Stalemate | LEON S. KENNEDY

5 - The Spaniard

Leon led the way, you and Ashley following behind as you crept towards a hole in the wall.

"Get the ladder," Leon said, waving you over.

You climbed atop his shoulders, and he stood, pressing you upwards. You kicked the ladder down from the attic, and helped Ashley when she came up first.

"What do we do?" She asked, panic evident in her voice as Leon quickly climbed up the ladder. "There's no way out."

You kicked open a few barrels as Ashley scanned the room. Leon walked towards the open window of the church, before leaping out. You groaned, motioning for Ashley to follow.

"Never caught your name," she said lightly.

"Stripes," you jabbed a thumb at the window. "C'mon, sweetie. Leon will catch you."

She peaked out the window.

"No way," her voice cracked with fear.

"Way," you grabbed her hips, picking her up and setting her on the ledge of the window, her legs dangling.

"No! Wait," she grabbed the sleeve of your shirt, with such a grip you feared she might tear the fabric.

"It's OK," Leon called. "I've got you."

Ashley took a deep breath, eyes shut tightly.

"Hey, trust me!" Leon encouraged.

Finally, Ashley wiggled off the ledge, and Leon caught her with ease. She gave him a look of thanks, before he set her down.

"Your turn," Leon held out his arms.

"Move, whore," you called, leaping out the window.

You landed on the ground in front of him with a THUD. You pat your legs, standing from your crouching position.

"All in the thighs. Call in to Roost," you took Ashley's hand, leading her towards the ladder off the platform.

"Roost, we've secured Baby Eagle."

"Copy that. Is she OK?"

"Affirmative."

"Well done, Condor One. I'll dispatch a chopper ASAP. I'm sending both of you the coordinates for the extraction point. Make your way there. And don't let anything happen to Baby Eagle."

"Chill out," you assured Hunnigan. "Weather's getting worse, we're gonna head out."

"Roost out."

As you came up upon a blocked pathway, you reached to move a toppled over dresser.

"Like I said, it's dangerous," Leon said gently to Ashley. "Stay close."

"OK."

You let out a grunt of exertion, planting your boots in the mud. Leon came up behind you, and aided in your work.

Holy shit.

His HUGE arms were on either side of your head as he helped pull the dresser out of the way. You couldn't help but gawk. Sometimes you forgot just how big he had gotten over the years... and how tall, too.

With the way cleared, you crept forward, and Leon crouched down, killing an unsuspecting Ganado silently. Ashley threw a hand over her mouth, and you put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. Leon pushed open the big gated doors, and quickly took off, the girls following in toe.

"What kind of a name is Stripes?" Ashley whispered over crashing thunder.

"Shh," you held a finger to your lips as you crept towards the grave yard.