PEPPERTREE, Leon Kennedy

02

☂︎
"Please, I need to find her "

"Sacrificial lamb. You will receive our most sacred body. It begins now."

What the fuck?

The air is thick, suffocating in the dark room. With no windows, the room remains in darkness. Two men are hanging from the ceiling, chained together. One is wearing a dark, brownish-red jacket over a white blouse. While the other, a blond, in a dark blue shirt, stares blankly ahead, fear in his eyes. 

"Oh, what the fuck?" he grunts, tugging at the chain.

"Hey, stop it!" the other warns, there's no sign of panic in his voice.

The blond pulls away, searching for a way to free himself from the chains.

"Oye, Yanqui, got a name?" he glances at the blond.

"Leon." 

"Quiet type, eh? I'm Luis Serra."

"Serra with a C or with an S?" the question slips from your tongue before you can stop it.

He turns his head, facing towards you. "Ooh, look what we've got here. Got a name, señorita?"

"Y/N. I'm Y/N" you reply, hesitating slightly. Well, it seemed alright, especially considering that you're introducing yourself while chained to the wall with two strangers in whatever this place is.

He turns back to Leon. "Guess you - "  turns back to you " - you, me - picked the wrong spot to vacation, eh?" 

Leon keeps tugging at the chains, moving around, trying to find a way out.

"Hey, stop it!" Luis yells. "You move, I move... and I'm beat up enough as it is."

Luis watches Leon pulling at the chain, clearly amused. "I can see your thinking. Bet you've been in spots like this before. My guess... you'e here looking for someone?"

Leon ignores him, focused on getting free.

Luis presses on. "One more guess. Maybe... some missing señorita?"

Leon's head snaps toward him. "A young girl?" He pulls the chain strongly, yanking Luis closer. "Talk. Now."

"All right," Luis replies quickly, his casual tone faltering. No hesitation. "See, heard chatter about moving a señorita."

"Moving her. Where?" 

"Who knows?" Luis shrugs. "But later, saw some men dragging someone... to the old church."

Leon's face hardens, and he gives the chain a sudden jerk, sending Luis to the floor. "Mierda... Hanging with you? Not healthy - "

Suddenly, a zombie creature appears from the shadows, lurching toward the three of you. You freeze, pressing back into the wall, heart pounding, while Leon and Luis maneuver the chain to take it down. You silently pray your friend never wandered into this nightmare.

Luis pulls free of the chains, hands wide, moving back quietly.

"Wait!" you shout.

"Hey, we're not done here!" Leon calls after him.

"Later, amigo! Later, señorita!" Luis says with a smirk, tossing the keys he somehow swiped. With a casual wave, he saunters out.

Leon catches the keys and quickly unlocks his own chains. He hurries over to you, sorting through the keys until he finds the right one to free you, then glances around for his gear.

"Shit. They took my gear!" he mutters, frustrated.

You think for a moment. "I spotted a place where we might be able to trade some gear while I was searching  for somewhere to stay."

He pauses for a moment, considering.

"A 'missing señorita'? Who's she?"

"Ashley Graham" Leon replies.

You raise your eyebrows "The president's daughter?"

He sighs, almost as if he regrets sharing this much. "Yes," Leon says, his tone serious. "And I don't have time to waste. Chat all you want, but I'm leaving."

Leon starts to walk away without a second glance.

"Hey, you Leon dude!" you call, hurrying to keep up. "Look, I know you think I'll just slow you down, but I can help. I've got skills too, you know? I know how to handle myself."

He pauses, turning back with a skeptical glance. "And what's in it for you?"

You take a breath, steadying yourself. "I'm looking for someone too. My best friend, Vivian Gracia. She went missing here." Your voice softens as desperation seeps in. "Please, I need to find her."

Leon holds your gaze for a moment before he sighs. "All right" he says, hesitant.

A/N: Another short chapterrrr... Bear with me please!!