Stalemate | LEON S. KENNEDY

9 - Intrusive Thoughts

Leon didn't seem too pleased with the voices gnawing at the back of his head. In fact, he hated it. He wondered if Ashley had experienced the same thing before being taken over. And then, of course, just as he stepped out of the room, he had a vision.

"I know what you want, child. Surrender your body to me. You will be the vessel that delivers the sacred child to the Virgin's body."

Leon shook his head violently, trying to block out the noise. He didn't even want to try and figure out what that meant.

But he knew deep down.

And he was afraid.

He led the way out of the room, down a staircase after smashing some barrels, and into the courtyard. And of course, it just had to be a maze. But, at every dead end you found something useful, usually ammo and the occasional hand grenade. You bumped into a few black wolves while you were there, killing them rather quickly.

Zombie dogs had been worse. It was almost like Ashley read your mind.

"Have you seen worse things?" She asked quietly as a wolf dropped.

"Ever seen a zombie-Doberman?"

Ashley shook her head.

"Count yourself blessed," you continued through the maze as Leon shot another dog.

"You saw stuff in Raccoon City?"

"Lotta stuff," you replied. "It was my home."

Ashley nodded, before shrieking. You whipped around, shooting down the wolf as she clutched your sleeve.

"I was a cop."

"Really? You?" She seemed genuinely surprised. "I thought you were like — a preschool teacher."

"You see a side of me I don't show many others. Granola bar?"

Ashley laughed as she took the package from you.

"You're fattening me up," she joked, tearing it open.

Leon located a tower, and quickly climbed up. He yanked on a lever.

"Hey, look!" Ashley yelled before swallowing. "The flag's been lowered!"

Leon jumped down, stoic. You couldn't tell if he was upset about you talking about Raccoon City, or if — no, it had to be the virus. Saddler had to be messing with him.

He located another lever, ordering Ashley to hold it down, before grabbing your bicep and walking deeper into the maze. As he walked, his grip grew tighter and tighter.

"Leon?" You called softly.

"Yes?" He stopped walking, turning around.

You stared into his eyes. Something wasn't right.

"Can you let me go, please?" You asked, gently.

His gentle smile faded.

"No, no. I can't do that."

"Leon," you warned, taking a step back.

He slammed himself forward, and you gasped as his lips crashed into yours. He was in such a hurry to kiss you. One hand rubbed against the small of your back, the other gripped your bicep still.

It had been so long.

You knew you were talking to Saddler. You knew this wasn't Leon kissing you. But the idea of being with him, even one last time — it had your heart racing.

He pushed you against a stone pillar, his hands flying to his belt.

"Stop," you said, shoving him back.