Chapter Text
Chapter 1 — “Missing”
Residential District of Raccoon City
Claire comes home exhausted from her job at the local newspaper. She notices that Sherry, the little girl next door who used to wait for her to get back from college to show her drawings or ask for help with homework, hasn’t been seen in days. The house is empty. Doors locked. Garden neglected.
Claire tries calling Sherry’s parents, but she can’t reach them. Worried, she decides to go to the police station.
Raccoon City Police Department — Late Afternoon
Claire Redfield rushes through the front doors of the police station, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the cold-tiled hallways. Her face is tense, eyes red with worry. Leon sees her from afar and walks over with a concerned smile.
Leon:
— Claire? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?
Claire:
— No, Leon. Sherry is missing. I tried calling her parents, but the house is locked up, and no one’s answering. She hasn’t shown up in days. This isn’t normal.
Leon furrows his brow and gently guides her to one of the computer stations. He sits down and starts typing.
Leon:
— Calm down, let’s see if there’s already a report...
Claire watches the screen anxiously as Leon searches the records.
Leon:
— Here... filed three days ago. Sherry Birkin, 10 years old. Missing. A neighbor reported it. Apparently, her parents are “away on a business trip”... Damn it.
Claire clenches her fists.
Claire:
— Three days, Leon. Three. And no one’s done anything?
Leon:
— The case went to the Special Cases Division.
Before Claire can ask more, a familiar figure walks down the hallway: Jill Valentine. Hair tied in a low bun, firm posture, face that says she doesn't have time for nonsense. She's reading a report as she walks, but looks up when she feels Claire’s eyes on her.
Claire (cold):
— Of course... it had to be you.
Jill stops, raises an eyebrow, and looks at Claire as if she was expecting that kind of reception.
Jill:
— Good afternoon to you too, Redfield.
Claire:
— You're in charge of Sherry’s investigation?
Jill (sighs):
— Among other cases, yes. And as you probably know, we're dealing with a series of disappearances. It’s not as simple as—
Claire (interrupting):
— She’s just a kid! You should be doing more than just “dealing with it”!
Leon tries to intervene, but before he can, a familiar voice speaks up behind them.
Chris:
— Claire.
Claire turns, a bit relieved to see her brother.
Claire:
— Chris, Sherry's missing. And she’s treating it like it's just another case!
Chris looks at Jill, then back at Claire, trying to keep his composure.
Chris:
— Jill is one of the best in the department, Claire. If she’s handling the case, it means she’s taking it seriously.
Claire:
— Seriously? Then why am I finding out about it now, through the system? Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Jill (bluntly):
— Because you’re not part of the investigation. But now that you know... you can calm down and let the police do their job.
Claire:
— Or I can start investigating on my own. Because clearly, someone needs to actually care about this kid.
Jill stares at her for a moment, her gaze firm, but a flicker of doubt passes through her eyes.
Jill:
— Do whatever you want. Just don’t get in the way.
She turns and walks down the hallway, her heels echoing coldly on the floor. Claire stands there, trembling with anger and anguish, while Leon and Chris exchange worried looks.