he and (y/n) found tied up. 

“Oye, Yanqui, got a name?” The man asked him as Leon turns around and tries to find ways to out of this predicament. “Leon.” He replied, plainly. “Quiet type, eh? I’m Luis Serra. I guess — you, me and the señorita you were with — picked the wrong spot to vacation, eh?” Luis asked as Leon looks around the room, noticing (y/n) was absent. 

“Where is she?” Leon asked him. “They took her into another room. That’s all I know.” Luis replied, causing Leon’s heart to drop at this. Becoming anxious to find (y/n), he started yanking on the chain, which cause Luis to move forward a bit. “Hey, stop it! You move, I move…and I’m beat up enough as it is!” Luis exclaimed while Leon looks up and notices a pulley system which didn’t look very secure. He tugs on the chains again and saw it wobble.

”I can see your thinking.” Luis said as Leon turns away and pulls on the chain some more. “Bet you’ve been in spots like this before. My guess…you and your partner are here looking for someone?” Luis asked but Leon ignores him, continuing to pull on the chain to break them free. “One more guess. Maybe…some missing señorita?” Luis asked and this makes Leon pause.

He turns to Luis. “A young girl?” He asked then he yanks the chain, pulling Luis closer to him. “Talk. Now.” Leon demanded. “All right. See, heard chatter about moving a señorita.” Luis said. “Moving her. Where?” Leon asked him. “Who knows? But later, saw some men dragging someone…to the old church.” Luis said while Leon yanks on the chain a few more times and breaks the pulley, causing Luis to fall on his back.

”Mierda…” He groans and gets back on his feet. “Hanging with you? Not healthy —“ Luis said when one of the villagers comes up behind him. Leon jerks the chain, pulling Luis out of the way just in time before the villager could stab him with his scythe. Luis rolls away while Leon gathers up some of the chain and wraps his around his left hand, then picks up the chain and whips the man in the face.

Leon runs up to the villager and wraps the chain around his neck then yanks it, choking him. He tries to attack Luis and Leon but they were too far out of the man’s reach as Luis pulls back to make the chain tighter. Leon then raises his right leg and slams his knee against the chain, bringing it down on the ground and breaking the man’s neck.

The villager drops to the floor and Luis was jerked forward by the chain. He then starts to dig in the man’s pockets until he found the key to free himself. “Hey, we’re not done here!” Leon shouts as he starts to walk up to Luis, who backs away and raises his arms out. “Later, amigo!” Luis said, smiling, and tosses the key aside as he leaves. Leon glares after him then runs to pick up the key and unlock his cuffs.

Gotta find (y/n). He thought then he noticed his weapons were gone. Shit. They took my gear. He thought, annoyed, and he goes up to a table to see a knife at the table and grabs it. “Hang on, (y/n). I’m coming.” He whispers, leaving the room.

*(y/n)’s POV*

I startle awake after having this weird dream, or vision, of this hooded man with glowing eyes and became more alert when I realized my arms were raised above my head. My hands were cuffed and attached to a chain that had me hanging a few feet in the air, my feet barely touching the floor. I took in my surroundings and noticed I was in a small cell-like room, and there was no sight of Leon or even that guy we found.

“Fuck.” I whispered and I try to think of anyway to escape but there was nothing to work with, only the crank that had control of my chains which of course I couldn’t get to. My shoulders… I groan to myself as I felt my shoulder tense up from being raised for however long it has been. Then I hear some commotion and I look up to see the cell door open and a couple of the villagers walk in.

”Shit!” I shouted, raising my right leg up to kicked one guy in the face, knocking him back. The second guy started to run at me and I bring both of my legs up this time, both feet hitting him in the chest as I kick into the wall. The first guy gets up and comes at me again, so I raise my legs up and wrap them around his neck.

He tries to swing his knife at me but I did my best to dodge the slashes as I squeeze my thighs tighter and tighter around his neck to choke him. That’s when the second villager starts to come to and get up. “Seriously?! Wait your turn!” I shouted annoyed, as I continue to suffocate the man around my legs.

But then Leon pops up behind the guy and stabs him in the neck while I jerk my legs to break the other guys neck. I unwrap my legs and the guy falls over dead, as I let out a sigh and look over at Leon. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.” I flirted. “You okay?” Leon asked as he goes over to the crank. “Yeah, never better.” I said as he moves the crank to lower me down on ground, landing on my feet.

I pull my arms down in front of me and felt a soreness in my shoulder. Gonna be feeling that later. I thought as Leon comes over, pulling out a key from his pocket to unlock my cuffs. “You know when I said I want some wild adventures in our relationship, this isn’t what I meant.” I teased, gesturing to the chains, and he scoffs out a small laugh. “I’ll try to remember that.” He said as I remove the cuffs, rubbing my wrists.

I look up at him, gazing at the face that I was afraid for a moment of losing, before I hugged him and he wraps his strong arms around me in returned. “I’m glad you’re okay.” I said. “Glad you’re okay too.” He said and we pull back alittle to look at each other before he leans in and kisses me, lightly, on the lips. “Some first date, huh?” I asked when we broke the kiss. “Some first date.” He echoed and takes my hand as we leave the cell.

“Condor One and Two to Roost. I’ve located Baby Eagle.” Leon reported to Hunnigan and I raise an eyebrow at him. “It sounds like she’s being kept in some church.” Leon added. “Great! That’s good news.” Hunnigan said. “I heard it from this guy we met. Said his name is Luis Serra. There’s something fishy about him. I need you run a background check.” Leon said. “Wilco, Condor One. I’ll see what I can find. In the meantime, make your way to that church.” Hunnigan said. “Right. I’m probably due for a confession anyway.” Leon jokes and I snort a laugh. “Condor One and Two out.” Leon said and he ends the call.

”Luis Serra?” I asked. “Yeah, our friend that was in the bag.” Leon said and I nod as we navigate through this old factory. Then we come upon a large hole in the wall and saw a table with our weapons on it. “Hey, there’s our gear.” I said and we made our way around to that room. 

Unfortunately the door that lead to our gear couldn’t be opened. “Looks like we need to find a lever.” Leon said. “Okay...” I said and I look through the door to see another door at the other side that was bolted shut. “I bet its on the other side. If you could open this door, I can unlock the other one to let you in.” I said. “Got it.” He said and makes his way over.

Couple minutes later, I saw Leon on the other side. “Okay…here it goes.” He said and I saw him turning the lever and the door in front of me lifts opens. I quickly made my way inside and he lets go of the lever, shutting the door behind me. I open unlock the other door for him and we gear up.

We walk out of the room and come upon a large metal door that seemed to be locked. “Fuck…I guess we...” Leon started to say but then we hear a loud buzz sound and through the bars of the door, we saw a hooded, masked man, with a backpack on his back. “Over here, strangers.” The man said, in a strong cockney accent, and he walks away. “Who’s that?” Leon asked. “New friend, maybe?” I said, shrugging, and we walk through the door.

“Unfortunately the gate you need to get to can’t be opened.” The strange man tells us. “Okay…? Why even bother…?” Leon started to ask by the man speaks. “Fortunately for you two, I have the emblem to open it right here.” The man said, pulling out an Hexagonal emblem out of his backpack.

”What’s the catch?” I asked the man, suspiciously. “No catch. Free of charge, dear lady.” The man said as he hands me the emblem, which had an emblem of a bird on one side. “Why help us?” Leon asked him. “I’m just a helpful man, stranger.” The strange man said then he begins to walk away. “Wait! What’s your name?” I called out but the man walked around a large tree and disappears. 

“Huh?” I said and Leon hums. “Well, that was weird.” Leon said and I shrug. “I kinda liked him.” I said and Leon chuckles, lightly. “Yeah, you would like him.” He said, heading for the gate the man told us about. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked him, walking up behind him. “Just that you like weirdos.” He said. “Are you calling yourself a weirdo now?” I asked and he gives me a look of disapproval and I giggled as I put the emblem into the indentation on the wall by the gate.

A small lever pops up and I grab it, turning it to open the gate for us. “After you.” I said to Leon and he scoffs. “Gee thanks.” He said and I chuckle as we head through the gate.

After walking down yet another path and taking out some villagers, we come upon this large house with a large locked gate nearby. We figured a key was nearby, so we enter through the large door of the house. Inside, revealed a large dining room with a small kitchen on the left and a doorway to the hall next to it and another one across from us. 

“Not too shabby. Someone is showing up their neighbors.” Leon remarks as we walk around the room for any type of clues to where this church is. We then headed up stairs and come upon a large door at the end of the hall. Going inside, it looked to be the master bedroom.

We look around and I notice a large painting of a man with a hood that was concealing half of his face. His robes almost looked like a priest’s robe with the silver lines and a large gold cross hanging off his sash belt. But what took me by surprise was that he looked exactly like the man in my vision.

”Found a key.” Leon said and I look over to see him holding up a key that was oddly shaped like a dragonfly. “Okay, that’s something.” I said and we turned back to the door, Leon walking in front of me, only to be greeted by the large bearded man again. Both of us jump at this and fire our guns at him, but it was like they were having zero effect on him as he entered the room then kicked Leon who flies back and hits me.

Both of us hit the ground and we scramble to get up but the man grabs us by the neck, his right hand on Leon’s neck and his left hand on mine as he raises us up in the air, walking towards the window. We struggle and fight against his grip as he looks us in our eyes then a small smile appears on his lips.

”Your blood has accepted the Gift.” The man said as he continue holding us up. Then several gunshots sounded out, distracting the man and he tossed the two of us aside. Leon and I cough and gag while the man looked out the broken window then leaves the room without another word, like we weren’t even in the room anymore.

”So, tell me, Yanqui…why did you two come to this horrible place?” One of the officers asked us as he turned in his seat to face us, his partner driving the car, “as close to nowhere that I’ve ever seen?” He added and Leon puts the picture away, “let’s just say— looking for someone,” Leon replied, “that someone must be very important, eh? The chief gave the orders himself, help them, he said,” the officer said, “well, I’m sure you boys didn’t come all the way out here to roast marshmallows,” Leon snarked and the officers began to laugh, “or maybe you did,” he added.

”You have a strange sense of humor, I’m gonna let you and the nice lady here in on a little secret, just between us, a lot of people have gone missing around here and it’s been that way for a while now,” the officer said and Leon and I exchange quizzical looks, “well, then…should be just another day in the office, right?” I asked, a bit of sarcasm in my voice, and the officer hums at this. 

“I mean, last week there was a search for some missing hikers,” the officer tells us, “I’m sure you’ll do your best to help us…” Leon tells them, and the officers chuckle again, we keep on driving for a few more minutes until they start to slow down, “I think this is it,” the officer said, and the driver pulls over to the side of the road to park.

”Nature calls, eh? I’ll be right back,” the officer tells us, and, climbing out of the passenger seat, “freezing out here.” I hear the officer grumble in Spanish. “You drink the whole bar?” The driver asked him, also in Spanish, and the officer waved him off as he headed into the woods.

The driver takes out a cigarette, then holds out his pack to us, “you smoke?” He asked us, and both Leon and I shook our heads. He tosses the pack on his dashboard and begins to light it up while Leon and I just sit there in the backseats.

I turned my head to stare out my window, feeling bored, and started to fix my side-braided hair when I felt something nudge my foot. The corner of my lip twitches upward as I slide my foot over to Leon’s side, nudging him back. 

Years ago, when we first became agents, Leon had come up with a game of footsies to pass the time during the long rides to our next mission. It’s very childish, I know…But you gotta make do with what you got, plus we’ve misplaced our cards, and I just can’t turn down Leon’s very dorky advances. 

I felt Leon’s foot bump into mine again, and he began gently rubbing his knee against mine. I turn my head slightly to look at him, and he smirks at me. I mouthed, a You’re a dork, at him, and he mouthed Takes one to know one, back at me. I snorted and shook my head as the officer was playing with the radio, attempting to find a station that wasn’t static before giving up and turning it off. 

“He sure is taking his time, did he fall in?” He jokingly asked, then he looked at our reflections in the rearview mirror, “maybe you'd better go and take a look?” He suggested, and I rolled my eyes, Leon got out of the car, and I followed suit. 

“I’ll watch the car, wouldn’t want to get a parking ticket,” the officer joked as I walked around the car to join Leon on the other side. “So much for helping us,” Leon muttered as we walked into the woods, “yeah, cause that would be too easy,” I sneered quietly, pushing aside loose strands of hair out of my face.

”Well, isn’t this nice?” I remarked, sarcastically, as we walked deeper into the woods, the trees surrounding us made it feel like they were closing in. “Like a walk in the park,” Leon said, and I scoffed out a laugh, “so romantic,” I muttered as we continued until we came upon an open gate.

”How far could he have gone?” Leon asked. “Didn’t know we were gonna play hide and seek,” I said as we passed through the gates and saw a mauled, dead deer, Leon made a disgusted noise while I scrunched up my nose, “damn,” I muttered, feeling bad for the poor thing.

We keep on walking until we come upon a dilapidated cabin, Leon goes up to the door and, slowly and cautiously, opens it only to be greeted by nothing but a lit lantern.

”Anyone home?” I called out, receiving no reply, so we began investigating the house, I entered a room and found an oddly shaped charm made out of wood on a pillow, it almost looked like it was their own version of the Cross, which was covered in blood, with Spanish writing on the back.

Judgement is Nigh.

Creepy…I thought, setting it back down and walking out of the room, “find anything?” Leon asked me, and I shook my head. Going around a corner, we then saw a door at the end of the hallway. We enter the room to see that it looks to be a dining room with a lit fireplace. When I turned to the right, I saw a bearded, disheveled man standing there. 

I tapped Leon and gestured to the man as he walked away from us, muttering some words that I couldn’t understand, “uh, sorry to barge in like this,” Leon tells the man as he walks over to the fireplace and kneels in front of it. “We’re looking for a police officer. Did he come this way?” Leon asked the man in Spanish.

The man continues to ignore us, and Leon looks a bit annoyed by this. I looked around the area and saw something on the ground. I knelt to pick it up, realizing that it was the officer’s badge with some blood splattered on it, “Leon…” I said in a quiet voice, and he looked at it.

I noticed a shadow coming up behind us, and we both turned around to see that the man had an axe raised over his head, thinking quickly, Leon pulled out his combat knife and used it to block the axe. He then pushed the man back, and when the guy started to come towards us again, Leon did a roundhouse kick to the man’s head, sending him crashing into the stone wall and breaking his neck in the process.

”Shit,” I said, then we heard a man screaming, “this is not good…” Leon said as we tried to find where the screaming was coming from, finally, we found a door that led downstairs to a basement, and we both headed down the steps, our flashlights and guns at the ready.

We see several furniture smashed and a few things on tables that were covered in bloody sheets, then we come upon a curtain and I move it aside as we look around until we see the officer lying on the ground, "hey…” I called out, but once we got closer, we realized he was dead. His mouth was covered in blood, and his eyes were bulging out, blood leaking out of his wound on his neck.

Hearing a static sound, we look down at his radio that was still attached to his chest, hearing the voice of the other officer calling out in a panic, sounding like he was scared of something, “I read you,” Leon said once he took the radio and pushed the button, “what’s your situation?” He asked, but then the officer screams, and the call cuts out, “the hell is going on?” I asked as Leon set the radio down.

We stood up and made our way back to the stairs until we heard a creak above us, “what was that?” Leon asked, “nothing good,” I replied, and we kept walking, that is, until the guy Leon killed started walking down the stairs, towards us, his head hanging lopsided from his broken neck, “no fucking way!” Leon said, while I had a small flashback to Raccoon City. 

Both of us fire our guns at the man until he flops down on the ground, “this just keeps getting worse…” I muttered, and we headed back upstairs, where we started to hear voices arguing with each other, Leon and I quietly made our way through the house, making it up to the second floor, where we ended up in a room.

Leon shuts the door behind us and locks it, while I notice a large map and various pictures on the wall, getting closer, one of them caught my eye, “Leon, look at this…” I said as I pointed at the picture of Ashley tied up and passed out on the ground.

Leon puts his finger up to his earpiece, calling Hunnigan, “Roost, this is Condor One and Condor Two,” he said, “Hunnigan here, what’s your sitrep?” She replied in our earpieces, “the president’s daughter — Baby Eagle, it’s likely she’s in this village,” Leon replied as I looked over the papers, pictures, and map, “our intel was correct, then, well done,” Hunnigan said as I noticed a big red X was marked on the map, over a body of water.

”Need a location on a nearby lake, she may have been taken there,” I said, placing my finger on my earpiece, as Leon looked over the pictures as well, “copy that. I’ll see what I can find.” Hunnigan said. “Hurry up. Something’s happened to the people here. Our escorts are…“ Leon started to say, but stopped when we heard running footsteps.

Then an axe tears through the door. “Gotta go. Talk later.” Leon tells her and we remove our hand away from the piece as a group of men barge in, all carrying various weapons. “We’ll let ourselves out.” Leon said, sarcastically, and we bolted towards the nearest window. Leon burst through it first and I dive through after him.

Both of us roll over until we’re back on our feet, looking up at the window. One of the guys stares at us, as if to say: And stay out!, then turns away. “Well, that was fun.” I said and Leon scoffs. “We need to fix your definition of fun.” He snarks and I chuckle alittle. 

Walking down a path, we come upon a wooden bridge with no where else to go but straight across. Cautiously, we walk across the wobbly bridge, listening to the wood creaking beneath our boots with every step. Then a cold wind blasts through and I pull my jacket tighter around myself to try and stay warm until we made it to the other side. We walk down a pathway, that leads to another house. This one looking a lot more damaged than the last one.

We walk through the clutter and made it to a clearing, the sun rising as we heard some shouting up ahead. Leon and I exchange looks and make our way to the noise, coming upon a large gate. Both of us lean against the doors and push it open, revealing what I’m guessing is the center of the village.

There were a group of people surrounding the large version of that cross, some of them had various weapons and one of them had a lite torch. Leon grabs my arm and pulled me to the side, ducking down and pulling out our binoculars. That’s when I noticed the other police officer was tied up to the cross, which was surrounded by chopped wood. Then the person that held the torch, tossed it into the wood pile, causing the whole cross and the officer to be engulfed in flames.

”Holy shit!” Leon mutters, in horror, while I stare at this just as horrified, listening to the officer scream out in agony. “This way.” Leon whispered to me and we snuck down a path that goes around the back of a few cabins. Up ahead, I saw woman sweeping the ground and sneaking up behind her, I covered her mouth with my hand to muffle her scream as I stabbed her in the neck. She goes down and I gestured for Leon to follow me.

We walk down an alleyway that lead us back out into the center of the village. We tried to sneak round but we weren’t so lucky. One of the villagers spotted us and yelled for the others. “Here we go.” Leon said as we pull our guns out and fire at the villagers as they come at us with axe’s, scythe’s, pitchforks or knives.

We manage to kill a few villagers until we started to become overwhelmed and made a break for one of the cabins. Leon shuts the door behind us, but a few of the villagers start to push against the door, fighting to get in. I quickly return to Leon’s side and push against it until the door finally shuts. Leon grabs a board and places it over the door and on the hinges, locking them out. 

Running over to the window, we saw various villagers running around but then one stood out among the rest. He was a tall man with a sack over his head and a chainsaw in his hands, pulling the cord to start it up. “You gotta be kidding me.” Leon grumbles. “That’s new.” I muttered then we hear glass above us breaking and wood being broken.

I run up the stairs and noticed a villager was in the hallway, a propped a ladder against the window. “Oh, so that’s how you got in.” I said as I raised my gun and headshot the guy. As he goes down, I raced over to the window and kicked the ladder over to prevent any more intruders. “Oh sorry!” 

When I started to race back to stairs, I noticed a couple of shotguns mounted on the wall and grabbed them. ”Leon!” I shout as I hurried back down the stairs and tossed him one of the shotguns. “Aw, you shouldn’t have.” He said just as the front door started to break. 

“C’mon!” I exclaimed and we headed back up the stairs. To the right of us was a window and looking out it, there was a bit of a makeshift platform. So we jump out the window just as we hear the front door getting busted open.

Making our way back down to the ground, a few villagers started to charge at us. We took out a few of them while also doing our best to dodge their attacks. The fight felt endless, like there was an endless flow of these villagers. Like a hydra, you cut off one head and two more pop out in its place. 

Don’t even get me started on the chainsaw man. That guy chased after us like a dog wanting a bone, flailing his chainsaw around like a madman. Leon fired at him while I took care of any villagers getting too close to us until a bell rung out. 

Miraculously, all of the villagers suddenly stopped their assault and stare up into the sky. ”Huh?” Leon and I said, in confused unison, as all the villagers turned toward what looked like a small town hall building. They all started chanting, dropped their weapons as they head towards the church while Leon and I watch them, exchanging confused looks. 

I jogged over to the console for the platform elevator and noticed it needed something. “Damn it.” I grumbled but Leon runs up, holding a join plug. “This what you’re looking for?” He asked me and I smirked.

He puts the plug in the console and I pull the lever, causing it to light up green. At that moment, we heard more explosions and the whole place started to shake. “What the hell?” Leon said as debris started falling from the ceiling. Then the Tyrant came out, wearing only his pants as his coat and hat were long gone. Part of his body was one fire and his right hand was a giant claw. 

“Oh, shit…” I mutter and the Tyrant jumps down in front of us, letting out a roar. “Alright, come on!” I shouted and Leon and I fired with everything we could, while also dodging his attacks when he came running or slashing his clawed hand at us. “Five minutes until detonation.” The robotic voice said as the Tyrant slashed his clawed hand at us again.

We totally didn’t go unscathed as every now and then this monster was able to slice at either our shoulders, arms or legs but nothing too severe. Then suddenly a box falls down near us and I could see it held a rocket launcher.

“Where did this thing come from!?” Leon asked as I go for it but the Tyrant slashes at me, I jumped and rolled away to avoid its attack. When I turn to the monster, I saw it was going after Leon. “Hey, ugly!” I shouted and the Tyrant looks at me. “It’s me you want! I’m right here!” I shouted and the monster starts to come towards me while I gesture at Leon to go for the rocket launcher. “Come on, asshole!” I shouted and start to fire my gun at the Tyrant.

As he gets closer, I saw Leon lifting the rocket launcher out of the case and aiming it at the monster. He fires and I dived to the side as the rocket hits the Tyrant, covering him in fire and smoke. Once the air cleared, only the lower half of the monster was left and it flops to the floor. I let out a sigh of relief, Thank God that was over.

“You have arrived at the bottom level.” The robotic voice said once the elevator stopped and Leon runs over to me to help me up. “Nice shot.” I complimented. “Thanks.” He said and we hurried off the platform, heading for the exit door. A few zombies come out, blocking our exit. So Leon raises the rocket launcher and fires, taking them all out at once. 

We ran through the door, seeing it lead to a train tunnel and seconds later a train actually appeared as another explosion goes off. “Shit!” Leon said and I run towards the train, grabbed onto the side railing and jumping on. Then I turn and hold my hand out. “Leon!” I shouted as he runs along and tries to catch up to me as another explosion goes off.

He stumbles a bit at this but is able to run faster and jumps, grabbing my hand. I help pull him onto the train and we sat back, taking a breath just as the lab explodes. “Goodbye, hellhole.” I said as I lean my head back then reached into my pocket to pull out the wristband.

I stare at it and scoff. “Good riddance.” I muttered and tossed it aside. “Well, that was a hell of a first day.” Leon said and I turn my head to gave him a small smile. “Yeah, nice work there, pretty boy.” I said, jokingly. We share a smile then I lean my head on his shoulder, trying to get a bit of a rest and he leans his head against the top of mine as we sat there in silence for a moment.

After that, we both get up and enter the train car in front of us to see Claire with a young blonde girl. “Leon!? (Y/n)?!” Claire said, happily. “Hey! We made it…” Leon said. “Just like I said we would.” Claire said and Leon noticed the young girl. “Who’s this?” He asked and Claire places her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This is Sherry.” She said while Sherry smiles at us. 

As Claire starts to explain what she went through tonight, we felt the train jerk. “Jesus!” Leon exclaims as we stumble forward a bit. “What was that?” Claire asked. “I don’t know.” I said then I look at the others. “I’ll go. You guys take care of Sherry.” I said as I turn to face the door. “Here, take this.” Leon said, shrugging the rocket launcher off of his back and handing it to me. “Thanks.” I said, putting it on my back.

I made my way through the other cars until I reached the last one and it sounded like someone beating against the door at the end. As I drew closer to the back end of the car, the door suddenly gets ripped off and a giant fleshy monster with sharp pointed teeth appears. “What the fuck?!” I exclaimed as the monster rips through the car.

I raise my gun and fire several bullets but the monster kept getting closer and closer. “You want more bullets, be my guest!” I shouted as I pull out my shotgun and fire several more rounds at it. The monster opened his mouth wider and I saw a large eyeball inside. Putting my shotgun away, I pull out the rocket launcher and aim it at the eyeball. “Christ, just die already!” I shouted and fired.

The monster screams in pain and rips off half of the car including the roof. I look over my shoulder to see Claire, Leon and Sherry standing there before the monster starts to rock the car, knocking us from side to side. “(Y/n)!” I hear Leon shout as I hit the side of the car then fall on the floor, losing the rocket launcher.

”We gotta lose that car!” Claire shouts and I heard some commotion behind me. I look over and saw Leon doing his best to disconnect the car by slamming his foot against the uncovered connectors. “Got it!” Leon shouts and I pick up a large broken pole, get up on my feet then stab it in the monster’s eye. “Next time, take the fucking hint!” I growled and pull the pole out and pus leak out of the eye like a fountain.

”(Y/n), give me your hand!” Leon shouts and I toss the pole aside, grabbing his hand and he pulls me towards himself just as the two car separates. We took off as the abandoned car and monster is engulfed in flames.

Hours later, the train stopped at a station and the four of us got off and started walking along the road as the sun was rising. “So, are you guys, like, boyfriend and girlfriend?” Sherry asked Leon and Claire as she looks between them, Claire being on Sherry’s right and Leon on her left and me right next to him. 

“No, we’re just, uh…” Leon said as we stop and turn to her. “Well, we actually just met last night?” He chuckles, gesturing at Claire. “Yeah….” Claire said and Sherry then turns to me and Leon. “Then you guys are boyfriend and girlfriend, right?” She asked and I tensed up at this. 

Leon and I share a look as we stammer out a response. “Uh, well…we…” I stammered. “We, uh…also just met last night…” Leon said as I fiddled my fingers and Leon rubs the back of his neck. Sherry and Claire look at us, a bit curious. Although Claire had this small knowing smile on her face. “You sure?” She asked, in a teasing manner, and my face starts to heat up.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Leon said, very innocently, and I snort at his cluelessness. ”But gotta say…that would’ve been one helluva first date, though.” I said, looking at Leon. “Yeah, you have no idea—“ Leon said. “Look!” Sherry said as she points ahead and we saw a semi truck coming our way. “They might be able to give us a ride.” Sherry said and Claire turns to me and Leon. “What if it’s not just the city?” Claire asked. “Get Sherry outta here.” Leon tells her and she takes Sherry’s hand, leading her off the road while Leon and I stayed put.

The truck keeps coming and drives right past us as the driver sticks his middle finger out at us. “Dick.” I muttered. “Well, he was friendly.” Leon joked and I scoff out a laugh. “Trust me, there are worst things he could’ve done.” I said as Claire and Sherry hurried back over to us.

”So…is it over?” Claire asked. “I don’t know. But if it’s not, we’ll stop it. Whatever it takes.” Leon said. “Yeah. You’re damn right we will.” Claire said. “Long as we stick together, we’ll be fine.” I said, looking over at Claire and Leon and all three of us nodded with determination.

”Come on.” Leon said as he takes Sherry’s left hand and Claire takes her right hand, I walk up next to Leon as we all walk down the road. “Hey! You guys can adopt me.” Sherry exclaims in happy excitement, making all of us laugh. “We can get a puppy!” Sherry said. “A…puppy?” Claire asked. “And a parrot!” Sherry said. “A parrot? Great.” I muttered. “I always wanted pets but my mom said they’re too messy.” Sherry said.

As we walk, I felt Leon’s free hand take mine and I look over at him. We share a small smile and I squeeze his hand back as we walk down this long road, hoping to find some civilization.

A Week Later

*3rd Person P.O.V*

(Y/n) was an utter wreck when they found out Raccoon City had been destroyed by a thermobaric missile strike to prevent the G-virus from spreading. 

Not only were there so many innocent people left in the city wipe off the face of the earth, but for days she thought Jill was among the victims. Leon stayed by her side the entire time, taking care of her and trying to make sure she ate something when she felt like her appetite had died with Jill.

Then the Government found out they were one of the few remaining survivors of Raccoon City and they were asked, though more like forced, to come to the White House for questioning. 

(Y/n) held her head low, like it took too much effort to hold it up normally, Leon had his hand on her shoulder as they were led through the hallway by a Secret Service agent. The agent led them to Oval Office, taking care to check both their IDs. He gave them both a quick once-over and then nodded for them to enter. "The President has been waiting for you."

As they enter the office, they saw the President was sitting at his desk. Seated on one of the couches in the center of the room was Claire and Sherry. 

Across from them on the other couch was a large muscular man with black curly hair and sitting right next to him was none other than Jill Valentine, who looked just as much of an emotional wreck as her sister.

(Y/n) raises her head, her breath hitching at the sight of her sister. “Jill?” She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Jill's head snapped up at the sound of her name and her eyes widened in shock. "(Y/n)…?" She said, hesitantly, as if she expected it to be a dream.

Tears begin flooding (y/n)’s eyes. “Jill!” She exclaimed, bolting out of Leon’s arms and running over to her sister. Jill stands up from the couch, opening her arms just in time for (y/n) to slam into her. “I thought you were…” (Y/n) muffled into her older sister’s shoulder. "I thought the same. But you’re here.” Jill murmured, her voice shaky. "And I'm right here."

Leon smiles softly as he watches the sisters embraced each other, tears of joy and relief streaming down their faces. It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially after all the chaos and turmoil they had endured over the past couple days.

“Yeah, your big sis here is tough as nails. Nothing was going to keep her down.” The muscular man that was sitting next to Jill said as he stood up. (Y/n) raises her head to look at him as she wipes her eyes. 

“Carlos Oliveira.” He said, offering his hand to her. “(Y/n).” She mumbled, her voice a little hoarse now as she took his hand and shook it. “Your sister saved my ass back in Raccoon City.” Carlos proclaimed, making her laugh. 

“Well you saved mine too, so I owed you.” Jill replied, smirking at him. “Then I should thank you for getting her out of there.” (Y/n) said but Carlos held up his hand. “Don’t mention it, she would’ve done the same for me.” He said as Leon came up behind (y/n).

“Leon Kennedy.” He introduced himself to Jill as he held out his hand. “He helped me in Raccoon City too.” (Y/n) informed Jill as she shook Leon’s hand. “Oh then, thank you for looking after her.” Jill said. “It was my pleasure.” Leon replied, casting a smile at (y/n).

Suddenly, the President cleared his throat, reminding the group of the reason why they had been called to his office in the first place. Carlos move to the other couch to sit with Claire and Sherry, allowing the Valentine sisters to sit together with Leon.

Leon sat down next to (y/n), resting his hand on her knee in a silent gesture of support. The President folded his hands in front of him, as his eyes focused on the six remaining survivors of Raccoon City. 

“Why can’t it ever be easy?” I asked with a sigh. “What’s wrong?” Leon asked, coming up behind me. “We need to find some electronic chips for the wristband if we’re wanting to get around this lab.” I said. “Good thing we got all the time in the world.” Leon jokes and I laugh as I set the memo down. 

“Always looking on the bright side.” I said and we walk out of the office and to the door at the end of the hall but the light on the panel blinked red. “Authorized staff only beyond this point. Guests must refrain from entering.” The voice said as we back away from the door.

“Of course.” I grumbled as we turned away. “Hey, there’s a door here.” Leon said as he points to the door that was near the entrance.

We stepping inside, we were greeted with darkness. I pull my flashlight out, as does Leon, as we made our way through the dark hallway. After taking a couple of turns, we come upon a door and open it, where we hear the sound of flesh being torn.

”Oh God.” I muttered as we entered, slowly, to see this was the cafeteria area. “Our menu is designed for your nutritional needs using our latest biological research. Please enjoy our tasty selection of healthy foods.” The robotic voice as Leon and I walk deeper into the cafeteria and see that a few zombies were eating a body.

The zombies stopped and raise their heads to look at us. As they start to shamble their way to us, Leon and I pull our guns out and opened fire on them. After taking care of them, we walk around the area for any chips but didn’t find anything but a ladder. 

We climb it and walk through the large vent, dropping down into the kitchen. We walk out of the kitchen and went through another door on our right to see it was a small sleeping quarters.

I was looking through the lockers when Leon says. “Hey, I think I found one.” I turn to see that he was holding up a small blue chip that he grab from a hand that was sticking out of one of the shutters, covering the beds. “Nice. This will come in handy.” I said as I took the chip from him and inserted it into the wristband. “Should be able to get through that door back at the reception area.” I said as we made our way back to the entrance.

“Dr. Li, your presence is urgently requested by Chief Cartwright in the East Area.” The voice said upon our returned to the reception room. We walk through the door and entered a very large room with a platform in the center and a elevator with no way to get to it.

Leon steps up to the panel and presses a button, casing a catwalk to slide out, connecting us to the center platform. Meanwhile, I noticed a dead body at the corner and walk over to examine him when I noticed he had a recorder on him. I picked it up and played it. 

-Alpha to Ghost. Target moving to the West Area. Must be going to retrieve the G-Virus and antiviral agent.

-This is Ghost. Understood. Rendezvous at Point W-3.

-Roger.

-This is Alpha. Arrived at Destination.

-Understood. Stand by target.

-This is Alpha. I’ve got eyes on the target. He’s going to open the safe.

-Roger. Awaiting the signal.

-Got Eyes on the G-Virus.

-We’re going in…

-Doctor Birkin, you’ll come along with us quietly.

The recording stopped and I looked up at Leon. “G-Virus is in the West Area…” Leon said, asking for confirmation. “Yeah, seems like it.” I said, standing back up. “Got it.” Leon said with a nod and we made our way to the center platform. 

As we approach the elevator, it denied the wristband. Which wasn’t a big deal since that’s not where we’re heading anyway. But when we found the control panel to extend the catwalk for the West Area, it denied the wristband too. “Senior Staff clearance required for bridge access.” 

I roll my eyes and made my way to the other panel, that thankfully did it granted me a bridge to the East part of the lab. ”Looks like we’re going this way.” I said, crossing the catwalk and we entering a corridor which had some bugs flying around. 

We ended up in another reception area and looked around the desk for a chip upgrade but nothing. We walk into another door, we stop in our tracks when we saw a large window with vines pressed up against the glass on other side. And right in the middle was a person in a hazmat suit that was pressed up against the cracked glass, with a blinking light. 

“Jesus…What happened here?” Leon said and I shake my head. “If it’s like everything else we’ve seen, nothing good.” I said as I walked up to the window and saw that he had a wristband with a different colored chip. “I think that’s the next upgraded chip we need.” I said and Leon walks up to me to look.

”Okay, so how do we get to him?” Leon said and I look to my left and see a panel. I walk over to it and press the wristband up to it but it denied me. “Senior Staff clearance required for computer access.” The robotic voice said and I sighed. “I’m getting really tired of that voice.” I grumbled.

“Hey, look at this.” Leon said and I look over to see that Leon had found a flamethrower. ”Okay, that’s cool but…odd that this is here.” I remarked. “Think we need it?” Leon asked, holding the weapon up. 

“It would save us some ammo if we come across any zombies.” I said and Leon straps it to his back. Stepping through another door, we saw that vines and plants have overtaken this area.

We walked along the forest like hallway when we heard a noise ahead of us. Then a zombie-like plant started to come at us. “Really?” I muttered as Leon takes out the flamethrower and fires a burst of flame at the plant monster. It caught on fire and flailed about, eventually dropping to the ground. We walk over it and up a few steps, coming upon a door that said: Greenhouse Control Room.

Stepping inside, we saw a window looking out to the greenhouse, which looked worse than I thought. We walk up to a panel and I pressed the button, it beeps a few times before the robotic voice speaks again. “Dispensing solution now.” 

We look out the window and saw that the solution sprays all over the plants and vines and it started to look weaker but it obviously wasn’t enough. Once the solution was out, a cartridge pops out of the panel. “I guess we need to make some more solution.” Leon said and I sighed. “Yeah, looks like it.” I said, taking the cartridge out. 

We walk out into the greenhouse and down a ramp to the left, coming upon a door labeled: Drug Testing Lab. We entered the room and come upon a note on a table. Leon picks it up and I stood next to him to read it.

Herbicide Synthesis

Plant 43 Herbicide Synthesis

1. Place an empty cartridge into the Solution Dispenser

2. Add the required amount of UMB No.21 (P-ԑ)

3. Cool immediately

Plant 43 exhibits astounding growth. If something unfortunate were to occur, it may be hard to control. In the event of an unforeseen incident manufacture the herbicide using the instructions above in order to minimize damage.

“Hmm…” I hummed as Leon sets it down. “What is it?” He asked me. “I remember something about a Plant 42 on my sister’s research wall. According to her notes, it was really powerful and unstable. But it looks like that didn’t stop Umbrella from making another one.” I said. “Course not.” He said, dropping the note and we over to the Dispenser. 

I place the empty cartridge and it slides inside the machine. “Manual mode engaged. Adjust amount of solution to match cartridge capacity.” The robotic voice said and I look at the three buttons, green, red and blue.

With Leon’s help, we were able to get the right amount of solution and the cartridge pops out. “Great.” I said. “Now to cool it.” Leon said and I nodded. Making our way back out to the greenhouse, Leon took out couple of those plant zombies with the flamethrower.

Eventually we found an opened hatched door with a ladder and Leon gestures for me. “Ladies, first.” He said. “So sweet.” I said, smiling at him and I climbed down the ladder and he follows soon after. 

We made our way through the vent and into another dark hallway. Taking our flashlights out, we look around and saw there was exposed wiring, with a signal label on it. “Need to find something to connect to the signal.” I said. 

While looking around, one of those large creatures with the long tongue drops down in front of us. “Shit!” I exclaimed as Leon takes out his flamethrower and uses it against the monster while I took out a grenade from my belt and threw it at the monster.

Leon and I back away as the grenade goes off, killing the monster. A few more zombies come out of hiding and we took care of them before we found a door to our left. I shined a light at it and it was labeled: Low Temp Testing Lab. But of course we couldn’t get in because of no power, so we head down the hall, through the door and up some stairs, taking out a few more zombies whenever one pops up on us.

We end up in a storage area and looked around, then I found a note on a chair and I pick it up to read it.

Everybody’s turned…vegefied…They keep coming back, again and again.

Burn them all.

Burn them until their whole body is black as ash.

There’s no other way.

“Think this might help.” Leon said as I felt kinda bad for the person that wrote this note. I look up and saw he picked up a modulator. “That’ll work.” I said and we headed back downstairs to that exposed wired. Leon adjusted the modulator to the signal and there was a loud harmony noise coming from the modulator as the lights came on. 

“Nice work, pretty boy.” I said, lightly punching his shoulder. “Thanks.” He chuckles, rubbing his shoulder and we hurried into the Low-Temp Lab. “Welcome back, Dr. Li. You have 5 new messages.” The robotic voice said once we passed a desk that faced the lab. We made our way around the desk and headed towards the door to enter the lab, the cold air immediately enveloping us.

“Who left the freezer open!?” Leon asked as I start to shiver and my teeth were immediately chattering. We went over to this device and I insert the cartridge in it. A yellow robotic arm takes the cartridge and start to place it in on of the holes. “Cooling sequence progress…” The voice said as we saw it cooling down the solution. 

Once it was done, the robot arm takes the cartridge out and places it in the first hole and the cartridge pops out for me to grab. “Cooling complete.” The voice said. “A-A-Alr-right…l-l-let’s head b-b-back.” I said, shivering, and we hurried out of the freezer and back up to the Greenhouse Control room.

Once we arrived, I put the cartridge in the panel and it beeps. “Dispensing solution now.” The voice said as the plants instantly dies and the hazmat suited guy falls to the ground. “That did the trick.” Leon said and I nodded. “That wasn’t so bad. I guess Plant 43 was a fluke.” I remarked and we walk into the Greenhouse to get the chip. 

“Warning: You have dispersed a dangerous solution without authorisation. Your actions have been logged and you may be subject to disciplinary measures.” The robotic voice said. “I’m so scared.” I said, sarcastically, as we made our way to the body.

I kneel down to grab the chip and insert it into the wristband. “One step closer.” I said but at that moment we heard loud stomps, loud familiar stomps. We look up and we saw that Tyrant running to the cracked window and he punches it to break through. 

“Shit. Him again!?” Leon exclaims and I grab his hand and we ran, the glass breaking behind us as we heard the monster land on his feet. We run through the control area and made our way back to the center of the lab, losing the Tyrant in the process.

Returning to the main center area of the lab, I access the panel to extend the bridge for the West Area. “Hopefully the G sample’s up ahead…” Leon said. “You and me both.” I said and we made our way across the catwalk and saw some dead soldiers on the ground. 

One of them was holding a tape, time stamp is 09/22/1998, 23:45. I pick it up and we found a TV with a VCR in the room ahead. “Wonder if this’ll give us a clue.” I said as I insert the tape in the VCR and the screen comes to life.

On screen, a blonde man in a lab coat is seen on grabbing something before he turns around and we saw it’s a vial. “Got eyes on the G-Virus. We’re going in.” The soldier said and they began to surround the man, guns aimed at him. “Doctor Birkin, you’ll come along with us quietly.” A second soldier ordered as Birkin turns to them, holding his briefcase close to his chest.

“You think I didn’t know you were coming? This is my life’s work! I’m not handing it over anything!” He yelled. “We have our orders, Doctor Birkin. I’ll ask you one more time…” The second soldier said and Birkin started to pull out his gun, but the soldier, we’re seeing the point of from, immediately neutralizes him.

“Stop! Hold your fire!” The second soldier shouted and the gunfire stops. “What the fuck were you thinking!? Our orders were to bring him in alive!” The second soldier scolded then he walks off to talk on the radio.

“We’re in, sir, but we had a snafu. Target resisted, we had to take him out. That’s correct, sir. Roger that. Just the samples then.” The soldier said and the third soldier picks up a suitcase with the virus. “Let’s move!” The second soldier said and the tape ends.

“So those were G samples?” Leon guessed as I shook my head at the brutality of slaughtering that poor man. “I’m glad this place is going to hell.” I remarked. Continuing on, we enter a hallway that had lockers along the left wall and yellow radiation suits hanging on a rack on the right.

Walking through another set of doors and entered a decontaminate hallway. The first part blasted Leon and I with water, then middle had blue lights on all sides to warm us up, and the finale part blow dried us off. 

Exiting the decontaminate hallway, we enter a very large room that had a single walkway leading to the other side. As we crossed it, I looked over the railing to see the ground below had signs of damage, broken pipes, and broken electronic scattered about. Like some kind of battle took place here.

Walking through another set of doors, we were greeted by the sight of a mutated eye, mutated arm, and a mutated brain in glass cases filled with water up ahead. “Charming place, really.” I said sarcastically, earning a small chuckle from Leon.

Walking towards the glass cases, to our left was the same container that held the G sample that the man in the video died in front of. Looks like they moved his body because he wasn’t there. 

To the right was a office area. “You get the sample. I’m gonna check out this office for anything useful.” I said, jerking my thumb toward the room. “Right.” Leon said, nodding and walks towards the container while I went into the office.

I looked around, finding a red plant and some gun powder but nothing else seemed all that useful. I walk up to a desk on the right side of the room, noticing a framed photo of family. Annette was in the photo, along with that Birkin guy from the video, and a little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. 

“Shit.” I murmured, feeling my heart breaking at the fact those soldier killed some poor little girl’s father. I then notice a journal that laid open next to the photo and picked it up to see what was written. 

I never should have left the Arklay laboratory. John was too soft to take over my work, never had the stomachs for our experiments. My old colleagues even informed me that he was the primary suspect for leaking our information that led to the T-Virus escaping containment and the Spencer Mansion being compromised. 

S.T.A.R.S. was sent in to investigate the attacks in the Arklay mountains, culminating in the mansion being destroyed. Thirteen years of my life’s work gone just like that! It brings me some peace that Wesker is most likely dead and Chef Iron disbanded S.T.A.R.S. when they made attempts to expose Umbrella. 

But from what I’ve heard, that Valentine woman is still operating an off-the-record investigation of Umbrella, looking for the location of NEST. She will need to be terminated, as well as anyone else that survived the Mansion incident.

Experimental T-103 variant, or Nemesis as the others had come to call it, has been orders to take care of that issue for us. While T-00 has been order to eliminate any survivors in the Raccoon Police Station, especially Valentine’s sister in case she has been informed of our acts by her sister.

Everything is going to hell and it’s all John’s fault! He was a fool to the very end. Slowing down our progress and falling for that bitch Ada Wong’s seduction. I’m almost certain that she was the one that stole the T-Virus and sold it to the highest bidder. Now she’s coming for the G-Virus. I will not let her take my life’s work again! No one will take it from me. -William Birkin 

I slowly lower the journal back onto the desk, feeling like my heart stopped beating entirely in my chest. That big monster that’s been chasing us is hunting me? And one just like it is out there hunting Jill?! And Ada…I fucking knew something was off about her.

“Attention: Unauthorized removal of a [Level 4] virus detected. Facility lockdown initiated. Self-destruct sequence will begin when lockdown is complete.” The robotic female voice said as I continued staring down at the journal. 

“(Y/n), I got the sample. Let’s get out of here.” I heard Leon say but I didn’t move from the spot I was rooted to. “(Y/n?)” He said, sounding concern as I felt him coming up beside me. “Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. 

But as soon as he made contact with me, I spun around to face him. “We can’t give her the sample!” I exclaimed. “What?” Leon asked, looking stunned by my outburst. “She’s not FBI, she’s a mercenary! She’s gonna sell it! The G-Virus is gonna go to the highest bidder.” 

“That’s bullshit.” Leon replied and I picked up the journal, handing it to him. “Read for yourself.” I instructed and Leon took the journal, his eyes skimming over the writing. “I knew that bitch was suspicious.” I grumbled.

“She’s just been using us?” Leon asked, lowering the journal. “Playing us like a fucking fiddle.” I replied. “Damnit!” Leon cursed, tossing the journal back onto the desk, accidentally knocking over the photo and cracking the glass between the little girl and her parents.

“Attention: Self-destruct sequence initiated. Use the Central Elevator to evacuate immediately to the bottom-level train platform.” The robotic voice said, pulling us back to the reality that we’re currently standing in a ticking time bomb. 

“Come on. We didn’t come all this way just to get blown up.” I said, walking out of the office with Leon not far behind. “How should we handle Ada?” He asked. “I’m not sure yet. All I know is that she can’t get her hands on the G-Virus.” I replied.

Returning to the main shaft, we see Ada was already there and using her secret weapon to hack the elevator in the central of the room. Debris was falling from the ceiling as Ada puts her device away and begins walking towards us.

“We were just thinking about you.” I said as Leon and I walk down the catwalk at a slow pace. “That makes three of us.” Ada said and pauses, looking upward as the lab shook. “I was getting worried. I meant to come back for you, (y/n), but…you know how things go.” She said, shrugging slightly. “You find Annette?” I asked and Asa sighs. “Yes but…she was already dead…” Ada said and I raise an eyebrow at this.

“Y’know we make a good team, but we gotta ask you something.” Leon said as he and I slow to a stop. “The way’s clear. Please, tell me you got it.” Ada said, coming onto the catwalk to meet us halfway. “Oh, I got it.” Leon replied, holding up the vial with the G-Virus. “Let me verify the G sample and we’ll get the hell out of here.” Ada said as she holds her hand out and Leon instinctively pulls his hand, that’s holding the vial, back.

“Before we do that, I read a very interesting journal by Willam Birkin. Turns out you’re not FBI.” I said and Ada shakes her head, looking disappointed. “Oh, (y/n)…” She said and pulls out her gun, pointing it at us. “Why couldn’t you just hand over the sample?”

“Because we realized, as much as we wanted to trust you…” Leon said as he and I pull out our own guns too. “We didn’t.” He said as we came to a stand off with Ada. “I really hoped it wouldn’t end up like this.” Ada expressed.

“So that’s all this was…we were just pawns to you?” Leon asked, angrily. “Look, I am just doing my job.” Ada said, calmly. “And we’re doing ours, so drop that damn gun! We’re taking you in.” I growled

“Hand over the sample, Leon. I don’t wanna hurt either of you.” Ada said, until suddenly the catwalk behind Leon and I suddenly broke off, leaving us standing on an edge. Despite this danger, we regain our balance and aim our guns at Ada once more.

After a beat, Leon lowers his gun. “Then you shoot me, but I don’t think you can.” He said and Ada’s expression hardens as she hesitates for a moment until ultimately lowering her gun as well. 

Before anything else could happen, the catwalk we were standing suddenly crumbles again, offsetting our balance and causing Ada to fall onto her stomach and slide towards the edge. “Ada!” Leon exclaimed, diving forward to grab her hand. 

“Leon!” I cried, tossing my gun in a panic to grab his other hand before he could go over the edge and grabbing onto the railing to keep all three of us from going over. The vial with the virus falls out of his pocket into the abyss. 

“Leon…” Ada said, staring up at him with a frighten expression. “Hold on…I think I can…” Leon grunted, attempting to pull her up but the catwalk collapses again, making it more unstable. “Agh! Shit!”

“Forget it.” Ada told him. “Shut up—I’ve got you!” Leon said, tearfully. “It’s not worth it.” Ada replied. “Don’t do this…” Leon said, shaking his head as his grip on her hand begins to loosen. 

Ada looks down at the seemingly bottomless pit beneath her then back up, locking eyes with me. “Take care of him, (y/n).” She said, before her hand slips out of Leon’s and she begins falling. “NO!” Leon shouted, reaching out for her as Ada disappears into the darkness.

The lab shakes again as the catwalk collapse a bit more. “Leon, we have to go.” I said, pulling him to his feet and onto the center platform right before the part we were just standing on breaks off and falls into the abyss.

The robotic voice continuously saying that the self destruct was initiated as we run into the elevator that Ada hacked. The elevator door closes and begins descending. Leon and I stare out as we saw what looked like the core of the lab, which seemed to be on fire. The both of us stare at it until I felt his hand reach out and take my hand in his. I squeezed his hand, praying that wherever Jill is, she’s somewhere safe and away from that Nemesis that’s out there chasing her.

”My family was killed.” Leon said and I turn my head, quickly, at this. “What?” I asked. “You asked why I wanted to become a cop. Well, my family were a part of the criminal life, most likely the mob. Eventually, that got them killed. I only survived because an officer came in, just in time to save me. Ever since then, I wanted to do what that cop did. Help and save people.” He said, still looking out at the core. “Oh, Leon.” I said, sympathetically, and I squeeze his hand again. “That’s very honorable of you.” I tell him and he looks at me and gives a small smile.

Suddenly, another loud bang sounds out and the walls began to shake. “Again!?” Leon asked. “It’s not too late to turn back, if you’re both scared.” Ada said. “No chance. You’re stuck with us to the end.” I said as we keep walking til we hit the dead end on the walkway, which lead down into the sewage. Leon jumps in first then steps away so that I could land next to him. 

The water splashes around us, coming up to our waistline as I tried not to gag. The smell was already pretty bad but now I have I walk in it and be covered in it. “I’m gonna need to take like 20 baths after this.” I groaned while Leon lets out a disapproving noise as well. “You sure this is the right way?” Leon asked looking up at Ada, who hasn't jumped down yet.

“Unfortunately.” She said, kneeling down then there was another loud boom. “Wait there.” I told her and Leon and I look down at the dark watery tunnel as the booming sound continued. Then a large crocodile-like monster emerges from the water. “Jesus Christ!” I exclaimed as the monster roared. “Leon! (Y/n)! Get out of there!” Ada shouts as Leon and I turned around and began running as that monster chases after us.

“Holy shit!!!” Leon exclaimed as we run and dodge the monster as it tried to snatch at us with its huge teeth. I could see up ahead that there was a bit of a drop and a large pipe at the end and I shout. “Jump!” And both Leon and I jump over the pipe to get to the other side. We turned just in time to see the giant crocodile bite into the pipe, which I noticed was the gas pipe and I pull out my gun to fire.

The bullet hit the pipe and it exploded, the blow back knocking both me and Leon down while also killing the monster. “Chew on that…you overgrown son of a bitch.” I growled once I get up on my feet then turn to help Leon up. “You good?” I asked. “Yeah. That was quick thinking.” Leon said. “I have my moments.” I said.

“Guys, up here!” Ada said and we look up to see her  knocking down a ladder for us. “What the hell was—?” Leon started to ask but Ada talks over him. “Just get up here!” She demanded and I look up at her, annoyed, as Leon make his way up the ladder. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you…” Ada said as I climbed the ladder after him.

“You said the virus turned people into monsters, not reptiles.” I exclaimed. “Fair point. I’m just impressed you two made it in one piece.” Ada said as we walk down some halls until we found an elevator. Stepping inside, Ada presses the button and the gate closes, taking us down.

“So let me get this straight: Umbrella sells monsters like that to who? Our military? Somebody else’s?” Leon asked, curiously. “They don’t sell the monsters, they sell the viruses that make them. And Annette is who makes the viruses. Scary as that alligator was…Annette is far more dangerous.” Ada explained as the elevator to went even deeper underground. 

When it eventually came to a stop, we walk out and headed towards a blue door. Leon opens it first and we see a blonde woman in a lab coat leaning over a corpse. “Definitely William’s handiwork…” She mutters as Leon and I draw our guns on her. “Identify yourself!” Leon demands but the woman doesn’t lift her head or show any acknowledgment that she heard us.

“Annette Birkin.” Ada said as she steps into the hall and raises her own gun. “She’s who we’re looking for?” I asked her. “Not much time…Need to dispose of it…” Annette mutters as she stands up. “We’re here for the G-Virus!” Ada said. 

“That’s not going to happen.” Annette said, firmly, as she turns to us. “I’m warning you, doctor!” Ada said, warningly. “Oh yeah?” Annette said, in a sort’ve mocking tone, before she sets the corpse on fire and runs away. “Hey!” Leon and I shout as we chased after her. 

“STOP!” Ada shouts, getting ahead of Leon and I, then gunshots were sounded out. “Ada!” Leon exclaims and he jumps to cover Ada. “Leon!” I shouted as they landed on the ground and I come upon the corner, firing back at Annette. “You’ll never get the G-Virus!” Annette proclaimed as she locks the massive door behind her.

“Didn’t expect that from a scientist.” Ada remarks as she stands up, unharmed, while I hurried over Leon to see his shoulder was bleeding. “Leon…” I said, worried, as I kneel next to him while he rolls onto his back. “Forget about me…Just go…Stop her before she gets away…” Leon said before passing out. “Leon!” I said, fearfully.

Later, Ada and I propped Leon up against a wall and she takes off her coat, draping it over him, while I pull out the small med kit I had in my bag, tending to his wounds. Ada, who was wearing silky red dress under that trench coat, walked a few feet away as she talks into her little radio while I made sure the bandages were on nice and tight.

“I’m right outside the facility, in pursuit of Annette.” I hear Ada say. “If it’s not on her, it must be in the NEST.” Ada said after a few moments of silence. I give a sympathetic look towards Leon, feeling bad that he got hurt; I reached out and gently pushed a strand of his hair away from his face.

“Once it’s in hand, I’ll call for extraction.” Ada said, putting her radio away and comes up to me. “You coming?” She asked and I look up to give her an incredulous look. “And leave Leon behind? I can’t do that, he’s my responsibility.” I said, realizing that I’m technically Leon’s boss with us being the only remaining officers in the city. 

“You can stay here if you want, but I can’t risk losing Annette.” Ada said, looking over at the door Annette escaped through. “Are you nuts? You saw that alligator thing! Who knows what else is down here. And you want to go off on your own?” I exclaimed as I stood up.

“If Annette gets away, then coming down here would be for nothing. And what happened in Raccoon City can happen again somewhere else.” Ada said, her words causing the image of Kendo and his daughter to flash in my mind, filling my heart with guilt for not being able to protect them from this tragedy.

I sighed as I realize she’s right, I can’t keep her from going after Annette any longer and I don’t want anyone else to suffer like Kendo and his family or Marvin. “Fine, but once we capture her, we come back for him.” I said as I pointed at Leon. 

Ada gives a small smile. “What?” I asked then she turns and walks off. “It’s just sweet to see how much you care about your boyfriend.” Ada said as I followed her and I felt my cheeks heat up. “I-I-I….He-He-He’s not my boyfriend…” I stammered. “Oh?” Ada asked. “We just met a few hours ago.” I said.

“Hmm, interesting.” Ada mutters once we reached a ladder that leads up to another tunnel that’s blocked by a fan. She pulls out an odd device from her bag. “What is that?” I asked her. “An EMF Visualizer. It lets me track wiring so that I hack into any electronic equipment.” She said, raising the device and aiming it at the panel next to us then to the tunnel above. She pressed a few buttons and scans a few more times until the fan came on and begins spinning faster and faster before it exploded.

I flinched at this as some debris fell onto us and Ada smiles. “Candy from a baby.” She said, putting her device away to climb the ladder. I look back over at Leon, giving him a sympathetic look, before I follow after her. I hear another fan going off and then explode just as I come up behind her.

We jump down into room for the maintenance crew and start to head for the door until I noticed a memo on the desk by the door.

Sept. Inspection (Week 1)

I already put in a request last week, but absolutely must have a replacement we ID wristband ASAP. We need one to gain access to certain areas of the main facility. In other words, me and my crew can’t get to the places we need to in order to do our job right now, so I don’t want to hear anyone accusing us of slacking off.

“Looks like we need an ID wristband.” I remarked. “Annette will more than likely have one.” Ada said as she goes through the door and I followed. She scans around the area until we came upon a platform elevator with red lights over it. “Seems like there’s a couple of switches I need to hack to get that elevator working.” Ada informed and I nodded.

At that moment, some zombies started walking our way and Ada sighs. “Seriously?” She asked, annoyed, then turns to me. “Be a dear and take care of them while I call the elevator.” She said. “Of course, your majesty.” I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice, as I pull my gun out and start to shoot at the zombies as she takes care of the elevator.

It took Ada a few minutes as she had to do some running back and forth while I took out the zombies and made sure they didn’t get near her but she finally got it working. We stepped onto the platform and she presses the button, letting it carry us up. As we stepped off, I look to the left to see a large panel of windows where we could see Annette inside, heading down a corridor.

“Got you now. Always been good at running, Annette. I’ll give you that.” Ada grumbles as we headed for the door that leads into the corridor Annette was just in. Chasing after her, we found our path was blocked by an electrical locked door.

Ada begins to scan when I hear those familiar loud stomps. I froze and turn my head to see that giant figure just outside the window. “You again?!” I exclaimed as Ada looks over her shoulder. “Persistent bastard, aren’t you?” She remarks and the panel beeps as she unlocks the door.

“See if you can distract him while I take care of our exit!” Ada said as we hurried into the room and saw yet another fan blocking a tunnel. “Always the damn bait.” I grumbled under my breath and I hear the loud stomps getting closer and closer until he comes through the door.

”Hey, asshole!” I shout to get his attention but he was already zeroing in on me. I ran away to get him away from Ada until I get to an end of a corridor. “Shit.” I grumble and turned around to see the monster coming at me. I took in my surroundings and notice I might be able to get away from him by doing a dodge maneuver.

Once he got close enough, I began to lean forward and roll, narrowly missing the Tyrant’s hand. I got on my feet and ran just as I heard another explosion. “(Y/n)!” Ada shouted and the both of us jump through the destroyed fan, ending up in a different area.

“Seems like that bastard really wants you.” Ada teased and I rolled my eyes. “Well unfortunately for him, he’s not my type.” I said as we come upon a large sealed door to the incinerator. 

Ada uses her device to scan anything while I look up to see a set of stairs that leads to a large console. I went over to the stairs and headed up to see a lever at the console. I pull it and heard a loud rumble as the large door lifts opens. “Got it.” I said. “Nice job.” Ada said and I look over to see another memo by the lever.

Sept. Inspection (Week 2)

With the new wristband that’s just arrived, we finally begin our survey of the demolition can area. As to the report from the other day about the incinerator, it’s nothing really-probably just large piece of leftover trash. I’ll go take a look myself after I wrap up this report.

I set it down and headed back to Ada so we could enter the incinerator together. Looking around I soon found the wristband on a dead worker. “Got it!” I said, kneeling to remove the band from the guy’s wrist. But at that moment, the door began to close, Ada and I turned around as a small little window opens, revealing Annette.

“Bravo. Gonna burn us alive now?” Ada asked. “You’ll never get your filthy hands on G.” Annette sneered. “I’m not the only one after it. You realize that.” Ada replied. “Then you won’t die alone.” Annette said, closing the window. Soon after that there was a loud beep and fire starts to form.

“Uh, Ada….” I said as she scans the room. “Hang on.” She said, waving her device around and does her thing as the room started to get hotter and hotter. Finally, she was able to override the incinerator and the doors open as the fire die down. 

“That bitch knows what she’s doing…” Ada remarks as I start to thank everything that was holy that I didn’t turn into a (y/n) BBQ.

We headed over to a high security door and I held up the wristband. It beeps and the door opens: “Visitor clearance confirmed. Your ID is authorized until OCTOBER FIRST. Please return before this date.” The robotic female voice said. “Not gonna happen…” Ada grumbles as we made our way through the hallway and into a large room.

We step onto a walkway when a bright spotlight shines on us. I raised my hand to shield my eyes before they adjusted and I could see Annette in a control room, walking up to the microphone. “Enough with this cat and mouse game.” Ada told her. “The game is over. You and your little friend lost.” Annette said, pushing a button and the platform moved a bit while Ada took a few more steps froward.

“Tell me: Is your husband still alive? Or did you kill him, so you could take credit for G?” Ada asked and Annette smirks. “Interesting theory…” Annette said and she pushes another button causing the cable car next to us rises. “If you don’t cooperate, I’ll get a sample from the NEST.” Ada threatened. “Over my dead body.” Annette growled. “NEST?” I started to ask. “Umbrella’s secret underground lab.” She informs me just as Annette pulls the lever.

Ada and I look behind us as the cable car lands and starts to slide towards us, forcing us to try and run away. Ada was able to jump across to the other platform but I was unlucky as the car knocked me off. I yelped in pain and grabbed onto the railing. “Oh, shit…” I said and I look over at Ada, who stares back at me. “Ada!” I called out and it looked like she was about to help me but the railing broke and I fell to the bottom, screaming.

I landed on the ground and felt a sharp pain in my leg. “Oh, fuck…” I groaned as I look and saw what looked like a piece of a thin bar railing sticking out on my upper thigh. I grab it and tried to pull but it was too painful to get out by myself, my head was also spinning and my vision was about to go dark.

Leon, please be awake and get here quick. I thought before I felt myself slip into unconsciousness.

*3rd Person POV*

Meanwhile Leon wakes up and looks around until he notices his bandage shoulder. ”(y/n)…” He mutters, raising his head. “(Y/n)? Ada?” He calls out, realizing that neither woman were here. “Dammit.” He grumbles, getting to his feet and shrugging off Ada’s coat. “(Y/n)?! Ada?! Where are you!?” He calls out, walking to his right then takes a left as he saw a platform elevator. 

He step onto it and presses the button, going up. Once it stops, he gets off and makes his way around until he’s force to jump down into the sewage. “That’s a pleasant smell…” He remarks, sarcastically, and continues on through the disgusting, sludgy water.

Eventually, he finds some stairs and makes his way up and through some hallways until he found a door to a facility but the key was missing. Great… He thought and walk down a walkway nearby. 

Leon goes down some halls until he jumps back down in the sewage. He walks around and finds a slope to slide down it, making the sewage splash around him. “Argh…shit!” He coughs and continues on, until he heard a low rumble. 

He cautiously steps forward, his flashlight and gun at the ready until a large monster that somewhat resembles a frog charges at him. “What the hell…!?” He exclaims, fearfully, and he fires his gun at it. Then he noticed it had a large eyeball on its shoulder and he fired at the eye a few times, finally taking it down.

He lets out a sigh of relief and walks on, finding another platform. He climbs out of the sewage and walks to a door that leads into a sort of control room with a large cable car. “A cable car…interesting.” He said as he climbs a ladder and enters a room, looking around for (y/n) and Ada.

”Where’d they go?” Leon asked himself and sees a ladder that leads to the floor below. He jumps down and enters a large brightly lit control room. Once he landed, he hears a roar. “I don’t like the sound of that…” Leon said as he walks up to the window and looks out at the floor, covered in garbage.

”Come on…” He mutters as he looks out then sees (y/n) passed out on the floor below. “(Y/n)!” He exclaimed, worriedly, placing his hands on the glass. He looks around but couldn’t see Ada anywhere. He figured that she might’ve gotten away. He then hears another roar and it sounded like it was coming from the other side of the door that (y/n) was lying near.

“I’m coming, (y/n).” Leon whispers, his heart pounding in his chest. He turns then noticed a TV and a VHS tape player with a tape near it. Curious, he picks the tape and looks at it. The date on the record is 09/23/1998, 01:18. It also reads the name A. Kirkpatrick on the tape, which is probably the person who recorded it.

Leon inserts the tape and the screen comes alive, showing a person crawling on the floor and looks up at an armed soldier. “Please…Oh…please…stop…St—Stop! Don’t…don’t…no…no…no!” Kirkpatrick pleads, in a strained groan as the soldier fires at something behind Kirkpatrick.

“OVER HERE, YOU FREAK!” The soldier shouts. “Don’t hurt him…Don’t hurt him…!” Kirkpatrick pleaded as the mutant monster Leon and (y/n) fought earlier comes on screen, picking up a suitcase and dumping its contents into his mouth. 

Some test tubs fell past the monster’s open mouth and shatter when they hit the floor. The monster tosses the suitcase aside and brutally a smacks the soldier, sending him crashing into the wall and dying.

Kirkpatrick drops his head and a rat comes into view, licking at the liquid that spilled out from the broken tubs. As the mutant turns to Kirkpatrick and begins walking to him, the rat runs away and the footage ends right as the monster steps on a broken test tube.

“The virus…I’ll bet those rats spread it.” Leon mutters then makes his way out of the control room to get to (y/n).

*(y/n)’s POV*

A loud mechanical noise wakes me up and I groan, slowly opening my eyes. “(Y/N)! (Y/N)!” I hear Leon’s voice call out and I start to become more alert, my vision becoming clearer. “(Y/N), WHERE ARE YOU!?” He calls out and I raise my head and see him walking amongst the garbage. “OVER HERE!” I shout and he turns in the direction of my voice, running over.

“(Y/n)…I was getting worried there for a sec…” Leon said as kneels down in front of me, noticing the bar sticking out of my leg. “I can’t get it out.” I said as I sit up, gesturing to the leg. “I don’t know if I should, uh…” Leon said as he looks at my injury.

“Just do it. I can’t walk like this.” I tell him. “OK…It’s gonna hurt.” Leon said as he grabs the bar and I brace myself for the pain. “I’m a big girl.” I said before taking a few deep breathes as I turn my head away. I felt him pull it out and I gritted my teeth, letting out a muffled scream then once it was out I hyperventilate a bit.

“Hold on…” Leon tells me and I look at him as he pulls out the antiseptic and bandages. “Guess we can call ourselves even now.” I said as he cleans my wound and bandages it up. He looks at me and I nod to his bandage shoulder, letting him know that I was the one that patched him up. “Thanks for that.” He said and I smile. 

“Where’s Ada?” He asked and I shrugged. “I don’t know…we caught up to Annette and she tried to kill us. I was hit with a cable car, fell down here, haven’t seen her since. Maybe she went on ahead to not lose her.” I replied. “So…what do we do now?” Leon asked and I shrugged.

“We have to get to the NEST.” I informed him. “NEST?” Leon asked. “Ada told me that it’s Umbrella’s lab. Right beneath us. That’s where the virus samples are.” I explained and he nods. “And I’ll bet you anything that’s where Ada is.”

”You good to walk?” He asked me. “I’m stronger than I look, pretty boy.” I teased and he chuckles as he takes my hand, helping me to my feet. “Thanks.” I said as he lifts me up and I took small baby steps. “Want to lean on my shoulder?” Leon offered. “Thank you but I think I got it.” I said, with an appreciative smile, the pain in my leg slowly started to fade as I walked.

“You up for this?” I asked him. “Think I can fit it in my schedule.” Leon said with a smirk and I chuckle. “Come on, we got work to do.” I said, heading for the exit. “Yes, ma’am.” Leon said and we walk out of the garage room, heading up the nearby staircases.

”I think this cable car’ll take us down to NEST. This wristband’s our ticket to ride.” I said as I hold up the wristband. “Nice. Where’d you get that?” Leon asked. “Borrowed it.” I said as we walk through the control room and across a walkway.

“Urgh…this damn leg…” I grumbled as we walk. “Let me carry you—“ Leon said. “But your shoulder…” I pointed out and he shrugs. “How about I just lean against your uninjured shoulder.” I said, coming up to his right side.

He places his arm around me to help me walk to the cable car. “How is it, by the way? Your shoulder?” I asked. “Worse than it looks.” He replied and I chuckled. “What a pair. Both got one foot in the grave.” I said, sarcastically, as we come upon the tram. “That should take us where we need to go.” I said, pulling the wristband out of my pocket to hold it up to the scanner on the car’s door and it opens.

We step inside and Leon leads me over to a bench. “Here…” He said, helping me sit down. “I’ll get it started.” He said, walking over to the console and pulls the lever. “This tram is bound for NEST. Do not exit until the final destination.” The robotic female voice said and the car starts to move.

“You know what I was thinking? I can’t wait for the FBI to raid Umbrella headquarters and take those bastards to justice.” Leon said as he turns to me. “I agree…I know my sister will be really happy about that.” I said then I hissed as I felt a painful jolt go through my leg.

”You okay?” Leon asked, concerned, as he comes over to stand in front of me while I rubbed my leg. “Yeah, just…leg hurts a bit is all.” I said and he takes a seat next to me. “Maybe you should stay here and I’ll go get the sample.” Leon suggested. “And miss out on all of the fun? No way. We started this together, we’re gonna end it together.” I said, firmly but Leon still looked concerned. 

“I’m okay. Just needing this rest. Don’t worry about me, pretty boy.” I said, giving him a small smile and Leon gives a bit of a shy smile, his cheeks turning into a tinge of pink, before he turned his head away. “Hey, Leon…” I said and he looks back at me. 

I open my mouth to say what I was thinking but no words came out, instead I found myself getting lost in those blue eyes of his. Then my gaze flicker down to his lips. Screw it. I thought and I leaned up, kissing him. 

He was taken aback by this and I could feel him stiffening up beside me before I pull away, taking in his shock expression. “I-I, uh…” He stammers. “Thank you for saving me.” I said. “Uh, you’re welcome.” He said as he rubs the back of his neck, awkwardly avoiding my gaze. “I-I hope that I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable.” I said, getting worried that maybe I did cross the line.

”No, no, no…I just was surprised, that’s all.” He said, quickly, and we sat there in silence for a moment before he speaks up again. “You’re pretty good at that.” He said and I raised an eyebrow at this. “At what? Kissing?” I asked. “No.” He said but then starts to backtrack and stammer. “I-I mean, uh…y-you’re good at that too but uh…what I really meant was you being full of surprises.” He said, quickly, and I laugh. “Just keeping you on your toes, pretty boy.” I teased and he smiles alittle. We both stare at each other and he starts to lean into me and I start to lean up to him but then the cable car starts to slow down then stop, making us stop and look towards the door.

”Hey, I got it!” I hear Leon shout. “Okay!” I shouted back and pull the lever again and this time the water pours over the fire, extinguishing it. “It worked!” I shouted as Leon returns to me. “Great!” He said and we head over to the door across from us to re-entered the building. 

“Alright, all we gotta do is find a way to get that helicopter out of the way and…” I started to say as we walk down the hallway and turn a corner to see the crashed helicopter but I stopped once we heard a loud bang.

The destroyed copter started to move and then was raised up, there we saw a very tall, very large male figure wearing a trench coat and a fedora. “Jesus Christ!” Leon exclaimed as the large man shoves the copter out of his way and started to make his way towards us. “Holy fuck!” I shrieked and Leon grabs my hand as we made a run for it, hearing the large stomping footsteps behind us.

”Holy shit, holy shit!” I muttered, in a quick panic, as we ran back outside and down the steps. “Through here.” Leon said as we run towards a door and slam through it. Leon lets go of my hand to shut the door and we stand there for a few moments, listening. I could hear that giant’s footsteps coming closer and I placed my hand over my mouth, as if doing that would keep the monster from hearing my heavy, panicked breaths.

Leon stands in front of me, gun aimed and ready. We stare at the door as the giant’s stomps get closer but then it stopped and both of us stood there in silence, the only sounds we could hear was the rain pounding down onto the roof. Not to mention my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Finally, the footsteps move but it sounded like it was going away. We stand there as the footsteps fade away and then we heard nothing. “Is it gone?” I asked in a whisper. “I’m gonna check.” Leon whispered as he slowly makes his way to the door. “Be careful, Leon.” I said, with cautious concern. He goes to the door and opens it as slowly and quietly as possible, then he sticks his head out and looks around.

”It’s gone.” He tells me and opens the door, cautiously. We slowly walk out of the room, not seeing that monster anywhere. “I guess it’s safe.” I said and I nods in agreement. We made our way back up the steps and re-enter the police station again, stopping every now and then to look around every corner for that thing.

We passed the helicopter and went down towards the fire escape to head back towards the main hall. Once there, I started to head towards the goddess statue. “Marvin!” I called out as I head towards the couch, only to hear the dreaded groans and Marvin starts to lumber towards me like those zombies.

“Oh god, no…Marvin.” I whispered, in despair, just as Leon comes up next to me. “Dammit.” He growls, upset, as I stare at Marvin with sadness. Marvin starts to get closer and Leon looks at me. “You want me to…?” He asked me and I nod, tears obscuring my vision. I close my eyes as I hear a gunshot sound out and the thud of a body hitting the floor.

“We’ll stop this, lieutenant…I promise.” Leon said as I let out a small sob and wipe the tears from my eyes. I took a deep breath and look up at Leon, who has a concerned look on his face. I nod at him and let out a heavy sigh. “Let’s just get to the clock tower.” I said. “Okay…how do we get to it?” Leon asked me. “Uh…I believe there’s a shortcut through the library.” I said, heading up the stairs with Leon not far behind.

Once inside, we made our way to the right side of the room and see a ladder to get us up on the second floor. But the way we need to go has a huge gap above us. I look toward the bookshelves that were under the broken platform. “Guess we could use these shelves to make a bridge.” I said, grabbing one the shelves and using all my strength to move it over.

”You got it?” Leon asked. “Yeah…I’m stronger than I look.” I joked and Leon laughs as he goes to the other shelf and move it next to my shelf once I got it situated. Then I moved the last shelf over next to Leon’s shelf. “Okay, there we go. We made a pathway.” I said and we climb up the ladder to walk across the shelves. 

We enter the third floor of West side area of the station and walk down the hall when a zombie popped out from around the corner and grabbed me. I yelped out in surprise as I held the zombie back, the thing gnashing its teeth at me. “(Y/n)!” Leon exclaims, raising his gun and firing at the zombie, the bullet going through the thing’s head and killing it.

”Thanks.” I said, pushing the zombie off of me. We went through the door on the right at the end of the hall and enter the clock tower. I walked over to the table and saw a note nearby and picked it up.

Location: Police station west side clock tower

Due to the high cultural value of the bell, I’m calling a specialist in to make the repairs. Will go over the details once they’re on the scene, but in the meantime, I’ll take steps to secure the bell since the yoke is threatening to break.

As I read it, Leon seemed to have started to work on it as I heard him picking something up. I look over and see him inserting a large cog into the mechanism. It begins to move and we hear a loud noise near by, we follow the noise and see that a staircase had been lowered, which leads us to the upper floor of the tower.

I walked up the stairs and found another mechanism with a smaller cog. I pull the cog out and carry it with me as I see another mechanism on the other side of the tower. I insert the cog into the other mechanism and I heard a motor moving. “Leon, I need you to grab that cog you used.” I called out. “You got it.” He said and I heard movement then footsteps as he comes up as I walk over to the top of the steps. “Over here.” I said, I taking him to the first mechanism I had found. “Put it in here.” I instructed and he does so.

The cogs start turning and the bell rings loudly. But that only lasted for awhile before the bell breaks down, knocking a white and orange box down to the floor below. “Hope I don’t have to write a report on this…” Leon remarks, sarcastically, and I laugh alittle. “I’ll let it slide.” I assured him as we headed back down the stairs and around to the bell cage where the box landed. 

I grab it and see that it’s the electrical part we’re looking for. “Yes! Just what we need.” I said and we exited the clock tower, making our way back down to the prison cells.

After dodging many zombies, while also hearing those footsteps of that giant, we make it back down to the parking garage and return to the prison cell room. We hurried over to Ben’s cell and inspected the electric panel. I insert the parts we found and work on the wiring to connect everything. “You know how to do that?” Leon asked me. “Years of practice, pretty boy.” I teased as I heard a noise and Ben’s cell door opens.

”Open sesame.” I said and we went inside, over to Ben’s body. I reach down and grab his pass from around his neck. “(Y/n)…” Leon said as he comes up to me. I look over and he hands me a note that was written by Ben.

The station’s swarming with monsters. Even here I can hear their cries. But it’s not the zombies I’m afraid of.

Codename: Tyrant.

The ultimate bioweapon, developed by those bastards in the utmost secrecy. To think that that thing might be wandering around here…

Chances are they’ve ordered it to wipe out the witnesses.

“Tyrant? Is that’s what’s been chasing us?” I asked as I hand the memo back to him. “Maybe.” Leon said and I look down at Ben, noticing a recorder in his pocket. “Huh?” I said, picking up the tape recorder. Leon and I exchange a look before I press play.

“But that doesn’t explain the rumors about the orphanage. I-I just find it way too coincidental Umbrella’s one of the benefactors.” Ben said. “You told me this interview was about the new scholarship Umbrella set up.” A unfamiliar woman’s voice said. “Come on, Annette. Nobody cares about that. They want to know about the G-Virus, and the—“ Ben said but then the woman, Annette, asked, quickly. “Where did you hear about this?”

“—and that big fucking sinkhole in the city which, by the way, rumor has it goes straight to your underground lab.” Ben said, ignoring her. “Lab?” Leon asked and I shrugged as we continue to listen Ben and Annette argument. “Now, are you going to talk to me or are you—“ Ben started to say but Annette cuts him off. “This interview is over.”

“Bitch.” Ben growls and Leon looks almost shocked by this comment as the tape ends.

“Hmm…What are they after?” Leon asked and I shrugged. “I don’t know and I don’t like it.” I said, pocketing the tape recorder. As we exited the cell, an alarm suddenly goes off and we heard the sounds of the cell doors opening all at once. “That’s not good.” Leon said. “No shit.” I muttered. 

We ran to the corner to see the zombies were released from their cells. “Holy shit!” I exclaimed as Leon and I pull out our guns, him with the shotgun and me with my pistol. We fired at the horde, taking out a few until we heard the sound of those dreaded loud stomps of the Tyrant.

”Gimme a break.” I hear Leon said and I pull out a flash grenade from my belt buckle. “Shield your eyes, pretty boy.” I said as I pull the pin and threw it. I close my eyes as the grenade goes off, adding a blinding light into the room. I open my eyes and see all the monsters, including the Tyrant are dazed by the light. “Thank God, that worked.” I said as Leon and I made a run for it, dodging the monsters and making our way back to the parking garage.

As we started to head for the shutter, the wall to our left burst open and the Tyrant looms before us. Leon pushes me back, slightly, to act like my shield but the monster grabs both of us by the neck. Leon and I punched and kicked at the Tyrant’s arm as his grip tightens on our neck, choking us.

But a second later, an engine for a car begins to rev up and I look over to see it was one of the S.W.A.T vans. It drives forward and hits the Tyrant, causing it to release me and Leon. I gasp and cough for air as I hear the van door open and we look up to see that it was Ada.

“Ada!?” Leon and I said, surprised. “This is getting old…Saving your assess—that’s twice.” Ada said, slightly annoyed, as she walks off. “We didn’t realize you were keeping score.” I said as Leon and I get up to follow her. “Look, this isn’t a game!” Ada said as she turns to face us.

The van begins to move and Leon and I aim our guns at it. “You gotta be kidding me.” I said, annoyed. “Nothing dies down here.” Ada said, sounding equally annoyed as me, and she pulls out a device from her pocket, pressing the button. The van moves back a bit before it blows up, taking me and Leon aback.

“I take it you have the key card?” Ada asked. “Yeah, and this…” I said, tossing her Ben’s recorder. “We’re hoping you could explain what’s on it.” Leon said. “Maybe…After I hear it. Let’s get out of here.” She said, walking over to the shutter door while Leon and I shared a look.

”We might want to open the shutter.” She said and I went over to the card reader to scan the key. The scanner beeps and the shutter door opens. The three of us walk out of the parking garage and up a hill that leads onto the street while Ada listens to the tape recorder. 

“ls that the intel you needed?” Leon asked as the recording ended. “Unfortunately, no. Ben didn’t come through.” Ada said, sounding alittle upset. “Well, what exactly are you looking for?” I asked her. “More info on the people responsible for this mess.” Ada replied. 

As we reached the street, I look around and noticed a building in the distance that I re-call being under construction, was now currently on fire. Damn, I wonder what happened there.

“What about you two? Trying to save the world?” She asked. “We told Lieutenant Branagh we’d bring help.” Leon informed. “Good luck getting that…” Ada said as we walked down the road. “I’m actually trying to find my sister.” I said and Ada hums at this as we came to a stop, seeing a ginormous hole in the road.

“Road’s out. Going through that gun shop looks like the only way.” She said as she points to the gun shop on our left. She goes over to the door and uses a master key on it, opening it and we enter Gun Shop Kendo.

“What a mess…” Ada remarks as we enter to see several shelves knocked over. “I hope Kendo got out okay. He and his family.” I said as we look around and found some ammo for our guns. “Don’t move!” I hear a voice said and I look up and see Kendo aiming his gun at Leon. “I’m not going to hurt you—“ Leon assures. 

“I said DON’T MOVE!” Kendo shouted. “I’m just passing through. I’m going to ask you to lower that weapon.” Leon said in a calm voice. “Like hell you are! You’re going to turn around, and go right back out the way you came in.” Kendo said and I run over to the men.

”Kendo, Kendo! Stop! He’s with me!” I said and Kendo looks at me in surprise. “(Y/n)?” He said, lowering his gun and I noticed his daughter, Emma, behind him but she was breathing heavily. “Emma? Hey, sweetie.” I greet just as Ada comes up from my other side and aims her gun at Kendo. “Drop it!” She ordered and Kendo jumps back, aiming his shotgun around.

”Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let’s calm down!” I said and Ada, noticing Emma, starts to walk towards the girl. “No! Wait!” Kendo said as he steps in front of his daughter. “Step aside. We need to terminate her before she turns.” Ada said and I look over at Emma as she walks into better lighting and I could see she was showing signs of turning, her skin was slight gray, she had blood on her clothes and her breathing was shallow and heavy similar to Marvin.

“Terminate? That’s my fucking daughter!” Kendo shouts at Ada. “Ada…Just let them be.” I told her but Ada refused to lower her gun. “Emma, sweetheart, I told you to stay put…” Kendo tells the girl. “Daddy…?” Emma asked, in a soft voice, and Kendo turns to kneel down to her. “Yeah, Emmie. Daddy’s here. I’m here, OK?” He said as he hugs his daughter and Ada lowers her gun.

”Those fuckin’ things outside…Look what they did to us.” Kendo whispers then he looks up at me and Leon. “You two are cops. You’re supposed to know something—how did this happen!? HUH!? She was our sweet little angel…” Kendo exclaims, his anguish written all over his face. 

“Kendo, I assure you we didn’t know. It took us by surprise too.” I told him and he glares at me, like he doesn’t believe me. “Kendo, you know me.” I pleaded. “Mommy…?” Emma asked in that soft weak voice again. “Mommy’s sleeping, honey, OK?” Kendo said as he turns to her and I felt my heart drop at this. 

“…Emma.” He said, picking her up and carrying her back to their home. “Just go…Just give us some privacy.” Kendo cried before he slams the door behind him.

”Fuck.” I muttered, covering my face with my hands. “You know, it’s one thing to keep the truth from us! But why him?” Leon asked Ada, angrily, just as a gunshot was heard. I jumped at this, lowering my hands to look at the door in stunned silence. I don’t know how much more pain I can take.

“I want to find out what’s happening here. And stop whoever’s behind it. Helping people like them…that’s why I joined the force.” Leon tells Ada. “My mission is to take down Umbrella’s entire operation.” She replied and I look at her once I heard the name Umbrella. “Umbrella? They’re behind this?” I asked her and she nods. “We may not make it out.” Ada said. “Whatever it takes to save this city…count me in.” Leon said, firmly, then Ada turns to me.

”What about you?” She asked and I look away to think about it. “(Y/n), I’d understand if you want to leave and go look for your sister.” Leon tells me and I look at him, getting this feeling of not wanting to leave him, especially not alone with Ada as I still don’t trust her. “Even though I want to find her, I know what Umbrella is capable of.” I said then I turned to Ada. “And if I can help stop them then I’m in.” I said and Ada nodded.

The elevator came to a stop and the doors opens to a stairwell that leads even further down. “Never realized how big this place was.” I remarked as we walked down the stairs and saw an open gated door on our left. Peeking over the railing, I saw another gate at the bottom but it was closed and probably locked.

”Through here.” I said, entering the boiler room. We walk down the walkway, the sound of steam being blown out surrounds us, until we heard a loud noise above. Then it sounded like someone was moaning in agony. “What the—!?” Leon said as I look up. “That doesn’t sound good.” I muttered.

Reaching the end, we turned right and see a knocked over bookshelf that was blocking the doorway to the other room. “I got it.” Leon said as he grabs the shelf and pushes it back upright. “My hero.” I said, sarcastically, and he gestures for me to enter first until something large lands in front of us.

”What the fuck?!” I exclaimed, as the figure stands up. It looked partially human, which had clothes of a scientist, but his right side looked monstrous, almost mutated. His right arm was huge with very long and sharp claws and his shoulder looked like his bones were sticking out. 

The monster charged at us, knocking us both down. Then he starts to scream as his right arm started to mutate and a large eyeball appears as the right side of his body begins to grow. He then grabs Leon and slams him against the walkway. “Leon!” I exclaimed as I try to get up and aim my gun at the monster but it’s right arm swats at me and I slam into the railing and flip over, falling to the floor below.

”(y/n)!” I hear Leon call out before I hear more bangs above me. I groan, in pain, as I get up and the floor above collapses, Leon and that monster fall through. “Leon!” I shout as he groans. I hurried over to help him to his feet just as the monster gets up and starts to swing his right clawed hand at us.

We backed away from it and the monster stops as he groans in pain. “Words won’t work on this thing…” Leon quips. “Gee, you think?” I asked, sarcastically, before we began to run. The monster groans in pain but I could’ve sworn it said some words like Go Away and Help Me. 

We turned around and fired at it but it didn’t look like it was very effective. Until Leon fired his gun and the bullet hit the giant eyeball on the monster’s arm. The monster groans and recoiled back as if in pain. “(Y/n), hit it in the eye!” He tells me. “Got it.” I confirmed, aiming my gun at the eye and both of us fired several bullets at the eye while also dodging and running from this creature’s attacks.

Soon the mutant cries as it falls over the railing. We ran over to see that it had fallen into the abyss. “Hopefully we don’t have to see that thing again.” I said and Leon nodded. “Yeah.” He said just as we heard a loud thud above us. Turning around, we saw that a ladder had been dropped down for us. “Somebody’s watching us…” Leon points out. “I don’t like it.” I muttered, feeling unease.

Approaching the ladder, Leon gestures for me to go first. “After you.” He said. “Such a gentleman.” I said as I gave him a small smile. He returns it with a sheepish smile of his own and I climb up the ladder, Leon soon following afterwards.

Following the walkway, we soon entered an operator room. I noticed a lever in the middle console and I grabbed it, pulling it downward. Which causes a section of the walkway to move over to the right so we could cross. Continuing onward, we enter another room and rounded corner to see a ladder at the end. 

Upon approaching it, we look up to see a manhole cover above. “Let me go first. Make sure it’s safe.” Leon said and I smile at him as he climbs the ladder and lifts up the manhole cover to look out. “Looks like the parking garage.” He tells me as he scans the area. “Seems clear.” He said, moving the cover aside to crawl out as I begin climbing the ladder.

Once at the top, I start to crawl out of the manhole and Leon held his hand out to me. “Thanks.” I said as he pulls me out. “No problem.” He said as shuts the manhole cover back up. In front of us was a gated shutter door with some headlights shining brightly at us. “That should be our way out.” I said as we approached the door and Leon goes over to the card reader next to it.

“Damn. Need a key card…” he said and I dig into my pockets then cursed at myself. “Must’ve left it on my desk. Damn it.” I growled but then we hear a growling noise behind us. We turn around and saw a couple of zombiefied dogs, slowly walking towards us.

“You gotta be kidding me…” I exclaimed just as the two dog ran at us and jumped. “Agh! Get off of me!” Leon exclaimed as he struggles against the dog on him. I yelped out as I grabbed my gun out of my holster, aim it at the dog and fire, killing it. I shove it off of me to get up and aim my gun at the dog on Leon when another loud gunshot sounds out and shoots the dog on him, which falls over.

“Hey.” A woman’s voice said and I look over to see a silhouette of a woman. “Who is that?” I asked as I instinctively raise my gun to her. “Stay sharp.” She said just as the dog growls and Leon quickly grabs his gun and shoots the dog, killing it. The woman walks out from the shadows and into the light, revealing herself to be wearing a long trench coat, sunglasses, and heels as she aims her own gun at me.

“Lower it. FBI.” She said as she pulls out her badge with her free hand to show us. “Sorry…” I said as I lower my gun and holster. “Thank you— For your help.” Leon tells her as I helped him up. “Surprised you two made it this far.” The woman said as she holsters her gun. “FBI, huh? What’s going on here?” Leon asked her as she turns and walks away from us.

“Sorry. That information’s classified.” The woman replied. “Where are you going?” I asked her, getting some suspicious vibes from her. The woman stops and turns to face us. “Do yourself a favor: stop asking questions and get the hell out of here.” She tells us, turning away again.

“Hey! We’re not done talking to you!” Leon calls out as she goes through a door on the far end of the room. Chasing after her, I realized this area was the prison cells. What the hell could she want in here?

Following the narrow hallway, we hear the familiar groans and growls from the zombies as we enter the holding cell room. Almost every one that’s behind the bars have turned into zombies. Leon looked alittle worried about this before I said. “Good thing they’re locked up. Only way you can release them is from a lever down this hall.” I said as I shined my flashlight down the hall.

Reaching the end of the hall, I shined my light to the right, revealing said lever. “There it is.” I said just as we heard a voice call out. “Hello?”

Leon and I share a look before turning to our left to a light coming from one of the cells. We walking over to it, we saw a man sitting on the cot in his cell, smoking a cigarette. “Hey.” Leon greets. “I don’t believe it. Real humans.” The guy said as he stands up and walks over, he sounded relieved to see us.

”Hello, humans.” He said. “You been here long?” Leon asked him. “Long enough. Are we the last ones alive?” The guy asked. “No, no, there’s a few of us…” I informed. “Oh…that’s good news, I guess. Unless, of course, Irons sent you.” The guy said and I raise an eyebrow at thisZ

“Irons…? You mean Chief Irons? Is he still around?” Leon asked. “Who cares. Hopefully, he’s somebody’s dinner by now.” The guy remarked. “What do you mean by that?” I asked. “He’s the bastard that locked me in here.” The man said. “I’m sure he had a good reason.” Leon said. “He did.” The man said, nodding, before taking his last puff of his cigarette and tossed it aside.

”I was about to blow the whistle on his dirty ass. I’d have done the same thing too, I guess.” He said then we heard the screeching of a door opening. All three of us look towards the noise but we didn’t see anything coming. “Hey! I’ll make you a deal…Unlock this cell and I’ll give you this. There’s no other way outta that parking garage! Believe me!” The guy said as he holds up a key card that’s around his neck.

“Sorry…we can’t do that. We have to talk to the chief first.” Leon said then there was another metal scraping sound. “Look, we’re all prisoners in this station. So either we play nice and help each other out—“ The guy said but stopped when the scrapping noises continued. “Shit. It’s coming.” The guy said as he backs away from us.

“What—what’s coming?” I asked. “C’mon—c’mon, don’t be an asshole…OK? You need this! Just get me the fuck outta here!” The guy shouts, panicking. A second later, a loud boom sounds out and a large hand sticks out from the wall behind the guy and grabs his head. I gasped and took a step back while Leon aims his gun.

Whatever had ahold of this guy moves him up higher as he screams. Then with one squeeze, the man’s head was crushed like a melon. I place a hand over my mouth to stifle the scream I almost let out while Leon stares in horror. The large hand lets the guy go and we hear large, heavy footsteps walk away.

“Oh, my god…” Leon whispers while I felt sick and turned away from the guy’s dead body. I lean forward and place my hands on my knees as did my best to not puke right then and there. “Hey…” Leon said as I feel his hand on my back. “You gonna be okay?” He asked me, concerned, while I dry-heave a bit before I felt the queasiness go away. “Yeah…I-I just..need a minute.” I assured and he gently pats my back which I honestly appreciated.

A moment later, we heard the familiar sound of heels clinking and Leon turns to aim his gun. “Who is that!?” He calls out and it was our mysterious woman again. “It’s just me, so you can put that thing away.” She tells him as she walks up to the cell, Leon holsters his gun while I straighten up.

“We don’t even know what happened— It’s just…happened so quick.” Leon said as the woman looks into the cell before turning to us. “I told you two to get out of here. You wouldn’t want to end up like Ben, would you?” She asked and I give her a quizzical look.

“You knew him?” I asked. “He was an informant. Had information of use to my investigation.” The woman said. “So what he said was true?” Leon asked and the woman walks away. “Hey, you can’t keep walking away from us!” Leon said as he grabs her arm and she jerks it free, stopping to stare at him. “We don’t even know your name! I’m Leon Kennedy and this is (y/n) Valentine.” He said, gesturing between me and him.

“Find a way out, Leon and (y/n). Before it’s too late. Then we’ll talk.” She said and she walks away. “Name’s Ada.” She added before she disappears into the darkness. “I don’t know if I trust her.” I muttered to Leon. “She’s from the FBI, I mean that’s gotta give some merit.” Leon said as I hum at this. 

“I don’t know, I’ve got a pretty good bullshit alarm and…it’s kinda going off right now.” I said. “We’ll just keep an eye on her, okay?” Leon said and I nodded, glancing into the cell at Ben’s body where I could see the key card around his neck. “Well, I guess the deal‘s on.” I said.

”Hey, (y/n), check this out.” Leon said and I walk over to him and see he is holding a memo. Once I got a closer look at it, it was actually about the power panel.

The power panel is out. Can the person in charge of it please take care of it ASAP!?

I assume everyone knows, but since the jail’s power panel is old as hell, we’re gonna need those custom power panel parts no one makes anymore. There should be a few in the generator room.

Addendum:

I got word that there’s only one of those power panel parts in the generator room. The guy that’s here to fix the bell in the clock tower should have another, so someone swipe - mean, ask him nicely for it, please.

“Okay, guess we’re gonna have to make our way to the generator room.” I sighed. “Lead the way.” Leon said, gesturing for me guide him once more. Leaving the cell room, we made our way back to the parking garage and across the room to another door.

There were a few zombies roaming around but we were able to handle them pretty well, I even got a headshot on one of them. “Nice.” Leon compliments and I smirked. “Thanks.”

We make our way down a hall but it was barricaded and I cursed under my breath at this. “We’re gonna have to cut through the kennel.” I said, leading him back down the hallway. As we walked by the cages, the dogs started to get aggressive and I shined my light at them, noticing they were the zombified dogs. Luckily, those cages are strong and should hold them for now.

Ending up in another hallway, we turned left and reached a door on the right. “Here it is.” I said as I gesture to the sign next to the door that said; Generator Room. Leon and I entered the room and made our way over to the power panel. “Okay, here it goes.” I said as I flip some switches and the lights came on as well as the red light over the door on the other side of the window turned green.

“Okay, let’s go.” I said until I heard the sounds of paws hitting the floor. “Shit.” Leon mutters as we turned to see a few of those dogs coming at us. We fired our guns at them a few times, killing them and make our way back to the green lite door.

We hurried through it and headed up the stairs when I realized that the area we were in was close to the break room of the station. “Huh, made a bit of a loop.” Leon remarks and I nodded as we make our way down the hall to the shutter door that leads into the Watchman’s room. 

In front of the door was the bottom half of a severed body and upon opening the shutter, we saw Elliot has been zombiefied and was crawling on the floor, leaving a blood trail from his ripped open torso.

“Oh Elliot.” I mumbled, watching him pathetically try to crawl towards us. Leon casts a sympathetic look at me before raising his gun and firing, putting Elliot out of his misery.

Elliot had went off to find a way out of here while Marvin and I were out trying to find any remain survivors in the building but no luck. Then Marvin got bitten by one of those things, the sad thing was the thing that bit him was a friend of Marvin’s and that made him hesitate. I was too stunned at what I was seeing especially when the thing spoke, Marvin was also stunned and he was bitten because of our hesitation. And that’s when I jumped in, shot the monster and helped Marvin back in the station.

And now here we are, Marvin is wounded, Elliot is nowhere to be found as well as Irons and I feel completely lost and worried sick for my sister.

I paced around in front of the main desk, thinking of what to do, until we heard a noise behind this shutter door on our left. Marvin groaned as he stands up and we stare at the shutter door with a hand written note on it that said KEEP OUT!! It sounded like there was more of those monsters but also I could hear hurried footsteps, it sounded too fast for those things.

”Is that Elliot?” I asked Marvin as we cautiously approached the door. Then we saw movement through the crack at the bottom of the door, someone was getting down on their front and attempting to crawl through. It wasn’t Elliot, this was a young man who looked around my age.

He crawled under the door but then he’s body jerked like he was grabbed. “Dammit!” He yelled and I ran over to him while Marvin hobbled after me. “Here, give me your hand.” I said as I grab the man’s hand and pulled him out of the grasp of the monster as it starts to crawl through. “Watch out!” The man exclaimed as Marvin goes to the door and slammed it on the monster’s head, killing it.

“You’re safe…for now.” Marvin pants as he leans against the door for support. “You okay?” I asked the man, letting go of his hand, looking down at him as I get a better look at him. Not gonna lie…the guy was really cute, dark blonde hair that could be mistaken for brown hair in the right light, blue eyes and has this boyish face. “Yeah…Thanks…” He said as he looks between us.

“Marvin Branagh.” Marvin said then he nods towards me. “And that’s (y/n) Valentine.” He said and the man looks at me as I give a small wave. “Leon Kennedy…” He said and my eyes widen as I realized this was the new guy that was supposed to come in last week but then all this mess started to happen. “There was another officer…I-I couldn‘t…I couldn’t…” He pants and stammers, sounding a bit traumatized by whatever he saw. I frowned, looking at Marvin, knowing that the officer Leon was talking about was Elliot.

“I’m sure you did what you could, Leon.” Marvin assures Leon and I hold my hand out to Leon, who takes it, and I help him up to his feet. “It wasn’t your fault.” I assured him.

“Does anyone know what started this?” Leon asked me and Marvin sometime after our introduction. I had went and gone to find a uniform, some protective gear and a gun for Leon and handed them to him. “Not a clue. But honestly, all you need to know is that this place will eat you alive if you aren’t careful.” Marvin said as he looks at the laptop that he has set up on the couch he’s sitting on. “Yeah…well, I was supposed to start last week and I got a call to stay away. I wish I’d come here sooner.” Leon said, loading his gun. “You’re here now, Leon. That’s all that matters.” I tell him as I check my own gun, Leon looks at me and nods, appreciatively. “OK, Lieutenant, I’m ready.” Leon said as he turns to Marvin.

“Hopefully, you two will be able to find a way out of this station.” Marvin said and I look at him, concerned. “That officer you met earlier—Elliot. He thought this secret passageway might do the trick.” Marvin informs Leon as he hands him Elliot’s notebook that Leon had gotten from him before he died. I walk up next to Leon to look over his shoulder and see that Elliot had drawn a map of a secret passageway that is under the Goddess statue behind us. “This is good news. We can get you to a hospital.” Leon said. “No, no, I am not the priority here.” Marvin said, shaking his head.

”Marvin…” I said, worried. “Lieutenant, we’re not just gonna leave you here—“ Leon started to say but Marvin shouts. “I’m giving you an order, rookie.” He looks up at us with a determined look on his face. “You two save yourselves first. I’d come with you, but I’d just slow you down…Now…you’ll need this.” Marvin said as he stands up and holds out his combat knife to Leon.

“I can’t take—“ Leon said. “Stop.” Marvin said as Leon takes the knife, Marvin tugs him a bit closer to look him dead in the eye. “And don’t make my mistake. If you see one of those things—uniform or not—you do not hesitate. You take it out…or you run. Got it!?” Marvin said, looking between us. 

“Yes, sir.” Leon and I said, in unison, and Marvin groans as he slumps back down on the couch and I went over to help him. “I’m ok.” Marvin said and he looks up at me. “You help him out anyway you can. And get yourself out of here, hear me?” Marvin said and I nodded before standing back up and turning to Leon, gesturing for him to follow me.

He follows me as I walk down to the reception area, taking out my own knife to cut the tape on the breaker box. “Welcome to the force, pretty boy.” I said as I open the breaker box and pull the lever to open the shutter that was closing off the reception room. “This is not how I imagined my first day…” Leon grumbles as we enter to the reception room and headed to the door on the other side of the room, which lead to the hallway.

The lights were mostly off except for a bright light at the end of the hall, blood splatter on the walls. “This doesn’t look creepy at all.” I remarked, sarcastically. Leon chuckles a little at this as we walked down the hall and pull out our flashlights.

As we get closer I notice a dead body at the end of the hall, his back against the corner. “This is 73-Bird—for rescue. —heading east—River. Touchdown at R.P.D.—minutes.” A voice said over the radio and I walk up to him and kneel down to the body, getting a closer look at him. I placed my hand on top of the body’s head and pushed it back to see his face was slashed in half. I could see all the muscles and tendons as the jaw disconnects from the rest of the head.

“Oh…Oh, what the fuck!?” Leon said, in a startled whisper, as I jumped at this, in shock. Then there was a loud thud that startled us. “Huh? What!?” We said, in unison, as we shine our flashlights down the hall and look up to see another officer hanging from a pipe, through his mouth. “Shit!” I muttered, startled.

Then a second later, the body falls and I let out a small squeak and stumbled back, knocking into Leon who caught me. “Thanks.” I said as he helps me stand back up. “No problem.” He said and both of us look down at the hallway before I ask Leon for Elliot’s notebook. He hands it to me and I open it to get a look at what he drew.

”You know where we’re going?” Leon asked as I look at the drawing of the secret passageway, seeing that he wrote that the Goddess statue needed three medallions to open it. I flip the next page and see Elliot had drawn three statues, a lion, a unicorn and a beautiful woman. Each of them had a medallion attached to their statue. “I think so. These statues do look familiar…” I said as I studied the drawings before shutting the book and pocketing it. “Follow me.”

We walk down the hall and took a left where I hear the harsh winds from outside through the broken windows and felt some rain drops hitting me, along with the cold wind. “So, how long have you been working here?” Leon asked as we continue on walking. “Almost a year actually.” I replied. “What made you want to become a cop?” He asked and I smiled alittle at this. “I wanted to be like my sister. She’s a member of S.T.A.R.S and I thought it was so cool and I wanted to help people like her.” I replied.

“Oh, didn’t S.T.A.R.S get shut down?” He asked me. “Yeah, a couple months ago. I don’t know the exact details of what happened, my sister never really gave me a straight answer. Just that I can’t trust Chief Irons.” I explained as we turned right.

”Chief Irons? Why? He’s the police chief.” Leon said and before I could give an answer, there was a sudden loud thud agains the window. We shined our lights to the window to see one of those monsters were slamming its arm against the glass. “Run!” I exclaimed and we ran down the hall just as we hear the glass break and a loud thud. I look to the right and see two large doors of the Operation Room. “In here!” I said, bursting the double doors open. 

Entering the room, I ran to the other side while Leon shuts the door behind us. ”Fuck!” I grumbled seeing the door was locked by a chain that was wrapped around the doorknob. “Over here!” Leon said as he points his flashlight towards some large boxes that lead to a broken window that has strap of yellow tape draped over the side.

He climbs on top of the boxes and holds a hand out to me. I grab his hand and he helps me up just as the monster burst through the door, moaning and groaning as it makes its way towards us. “C’mon!” Leon exclaims, pushing me to go first.

I land on my feet in another hallway and I knew the safety deposit room and the West Office were nearby. Leon lands next to me as I shined my flashlight ahead to see another monster, or zombies I should call them, slamming its arm against the snack machine. 

“I got this.” Leon said as he pulls his gun out, aims it at the zombie and fires, hitting the thing in the head. The zombie then drops down to the ground as Leon lowers his gun. “Nice shot.” I complimented. “Thanks.” He said with a proud smirk.

We walk ahead a few steps before turning left and entering the West Office. I let out a heavy sigh at the room that I once considered as a second home while Leon looks around the area with his flashlight.

He stops as he aims his flashlight up, stopping for a moment to stare. I came up beside him and raise my own flashlight to look at the banner over the desks that said: Welcome Leon. I frown at this, glancing over at him as he lowers his light and looks down. “I’m sorry, Leon. I hate that this is your first day.” I said, apologetically. 

“Can’t say I’m too thrilled about it either. But if I can help the people in this town, then I’m glad I came anyway.” He said and I give him a small smile. Leon then notices a note taped to his desk that was closed and peeled it off to read it. 

Rookie's First Assignment. Leon S. Kennedy, we're putting you on a very special case for your first assignment. Your mission is...to unlock your desk! The key to your success is in the initials of our first names. Input the letters in order of our desks. There are 2 locks- 1 on each side of your desk. Make sure you get them both. Basically, your first task is to remember your fellow officers' names, but you figured that much out, right? Good luck, Leon. By the way, it might take a little work to get Scott to give you a straight answer. -Lieutenant Branagh

Scrawled in a corner between drops of blood said: Be glad you’re not here Rookie.

Leon looks somber as he sets the note down and shines his flashlight down at the padlocks on either side of the desk. “Since we’re here, wanna at least complete your first assignment?” I asked and Leon lets out a soft chuckle. “An order is an order.” He said, walking around the room to look at the desks that are placed in front of his. 

“Look at that. We would’ve been neighbors.” Leon remarked, shinning his flashlight at my desk that was placed right next to his on the right side of the room. “Eh, you probably dodged a bullet. I would’ve just made you sharpen all my pencils for me.” I joked, earning another chuckle from him as he returns to his desk to input the codes. 

Left: NED Right: MGV 

Both padlocks pop off and he opens his desk to find the nameplate that will now go unused and a High-Capacity Magazine. Leon hums quietly as he picks up the magazine and equips it to his pistol. “So, what made you want to become a cop?” I asked and he looks at me, surprised, then his eyes casts downward. “That’s…a long story.” He said and he sounded kinda sad about it which told me that it must’ve been bad. “Hey…you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” I assured him and he looks at me and gives a small nod.

”C’mon, pretty boy. Let’s find this statue.” I said, changing the subject, walking back to the door and returning to the hallway.

We walk down another set of halls until we reached a staircase. “Up here.” I said, leading him up to the second floor. Since everything is going to hell, I had no issues going into the men’s locker room. But unfortunately our path was blocked by a pipe that was blowing out hot steam, cutting us off from the shower room. 

Through the steam, I could see there was a giant hole in the wall that wasn’t there last time I was in here searching for survivors. “What the hell happened in here?!” I asked, shocked by the destruction in the room.

”Looks like someone blew a hole in the wall and broke the pipe by accident.” Leon deduced. “But who?” I asked, perplexed. Since there was nowhere else to go, we exited the locker room and continued going up to the third-floor.

We make our way through various rooms until we ended up in the attic. “There’s one!” I said, running over to what appears to be the statue of a woman. Unfortunately though, we hit another roadblock cause the statue was behind some bars. “Great.” I grumbled, seeing no way to get to it.

”How about this?” Leon asked, shinning his flashlight on some C4 that was attached to the bars. “You want to blow it open?” I asked. “Yeah, just like the shower room.” Leon replied. “Well, we’re gonna need to find a detonator first.” I said.

We continued onward, entering the library and I looked down at the first floor to see a few zombies below. “Great.” I grumbled, looking around to see the door we need to get to. “See that door over there.” I said to Leon as I point at the door near the bottom the stairs. “Yeah.” He said, coming up beside me. 

“Another one of those statues is in that room.” I said and he nods. “Think we can try to make it there without disturbing our friends there?” Leon asked, a bit of sarcasm in his voice and I giggled. “We can try.” I said just as our radio goes off.

“Leon, (y/n), it’s Marvin. I need you two back here ASAP.” Marvin said and I push the call button on my radio. “Are you OK, Marvin?” I asked him. “I’ve got something to show you. It’s important.” Marvin said. “Copy that, we’ll be right there.” Leon said into his radio and we head over to the stairs and get to the door without disturbing the zombies.

Entering the room, we come upon the unicorn statue. “Okay, good. At least we found one of them.” I said, pulling the notebook out to look at the drawings again. “Whatcha need me to do, boss?” Leon asked and I chuckled. “Help me get this right combination and we should get one of the medallions Elliot was talking about.” I said and Leon nods. 

We follow Elliot’s instructions and the statue opened a small hatch in the front with a medallion that had the Unicorn head on it. “One down, two to go.” He said, as I pocketed the medallion. As we re-entered the Library, a couple of those zombies started to come towards us but the both of us were pretty quick and took them down pretty easily.

Once they down, we went through another door on the far side of the room, finding ourselves back in main hall. Walking down the stairs, we headed over to Marvin, who looks like he was barely hanging on. “There you are…Come here, take a look.” He said, clicking on a couple of things on his laptop to show us a surveillance video of a young woman at the side gate. She looked really familiar.

“Yes! I knew she’d make it.” Leon said, happily. “You know her?” I asked him. “Yeah, name’s Claire. I came into town with her.” Leon replied and I gasped as I quickly realized why she looked familiar. “Claire? As in Claire Redfield?” I asked and Leon seemed surprised by this. “Yeah…you know her?” He asked me. “Yeah, her brother and my sister used to work together at S.T.A.R.S.” I said. 

“You can get to that courtyard through the second floor…east side.” Marvin said to Leon before letting out a groan, pointing up to the direction. “We’re on it. Thanks, Lieutenant.” Leon said and I turn to the statue to place the medallions in the indentation. Once it was inserted, a layer of a door dropped but it looked like there was still couple more layers to go before we could get through.

“So Elliot was right…” Marvin groans. “Yeah, but the passage isn’t open yet.” Leon said and I start to go up the stairs only to see the Lion statue. “Leon!” I exclaimed and he hurry up to me to see the Lion statue. Just like before, we used Elliot’s notes to input the code.

The medallion appears and Leon grabs it to put it in the Goddess statue. “Two down, one to go.” I said and Leon nods, smiling at me. “C’mon, let’s go get Claire.” I said. “Right behind you.” Leon said as we headed back up the stairs and to the east side.

We enter through a door, which was set up as a small waiting room and going through the door on the other side, we were in yet another hallway. At that moment, there was a loud rumbling sound. “Is that a helicopter?” I asked as we listened. “Sure sounds like it.” Leon said until we hear a loud crash and the building shook.

“Shit, that doesn’t sound good.” I remarked and, as we took some tight turns in the hallway, we reached the exit door. Stepping out into the pouring rain, we see that the helicopter we heard did in fact crash into building. “Oh man.” I whispered as we walk closer to the crashed copter.

“HEY! LEON!?” A voice shouts and we looked down to see Claire on the other side of the fence. “CLAIRE! HOLD ON! I’LL BE RIGHT THERE!” Leon said. “OK!” Claire calls out as we begin running down the stairs to her. “Claire…It is so nice to see you.” Leon said in relief as he reaches the gate first. “How’re you doing? That helicopter just came out of nowhere…” Claire said as she points to the helicopter. 

“Yeah…I’m in one piece.” Leon said just as I walked up next to him and Claire, noticing me, has a look of realization on her face. ”(y/n)?!” She asked, surprised. “Hey, Claire.” I greeted with a wave. “I didn’t expect you to be here.” Claire said. “Yeah, well, duty called.” I said, sarcastically. 

“You wouldn’t happen to know where Chris is?” She asked me. “Last I heard, he’s on vacation. Europe, I think. Left weeks ago.” I said. “Vacation?” She muttered in disbelief. “That’s…that’s great news.” She said, trying to perk back up but I could see this was bothering her. 

“You wouldn’t have happened to spot my sister while out there would you?” I asked. “No, why? Is Jill missing too?” She asked and I nodded. “Been trying to get out of here so I could go find her.” I said and Claire nods.

“I’m guessing neither of you don’t have a key in one of those fancy pockets?” Claire asked, looking at our uniforms. “Unfortunately, no…But, how are you doing?” Leon asked her. “You know, just surviving.” Claire replied, leaning her arm against the gate. “That’s good.” Leon said, smiling softly.

“Hey, Claire, don’t lose hope…we’ll find a way to get you…“ I started to say until a loud blast sounded out behind us, Leon and I turn to look up and see that the helicopter had exploded, causing the fire alarm to ring. “Dammit. You know what that means…” Leon said. “Yeah…Dinner time.” Claire said as she turns behind her to see a few zombies coming her way.

“Claire, I think you should go.” Leon warns her. “Don’t worry about me, Leon. You take care of yourself.” Claire said then turns to me. “And you take care of yourself. Keep him safe.” She tells me and I nod just as more zombies come up on the gate behind her. “Claire, you need to go—NOW!” Leon shouted and Claire pulls out her gun as she starts to walk away before stopping to look back at us.

“Hey…Let’s get through this. All of us.” She said and Leon and I nod as she runs off while I pull out my radio. “Uh, Marvin. We’ve got a situation here…Leon and I are surrounded by zombies!” I said and I waited a few seconds for a reply but got no response. “Marvin! Do you copy? Marvin!?” I called out but still nothing. “Dammit!” I grumbled and I look to see a door near us.

”This way.” I said, leading Leon to the door, only to see that it was chained shut. “Seriously?!” I said, annoyed. “Hey!” Leon said as he picks up a bolt cutter that was left nearby. “That’ll work.” I said, stepping back for him to cut the chain so we could get back inside the station.

“Hope she makes it out okay.” Leon mutters as we begin making our way back to the main hall and I give him a small reassure smile. “If she’s anything like her brother, I’m sure she’s gonna be fine.” I assured him as we re-enter the main hall. ”Marvin?” I called, still getting no response.

We ran up the stairs and over to the couch to see Marvin was unconscious. “Marvin!” I said, worriedly, as I kneel down beside him to check his pulse and let out a sigh of relief when I felt one. “Still alive…” I informed Leon. “That’s good. Let’s find that detonator so we can get to that statue.” Leon said and I nodded. “You’re right.” I said as I stood back up. “We need to get him out of here soon.”

We started exploring more of the station but I swear it was like a damn maze around here, finding various doors that almost acted like shortcuts to certain areas. Eventually, we found a valve that we could use to turn off the steam that was blocking the shower room, allowing us to go to the giant hole in the wall and end up near the S.T.A.R.S office. 

As we begin walk towards it, we heard some growling noises up ahead. “What in God’s name…?” Leon said just as we saw something big run across the hallway a few feet ahead from us. Luckily, it didn’t come after us; it just disappeared. 

“Over here.” I whispered to Leon to the door on our left and enter the S.T.A.R.S office. “What was that?” Leon asked I shook my head. “I’m not sure.” I said, walking into the little office area on our left. On the desk as was nameplate Wesker and I hum at this before I start to look around his desk. 

After rummaging through a couple of drawers, I finally found a detonator. “Yes!” I exclaimed, pocketing it. “Hey, (y/n). I think I might’ve found something that can help us.” Leon said and I walk out of Weaker’s office to see Leon was looking into the weapons locker.

”Oh, yeah, those would definitely be helpful.” I said as I look through the gate and see some ammo and shotguns. Leon goes over to the computer to type on it, attempting to open the gate but then groans slightly. “We need to insert some kind of dongle key into the USB port.” He said and I turned to the desks in the room, my eyes zeroing in on Chris’ desk that was next to Jill’s.

”Ah-ha.” I said, noticing his jacket was left hanging on the wall. I walk over to it and search the pockets, soon finding his S.T.A.R.S. badge that he left behind. “One dongle key coming up!” I said, flicking the little switch in the back to reveal the little flash drive. 

I turned to walk back to the Leon and the computer but came to a momentary stop when I saw a frame photo on Jill’s desk, that was of herself and I when I graduated from the Academy. Seeing how happy she looks in the photo was such a sharp contrast to how she is now. 

Ever since her mission up in the Arklay Mountains, she’s been so distant lately and always seems to have the world on her shoulders. Whatever happened up there must’ve been rough, I know that. Only five people out of a team of twelve made it out alive. 

But still…I wish she would allow herself to lean on me. Instead of acting like she needs to do everything and carry all her burdens in silent. “What’s wrong?” Leon asked, breaking me out of my train of thought. “Nothing, I’m fine. Just…” I mumbled, my eyes flickering back to the photo.

”Just worried about my sister is all.” I muttered, walking back over to the computer to insert the key into the USB port. As we waited for it load, Leon gently placed his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find her, (y/n).” He reassured me with a warm smile. I smile softly back and patted his hand on my shoulder. “Thanks, Leon.”

At that moment, the weapons locker unlocks and the door pulls open. “Nice.” Leon said as I pull the key out and enter the locker with him. He grabs one of the shotguns and hands it to me before grabbing his own. “Thank you.” I said and we grab some ammo before heading back out.

As we exited the office, we heard that same growling sound from earlier. I raised my light up to the roof before letting out a small gasp. On the roof was that large creature with the long tongue I had seen a few hours ago. This actually scared me to see it here but it didn’t seem to notice us, it just crawled around. 

“I don’t think it can see us.” Leon whispered. “Then that means it can hear us.” I muttered, looking down at the hall at the door that leads back into the locker room. I took in a deep breath and gesture for him to follow me. “Let’s take it slow.” I whisper and he nodded in compliance.

Luckily, we were able to get across the hall just fine but it was still unnerving to hear that monster crawling on the roof. Once we got out of that hallway, we then made our way back to the attic. 

“Okay, get that detonator on that C4…” I said. “And get the hell outta here.” Leon added and I chuckled alittle as we get to the C4 and placed the detonator on it. It immediately started to beep and Leon grabs my hand as we start to run away a few feet before it went off in a loud blast.

Another growling sound could be heard and we looked around, expecting that monster from earlier to appear but it didn’t. Then simultaneously we both look down to see we were still holding hands. “Uh, sorry…” Leon said as he lets go of my hand while I felt a sense of heat raising to my face. “Uh, it’s okay.” I said, nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.

With no more obstacles in our way, we approach the woman statue and start to put the code in. The medallion is revealed and I grab it but as we start to leave, one of those monsters landed in front of us. I let out a small scream and the monster started to come at me. Before I could react, Leon pulls out his shotgun and fires at the monster, making it fly back a few feet.

“Let’s go!” He exclaimed and we ran to the right, towards the door that lead back into the library. We shut it behind us and let out a sigh of relief. “That was close.” I said as we panted at this. “Yeah.” said Leon and I look down at the medallion. “C’mon.” I said, leading him back to the main hall.

Arriving back in the main hall, I inserted the last medallion which then opened up the secret passage way. Leon opens the door and shines his light into it. “So it goes underground…Huh.” He said. “That’s it—that’s our way out.” I said, turning to Marvin, who was still lying on the couch. “Lieutenant Branagh! Marvin!” Leon calls out. “It’s time to go!” He said as we walk up to him. “Hey, Marvin…” I said, nudging him and Marvin quickly sits up, letting out a loud groan.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I said softly as Marvin sits up, panting. “We need to get you to a hospital right now.” Leon said. “No, no…I…Save yourselves…” Marvin pants. “C’mon, it’s bad. We’ve got to get you to a hospital now.” I said and Marvin shakes his head. “Come on, I’ve got you—“ Leon said as he reaches out for Marvin but he backs away. “GO!” He shouts.

“Look, we can still make it out of here together, if you just gimme—“ Leon said but then Marvin turns and points his gun at us. “It’s too late. I tried, guys…But I couldn’t stop it. We can’t let this thing spread. It’s on you two now. Just go…” Marvin begged and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. “Marvin, please…” I pleaded. “(Y/n)…We both know how this is going to end. Find your sister and get out of the city.” He tells me. “I can’t just leave you here.” I stammered, tears running down my face.

“(Y/n), please…Go…Do this for me.” Marvin said. I closed my eyes and lowered my head, shaking it. I didn’t want to leave him here but he already looked worse than he did about an hour ago. With much reluctance, I stood up and started to leave with Leon. 

“Hey, Marvin.” I said, stopping at the top of the stairs that leads down into the escape room and turning back to him. “Thank you.” I said and he nods before he slumps back onto the couch.

Leon and I walk down into secret passage and once inside, the door shuts behind us. “We won’t let you down, Marvin.” Leon mutters and I nod before wiping away my tears. “You okay?” He asked me and I nodded. “Yeah…just…need to find a way outta here.” I said and Leon places a hand on my shoulder.

I give him an appreciative smile until the lights in the escape room suddenly come out, revealing it to be some kind of office. ”Huh.” I muttered, looking around and noticing a model of some kind of creepy mansion to our left. “Weird.”

We get inside his trailer to see the makeshift rope was still at the gate and all of us gather around. “Be careful.” Dustin tells Steve. “Thanks, buddy.” Steve said as he takes off his backpack and grabs the sheets. “Here goes nothing.” He said and he climbs up into the gate. 

Once he was through the gate he lets go then does a flip and lands on ground, looks up at us and smiles before he walks off. “Oohhh…What does he want us to do, applaud?” Robin mutters to me and Robin, sarcastically, and I roll my eyes. Steve comes back with a mattress and lays it under the sheet rope. “All right. Let's go.” He said then we all climb through the gate one by one until we were all through as well as our makeshift weapons.

We walk outside then Steve turns to Dustin and Eddie. “Hey, guys, listen. If things here start to go south, I mean, at all, you abort. Okay? Draw the attention of the bats. Keep 'em busy for a minute or two. We'll take care of Vecna. Don't try to be cute or be a hero or something. Okay? You guys are just...” Steve said until he and Dustin both said. “Decoys.”

“Don't worry. You can be the hero, Steve.” Dustin said to him. “Absolutely. I mean, look at us. We are not heroes.” Eddie said and Steve nods then walks off, the rest of us start to follow him, until Eddie speaks up again. “Hey, Steve?” He said and we all stop and Steve turns to him. “Make him pay.” Eddie said, firmly, and Steve nods again and we all make our way to the Creel house, red lightning flashing over us.

“Uh... I don't mean to freak anyone out, but I swear we've seen this tree before.” Robin said, nervously, as we walked through the woods. “That's impossible.” Nancy said. “That would suck, right? If Vecna destroyed the world because...'cause we got lost in the woods?” Robin said, worried. “We're not lost, Robin.” I assured her and she begins to chuckle, nervously, as she walks ahead.

“Robin, hey. Watch out for the vines! Hive mind. Remember?” Nancy calls out to her. “Thank you!” Robin shouts back as she continues to run ahead. “Uh, Don't worry about her. She's just stressed. You know, scared.” Steve tells Nancy. “Yeah. Yeah. I...I know. It's just...” Nancy stammers as she tries to think of the right words. 

“She's a super klutz?” Steve asked and Nancy chuckles. “She did tell me that it took her longer to walk than most babies, so...” I said and Nancy and Steve chuckle. “I really shouldn't laugh. When I was a baby, I actually crawled backwards.” Steve said.

“Crawled backwards?” I asked him. “You know, I'd push with my hands like this.” Steve said as he raised his hands to demonstrate and moves them back. “Beep. Beep.” He said, imitating a truck reversing. “Always in reverse, you know? Come on, it makes sense. You push to move, right?” Steve asked. “No, no, it doesn't make sense.” Nancy laughs.

“Well, it did to my tiny little Harrington brain. That is, until I reversed my baby butt down a flight of stairs and thumped my head really good.” Steve said. “Wow. That explains so much.” I said and Nancy laughs. “Yeah.” Steve chuckles before he continues. “I think it kinda does. I think, like, right out of the gate, like, I'm super confident. But I'm also, like, an idiot. Which is just...I mean, it's a brutal combination. But, I mean, the good news is, I get a big enough thump on my head, I can change, you know? I can learn. I can crawl forward.” He explains.

I smiled at him then looked ahead to see Robin looking like she’s tripping over things. “Robin! Be careful!” I called out the sighed. “Better go and make sure she doesn’t knock herself out.” I said and I walk ahead towards Robin.

*3rd Person POV*

Steve and Nancy chuckle as they watch (y/n) run after Robin. Steve sighs then bites his lips as he thinks over his next words. “Listen, I guess what I was trying to say in a really stupid, roundabout way is, um...is thank you.” Steve said and Nancy turns to him. “Thank me?” She asked. “Yeah.” He said. “For...?” Nancy asked, confused.

“For giving my head the biggest thump of its life two years ago. I needed it. It's changed my life. And now I'm crawling forward. Slowly. Because of you giving me a proper thump, I can be the man that (y/n) deserves. I really got a good feeling about this relationship. Like it’s actually gonna work, you know?” Steve said and Nancy gives a tight, fake smile as she nods. “You’re welcome.” She said, in a fake sincere voice. Steve smiles at her then walks ahead towards (y/n) while Nancy slows down a bit, feeling her heart break at what he said.

*(y/n)’s POV*

“I swear Robin, I’m gonna wrap you up in bubble wrap.” I said to her as I help her up after she had tripped over her own feet. “Everything good?” Steve asked as he comes up to us. “Yeah, fine. Just need to find this stupid house.” Robin grumbles and Nancy comes up. “C’mon, Robin, I’ll help you.” Nancy said, sounding a bit annoyed, then her and Robin walked ahead.

“What’s her problem?” I asked Steve, gesturing towards Nancy as her and Robin keep on walking. “I don’t know. Guess she wants to get this done as soon as possible.” Steve said and I shrug. “I know how she feels.” I muttered and we start to walk after Nancy and Robin. “Sooner we get this done, the sooner we can go back home and have some normalcy again.”

”You live in Hawkins now, it’s never normal here.” Steve joked and I chuckled. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I said as we shared a small chuckle while we continued to walk. We stayed silent for a few moments before Steve speaks up. “Remember the dream I told you about?” He asked me and I turn my head to look at him. “About the Winnebago? Seeing the country with your six lil' nuggets?” I asked, with a chuckle, and he nods. “Yeah…well….I, uh…It's all true. Every last word. But I left one part out. It's the most important part.” He said and I raise a curious eyebrow at this.

”And what’s that?” I asked, curiously, and he looks at me and stares into my eyes, which made my heart leap up. “You're there.” He said and we both stop in our tracks as I stared at him in shock. I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What?” I whispered, shocked. “You’re there in those dreams. Before, I never could see this woman clearly, it was like she was blurry. I thought it was Nancy at one point as the vision of this woman became alittle bit clearer. But after I met you and we started dating, the woman became clear as day and it was you. You've always been there.” Steve said and I gave him an awed expression. ”Oh, Steve.” I whispered, sweetly, as he looks at me in a loving manner. 

But before he could respond, Robin calls out to us. “Hey, guys! You guys! Awesome news!” she shouts as she runs over and Steve and I tear our gaze away from each other towards her as her and Nancy returned to us. “Looks like we weren't going the wrong way after all.” Robin said, breathless, and we all look at her.

“Come on. Let's go!” She said, smiling, and she turns and runs while Nancy shakes her head and follows her. “Okay. Ro...Slow down! Ro...Robin!” Steve shouts and we all chase after her and make it into the clearing of the woods and see the house. I look across and see the little playground that’s in front of the creepy Creel house. “Erica.” I muttered and we all nod as we head off to the little playground.

*3rd Person POV*

Meanwhile, Erica was sitting atop the small rocket shaped jungle gym as she watches all the windows of the Creel house where her brother and Max resided in. She then flashes her light towards the house to get their attention. “Come on, come on.” She mutters until a small light from the house comes on then turns off.

“Okay, the lovebirds have copied. Max is moving into phase two: distracting Vecna.” Erica said to her right while in the Upside Down, Steve, Nancy, Robin and (y/n) hear her voice echo. “So far, so smooth.” Robin said, hopeful. “Yeah, we're not even at the hard part yet.” Steve mutters while Nancy and (y/n) stare at the house, thunder rumbling over them as red lightning strikes. “Take the bait, you son of a bitch. Take the bait.” Nancy growls under her breath.

In the real world, Max and Lucas walk around the house to see one of the bug zappers was shining brightly, which told them that Vecna was there. Max stares at the light for several seconds, her heart beating hard against her chest and the fear rising in her heart. But she knew this had to be done if they want to take down Vecna, once and for all. She takes off her headphones and turns off Kate Bush as her and Lucas stare at the light.

“Hey! Asshole! I'm here.” Max shouts at the light. “No more music. No more games.” She said but the light continued to hum and shine brighter than the zapper in her hand. “Do you hear me? What are you waiting for, huh? Come on! Do you want me or not?” Max shouts as the lantern buzzes but then turns off and the lantern in her hand shines brighter.

Max and Lucas begin to walk and make sure to follow the light which lead them upstairs, up into the attic.

*(y/n) POV*

We stood there in front of the house for what felt like hours and I couldn’t help but pace around in place, I just wanted this shit done and over with. At that moment, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I look over to see it was Steve with a concerned look on his face. “It’ll be okay.” He whispered to me as I sigh and lower my head.

”Okay, she's in. Initiate phase three.” We hear Erica say and Robin pulls up her radio. “She's in. Move on to phase three.” She said. “Copy that. Initiating phase three.” Dustin’s voice replied and Steve and I share a look before we all duck down. Moments later, we see those bat creatures fly away, towards Eddie’s trailer. “Okay, it's working. Let's go.” Nancy said and we start to walk towards the Creel house. 

Keep him distracted, Max. Please keep safe. I thought in a sort’ve prayer to God or whoever is up there.

We make it into the house and Steve opens the door, only to see that the floor, walls and ceiling was covered in fleshy tentacles. “Oh shit.” Steve mutters as we looked around, it looked impossible to make our way in. “That's not good.” I whispered and Steve starts to jump around at any clear spots on the floor he could get to. Nancy follows him while Robin looked horrified.

“Shit.” She mutters and I turn to her. “It's okay.” I said and I grab her hand and she looks at me. “You got this.” I encouraged and she nods and starts to hop around and I soon follow her. Somehow, we hadn’t touched any of these tendrils or tentacles as we made to the stairs, which seemed to be harder as there isn’t much space to jump around these things.

But we weaved and hop around until we made it to the top of the stairs and see the door to the attic slightly open. We all stare at each other and start to ready our weapons when there was a loud rumble and the house began to shake. Steve grabs me and Robin grabs Nancy as we all try to stay balance until it finally stopped.

Robin looks down at her foot until she was pulled back and slammed up against the wall, the tendrils start to form around her. She screamed then looked over at us. “(Y/n)! Steve! Nancy!” She screamed and the three of us try to attack the tendril, trying to free her. But then I felt something grab my arm and I let out a scream as I was also pulled over to the other side of the hallway.

”Guys!” I shout as the tendrils pin my arms up either side of me then I felt one start to wrap around my throat. Steve start to come and help me but he too was grabbed and pulled towards the wall next to me just as Nancy was grabbed. 

No, no, no, no, no, no! I screamed in my head as the tendril started to tighten around my neck, the will to breathe was getting harder and harder and I couldn’t do anything about it. Please, not like this! I don’t wanna die…

*3rd Person POV*

Meanwhile, in her mind, Max was hiding at the school gym which was decorated like the Snowball dance she went to couple years ago. She thought since this was one of her best and happiest moments, she thought she was safe there from Vecna. But she was wrong.

The balloons exploded with blood and the music became distorted and played Dream Alittle Dream of Me instead of Every Breathe You Take, which was a song her and (y/n) always jokingly called it the Stalker song.

The lights event turned off and she tired her best to block off the door with the chairs but as she went for one of the last chairs, the pile of chairs were gone and the door was replaced with the Creel’s front door. 

“You can't hide from me, Max.” Vecna said as the door begins to open. Max takes a deep breath and tries to think of all the good memories. “You think I don't see what you're doing? You think I don't see everything? You thought you could trick me? You thought your friends could stop me? I see them. I see your friends. Just as clearly as I see you. I can feel them. I can feel them dying.” Vecna tells her as she tried her best to think of good memories but he was making her see everyone failing their mission.

Max gasped at this and opens her eyes to see the clock before it begins to chime. “It's time, Max.” Vecna said and Max walks slowly around. “It's time.” Vecna’s voice said, clear as day behind her and she turns to see him. He raised his hand and Max flies back and hits the wall. She screams in pain as Vecna walks up to her, slowly.

She whimpers as she tries to struggle but the force was too strong. “You are brave, Maxine.” Vecna said as he gets right in front of her. “Much braver than your brother. But in the end...you are weak and fragile, just like him. Like all the rest of them. And you will break.” Vecna taunts and he raises his hand to start the ritual but then he was pulled back.

Max falls to the ground and looks up as Vecna was held up in the air in the middle of the gym. And walking up behind him, her own hand raised was Eleven. She then used her power to turn him around to face her. “You.” He growls once he sees Eleven. “Hi.” Eleven replied, softly, then throws her arm to the left and Vecna is flung right into the benches.

Eleven runs over to Max and helps her up to her feet. “Max, are you okay?” She asked and Max looked at her, shocked. “Huh?” She asked, confused. “Are you okay?” Eleven asked again. “Yeah. Are you...” Max said, still shocked and confused, as she touches Eleven’s face. “Are you real? Di...Did I make you?” She asked as she places her hand on her shoulders.

Eleven then grabs her hand as she looks at her. “I'm real.” She replied. “How?” Max asked. “I piggybacked from a pizza dough freezer.” El replied, like it was no big deal. “What?” Max asked, still confused. But before El could tell her more, they hear rustling and clattering. They turn and walk out from the many ribbons hanging from the roof and see Vecna climbing out, growling and cracking his neck.

“Stay back.” Eleven orders Max as she walks out towards the middle of the gym, Vecna walking towards her as well. “If you touch her again, I will kill you again.” El threatened him. “Is that what you did? Hmm? Did you kill me?” Vecna asked. “I am so glad you are here, Eleven. This...is going to be beautiful. So beautiful.”

He raises his arms as several pieces of broken wood flies up behind him and aim towards El like spears. “And it's all thanks to you.” He said and he fires the wood at her but she moves them away from her towards the side but he uses his power to toss her around the room like a ragdoll. At one point, Max tried to attack him but he used his power to throw her aside as well.

El tried to surprise attack him but he stopped her and raised her up in the air then brought her closer to him. “Before I kill you...I want you to watch.” He said and he opens a portal and tosses her into it. The world he tossed her in was nothing but red with remnants of the Creel house. The tentacles grabbed her and held her up against the door and Vecna walks in, carrying Max.

He set her down and the tendrils grab Max and pulls her up, being prepped for what’s to come. “Papa is dead.” El shouts, her voice echoing, and Vecna stops and turns to her. “I know what he did to you. You were different. Like me. And he hurt you. He made you...into this. He is the monster, Henry. Not you. Not you.” El sobbed, her breath shuddering at the end, as he walks up to her.

“You're right. You and I, we are different. And Papa did hurt me. But he was no monster. He was just a man. An ordinary, mediocre man. That is why he sought greatness in others. In you. And me.” He said and El’s breath shakes. “But in the end...he could not control us. He could not shape us. He could not change us. Do you not see, Eleven? He did not make me into this. You did.” Vecna revealed as El gives him a look of confusion.

“At first, I believed you had sent me to my death. To purgatory. But I was wrong. I was somewhere new. I became an explorer. An explorer of a realm unspoiled by mankind. I saw so many things. And one day, I found the most extraordinary thing of all. Something that would change everything. I saw a means to realize my potential. To transcend my human form. To become the predator I was always born to be.” He monologues and shock and realization washed over El, all the dots connecting in her head

“It was...It was you. Always you.” She whispered, shocked. “All I needed was someone to open the door. And you did that for me. Without even realizing it. Didn't you?” He said as Eleven remembers the first time she encountered a Demagorgan during one of the experiments Papa enforced on her. “And when you did realize, you chose to resist. So I sought a means to open my own doors. I sought...your power. So, don't you see? Once again, you have freed me.” said Vecna.

“No. You don't have to do this. You can still stop this.” El pleads. “It is over, Eleven. Your friends have lost.” Vecna said and El begins to cry. “There is nothing...nothing you can do to stop this now. Hawkins will burn and fall. And the rest of this senseless, broken world. And I will be there. I will be there to pick up the pieces when it does. And remake it into something...beautiful. There was a time when I had hoped to have you by my side. But now I just want you to watch.” Vecna said as he caressed her chin then walks away, towards Max as a tendril wraps around El’s neck.

Max opens her eyes then begins to whimper and cry as Vecna walks up to her. “Don't be afraid. Try and stay very still. It will all be over soon.” Vecna said and he raised his hand and placed it over Max’s face. “Max!” El shouts as she watches, helplessly.

“El, can you hear me? El! El! Can you hear me? El! El! El!” She hears Mike’s voice say. “El? I don't know if you can hear this, but...but if you can, I want you to know I'm here, okay? I'm right here. And...I love you.” He said and El gasps at this and lets out a small sob. “El, do you hear me? I love you. I'm sorry I don't say it more. I...It's not because I'm scared of you. I'm not. I've never felt that way. Never. But I am scared that one day you'll realize you don't need me anymore. And I thought if I said how I felt, it would somehow make that day hurt more. But the truth is, El, I don't know how to live without you. I feel like my life started that day we found you in the woods. You were wearing that yellow Benny's Burgers T-shirt. And it was so big, it almost swallowed you whole. And I knew right then and there, in that moment, that I loved you. And I've loved you every day since. I love you on your good days. I love you on your bad days. I love you with your powers, without your powers. I love you for exactly who you are. You're my superhero. And...I can't lose you. Okay? Do you hear me? I can't lose you. You can do anything. You can fly. You can move mountains. I believe that. I really do. But right now, you just have to fight. Okay? El. Do you hear me? You need to fight! You have to fight. Fight! Fight!” He tells her and El concentrates on her powers and uses it to get her out of the hold the tendrils had on her while the process of Max’s body in the real world began to break, her arm and her leg to start off with.

They let her go and she lets out a scream and glares at Vecna. She raises her arm and Vecna gets flung back, taken by surprise at how powerful she is. He slams up against the vine like tree as Max falls to the ground, as well as fall on the floor in the real world.

After having knocking Jason out, who barged in and demanded answers from Lucas on what the hell was going on while aiming a gun at the kid, Lucas turns and catches Max as she falls.

The tendrils in the Creel house let Robin, Nancy, Steve and (y/n) go and begin to retreat. They fall and gasp and cough as they all stand up. “I don’t believe in a higher power or divine intervention. But that was a miracle.” Robin gasped as they all look at each other. “You okay?” Steve asked, softly, to his girlfriend. She nods and runs her hand over her neck as Nancy looks towards the attic door. “Then we better not waste it.” She said as she cocks her gun. “Phase four.” (Y/n) gasps. “Flambé.” Robin said as she grabs her bag, Steve grabs his ax and (y/n) pulls out a small pistol and they make their way to the attic.

“You and your friends believe you have won. Don't you? But this is only the beginning. The beginning of the end.” Vecna growls at Eleven while Robin sees her bag down and grabs a Molotov, the four of them glaring at Vecna as he was in a meditative state, many tentacles attached to his back. Steve holds the Molotov and Robin lights it for him.

“You have already lost.” Vecna tells Eleven. “No. You have.” El said, in a steady breath. 

Steve throws the Molotov at Vecna, lighting him on fire and pulling him out of the mind world. He falls on his knees as his whole body was engulfed in flames and Max wakes up in the real world. Vecna looks at the four young adults as he gets back in his feet while Robin lights another Molotov and throws it at him. Nancy and (y/n) both steady their guns and (y/n) glares at the monster and starts to fire her pistol at him, several bullets hitting him on several parts of his body.

Vecna lets out a roar while Nancy steps forward and fires her shotgun at Vecna twice, making him fall back from the power. She fires one more time and Vecna crashes backwards into the window and falls out of the building and onto the ground.

The four of them run down the stairs and out to the front steps to not see Vecna’s body. “That’s impossible.” Robin mutters. “Where the hell is he?” (Y/n) asked, confused.

Meanwhile, in another part of the Upside Down, Dustin and Eddie tried to get out after the quick rock concert Eddie performed but too many of those bars were coming. Once Dustin made it over, Eddie decided to be the distraction, cut the rope and ran outside to distract the bars. Dustin eventually made his way back in, hurting his leg in the process (probably fractured or broken), and tried to chase after Eddie.

But he saw that Eddie was swarmed with those bats and they all attacked him. Dustin screamed in fear as he watched, helplessly, until all the bats stopped and dropped to the ground, as if they all suddenly died. “Eddie!” Dustin shouts as he hobbles over to Eddie but once he got closer he saw Eddie had several bit marks and blood gushing everywhere. “Oh God! Oh God, Eddie.” 

“Bad, huh?” Eddie was able to muster out. “No. You're gonna be fine. Just gotta get you to a hospital, okay?” Dustin said. “Okay.” Eddie mutters. “All right. All right.” Dustin said. “I think...I think I just...I think I just need a second, okay?” Eddie said as he shakes the begins to choke.

“I didn't run away this time, right?” Eddie asked him, shakily. “No. No. No. No. You didn't run.” Dustin sobs. “You're gonna have to look after those little sheep for me, okay?” Eddie asked. “No, you're gonna do that yourself.” Dustin said. “Nah, man. Say, I'm gonna look after them. Say it.” Eddie pleads and tears begin to fall out of Dustin’s eyes. “I'm...I'm gonna look after...” Dustin sobs. “Good. 'Cause I'm actually gonna graduate.” Eddie said then he chuckles, weakly. “I think it's my year, Henderson. I think it's finally my year.” Eddie struggles to say.

“I love you, man.” Eddie said and Dustin shakes at this. “I love you too.” He said, his voice breaking. Eddie lets out a few more shaky breaths then begins to choke before he stops breathing completely. “Eddie...Eddie? Eddie? Eddie!” Dustin cries then he begins to sob, loudly, over his friend’s body.

“Lucas!” Erica shouts as she runs up into the attic, only to see Lucas cradling Max’s broken body. “We need a doctor! Call an ambulance! Hurry! Call an ambulance!” Lucas shouts at her as Erica stops in her tracks, looking at Max in shock and fear.

She begins to run as Lucas turns his attention back to Max. “Lucas...” Max whispers. “Yes, yes I'm here. I'm here.” He assures her. “I...I can't feel or...see anything.” Max gasps, shakily, as Lucas notices blood dripping out of her glassy eyes. “I know. I know. It's okay. We're gonna get you help, okay? Just...Just hold on.” He tells her.

“Lucas, I'm scared. I'm so scared. I'm so scared.” Max whispers. “I know. I know. I know.” Lucas said, tearfully. “I don't wanna die. I'm not ready.” Max cries. “You're not gonna die. Hang on.” Lucas tells her. “I don't wanna go! I'm not ready.” Max cries

“You're not gonna die! Just...Just hang on!” Lucas pleads to her. “I want (y/n). I want my sister!” Max cries. “She’ll be here soon. Just hold on. Hang on!” Lucas said as Max gasps then convulses. “Max. Max! Max!” Lucas exclaims as Max continues to cry. “No, no, no, Max. Stay with me. Stay with me! Don't go, Max. Max, stay with me. Just look at me, Max. Max, look. No. Stay with me, Max.” Lucas pleads. “I want my sister.” Max cries again. “Hang on. She’ll be here. Just hang on.” Lucas repeats then he looks over his shoulder.

“Erica, help!” He screams, tearfully, then he looks down at Max and noticed she stopped breathing. “Max? Max? Max? Max?” Lucas asked as he shakes her but she doesn’t move or say anything. 

“Max, stay with me. Max, stay with me.” Lucas said but it was too late, Max was gone. “No! No! Max! Max! Please, stay with me!” He pleads then he wails, heartbroken. “No!” He screams and he starts to let out heartbreaking cries and screams.

Back in the Upside Down, a loud eerie clock chime sounds out. The four of young adults turn towards the house then run back inside to the grandfather clock. It chimes a second time then a third and finally a fourth time and (y/n) felt her stomach drop.

“Four chimes.” Robin mutters. “Max.” Nancy whispers and they all look at (y/n), who felt her legs go shaky. “No, no, no, no.” (Y/n) said and she almost collapses but Steve catches her. “Hey, Hey, hey.” He said as he wraps his arms around her waist and Robin comes up to her.

“But we stopped him…” (y/n) mutters, distraught. Then the place starts to shake and everyone lose their balance and they fall against the walls of the house. (Y/n) clings onto her boyfriend while Robin caught Nancy.

In the real world, a big crack starts to form and Lucas moves Max out of the way as the cracks form along and split Jason in half, killing him. The large cracks all formed through the town from the four portals, causing destruction all over Hawkins, until it met in the middle at the library and stopped.

The world stopped shaking as Eleven was still in the Void and sees Lucas holding and crying over Max’s dead body. El stares at her then shakes her head. “No. You’re not going. No.” She whispers and she inhales deeply, places her hand on Max, thinking of all the memories of her and Max, as she does her best to try and revive Max.

*(y/n)’s POV*

Two Days Later

“He opened his eyes, and further words died in his throat. He forgot about the need to sick up that horrible parody of wine. He forgot about his mother, and Uncle Morgan, and his father, and almost everything else. Speedy was gone. The graceful arcs of the roller coaster against the sky were gone. He could feel the hair stirring on the nape of his neck, could feel a goofed-up grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. Speedy! I'm here, my God! I'm here in the territories!" Lucas reads to Max from the book he held while we all sit in Max’s hospital room.

After we got out of the Upside Down, I found out from my mom about Max being in the hospital. They declared her dead but then suddenly, her heart started beating again. I couldn’t believe it, it was another miracle. I made my way to the hospital and the moment I walked into her room, I felt my whole world crashing down.

Seeing her with her arms in a cast as well as her leg and her neck in a brace, her skin pale and dark circles around her eyes, I can’t even begin to describe what was going through my mind. It was just running a mile a minute and I just felt like every emotion I experienced these last few days just crashed down on me all at once. Before I knew it, the tears were falling down my face as I sob uncontrollably, collapsing against her hospital bed. And the only thing I could feel was the others embracing me in a group hug as Lucas mumbles apologies to me through his own tears.

Since then, I had stuck by Max’s bedside along with Lucas and Erica. Steve and Robin would be there for me while Steve held onto me, comforting me and sometimes went out to get me something to eat or drink. Mom would come in every now and then but either she was out helping the chaos that was going on in town after the destruction Vecna caused or at work. Right now it was just me, Lucas and Erica in Max’s room. 

Steve and Robin went to go help Nancy gather some stuff to take to the gym which was acting as a shelter for people that lost their homes. Steve and Robin asked me if I wanted to go but I declined cause I wanted to stay by Max’s side and they didn’t argue but I could see that they wanted to.

After Lucas reads the passage of the book, the door opens and I turn in my seat and see Mike, Will, Eleven, Nancy and Jonathon walking him. “Oh my God.” I whispered as Lucas and I stand up. “We've been calling you guys like crazy.” Lucas tells them as he hugs Will and Mike and El comes over to me and hugs me. “Hey, sweetie.” I whispered as Mike said. “I know. We came as soon as we heard.”

They break the hug and Mike and Will go over to me and hug me as Eleven hugs Lucas. “I'm sorry.” Eleven said to both me and Lucas. Then she looks over at Max and walks up to her bedside, Mike and Will follow after her as they stare at Max’s body. “Do they know...when she will wake?” El asked us. “No. They say she might not.” I replied, shakily, then I placed a hand over my mouth.

“Her heart stopped. For over a minute. She died. I...I mean, clinically, but...then she came back.” Lucas said, inhaling deeply, and I remove my hand off of my mouth. “The doctors don't know how. They say it's a miracle.” I whispered, tearfully. El sits on the edge of the bed and looks at Max, taking Max’s hand in hers. “I'm here, Max.” She whispered.

After they visited for a bit, they left to go to Hopper’s old cabin to fix it up. And after while, I honestly started to feel a bit stir crazy. Part of me wanted to stay but another part of me wanted to get out and get some sort’ve distraction cause just sitting here staring at my sister’s body wasn’t helping. I stood up, quickly, and started to grab my bag.

”(y/n)? You okay?” Lucas asked me and I sighed. “I’m, uh…I think I’m gonna go and…help out with the shelter. I just…I…” I stammered and I looked over at Max. “Hey, it’s okay. I understand.” Lucas said as I look back at him and nod, biting my lips. “I’ll bring you guys some food when I get back, okay?” I said to them and they nod as I shoulder my bag then walk over to Max. 

“I’ll be back, Max.” I whispered to her then I lean in and kiss her forehead before heading out.

Eventually, I made it to the school and just saw swarms of people going inside then outside, gathering up boxes of clothes, food and any other essentials. I make my way inside and see several cots scattered about with people sitting on them or sleeping. On the side, I saw a board that had several missing people poster, including one of Eddie that was drawn on with devil horns.

I frown at this and my heart sank. I didn’t get to know Eddie that much but I know how important he was to Dustin and it was awful finding him holding Eddie’s dead body.

I sighed then start to walk around to find someone to talk about maybe helping out. “(Y/n)?” I hear a voice call out and I turn to see Steve by this table that held clothes. “Hey.” I greet, softly, as he comes over to me. “Are you okay? What are you doing here?” Steve asked me, worried. “I’m fine, I just…I need to do something before I go crazy.” I replied and he gives me a soft understanding look and nods.

“I understand.” He said and I let out a sigh. Steve then pulls me into hug and I bury my face into his chest. He runs his hand up and down my back then I felt him kiss the top of my head. I raise my head to look up at him and gives me a small, soft smile. “Here.” He said as he goes over to the table. “Help me fold these clothes. You can think of it as practice for the future.” He said, jokingly, and I chuckle alittle.

“Fine, you drive a hard bargain.” I laughed as Steve smile and I walk up next to him and we start to fold clothes together. “Steve…” I said and he hums as he looks at me. “Thank you.” I said, appreciatively, and Steve smiles, softly, again. “Of course.” He said and I lean up towards him and give him a kiss on the lips. He reciprocates before we break the kiss, smile at each other then get back to work.

I look around as I folded the clothes then see from across the way, Robin at the food table and making sandwiches with Vicky and it looked like they were getting along. “Steve…” I said as I nudge him with my elbow. He looks at me and I nod towards Robin. He looks over and smiles and chuckles alittle. “Our girl is growing up.” I teased and Steve laughs and shakes his head as he continues with his job and I help.

Moments later, we hear thunder outside and everyone stops and looks outside. Steve and I look out the window to see dark clouds over the town. But what was weird was that it looked like it was snowing. Snow? In the middle of spring? I thought as Steve and I walk up to the window, as did everyone else.

We looked and I realized that this wasn’t snow but those particles from the Upside Down. Steve and I share a look at this before we look back out towards the cloud and I could’ve sworn I saw some red lightning coming from the clouds.

It looks like the Upside Down is coming, almost merging with us.

I reach out and grab Steve’s and hold onto it, he squeezes my hand as we stare out the window.

All I can think about is that we need to kill Vecna. I don’t know how or when, I just want to make this bastard…this monster…to pay for what he’s done. 

To this town.

To Eleven.

To Chrissy.

To Fred.

To Patrick.

To Max.

Vecna needs to die and I will die trying to make sure this happens.

“You don’t happen to know her favorite song, do you?” (Y/n) asked Steve. He shakes his head as he keeps shaking her. “Nancy, c’mon!” Steve shouts. “Nancy!” (Y/n) said when suddenly Nancy’s eyes got back to normal and she lets out a gasp and falls backwards. “Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.” Steve said as he and (y/n) catch her as she pants.

“It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. We’re here.” (Y/n) said and she noticed the pure look of terror on Nancy’s face.

*(y/n)’s POV*

“He showed me things that haven't happened yet. The most awful things. I saw a dark cloud spreading over Hawkins. Downtown on fire. Dead soldiers. And this...giant creature with...a gaping mouth. And this creature wasn't alone. There were so many monsters. An army. And they were coming into Hawkins. Into our neighborhoods. Our homes. And then...” Nancy explains to us, hoarsely. 

After getting out of the Upside Down, we took shelter at mom’s trailer and once we got her to calm down, Nancy began to explain what happened to her. Her eyes welled up with tears as she started to say the next part. “…he showed me my mom. And Holly. Mike. And they...they were all...” she stops and breathes, shakily, then starts to cry.

“Okay, but... he's just trying to scare you, Nance. Right? I mean...I mean, it's not real.” Steve said. “Not yet. But there...there was something else. He showed me gates. Four gates. Spreading across Hawkins. And these gates, they looked like the one outside of Eddie's trailer, but...they didn't stop growing. And this wasn't the Upside Down Hawkins. This was our Hawkins. Our home.” Nancy said and I bury my head in my hands, just when I thought this shit couldn’t get any worse.

“Four chimes.” Max said and I remove my hands off of my face as all of us look at her, startled. “Vecna's clock. It always chimes four times. Four exactly.” Max said. “I heard them too.” Nancy whispered, fearfully. “He's been telling us his plan this whole time.” Max whispers, realizing. “Four kills.” Lucas said, terrified. “Four gates. End of the world.”

“If that's true...he's only one kill away.” Dustin said and I bury my face into my hands again and I feel Steve’s arm me. “Fuck…” I muttered, despairingly. “Oh Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.” Eddie exclaims, upset. “Try 'em again. Try 'em again.” Steve said and I look over and see Max going to the phone, dialing it and waiting on it.

“Anything?” Dustin asked her after she hangs up and turns to us. “No. Rang a few times, then went to busy signal.” Max said. “Maybe you punched it wrong. Try again.” Steve said, obviously clinging onto hope. “I didn't punch it in wrong.” Max said, in an annoyed exasperation. “Well, I don't know.” Steve said, shrugging. “Steve, she knows how to use a phone.” I tell him. “I'm just saying, she could've typed it in wrong.” Steve said as Max tries to dial Will’s number again. 

“Same shit.” Max said, annoyed, after she hangs up the phone again. “How is that possible?” Lucas asked. “I told you, Joyce has this telemarketer job. She’s always on the phone. Mike won't stop whining about it.” Dustin explains. “Yeah, but this phone's been busy for, what, three days now? That's not Joyce. No way. Something's wrong.” Max said.

“She's right. It can't be just coincidence. It can't be. Whatever's happening in Lenora is connected to all of this. I'm sure of it. But Vecna can't hurt them. Not if he's dead.” Nancy said as she stand up and walks up to the window, her voice getting stronger with determination. “We have to go back in there. Back to the Upside Down.” She said as she turns to face us and both Steve and Eddie exclaim their opposition.

“Let's think this through.” Steve said. “What is there to think through?” Nancy asked as Steve walks up to her. “We barely made it out of there.” Steve replied. “Yeah, because we weren't prepared. But this time, we will be. We'll get weapons and protection. We'll go through the gate, we'll find his lair, and we'll kill him.” Nancy exclaimed. “Or he'll kill us.” Steve argued. “The only reason you survived is because he wanted you to. He's not scared of us.”

“And for good reason. We were wrong about Vecna. Henry. One.” Robin said as she stands up then looks around at everyone. “Sorry, what are we calling him now?” She asked. “One.” Lucas and Dustin said. “Vecna.” Erica chimed in. “Henry.” Nancy said like it was obvious. “Right. We've learned something new about Vecna/Henry/One. He's a number like Eleven, only a sick, evil, male, child-murdering version of her with really bad skin. But my...my point is, he's super powerful. Could turn us inside out with a snap of his fingers. It's not a fair fight.” Robin stammers, quickly.

“Then why fight fair? You're right. He's like Eleven. But that gives us an upper hand. We know Eleven's strengths. And weaknesses.” Dustin said. “Weaknesses?” Erica asked, confused. “When El remote-travels, she goes into this sort of trance-like state. I bet the same is true of Vecna.” Dustin tells us. “That would explain what he was doing in that attic.” Lucas said.

“Exactly. When he attacks his next victim, I'll bet you he's back in that attic, physical body defenseless.” Dustin said and I scoff. “Defenseless? What about the army of bats?” I asked him. “Right…True. We'll have to find a way past them. Distract them somehow.” Dustin said. “And, uh, how do we do that, exactly?” Eddie asked as he stands up too. “No idea.” Dustin said then Eddie sits back down, annoyed. “But once they're gone, he doesn't stand a chance. It'll be like slaying sleeping Dracula in his coffin.” Dustin said.

“That all sounds good in theory, but there is no pattern to Vecna's killings. Not one that I can decipher. We don't know when he's going to attack next. Don't even know who he's going to attack.” Robin said. “Yeah, we do.” Max said and we all look at her. “I can still feel him. I'm still marked. Cursed. I ditch Kate Bush, I draw his focus back to me.” She said and I shake my head as I stand up and turn to her. “Max. You can't. He'll kill you.” I said, in a worried but also fearful tone.

“I survived before. I can survive again. I just need to keep him busy long enough so that you guys can get into that attic. Then you can chop his head off. Stab him in the heart. Blow him up with some explosive Dustin cooks up. I honestly don't care how you put this asshole in his grave. Just....whatever it is...whatever you do...try not to miss.” She tells us and I bite my lips and look around at everyone. They all had the look that said we don’t have much of a choice, do we?

“Check this out. The War Zone.” Eddie said as he lays down a newspaper ad on the table for all of us to see. “I've been there once. It's huge. They got everything you need for, uh...well, killing things, basically.” He explains. “You think fake Rambo has enough guns there? Is that a grenade? I mean, how is any of this legal?” Robin asked, skeptical.

“Well, lucky for us it is, so...This...This place is just far enough outside of Hawkins. As long as we steer clear of main roads, we oughta be able to avoid cops and, uh, angry hicks.” Eddie said. “If we're trying to avoid angry hicks, maybe we shouldn't go to some store called the War Zone.” Erica points out. “Normally, I'd agree, but we need the weapons. So I think it's worth the risk.” Nancy said, firmly. “Me too.” Lucas and I said in unison.

“But is it worth the time? It'll take all day to bike there and back.” Dustin said, questioning. “Who said anything about bikes?” Eddie asked him. “You got some car we don't know about?” Steve asked Eddie. “It's not exactly a car, Steve. And it's not exactly mine, but, uh... it'll do.” Eddie said as he stands up and nods then turns to Max.

“Hey, Red, uh, you got a ski mask or a bandanna, something like that?” He asked her and she thinks then nods.

After handing Eddie Max’s Michael Meyers mask, we all sneak out and run through several trailer houses until we come upon an RV. We go around the back way of the RV as the owners were sitting out front of it, listening to the radio. Eddie goes up to one of the windows, slides it open the climbs in.

“That was suffocating.” I hear him said as we all climb in one at a time as fast as we could. Once we were all inside, Steve and I head up to the front while Eddie started to cut some wires, or hot-wiring it so to speak. “Where'd you learn how to do this?” I asked him. “Well, when the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, my old man was teaching me how to hot-wire. Now, I swore to myself I wouldn't wind up like he did, but now I'm wanted for murder, and soon, grand theft auto. So, uh, I'm really living up to that Munson name.” Eddie said as he continues his work then Robin comes up behind me and Steve.

“Eddie, I'm not sure I love the idea of you driving.” She said, concerned. “Oh, I'm just starting this sucker. Harrington's got her.” Eddie said then he gives a smile up towards Steve. “Don't ya, big boy?” He asked, teasingly, then he brings the RV to life and a second later we hear the owners shouting at us.

“What the hell?”

“Hey! Open this door!”

“Hey!”

They shout at us as the man slaps his window and the woman tries to open the door but couldn’t. “They locked the door!” She shouts. “Shit! Go.” Steve growls and Eddie sprints out of the chair and Steve jumps onto the driver’s seat and I take the passenger seat. “It's just a car.” I hear Steve mutter before he looks back at the others. “Everybody, hang on to something!” He shouts as he gets ready to drive.

“Oh my God! Let's go! Let's go!” Lucas exclaims, panicked. “Drive, Steve! Drive!” Dustin shouts, frantically. “Go, go, go!” Robin shouts as Steve gets it into gear and slams his foot on the gas pedal. “Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!” I shout as the RV takes off. “Shit, they look pissed.” Dustin said. “It's not every day you lose your house and car in one fell swoop.” Robin points out. “Hold on! Hold on!” Steve shouts and he quickly turns the wheel and we swerve around the corner and drive through some trash cans.

”Okay.” Steve mutters as he maneuvers us around the trailer park and then on the main road.

“How's it handle?” I asked Steve after we drive for awhile. “Not half bad. Considering that this is a...house.” He said and I chuckle and nod. “Yeah, it's...it's silly, but I...I've actually...I always had this dream that I'd have this really...really big family. I'm talking, like, uh, a full brood of Harringtons. Like, five, six kids.” Steve said and I turn to him. “Six?” I asked, curiously. “Yeah. Six little nuggets. Three girls, three boys.” He said before he lets out a small laugh.

“And...and every summer, I figured all of us Harringtons, we would pack into something like this and...just see the country. You know, the Rockies, Grand Canyon, maybe Yellowstone. End up in some beachside town in California. Spend a week parked in the sand. Learn how to surf or something.” He said and I smile, softly. “That sounds nice.” I said in a soft voice, and he looks at me. “Yeah?” He asked. “Yeah.” I said, tenderly, and we share a small smile.

“Well, I mean, six kids is a lot to handle.” I said with a chuckle. “Yeah, if only I had some practice.” Steve said, sarcastically, as he gestures over his shoulder at the kids and I laugh. “Fair point.” I laughed before I looked over my shoulder at the others, making sure they were okay.

Robin, Eddie and Nancy were sitting at the little kitchen area while Dustin and Lucas sat on the couch and Max was in the back, looking out of the window. Lucas looks at her then goes over to her and sits down next to her and the two begin to talk. I smile at this, happy to see them talking again despite the circumstances.

“It’s nice Max and Lucas are getting along again.” I said and Steve takes a quick look back at them and smirks before looking back at the road. “Yeah, leave it to trauma to get them talking again.” He joked and I scoff. “Well, yeah, didn’t you know? That’s how you get the ladies.” I teased. “Really? Well, shit, I’ve been doing it wrong for years then.” Steve said and we share another laugh.

Eventually we made it to the War Zone and all of us, besides Eddie, Dustin and Lucas, head inside. As we entered, we stopped at the entrance and see several people inside as they all buy various guns and ammunition. “So much for avoiding angry hicks.” Robin said. “Let's be...fast.” Nancy tells us. “Yep.” I said. “Definitely.” Erica said and we split up, grab a cart and make our way through the store.

I went and helped Steve get a new shirt since he had only been wearing that vest Eddie gave him this entire time before we went over to Robin, who was looking at some cans of kerosene. “How many of these do you think we need?” she asked us as she holds the can up to us. “Five or six.” Steve said and he and I help put some cans in her cart until I look up and see Robin staring at something across the store.

I follow her gaze and see she was staring, not at something but at someone. It was Vicky. I smile and look up at Robin. “What are you gonna do, Robin? Just stand here and gawk at her?” I asked her. “Shut up.” She said, quickly, but then this tall dude with messy, blonde hair comes up behind Vicky which made her yelp.

Vicky turned to face the boy and slaps his shoulder. They talk a bit until the guy leaned in and kissed Vicky. I frowned at this then look at Robin to see her face fell into disappointment. The guy kisses Vickey’s neck and she looks over right at us and that’s when Robin turned away. “Robin! Robin!” I called out to her and chase after her.

Eventually, she stopped and I could hear her taking in a deep breath. “Robin, I’m so sorry.” I tell her and I place a hand on her shoulder. She sobs, quietly, at this but then I hear a cart coming up to us and I look over my shoulder and see that it was Erica. “We’ve got a problem.” She said, her eyes widen in fear.

After Erica told us that she saw some of Jason’s friends and then Nancy met up with us and said she actually talked to Jason, we quickly got our stuff, paid for it and made our way out of there and into the RV. “What happened?” Dustin asked as we all quickly got in. “Gotta go.” Steve said.

“Your old friends are here.” Erica tells Lucas, who looked scared now. “Shit!” He said. “Let's go! Let's go!” Eddie exclaims. “I'm going! I'm going! Sit down!” Steve shouts and he starts the RV and we take off.

*3rd Person POV*

After finding a good isolated spot, the gang stopped the RV and prepared their weapons for battle. Dustin and Eddie were hammering nails into a couple of trashcan lids while Nancy was sawing off the nozzle of the shotgun, Max holding it down for her. “Is this legal?” Max asked her. “Actually, I think it's a felony.” Nancy said. “Right.” Max mutters. “But it guarantees one thing. I won't miss.” Nancy said, determined, and she successfully sawed off the shotgun nozzle.

“How's she feeling?” Dustin asked Eddie as he slings the trash can lid around. “Light. But durable. Deadly. But reliable.” Eddie said and Dustin chuckles and Eddie holds his free hand out. “Hear me now. There will be no more retreating...” Eddie said, dramatically. “…from Eddie the Banished.”

“Hey, you're really ready for bat-tle.” Dustin said and Eddie gives him a confused look while Dustin chortles. “You get it? Bat-tle. B-A-T.” Dustin explains as Eddie gives him an unimpressed look. “No?” Dustin asked before he groans. “I thought I had a good one.” He mutters as Eddie places his shield down the runs at Dustin.

“What are you doing?” Dustin asked as Eddie tries to reach behind Dustin before he tosses him aside. “You son of a bitch!” Dustin growls and he runs at Eddie and they struggle to try to tackle the other while Eddie reaches behind Dustin at an attempt to give him a wedgie. “No wedgies! No wedgies!” Dustin screams as they tussle again then Eddie stops as he laughs.

“Never change, Dustin Henderson. Promise me?” Eddie said as he grabs the back of Dustin’s head with one hand and placed his other hand on his shoulder. “I wasn't planning on it.” Dustin said and Eddie smiles. “Good.” Eddie said. “Good.” Dustin said. “Good.” Eddie said in a sing song voice then lets go of Dustin and turns to Lucas and Erica as they make some spears.

“Hey, Sinclairs. How are those, uh...those spears coming on?” Eddie asked them and Lucas raises a thumbs up. “Flip that damn thumb around.” Erica remarks and Lucas turns to her. “What?” He asked and Erica takes the spear he was working on. “It's too loose, Lucas. This isn't a basketball game where they blow the whistle when your shoes fall off.” She said as she reties the knife to the long stick.

“Okay, okay, for the record, my shoes never fell off.” Lucas argues. “Okay, for the record, it's kinda hard for your shoes to fall off when you're riding the bench.” Erica points out. “Yet, for some reason, you show up to every game.” Lucas said. “Mmm, except the one that mattered. Plus, Mom and Dad forced me.” She said. “Bull. Mom and Dad can't force you to do shit.” said Lucas. “Well, even though you're a bench-riding loser, you're still my brother. Just the facts.” Erica said, smirking.

“It just doesn't make sense.” Steve said as he pours the kerosene into the bottle. “What doesn't make sense?” (Y/n) asked him as her and Robin sit on either side of him and she held onto the bottle while Robin grabs another can of kerosene. “That was Dan Shelter. He graduated, like, two years ago.” Steve said, referring back to what happened at the War Zone.

“So?” Robin grumbles. “So he's in college. Which means he was visiting on spring break. Fast Times was returned, like, I don't know, a week ago? Right? Unless she's got some horndog brother we don't know about. Which is possible. Or she's just really into Judge Reinhold?” Steve said and (y/n) rolls her eyes.

“Steve.” Robin exclaims. “What?” He asked. “I don't care. I don't understand why you do either with everything that's going on. Honestly, this feels like a perfect time for that little pull of the rug because...in the face of the world ending, the stakes of my love life feel spectacularly low.” Robin said.

“Yeah. I mean, I get you there, but...I still have hope.” Steve said as they finished filling up the bottle and put it aside and (y/n) grabs another empty one. “Not everything has a happy ending.” Robin said. “Never say never, Robin. You’ll find the right one.” (Y/n) said and Robin chuckles.

“I'm not talking about failed romance. I just...I have this terrible, gnawing feeling that...it might not work out for us this time.” She said. “You think we shouldn't be doing this?” (Y/n) asked. “I think we're mad fools, the lot of us, but...but if we don't stop him, who will?” Robin asked and the three of them all look out and see the others all trying out their newly made weapons.

“We have to try, right?” Robin asked the two and Steve and (y/n) nod at this. “Yeah.” They said. “To killing Vecna.” (Y/n) said as she holds up her bottle. Robin smirks then grabs another bottle. “Slash Henry.” She said and Steve grabs another bottle. “Slash One.” He said and the trio clink their bottles together.

Minutes later, (y/n) walks over to Max as she watches Nancy aiming her shotgun, practicing how fast she can do it. “Hey…” (y/n) said and Max turns to her. “Hey…” Max said and (y/n) sighs as she tries to think of what to say. What could you even say to your sister who was offering herself as bait to an evil inter-dimensional monster just to get a shot at killing him before he kills her?

(y/n) takes a deep breath and begins to speak. “Max, I uh…” she stammers but then Max speaks up. “You remember, back in California, when we used to save up our allowances just to go to the arcade and ice cream?” She asked. “Of course. Called it our Sister Day.” (Y/n) said and Max smiles, lightly. “I was just thinking about it and I…” she stops as she thinks over what to say next.

”I was thinking…maybe, once this is all over…we should go do something like that. You know, catch up on what we’ve missed the last few months.” Max said and (y/n) smiles as she felt her heart swell with happiness, tears started to form in her eyes. “I’d like that.” She whispers, tearfully. Max smiles at her and the two share a hug.

After getting their weapons and arsenal ready, everyone loaded back up into the RV. The sun was setting as they made their way back to the Creel house. There was this heavy feeling in the air, almost foreboding, everyone was nervous but also determined.

Some of them looked around at each other with worry, others just stared at the ground as they try to prepare themselves of what’s to come. Nobody knew of this plan was gonna work or if anyone was gonna die, Robin’s words played through (y/n)’s head over and over as she too was getting worried that this time things won’t go well.

They had gotten lucky the last few times, who’s to say that luck wasn’t going to save them this time?

Once the RV pulled up to the Creel house, Lucas and Erica get out of the vehicle. Max starts to get out but then (y/n) stands up and goes to her. The two sisters stare at each other before (y/n) leans in and gives Max a big hug, Max reciprocates. “I love you.” (Y/n) whispers to her. “I love you too.” Max whispers back and the hold each other for a few moments longer before (y/n), reluctantly, lets her go and Max walks out with Lucas and Erica.

Max turns to stare at her sister again before (y/n) gives a small wave and shuts the door. Once she’s back into the passenger seat, Steve drives off, leaving the three kids alone at the old abandoned house.

(y/n) lets out a heavy sigh then places a hand over her mouth as she felt the fear overwhelming her. She then felt a hand on her leg and she looked over to see that it was Steve and he gives her a reassuring nod. “She’ll be okay.” He assured her and (y/n) lowers her hand away from her mouth. “I hope so.” She whispers as she places her hand over his before she speaks again.

The group look up at the sky and see more bats flying towards them and they all get into a stance, ready for another fight. But the bats land on the opening of the portal and surround it. “All right. There's not that many. We can take 'em. Right?” Steve asked but then they hear more chittering and they look up and see a swarm of bats heading their way.

“You were saying?” Robin said and Nancy turns and sees the woods off to their right. “The woods. Come on.” She said and her and Eddie begin to run as Steve takes (y/n)’s hand and they run after them. “Great. More running.” Robin grumbles before she runs after them and they enter the woods.

*(y/n)’s POV*

After we made it into the woods, we all went and hide under a large trunk and took cover. We stayed there as we hear those bat monsters fly over us. Moments passed and it sounded like the bats were flying away from us and we cautiously walk out of our hiding spots. “Oh...okay. That was close.” Robin said. “Yeah. Too close.” Eddie stammers and I look over at Steve, who was panting then he stumbles as he goes to lean against a tree trunk.

“Oh, sh...shit.” He mumbles and I go over to him. “Steve? Jesus.” I said as I go over to him. “I'm fine. I'm fine.” He groans. “No, no, no. You're not. You're losing blood. Come on, sit. All right?” I tell him once I get up to him and help him sit down on the ground. “All right.” I whispered and looked him over and see the wounds on him.

I quickly take off my outwear shirt and start to rip it up while Robin and Nancy kneels down next to me. “Okay. So the good news is I'm pretty sure wooziness is not a symptom of rabies. But if you start having hallucinations or muscle spasms or you start feeling aggressive, like you wanna punch me, let me know.” Robin said to Steve, quickly. “Robin.” Steve pants. “Yeah?” She asked. “I kinda wanna punch you.” Steve tells her and she laughs. “Sense of humor's still intact. That's a good sign.” Robin chuckles as I continue to rip my over shirt, making it into bandages.

“Okay. Okay. You ready?” I asked Steve and he raises his arms up. “Yeah. Just do it.” He mutters and I wrap my makeshift bandages around him and pack them tightly as I could, making him stifle a groan. “Sorry.” I whispered to him. “It's okay.” He mutters as I continue to wrap the bandages around him.

“Too tight?” I asked him, worried. “No, that's good.” He assures me. “All right.” I said and he leans back as I take the loose ends of the bandages and start to tie them up. Once I was done tying the front, I look up and noticed he was looking right at me and I give him a small smile. “Okay.” I said. “Thanks.” He tells me and I nod. “No problem.” I said and I place a hand on his cheek and brushed my thumb across it.

“So, uh, this place is like Hawkins, but with monsters and nasty shit?” Eddie asked after I helped Steve up onto his feet. “Pretty much.” Nancy said and I look up to see Eddie had climbed up on another tree trunk and he was looking at one of the vines nearby. “Wait, watch out for the vines. It's all a hive mind.” I warned him before he could touch it.

“It's all a what?” He asked. “All the creepy crawlies around here, dude. They're, like, one or something. Step on a vine, you're stepping on a bat, you're stepping on Vecna.” Steve tells him. “Shit.” Eddie grumbles. “But everything from our world is still here, right? Except people, obviously?” Robin asked. “As far as I understand it, yeah.” Nancy said. 

“So, theoretically, we could go to the police station and steal guns and grenades and whatever we need to blow up those bat things that are guarding the gate.” Robin said. “I highly doubt the Hawkins PD has grenades, Robin. But guns, yeah, sure.” Steve said. “Well, we don't have to go all the way downtown for guns. I have guns in my bedroom.” Nancy said and Eddie jumps down to look at Nancy in disbelief.

“You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural, in your bedroom?” He asked, confused like his brain couldn’t comprehend what he just heard. “Full of surprises, isn't she?” Robin asked, chuckling. “A Russian Makarov and a revolver.” Nancy said. “Yeah, you almost shot me with that one.” Steve said and Nancy turns to him and smirks. “You almost deserved it.” She said and I look between them. “Uh, when did that happen?” I asked.

Before either of them could reply, Eddie tosses his jean vest at Steve. “For your modesty, dude.” He said but then an earthquake happens and we all stumbled back. Robin and Nancy fall and Eddie goes to catch them while Steve catches me as the quake continues but then it stops and we hear those creatures snarling and baying in the distance.

“So guns seem like a pretty good idea to me.” Eddie said. “Yeah, me too.” Robin agreed as Steve and I stand up. “So what are we waiting for?” Steve asked as he puts on the vest and we began our journey towards Nancy’s house.

*3rd Person POV*

“Couldn't we have tried a road, or something just slightly less creepy?” Robin asked Nancy as the group continue through the woods. “I think we're getting close. We're almost out of here. Don't worry.” Nancy assured her and the girls walk ahead while Steve and Eddie hold back. “Eddie. Eddie. Hey, man. Uh...Listen, I just, uh...I just want to say thanks. For saving my ass back there.” Steve said as he catches up to him.

“Shit. You saved your own ass, man. I mean, that was a real Ozzy move you pulled back there.” Eddie said and Steve gives him a confused look. “Ozzy?” He asked. “When you took a bite out of that bat. Ozzy Osbourne? Black Sabbath? He bit a bat's head off onstage.” Eddie explains. “I don't...” Steve mutters and Eddie sighs. “You know? Doesn't matter.” He said. “No.” Steve mutters.

“It's very metal, what you did. That's all I'm saying.” Eddie said. “Thanks.” Steve mutters again. “Henderson told me you were a badass. Insisted on the matter, in fact.” Eddie said with a small sneer at the end of his sentence. “Henderson said that?” Steve asked. “Oh yeah. Shit. Kid worships you, dude. Like, you have no idea. It's kinda annoying, to be honest. I don't even know why I care what that little shrimp thinks, but, uh, guess I got a little jealous, Steve. I guess I couldn't accept the fact that Steve Harrington was actually a good dude. Rich parents, popular, chicks love him. Not a douche? No way, man. No way. That, like, flies in the face of all the laws in the universe and my own personal Munson doctrine. Still super jealous as hell, by the way.” Eddie said and Steve scoffs out a laugh. “Christ.” He laughs.

“Which is why I would never have jumped in that lake to save your ass. Not under any, uh...normal circumstances.” Eddie said then they hear a branch snap and a growl. The two boys stop and look around but didn’t see anything. “Nope. Outside of D&D, I am no hero. I see danger and I just turn heel and run. Or at least that's what I've learned about myself this week.” Eddie said. “Give yourself a break, man.” Steve said, exasperated, and Eddie stops Steve from walking.

”See? The only reason I came in here was 'cause those ladies came in straight after you. Now, I was too ashamed to be the one who stayed behind. But Mayfield right there…” Eddie said as he points towards the girls, specifically to (y/n). “…she didn't waste a second. Not one second. She just dove right in.” Eddie said while Steve stares at his girlfriend, feeling a whole new appreciation towards her. “Now, I don't know how serious you two are, but if I were you, I’d never let that go. 'Cause that was as unambiguous sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen.” Eddie tells him and Steve looks at him then back towards (y/n).

(Y/n) just dove right in to save him? No second thought or hesitation? Sure he’s seen how brave and selfless she can be but hearing that she risked her own wellbeing to save him…was having a profound effect on him. 

He’s never had anyone put him first before. His dad is an asshole that cares more about his job than his own family and his mom thinks her reputation is everything, needing to maintain it at all times. 

Having neglectful shitty parents is rough but it made it easy to sneak out or throw parties during the many times they weren’t home. His previous partners didn’t far much better. They were usually just short term flings aside from Nancy and well…look how that turned out. None of them would’ve done what (y/n) done. 

Steve glances over at (y/n) again, feeling his heart do a little swoop in his chest as he watches her.

Just then another loud rumbling happened the ground shakes and Steve curses at this. “Here we go again.” Eddie said through gritted teeth. “Second on my list of least favorite things, earthquakes. Seriously, I'm unsteady enough as it is.” Robin said as everyone leans against a tree. Nancy glares ahead and begins to walk on.

“Nancy! Where are you going?” (Y/n) calls out as she continues onwards. “Nancy!” Robin and (y/n) called out as Nancy walks and makes it to the edge of the forest and sees her house in the distance. The earthquake subsides and everyone runs after Nancy. “Nancy!” Robin shouts and they stop as they see her house. “Come on.” Nancy said and the group begin to run as the red lightning strikes over them several times. 

*(y/n)’s POV*

Nancy opens the door to her home and the inside was covered in dust particles and these fleshy vines were wrapped around the walls. “Might be time to get a maid, Wheeler.” Robin joked as we walked inside and looked around in awe. “Come on. I don't want to stay here longer than we have to.” Nancy said and we head upstairs and into Nancy’s room.

She goes to her closet and grabs a shoebox then walks over to her desk and opens the box, revealing not guns but high heel shoes. “Those aren't guns.” Eddie points out. “These heels are pointy, but I was hoping for a deadly projectile.” Robin said while Nancy had a confused look on her face. “Nancy?” I asked her as she continues to stare at the shoes in disbelief.

“I don't understand.” She mutters. “Maybe you left them somewhere else.” I suggested. “There's a six-year-old in the house. I know where I keep my guns. And also, I threw these away years ago.” She said but then she grabs paper cards and flips through them and I noticed they were notes for class.

“I get that grades are important, but perhaps studying can wait till we get out?” Robin asked Nancy. “These are from sophomore chemistry.” Nancy said then she looks up at the wall. “And this...this wallpaper, this is old wallpaper.” She points out then she goes to the other side of the room and points at a mirror. “And this mirror, this went to a yard sale.” She said and she turns to her bed.

“And you...” she mutters then walks to the bed and grabs a stuff animal off of it. “…you're not supposed to be here. No, I gave you to Cousin Joanna two years ago.” She said then she stops and grabs a diary off of her bedside table and flicks through it then stops and stares at it. “What is it?” Eddie asked her but she doesn’t say anything. “Nancy? Everything okay?” I asked but she still doesn’t respond.

“Nancy? You're freaking me out.” Robin said, scared. “I think the reason that my guns aren't here is because they don't exist yet.” Nancy said, disbelieving. “They don't...exist?” I asked, confused. “This diary should be full of entries. It's not. The last entry is November 6, 1983. The day Will went missing. The day the gate opened. We're in the past.” She said, ominously, and we all share a look of shock.

“Dustin! Dustin! Dustin!” We hear Steve shout and I noticed that he had not entered the room with us and we run out of the room and head downstairs. “Can you hear me? Dustin! Du...Hello? Hel...Hello?” Steve shouts, frantically, as he looks around the kitchen area. “Maybe he really does have rabies.” Robin said as Steve looks around and continues to scream. “Hello! Hello?”

”Steve, what are you doing?” I asked him then he turns to us. “Hello!” He shouts, shining his flashlight at us. “He's here. Henderson. That little shit, he's here. He's like... lHe's in the walls or something. Just listen.” He said and he stays quiet for a moment but I don’t hear anything.

“Dustin. Dustin! Dustin! Dustin! Dustin! Can you hear me?” Steve shouts but then I do hear Dustin’s voice, but it sounded a bit muffled and echoey. “Dustin!” I shout and we all spread out in the room and look around. “Dustin?” Eddie calls out. “Dustin!” Nancy and Robin shout but nothing.

“All right, either this kid can't hear us or he's being a total douchebag.” Steve said as we still hear Dustin’s muffled voice. “Will found a way.” Nancy mutters. “What?” I asked her. “Will. He found a way to speak to Joyce through the lights.” Nancy said.

“Lights?” Steve mutters as Nancy goes to a lamp. “Yeah.” She whispers as she pulls the chain on the lamp then I point to the light switch. “The switch. Try the switch.” I tell her and she nods. “Okay.” She said and she flicks the switch over and over in frustration. “It's not working.” She growls.

“Guys? You seeing this?” Steve asked and we look up to see that the chandelier was glowing. Nancy walks up to it and reaches out to it, making the glow brighter. “Whoa.” Eddie said, astonished, as the rest of us walk closer. Nancy pulls her hand back and the glow dims then all five of us reach out to the light, making it shine even brighter. “It…tickles.” Steve mutters. “It…kinda feels good.” Robin said and Nancy lowers her arm and looks around at us.

”Does anyone know Morse Code?” She asked and the rest of us lowers our arms. “No.” Steve, Robin and I said. “Wait, does SOS count? Is that…is that good?” Eddie asked and Nancy nods. So then Eddie reaches out and does SOS in Morse code through the lights. “It’s working.” Robin said, smiling.

*3rd Person POV*

After getting the SOS, Lucas, Erica and Dustin decided to find something that would help them to communicate with the others while Max was talking to the cops since they were captured and taking to the Wheeler’s house. Their idea was Holly’s Lite Brite. Lucas runs into the living room and unplug the Lite Brite that Holly was playing with. “Hey!” She squeals, upset, while Lucas goes to grab the lite board from her.

“I'm sorry!” He said, apologetically, while Dustin runs in and grabs the bags that held the multicolored plastic pegs. “Sorry, sorry, sorry.” Dustin also said as he and Lucas runs out then Erica runs in and hands Holly a candy bar. “For your understanding.” She said then runs after the boys.

They head up into Nancy’s room, set the board on her bed and start to insert the pegs into the board. Meanwhile, Nancy, Robin, Steve and Eddie were gathered in Nancy’s room by her bed, almost the exact spot Erica and the boys were, and wait. “Come on. Come on.” Steve mutters and (y/n) looks at him then takes his hand in hers, the two of them held onto each other’s hand as they wait in anticipation, hoping this plan will work.

“Okay, that's it. Go, go, go.” Dustin tells Lucas quickly once they insert all of the pegs into the board. “Yeah, okay.” Lucas said and he grabs the cord and plugs it in and the board lights up. “Okay, you guys seeing this?” Dustin shouts as the gang on the other side hear his voice echoing and a bright glow appears in front of Nancy.

“...seeing this?” They hear his voice echo and Nancy runs her hand over the glow, which brightens. Back in the real world, the board start to glow brighter and hum. “Holy shit!” Erica exclaims, excitedly, and she and Dustin hugs as he laughs. “We're not moving it, but we're gonna unplug it. Stand by.” Dustin yells then he turns to Lucas. “Yank it.” He said and Lucas does as he is told and the glow in front of the gang disappears.

“Okay, try it now.” Dustin yells. “Okay. Um...Uh...”Nancy said and she waves her finger in the air where the board was and writes a message.

Hi

“Hi!” Dustin giggles once they read the message appearing in the board. “Hey! Hi.” Lucas and Erica said. “That worked!” Dustin said and the older teens cheer at this. “Yes! Yes! Hi!” Eddie exclaims, happily, while Steve and (y/n) hug and Robin chuckles. “Okay. Um...” Nancy thinks then writes another word

Stuck

“Stuck.” Dustin, Erica and Lucas recite. “Yes.” Steve mutters. “We are.” (Y/n) exclaims. “Okay…They're stuck in the Upside Down.” Lucas said, realizing. “Okay. Uh, you can't get back through Watergate?” Dustin asked. “What the hell's Watergate?” Steve asked, confused. “'Cause it's in water and it's a gate.” (Y/n) clarifies. “Oh. That's cute.” Eddie said and Robin nods in agreement.

“Right. Um, no. It's...” Nancy said and she writes out the next few letters for the next word.

Guarded

"Guarded." Dustin reads. "Guarded?” Lucas asked, confused. “Okay. Uh, Watergate's guarded.” Dustin said and the gang smiles. “Perfect. Yes. Yes. Yes.” Steve said as Eddie applauds at this. “We think we have a theory that can help with that.” Dustin yells. “Yes.” Nancy said, relieved. “Genius child.” Robin mutters. “I know, right?” (Y/n) said.

“We think Watergate isn't the only gate. That there's a gate at every murder site.” Dustin shouts but the gang didn’t quite understand what he was saying. “Does anybody understand what he's talking about?” Nancy asked the others. “No.” Steve and Robin said. “No idea.” Eddie said and (y/n) shakes her head and Nancy sends another message.

?

“Okay. Seriously? How many times do I have to be right on the money before you trust me?” Dustin shouts, angrily and annoyed. “Jesus Christ. This kid's gotta get his ego in check.” Steve said, exasperated. “It's his tone. Right?” Eddie asked. “I know.” Steve said. “Okay. So...So how far is your trailer?” Nancy asked Eddie. “Seven miles.” Eddie replied, thinking.

“Nancy? Uh, I know your house here is, like, weirdly, creepily frozen in time and shit, but haven't you always had bikes?” Robin asked and the others share a look.

Meanwhile, the police were finished talking to Max and they walked out with her into the main area of the house. Max immediately puts on her headphones as the cops talk to the parents when Dustin comes around the corner and waves Max over. She goes over to them and he explains what they found out, which leads them to sneak out.

They get out through the window and go to their bikes and start to head off but one of the officers called out to them. Erica then slashed a tire on one of the cop cars before they take off. Meanwhile, in the Upside Down, the five older kids were on a bike, Steve and (y/n) had to share one as there were only four bikes, and headed off towards Eddie’s home. 

But one of those bat creatures landed in a lamp light and noticed the kids. They let out a screech into the air, informing Vecna that they found them.

“Right here.” Eddie said as they come upon his home and they stop and get off it their bikes. “That's gotta be a Guinness World Record. Most miles traveled interdimensionally.” Robin joked as Steve coughs. “Just inhaled a bunch of that crap.” Steve gets as he coughs again. “It's stuck in my throat.” He said and (y/n) pats his back. “It’s okay, we’re almost out of here.” She said and they make it inside of the trailer.

Once they get inside, they noticed a red glow coming from the roof. “Fuck.” (Y/n) mutters as they see the large red hole on the roof. “This is where Chrissy died. Like, right where she died.” Eddie said, upset, as they hear something writhing. “I think there's something in there.” Robin said as they watch something poking through the gate.

“What the hell is that?” Eddie asked as the bulge pulls back but then it bursts open and they all yelp once they see what looks like a stick poking through. Once the opening clears up, the five cautiously walk up to the gate. “No way.” Steve said, stunned, as they all look up at Dustin, Erica, Lucas and Max in Eddie’s home. 

“Hi there.” Dustin laughs. “Hi.” Steve and (y/n) said, waving, while everyone laughs in relief. “Holy shit, this is trippy.” Robin mutters. “Bada-bada-boom!” Dustin exclaims, triumphantly.

Dustin and Erica tie up some bed sheets together, making a rope, while Max and Lucas carrying a mattress in the room and place it under the gate. (Y/n) recoils at it as she saw several stains on the mattress. “Those stains are, uh...” Eddie said, trying to think of an excuse but couldn’t come up with one. “I dunno what those stains are.” He said and Robin hums at this. “It’s okay, I was already planning on taking a shower afterwards anyway.” (Y/n) joked as Dustin and Erica finished making their makeshift rope and he walks up under the gate.

“Not quite sure how these physics work. But, uh...here goes nothing.” Dustin said as he throws the sheet rope up and it goes through and lands in front of the group. Dustin tugs on the rope and it stays. “There we go. And if my theory is correct...” he said and he lets go of the rope and it stays. “Huh. Abracadabra.” He said. “Holy shit.” Max said, surprised.

“All right, pull on it! See if it holds!” Dustin shouts and Robin grabs it and pulls, and it stays. “This is the craziest shit I've ever seen in my life. And I've seen some crazy shit.” Erica said as Dustin laughs then he and Erica high-five each other. “Guess I'm the guinea pig.” Robin said and she jumps on the rope and climbs up on it.

“Alright…Let's clear the landing pad.” Dustin said and he, Lucas, Erica and Max back away. Robin climbs up until she goes through the gate. “Oh my God!” She exclaims and fall into the mattress. “Oh, thank God. That was fun.” She said, breathlessly, and Dustin helps her up on her feet.

“All right, guess I'll go.” Eddie said and he climbs up the rope then falls onto the mattress as he gets through the gate and lands on the mattress. “That was fun.” Eddie said, laughing. “Shit.” He mutters as Dustin helps him up. “Okay…you wanna go next, Nanc…” (y/n) said as she turns and sees Nancy standing there, her eyes completely white and she was blinking rapidly.

“Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?” We head Eddie’s voice ask through Dustin’s radio and we all turn away as Dustin answers. “Eddie. Holy shit. Are you okay?” Dustin asked him. “Nah, man. Pretty...Pretty damn far from okay.” Eddie replied, upset. “Where is he?” I asked Dustin and he answers back to Eddie. 

“Where are you?” He asked. “Skull Rock. Do you know it?” He asked. “Uh, yeah. That's near Cornwallis and...” Dustin starts to think but Steve speaks up. “Garrett, yeah. I know where that is.” Steve said as he pats Dustin’s shoulder and walks ahead. “Hold tight. We're coming. We're coming.” Dustin tells Eddie and we all follow Steve into the woods.

“Dude, I'm telling you, you're taking us the wrong way.” Steve tells Dustin as he and Dustin are walking ahead while Dustin was using his compass. “It's north. I'm positive. I checked the map.” Dustin said. “You do realize Skull Rock, it's a super popular make-out spot?” Steve asked him. “Yeah. So?” Dustin said, uncaring. “Yeah, well, it wasn't popular until I made it popular. All right? I practically invented it. We're heading in the wrong direction.” Steve said and he drifts off to the left.

“Steve. Where are you going? Steve!” Dustin exclaims. “Stop whining. Let's go. Trust me.” Steve said and we all start to follow them. “Okay, so apparently we're going this way now? I swear to God, if they get us lost...” Max said, angrily. “At least we’re getting some exercise.” I joked and Max scoffs then looks over at Lucas, who looked really upset.

“Hey. You okay?” Max asked him. “Uh, yeah. I'm fine. Just...thinking about Patrick. You know?” He said. “Yeah.” Max said. “I mean, it's...it's like, why him? But then, I remember this one day, he...he came to practice with a black eye. He said he fell, but clearly he was lying.” Lucas explains. “Shit.” I muttered, realizing, as Lucas stops and Max and I stop and turn to him.

”It's like everyone Vecna targets has something in their life. Something that's...” Lucas said, thinking. “Hurting them. Haunting them.” Max finished. “Yeah. I...I didn't really know Patrick, so it was easy to just look the other way, I guess. But I did know you. And I'm sorry I wasn't there.” Lucas said to Max.

“It's not your fault.” Max assures him. “No.” Lucas said, shaking his head slightly. “I disappeared.” Max said. “No, no, you didn't. I just didn't look hard enough. Okay? But I see you now. I see you.” Lucas said and he and Max share a look.

”I guess I can also share into the blame.” I said and Max turns to me. “No, don’t…” she said. “I was just more concerned with working and getting my apartment be more a home for us…for you…I didn’t pay attention to your needs or everything going on with you. And I am so sorry for being a shitty big sister.” I said, apologetically. “You don’t have to apologize, (y/n). You did nothing wrong. I was the one pushing you away.” Max said and I give her a sad sympathetic look.

“Oh, boom! Bada bing, bada boom. There she is, Henderson. Skull Rock.” We hear Steve call out and we follow after his voice. “In your face, man. In your stupid, cocky little face.” I hear Steve say as I come out of the bushes and Dustin looks up at the giant rock in confusion.

“Doesn't make sense.” He mutters. “Yeah, yeah. Even with it staring you in the face, you can't admit it. Can't admit you're wrong, you little butthead.” Steve said then we heard a noise behind us. “I concur.” A voice said and we turned around to see Eddie. “You, Dustin Henderson, are a...total butthead.” He announced while Dustin looked relieved.

“Jesus, we thought you were a goner.” Dustin said as he hugs Eddie. “Yeah, me too, man. Me too.” Eddie said as he pats his back and they break the hug as the rest of us come up to him.

“When I got to the shore, I tried calling you guys, but, uh...my walkie was busted, man. Drenched. So, uh, I did the thing that I do now, apparently. I ran.” Eddie explains as he drinks some of the water we gave him while Dustin was pacing around. “Do you know what time this was? The attack?” Nancy asked him. “Yeah, no, I...I know exactly what time it was. My walkie wasn't the only thing that got soaked.” Eddie said as he takes off his watch and tosses it to her.

She catches it and looks at it. “9:27.” She said. “Same time our flashlights went kablooey.” Robin said. “Which means what, exactly?” Steve asked. “That that surge of energy was Vecna attacking Patrick.” I replied.

“Well, we're one step closer. We know how Vecna attacks.” Robin said. “And where he attacks from.” Lucas said. “So now we just need to sneak into his lair in the Upside Down and drive a stake through his heart.” Max suggests. “If he has a heart.” I remarked. “A stake? Is he like a vamp? Is he a vampire?” Steve asked 

“It was a metaphor.” Max said. “A bullet should work on him, right?” Eddie asked. “I say we chop his head off.” Lucas said. “I’d say All of the above, but we can't do any of that 'til we find a way into the Upside Down.” Nancy said. “We need El to get her powers back.” Max said, upset.

“Everything was way easier. We had this girl. She had superpowers.” Steve goes to explain to Eddie. “Superpowers. Yeah, you mentioned her.” Eddie said then he looks over at Dustin, who was still pacing around. “Hey, uh, Henderson's not, uh, cursed, is he?” Eddie asked. 

“Cursed? No, no. He's fine. Mental? Absolutely.” Steve said as Dustin stops, his back to us. I swat at Steve’s shoulder at this. “Steve.” I said, in a warning tone. “What? It’s true!” He said. “Boom!” Dustin shouts and he turns to us and points at Steve. “Bada...bada...boom. I was right. Skull Rock was north.” He said.

“Seriously? You're serious?” Steve asked, annoyed. “Mm-hmm.” Dustin said, nodding. “This is Skull Rock. Okay?” Steve shouts at him, angrily. “Mm-hmm.” Dustin said, again. “Okay. You're totally, absolutely, 100% wrong. Right now.” Steve said. “Yes. And no.” Dustin said. “Oh my God.” Steve said, exasperated, as he places his hands over his face and turns his back on Dustin.

“This worked correctly when we left the Wheelers'. It was correct when we got in the car on Curly. But it started to slip the further east we went. Now it's way off. When I was leading us here, I wasn't wrong. The compass was.” Dustin explains and Steve turns back to him. 

“So you're using faulty equipment. You're still wrong.” Steve said, still exasperated. “Except it isn't faulty.” Dustin said as he points at him then he turns to Lucas. “Lucas, remember what can affect a compass?” He asked. “An electromagnetic field.” Lucas said, realizing. “Yep.” Dustin said.

“I’m sorry. I must've skipped that class.” Robin said, not understanding. “In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle will deflect towards that power. So either there's some super big magnet around here, or...” Dustin said then Lucas finished his sentence. “There's a gate.” 

“But we're nowhere near the lab.” Nancy said. “But what if, somehow, there's another gate? A gate that we don't know about. It'd have to be smaller. Way less powerful.” Dustin said. “Snack-size gate.” Robin said. “How? Why?” Steve asked. “No idea. All I know is that something is causing this disturbance, and the last time we've seen anything like it, it was a gate. And I hope it is because then we'd have a way to Vecna. And a shot at freeing Max from this curse.” Dustin said and he walks off.

“Where are you going? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.” Steve calls out and Dustin stops and turns to us. “Eddie's still a wanted man. We can't just go hike in the woods.” Steve said. “This little steel capsule might be the key to saving both Max and Eddie.” Dustin said then he turns to Eddie. “What say you, Eddie the Banished?”

“I say you're asking me to follow you into Mordor, which, if I'm totally straight with you, I think is a really bad idea. But, uh, the Shire...the Shire is burning. So Mordor it is.” Eddie said as he stands up and Dustin hops up and down in excitement. Then the others follow after him. “What is Mordor?” Steve asked and I turn to him then sighed. “Oh my God, you need to read more.” I groaned as Eddie grabs his stuff.

”I read.” Steve said, defensively. “Playboy magazines don’t count, Steve.” I said as I follow after the others and he follows after me.

“Something's happening.” Dustin said as we walk through the woods, the sky had already gone dark at this point. “Dustin? Can you slow down? Dustin?” Eddie called out. “I think we're getting close.” Dustin said as we get to the edge of the lake and Eddie grabs Dustin. “Watch your step, big guy.” He said

“Oh man. You gotta be shitting me.” Steve said, breathlessly. “Yeah. I thought these woods were familiar.” Eddie said. “Lover's Lake.” Robin said. “This is confounding.” Dustin said, stunned. “There's a gate in Lover's Lake?” I asked. “Whenever the Demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecna's the same way.” Nancy replied. “Yeah, only one way to find out.” Steve said.

Moments later, we grabbed a boat and placed it on the shore and then Robin, Eddie, Nancy and I climb in the boat. Then Dustin starts to walk but Eddie stops him. “Hey, hey, hey, you trying to sink us? This thing holds four people tops, okay?” He said while Dustin, Lucas and Max looked upset.

“It's better this way, okay? You guys stay here with Max. Keep an eye out for trouble.” I tell Dustin. “You keep an eye out. It's my damn theory.” Dustin exclaims, angrily. “You heard (y/n).” Robin said. “Who put her in charge?” Dustin asked, angrily. “I did. Compass.” Robin said and Dustin sighs and hands the compass to her.

“Hey, there you go.” Steve said as he tosses a backpack at Dustin, who catches it. “Ow.” He said and Steve pushes the boat out into the water then jumps in. “You said three.” Dustin exclaims. “Sorry.” Steve whispers. “Bedtime at nine, kiddos. Miss you already!” Robin calls out to them as we float out.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. Slow down, guys.” Nancy said after Eddie and Steve were rowing the boat with a couple of oars. They stopped and I shined a light on the compass in Nancy’s hand to see the hands on it were going crazy. 

“Whoa.” I muttered as we looked at it. “Guys, what's going on? Come on, talk to me. What's going on?” Dustin asked through the radio. “Uh, Dustin, your compass has gone from wonky to wonky with a capital aah!" Robin said as Steve starts to take off his shoes.

“Steve, what are you doing?” I asked him. “Somebody's gotta go down and check this out. Unless one of you three can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years, then...it's gotta be me. No complaints, all right?” Steve said as he stands up. “Hey, I'm not complaining. I do not wanna go down there.” Eddie said as Steve starts to take off his sweater and shirt.

I stare up at him and felt my face go red. How is it that it was just a couple of days ago the two of us were just lying in bed, enjoying the aftermath of sex, to where we are now. It’s crazy.

Steve noticed me staring and gives me a quick wink while I turn my head away as Eddie put one of the flashlights into a plastic bag. “Hey. Good luck.” Eddie said to Steve ask he hands the flashlight to him. “Thanks.” Steve said and he looks back at the lake while Eddie tries to light up a cigarette but Robin grabs it. “Gross.” She said and tosses it in the water.

Steve took a few deep breathes until I grabbed his arm. “Steve.” I said and he turns to me and I move my hand into his hand and hold onto it. “Be careful.” I plead to him. He smiles and squeezes my hand as if to reassure me he will. Then I let go of his hand then he turns back to the water and dives in.

”Where we at, Wheeler?” Robin asked. “Closing in on a minute.” Nancy replied after we had waited for Steve to resurface. I sighed then looked over the edge of the boat and waited. Moments later, Steve bursts out of the water, startling all of us. “Oh Christ!” Nancy exclaims. “I found it.” Steve said. “You found it?” Nancy asked. “I found it. Yeah. I found it.” Steve pants as he comes closer to the boat. 

“Dustin, you are a fucking Einstein. Steve found the gate...” Robin said as Steve swims up to the boat. “It's pretty wild. It's more a snack-size gate than the mama gate, but still, it's pretty damn big.” Steve said as I reached out to help him when suddenly he was jerked back a bit. 

We all freeze as if we were standing on thin ice. Steve looks around before he was pulled back under the water. “Steve!” We all screamed. “No! No! What the hell was that, man?” Eddie screamed, panicked. 

I stare down at the water, trying to see some sign of him but it was impossible with how dark it was. He was just here one second ago and then he was gone, just like that. No…not again. I won’t lose him too.

I stood up, fumbling to shed off my jacket. “Wait, wait, wait. You're not going in there, are you?” Eddie asked as I toss the jacket aside. “Just wait here.” I instructed before diving into the icy cold water as Robin shouts. “No, (y/n)!”

All their screams for me to come back were muffled as the water filled my ears. I gritted my teeth as the water envelop me, feeling like tiny needles were stabbing me all over. But I pushed through the uncomfortable feeling and started to swim downwards, noticing a bright red glow at the bottom of the lake. I made my way towards it, determined to get Steve back.