RESIDENT EVIL: A New Nightmare

4.1 DISAPPEARANCE

July 26 1998 | 2:30AM - RC Lind Pharmacy

"I've helped many kids over the years... one boy, Ruben-" She eventually spoke. "He was admitted at Raccoon General Hospital nine months ago, and was quickly diagnosed with an extremely rare blood cell disease." She paused.

"I've been treating him since his arrival, until one night- he was just gone." Her expression was pained. "On June 1st, I was told he'd been transferred to a more specialized hospital, but being in charge of his case since day one, it made no sense for such decision to be made without consulting me first. I was unable to get in touch with his family, or learn anything else about his transfer. So, I continued looking further into it, until I found myself at gunpoint." She paused again.

"Either I stopped looking, or I would've gotten myself killed." Her jaw tightened. "And then, a week later, two teenagers went missing. It was their friend Liam who reported them- but no one took him seriously."

"What about their parents?" He inquired, for her expression answered him.

"They were kids living in the streets..." She replied. "Liam tried several times to convince the police that something was wrong, but they wouldn't listen. He was eventually arrested and locked up, just to shut him up." His eyes scowled. "That was about six weeks ago." Her expression reflected his. "He was released on June 25th, and put to work at one of the water treatment plant: graveyard shift and stuck in the middle of nowhere."

That kid..! The one who helped me out..? He wondered.

"I knew them well, and I went myself several times, to try and talk to that scum Chief Irons. I even tried reaching higher authorities." Frustration raged in her eyes. "But I got the same response each time: teens are like strays; they run away when things don't go their way, but eventually come back when they're low on food." She sniggered, a hand in a fist.

"Three days ago, Liam came to me; he overheard a conversation between some men from his work." She continued. "He heard them talk about two teenagers on medical trial, and a boy with an unstable blood condition needing to be transferred out of Oaksford Caelum." Her expression creased. "That name is found on a bronze plaque near the entrance to the largest building in Stoneville, which is the general hospital."

"And you think they were talking about that boy and those missing kids?" He assumed; their gaze locked, he could see, clear as day the distress amidst a flicker of hope.

"I have no idea what to think to be honest- I can't be sure there's even a connection between their disappearance and Stoneville, until I go there and see for myself." Something was going on; she knew it, she could feel it. "The way to that city is under surveillance due to some unspecified incident, the hospital's definitely hiding something, teens go missing but the cops won't do jack shit, and seem to be covering up for it-" Her thoughts stormed. "And on top of that, someone tried to kill me for wanting to know what happened to a sick child under my care."

"Looks like there's some serious shit going on around here." He commented. I don't know if any of it has anything to do with what I've been through, but there's definitely something messed up happening here... He thought about telling her of the events he had experienced, but he felt this might not be the right time, as she already had enough on her mind. She might not even believe me anyway... and I wouldn't blame her.

"I'll get you there." He stated, empathy on his face. "Hopefully, you can figure out what's going on." A long silence followed.

"And I wanna thank you- again." He eventually spoke. "For not going to the cops and just- letting me stay here." She saw gratitude and clear relief, yet his expression remained frowned. "I'll help you out the best I can." He seemed somewhat less intimidating then before, imposing yes, but more akin to the protective and honest type. She nodded in appreciation.