Of Nightmares and Choices

Pilot Chapter

Pilot Chapter

I ran up the darkened hallways of the East Wing, praying for time to be on my side and help me make it! I feel the ache in my lungs and the burn on my limbs but I do my best to ignore it. I have more important things to accomplish.

Seeing the central doors I used my shoulder to bust it open and looked left to right frantically for my friends.

"Jill look out!" I felt my dry throat had gone raw from all the shouting I made this day, I hope I will still have some left for what's left to come.

Removing the safety lock on my gun, I aimed the laser pointer on the hulking figure's mechanical chest. Firing straight and never stopping 'til I hear the tell-tale signs of the empty clip.

I watched in satisfaction as I saw him go down while Jill takes the injured Brad by his shoulder and circled around the downed figure.

"Hurry and get inside both of you! He won't stay down for long!" As I wait for them both to enter the building, I searched my pockets for my ace-in-the-hole. My heart's still pounding to the point that it hurts and I'm nervous that my surroundings can hear it. Perspiration pours out of my skin in rivulets. I willed myself to push on.

Before closing the door, I threw two hand-crafted grenades at the menacing Ne-Alpha Tyrant. That should hold it off for a bit. I took a deep breath and faced my companions.

"You're both safe... for now."

Pushing off the closed doors, I wince as my eyes scanned for the injuries on my comrades' bodies. "Staying here is suicide. We have to keep moving but we have to treat your injuries first. Let's head up towards your S.T.A.R.S office, it's secured enough to hold off those undead lurking around and has much of my needed items to treat you guys to health secured in your locker Jill."

"I can't believe you are here." Jill stares at me almost breathless... as if I have somehow sprouted another head.

Me too. I didn't think I had it in me to even make it past the gas station with how scared I was.

"L-Ladies... we can talk some more later... Let's get to safety first...." Brad uttered with a weak voice. He looked pale and just about ready to pass out. 

Jill hefted one of his arms on her shoulder while I took the opposite limb. We carefully maneuvered our way and made it to the office in record time.

After a year of working side-by-side, I can't get anything pass by Jill. I can feel her questioning stare burning me as we carefully laid down Brad by an empty desk. Far away from the door and window but nearby the ammo and lockers. Just in case.

Thankfully I know she won't pry. I cherish her understanding and patience; it's one of my motivators to make sure I give my best so that everyone can get out here alive.

That and the knowledge of the future, but I shouldn't think about those things right now. If I'm to get them out of here, I must focus on what's happening before me and move accordingly step-by-step. I can't get hasty, playing goddess, when with just one wrong move can get everyone dead. I've already pushed things tethering on the edge of what's canon with the little things I've changed.

I placed my backpack down and made way to the boarded windows. Double-checking the surroundings. Everything is just making me a nervous wreck darn it!

"I-I thought you'd be across the country by now. Helping Rebecca in moving to her Uni dorm. W-Why did you come back? Y-You should have s-seen the barricades... the cars... the mess...."