Affliction {Resident Evil 2 - Leon x !FemOC}

Below the Surface

The Lion Statue was on the second floor, behind the bigger one. I had never been so relieved in my entire life to have found another so close. I looked at the notebook, before turning the slots to the same combination Elliot had drawn. As it was the correct combination, I was able to take out the second medallion, carefully putting it in my pocket with the other one. It made me excited to know we might be getting out of here a lot quicker than anticipated.

We went through the Library, up the stairs, and into the same storage area we were in before. We looked around for a bit before I found the third statue. It was of a maiden. I did the same thing as before and took out the third medallion. I breathed in deeply, my leg still aching but the herb was doing its job. Although I was able to walk, my head was beginning to feel dizzy.

"Are you okay?"

"I feel dizzy," I said. He caught me by the shoulders before I tipped over. The whole room was spinning around me.

"Could be dehydration."

I nodded, as he guided me out of the storage room and down the stairs, where we found the break room. The breakroom had a vending machine and a water cooler, as well as a couch where police officers or the administration staff would watch TV. A window next to the couch looked over the side of the courtyard, where zombies were rampant below. They couldn't get us from down there, but it was still nerve-wracking.

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling bad we stopped on my behalf. "We were almost out of here." He filled up a cup with water from the cooler.

Leon shook his head. "Don't apologize." He handed me a plastic cup of water, looking at me expectantly. Sighing, I accepted the cup and took a few sips of water. I was surprised there was even water left in the dispenser. People didn't usually refill the water cooler until someone complained.

"I know, but..."

"Stop," Leon cut me off. "You need to keep hydrated and rest."

"Rest?" I asked, confused. "No, I don't need rest." I gulp the rest of my water down. I was starting to feel my eyes fluttering.

"That's bullshit and you know it. Rest for an hour or two. I'll be right here."

"You won't leave?"

Leon shook his head. "I promise. I will be here when you wake up." There was an awkward silence after I filled up the second cup of water. "You have anybody special in your life?" Leon's question took me by surprise, and I almost spat my drink out. I had it coming considering I asked him the same thing – kind of.

"Not as of late. There were a few stragglers, but I let them go." I winked at him, and he responded with a shy laugh. "But you... I am surprised you're single."

"To be fair, I have had little time for such things. Between attending the police academy, graduating, and now... this."

"Yeah, I understand. Not much time for friendships either?"

"Here and there but we haven't spoken to each other since graduation."

I heard a few zombies outside growling below us. It made me feel uneasy, but at least the pouring rain drowned out most of the noise. "There was one friend other than Marvin I could confide in. Her name was Rita Phillips, and I have no idea what happened to her."

"Was she here when it all started?"

"Yes, but we got separated. I was stuck upstairs in a room when Marvin found me. When I tried asking about her, he didn't have any answers for me."

"Maybe we will find her," Leon reassured her but even he wasn't so sure she was alive. "For now, rest up. You need it."

"Hard to close my eyes when those zombies are outside... They can't climb, can they?"