when its gone | leon kennedy

when youre finally out

it's been 3 hours since i've left raccoon city. 3 hours driving non-stop. it's dark out; there are trees surrounding me from every direction, and trees lining the roads for miles. i don't know where im going, i have no idea what im even doing right now. i just know that i got the hell out of there. for once, i feel a sense of peace.

it's quiet.

no bombs, no helicopters swooping down into the city, no blood-curdling screams, no zombies, no banging on my door for help. i can get used to this fast.

"man. i am super hungry. i hope i didn't forget to pack any food." i pull over on the side of the road. getting out of the car with my weapon and flashlight in hand, i check my surroundings before i open my trunk.

"well, crap." no food. this is just great. suddenly all of my past feelings of peace plummets. i'm hungry, im VERY distressed, this isn't a good mix.

i sigh and get back in my car. driving again, i see something in the distance: lights. it looks like a... building? in the middle of nowhere like this??? not a lot of people live out here in the country, hell the roads look horrible out here. as i drive closer, i catch a glimpse of a sign.

i slowly read the name out loud. "'the cafe'. seriously, that's what it's called? that's pretty generic." a little skeptical, i pull into the empty parking lot of the small establishment. i might be very paranoid about what might be out here, but i can never turn down a chance to get some food.

as i walk in, im greeted with slow, calm music and a warm atmosphere. the aroma of coffee and lavender dance around my nose.

definitely what i need right about now. its kind of odd, but im not complaining.

as i look around, im surprised to see nobody here. the presence of humans is lacking, especially in a cozy place like this. if this cafe was back in raccoon city, i would just live here instead.

"welcome in!!" as my back is turned, a cheerful, but deep voice from behind the counter emerges suddenly, sending chills down my spine. i slowly turn around to see a tall, and handsome blonde man brewing fresh coffee in a pot.

"hi. um, sorry to intrude," i began as i took a seat on a stool closest to the counter, "i was wondering if you had anything to eat..."

"yeah of course! we have sandwiches." the man replied, smiling as he pulled out a small menu.

"i wonder if you even have the sandwiches they used to serve in raccoon city." i joked, as i skimmed the menu.

"hah, if you count zombies being sandwiched by falling buildings, then no we don't have those." he chuckled as he set down a cup of steaming coffee in front of me.

"a morbid sense of humor you have," i hum, as i stir in sugar and creamer. "you learn to appreciate any type of humor after you've been in situations like that." the man blew air through his nose in a small laugh.

i ordered my sandwich, and we both sat in comfortable silence while he wiped the countertop.

"man, raccoon city is a mess right now. i tried to stay there for a long as possible, but holy crap, is it bad." i took a sip of my coffee, "maybe i have attachment issues."

"you just came from raccoon city? i would've expected everyone to either leave or die when the outbreak happened." the blonde man rested his arms on the counter, staring at me. "you don't look like you went through a whole lot of trouble."