RESIDENT EVIL • Assignment Ashley: Rescue Condor One (RE4)

Schism

Leon's POV:

She is the sunrise.
And me?
I'm a traveller in the dark.

I move from one nightmare to the next, never stopping, never settling. Death and failures cling to me like a second skin.

That's why we can't be together. Because light and dark don't mix.

The sunrise belongs to the world. It warms, it brightens, it brings life—but it can't be contained in palms.

Truly loving someone doesn't mean caging them to your own darkness, no matter how much you wish they'd stay.

Sometimes, love means leaving.

I told myself that for the last five years. Over and over. That I'm not selfish enough to pull her into my chaos.

She deserves more— a normal life. I want her to be happy, to be safe—whoever she's with.

And now she's found someone...

I inhaled sharply, dragging my hand through my hair. It shouldn't bother me. It was only inevitable. Natural.

But the way she'd called my name on the steps—

Did she say his the same way?

Maybe that's why I don't like him. Maybe that's why I don't trust him.

There's something off about him, I know that much. But if I strip it down to the raw truth...I don't know if it's because of him—or because of me.

"I've already let myself get too involved," I mutter.

I tell myself it's to protect her. That's the excuse. The easy answer.

But it's not the whole truth, is it?

That's why I'm here.

That's why I answered Ada's text.

I lean forward in the hotel chair, exhaling slowly, clasping my hands on the coffee table.

"I shouldn't even be here."

The words leave my lips before I can stop them. A low chuckle escapes as I stare at the ceiling, blinking against the dim light. I tell myself it's just the mission that brought me here.

But there's a part of me that knows better.

I'm trying to unhook myself from her. To finally let go.

And the worst part? I know exactly what I'm doing.

However, it's not working. In my mind, I'm still standing at the foot of the stairs, watching her walk away. Hearing her voice echo in my head.

"Take rest Leon. I know you're tired."

Her words linger, soft and caring—so damn her.

My chest tightens. Why do I feel her presence near me, as if we're still inches apart? The warmth of her, even in the emptiness of the room.

I swear, she's always too close, even when she's not.

"What are you doing standing like that, Leon?" someone calls through my thoughts.

What?

Right. I'm not alone.

I blink, grounding myself. The voice wasn't in my head—it came from across the room.

"Ada, I...don't know," I reply slowly.

Huh. When did I stand up?

I look at Ada—but she's the one watching me. One delicate brow raised, towel in hand, her damp blond hair clinging to her shoulders. Water trails over her skin, catching in the hollow of her throat before vanishing beneath the loose tie of her silk robe.