***Author's Note***

OMG!!! I never anticipated for this to happen so quickly!!! In such a short amount of time! This book officially has over 2k views!!! 💓😱😋😱💓 2k views!!! I can't stop freaking out about this! Wow... I can't thank all of you enough for this, really. This is awesome.

Also, I have an important question for y'all.

How would you guys like it if I do a cast Q&A? Sorta like a panel. Where you can ask ANY character in the story any question(s) you want (within reason). How does that sound?

Any feedback about this would be appreciated, and as soon as possible. Don't forget to comment & like!

Peace out peeps! ✌🏻

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| 11:04 pm |

Laura's POV

After swiping the key card through the key card panel situated on the side of the door, it unlocked straight away, sliding open automatically. With our assorted guns in hand, the two of us cautiously headed inside the laboratory. The metallic door closed behind us right after the both of us entered he room—taking us both by surprise for a second. As we glanced around the large-scale lab, it appeared to be abandoned and partially trashed.

Research papers and broken glass were scattered on the floor all across the room. Some of the fluorescent lights on the ceiling were broken. A few of them emitting sparks of electricity, like rain drops from stormy clouds on a rainy night. Various rows of tables and desks stretched  all across the lab, including diverse stations and lab setups. Work counters, cabinets, filing cabinets, a couple wood shelving units, and a few bulletin boards were hung up and aligned all across the walls. Amplifying empirical appearance as a distinct kind of laboratory.

On the left of us, it looked like part of a control room. There was a large rectangular refinded-glass window centered in the very middle of the wall—connected to a pitch-black prodigious observation room. All around the refined window, there were various monitors fixed onto the wall, practically surrounding it. Right below them, there were also numerous desks—topped with mini mainframe computers, high tech monitor, and other pieces of technological equipment. The desks themselves were aligned all across the wall, positioned in the shape of a half circle. On the left of the large window is a metal door, connected to the observation room.

On the other side of us, there were seven life-sized cryogenic chambers, like the ones seen in most sci-fi movies nowadays. All aligned up in a single row; installed up against the back wall. Three of them were broken and empty; the refined glass containers were completely shattered. Countless pieced of fragmented glass scatter all over the floor surrounding the cryogenic chambers, covered in a thin layer of formalin. Giving off a repulsive, nose-pinching sense of smell, all while the other four remained fully intact and operational.

Each of the four tubes are filled completely with the clear, life-preserving liquid. Different wiring, machinery, and tubing were hooked up and connected to each and every one of them—supporting and sustaining whatever kind of life form that maybe trapped inside. Vigilantly approaching the reinforced chambers, I took a closer look at one of them, seeing what kind of creature was confined within the massive cage of refined glass.

It was some kind of large monstrous reptilian. Clearly not human. I couldn't see what its eyes looked like. Since they were closed, and it appeared to be in a state of cryogenic stasis. The creature was overall enormous in size, and in muscle mass. It had immense sharp claws on both of its tremendous hands and feet.

Thick green scales covering every inch and corner of its body. The structure of its legs resembled much to the one of a frog or toad. The creature's gargantuan neck surrounded its much smaller head, and it's mouth is filled with lots of sharp pointy teeth. Near the top of the chamber—engraved on small metal rectangular plaque stuck to the surface of the glass—was the name of the creature that was standing right in front of me:

"Hunter"

'This must be another one of Umbrella's creations, another one of their monsters' off their long list of bio organic weapons,' I assumed.

As I continued staring at the reptilian-like creature, myself being filled with great curiosity, I thought I heard something. Like something moving right up above me. Tyler tapped me by my shoulder—motioning me to look up. I gaze up at the air duct above—seeing it barely rustling. 'There's something in the ducts. I don't know if it's another person, maybe a Tricell or H.C.F. operative, or even a B.O.W. for all I know. In any case, we still must be prepared if it decides to show its face in here.'

Quietly, we quickly hurried over towards the desk closest to us. Kneeling down beside it. Hiding behind it while switching out our secondary weapons for both of our handguns.

Taking a quick peek over the desk at the duct, the thing began traveling farther down it—towards a vent—a possible exit for it. Tyler saw this too. Using his hand, he motioned us to move forward—to get closer towards the opening in the duct.

Catching on to his idea, I easily oblige and heedfully creep forward—traveling from desk to desk with Tyler following right behind me. Once we get enough close, we stop behind another desk, preparing ourselves in case this thing decides to hop down.

Piers's POV

I didn't want to leave Chris, but I had to. He was right, Laura and Tyler could be in trouble right now and I'm only one who could help them. He didn't want anything bad happening to them—especially to Laura—ever since Claire went missing.

As I continued crawling through the dark air duct, I see a vent just up ahead. Small rays of light poking through the lines of diagonal openings on the bottom of it. I pick up my pace as soon as I laid my eyes on the vent. 'I have to find Laura and Tyler, and soon.' The clock was ticking, and time was starting to run out for us.

When I reached the vent, I set my rifle down beside it—taking a look through it while deciding what to do. From what I could see, it looked like another laboratory. Similar, yet different than the first one I went into.

As I was going through my options, I knew that couldn't keep crawling through here in the dark forever. Right now, my main priority is to find Laura and Tyler, and time was among the essence.

Once I've made up my mind, I immediately start trying to pry open the vent—using both of my bare hands to do so. It took longer than I expected since it was screwed in very tight, but I was still successful thanks to the combat knife I brought along with me.

After I managed to open up the vent, I set it aside. While grabbing my rifle, I hop down into the room. Landing gently onto the ground. Instantly, I heard noises coming from a desk behind me. It sounded almost like movement... and breathing? 'Something else is here.'

With my MP-AF in hand, fully locked and loaded, I carefully start creeping slowly forward. Towards the desk where I heard the muffled sounds come from. While being very attentive to my surroundings, in case someone or something tries to take me by surprise. As I approached the simple piece of furniture, I instantaneously dashed to the other side of it. Finding nothing hiding behind it.

"Piers?"

I promptly turn around, with my rifle raised—only to find Laura standing right behind me. With her handgun partially raised and aimed at me. Tyler wasn't too far behind Laura, he came out of his hiding spot. Behind a nearby desk with his Silver Ghost in hand. I lower my rifle as they both do the same, as Tyler started making his way toward us.

"Thank god you're both okay," I say to them, feeling relieved.

"Wait a minute, where's Chris?" Laura asked, noticing that he wasn't with me.

"Where is he? Wasn't he with you Piers?" Tyler questioned me.

Laura's smile started to slowly fade, as silence filled the entire room. Tyler facial expression began turning grim too. I was at a loss of words. Not knowing what to say or how to even explain to them. Without having Laura get upset, or causing her to flip out on me. I was afraid that this might happen. Still, Laura deserves to know the truth.

"I'm so sorry Laura... I had to leave him behind..." After hearing this, she dropped her gun, as sign of her state of shock.

"No... Why...? Why Piers? How could you do something like that?!?" Laura practically yelled at me in frustration, as tiny tears started to form in her eyes. She was trying her hardest not to cry, despite what I just said.

"Laura, I had to. There was nothing else we could do that would've helped us in our unlucky situation. Chris was more concerned about finding you and Tyler than his damn well-being," I told her.

Tyler holstered his gun, then pulled Laura into a gentle hug. Letting her bury her face into the crook of his neck. He tenderly rubbed her back, while she softly cried.

"Piers, is he..."

"I'm not sure Tyler," I replied.

Laura pulled away from him—wiping away any leftover tears with her gloved hand.

"But there's still a chance... right? That Chris will be okay?" She asked as she picked up her gun off the floor and holstering it.

"Yes Laura. Your uncle is a very tough son of bitch. A hell of a lot tougher than you think he is. Even tougher than all of us here combined. Don't worry about it. He promised to meet up with us as soon as could, and knowing Chris, he always keeps his promises. No matter the circumstances."

Laura nodded in her head in understanding—taking a deep breath to help herself stay calm and cool.

Laura's POV

"Anyway, how'd you two manage get out of the security office? I thought you both were still trapped inside due to the lockdown sequence," Piers asked us.

"We were Piers, until we surprisingly got help," I replied.

"From who? Ada?"

"No, from me you nitwit."

We all turn around, seeing the little girl from earlier appear on the computer screen, on the computer sitting on the desk behind us.

"What the?–" I heard Piers mutter quietly. "Who the hell are you?"

"She's the one, the A.I. who helped us escape from the office," I said.

"Oh, and what makes you think I'm an A.I. Laura?" The girl asked me, as she crossed her arms on the screen.

"It didn't seem likely at first, when we first met. Anyone else would've thought that you were a young child prodigy, because of your appearance and how you seemingly possess the mind of a great intellect. But over time, I was able to notice and pick up your flaws and imperfections, like the pieces of a puzzle needed to be put together in order to solve it."

"Oh really, and what would those be Laura?"

"You actually had a lot, but only a couple important ones stood out from the rest. For example, you activated the lockdown sequence after those intruders were detected in the main elevator. You had every opportunity to activate it while we were riding in that elevator, and trap us all inside for some time, but you didn't. Then, there's the fact that you seem to have memorized the entire map of this place, even the whole layout of the ventilation system, like the back of your hand. How else would we've gotten here, if it wasn't for the directions and guidance you gave gladly us? Lastly, is that you've been watching us this whole time, you have eyes and ears practically all over this place. In this case, your eyes and ears would be the security cameras. Although, the only way to be able to view the live feed and past surveillance footage would be from the security office. Unless you were an A.I. , then you would be able to view it automatically."

"Are you right, I actually am an A.I. There aren't very many people as intelligent as you Laura, who could figure me out as quickly as you. You're very smart, possibly too smart for your own good."

"Alright, enough with the mystery. Who are you?! And what the hell is going on down here?!?" Tyler questioned the A.I.