Hell's Gift

-6-

"Ok, ok. Listen, I've got to go, Chris is insisting I try the pancakes he's just made." I looked across the room, rolling my eyes at Chris, who stood in the doorway, a plate in hand. 

"Good luck with that." Sherry laughed through the phone. 

"He's improved, at least he insists he has." I replied, watching Chris' smile fade as I stuck my tongue out at him. 

"Never changes. I'll talk to you in a week, M." 

"Talk to you soon, Sherry." I hung up the phone, before sighing and placing it on my dresser.

It had been 10 years since the Raccoon city outbreak, and I had never been happier. I'd told Leon everything that Irons had done shortly after we left the labs. Chris and Claire knew most parts, but never the full story. I'd still had to go to the lab every few months, but eventually they gave up trying to use Sherry and I for a cure. The two of us being locked up for 'our own safety', due to Albert Wesker being on the loose. I'd been taught how to fight, how to shoot, how to fit in. Between the Redfields and Leon, I'd had enough training to take on a whole gang of it came to it. However, being stuck inside all the time due to Wesker was becoming increasingly tiring.

I made my way to the kitchen, sitting at the island opposite Chris and Claire. "How's Sherry?" Claire asked, as I was handed a plate. 

"She's good, better than I'm gonna be after this." I teased, looking down at my plate. 

"Hey! My cooking isn't that bad." Chris protested, and I looked up. 

"Yeah, why is there pancake remains on the ceiling?" I questioned. 

"It was one pancake!" He held up a finger and I laughed, before piling on toppings and taking a bite. "Well?" Chris raised an eyebrow. 

"These are actually pretty good." He pumped his fist in the air, causing Claire and I to laugh at his gesture.

"So, how long is this mission gonna be?" I asked, changing the subject. 

He finished the pancake he was eating before looking up from his plate, "they reckon about a week." I looked across at Claire, who gave me a small, reassuring smile. I longed to be out in the world, helping people, but Chris and Leon refused to let me become an agent, or a soldier. First, I had to get my hands on the gun Leon had locked away for 'when I was ready'. He insisted that as soon as Wesker was gone, I'd get it, and so I waited on. "I've got work until 5, I should be home for 6. You know the deal, lock everything and try to stay away from..."

"The doors and windows. And if someone rings or knocks don't answer." I cut Claire off, her and Chris nodding, happy with my answer. "When are you guys gonna stop treating me like I'm still a kid, I'm not the 13 year old you rescued from Raccoon City anymore. Besides, Wesker died, Chris you saw it yourself." The pair looked at one another, then back at me. 

"Until the body is found, we're not taking chances. We still don't know exactly what Wesker was capable of."

"So we held a funeral for Jill, but Wesker's alive. Got it." I rolled my eyes, standing up and stacking my plate into the dishwasher. 

"Melissa, that's not fair." Claire warned, her hand moving to rest on Chris'. 

I sighed, looking at the ground in shame, "I know...I just want to help people the way you guys have helped me. I'm sure there so many kids out there who've been caught up in this mess, and they have nobody left to turn to."

"We understand that, Leon does too. But you're no use to anybody if your blood gets into the wrong hands." Chris stood up as he spoke, stacking his plate too, before turning to me, "as soon as you can join, I promise there'll be a spot on my team." He said, and I wrapped my arms around him tight, his arms slowly enclosing my small frame in return.