Hope Never Dies

Chapter Five
Notes: Sorry this chapter is short and it sucks. Next one will be better I promise

Somehow I made it outside of the cabin. Ignoring Leon's frantic cries I threw myself into the surrounding forest. I ran as fast and hard as I could. Dodging trees, rocks and limbs. I ran until my lungs felt like they were about to explode. Even through the muscle pain and breathlessness, I continued to run my heart thundering in my ears so loud that I heard nothing else, but my pounding heart.

My only focus was on escape. I was concentrating so hard on running; I failed to notice that I was being followed. I screamed as something heavy jumped on my back, knocking me down on the ground. Rocks, branches and grass broke my fall painfully. The figure rolled me over and grabbed my arms, preventing me from hitting my capture. "Claire! Listen to me for a sec. I wasn't really going to kill you. I want to protect you/" Leon cried.

I struggled against Leon as he spoke. "You said that you were going to kill me! How can I trust you?" I screamed at the top of my lungs. My head was pounding from the fading adrenalin rush.

Leon transferred both of my hands into one of his. His newly freed hand vanished into his pocket. "I am going to keep you safe whether you like it or not." At that time I felt a prick in my arm. I felt very tired and knew nothing more then the blackness of sleep.

I don't know how long I was out, but when I opened my eyes I found myself on a soft bed, I looked around to see Leon sitting on a chair beside my bed. I sat up quickly my heart racing with fear causing my head to pound with pain. "Where are we?" I demanded.

"The Cabin. Claire. Before you panic and run again please hear me out," Leon pleaded.

"All right I'm listening." I didn't seem to have any choice in the matter. Maybe Leon was telling the truth. I hoped so. I needed to keep a level head if he wasn't. Panicking would only get me killed.

"It's true that Umbrella let me go because they thought I was going to kill you. I really wasn't Claire. I want to protect you from them. No matter what they do to me when they find out. Please believe that I would never hurt you. I love you."

I frowned deeply. This was all so confusing. Was Leon on my side? Or was he working for Umbrella? "I don't know what to say. I don't know what to believe. You say you love me, but then you tell me that you were sent to kill me. I think I need a little time to sort this out." I told Leon the truth because lies would only make things worse.

Leon reached over to touch my cheek ever so softly. I wanted to turn away, but I didn't. I don't know what he would have done if I didn't give in to his advances. I had to work hard on not giving into my impulse. "Trust your heart Claire. It knows what the truth is." Leon told me.

My head was spinning from whatever it was Leon gave me. "What did you give me? I feel sick." I told him.

"It was a sedative to keep you from kicking my ass," Leon said standing up. "I'll get you a glass of water." With that, the ex cop walked into the bathroom.

I thought about running again when I heard the water run in the bathroom sink. I wondered how far I would get before he caught me. Leon came back before I could make a decision with a glass of water in hand. I took the glass from him and drank it slowly. "Feel better?" Leon asked once I finished.

"Yeah. I guess I was dehydrated or something," I told him.

"Can you move?" He asked.

I thought for a moment. Yes I did feel a lot better, but I wasn't sure of I could trust Leon with that bit of information. "Yes I can move," I said softly deciding the truth was the way to go,

Leon smiled as he helped me to my feet and led me to the basement. I felt dread creep along my skin. I felt like a fly in a spider's web. Was Leon handing me over to Umbrella? When we walked in I saw wall-to-wall weaponry. I was awestruck with how many weapons there were and the variety. I turned when I heard a noise and came face to face with Chris.