All of You

New Life

Amara

I woke up with a start. I didn't know if I had been yelling in my sleep, but my throat was dry and sore. My breath was ragged and my hair was dishevelled. I scrambled to grab the bedsheets to cover my body. I sat up in bed, hugging my knees close. My body wouldn't stop shivering at the thought of that nightmare. I hadn't had that dream for more than five years so why out of all times did it have to return to my memory tonight? Why did it come back to haunt me?

I jumped at the sudden noise and hurried to switch on the bedside lamp. The first thing I saw was the shiny silver ring sitting peacefully on the table. I noticed that my phone was vibrating. The caller ID showed 'Leon'. I picked it up with my trembling hands.

"Leon, it's three in the morning. Are you calling me because you're drunk?" I asked, maintaining my usual sarcastic voice. I couldn't let Leon know that I was scared. I didn't want him to worry.

I heard him chuckle over the line. "I would've invited you to drink with me so to answer your question, I'm completely sober and it's horrible."

I snorted at his answer. The last time he went drinking by himself, he was drunk as hell and left nearly fifty missed calls and messages on my phone asking me to join him at the bar. I had to personally pick him up and drag him back to his apartment before they could throw him outside.

"Sure. So what is it that you needed, Leon?" I asked, now feeling much more at ease than before.

"I need you," he paused. "To come downstairs in fifteen minutes. I'm picking you up."

"What? Why?"

"Just be there, alright? I'll see you soon, Amara."

"Leon-"

I stared at my phone disbelievingly. I shook my head, attempting to get out of bed. Whatever Leon had planned seemed important. I could tell from his voice even though he sounded calm. I headed straight towards the bathroom and stripped. I didn't have time for a hot shower, but a quick cold one would do. Afterwards, I went towards my wardrobe and took out my usual outfit — a white tank top, jeans, leather jacket and combat boots. I took out my usual weapons as well — a survival knife and a wing shooter. I heard a motorcycle coming from around the corner and hurried down.

The bike came to a stop right in front of me. Under the dim streetlight, I could see Leon smirking at me and nodding for me to get on. I hopped on behind and hugged his back tightly. I didn't trust Leon with any vehicle considering the number of times he crashed them, but since he survived through every crash, it made me feel a little less close to death. He revved up the engine and soon we were speeding down the road.

"Where are we going?" I asked over the wind, hoping that he would hear me.

"The White House. Adam wants to see us," Leon replied, looking into the mirror for a brief moment as he spoke.

"Adam wants to see us?" I asked, but it came out as a mumble.

It sounded like an emergency, but with Leon being so calm and my alert buzzer not going off, it didn't seem like one. However, it had to be extremely serious if Adam wanted both of us to come down to the White House at 3 a.m. We entered through the gates and walked straight towards Adam's office. When we opened the double doors, Adam looked up from his notes and gave a tired smile. He beckoned us to come in and sit down.

"Leon, Amara," Adam addressed us. "I'm sorry to have made you come at this time."

"It's fine, Adam. What happened?" I asked and Adam looked at Leon, who then nodded. "Wait. What's going on?"

"Amara, we're going to send you off."

"Meaning?"

"You're going to join the BSAA."

"BSAA?"

"Yes. I'm sorry we didn't ask you for your permission, but we need you to join the Alpha Team."

"I would've volunteered, but I can't," Leon spoke. "Alpha Team's under-"

"Chris Redfield," I said, cutting him off. "You know him, don't you?"

Leon nodded. Adam then explained that he needed me to join the BSAA under the Alpha Team specifically because he suspected that someone on that team was going to murder the president and overthrow the government. To make things worse, he was reportedly working for Umbrella. That probably meant that there was a new virus involved and they were planning to release it as soon as he became president. There was no way for Leon to go undercover, considering the fact that he knew Chris Redfield personally and that it would be suspicious. I was the only choice.

I reclined in my seat. "I'm fine with it. But why tell me now?"

"You're leaving to join the BSAA in two hours. I'm sorry we couldn't tell you earlier. We've only just received the threat."

I took a long breath. "You don't have to apologise, Adam. We're at your service and we'll do anything to protect you. I'll make sure he won't even get anywhere near you."

Adam smiled. "Both of you have done so much for me and I can't thank you enough. Especially you, Amara. I practically forced you to join the BSAA."

"Well, if you want to thank me, I'm always up for drinks," I joked and he laughed. I looked into his eyes and nodded firmly. "Run me through this mission."

An hour later, I was at the carpark again. Leon was right beside me, fiddling with the bike keys. I mounted the bike and stretched out my hand. Instead of placing the keys in my palm, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a tight hug. He rested his chin on my head.

"I'm going to miss you, Amara."

"Get used to it. And it's Riley."

He laughed, loosening his arms around me and passing me the keys. "Just promise me one thing, Riley."

"What's that?"

"Don't be sassy with your new captain."

I smirked and he kissed the top of my head. I started the engine and took one last look at Leon.

"Go get 'em, tiger."