Sinful | Leon Kennedy

----

| - Extremely Long Chapter - |

----

"So they've finally tracked down Raymond after his sudden disappearance four months ago, huh?" Wesker remarks with feigned amusement, rising from his chair. "How convenient."

Ares nods firmly. "He's working as a staff at the Hilton Hotel in Fayeri City now under the name of Nathan Carter," he reports to Wesker while he slowly paces across the room, his skepticism evident enough through his body language.

His steps halt right in front of the expansive window wall, the city's twinkling lights and bustling activity radiating below. "Nathan Carter?" he repeats thoughtfully. "And what do...Sinfuls...want from Nathan Carter?"

"Capture him for interrogation, in order to discover if the corporation has sneaked a Plaga sample under their notice from the suitcase," Ares explains, but choosing carefully his words, in order not to disclose everything regarding the team's plans. He is nervous, and rightfully so because he knows his life holds little to no value in Wesker's eyes.

In the meantime, Wesker doesn't say anything. He only crosses his arms slowly, looking down at the city. His black sunglasses reflect the very sights his eyes behold. "I don't want a single hand laid on Carson," turning around, he approaches Ares, leaning in uncomfortably close. "If you don't want this to be your last day drawing breath, make sure he remains unharmed."

Ares swallows thickly, subtly betraying his unease. "And what of Kennedy and the nurse?"

----

The sound of the alarm reaches my ears, prompting me to slowly blink. As I slowly open my eyes, I find myself back in my apartment, lying comfortably in my bed specifically. However, something is different - the once dark and melancholic pieces of furniture in my bedroom have all been replaced with lighter pieces, breathing new life into the space that had felt so...oppressive, when I first moved in.

Closing my eyes again, I let out a breath of relief, while my head faces the ceiling, enjoying the momentary stillness. Until a soft hum makes my head turn to my side - and there she is. Asleep, so peacefully beside me. Her chest rises and falls as she's cocooned under the covers. This beautiful scene makes me carefully turn my body in her direction, propping my head up on my palm to observe her undisturbed beauty.

My finger traces tenderly on her skin, but faintly enough to not wake her up. For the first time, we both lie there, without anyone behind our backs. Without Umbrella, without the team - away from the fucked up reality we both got dragged into...It's only just the two of us.

Or I thought so.

Suddenly, a tiny gurgle emanates from a specific room and makes me rise from the bed, perching my legs on the edge. I rub a hand behind my neck, moving down to my arm before stretching my back with a satisfying pop. With energy, I push myself up from the bed.

Making my way to the nursery, I see the small fluffy blonde head turning to my direction. Sarah's tiny form lay on her stomach, pacifier bopping as she looks up at me with her big, blue-doe eyes, her chubby palms slamming against the crib, trying to make herself stand up.

"Easy down there," I murmur with a groggy smile, voice still husky from sleep as I approach the crib. Tenderly, I lean down and scoop her up into my arms. "An early bird just like daddy, huh?"

Her microscopic fingers curl into fists, pressed against her chest as she explores my face with her curious gaze. Four months old already. Seems like yesterday she was born, being only the size of my forearm, if not smaller. Now, she's growing so fast, filling out her yellow onesie...the same one we brought her home in.