Chris Redfield x Reader

Thirty-One

From the ravine, you picked your way through the terrain that stretched underground.

Long tunnels and narrow passages formed a web, like that of a spider. It seemed as if there was a path leading everywhere. The whole village was undermined.

The sight reminded you of pictures from a museum. In wartime, the Japanese had also dug such tunnels to protect themselves from air raids and to get from place to place undetected.

So the monsters were a lot smarter than you first thought. If they managed to imitate such tactical procedures of the people, then there was certainly more that could not be seen at first glance.

You hoped that it was only a dark premonition, but usually your gut feeling was right.

"Oh my shit.", you cursed, as your eyes fell on a tunnel that looked like it had been built by a giant.

Your heart skipped a beat and you could feel the fear creeping up your spine. Secretly, you hoped that you would never encounter whatever was responsible for this.

It was all so quiet and inconspicuous that it was hard to think of the monsters digging through these tunnels, lurking in the shadows for something edible to stray into the depths.

With bated breath, you walked on, your rifle always ready to fire. Sometimes something moved in the darkness.

Stones and dry branches broke under the soles of your shoes. Each time your finger twitched on the trigger. When a crunching sound was heard, louder and shriller than the others, your finger twitched so hard that a shot was almost fired.

"Son of a bitch!", you pulled your finger back and grabbed your chest. "Couldn't have found a better device, Redfield? That thing nearly blew my soul out of my body."

You sighed and pressed your back against a wall. Your eyes wandered through the canyon, always looking for something threatening.

High above, some light fell into the depths. It was already dawn, the night was slowly becoming day. But it still did not become brighter.

Again the noise sounded. This time a tired laughter followed.

"You are stuck underground and complain that I want to talk to you?", he tried to sound sarcastic, but it was difficult for him not to ask you immediately how you felt.

If it were for him, he would have jumped after you. But he wasn't trying to start a fight with you. Plus, if somebody on this planet knew how tough you were, it was Chris.

Maybe he was just getting soft for you. But he had to keep his emotions in check.

You had to smile.

"I'm still alive and can walk.", you inhaled deeply, a sharp pain chasing through your chest. "Dammit..."

With one hand, you reached under the bulletproof vest and lightly pressed on the pain. For a moment, the spot felt numb. It felt strange, like something was tingling and stinging under your skin without really causing pain.

But when you moved a little you noticed how your flesh moved. There was a wound in that exact spot. It had been torn open further.

The feeling of blood running down your body startled you for a moment. Then it was warm. But soon enough, you felt cold again.

When you pulled back your hand again, the fingers were red and sticky. The blood was fresh. It must have been so much that it had bled through the bandages.

"Crap.", you muttered and took another deep breath.

It hurt.

Breathing hurt.

"(Y/N)?", Chris' voice snapped you out of your thoughts. "Are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh, no, no I wasn't listening. What did you say?"

He laughed softly. God forbid he knew about the bleeding. He would have moved heaven and hell.

"All right, listen. Not far from where you're standing, there's a suitable location indicated where we could come down. If you can get there, then we could blow a hole in the ground and pull you out.", Chris cleared his throat. "However, there is a problem."

Your eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Oh yeah?", you had to laugh. "Sounds like there is a big fat hook."

"Unfortunately, the only way out is through a tunnel that looks very... lively. And I have to destroy the mutated plant first to get to the right side. Otherwise you would have to find a way out yourself and we can't move further."

"So what? You'll manage, won't you, Redfield?"

"I'm less worried about me than I am about you. You are a wreck. Fighting multiple monsters wouldn't be a good idea."

You rolled your eyes.

"I'll survive.", your hand went back to the place where the wound had been torn open further. "I've survived worse..."

For a moment, Chris fell silent. He knew you were just trying to stay positive, but he couldn't help it. There was nothing to be positive about.

It had been long ago, he couldn't even remember, but for the first time he felt truly concerned. He was nervous even.

"Will you be okay?", his voice was soft, almost weak.

He had to swallow thickly.

You let your head fall back. A deep sigh left your lips. At that moment the world felt heavy on your shoulders. Your eyes felt heavy. You just wished to fall asleep and never wake up again.

But at the same time there was this fear. The nightmares were lurking somewhere in the darkness. Sleep was a torture.

And yet.

You wanted to sleep so desperately.

"Fuck...", you whispered and sunk down on your knees. "Fuck... no..."

The fear to pass out crawled up your throat and made it hard to breath. Blood loss was a serious issue. You were covered all over, the bandages already felt wet and soggy against your skin. You were starting to shiver, white clouds escaped your shaking lips.

"(Y/N)?", Chris voice cut through the silence of your mind.

"Hm?", your head twitched, but your eyes did not want to open. "What?"

"Are you alright?"

"I- n-no... I'm fine...", you mumbled and tried to get back on your feet.

But you failed and fell to the ground.

"(Y/N)! Do I have to get you?"

"Tzk. Don't be... don't be ridiculous, Redfield... I'm fine... I'll... be fine..."