RESIDENT EVIL: A New Nightmare

2.3 HAVEN

Several bruises and scratches were scattered across his skin; a seemingly permanent frowned look on his face, she tried in vain, to read past his somewhat formal expression.

"Your strength is quite impressive..." She commented; by his overall appearance, and impressions on his wrists, he was clearly on the wrong side of the law. "Those look like handcuff marks... and it seems like it gave you quite a hassle to get out of..."

She's a clever one. His mind commented, as his stature tightened slightly. The bruises seemed rather fresh; a painful but necessary struggle he had endured in order to survive.

"I don't expect an explanation." She replied. Whoever he was, she didn't care. Although she was very inquisitive as to know more about his identity, for now, he had come to her rescue, and that was all that mattered. A wave of silence spread across the room; minutes passed, as she continued treating his multiple cuts.

"There." She eventually spoke. "You're good to go." She knew it wouldn't be that easy for him to do so; his sullen expression said it all. "You're not just passing by... are you?" His silence answered her.

"..." He was stuck here, with merely no options at his disposal. I have to keep on running... anywhere, it doesn't matter at this point... I can't let anyone discover who I am- I have to stay hidden... for how long though, I don't fucking know. He let out a heavy sigh. A car would be useful, but risky... By foot could work too, but to where..? Everything feels like a damn nightmare... He shook his head. Maybe it would've been better for me to die in that hellhole. The recent events flashed in his head; his life, or what was left of it, with seemingly no way out. No continuation. No freedom. No hope.

Long minutes passed. Uneasiness lingered endlessly; both remained in complete silence, absorbed in thoughts. But I can't give up just yet... not like that. He couldn't stay in Raccoon City for long, he had to keep running; however, his situation was far from easy. He had to think things through, but he had to do so quickly, irrationally if needed. So far, she's the only one who might be able to help me... He had to keep things in his favor.

"That's no amateur work you did there." He commented, as he took a look at his bandaged hands, in hope it would create some affinity. "You're a nurse?"

"Not exactly." She answered. "I'm a resident pediatrician at Raccoon General Hospital."

"Working with kids... must be fun." He replied in a casual tone, when he noticed her expression, a somewhat sorrowful flicker deep in her eyes.

"It used to be." She answered swiftly; he could tell she only wished to brush off the topic. He couldn't help but replied with a somewhat apologetic look. Instants passed, for neither of them felt at ease in conversing with one another. A hand placed upon her forehead, a thought eventually flashed in her mind.

"You really need to get out of the city, don't you?" She inquired, her gaze locked with his. He responded with a nod. "Does it matter where you end up?"

"As long as I stay away from the wrong crowd..." She understood his insinuation.

"Then-" Her expression reflected distress, yet a sliver of hope could be seen in her eyes. "I have a proposition for you."

"I'm listening." He replied, as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. That might be my only chance to get the hell out of here... Let's see what she has to offer.

"There is a way to get out of the city unnoticed." He listened carefully. "Although never made public, I did learn very recently, that the subway line does continue all the way to Stoneville, from the university campus. The main tunnel can easily be accessed, if you know what you're doing, and are excellent at playing stealthy." She explained. "All we need to do, is to sneak past the guards, deactivate the security system, and then... we walk. It's a long way, but it will lead you away from Raccoon City."