Chapter Text
"Ohyouuureakaaaawe.."
"Katherine?" Katherine's eyes looked over to Emily. It made her notice she'd gotten lost in her thought. "Oh, sorry. Where was i.." she mumbled, trying to find her previous train of thought, slowly starting to pace around the room. She couldn't stop thinking of those days, now a start had been made. But she had to force herself to get out of that mindset. Was it because her trip was nearby?
"You mentioned the virus in Spain." Emily spoke. "Yes, that's right- I'd tell you more if i could, but that's why we'll be looking into it. I've got a feeling it could easily get in the wrong hands, and that Umbrella may have gotten involved." "Umbrella?" Emily softly questioned, Katherine's voice having lowered as well when she spoke that name. The name alone gave her chills.
"That's why we'll be looking into it. All you have to share- if you have to share it- is that i'm visiting family in Europe, and that i won't be answering any calls or emails. Can you do that for me?" Katherine asked her. Emily nodded, without a hint of hesitation. "I'll handle it." she responded. "Thank you." Katherine smiled.
She sighed, glad the serious topics of the day were dealt with. But she expected no less from a good friend.
-
Katherine's flight had arrived in the morning, which gave her enough time to catch a taxi in the afternoon. Leon waited outside the hotel. He doubted if she'd leave that day at all. It was smarter to deal with her jet-lag right away, but..
"Condor One to Roost. Has Kiwi left her room?"
"Negative. You sure you don't just want to knock on her door?"
Leon didn't know how to respond. He'd been waiting for almost an hour. He knew this wasn't like him. Behind his calm composure, he'd been ecstatic to see her again.
"I'll be back tomorrow. Give me a heads-up when she leaves."
"Copy that. Roost out."
A heavy sigh came from him. He headed back inside, going to catch some sleep. She'd been incredible in covering her tracks, so they barely had any info on her. He hadn't yet dealt with the memory of her, unsure if she was the same person he met three years ago. He had no recollection of who she was before he met her, or who she'd become a few years later.
-
Katherine turned in her bed, her eyes snapping open. She sat up in cold sweat, hazily looking around her hotel room. She had to remind herself that she was safe. That those days were in the past. She gave herself the time to calm down, her clouded mind clearing up as she rested her back against the bed frame.
Her phone rested on the nightstand right next to her, and she checked what time it was.
03:28
She still had three more hours before she could start her morning. And she knew how difficult it was to fall asleep after such a nightmare. With a sigh, she rested her head in her hands. The memories of her nightmare still stuck with her. Roaming around the lab, slowly eaten away at, bit by bit. And then spotting Leon. She hadn't been capable of telling her therapist the whole truth of what happened there. How she met Leon.
She'd thought about it, though. A lot. About both. She'd mentioned to her that there were details she couldn't yet share, because it had to do with her a project of hers. Her therapist mentioned to spill the secrets when she felt ready.
She didn't like that she was doomed to keep thinking of Leon, constantly reminded of him. The first gun in her possession had already been his, and that was enough for her.
She tried to reflect on her nightmare, the horrific imagery still capable of flashing by when she focused on it. Reality and what her nightmares created of it. Why those memories? Because of the injuries she didn't frequently experience? Because it included him and the horrors they faced together? Her guilt for attacking him? At this point she could pick her poison and it'd be semi-correct.
..Perhaps, how she regretted leaving him without any strings attached. She didn't have much of a crush on him by then, but thinking back made her brain fantasize about him to her heart's content. She needed him, or the thought of him she created, by her side. In any way, shape or form.
The truth was that she missed him, but didn't want to confess it to herself. She regretted not having asked for his number when the government was done researching their exposure. The countless times she'd passed his house..
When this was over, she'd knock on his door. Befriend him again. She might look hopeless in the moment, but it would only get better. The thought alone brought anxiety to her, her heart in a tight hold as it also brought her excitement, which wasn't a good thing at the time. She couldn't wait until her trip was over, and it had barely started.
-
But she stopped, and turned around. His mind was racing, practically praying his wishes came true in a confession brought up by her. He didn't have the courage to start himself. She headed over to him, and gave him a hug. He didn't expect that, but couldn't complain all that much as he hugged her back. He closed his eyes, loving the sensation he got from holding her in his arms.
"Take care, Leon."
-
Leon couldn't sleep that well. Katherine had captivated his mind up to the late hours. It overpowered the horrible memories of that day, but they still lingered. It made a horrible concoction of emotions swell up within him.
"So tell me, Yankui, why did you come to this horrible place? As close to nowhere i've ever seen?" the cop in the passenger seat questioned Leon. The drive had been pretty quiet until he broke the silence. "Let's just say, i'm here to protect a few people." he responded.
He'd previously been deep in his thoughts, thinking of how to greet her when he saw her again. After all, it had been three years. Well, three for her. He spotted her about a year ago with her friends, which was precisely why he didn't walk up to her.
"Must be very important, eh? The chief gave the orders himself. 'Help him' he said." the cop spoke. "Well, i'm sure you boys didn't come all the way out here to roast marshmallows. ..Or maybe you did."
The two officers laughed shortly. "You have strange sense of humor. I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. Just between us." Leon wondered how long it would take before he got some actual intel. "A lot of people have gone missing around here, and it's been that way for a little while now."
He hated that he'd expected such an answer. Vague, but not vague enough to hide the dangers that awaited him. "Well then, should be just another day in the office, right?" "I mean, last week there was a search for some missing hikers." So recent, and they hadn't found them yet? "I'm sure you'll do your best to help me." Leon remarked.
-
Katherine waved at the taxi driver who drove off, unfolding the map she had in her hands. She'd been gifted it by a group of hikers the day before, the location on their to do list. That day, she'd only gotten vague or unknowing answers. A young woman mentioned it being creepy, having been on a boat that drove past the place.
It wasn't much information, so perhaps she could get a real vacation out of it. She found her current location, a long walk to go before she could reach any civilization she could get more intel from.
-
Leon knew he had to keep moving. He had to find them. He neared a village, just to be sure checking with his binoculars to see, if.. They were burning the cop at the stake. Leon mentally prepared himself. They all looked infected with the same thing the man in the cabin was. So, it was kill or be killed.