Resident Evil: Blacklight

July 18

Night fell over Raccoon City as I left the station, hurrying to Gunshop Kendo before it closed.

Rebecca followed, her footsteps quick but light. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?" She asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Nope. You never know, maybe there won't be a tomorrow." I shrugged, trying to mask the edge in my tone. "I'd rather get it over with now."

"Kind of a pessimistic view…" She muttered, glancing at me.

"I suppose, but it's the truth."

We reached Robert's shop, the neon sign above flashing brightly in the evening fog.

"Evening!" I greeted as I stepped inside.

"Hey, Robert!" Rebecca waved with a smile.

Robert looked up from his desk. "What brings you two here?"

"This." I showed him a check. "Told you I'd come back with my first pay."

"I remember saying I don't want to pressure anyone into buying from me." Robert sighed, giving me a pointed look.

"It's not pressure." I said quickly. "I wanted to do this long before I joined the force. I'm just… an avid fan of guns."

"If you say so, kid." Robert muttered, shaking his head. "What are you looking for?"

"I'm not sure. Let me look around first."

Robert nodded, returning to the newspaper he had been reading.

"You came in a rush without knowing what you wanted?" Rebecca raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't have to follow me." I shot back, giving her a half-smile.

She glanced at me before looking away. "What? I can't be curious about what my partner does now?"

I raised my arms in surrender. "I didn't say that. If you want to come, I'm not gonna stop you."

We both began browsing, observing the weapons on display, before heading back to the counter.

"I have no clue what half of that stuff even is." I admitted, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Do you have any recommendations? Something easy to use but powerful?"

Robert raised an eyebrow. "Kind of specific, but yeah, I've got something in mind." He disappeared into the back of the store and returned with two weapons.

He placed a shotgun on the counter first. "Mossberg 590A1. Mainly used by the military and law enforcement. Durable, reliable, and packs a punch."

Next, he showed me an assault rifle. "Colt AR-15. Semi-automatic, lightweight, easy to control, with minimal recoil."

"Mind if I try them?" I asked.

"No problem." Robert said, leading us to the shooting range.

…

The sound of gunfire filled the air as I tested the weapons. After I finished, Rebecca shook her head. "It's a little too much, isn't it?"

"No, they're perfect." I said, nodding with satisfaction. I looked at Robert. "How much?"

"1,200." Robert smirked, clearly amused at the way my smile faltered. "Cash or card?"

I paused for a moment, pulling out the check. As I handed it over, I noticed how much I had left—barely enough to cover anything else.

"Got any bullets for them?" I asked, hoping to stretch my purchase a little further.

"You sure you're only a fan of guns?" Robert gave me a skeptical look.

"I'm...also a fan of bullets." I tried to sound nonchalant.

Rebecca and Robert stared at me, unimpressed.

"If I heard that from anyone else, I'd be taking the guns back, but since you're with S.T.A.R.S. I'll let it slide." Robert sighed and handed me a box of cartridges.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "You plan to use them on missions?"

I blinked, taken aback. "Huh?" I faked a surprised expression. "How'd you know?"

She shook her head, not fooled. "What else would you do with that kind of gear?" She then crossed her arms. "You know, if we are in need we can take guns from the department's armory. You aren't obligated to buy your own weapons."

"Oh…" I looked away from her. "Well, what's done is done. Doesn't matter anymore." I told her as I took my purchase.

"Come by again!" Robert called as we left.

"Not with those prices!" I shot back, making Robert laugh.

"Bye, Robert! Say hi to your daughter for me!" Rebecca called over her shoulder.

"Sure!" Robert waved.

…

We stepped back into the street, the night air growing colder.

"You really didn't have to walk me home. My apartment's just a few blocks away." Rebecca smiled at me.

"Yeah, but you came with me to the shop. Might as well return the favor." I replied, my tone light but steady.

"Wow, what a gentleman." She chuckled, but her expression softened a bit. "Hey, I wanted to ask you something...ever since the competition."

I glanced at her, suddenly wary. "Shoot."

Her eyes locked onto mine. "Are you...okay? You just seem...out of it sometimes. Like during the competition, you looked exhausted even though you were fine just moments before."

I felt my chest tighten. 'Has she been paying too much attention?'

"And that thing you used to do when you shot—closing your eyes slightly and wincing. But ever since the competition and during our training, you stopped doing it." She pressed, her tone gentle, but there was concern in her gaze.

I paused, a knot forming in my stomach. "It's nothing. I have bad moments now and then. I'm fine, really." I tried to keep my voice even.

Rebecca didn't buy it. "Bad moments?" She raised an eyebrow. "I'm a medic, remember? I'm not falling for that. Just tell me what's really going on."

I felt the frustration bubbling up. "I said I'm fine, okay? Just leave it." My voice was louder than I intended.

She looked at me, a quiet sadness in her eyes before she nodded, clearly choosing to respect my space for now. "Alright then. Uh, this is my stop." She gestured to the apartment building. "See you tomorrow."

I watched her walk away, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. I could feel her eyes glancing back at me, and I knew she wouldn't just let this go.

…

Back in my apartment, I laid out the weapons, loading them slowly and carefully. I hid them in the most inconspicuous places I could think of, making sure they were easy to reach in a hurry.

'Even if I'm not using my powers... that doesn't mean I won't fight back if it comes to it.'

I stared at the weapons, my fingers brushing over the cold metal, a chill creeping up my spine.

'It's strange. These last few days, the eyes watching over me seem to lessen. Are they planning something?'

I frowned, trying to focus.

"You are its only host."

'No matter. Whatever they're planning, they won't get me alive.'

With that thought, I stood up, my resolve hardening as I prepared for whatever was to come.

…

July 22

The sun hung high over Raccoon City, its rays bouncing off the chain-link fence surrounding the basketball court. Bravo and Alpha team rarely had downtime, so today felt like a small celebration.

Rebecca stood off to the side, dressed in green sportswear with "R.P.D." printed on the front. A camera hung around her neck, swaying slightly as she turned to address the group.

"How about we take some photos?" She asked, her voice hopeful but firm. "We don't get moments like this often."

Wesker, ever the enigma, adjusted his sunglasses and nodded. "I can take them."

"Wesker, I can't believe you actually joined us." Jill teased, crossing her arms.

"Of course." Wesker replied smoothly. "I wouldn't miss documenting such a rare display of unity."

"He doesn't want us to think he's too much of a killjoy." Chris muttered under his breath, earning a snicker from Barry.

"Kind of too late for that." Joseph added with a laugh.

"Lay off your captain for a second." Enrico said, shaking his head with an amused smile.

Wesker stepped forward and took the camera from Rebecca, his movements measured as he began snapping individual photos of everyone.

"Ready, Mercer?" Wesker asked, his tone flat as ever.

"Yeah!" I exclaimed with a grin, striking a casual pose.

With a click, it was done. Before I could ask how it looked, Wesker was already moving on to Rebecca, the last person in line.

She smiled brightly, putting her arms behind her head as Wesker adjusted the focus. "Done." Wesker said with a nod, lowering the camera. For a brief moment, I thought I saw a smirk tug at his lips.

Before I could think of it further, Chris's voice echoed through the court.

"Alright, let's get this started! Alpha versus Bravo, first to 41. Winner gets bragging rights for the week." He dribbled a basketball with ease.

"Only a week?" Barry grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Better make it a month with how hard I'm about to dunk on them."

"Dream on, old man." Forest laughed, adjusting his headband. "You're one foot in the grave, you guys won't even see our shadows."

"Sure, if this were a track meet." Jill retorted, stretching her arms. "But basketball? Let's see how far that speed gets you when I'm guarding."

"Be careful not to pull your muscles." Rebecca said with a chuckle.

"Or your egos." I muttered, earning a small laugh.

Chris tossed the ball to the center. "Alex, you're playing, right?"

"Yeah, though I might be a little rusty, I haven't played in a long time." I exclaimed sheepishly.

"Six vs Seven? Doesn't seem that fair." Brad sighed.

"C'mon Brad! You guys are the elites! One more won't matter!" Edward laughed.

"Hm, he's right. As long as you're skilled enough you win no matter the numbers you're facing." Wesker scoffed but agreed.

"We'll see for how long you can say that, Captain Wesker!" Richard taunted.

"Don't get too fired up. This is a friendly competition." Enrico sighed with an amused smile.

"C'mon Captain, you know there aren't many opportunities like this." Kenneth chuckled.

"Yeah, it's not every day we can beat team Bravo to the ground!" Joseph excitedly exclaimed.

"Enough talking!" Jill groaned. "Let's start already!"

The game started, and the court became a chaotic battlefield of determination and skill.

Chris and Barry bulldozed their way through defenders with raw power, while Forest and Kenneth relied on their speed and clever plays to keep up.

Jill darted across the court like a phantom, her shots as precise as her aim on the field. Joseph, ever the "strategist", hazardously ran around the court, trying to take the ball, while Brad tried his best to keep pace, often fumbling but not giving up. Richard and Rebecca waited near the basket, looking for opportunities to score.

Meanwhile, Wesker surprised everyone with his sharp passes and three-point attempts. Occasionally, Enrico would block him, grinning smugly as Wesker adjusted his sunglasses with an irritated huff.

I stayed on defense most of the time, watching the others as they pushed themselves, analyzing their moves.

"Alex!" Edward yelled, his voice booming over the noise. "You planning to move, or are you a statue?"

I caught the ball he tossed my way, briefly meeting Rebecca's gaze. Her expression—a mix of curiosity and concern—flickered like a warning light in my mind. Something about it stirred me into action.

"Alright." I muttered, dribbling past Joseph, who tried to intercept with an outstretched arm. A quick feint left him stumbling, and I darted past him, weaving between Chris and Barry before making a clean layup.

"Finally!" Edward laughed. "Welcome to the game, Alex!"

I started to get into the rhythm but as the match wore on, I started feeling...off. My focus wavered, My breathing growing heavier than it should have for the effort I was putting in. My movements felt sluggish, almost disjointed, like my body was fighting against itself.

'No,' I thought, forcing myself to push through. 'Not now.'

Despite the creeping unease, I played on, trying to ignore the growing strain. The match was intense but lively, filled with teasing shouts and bursts of laughter. Everyone brought their A-game.

Even Brad managed to land a lucky shot, earning cheers from Jill and Forest. Wesker's calm demeanor occasionally cracked when his team missed a shot, though he never let it show for long. By the time the score reached 40-40, the court buzzed with anticipation.

"Next point wins." Enrico declared, folding his arms as he stood at the center of the court. "Let's see who wants it more."

"Last point." Forest said, sweat dripping from his brow. "Better make it count."

Richard inbounded the ball to me. "Go for it," he said. "I've got your back."

I nodded, dribbling up the court as Brad and Joseph closed in. A quick pass to Kenneth drew their attention away, and he returned it just as fast. With a clear lane, I took the shot, the ball sailing through the air before swishing cleanly through the net.

"Game!" Edward shouted, throwing his arms up.

"Damn it!" Joseph groaned, dropping to his knees. "We were so close!"

"Close doesn't cut it." Richard teased, patting him on the back.

"A surprisingly entertaining display of athleticism." Wesker remarked. "Though some of us clearly need more practice." His gaze flicked to Brad, who scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

The team celebrated, their cheers and laughter filling the air, but I barely heard it. My heart pounded, and a faint dizziness crept over me as I accepted a water bottle from Rebecca.

"You okay?" She asked, noticing the slight tremor in my hand.

"Yeah." I lied, taking a slow sip. "Just...caught up in the heat of the game."

Her eyes lingered on me, skeptical, but Chris called her over before she could say more.

"Rebecca! Get the camera—team photo time!"

She hurriedly set up her camera on a tripod, adjusting the angle. "Alright, everyone, get in position! Alpha team on the left, Bravo team on the right. And, uh...squeeze in a little."

It was a challenge to fit the whole group, but after some shuffling and playful jostling, they managed. I stood in the back, forcing a small smile. Rebecca fiddled with the timer, then rushed to the front to join the group, flashing a bright grin.

The camera clicked, capturing the moment—a snapshot of friendship frozen in time.

She then checked the photo, her expression softening. "This one's going on the station's bulletin board." She said to no one in particular.

"I want a copy." Barry said, peering over her shoulder. "My kids would love to see it."

"Same here." Jill added, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "It's rare to get everyone together like this."

Wesker adjusted his sunglasses, his tone neutral as ever. "I'll take care of the prints. I have errands to run near the photo store."

Rebecca beamed, handing him the camera. "Thanks, Captain Wesker!"

He gave a small nod, saying nothing more as he pocketed the camera.

The group's attention shifted as Enrico clapped his hands, his voice cutting through the lingering buzz of the game. "Great match, everyone! Now, let's celebrate. Dinner's on Chris since his team lost!"

"Wait, what?" Chris turned, his expression caught between protest and amusement. "That's not—"

"You said the first round's on you!" Forest interjected with a sly grin, slinging an arm over Chris's shoulder.

Chris sighed but couldn't hide his own grin. "Fine, fine. Just don't expect me to go easy next time."

"Good." Barry chuckled. "I could eat a whole steakhouse right now."

Rebecca laughed, but her attention drifted briefly to me as I lingered by the edge of the court, gripping a water bottle tightly.

"I'm heading out." I said, breaking the moment. "Got something planned after this."

Barry gave me a mock glare, wagging a finger. "You're only allowed to leave if you're paying next time!"

"Fine." I muttered with a small smile. "Next time's on me."

As the group dispersed, their laughter fading into the distance, I remained where I was, staring down at the half-empty bottle in my hands. My fingers flexed around it, the faintest ache creeping beneath my skin.

'The suppressant…It's not working as well anymore. Is it wearing off already? No, that's impossible.'

I clenched my jaw, forcing the thought aside. It wasn't much now—just a subtle, nagging sensation—but I knew all too well where it would lead.

Shaking off the unease, I turned and headed home, the echo of my teammates' voices fading behind me.

…

Later, in my apartment, I stood in the bathroom, staring at the last syringe of suppressant in my hand.

'It's happening, huh? Guess I couldn't hope to rely on them for long…' I thought, a hollow ache settling in my chest. 'This might buy me a few more days.'

As the needle pierced my skin, the pain was immediate, sharp and unrelenting. My body fought the suppressant like a wildfire raging against a dam.

I slumped against the sink, my reflection staring back at me, pale and drawn.

…

Rebecca's Pov

I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at the back of my mind. Alex's sudden departure weighed heavily on me. Why had he left so abruptly? Was he alright?

These questions circled relentlessly until I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to do something.

Leaning over to Jill, I whispered, "Jill, I'm sorry to ask this, but could you drive me to Alex's apartment?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"He doesn't seem to be in the best condition lately. I just want to make sure he's alright." My voice was steady, but I couldn't hide the determination in my tone.

Jill's expression softened. "Yeah, I noticed he hasn't been himself. But maybe it's just a cold or something. He'll be fine." She said, trying to reassure me.

"Even so." I pressed. "What about the times he practiced his marksmanship? He slightly winces, like something's hurting him. Or when he spaces out completely, like he's in a completely different place? None of that is normal."

Jill considered this, her brows furrowing. "Alright. If you think something's wrong, then I believe you. You're the medic here—you'd know better than me."

"Thank you." I said with a small smile, relief washing over me.

The two of us rose from the table, excusing ourselves.

"Sorry, but we just remembered something else we had planned." I said quickly.

"Are you sure you're not just trying to spare Chris's wallet?" Edward chuckled.

"He barely spends his money anyway. No reason to feel bad." Barry added with a grin.

"Wow, these are the people I surround myself with." Chris shook his head in mock despair.

"Stop complaining, Chris. We know you're loaded from all those savings." Forest said, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Not like they'll last long now!" Joseph added, laughing.

"If you have other duties to attend to, you're free to go. No one's stopping you," Wesker said, his voice as monotone as ever.

"As Wesker said, it's no problem." Enrico chimed in, nodding at me.

"Alright, see you tomorrow!" I waved as Jill and I headed for the door.

"Don't have too much fun without me!" Jill quipped, earning a round of laughter behind us.

"Hey, say hi to Alex for me!" Richard called out teasingly.

Jill snorted, struggling to hold back her laughter. I felt my eyebrow twitch at the comment.

"Come on." Jill said, regaining her composure. "My car's this way."

…

We reached Alex's apartment building quickly, the trip made in silence except for the sound of the car engine.

Standing outside his door, I knocked firmly. "Alex! Are you in there?"

No answer. Jill frowned and knocked harder. "Don't tell me you're already getting your beauty sleep!" Though her words were teasing, there was concern in her tone.

Still, no reply. Exchanging a glance, Jill reached for the doorknob and found it unlocked.

"Don't mind if I do." She muttered, pushing the door open.

"Alex?" She called out as we stepped inside. The apartment was dimly lit, the living room sparse but neat. A faint chemical scent hung in the air.

Faint sounds from another room caught my attention. My instincts flared, and I followed the noise, stopping short in the doorway.

Alex was hunched over the sink, a syringe in his hand. Red veins webbed his forearm where the needle hovered.

"Alex?!" My voice broke the silence like a gunshot.

He jerked upright, nearly dropping the syringe. "What the—Rebecca?!" His eyes darted to me, panic flashing in their depths.

"What are you doing?" Jill demanded as she stepped beside me, her brows furrowed, her voice sharp.

"It's nothing." Alex muttered, gripping the edge of the sink. He tried to pocket the syringe, but his hand trembled, the dose half-administered.

"Nothing?" I snapped, gesturing at the syringe and his arm. "That doesn't look like nothing! Is this why you've been acting so strange? Are you sick?"

"It's under control." Alex bit out, his voice tight. He turned away, leaning heavily on the counter. "You don't need to worry about it."

"Like hell we don't." Jill interjected, her voice edged with frustration. "You've been a mess lately, Alex. Spacing out, wincing in pain, dodging questions—it's not just us who've noticed. So stop acting like this is no big deal."

Alex clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. "I can't." He finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Why not?" I stepped closer, my hand hovering near his arm but not touching. "Alex, whatever this is, you don't have to go through it alone. Let us help."

Jill crossed her arms, her expression softening but still firm. "Look, I get it. We all have things we'd rather keep to ourselves. But this? Whatever this is? It might destroy you if you keep shutting people out."

His shoulders slumped. "It's not that simple." He admitted, his voice cracking.

"Then explain it to us." I urged, my voice quiet but insistent. "You don't have to tell us everything. Just enough so we know you're okay."

Alex laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. "If only it were that easy." He muttered.

He turned to face us, the syringe still clutched in his hand. For a moment, he looked like he might say something, but then he shook his head.

"You're better off not knowing." He said finally. "Trust me on this."

"Trust you?" Jill raised an eyebrow. "Alex, you're standing there with a syringe in your hand and veins that look like they're going to explode. How exactly is that supposed to inspire trust?"

Alex winced, but he didn't argue. After a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. I'll explain. Just…not tonight. Can we leave it at that?"

I studied him for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But you'd better not back out of this."

"And hand that over." Jill gestured to the syringe.

After a tense moment, Alex handed it over without a word.

"Good." Jill said, slipping it into her pocket. "If I catch you with anything like this again, you'll wish this thing killed you before I did." Her voice was light, but the threat felt real.

Alex chuckled softly. "Noted. And…thanks."

"We're not done yet." I said, pulling a photo out of my bag—the one Wesker had printed earlier. "Here. This is for you."

Alex studied the photo for a moment, a small smile breaking through his guarded expression. "Thanks." He murmured.

Jill glanced at him, then motioned to the door. "We'll leave you alone, but remember—if you pull this crap again, I'm one door away from kicking your ass."

He let out a quiet laugh, the sound tinged with exhaustion. "I get it, Jill. I'm done with it. No need to worry."

She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You better be. Because if I hear anything, anything, about this again, you're getting a lot more than a lecture." Her tone was stern, but her eyes held a flicker of concern.

Alex nodded slightly, his guarded demeanor slipping for just a moment. "Fair enough. Thank you...for checking on me."

I placed a hand lightly on his arm. "See you tomorrow, Alex. Just...take care of yourself, alright?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, his voice dropping. "Yeah. And, uh...sorry for snapping earlier. And the other day. I shouldn't have acted like that."

I shook my head with a small smile. "It's okay. You weren't exactly in the best state of mind. Let's just move past it."

Alex nodded, not saying anything further. "...Night."

"Night, Alex." Jill replied, leaving the apartment.

I glanced back at his apartment one last time, a knot of worry still sitting in my chest. Something about this didn't feel resolved, but I decided to let it rest for now. Jill drove me home in silence, the weight of the day hanging over both of us.

…

As the door clicked shut, the sound of their footsteps grew fainter until the apartment fell into silence.

I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair as I leaned against the door.

"I really screwed that up." I muttered under my breath, a bitter smile playing on my lips.

My gaze drifted to the photo Rebecca had given me, studying the faces of the two teams. For a moment, the storm inside me quieted, replaced by a sense of something I hadn't felt in years—belonging.

I propped the photo on a shelf above the bed, my fingers lingering on the frame before I stepped back.

"Friends, huh?" I murmured, the word now foreign yet comforting.

I slumped onto the bed, exhaustion pulling me under almost immediately. The image of the photo lingered in my mind as sleep overtook me, a small beacon of hope in the darkness I carried.

…

As I opened my eyes, I found myself peering into a hazy room through the crack of a door, the edges of the scene blurred like a fading memory. Two figures stood within, their forms indistinct, yet I instantly recognized them.

"We can't do this! He shouldn't have to be part of this!" The woman's voice cracked, tears streaking down her face as she clutched her trembling hands.

"I know, I know." The man placed his hands gently on her shoulders, his tone soothing but strained. "But we made a stupid choice, and now they're pressuring us to continue the experiments. If we don't comply, it'll be worse—not just for us, but for him too!"

The woman shook her head violently, anguish etched into every line of her face. "I can't! I can't let him go through something so dangerous!"

"Then we won't let it happen!" The man shot back, his voice firm with a determination that seemed to mask his own fear. "We're the ones overseeing the Blacklight project. We'll protect him."

"And what about Birkin?" She countered, her voice quieter now but still laced with dread. "He has just as much authority as we do. What's stopping him from doing whatever he wants with Alex?"

The man hesitated, but only briefly. "William's known Alex for years. He wouldn't hurt him—he's not like that." His voice held a certainty that sounded more like a plea than a fact.

The woman fell silent, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her fears. After a long pause, she whispered, "Let me think. I just...I can't let my son go through this."

…

July 23

I woke abruptly, the faint traces of the dream slipping away like smoke as reality settled in. Stretching, I felt a surprising lightness in my limbs, my body refreshed as though the previous day's exhaustion had been erased.

"Weird." I muttered, frowning. "The side effects shouldn't have faded this quickly."

I glanced at my arm, turning it over as if expecting some unseen change to reveal itself.

"My powers don't seem to be out of control...for now." My voice was low, almost disbelieving. But deep down, I knew better than to trust such fleeting reprieves.

Shaking my head, I pushed the thoughts away. "Being under the suppressants' effects for so long might have rusted my powers."

My gaze drifted to the photo perched on the shelf above my bed. The faces staring back at me sparked a small, genuine smile.

"They'd never let me wallow in this anyway."

With renewed energy, I rose to get ready for the day. "Maybe Jill can give me a ride this time." I mused, already imagining her exasperated but still kind response.

As I stepped outside, the world seemed calm, the morning sunlight breaking through scattered clouds. The air was warm, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a sense of peace settled over me.

I couldn't help but smile—a foolish grin born of optimism and fleeting hope that today might be just another ordinary day.

But deep in my gut, a shadow lingered.

Unbeknownst to me, this day would mark the beginning of something far darker. A nightmare waiting just beyond the horizon.

.....

And with this the prelude to RE0 ends! What do you think about the story up until now? Would you want to see more chapters of it?