02. clue to the hidden thread

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" chris, claire. be strong... "

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" ( ugh... who is that? oh yeah, I was attacked. chris, right! but.. why can't i move? ) " thought claire.

when claire realized, she was in a state of bound hands, mouth in duct tape until her eyes were also closed.

claire tried to calm down. understand the situation.

" ( It's so quiet, it's like being in prison for me. ) " thought claire.

however, claire heard someone was coming. The sound of footsteps could be heard quite clearly.

on the other hand, claire felt like someone was touching her hand as if to signal that she was told to be quiet and not to act rashly.

" what about our intruders? "

" they are still not aware. "

" i see. I can't believe that Albert sent and intentionally dropped them here. however, with the situation in the village that is already like this. it might be great to do a little experiment on them. "

" ( village? ) " thought claire

" what about that girl? have you found it? "

" no. we haven't been able to find it. "

" keep looking. The girl is the key to the successor to the Ashford family. sir alfred wants the girl alive. that's the special mission given by him. "

" ( alfred. isn't he dead? but, why are they after a girl? I have to get out of here! ) " thought claire.

after feeling safe enough, claire tried to free herself first.

Unfortunately, the hand she had previously felt was back again. strangely, the hand opened the duct tape over her mouth.

" who's this? " said claire suspiciously.

" easy!. I will set you free. calm down lady. " he said.

Having no choice, Claire complied. and it was true that he was finally free and could breathe a sigh of relief for a moment.

" well, i don't know who you are? but thank you for freeing me from this painful... rope " said claire.

claire was surprised because the one who freed her was a young man. unfortunately...

" ( steve... no way. I must be dreaming. calm down, claire. he's not him. ) who are you? " said claire starting to get confused

" sorry, where's my manners. my name is ryan keane. former hunter " he said while introducing himself.

" claire redfield. thank you for helping me. " she said while doubted.

" You're not a civilian here, are you? " asked ryan

" no, I had stopped at the cafe with my brother. then as I recall, I was attacked. that's all I remember. Oh, yes. I have to quickly find my brother. " claire said.

" calm down. we have to find a place to heal your wounds first. this place is not safe. " said ryan

claire just realized that this time she was hurt. she probably thought it was from the time he was held captive earlier. like it or not, she did what ryan said. and let ryan carry her. moreover, she felt that something was wrong in here.

" do you know where is it? " asked claire.

" yes i am. but you need to know miss, i mean claire. the place was always used to store food supplies. but because of the virus outbreak brought by the crashed plane, one by one the citizens became victims. they are the survivors. but instead restrain anyone who is considered an intruder so that they can freely look for a girl. " Ryan said while holding back his anger.

" wait, did you say... a girl? asked claire.

" yes. That's why I'm also looking for it. I can't let her become the target of that annoying army. I made a promise to her father, and her mother. sorry, hang on. " said ryan.

" it's ok, ryan. I will also help you. moreover, I might meet my brother again. " said claire with a smile.

" then I should immediately bring it to my place, there might be quite safe. " said ryan.