𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞| ᴀ ʟᴇᴏɴ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ

12. Rude Awakenings

I wake up in Leon's arms, and at first all seems normal, as if Grimhurst and the events that came after never happened, but then Leon's phone begins buzzing like crazy. I yawn, rolling to my side as Leon groans and sits up, snatching it from the bedside table with a malice for it. "What?" He grumbles, giving me a small smile when he notices me staring at him. His face soon drops, skin paling as his eyes widen. I know it isn't good news, so I sit up, wincing as I get out of bed and begin getting dressed. 

"-Chris, are you sure?" I hear Leon ask nervously, his own actions mirroring my own as he gets dressed, but also begins to put on his belt and gun holster. That definitely means trouble. I watch Leon anxiously, wanting to know what's going on. Has Theodore made true on his words to me back in the bunker, has he found my family and friends? My breath comes short as Leon rushes around, grabbing a series of weapons from hidden places as he holds his flip phone between his ear and his shoulder. "Yeah, she's with me. Alright, but hurry up. Claire? " Leon sighs "We should know better than to try and keep her away." Leon then hangs up, his blue eyes wide as he rushes to me, cupping my cheeks as I look up at him. 

"What's happening Leon?" I whisper. 

"I don't know how, but Theodore's been spotted near here. The agents patrolling the area aren't responding, which can only mean one thing."

"They're dead. And Theodore's coming for us." I fill in, chewing on my lip as Leon gives me a grim nod. A breath of air escapes me, I'm not ready for another fight, not mentally anyway, but it looks like we've got no choice. I nod more to myself, trying to calm my pounding heart as Leon steps away, already heading for the door. 

"I want you to stay here-"

"No way. You're not facing him alone. He's dangerous, and you need me." 

"You're more important than me, I need you to be safe." Leon sternly replies, but it comes from a place of love. I step closer to him anyway, disregarding his intentions, I'm not letting him face something alone, and especially not with no care for his own life. He makes a low noise , head swivelling back and forth between me and the door, time is running out so I make the choice for him. 

"Fuck justice. Theodore's put us through enough, I'm killing that bastard myself." I say, voice filled with hate for the man who's broken mine. Leon looks surprised, but doesn't stop me, he must know that there's no getting in the way of me taking his side. I race down the stairs, the dim moonlight making every shadow seem ominous. Leon follows at my heels, both of us on edge, until out of nowhere there's a knock at the front door. Leon and I share a look, then I slowly walk towards it, unlocking the chain and grabbing the door knob as Leon stands at my side, gun already aimed up and ready. I give him a nod, then swing the door open, revealing Theodore standing there as if he's coming around for a coffee. I don't hesitate, throwing everything I have I clench my fist and punch him in the nose, sending him stumbling back. 

Theodore holds a hand to his now bleeding nose, glaring at Leon and I. "You both ruined everything," He nasally begins like a whiny child, "I've lost it all! You were supposed to die!" Leon steps forwards now, fist raised, but I grab his arm, shaking my head at him. 

"Why are you here? Have you finally realised you've lost?" I ask, looking around behind him, seeing nothing but the dark fields surrounding the house, it's all very Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Theodore smiles, then begins to chuckle, which turns into a full belly laugh as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out some dark green syringe. My eyes widen as Leon stiffens, then before we can act Theodore jams the needle into his own neck, emptying the green liquid into his body in a flash. The effects begin to show immediately as he mutates. I stumble back into Leon's chest as he tries to push me behind him, both of us watching with sick interest as Theodore's limbs grow and change, becoming fleshy and sharp, his arms like kitchen knives as his legs expand, his chest doubles in size, showing a orange beating heart nestled within his white ribs that are on display. 

"What the fuck?" Leon breathes out, then as if shaking himself into action he shoves me behind him and back into the house. I stumble, barely catching myself as Leon ducks, then seconds later Theodore's razor sharp arms swipe where we were stood. Leon rolls behind Theodore, grabbing his gun and letting the bullets fly, the gunshots echo in the disturbed stillness of the night. I'm weapon less,  I didn't think and now Leon's going to pay for my dumb mistake. I let my emotions control me and now...I don't know if we're going to survive this second showdown. 

I watch with fear clutching me as Leon moves when Theodore tries to swipe him, occasionally stabbing forwards. Leon's quick, but it isn't enough. One swipe catches Leon across the cheek, he only just dodged becoming a kebab. I scream out, rushing to them even if I don't have anything to give, but then Leon shouts. 

"The fireplace!" He yells, still rolling and jumping to avoid being Theodore's victim. 

"Now isn't the time for cosy stories and playing Santa Claus!" I shout back in reply, earning a short but slightly amused glance from Leon as he rolls forwards under Theodore's legs, he stands in front of me as Theodore growls and turns. 

"There's a shotgun with armour piercing shells hidden under the ash! Go! Now!" 

I nod, skidding as I turn and race inside. I hear Leon's gun fire rapidly as I look for the fireplace, then as soon as I spot it I rush to it, getting to my knees as I swipe the wood and ash away, revealing a grey coloured shotgun. I could almost kiss it, but a pained shout alerts me. I check the gun, seeing the red shells already loaded, then I grip the shotgun, loading it as I run back to the front of the house. When I see a limping Leon bleeding from a series of cuts I feel my blood boil, I tuck the shotgun in my hands, holding it with both hands as I whistle loudly. "Hey, asshole!" I shout, earning Theodore's attention, "Get the fuck away from my boyfriend." I pump the shotgun then press the trigger, sweating as I try and manage the kickback. I step forward, shooting and shooting as Theodore roars in pain, chunks of flesh scatter away from his chest revealing his beating heart. He storms to me, but I ignore the impending doom, taking a deep breath I lift the shotgun up, using it almost like a sniper as I release the last bullet into his heart. 

It explodes, then Theodore's eyes widen is disbelief. His body thrums, then without warning it implodes, raining down guts, flesh and blood. I close my eyes, feeling my body get drenched with the gore, then finally the night is still once again. That's not right, my eyes burst open, focusing on Leon who's half laying down on the ground, head resting on an empty flower bed. With tears in my eyes I sprint to him, tossing the gun away from me as I throw myself down, hands shaking as I check him or injuries. "No, no, please be okay!" I sob, but Leon's lips turn up, his arm snaking around my back to pull me to him. 

"I'm okay, just a few broken ribs, maybe a concussion." He slurs, then he lifts his head and presses a messy kiss to my lips. Behind us, the promised backup finally arrives, a truck followed by a motorcycle pull up, the headlights bright as two figures race to us. One muscled man with short brown hair, and one younger girl who looks to be his sister. 

"Chris, Claire, meet my fiancée." Leon grins, then he passes out. I gasp, but Chris rests a hand on my shoulder as Claire looks around, eyeing up the massive pool of gore suspiciously. 

"He'll be alright, the medic team is right behind us." 

As if on cue, a series of ambulances and other special forces race down the road to the house. My shoulders slump in relief. The truth is out and the problem is dealt with, we emerged victorious and got the job done whilst adding some more trauma to our resumes. The world's a little safer from one asshole leading the country to the depths of hell, but there will always be more willing to take his place. I look around, watching as the medics tend to a delirious Leon, wondering if I've been wrong this whole time. I didn't think I was cut out for this, and maybe I'm still unsure, but I know that I'm capable of more than I think, so maybe being an agent isn't all too bad, at least when you've got the right partner.