Mechanical Animals: Resident Evil 4

15

Rose and Leon walked into a scene out of a horror movie. Two tall, black-clad figures were forcing Ashley down onto her knees. At first glance, it looked like she was injured, and Rose's blood boiled at the sight of the blood running down the girl's face. But, upon closer inspection, she saw the Los Iluminados insignia had been drawn from her forehead, down her nose, across her cheeks, and under her chin. It wasn't clear whose blood it was, but it didn't seem to be from Ashley, and for that Rose was grateful.

"Ashley!" Leon shouted, running forward, but her voice screaming at him had him skidding to a stop.

"Leon, stop! Don't come any closer!"

"Are you hurt?"

"Watch out!"

Rose and Leon spun around at the same time. The red-robed figure that had carried Ashley off had dropped down behind them and before either agent could react, it had picked Leon up by the throat and thrown him to the floor. He turned, a large tail whipped out from under his robe and smacked Rose in the gut, sending her sprawling into the wall.

Ramon, who was sitting lazily in a throne, had his legs crossed at the ankles. He was too short to touch the floor and looked ridiculous leaning against the armrest, his trifold hat sitting delicately over his head. "Please, do continue."

"No," Ashley whimpered. "No, no, no! Please, let me go!"

"Do not resist, my dear. It serves only to make your suffering all the worse."

"Let her go, you knee-high nut gobbler!" Rose cried out as the robed figures brought over a large golden chalice to hold above Ashley's head while they forced open her jaw. Ramon's eyes snapped over to Rose, the color flaring an angry amber color.

They poured the putrid black liquid down Ashley's throat and Leon struggled to push himself up, blood trickling from between his lips. "You sick fuck!"

Ramon stood up, facing Rose and ignoring Ashley, Leon and the rest of them in the room. "Your insults are nothing but petty distractions. Desperation, colored up like lipstick on a pig. I've had enough of the both of you. The American scum wants you, but I think it's time to put an end to this play."

The robed figure forced Leon onto his feet as Ashley coughed and spluttered, black veins forming in horrifying patterns down her entire body. Leon began to struggle and cried out in pain as he was lifted into the air.

"Aquí nos despedimos, Señor Kennedy."

The floor opened up to reveal a long drop, dark and foreboding. The creature holding Leon threw the agent in, and Leon and Rose both screamed out in terror. "Leon!"

Ramon giggled, giddy with having finally dealt with a thorn in his side. Tears streamed down Rose's cheeks, hot in their urgency. The emotional pain cascaded over the physical wounds she endured that night as if a torrent of sorrow pierced through her, reviving every bruise and scrape inflicted along their harrowing journey. How could one person feel both anguish and overwhelming despair all at once? The dreadful question loomed heavier than any physical pain.

"You evil bastard. He's alive," Rose choked, her voice raw with emotion. She turned to Ashley, whose eyes mirrored her own turmoil. "He's alive, Ashley."

Ramon, intoxicated with his perceived victory, threw his head back, a cackle reminiscent of a deranged puppet master relishing his control over the marionettes. "Nonsense, angel," he hissed, amusement dancing in his eyes as he approached Rose. He reached out, a gesture that felt sweet yet sinister, as his fingers trailed down her cheek, only to recoil when she, in a moment of defiance, snapped her jaws at him.

His demeanor shifted like a storm brewing on the horizon—anger clouding his previously playful facade. Without hesitation, he struck her—a swift, stinging hit that resonated through the chamber, leaving her momentarily disoriented. Rose shook off the haze, refusing to succumb to his barbarity.