PEPPERTREE, Leon Kennedy

04

☂︎
"Leave? You're asking me to fucking leave? "

You all run toward the massive gate, fleeing from those people. Those creatures. Leon rushes ahead, aiming at the crank, desperate to close it before they get in.

The air is ice cold. Rain pours relentlessly, soaking them wet to the bone. The metallic scent of blood hanging in the air, sending chills racing down the back of your neck. All you can hear are the chanting voices of those people, growing louder, and it's sickening.

You inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. The weariness hits you hard, from all the running, dodging, and shooting. You can see it in the others too. Ashley, leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, and Luis, barely hanging on, looking like he's about to lose it. Leon stands in the middle, motionless, trying to process what just happened.

Then suddenly, Ashley coughs, a violent, ferocious sound. It's loud... And bloody.

"Wh-what's happening to me?" she chokes out, gasping between coughs.

Luis rushes over to her, his eyes wide with concern. "Ashley. Is this the first time you've coughed up blood like this?"

Ashley nods immediately, her face pale and trembling.

Leon steps forward, his tone sharp. "You wanna start explaining?"

Luis looks straight, his voice steady. "The cough, the blood - it's caused by something called a... Plaga."

"Plaga? Las Plagas? What the fuck, man?" you ask, as Leon and Ashley exchange wary glances.

"Yes, Las Plagas. The species." Luis explains, walking toward the gate, trying to make sense of it all. "Okay. You saw those people, right? Those Ganados. Well, you have the same thing inside you." He gestures toward the gate. "The same thing that made them like that."

He pauses for a second. "This, what you're experiencing, these symptoms... they're only the beginning."

Ashley's voice trembles "I don't want to become like them."

Luis looks at her. "You are, well, lucky." he says. "You see, at this early stage, the parasite - the Plaga. It is possible to remove it... with a surgical procedure. All you need is some know-how. And, oh yeah - the right equipment."

Luis opens his vest, revealing a long, fresh scar. It's from the surgery that freed him from the Plaga. 

Leon's eyes narrow. "Wait. You, too?"

Luis gives a reassuring nod, his expression almost proud. "No worries. See, I have a plan. But you're going to have to trust me."

Leon glances over at you and Ashley, as if looking for reassurance. After a moment, he nods reluctantly.

Luis claps his hands together enthusiastically, though there's a hint of tension in his eyes. "Great! We're partners then!"

Leon gives him a dubious look. "Why are you - "

"No time for any questions. The clock is ticking!" Luis interrupts, his tone urgent.

Leon presses regardless, voice steady. "Why are you helping us?"

Luis gives a small shrug. "Because it makes me feel better. Let's leave it at that." He glances back as he steps into the rain. "I will contact you later." he says as he fades outside.

"Bye, Luis!" you call after him as Ashley gives you a look. You can't really tell if she's mocking you or just thinks you're naive. Come on, Ashley. I'm older than you. You tic cough.