Chapter 4: Silences and Scars
[System]
Penalty Applied: -1 Evolution Point. Reason: Forced activation of high-risk ability – Berserk Mode: Badger.
Status: Induced temporary coma – Estimated duration: 24 hours.
The system's message echoed briefly in Erick's mind before everything went dark.
Claire didn't leave his side for a second. For nearly twenty hours, she watched him lay still, breathing irregularly. Dried blood stained part of his face, and the improvised bandage didn't hide the seriousness of the wounds.
Sometimes he moved, groaned, and mumbled incoherent things — but one name kept coming back, weak and soaked in pain:
"…Lívia… no... please... Lívia..."
Claire squeezed his hand every time he started to stir, trying to soothe him. Even unconscious, it was like he was reliving a nightmare that wouldn't stop.
— This... this is my fault — she murmured, eyes watery. — He threw himself in front of me...
— He almost died — Leon said from the corner. — And what he did... wasn't human.
Claire turned to him, firmly. — No one needs to know about that.
— For now — Leon replied. — But if he loses control again...
— Then we'll be there to stop it. But we're not abandoning him.
When Erick finally woke up, his eyes opened slowly, landing on Claire.
— Are you... okay? — he mumbled with difficulty.
— You should be asking that about yourself, idiot — she said, gripping his hand tightly.
He tried to sit up but groaned in pain. Claire gently stopped him.
— Easy. Rest. You were in a coma for a day.
Erick blinked, trying to understand. — A day...? I...
— You kept saying "Lívia" — she said carefully. — Was she your sister?
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if the name pierced something inside him. Then nodded slowly.
— She... died because of me. When I was a kid. I was too weak.
Leon entered at that moment, watching them silently.
— Do you have any idea what you did?
— Some — Erick answered. — But not all.
— That... wasn't human — Leon said. — If it happens again and you can't control it, it'll be a problem for all of us.
Claire intervened: — He saved me. That's not something just anyone would do.
Later, when they were alone, Claire returned to the subject.
— Why would you do that for me, Erick? Risk your life for someone you barely know?
He took a deep breath. — Because I've already lost someone... and couldn't save her. She died right in front of me, trying to protect me. And I froze.
— Your sister.
He nodded. — Since then, I swore I wouldn't let anyone else die in front of me without fighting to the end. Even if I barely know them.
Claire looked at him, touched. — Thank you. Really. You didn't have to, but... I'm alive because of you.
Erick gave a weak smile. — I'd do it again.
She squeezed his hand. — Just try not to die next time, okay?
— I'll do my best.
....
A few hours later, with Erick walking slowly but awake, Leon showed up with a map of the station.
— There's a safe route to the armory. If we hurry, we can reinforce our gear.
— I can walk — Erick said.
Claire glanced at him. — You should rest.
— I can't. I feel like... something's coming.
As they walked, the system activated:
[System – Passive Activated: Hunting Instinct Lv.2]
Detecting: Hostile presence at 25 meters. Silence recommended.
— Wait — Erick whispered, raising his hand. — Something's following us... above.
Leon raised his weapon. Claire tensed up.
— Another Licker?
— I don't know. But it knows we're here.
They moved silently into an old archive room. Blood stained the walls. A strange symbol was painted on the floor in red ink.
— That's... Umbrella's symbol — Leon muttered. — They were doing more than creating zombies. This is mind control stuff.
Erick shivered. Something inside him seemed to react to that symbol. As if… it remembered.
— I'm starting to feel like I'm not just some unlucky guy who ended up here. I think... they did something to me.
Leon stopped, staring seriously at him. — That's what worries me.
Claire, beside them, lowered her head. — And what if it's true? What if he is part of some weapon?
— Then that's one more reason not to let them control him — she said, facing Leon. — He fought for me. And I'll fight for him, if I have to.
Erick just listened in silence. He still didn't know what he was.
But he knew who he wanted to be.
And he wouldn't let the past or the system decide that for him.