No Strings Attached || Chris Redfield

Hide and Seek

Crimson-purple leaves lay scattered on the ground in a stunning yet haphazard way as the Alpha unit crept down a 1.2-mile span of cobblestone road lined in dogwood trees. The aroma was intense, like rotten fish, but the scenery was lovely.

Céline had never seen anything like it.

She kept her rifle close; a vast woodland surrounded them on each side, but so far, she could not see anything of concern. The area was relatively quiet. Every 20 or so meters were a park bench with the words Welcome carved into the backboard; a warm gesture.

"Captain," Karidja spoke as she stared down at the tablet in her hand. "In 200 feet, we are going to reach the courtyard."

Chris nodded in understanding. "Stay alert. We don't know what might be ahead."

"It might be much better than this smell," Oliver argued.

Céline was thinking the same thing. Dogwoods were gorgeous, but damn, did they stink.

"Focus," Chris ordered.

His nostrils flared, and the bridge of his nose puckered regardless.

As the map indicated, the unit reached the courtyard. It was luxurious, a spacious area with crushed granite pathways and matching stonework that framed blooms of aster, pansy, and sweet alyssum. Two adjacent paths led to the right and the left of the courtyard, but in truth, the area didn't appear to be the site of an outbreak.

Perhaps the infection hadn't spread far. Céline wondered where the citizens were.

"The center is up ahead," Karidja mentioned.

Past the cast-iron fountain in the courtyard center was a small red-painted building that read Information Center in large bold letters above the front door.

Chris led the unit across the courtyard and up the granite steps to the entrance of the center. Giving Oliver the approval, the blond pulled open the door, and one by one, the unit poured in with Chris in the lead.

The state the center was in was chaotic. And the smell was twice as pungent as the dogwoods lining the path up to the gardens.

"What is that smell?" Oliver choked.

It smelled like wet mold.

"What happened in here?" Laki questioned out loud.

Someone had wrecked the exhibit area. Whatever came through the center had shattered the glass cases around the displays; the thing ruined rewards and stunning paintings of vibrate flora and woodland areas.

But what stood out more to Céline was the lack of light. Someone had turned the power off.

"The switch isn't working," Hannah declared as she clicked a light switch near the door up and down.

Oliver grunted. "Perhaps there's a fuse box somewhere in here. I can try and fix it."

"Lights on in the meantime," Chris ordered with a sigh.

Céline turned on the light mount attached to her rifle and glanced around the area.

They were in an open room with an oval reception desk in the center; display cases lined the 930 square foot room with two doors on the left and right walls. But that is all she could see.

"We need to split up and secure the area," Chris proposed. "Durant and I will go right; Esera and Harrison will check the opposite door, and Stephenson and Amani will continue to search the exhibit hall."

Céline puckered a brow.

Pairing me with him, is he?

"Keep communications open and report back, when necessary," he instructed as he strolled to the right.