What is fear?

…It is something I cannot escape ever since coming to this wretched place, no matter how hard I try…

What do I fear?

I fear to be…I fear to think…I fear to feel…But most of all, I fear…

…Isolation, loneliness, being apart from them…

Fire spread across the night sky, tinting the hazy black clouds with a sanguine glow. Blood from lurking foes trickled obscenely down the walls around them, snaking into murky puddles. Wordless screams escaped the lips of their enemies as rifle bullets entered them, shrieking as they stumbled into the flaming catapults.

Follow him…

The castle walls reflected noises at odd angles, mixing sounds into an ambient audio that ebbed and flowed like water. Discerning the position of enemies on sound alone would be ridiculous, there were too many booms occurring at once. The strange acoustics twisted the mind and numbed the senses.

Don't get left behind…

Ashley was dead on her feet, her shoes dragging against the cold stone ground. Her ears were ringing inside her head, the sounds of blood-curdling explosions thundering across the night sky. She held his hand tightly and continued to run. She would not slow down, she would not stumble; she would not stop. Exhaustion began to settle in…adrenaline could only carry a body so far.

I don't want to be alone again…

He tightened the grip on her hand. They were a crutch to each other, a necessary support system. Should one of them fall, the madness that surrounded this place would crush the one left behind.

Gunshots and thunderstruck screeches pierced the night air endlessly. They kept running; over and over again their aching feet pounded against the bitter stone ground. They ran until the cries of their enemies could be heard no more.

Silence at last.

Winded and fatigued, Leon and Ashley found themselves looking upon an opening in the labyrinth of passages; everything was silent, almost eerily so. A feeling of security flooded the atmosphere, if only for a moment. The clouds of smoke and flame began to clear from the night sky as ashes rained lightly from above, the moon shining a ghastly silvery light upon them. The shadows of the protruding buildings surrounding the courtyard cast umbrage along the outskirts of the clearing.

Ashley sighed heavily and slumped against the stone wall, the agent gently rested his hand on her shoulder. She smiled weakly as she watched Leon take a few steps forward and carefully survey the new area. Her smile faded and she cringed, whimpering softly. She ran her fingers along her bruised collarbone, hints of blood staining her fingertips. Leon had deflected a blow of an arrow, yet it had grazed her. She needed to ignore the pain, she needed to stay strong.

Gazing up at the night sky, she wanted so badly to bask in the tranquil light of the moon and rest, to momentarily escape the horrors that had befallen them. To spend time alone with the man that saved her from certain death and suffering, the man whom she could never truly repay…

Leon wasn't the only one; there were two of them; two strange men who had risked everything to protect her. One was an unyielding agent appointed by her father, the other a licentious yet mysterious Spaniard. Although she had no idea where and what the other man was doing at the moment, she still thought of him and, though she refused to admit it, she wanted to see him again. She could not comprehend their duties: to be able to offer everything in order to defend a complete stranger. Ashley stared down at her feet somberly. Strangers…that's all we'll ever be to each other anyway…

But even so, she felt so secure in their presence; she trusted them. They were her only hope for survival…

Suddenly, Leon rushed over to her and pressed her into the wall, meeting no resistance. "Leon! Wha-" The agent cupped her mouth; she shuddered under his forceful touch. He looked deeply into her frantic hazel eyes, beckoning her to be calm. Ashley nodded. The two cloaked themselves cautiously in the shadows of the overhanging gable; footsteps could be heard above. There's more of them…this never ends…

She dare not speak, knowing the horrors that might be lurking around any corner. Yelling, more footsteps, the slamming of an iron door, and then utter stillness once again. The air surrounding them was silent; the only sounds that penetrated were their raspy intakes of breath. Leon carefully lowered his hand from her mouth and exhaled heavily, his head at the level of her own. His warm breath danced across her face. Ashley blushed, sliding her hands tentatively across his chest. Her eyes widened as she felt a warm and wet sensation under her fingertips.

She parted her quivering lips, "Leon, you're hurt…you're bleeding…"

He leaned into her, his chest melding with her own as he braced himself against the wall with both arms. "I know…" Blood was seeping from his wound, staining through his clothing and onto her sweater. The pungent and sweet coppery scent surrounded them like a daunting cloud. Leon lowered his head, burying his face in her chest, his forehead resting against her shoulder. Heat rushed to her face.

Her pulse quickened with him so close, "Leon, we need to find somewhere to rest. We can't keep going like this!" He did not reply; raising his head to meet her gaze, a look of sorrowful longing flooded his eyes. Her heart felt like it was contracting as his body slumped heavily against hers. Her eyes became wide and glassy; pools of unthinking terror. Please God…don't let him die…

Ashley looked around frantically. They were all alone; his shuttering breath played against her lips. Ashley gasped as he moved closer, his leg escaping under her skirt. Ashley threaded her fingers through his hair and lifted his head. "Leon…we need to get you help. Don't give up on me! Leon!" Ashley pleaded desperately. She met his icy blue eyes, now darkened from the shadows surrounding them. His lips hovered over hers, "Ashley, I'm sorry…" he kissed her gently, a light brush of lips. Her heart fluttered against his shuddering chest, his blood now seeping heavily onto her.

Why…why did he just kiss me?

Sweat formed on her brow…more footsteps, but not from above; someone was coming. Leon slid one arm down from the wall and thumbed across his belt for his handgun. Ashley's heart throbbed in her chest like a caged bird.

"Am I interrupting something?"

A sultry yet familiar voice perforated the cool night air. Ashley stood on tiptoe to look over Leon's shoulder as he slowly turned around. He pushed himself of the wall and spat on the ground, leaving the girl beet red and bewildered.

Luis Serra stood before them, leaning back into his boots, flashing a cocky grin. "I never thought I'd see the two of you in such a…compromising position, at least not this soon anyway. But hey, if I were in Leon…I would be expecting some sort of compensation from such a lovely lady…"

"W-why you!" Ashley pushed past Leon and raised her hand to strike him. The Spaniard caught her wrist in mid-motion and drew her close to him. "My my, feisty tonight aren't we?" Heat crawled embarrassingly up Ashley's face. She pulled away and turned her back towards him, crossing her arms, "P-pervert…"

Luis smiled slyly, Leon scowled. A flash of something, perhaps anger, crossed his face and was gone like a ripple lost in dark water. "Luis, why are you here? You must have a better excuse to track us down than flirting with the President's daughter."

He gave a graceful shrug, "Ah, you know me all too well. I have something for the both of you, a drug that will stop your convulsions." Luis slipped his hands into his pockets.

Ashley turned, "What are you talking about?"

Luis sighed, continuing to search his pockets, "I know you two are carriers. You've been coughing up blood, right?"

"Yeah…" Leon stared down at his hands.

"And you?"

Ashley closed her eyes, exhaling slowly, "…Yes."

A look of dismay crossed the Spaniard's face as he patted his thighs worriedly. "Shit…I must've dropped…" he cursed under his breath. "Dammit, we don't have much time. I have to go back and get it."

"Let us come with you!" Ashley stammered suddenly. She took Leon's hand, "He's hurt badly, and when we're rested w-we…we can help you search!"

Luis looked into her pleading eyes and shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous. Stay with Leon, he's better with the ladies anyways."

Leon staggered forward, "If my immune system is down, whatever's inside of me will take over if it's not treated soon. I can't jeopardize our safety."

Luis crossed his arms behind his head, staring at Leon's wound as blood slowly dripped down his arm and onto the apprehensive girl at his side. "Tsk…alright fine. I've set up camp in an abandoned part of the castle. You two are in no condition to help me search, but you can stay where I've been hiding for the time being."

The Spaniard laced Leon's arm over his shoulder; Ashley mirrored him on the agent's other side. It was awkward at first, but the three were gradually able to walk in sync. Luis smiled warmly, an expression she never thought he could make. "I guess…it's the least I can do for this Americano." The three of them walked, side by side out of the courtyard and down the castle steps and into the dark of the night.

Ashley sighed contently, closing her eyes. Now, even if it's just for a little while, I won't have to be afraid…