A Star's Descent

By evolution-500

Disclaimer: House of the Dead and Resident Evil are properties belonging to SEGA and Capcom respectively. I do not own any of these characters.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Mansion

It took twenty minutes to make it to the hill and about an hour to descend. Star had slipped and nearly fell, but thanks to Rebecca, he was able to keep steady on his feet. Once they were on the ground, Star studied the looming structure before them. Two stories high, grey in color with a black roof and distinctively European, the mansion appeared to be, by his estimates, over ten thousand square feet with adjoining wings on its sides. Lined with columns, the mansion appeared to be in British Palladian style, with a terrace at the top of the west end that overlooked the front yard. In front of the mansion was a statue of a woman in Grecian robes, presumably Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth, home and family, while staring out from the main building's façade over the front door was a lancet window with an oculi up top. The place looked dilapidated, with parts worn away and shingles missing from the roof.

"Well," Rebecca breathed, "we made it!"

He nodded. "We have."

"So, what do you think?"

The red-draped albino narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized its features.

"Beautiful house, to be sure," Star replied. "I see little touches of Gothic in places."

"I meant our being able to get down here," Rebecca said as she wiped the sweat off her forehead.

He blinked. "Oh. My apologies."

She waved him off.

"It's okay." The medic looked at him curiously. "Is something wrong?"

Star shook his head.

"No," he answered. "I was just wondering if this was one of George Trevor's works."

Rebecca blinked.

"George Trevor," she repeated the name, "...where have I heard that name before?"

"Famous millionaire architect that specialized in New Classical architecture?" he reminded. "Had his own construction company called 'Trevor and Chamberlain'?"

Rebecca's eyes widened with a start.

"Oh yeah!" she exclaimed. "If I recall correctly his buildings had gimmicky secret passages and stuff like that!"

"That's him," he nodded in affirmation, "although his company 'Trevor and Chamberlain' was known for more elaborate surrealist building designs."

"I heard that he also had a hand in designing a cruise ship."

"The Queen Zenobia," the albino nodded again. "Constructed in 1978 alongside its sister ships, the Queen Semiramis and the Queen Dido, based off of plans drawn up by Trevor himself in the style of high-class liners of the 1930s."

Rebecca looked at him curiously.

"You seem pretty knowledgeable about him," she said.

Star looked at her.

"Admittedly, I'm...something of an aficionado of his," he replied. "I used to dream of becoming very wealthy someday and having a house designed by either him or his company."

The medic nodded.

"You and me both," she said. "I'd love to have a house like this."

"I had heard that their services had been acquired in refurbishing a house somewhere in Louisiana back in 1992, but I don't know what the name of the house was. All I know is that it's somewhere within the Dulvey Parish." He sighed wistfully. "I wish that I knew more precisely where, though. I'd love to see it."

Rebecca nodded sympathetically.

"Maybe someday you will," she said as she looked back to the mansion. "I don't know if I'm remembering this correctly or not, but hadn't Trevor disappeared in the sixties?"

"1962," Star nodded. "He, his wife and daughter all disappeared without a trace."

The medic held her chin thoughtfully.

"I wonder where they went?" she pondered.

The albino shrugged.

"Perhaps Trevor just wanted to give it all up and live quietly somewhere in peace with his family," he said. "I like to think he's in the Bahamas or Hawaii enjoying the sun and the ocean. Maybe living under a different name."

He turned to her. "How about you?"

Rebecca thought for a moment.

"Maybe their plane crashed in the Amazon somewhere? Or maybe they crashed into the mountains? The ocean?" The medic frowned, then shook her head. "I don't know, Star. We can talk about this later. Let's see if anyone is home."

Star nodded and was about to step toward the front door when Rebecca held up a hand.

"Wait," she said. "Just hang back for a moment, okay? I don't want you to get hurt."

The albino solemnly bowed.

"As you wish."

* * * * *

Nodding back to him, Rebecca turned to face the door and walked forward. Stopping just in front of it, the Bravo raised up her hand and knocked several times.

"Hello?" she called.

Nobody answered.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

"Is anyone there?"

Rebecca waited for a response. When she got no answer, she knocked again.

"Can anyone hear me?" Rebecca called. "I am Officer Rebecca Chambers of S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team! You don't have to be afraid!"

The only noise either of them heard was a low wind as it rustled up leaves. Rebecca backed away, looking at the building itself.

"IS THERE ANYONE HERE?!" she called. "IF SO, PLEASE! LET US IN! WE NEED TO USE YOUR PHONE!"

The mansion loomed over the teenagers, silent as a tomb. Rebecca shrugged.

"I guess no one is home," she said aloud. Looking to Star, she noticed him standing next to the female statue, peering down at its base. "What are you doing?"

"Just trying to make out some of the lettering," he replied. "'Spen...Spencer Mansion.'"

He squinted, then shook his head.

"I can't make out what the rest says."

"Spencer Mansion," Rebecca repeated.

A sick feeling started to form in the pit of her stomach.

"Spencer Mansion..." she repeated.

"What's wrong, Rebecca?" Star asked.

"Star, Spencer Mansion," she said pointedly.

"What are you-" he froze, then looked back to the building. "...Are you saying that-"

Rebecca swallowed nervously as she did the same.

"I doubt there are many rich guys by the name of 'Spencer' living around here," she said uneasily.

Whatever sort of promise of safety the mansion seemed to have was now cast in doubt due to the association of the name. The grey building seemed less like a safe haven now and more like a great sleeping monster that once roused from its slumber will consume any that dared to come any closer. She felt reluctant to enter, but by the same token, she was tired; she needed to get some sleep. She and Star have been walking for four or five hours, stopping for the occasional rest or bathroom break. Even more, they needed shelter - it was through sheer luck that they hadn't encountered Umbrella's goons or monsters.

"...Do you suppose it's possible there could be another Spencer, though?" Star asked. "One that has no connections whatsoever to Umbrella?"

The Bravo looked into his eyes.

"I am praying to God that that is the case here," she said worriedly.

Taking in a deep breath, the medic shakily approached the door, her heart pounding in her ears. Raising a hand to the door knob, she was just about to turn the handle when the door flew open. The next thing Rebecca knew, she found herself staring down the barrel of a double barrel shotgun.

"Get the fuck away from my door!" a grizzled portly man with black hair and a five o'clock shadow snapped.

"Whoa!" Rebecca said as she backed off with hands raised. "Easy!"

"Get back!" the man ordered. "Back or I blow yer brains out!"

Obeying, the Bravo studied him as she stepped away. Estimating him to be in his late thirties, about five foot nine and over two hundred pounds, probably two sixty, the man had grey eyes with rough hewn features, complete with a broken nose, wearing a blue denim shirt and black jeans with a brown belt, his belly stretching against the fabric of his pants.

"Who are you?!" he demanded.

"Sir, please calm down," Rebecca said gently. "I'm not going to hurt you. I am Officer Chambers of S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team. This is my friend Star."

"Do ya have any identification?"

She nodded. "I do."

"Take it out. Slowly," the man demanded, his weapon carefully trained on her.

Moving slowly, Rebecca carefully withdrew her wallet, opening it up to reveal her S.T.A.R.S. Badge.

"Toss it over!"

Complying, she watched as the man caught it with one hand, inspecting the badge. Satisfied, he flung it back to her feet.

Gathering up her wallet, Rebecca raised her eyes to him. "What's your name?"

The man was quiet for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Gilman," he said gruffly. "Charlie Gilman."

She watched as Gilman looked to Star.

"Anyone tell you that it's three months too early for Halloween?" he sneered, then gestured with his weapon. "Take off the mask."

Star frowned.

"I'm not wearing any." the albino replied.

Gilman stared in disbelief.

"Jesus, that's yer face?!" he said with incredulity and disgust. "You are one ugly sumbitch! Goddamn, yer the ugliest fucker I've ever seen!"

The albino lowered his eyes, saying nothing.

"Yer one of them cultists, ain't ya?" Gilman said, pointing the weapon at him.

"No, no, no, you've got it all wrong!" Rebecca waved in Star's defense. "He's completely innocent! Could you put the weapon away please? I don't feel comfortable with a shotgun pointed at us."

"And I don't feel comfortable talkin' with strangers, 'specially one dressed like a devil worshipper and a brat that tried breakin' and enterin' into my house!" Gilman retorted.

"This property is yours?" Star said in surprise. "The statue up front says 'Spencer Mansion'."

"It belongs to my uncle. He's away on business," came the terse reply. "I'm looking after it for him."

Rebecca wasn't convinced, but she made no response to that claim.

"Could you please put that thing down? Let's talk."

He stood there for several minutes, then lowered his weapon.

"What do you want?" Gilman demanded.

Rebecca exhaled. "Could you let us inside, please?"

"What for?" he said suspiciously.

"Our helicopter crashed and we're trying to get help," she explained.

"Why didn't ya use yer radio?"

"Ours is busted. Could we use your phone?"

"Don't have any," the man replied.

"Do you have a radio that we can use?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Nope."

"Did you happen to see any S.T.A.R.S. members around here?" she asked. "My team and I got separated."

"Yer the only one I've seen around here, darlin'."

Rebecca sighed.

"In that case," she said, "would it be okay if you could lend us some rooms? We're very tired and haven't gotten any sleep."

Gilman thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No."

Rebecca exhaled. "Mr. Gilman, please. It took us four or five hours just to get here by foot, and neither of us have slept a wink last night."

He smirked. Rebecca wanted desperately to smack it right off his arrogant, smug face.

"Too bad," he said, then dropped the smile, "now get the fuck off my property."

The Bravo stood there, her mouth agape. How could anyone be so cruel and without any semblance of mercy or compassion?

He then stroked his chin, as if deep in thought.

"...Then again," he began, "...I suppose I could let you inside...but you'd have to do me a favor."

Star narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

The fat man looked at the red-shrouded albino contemptuously.

"That's between me and her, freak," he responded, then looked to Rebecca with leering eyes. "Why don't we find someplace private to make our...arrangement?"

He licked his lips.

"Ugh!" Rebecca said in disgust. She wanted to hurl. Star bared his teeth and gave an animalistic growl, taking a threatening step toward Gilman, causing him to whirl his weapon in his direction. At that exact moment, the barrel fell apart in his hands.

"...Shit," Gilman muttered. He looked up as the albino loomed over him, his towering form dwarfing his.

"P-Please don't hurt me!" the man said pitiably as he raised up his hands pleadingly. "I beg you, please don't hurt me!"

Rebecca snatched the broken shotgun from the sniveling man's hands as Star glared down at him.

"Apologize to her," the albino demanded.

She watched as Gilman shakily looked to her. "I'm sorry!"

Rebecca nodded, accepting his apology.

"Could you tell us where the bedrooms are please?" she asked. "We just want to get some sleep."

He frowned.

"I don't-"

"Just give us at least two hours sleep," Rebecca insisted. "Just two hours and I promise we'll be out of here as quickly as possible."

Gilman looked at the two of them, then sighed.

"Fine," he relented. "Come with me."

* * * * *

When Rebecca stepped into the mansion, she didn't really know what to expect. For a moment, part of her imagined Count Dracula coming to the door, speaking in Bela Lugosi's voice "I bid you welcome". She looked around at her surroundings. A luxurious red carpet was laid out in front of the door, lining along the white marble-tiled floor of a massive hallway to a grand staircase up ahead that divided up to two separate stairways, both of which in turn lead up to a walkway or landing. Supported by twelve white round Tuscan stone columns along the sides, with a pair of white fluted Corinthian-styled columns prominently standing right beside the stairs itself, the landing overlooked the hall. Lit by an overhanging chandelier as well as various candles that were hung and mounted on nearby walls and tripods, the place looked like a Victorian dream, with all sorts of elaborate furnishings.

"Wow!" Rebecca marveled. "This place looks gorgeous!"

"Thanks," Gilman replied.

"Is this George Trevor's work?" Star asked.

"What do I look like, a fuckin' tour guide?" Gilman retorted impatiently. "Do you want me to take you to the bedroom or not?"

The albino frowned. "Apologies."

Gilman gestured to them.

"Follow me," he said, "and stay close. I don't want either of you pokin' yer noses around here. Understand?!"

The teenagers nodded.

"And don't touch anythin', ya hear?!"

"We hear you, Mr. Gilman," Rebecca assured.

The older man studied her for several seconds.

"Good," he said simply. "Now, come on."

The teenagers followed him up the stairs. Star tilted his head curiously as he inspected a beautiful stain glass window that overlooked the landing. Rebecca poked him gently, urging him to move as they followed Gilman up the left side toward a door. Stepping through, Rebecca found herself on a railed balcony that overlooked a massive dining hall with a huge table down below, a checkered floor and an old grandfather clock that thunderously echoed. Ahead of the teenagers was a large ceramic statue of a woman holding a torch blue jewel in her left hand, the statue itself positioned against a section rail.

"Take it slow here," Gilman advised. "The rail is pretty weak. I've been meanin' ta move that statue there for some time, but it's really fuckin' heavy."

"Would you like me to help move it?" Star offered.

"Yer too skinny," Gilman said. "Let me show ya where the bedroom is, and for god's sake be careful where ya step!"

The teenagers nodded, then moved forward, following him down the stretch ahead when Rebecca accidently bumped into the statue, causing it to wobble.

"Ah!" the medic exclaimed as it rocked back and forth before tilting onto the rail behind it, causing it to snap. Gilman's eyes widened in alarm.

"No no no no no!" the man said worriedly as he and Star reached out to grab hold of it, straining themselves to keep it from falling as the piece of railing gave way and fell onto the table before. "I thought I told you idiots to be careful!"

"I'm sorry!" Rebecca apologized as she tried grabbing hold the statue.

The trio struggled for several seconds, groaning with exertion as they attempted to save it, but the statue was far too heavy for them. Rebecca could only watch as it slipped from their fingers and careen down onto the table with a heavy crash, causing her to wince. Looking back up to each other, the medic swallowed nervously, then gave a sheepish smile.

"Sorry..."

Gilman angrily glared at her.

"Sorry?!" he exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how much those cost?! Fucking stupid, that's what you are!"

Rebecca flinched at his tone.

"It was an accident," Star said.

"Yeah," Gilman said, "and I intend to sue you both!"

The albino sighed.

"Look, I'm really sorry about your statue and your table," Star said, "but we should count ourselves lucky no one got hurt either up here or down below. You really need to get these rails up here looked at - it's a wonder no one had gotten killed! They're a fatality waiting to happen!"

"Don't tell me my fuckin' business, freak!" Gilman said indignantly. "I expect to be compensated for this!"

"I don't have a lot of money on me at that moment," Rebecca said, "but I promise I will pay for the damages when we get back to the city."

"So will I," Star promised.

"You fuckers better save up for an attorney, because I'm gonna sue yer asses off fer everything yer worth!" Gilman threatened. "You wrecked my statue, my home, and my table!"

Rebecca was beginning to have an enormous headache as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Fine," the medic said in resignation. "Just...show us to the bedroom. Please."

Gilman stared for several seconds, then muttered under his breath as he headed to the very end, then turned right at a door.

"Well, are ya comin' or not?" he said impatiently.

The teenagers exchanged weary looks with each other, then followed.

The next room was a long tight winding stretch of corridor with ugly fungal green wallpaper with yellow wall-mounted lanterns that illuminated a set of rails at that led down a wooden staircase. Following Gilman down the stairs, Rebecca watched as the man led them to a wooden door that was neatly tucked away beneath it.

"Bedroom's in there," he pointed.

Opening the door, he flicked on the light. Twelve feet high and thirteen feet wide, the room was very plain with white walls and a brown wooden floor. Inside was a large wooden shelf at the side with a box in the corner closest to the door, while at the left hand corner at the very end was a desk with a chair and type writer. At the other corner, calling to Rebecca, was a bed with white sheets and a fluffy pillow.

"Thank god," Rebecca said tiredly. The moment she saw the bed, she let out a groan of discomfort. Every part of her ached and was sore.

"Rebecca, are you okay?" Star asked concernedly as he dropped the suitcases and immediately went to her side.

"I just need to lie down for a moment," the medic replied as she shrugged off her backpack, handing it over to him.

* * * * *

Star pityingly watched as Rebecca staggered toward the bed and collapsed onto the mattress and pillow, her arms and legs outstretched. The moment her head and body touched the mattress and pillow beneath her, however, she raised her head back up with a puzzled and comical expression as she stared down at both uncomprehendingly, as if her mind were saying "what did I just lie down on?!".

"Is something wrong?" Star asked.

"...This bed is really uncomfortable," she said as she pushed herself up.

"I don't know what yer talkin' about, girl," Gilman reputed imperiously. "I don't see anything wrong with it. I think it's comfortable. If ya think you are too good for it, then the two of you can sleep outside in the bushes for all I care!"

Rebecca waved.

"No, it's fine," she said. "Sorry."

Gilman grunted, then turned to leave.

"Before you go, Mr. Gilman," Star began, "could we talk in private outside?"

The man regarded the red hooded albino for a moment, then gestured with a turn of his head to follow him. Stepping outside and closing the door behind him, Star turned to face Gilman, reaching into his pocket, then froze. His wallet wasn't there. Feeling around, the albino searched, now a little worried.

Where had he put his wallet?

Star tried to think back to the last time he saw it, then suddenly remembered Rebecca having it.

"Ah, can you excuse me for a moment?" he said. "I just need to get something."

Entering the room again, he saw Rebecca glance up at him curiously.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Do you have my wallet with you?" Star asked.

Rebecca checked her pockets, then shook her head.

"Oh! It's in my backpack," she said. "Top pocket."

Zipping it open, Star rummaged through until he found what he as looking for, slipping it back into his pocket.

"What's going on?" Rebecca asked.

"I'm just going to clear something up," he answered, "I'll be right back."

Before she was able to ask for an explanation, Star stepped back outside, shutting the door behind him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," the albino nodded.

"What is this about?" Gilman said impatiently, arms crossed.

Star sighed. "Is there any way I could persuade you not to sue her? We've been through a lot these last couple hours."

"She. Broke. My. Property!"

"I know she had, Mr. Gilman," Star said, "which is why I want to pay for the damages myself."

Opening up his wallet, the red-draped albino took out two hundred dollars and handed it to the stout man.

"This is half of what I have in my wallet now," the former said.

Gilman scowled.

"Are you fuckin' kidding me? This won't cover shit."

"I know it won't," Star replied. "This is merely to prove the honesty of my intentions. It's not much, I know, but I do intend to keep my word, even if I have to take two or three jobs to do so. Just...leave Rebecca out of this. Please."

Gilman tilted his head to the side as he seemed to consider the offer. A few seconds later, he took the money and started counting it up in his hand. Satisfied, he grunted as he pocketed it.

"Fine," Gilman said. "But, I expect to be paid every last cent."

Star nodded. "You will."

With that, the portly man turned around and went back up the stairs. The albino sighed, then stepped back into the room where Rebecca waited.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

Star rubbed his eyes.

"I convinced him not to take you to court," he answered.

"You have?" Rebecca said in surprise. "How?"

"I gave him two hundred dollars and told him that I would cover the damages."

The Bravo frowned. "You shouldn't have done that, Star. It's my fault. I should be the one paying for it."

"Don't worry," Star assured.

Rebecca looked at him seriously, then took out her wallet.

"Let me pay you back," she said.

He waved. "No, it's fine."

"No it isn't! I don't want you to go bankrupt over what I've done!"

"I'm not going to go bankrupt," he assured. At least, he hoped not...

The medic thumbed through her money, counting up the bills, then held it out to him.

"Here, take it," she urged.

"Really, Rebecca, don't worry."

Getting up from the bed, Rebecca marched toward him, grabbed his hand and placed the money into his palm.

"Take the money," the Bravo insisted.

He shook his head, then placed it back into her hand, "No."

Rebecca gave an exasperated growl. "You are a stubborn pain in the ass!"

"Rebecca there's no need to pay me back or get angry."

"I don't like being beholden to anyone, especially when they're paying for what I've done!"

"You said that you needed the money," Star replied. "I'm only trying to help."

"You're not my father, Star!" Rebecca said in frustration and anger. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Look, I really appreciate what you're trying to do, but when I make a mistake, I would rather own up to it than have someone else suffer for it."

"I'm not going to suffer, nor am I suffering," the albino said.

"You're missing the point, Star."

"I know what you mean, Rebecca. Look, I don't intend to hang this over your head, nor do I want you to pay me back. I don't want or expect anything from you. The only thing I want is for you to-"

"For me to what?" Rebecca demanded suspiciously.

"...To be happy," he said simply and truthfully.

The Bravo stared, stunned.

"That's it?" she said incredulously.

"That's it," he nodded. "Maybe it will take me a while longer before I can finally get my golden George Trevor dream house in Switzerland or Japan, but...I don't really mind. Not if it means helping you. You don't have to worry, Rebecca. I'll figure something out."

Rebecca was quiet for a moment, then shook her head disbelievingly. Lifting her hand, she flicked him between the eyes, then sighed.

"You idiot. Get some sleep, your brain is all muddled. We'll discuss this when we're both refreshed." She gave a small smile. "It's very sweet of you, though. Thank you."

Turning around, the medic gestured to the bed and desk.

"So...which one do you want to take?" she asked.

Star waved.

"You can take the bed," he replied. "I'll sit at the desk."

"Are you sure?" she said concernedly.

He nodded.

"I'll be fine," he replied. "To be honest, I don't really trust Mr. Gilman. I'll stay awake and keep an eye on the door."

Rebecca frowned. "Wake me in an hour, okay? I don't want you to stay up on my account. You deserve some sleep, too, Star."

"Don't worry," he assured. "I have some books to help me stay awake, so go right ahead and get some rest."

Rebecca sighed.

"Okay," she said as she climbed onto the bed, then made a face. "God this bed and pillow is really uncomfortable."

"Really?" Star said in surprise.

The medic waved him over. "Try it for yourself."

The albino complied, sitting himself down beside her with a perplexed expression.

"...What in the world?" he then lied down, testing it. Sitting back up, he looked at the mattress beneath him. "This is a bed?!"

"I know, right?" Rebecca said. "It feels more like a giant stone! And this pillow! It's like some pervert constructed it from barb wire and camel's pubic hair!"

"Maybe Mr. Gilman constructed them from the bones and skin of people that came here before us," Star joked.

The teenagers exchanged nervous glances.

"...My apologies," the albino said. "That was in poor taste."

Rebecca shrugged. "Well, you did warn me about how lousy you were at making jokes."

Looking at the desk, Star got up from the bed and picked up the typewriter, carefully placing it next to the shelf further away, then went back and sat down in the chair and laid his head down on the table.

"Is that any better?" Rebecca asked.

"...Not really," he said truthfully as he lifted up his head. Getting up from the chair, he crouched down to the floor.

"I'm not sleeping on the floor," Rebecca said.

"Maybe if we took the sheets off the bed and laid them down-"

"I don't want bugs to walk over me," Rebecca said firmly.

"There aren't any on the floor!"

"None that we see yet."

The albino sighed.

"Alright," he replied, then took off his coat and crumpled it up into a ball and held it to her. "Is this more comfortable?"

The medic placed it beneath her head, then nodded.

"A bit better," she said, "although the shoulder pieces are poking my head."

Lifting her head, Rebecca wrapped the coat around the pillow, then lied back down and shuffled around for a bit.

"Much better," she said in relief.

Star smiled. "Good."

He moved to his suitcases and started digging through, taking out a couple of books, then went back to the desk, sitting down into the chair.

"...Star?"

"Yes, Rebecca?"

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Rebecca looked at him.

"One other thing," she started, "About what Gilman said about you...don't take what he says seriously, alright?"

The albino shrugged.

"I'm used to being called that," he replied.

"You shouldn't," Rebecca said. "You're not ugly. Like...at all."

Star shrugged again. "Others disagree with you."

"Well they're twits! Gilman, too!'

Star gave an amused snort. Rebecca gave him a warm smile. "Don't let them get to you, Star."

The albino was still for a moment, then glanced back to her, nodding appreciatively.

"Thank you."

She winked, then stretched her arms out.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need my beauty sleep," she said.

"Sleep well, Rebecca," Star said.

As the medic closed her eyes, the albino quietly regarded her.

'Beautiful,' he thought admiringly.

Picking up a book, Star turned his attention the cover, then gave an amused scoff. Dante's Inferno.

'Well Dante, my old friend, here we are again,' he thought.

As he read quietly, Star pondered how he was going to resolve this lawsuit with Gilman.

* * * * *

From the bed, Rebecca watched with one eye open as Star sat back in his chair, the albino giving a tired yawn as he turned a page. Fifteen minutes later, the albino's eyes fluttered and drooped as he struggled to stay awake. Finally, his head fell forward, his eyes closing as he nodded off to sleep. Rebecca waited a few more minutes, then got up.

'Poor thing,'  the medic thought.

Mere minutes after settling down into a chair and he was out like a light.

'He really must have been exhausted!'  she thought to herself.

Looking back to the coat wrapped around her pillow, Rebecca's eyes shined as a lightbulb in her head went off.

Unravelling the coat, the medic gave a mischievous smile over her shoulder to her companion as he slept.

* * * * *

When Star awoke, he found himself tucked in, his coat drawn over him like a blanket. Rubbing his eyes, he turned to the bed and found Rebecca lying there, her pillow wrapped up with the bedsheets.

'How long was I out for?'  he wondered.

Star felt a little unnerved and ashamed. He was supposed to keep his eyes open. While he wanted to give Gilman the benefit of the doubt and assume that he was a decent person, the truth was that he couldn't fully do so. He remembered how the portly man lasciviously licked his lips at Rebecca, and it was fortunate that Gilman hadn't used this as an opportunity; with Rebecca and Star both asleep at the same time, anything could have happened.

The albino closed his eyes as he repressed a shudder.

'Never again,'  he promised, opening his eyes again.

Lowering the coat down to his lap, the albino glanced around for his book, then paused, noticing it on the table behind him. Clearing his throat, Star opened it back up, keeping one eye on the page and the other eye on the door.

* * * * *

Rebecca looked about as objects within the room levitated around her and as walls disappeared into black nebulous voids. To her bemusement, a giant piece of tofu wearing a S.T.A.R.S. beret muttering in Japanese walked past, minding its own business.

"Ah, shindo!" it said in a squeaky voice.

Watching as it disappeared into the shadows, Rebecca giggled. Amusement turned to terror as an impossibly huge snake with large fangs that jutted out from the top of its gums slithered from the direction opposite the tofu man was going, its massive form slithering past her. Rebecca shivered and trembled as its long serpentine body floated along, its huge scaly body forming a massive horizontal spiral that seemed to encompass the entire room and extended to infinity while its great head faced her, staring directly at her. Flicking out a forked tongue, the creature opened its mouth to consume her.

BANG!

The snake jerked back with a shriek as a gunshot rang out, followed by another, and another, and another before letting out a dying screech, the creature disappearing in a whiff of smoke. From the smoke, her savior emerged, causing Rebecca's heart to race and her knees to tremble; a tall handsomely dressed man wearing his police uniform, with neat peroxide blonde hair and black reflective sunglasses, his lean physique, perfect chiseled features and figure emitting a heavenly mandorla around him. Seeing her, Captain Albert Wesker approached.

"Are you alright?" he said with concern.

She nodded, too star struck to speak.

He moved closer.

"Rebecca, there's something I must tell you." he said urgently.

Rebecca hesitated.

"What is it?" she asked.

Taking her into his arms, Wesker took off his glasses, revealing perfect gorgeous blue eyes.

"I love you, Rebecca," he admitted. "Ever since I met you, I couldn't take my eyes off you."

The Bravo stared, her mouth open in shock.

'He loves me!' she thought happily. 'He really does love me!'

Was she forgetting something? Rebecca tried to think of what it was, then it came to her all at once.

"Captain-"

Cupping her cheek with his right hand, Wesker gently caressed her face, cutting her off as he whispered into her ear, "Call me Albert, darling."

The Bravo lost all train of thought as she shivered beneath his touch. Wesker leaned forward, his lips meeting hers in a deep passionate kiss. Breaking away briefly, Rebecca panted, her face flushed, her mind dazed. When she recovered, the medic's eyes widened, then shifted to the side.

"...I'm sorry, Captain. We can't!" she protested. "You're my superior officer."

"I don't care, Rebecca," Wesker declared. "I love you. There has never been anyone else in my life, and I want to spend the rest of it with you."

He kissed her again, longer and deeper, his arms wrapped around her smaller form as he passionately embraced her. Rebecca moaned as he leaned her back and trailed kisses along her jaw, neck and collarbone.

* * * * *

A loud moan interrupted Star's journey with Dante. Glancing up from his book, the albino looked around, puzzled.

Was there a zombie around somewhere?

The moaning came again, this time from the bed.

"Rebecca?" he called.

The medic gave a soft cry.

Putting away his book, Star slid the coat off his lap, draping it on the seat of the chair as he approached her worriedly. Placing a hand on her shoulder, the albino gently shook her.

"Rebecca, are you alright?" he asked nervously.

Her face was flushed red. Was she running a fever?

"Rebecca!" he shook again.

'Please God don't let her be infected,'  he prayed.

"Kiss me again, my love," she murmured.

Star looked down confusedly, perplexed. Who was Rebecca talking to? The albino studied her carefully. Her eyes were clenched shut, but she had a look of absolute bliss.

'She must be dreaming,'  he sighed deeply in relief as he pulled away, moving back to his chair.

What she was dreaming, he had no idea, but from the smile on her face, it wasn't a nightmare.

He paused. Was...she dreaming of being in the arms of the man she loved?

The albino uncomfortably looked around as he blushed. Drumming his fingers against his legs, the youth looked to the floor, then the ceiling, trying to distract himself from the awkward situation he was in. Sitting cross-legged, he tapped his foot nervously and repeatedly on the floor, then picked up his book from the table, trying to ignore her.

"Oh Captain," Rebecca murmured.

Star blinked, then looked back to her in surprise.

'Captain?!' he thought puzzledly. Rebecca was in love with her commanding officer? Captain...what was it...Marino? Marini?

He frowned.

'No, not him,'  he thought. Leaning back in his chair, Star recounted the details that she used to describe the man she fancied.

Tall, chiseled with a lean frame, blonde-

Star froze.

Wait a minute...

He then looked to Rebecca's sleeping figure in shock.

'Rebecca...is...in love...with my father?!'  he thought with disbelief.

As if to confirm his thoughts, Rebecca murmured again.

"Oh, Albert, I love you so much."

Turning his head slowly away, facing forward, Star gave a downcast look to the floor, his shoulders slumped in defeat. She loved his father...and from her expression and tone, nothing was ever going to change that.

Star felt something wet slide down his scarred cheeks. Raising a gloved hand, he checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding. He wasn't. Putting his hand back down, the albino raised his eyes despondently to the ceiling.

'Perhaps coming to Raccoon City was a mistake,'  he thought sourly.

Star repressed the urge to growl at the name. Raccoon City. All it brought to him was grief and torment at the hands of people like Trevor Marsden. Whenever the name came up, people laughed and made fun of him, some even speaking to him in patronizing tones as if he were some damned invalid incapable of thought. Star had been so thrilled when he discovered that it was in fact a real city; he thought that he could finally find the answers that he had long been searching for. Now, however, the albino wasn't so certain that he wanted to continue; with Umbrella in the equation, there were now suggestions of something darker, something monstrous. Something even worse than when Star had believed himself to be a victim of cultists, and he was absolutely terrified.

He was afraid of finding what lurked at the end of the road. Even more, he was afraid that once it was done with him, it would make its way back to destroy his mother.

Star clenched his fists. He desperately wanted to smash something.

Were people right to look upon him with such fear, hatred and disgust in their eyes? Was Trevor Marsden right in what he said? That the albino had been better off dead? How was it that people like him can be loved when all he ever did was cause nothing but pain and misery? Was Star destined to be alone?

And Rebecca...he was an absolute fool to be in love with her.

Star clenched his teeth, wanting desperately to lash out and break something with his bare hands, be it a piece of furniture or the wall. He wanted Gilman to come. He wanted a zombie or creature to show up, that way he'd be able to let loose his rage and frustration.

'Why do you torment me, God?!' he mentally screamed. 'Don't I have a right to be happy?! Haven't I been good?! Shouldn't the just be rewarded for their efforts?!'

As his anger rose to dangerously high and explosive levels, the albino paused.

...Was he a good person?

As that thought crossed his mind, Star glanced down, his rage dissipating. Ten years of his life were still a mystery to him; for all he knew, maybe he had been an awful person. Maybe he was being punished...

Looking down to the floor, Star stared at his own feet in shame and melancholy.

'You selfish bastard,'  he thought in self-loathing. What made him think that he was even remotely deserving? He was so full of bitterness, anger and hate. Rebecca felt ashamed of herself and thought that she was like Doctor James Marcus, the hateful corrupt head of the Umbrella Training Facility that developed the T-Virus and who caused so much death and destruction these last few hours. If only she knew.

Star shuddered in his seat. The idea of him having anything in common with Marcus deeply repulsed him.

Looking to Rebecca's sleeping face, he regarded her quietly. How could someone as beautiful as her could fall for a hateful blackened thing such as him? Hell, what made him think she was his reward, as if she were some prize at a carnival?

He shook his head in disgust. Rebecca deserved better. If Captain Wesker, his father - well, the man Star believed to be his father, - was as good as Rebecca believes him to be... what Star hoped him to be... then he'd be fine with the idea of the two of them together. He wanted Rebecca to be happy, and if God knew, the S.T.A.R.S. medic was deserving of every bit of happiness that came her way. Far more than himself, he was sure.

Seeing the peaceful smile on Rebecca's face, he couldn't help but melt.

'...Could she be my chance at redemption?' came the thought.

Star blinked. Where had that come from?

He watched as the medic shifted onto her side. Looking up to the ceiling, Star did something he hadn't done in years; he prayed.

'God, Jehova, Yahweh, Zeus, whatever name you prefer to be called, if you can hear me,...please protect Rebecca and Mother. If I am destined to be friendless and alone...if I am destined for hell because of who I am... or what I am... for whatever actions I may have done in the past to incur your disfavor...I beg you...please don't punish them. Let them both both be happy and free from whatever horrible fate awaits me...'

Once he finished, the albino crossed himself and muttered amen, then opened his eyes.

'I should get ready,'  Star thought.

It was only a matter of time before the rest of S.T.A.R.S. came here, if they weren't here already, and he was certain that Captain Wesker would be amongst them. The last thing Star wanted was to make a spectacle of himself and greet his own father looking the way he had. He deserved to see his son, not a circus freak.

As he pulled his coat aside, something dropped to the floor from his left pocket - a folded up sheet of paper. Giving it a curious look, Star bent down and picked it up as he put his coat back on. Slipping an arm through a sleeve, he unfolded it and started to read its contents.

'Dear Star,

Thank you sooooo much for saving my bestest best friend Rebecca! I would have been so lonely without her! As thank you for all the good you've done for her, I left you a little surprise in your wallet.

Your pal,

Loui the Cross-Eyed Squirrel, Esquire'

At the bottom of the page was a cartoony and crudely drawn cross-eyed squirrel with its tongue sticking out from the side of its mouth. Blinking bemusedly, Star checked his pockets then stopped as he felt a lump. Pulling out his wallet, the albino opened it up and found several dollar bills stacked inside. Looking to Rebecca, he stared in wonder.

'She has honor!' he thought admiringly, his chest thumping rapidly.

Looking back to the illustration, he regarded it for a moment, then let out a boyish laugh. He had wanted the love of a girl, but he ended up getting a cross-eyed squirrel instead. Go figure.

Putting on the other sleeve, Star went over to the suitcase and took out his makeup kit along with a pair of latex pieces, some cotton pads, a tube of glue, a wet cleaning cloth and a container of hair dye. Upon raising the latter, the albino paused, frowning. Because of the potential threat of contamination in the water supply, he'd be unable apply it properly.

Star growled angrily. Bloody Umbrella!

Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath and exhaled.

'I wish Gilman had given us a bedroom that had a washroom with a mirror in it,' he thought annoyedly. While the makeup kit had a mirror of its own, it was tiny, making it a pain in the ass to work with.

Opening up the case, he angled the mirror carefully, then reached down to collect one of the latex pieces on his lap. Once he applied some glue onto it, Star glanced back to the tiny makeup mirror...and froze. Staring back at him was a handsome young man with blue eyes and brown hair done in a curtains styled haircut, with one part swept to the side, wearing a navy suit with a white dress shirt and a grey tie, his skin pink and unmarked. Star stared at the reflection, his mouth and eyes open in shock, caught completely off-guard as the young man matched his expression. Tilting his head to the side without taking his eyes off for even a moment, he watched as the young man in the mirror did the same thing, matching him movement per movement.

Raising a hand to his face, the albino watched as the blue suited man did the same things he did. Looking down to his lap, Star raised his eyes again back to the mirror, only to find his own scarred visage staring back.

'I'm going crazy!' Star thought worriedly.

For as long as he remembered, he had always been a scarred albino. And yet...these visions that he's been having...

Star looked worriedly to Rebecca.

Had he been infected with the T-Virus? Was he a danger to her?

Star closed his eyes and took in a deep, shaky breath.

'No,'  he thought. It must have been a trick of the light.

'That didn't look like any trick of the light,'  part of him argued. A hypnogogic hallucination, perhaps. Star barely had any sort of sleep, so no doubt his own eyes were playing tricks on him.

Somewhat satisfied the explanation, the albino resumed in what he was doing.

* * * * *

It was the sounds of grunts and annoyed mutterings that woke Rebecca from her sleep. Opening her eyes, she found Star kneeling on the floor, holding a piece of latex to his face. After holding it there for a few minutes, he let go, but mere moments later, the piece of latex would come loose again, causing him to let out a slew of angry curses.

"What's going on?" Rebecca asked as she rubbed her eyes tiredly.

Star looked up from his lap at her.

"Did I wake you?" he asked.

"I'm afraid so," Rebecca answered.

The albino frowned. "My apologies for having done so."

"How long was I asleep for?"

"An hour. Hour and a half, perhaps," he replied, picked up the piece of latex.

"What are you doing?" Rebecca asked curiously.

"I'm getting ready for Father," he replied. "I don't want him to meet me like this."

Sitting up, the medic faced him.

"Can I help?" she offered.

Star sighed. "You really shouldn't, you deserve to get some sleep-"

"Well, now I'm awake, so, too bad." Rebecca shrugged. "Come here and let me see."

The albino hesitated.

"Well, come on," she urged, then gave a cheeky smile. "I promise I don't bite."

After thinking it over, Star relented and came over with his materials, putting them on the bed beside her. Rebecca picked up the latex pieces, giving them a disgusted look.

"Ewww," she muttered. "Where in the world did you get these things from?"

"I cut them off from a Halloween mask I got ages ago," Star explained. "Some troll or witch."

"Why do you have this?"

He looked at her curiously. "Have you ever heard of Lon Chaney?"

"Lon Chaney?" Rebecca repeated, her brows knitting together as she tried to recall the name. "...Wasn't he the Wolf Man?"

"You're thinking of his son, Creighton, who used the alias 'Lon Chaney Jr'," Star corrected. "Lon Chaney Sr, the father, did silent movies and used to work with elaborate make-up techniques and had been given the nickname 'the Man with a Thousand Faces'. He played all sorts of characters, including the Phantom of the Opera, Quasimodo from 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'-"

"Okay," she nodded. "What about him?"

"When I was younger, I used to marvel at his abilities in transforming himself," he explained. "He's actually a very handsome man without his make-up. His movies gave me the idea that if a handsome man such as himself could make him look monstrous through simple latex, paint and glue, then perhaps someone like me could..."

He trailed off.

Rebecca nodded in understanding. "I see now." She regarded the latex pieces. "Is this your first time using these?"

"It is," the albino admitted. "I'm having a lot of trouble trying to get the damn things to stay on."

"Let me try." she said. Picking up one of the latex pieces, the medic applied some glue, then pressed it onto Star's left cheek. She waited several minutes, then let go.

"Hey, it worked!" she cheered.

No sooner had she said that that the latex piece came partially off, dangling from his face. Star growled.

"Damn it," he swore.

For the next fifteen or so minutes, it became an endless loop of pasting and catching. By the thirtieth time it fell off, Rebecca gave up.

"I'm sorry, Star, it just won't stick," she said apologetically.

The albino said nothing. Taking the cleaning cloth, Rebecca gestured for him to lean forward.

"Here. Let me wipe this gunk off," she said. Star looked at her with uncertainty, then did as he was told.

* * * * *

As Rebecca placed the cloth onto his face, a light blush formed on the albino's scarred cheeks as she wiped his face clean.

The medic smiled cheekily.

"I bet you let all the pretty girls wash your face," she teased.

He scoffed.

"You'd be the first, to be honest," he admitted.

As she continued what she was doing, Star winced.

* * * * *

He and the woman in red were stopping to get ice cream. Handing him a vanilla cone, he reached forward and took it.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it, rookie," the woman replied.

The two ate their ice cream as they sat down at a bench. Just as he took another bite, the woman playfully pushed the hand holding the cone upward, causing some ice cream to get lodged up his nose. Pulling it away indignantly, he gave a sour look to her as she laughed.

"Oh lighten up!" the woman said as she brought up a napkin. "Here."

He blushed as she wiped his face with it.

"Amy, please stop-"

"Oh hush!" she chided. "Just hold still."

* * * * *

"Star? Star?"

The albino blinked.

"Are you okay?" Rebecca asked worriedly. "You were wincing in pain."

"Uh, yeah," he replied. "Just a bit of headache, I guess. I'm fine now."

The medic frowned. "Are you sure?"

He nodded.

Rebecca sighed. "Okay."

She continued wiping off his face.

"By the way," Star spoke up, "I received the note and money from 'Loui'."

Rebecca grinned.

"You did, huh?" she replied.

"Thank you."

She gave a shrug. "Well, I had to do something."

As the Bravo medic continued what she was doing, she turned his face, studying his scars.

"Something wrong, Rebecca?" he asked.

"Sorry," she said. "I just wanted to take a better look at your scars. I'm surprised you haven't been rendered blind by them."

He shrugged.

Rebecca stopped, staring down at him.

"...Rebecca?" he said uncertainly.

"...Would it be okay if I examined your eyes?" she asked.

He swallowed. "S-sure."

The next thing he knew, Rebecca leaned forward, her face now mere inches from his. Bright green eyes peered into violet slit ones as she pulled the eyelids back with her gloved fingers. Star ceased breathing, the blush growing as he caught hold of her scent, a strong sweet aroma that reminded him of fresh berries and leaves.

'Is this her perfume?' he wondered.

He watched nervously as the girl tilted her head at different angles. Pulling back, she shook her head.

"...I've never seen anything like this before," she said.

"What?"

"Your eyes," Rebecca answered. She looked up at him. "Are you on any sort of medication?"

He shook his head. "No. Should I be?"

She frowned.

"I don't know, to be honest," she said truthfully. "They don't look enflamed. It doesn't look like Conjunctivitis, nor Nevus of Ota or Metastatistic neuroblastoma, but I can't help wondering if it's an infection or not. Have you had your eyes checked?"

The albino shook his head again.

"Not really," he said truthfully. "I don't really have any visual problems."

Rebecca folded her arms, holding her chin in thought.

"Strange..." she murmured.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm just wondering if this is something that'd need corrective surgery."

The albino frowned.

"What's wrong?" Rebecca pressed.

"...Promise not to laugh?" he asked.

"Sure." she said.

The albino sighed.

"...I'm afraid of hospitals," he admitted.

Rebecca blinked in surprise.

"Seriously?" she asked.

He gave a slow nod.

"How come?"

"I don't know," he said. "I just get queasy whenever I'm in one or when I meet someone in a white coat. I faint at the sight of needles."

At the mention of that, the albino stopped, then looked away in embarrassment and shame. Rebecca put a hand on his arm.

"That's nothing to be ashamed about," she assured. "Lots of people are afraid of hospitals and needles."

He sat quietly for a moment. "...Can you promise me something?"

"What?" Rebecca asked, hesitating.

"...If it turns out that I am one of Umbrella's creations-"

"You're not," Rebecca interrupted.

"But in the event that I am-"

The medic scowled and flicked him between the eyes.

"You're spouting nonsense, Star," she said as she got up and moved his things aside. "Lie down and get some sleep. I'll keep watch."

"Are you sure? You haven't had much rest-"

"Go ahead," she gestured to the bed. "You need it."

Star sighed, then climbed onto the bed, frowning.

"...This really is uncomfortable," he muttered.

Rebecca nodded in agreement.

"Have a good rest, Star." she smiled.

He looked up at her.

"Wake me," he began, "...if you need me."

The medic nodded, giving him a thumbs up along with a kind and gentle smile. Laying his head down on the pillow, the albino closed his eyes and slept.