Author's Note: Whoa…I was away for a while, wasn't I? Sorry. I'm really, really happy that I've been getting reviews ^_^ Thank you so much! It's really encouraged me. Oh, and thanks about the name of Cornelius too. I'm not going to tell you if Claire's the zombie or not…but you will find out soon. Now, enjoy!

Claire…

Chris stared at the hospital tiles, trying to ignore the sound of his enemy's footsteps and the faint moaning behind him. Dozens of emotions swirled inside of him. Claire could be hurt or dead, there were monsters lurking everywhere, and now he had just become Wesker's little "pawn". God only knows what would happen after Wesker was through using him.

'I have to stay focus. Claire is my only concern, Wesker doesn't ma-'

"The elevator," a deep voice mumbled.

"Huh?" Chris snapped out of his thoughts to face Wesker. Wesker sighed in annoyance at Chris's incompetence. He motioned to the rusty elevator door he was standing next to.

"We'll use this elevator. The hospital is underground. It'll led us straight into the mansion," he explained. He saw Chris's eyes narrow at him as he spoke, showing that deep hatred that pleased him. He grinned slightly before turning to the keypad and entering the four-digit password. Chris heard a mechanical whirl followed by the sound of the elevator descending.

The elevator screeched to an uneasy halt. It sounded like the elevator hadn't been used in years.

'I wonder how far we'll get before this rusty piece of crap breaks on us,' Chris thought bitterly. The doors cracked open and a gray, wrinkled hand slipped out. Several other gray, rotting hands slithered out of the gap of the elevator. Chris and Wesker stepped back and drew their weapons. Just as they did, the doors slid all the way open and four zombies stumbled out to greet them.

Chris aimed up and blew off the head of the first zombie. Its head exploded into a shower of blood as the body fell to the ground. The other zombies lunged forward, oblivious to their fallen comrade. Chris fired again, this time severing off the torso of the second zombie. The zombie's top half began to drag itself towards him, leaving a sloppy trail of blood and entrails behind it. He brought his foot down on the miserable creature, killing it. Its partner reached out for him, stretching out its pale sickly hand. Chris shoved it back against the hospital wall with his shoulder. He then raised his shotgun.

Splash

Blood splattered on his shoes. The zombie fell to the ground, unmoving. It had a large gaping hole in its side, exposing some of its ribs.

Wesker drove his combat knife into the head of the last zombie. It moaned and staggered back, giving him enough time to smash his fist into its head. Its fragile skull shattered with a sickening crunch as his fist embedded itself into it. The zombie stopped moving instantly. He removed his fist, staring at the dripping blood that covered his glove. He smiled.

"Too easy," he said. Chris gave him a disgusted look and then turned to look at the carnage they had caused.

Blood and corpses and pieces of those corpses littered the floor. The smell was nearly unbearable. Chris looked at the open doors of the elevator and quickly stepped inside with Wesker following behind him. The doors slide close, shutting out the images of the mutilated zombies. The elevator went up.

Chris lowered his shotgun as the elevator shuddered under them. The thought of what might be waiting for them when they got off made him feel ill at ease. Wesker stood motionless next to him. He reminded Chris of a stone statue. Wesker suddenly reached up and scratched his neck. When he moved his hand, Chris saw a large rash on Wesker's neck.

'How the...?'

The elevator doors opened. Chris peered out to see if there was any threat, but all he saw was a nearly empty room, with the exception of a few bookcases. He felt something shove him forward, causing him to stumble out. Wesker walked out of the elevator.

"Ah, we're here," he said.

"Good. May I go now? Master?" Chris said in an icy tone.

"I suggest you watch your tone, Redfield. Remember that your friends' lives are in my hands now," Wesker said, "and I'll let you know when I'm finished with you."

"You sick-"

"Tsk. Tsk. I'd learn to bite my tongue if I were you, Redfield."

They were silent after that. Wesker walked over to bookcases and began examining them. Each book on every shelf was some kind of gothic horror story. A great deal of them were vampire stories. One book caught his eye. It was thin and poorly made and it was bound together with cheap ribbon. Wesker pulled it out and began to read.

A Book for My Daughter

By Victor Cornelius

This book is for you, my daughter. I wrote this so that someday I could give it to you when you're old enough. This book contains some of my memories of my days of watching you grow up and memories of your mother. I know I haven't been the best father I could be because I've always been so preoccupied with work, but I want you to know that I really do love you.

Wesker flipped the page. A picture of a woman fell out. She looked rather young. She had long, auburn hair and a pale, gentle face. She was smiling. She kind of reminded Wesker of Cheryl Higgins. He resumed reading while Chris poked his head into the second room.

This picture is of your mother. We used to work together. She was a very beautiful woman. Oh, how I wish you were old enough to remember her. It happened one day while we were in a restaurant going over business. I was feeling a little down that day, but your mother quickly brought me out of my-

Wesker flipped through the pages, not at all interested in Cornelius's love life. He stopped at the very end of the book, where most of the page was torn off.

My precious Sarah, you are my Goddess. You are the very image of your mother and I love you dearly. I will give you the world as long as you're-

'Weird,' thought Wesker. Then again, most of Umbrella's highest ranking staff seemed to have some sort of mental problem. However, as strange as Cornelius's little obsession with his daughter was, most of him was still wrapped in mystery.

A shrill cry filled the mansion, causing Wesker and Chris to tense up. The cry was very familiar and it didn't sound too far away. For Chris, it was a sound he hoped he'd never have to hear again.

Hunters...