𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮 [𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐱 𝐎𝐂]

Raccoon City

Mae

The horrors we witnessed at the gas station paled in comparison to what awaited us in the heart of the city.

Raccoon City was engulfed in total chaos. Despite the rain that fell relentlessly, fires raged unchecked, devouring buildings and casting an eerie glow on the night. The once bustling streets were now a nightmarish hellscape, each structure bearing the scars of unimaginable horror. Some buildings had their windows shattered, while others had their doors torn open, and some were reduced to nothing but crumbling ruins. The street was littered with abandoned cars, debris, and bodies.

"Dear God," I whispered, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.

"We'll be alright," Leon said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hand as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. He must have felt as terrified as us, but he tried to maintain a brave facade, offering comfort to those around him. Finding strength in his resolve, I tried to do the same. I tried to be strong, although all I wanted to do was cry, and probably turn around and run as far away as possible.

"Attention all citizens; Due to the citywide outbreak you are advised to take shelter at the Racoon City police station. Free food and medical supplies would be provided to everyone in need."

We continued deeper into the city as the announcement blared through the streets.

"Turn left here; the police station should be just ahead," I instructed. Leon nodded and followed my directions.

"Oh my god, this is so unreal," Claire said, her gaze fixed on the chaos outside the window. She turned to look at Leon and me. "You guys don't think we're the only survivors, right?"

"No," Leon replied quickly as though he didn't even want to entertain the thought. "We can't be. This is a big city. There have to be others."

Claire nodded quietly, though I doubt she believed in what Leon said, but for now, staying optimistic was the best we could do.

Leon brought the car to a halt. The road ahead was blocked by barricades. There was no way we could make it further, at least not with the car.

"Looks like we'll have to continue on foot from here,"

"Oh, great," I sighed. The thought of navigating the chaos on foot made my stomach churn. I turned to look out the window on Claire and my side, trying to scout the surrounding.
I didn't have to look far. There was a hoard of zombies just a few feet from our car, gathering around a lifeless body, crouching on their knees as they tore the organs. The sickening sounds of flesh being ripped apart and bones crunching echoed in the air.

I think I threw up a little in my mouth.

Unfortunately, they noticed us soon afterward. Panic surged within me as I hurriedly scooted back to Leon's side, seeking any semblance of safety within the confines of the car. The relentless zombies pressed against the windows, their decaying faces contorted in a horrifying display of hunger and violence.

"Shit," Claire's voice trembled with fear and frustration, mirroring my own feelings.

Leon tried to open his door when another group of zombies appeared around his side too. Great, now we're completely surrounded.

We frantically struggled to open the doors but to no avail. It wouldn't even budge.

"What do we do?" I asked, hoping Leon and Claire had a better plan. Apparently no because Leon yelled back, "Try harder!"

I willed myself not to roll my eyes, instead throwing my body against the door. Nope. Still not opening.

A sudden flood of light drew our attention to the back window. In perfect synchronization, we turned to witness a massive truck hurtling toward us at breakneck speed, showing no signs of slowing down.

"Hold on!" Leon commanded.

I braced myself. My heart pounded in my chest. Memories of my loved one flashed before my eyes – Chris' face. The first time he took me to dinner and ask me to date him. The first time we shared our first kiss under the tree in the park near my apartment. The first time he told me he loved me.

God, I didn't want to die.

I shut my eyes when the truck finally collided with the back of our car. It sent us spinning, ramming into the zombies that had threatened to devour us moments ago. The car finally stopped when it hit the barricades.

Dizziness overcame me when I heard the clicking of an open door.

The next second my own door opened, my seatbelt loosened and a strong arm pulled me out of the car.

"Come on, we gotta get away from here."

I opened my eyes. Leon's voice was so close to my ear, I could feel the warmness of his breath on my face.

I clung tightly to Leon's hand as we staggered away from the wrecked car, my nose now acutely aware of the smell of gasoline that permeated the air. My eyes darted back to the burning car, dread gnawing at me. Claire was still back there.

I looked back over my shoulder. "Claire-"

The car exploded, sending a deafening blast through the air. My heart pounded in my chest as the force of the explosion knocked both Leon and me off our feet.

We were thrown backward, Leon landing on his back atop the car behind us, and I landed on top of him. I could feel him gasping for air I accidentally knocked out of him.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry. You okay?" I quickly rolled off him.

"Y-yeah. I think so." He said through gritted teeth.

I swiftly checked Leon for any signs of concussion and breathed a sigh of relief when I found nothing amiss. My eyes then darted back to the burning car, dread gnawing at me as the realization of what might have happened to Claire sank in.

"Oh no. Claire!" I screamed with all my might, hoping against hope for a response, but all I heard in return were haunting moans from the encroaching zombies.

"Claire..." I felt my legs weaken, overwhelmed by the dread that gripped me. I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to her.

Leon's firm grip on my waist steadied me just in time, preventing me from collapsing to the ground.

"We have to get away from here," he said, his voice laden with urgency and concern.

"I'm not leaving without Claire," I hissed. If he thought I was going to leave without Claire, then he got another thing coming.

Sympathy crossed Leon's face. "I know you care about Claire, but if we-"

Before he could finish his sentence, a voice rang out, piercing through the chaos like a lifeline.

"Mae?! Leon?!"

My heart soared, and I sprung to my feet.

"Claire! You okay?" I called out, my voice trembling with emotion.

"Yeah. I'm alright. Well, for now anyway," She answered. I strained to see her through the burning car that separated us, but the swarm of zombies that had started to gather around us made it difficult to focus on anything else.

"Oh shit," I whispered, the urgency of the situation not escaping me.

"Claire! Can you make your way to the police station?" Leon called out.

"Yeah. I'll see you guys there," Claire's voice held determination and courage, qualities I knew she possessed in abundance, and hopefully will keep her safe. "Oh, and Leon, please take care of my friend."

His lips curved into a faint smile."I'm a police officer. That's my job." He then turned to me, his gaze warm and reassuring. "Come on, Mae. Let's get out of this hell hole."