Resident Evil 3: "Raccoon City's Last Stand"

Chapter 9: Confronting Nightmares

Jill POV:

I stepped out of the squad car, gripping my pistol tightly. Halstead, my partner for the day, looked puzzled as he joined me. "Remember, proceed with caution," I advised him.

Halstead cocked his head, clearly confused. "Why are we here, exactly?"

"We're here to assist in apprehending a friend," I replied, leading the way into the building.

Halstead followed closely behind as we ascended the stairs, eventually reaching a familiar apartment door. As I approached, a putrid odour assaulted my senses. Halstead took the lead, entering the apartment first.

Standing beside him, I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the sight of Stryker. He sat at the table, a glass of whiskey in hand, looking utterly dazed. His tear-stained face revealed the depth of his despair. "I messed up," he slurred.

Halstead quickly moved to help Stryker to his feet, carefully disarming him before I swiftly placed handcuffs on him. "It's going to be okay," I reassured Stryker, offering him some comfort as I prepared to escort him out of the apartment. "You'll serve your time and eventually come home."

Present Day:

As Stryker leaned against the wall, I couldn't help but reminisce about the journey we had shared. Placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, I acknowledged the debt I owed him. But now, my priority was to obtain the crucial samples needed to create the vaccine. With a determined nod, I turned to leave the room.

I meticulously scoured the laboratory, painstakingly collecting the necessary samples. It was a gruelling task, battling hordes of infected creatures along the way. Finally, I inserted the samples into the machine, initiating the process of creating the life-saving vaccine.

Once the process was complete, I carefully retrieved the vial containing the cure, observing its pink hue. However, there was only one vial-forcing me to confront an agonizing decision. Should I sacrifice the city to save Stryker, or sacrifice Stryker to save the city? Before I could come to a conclusion, a menacing tentacle lashed out, attacking me.

Reacting swiftly, Stryker sprang into action, wielding his knife to defend me. In a fierce struggle, he was violently thrown over a nearby railing. "Stryker!" I cried out, leaping over the railing to reach his side. I tried to help him up, but he winced in pain, his injuries evident.

With great effort, I managed to help Stryker to his feet, mindful of his injuries. We pressed forward, moving a panel in the wall to reveal a hidden passage. Stryker bravely took the lead, and I followed closely behind, not wanting his condition to slow us down.

Suddenly, I heard a sickening thud, and Stryker disappeared from my sight. Reacting instinctively, I crawled forward as quickly as I could, desperate to reach him. But before I could reach him, I too was ensnared by the same menacing tentacle. Nemesis loomed before me, emitting a ferocious roar.

In a split-second decision, I took aim at the explosive tanks nearby and fired a bullet. The resulting explosion engulfed Nemesis in a fiery blaze. For a moment, I dared to hope that it was over. However, to my horror, the creature's grip tightened around my leg, pulling me towards the raging flames.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I stretched out my hand. Stryker, displaying incredible resolve, grabbed hold of it. With his other hand, he aimed his shotgun and fired, striking the tentacle that threatened to consume me.

As Stryker and I boarded the lift, our only goal was to escape the consuming flames below. The lift ascended rapidly, carrying us to a metal staircase that led to our potential salvation. However, our respite was short-lived as Nemesis burst through a nearby wall, its relentless pursuit undeterred.

"Seriously?" Stryker grumbled, his frustration and annoyance palpable.

Without warning, Nemesis charged along the staircase, its sights set on us. Panic surged through me as I desperately tried to retreat, but before I could reach safety, the creature violently collided with the metal structure. The staircase buckled and collapsed beneath the force, leaving me precariously hanging onto a small platform.

The vaccine vial had come loose, just a few feet away from me. That's when I saw the familiar boots of Nikolai stepping before me. My heart sank as he picked up the vial, a devious smirk playing on his lips.

"Nikolai, don't! The city needs that vaccine," I pleaded, attempting to reason with him. But his cold expression remained unchanged.

"More than I do? Hmm. Here's the deal," he taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. With a deliberate motion, he stomped on one of my hands, causing excruciating pain. "You go down there, fight that thing. I'll record the data, and maybe, just maybe, I won't need the vaccine."

Nikolai showed no mercy as he stomped on my other hand, forcing me to slide down into the treacherous arena below. I struggled to regain my footing as the tentacle of Nemesis lunged toward me. Yet, in a split second, Stryker selflessly knocked me out of harm's way.

I watched in horror as the tentacle entangled Stryker, dragging him mercilessly towards Nemesis. But even in that dire moment, Stryker's bravery shone through. He pulled out a grenade and defiantly shouted, "Eat this!" Before the explosion erupted, engulfing Nemesis in a searing blaze and causing it to scream in agony. Stryker was thrown to the ground with a bone-jarring thud.

"Stryker!" I called out, my concern for him growing as I stood up, ready to confront Nemesis head-on. "Alright, if you want S.T.A.R.S, I'll give you S.T.A.R.S!" With determination, I retrieved my grenade launcher and unleashed a barrage of projectiles at the creature.

Suddenly, a voice emanated from a nearby speaker. "Jill, is that you?" it asked.

Looking up, I recognized Carlos in the control booth. "Carlos!" I shouted, our eyes locking in a moment of shared relief and determination.

Carlos's worry for Stryker was evident as he gazed down at his unconscious form, which swiftly transformed into anger. "Let me spot for you," he declared, his voice filled with determination.

I gave Carlos an affirming thumbs-up, signaling my agreement. With his guidance, I engaged Nemesis once again, launching a coordinated assault. Together, we fought with unwavering resolve, and eventually, we managed to defeat the monstrous creature. Nemesis collapsed to the ground, either dead or significantly weakened.

Rushing over to Stryker's side, I knelt down, assessing his condition and offering whatever assistance I could.

He groaned, his eyes slowly opening. "Not bad, J-Volt," he joked, managing a chuckle despite the pain. I extended a helping hand, assisting him to his feet. Suddenly, Nemesis lunged at us, but before it could reach us, a crane swung in from the left, colliding with the creature.

"Get on the crane, it'll take you up," Carlos instructed, a smile spreading across his face.

I guided Stryker onto the crane, ensuring he was secure. Then, I positioned myself, signaling to Carlos. With a determined expression, he activated the controls, causing the crane to ascend. "I'm gonna melt this fucker into mush," Carlos declared, his voice filled with resolve. He turned on the valves, and the arena began to fill with acid.

Stryker and I watched as Nemesis screeched and thrashed in agony, succumbing to the corrosive liquid until it finally sank beneath the surface. A wave of relief washed over me. However, I had little time to celebrate as I noticed Stryker attempting to jump off the crane, his infection taking its toll.

"No, we're so close. You can hang on," I reassured him, my gaze focused on his adorable face. I was determined to find Nikolai and retrieve the vaccine, for the fate of the city and with Stryker's life resting on it.