•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 8•

Soon, the bus would arrive at the school. Silently, Sherry followed Genevieve into the building. She hadn't said a word since they got on the bus. Still, the prickles of stares on her made her shiver. There was something about being the new kid, coming from something so traumatic, that felt... tragically isolating. Sherry buried her face into the collar of Claire's jacket, remembering her and Leon's words as she entered the building.

Fluorescent pale colored lights flickered above her. The air reeked of dust in the straight hallway. Lockets spread across each side and dove down long lines that disappeared into different hallway bends. Immediately she felt like a mouse in a testing chamber. Hesitantly, she followed Genevieve into the classroom. She was immediately stopped by the teacher.

"Sherry Birkin. The new student. Is that you?" She questioned.

The child shrunk beneath the stare of her teacher. "Yes.. I'm Sherry."

"Alright, we're going to need you to do your placement testing. Come with me." She commanded in a monotone voice.

"Wait, Miss Plazya." Genevieve raised her hand. "May I take her to the testing lab?"

The teacher hesitated for a moment. "Alright. You do that."

Genevieve nodded, standing from her seat and approaching Sherry once again. Again, another wave of confusion. First she spoke to her. Then ignored her. And now she wants to lead her somewhere else? What is her deal? Sherry had not a single clue. Genevieve waved at her and headed out the door, walking down one of the strings of hallways. Sherry trailed behind her, a worried expression on her face.

Her peer opened a door, heading inside and taking a look around. There was another woman at the front desk, in front and overseeing multiple desks attached to their own chairs. The pale yellow lights flickered just the same. A heavy musty smell lingered just above. Genevieve took Sherry to the front desk.

"Hello. Sherry Birkin is here to take a placement test,"she said.

The teacher merely looked up, rummaging through a stack of papers before picking up a packet. She stood up, waving the two along. She walked to a desk, placing the packet on a desk and a number 2 pencil beside it. Fully sharpened. Sherry followed slowly, unsettled by the lack of words or contact. They seemed more dead than the zombies back at home. That was saying something for sure. The teacher pointed at the seat, then the paper.

"Surely you know what to do."

Sherry gave a short nod, sitting down at the desk she was assigned. Picking up the pencil, she glanced over the paper. Her name was already written in purple pen in the name slot. She tapped the pencil against the desk, thinking to herself. Though, she was quickly snapped out of her thoughts.

"You know, this test should be easy for you." Genevieve suddenly spoke.

"Huh..? What do you mean?" Sherry turned her head just slightly.

"Well, you're from Raccoon City. Home of Umbrella Corporation." For the first time, she saw Genevieve smile.

"What... does that have to do with anything?" She questioned.

"Your parents were scientists, were they not?" Genevieve leaned in closer, sitting in the chair beside her already.

Sherry's blood ran cold. How did she know about that?

"How... Did you know about that? There's no way the teacher would have told you... right?" She questioned, slowly picking up her packet.

"My mother is a doctor at the Umbrella Medical Center. In the city. She told me about the Birkins."

"Why would they have mentioned my parents?" Suddenly, she lashed out. Her voice became strained.

Genevieve kept that smile on her face and she stood up, looking down at Sherry who was on full alert. She looked towards the front of the classroom. A small silence fell upon them while Sherry rose from her seat. Genevieve raised an eyebrow at her and grabbed her arm lightly.

"You don't have to be afraid.  I promise. I just thought... we could relate to each other in a way. You know..? I didn't mean to scare you." She said gently. "I'm not... really good with people."

Sherry hesitated, though she took a breath and calmed her own nerves. She slowly set her paper back down. Along with the pencil she gripped so hard that it nearly snapped in half. She was sure that wouldn't have been the best impression on the teachers she would be meeting soon enough.

"I'm sorry. I guess I've just been really nervous. I haven't been to school in awhile... and I've seen a lot of things happen these past months. I... hope we can be friends."

"It's okay, Sherry. Hey... I'll meet you at lunch. You should finish your test. We can talk more then."

Genevieve stood up, heading towards the front of the room to meet with the door. Sherry nodded gently, relaxing her shoulders once again.

"Alright. I'll meet you there." Sherry said, smiling towards Genevieve as she left.

Sherry quietly looked back down at her test, reading over her name. She doubted she would ever be taken in by family before her. She never really knew any of her family outside of her parents. Perhaps it was because of the work they did and the company they worked for. She didn't know. And Genevieve seemed to make a deal about it to where they were singled out from the rest of the kids due to their lineage.

Though, she did still find it strange how she knew exactly who she was. Why had her mother heard about her family? They were in entirely different states. Completely different towns. They clearly had no actual relations. Sherry furrowed her brows, but shrugged it off. Maybe they were just alerted since the outbreak. Sherry did recall having to get a physical before joining the school itself. Had that been because of knowledge of the outbreak in her hometown? She had not a clue. 

For now, she had her test to finish. Then, she would join Genevieve in the cafeteria if that time had come.