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"Good day, Officer Kevin Ryman. Strange to see you here in the office at this time of the day," Marvin teased him. His eyes then wandered to the young man who was standing behind him. "Your drinking buddy?"

Kevin shook his head as he recounted all the things that happened a while ago. After he was done, he finally ended with, "A good seedling, right?"

Marvin nodded and shifted his attention back to Mendell. "Have you ever thought of becoming a police officer, kid?"

"No, Sir. I just wanna become a scientist and work in Umbrella Corporation."

Kevin laughed. "Then you'll be the first scientist that can kick ass."

Marvin chuckled as well. "Too bad. RPD really needs new blood to continue the legacy. Anyway, if you change your mind, just drop a message. I can recommend you to a nice Police Academy. Gotta meet the chief, so, have a nice day, kid."

"Yes, Sir," Mendell replied.

Marvin proceeded to the information desk and talked with Jenny, who was busy with paperwork.

Kevin and Mendell exited the RPD and talked about many things like they were friends for a long time. They both went on their ways as soon as they reached the intersection - Mendell at the L.E. Books while Kevin strolling toward J's Bar.

Mendell spent an hour inside the bookstore reading some interesting stuff about paranormals because he wanted to know more about his current situation. This made him all the more confused as he read more and more. Bored, he went home when he found out that it was already 2 PM.

=======================

"Ah, this is life..."

Mendell burped loudly after eating his late lunch back at home. After doing the dishes, he rested on the couch and watched tv. He connected the Neo Geo CD when he was bored watching and played some games until it was dark outside. Once again, he ate his dinner and after doing his evening rituals, he went to his room. There, he saw the book once again. Curious, he grabbed the book and lay down on his bed, opening it only to find out that it was still empty. Disappointed, he placed it back on the drawer and closed his eyes.

=======================

...Go to the Forest...

...It is time...

Mendell yawned as he forced himself to stand up. He knew it was useless for him to go back to bed because his dream would still torment him again. Nevertheless, he finished his morning rituals and went downstairs after changing his clothes.

He prepared his oatmeal for breakfast and grabbed the remaining milk inside the fridge. After eating, he proceeded to the living room and watched TV.

"Flash Report. Last night, July 22, 1998, as of 10 PM, there were several reports of families being killed by unknown assailants inside their houses. No items were reported missing, indicating that robbery was not the intention. Police reports say that all of the distress calls came from the areas near the Raccoon Forest. Some families were also reported missing while they were camping on the outskirts of the Raccoon Forest. Several corpses were found by hikers and hunters, who in turn notified the authorities..."

Mendell unconsciously tightened his grip on the remote control as he watched the news. Then, he remembered his dream.

...Go to the Forest...

...It is time...

He took out the phone from his pocket and dialed Dell's number.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is out of coverage area..."

Mendell tried calling Elena's and Menetrio's phone numbers but they were both turned off as well. "Shit!" He attempted one more time but still, he failed to connect to his family's phone. He dialed 911 to report the case that his family was missing. After he was done, he called Frank because he remembered that his girlfriend went camping as well. As soon as the line connected, he asked, "Hello, bro. Have you seen the news?"

"Yes. My girlfriend's not responding to any of my calls. How about you, bro? Did you call your family?"

"Yes, but all of their phones were turned off. I already called 911 but I'm still not reassured, so I'm gonna go to the RPD. Wanna come with me?"

"Sorry, bro. I'm with Jessica's uncle right now. We're on our way to the Raccoon Forest."

"I can understand your thoughts but you better make sure to contact the police. Who knows what you'd be facing in the forest? Remember, some death reports occurred last night. I hate to hear you missing as well, Frank."

There was a long pause on the other line before he replied, "Sure, bro. Take care as well."

Mendell ended the call and went upstairs to prepare whatever he might need while staying in the forest. This time, he had no choice but to deal with the dream once and for all. To go to the forest. Maybe he could find some answers there and find his family as well.

After changing his clothes and packing the necessary things inside his bag, he was about to go downstairs when he remembered his dream. "Yes, the book..." He placed it inside his bag and carried it on his back. "I think I'm good to go, but first stop, the RPD."

======================

Mendell exited the taxicab and entered through the gate. Even though he was still at the entrance, he could hear several voices coming from the RPD. He quickened his steps and entered the main hall.

"Please tell me you're doing something with the search! My family's missing for three days inside the forest, for God's sake!"

"How can I calm down when they're inside the forest, together with an unknown maniac! I need some answers...please..."

"Don't worry. We're doing our best in our search and rescue operations. Our best cops will be deployed to look for the families inside the forest. We'll call you as soon as we get in touch with them."

The middle-aged woman sobbed as she hugged the old man beside him. Some police officers led them to the right area, passing through the entrance with an electric panel on its right wall.

Mendell saw Jenny shaking her head as she sat on her chair. The phone rang again and she answered the call right away.

The scene yesterday was the opposite of today. Unlike the calm mood of everyone as they did their police duties, today, everyone was rather busy. Many cops were running back and forth the hallway. Some were attending to the people who were visibly crying while others were busily handling some calls. Indeed, he could see the effect of yesterday's event.

Mendell approached the information desk and asked the other cop beside Jenny, "Sir, good morning."

"Good morning. How can I help you? I'm Officer Kenny."

"Mendell Toliev. You see, I've watched the news this morning and I'm afraid about my family's situation right now."

"When was the last time you've seen them?"

"July 21, 11 AM. They went camping, my Mom, Dad, my younger sister, and my uncle and his family. They all went to the outskirts of Raccoon Forest."

"Okay, please leave your contact information so I can call you right away as soon as we get in touch with them."

"Is there any way that I can help with the search and rescue?"

"Don't worry. Leave this to the professionals." Kenny urged him to wait at the reception area as he answered another call.

Mendell knew that it was useless for him to urge the police to let him join the rescue operation. "I guess it all boils down to me..." he mumbled to himself. He was about to leave the RPD when he saw five cops who were walking toward the information desk. They immediately got his attention because of their uniforms.

The three male cops wore undershirts with the S.T.A.R.S. emblem over the left sleeve, and M69 Flak vests, leg holsters, black pants, jungle boots, and fingerless gloves. The remaining male cop had the standard RPD emblem on his sleeve. The only female in the group, short-haired boyish police officer, had a vest prominently displaying a red cross on the back.

Mendell stayed a few meters away from them, just enough to hear their conversation.

"Officer Jenny, please prepare the things included in the list. Inform me when you're done so I can check the equipment right away."

Jenny nodded. "Is there anything else we can do, Captain Marini?"

Enrico shook his head. "Just complete the list ASAP. That will help my team later in our mission."

"Okay. I'll do it immediately."

"Thanks."

Enrico and his team bade goodbye. Before doing so, Enrico looked at Mendell - who was pretending to tinker with his phone - and said, "It's not good to eavesdrop a stranger's conversation, kid. Besides, if you do it, better make sure that it's not obvious, okay?"

Mendell's face reddened as he scratched his head. "Eh...I guess. Sorry."

Enrico nodded and whispered something to the female cop, and went upstairs. The other two cops with the STARS emblem followed behind him.

The female cop smiled at Mendell. "Hey. What are you doing here? I'm Rebecca."

"Just reported the case of my family who went camping to the Raccoon Forest. I lose contact with them and I'm concerned about their current situation." Mendell told them as he hid the phone back inside his pocket. " Anyway, I'm Mendell Toliev."

"Just call me Richard," the other young man smiled at him as he patted his shoulders. "Don't worry. We'll find your family."

Mendell weakly nodded. "Thanks, Richard...um...is there anything I can do to help?"

Rebecca gave him a thumbs-up sign. "Just stay at your house and wait for the RPD's call. Goodbye, Mendell."

Richard grinned at him and followed Rebecca.

Mendell sighed as he went outside the RPD, knowing that it was useless for him to stay. "I guess it's only me, huh? I really want to just chill out inside the house but I know that I have to do this..." He waited for a few minutes until he saw a vacant taxicab. Without delay, he opened the cab and said, "Please take me to Arklay Scenic Drive."

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It was a 20-minute ride to the Arklay Scenic Drive, a popular hiking and camping place frequented regularly by the nature lovers and tourists. It was located northwest of Raccoon City and was almost completely covered with heavy vegetation.

Mendell researched the Arklay Mountains last night, knowing that he had to be prepared if he wanted to get out alive. According to his findings, the Arklay Mountains was classified as temperate hardwood forest dominated by pine trees, maple trees, oak trees, and other native plant life such as Raccoon City's signature colored herbs. The herbs were first discovered in the Arklay region and were often used for medicinal purposes both locally and abroad. The Arklay Mountains were well known throughout the medical community, with the Green, Blue and Red herbs having revolutionized the healthcare industry and garnered massive profits for pharmaceutical companies, mostly used by the Umbrella Corporation.

With the correct ratio, one could mix the herbs to achieve different curative effects, maybe in powder or capsule form. What made them outstanding was their safe usage. Currently, there were no known side effects associated with their use. Due to their availability, different establishments, such as the RPD, City Hall, and Raccoon University, chose to plant these herbs in pots throughout their premise. Even some citizens kept the herbs in their houses and places of employment for decoration or use.

As expected, there were many wild animals found living inside the Arklay Mountains, so the hikers were instructed to be careful when they attempt to enter the forest.

Mendell was currently standing at a clearance that led to the forest. He was curious because there were barricades and ropes indicating that it was off-limits, but there were no visible cops and people around, considering that there were many death reports. Looking at his watch, it was still 3 PM but the shades from the huge trees made it all the more haunting and dark. Nevertheless, he mustered his courage and entered the forest entrance as he grabbed his flashlight on his left hand and the swiss knife on his right hand.