Never has Jill craved such proximity to another living, breathing person ā not during the long and physically draining hours of drill, or even her actual time spent engaged in combat. Until now, every challenge has been black or white: the classic dichotomy between life and death, something she is much too comfortably acquainted with.
Heās so close that she can feel the timbre of his voice vibrating on her skin. Heās warm against her, heart racing and body tense with fear. Sheās just as rigid, almost mechanically monitoring her breathing as she attempts to soothe her nerves. Close your eyes, count to three. In, out, in, out ā¦Ā
She has nothing to lose but her own life ā¦ and now, well, Chris. Thereās a sudden robust attachment that overtakes her, and the fleeting thought of losing him crosses her mind ā but there is no fear. Instead, she is only further driven to survive. Jill Valentine is resolute in her duty. His life is valuable, to her and to so many others. She will protect him.
His hand finds hers, and the gentle squeeze intensifies her affection for him. A flutter of her heart, a momentary adrenaline rush. Sheās reminded of what it means to be alive, to be capable of thinking and feeling. Despite the hellish environment that engulfs them, she manages a small smile.Ā
āI am, too. God, this is unlike anything I ever could have dreamed of. And Iāve ā¦ Iāve spent a lot of time out there on the field, alone with my mind. I have come to know death, but this ā¦ this is something else.ā Her voice trails off, and she closes her eyes before she can finish the tangent.Ā
āOh, Rebecca ā¦ sheās here?ā The news brings wide eyes, filled with both surprise and hope.Ā āYouāre right ā itās best if we look for her.ā
Heās asking if sheās injured. Unsure, she gives her body a cursory examination ā nothing serious. A couple of scabbing cuts on her arms, some bruising along her trachea. Trifles, or ābaby woundsā, as sheād refer to it back in the army.
āIām okay. A little scratched up, but itās nothing I canāt handle. How about you?ā She reaches out to stroke his arm, fingers searching for any tender or exposed skin.Ā āIām certainly not a medic, but I have a few supplies on me.ā
As they make contact, the desire to be closer (even physical contact isnāt enough now) befalls her.Ā āI figured while weāre stuck here together ā¦ we should get to know each other a little better. You from around here? Have any family, friends?ā
Sheās scared as hell, but thereās an indescribable calmness in her eyes. She hopes it soothes him, too.
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