2 Ch.2 Belly of the Beast*

The train slowly came to a stop...

The mercenaries cautiously moved out one at a time.

And as soon as they were off the train, Murder death kill was the first to follow.

Then while everyone was hesitating, glasses girl took a look at Zheng and the rest.

Making a face as if she made her mind at that moment, she followed the Murder death kill and movie cast out.

And as the rest saw that One was moving further away, they also hurriedly moved out.

But when it was my turn to get off the train...

I caught a glimpse at the train door's circular port window.

And saw the reflection of an early 20s Chinese kid.

Hmm... I thought I was the last to get off...

Hey!!! This kid looks like that actor Li Xian from that Chinese fantasy archeology movie with those hot chicks...

Trying to get a better look...

I turned my head to face the kid, and saw no one.

Doing a take back, I looked at the reflection again...

Shyte!!!

Is that my face I'm seeing!!!

Slightly creeped out, I did a few facial impressions to check for any inconsistency between my actions and the reflection.

But after a while, I slowly accepted that this was my actual face at the moment.

Releasing the breath I didn't know I was holding. Into a sigh of relief.

I really thought there are ghosts in Resident Evil?!

But what the heck?!

Whose face is that?!

And, why didn't I realize this wasn't my body?

I'm not wearing my stuff and shyte!!!

This can't be plastic surgery!

Last time I checked, they can't change your nationality.

No wonder I can't remember my name or any of the specifics in my life...

Parking that train of thought and putting a pin on the fact that this is not my body.

Let's save figuring that out for later.

Getting a firmer grip on my remaining sanity...

I caught sight of a black backpack by the side of the train's door, covered buy a black net made of thick rope.

Recalling that this might be the pack, the thief...

URG *cough* cough* Spence * cough* used to hide the case for the T- virus.

I open it up to take a peek.

Then there it is, the mother load!!!

And just my luck, it's not locked?!

Lady luck must have the hots for these bodies previous owner or something.

Quickly looking around once more, I found some standard plastic tubes that contains flares with the rest of the junk under the black net.

Along with that, a standard US army knife.

How would I know that?

It says so right there on the blade.

Taking the knife, I began cutting out the flares inside, hollowing out the plastic tubes.

Then I took one vial each from the cure and the virus, hiding it in the tubes.

Securing it nice and tight, I pocketed the loot, placed the case within the bag, and put it back like I found it before.

I did forget to act like nothing happen.

When I was done doing my little shenanigan.

I finally stepped off the train, rushing to where the MC's group were working on opening the main entrance to the hive.

Arriving just in time for Alice to ask,

"I want to know who you people are and what's going on here."

One looked at her, then waved to another mercenary nearby.

That guy took out some device from his bag and started unlocking the door.

When he saw that things were going as planned...

He then faced to the woman again, Alice, and said,

"You and I have the same employer. The mansion above us is an emergency entrance to the Hive."

"You are security operatives placed there to protect that entrance."

Alice seemed a little lost in thought as she digested those words.

She then looked down at her hand and rubbed her wedding ring, muttering,

"What about this?"

Matt said, "Your marriage is a fake. Just part of your cover to protect the secrecy of the Hive."

"And what is the Hive?" the thief asked

Man... this is like watching the movie while being a bystander on set.

Weird!!!

But scary and kinda cool...

And as I was starting to lose my predetermined facade...

I thought,

Wait!!

I can't let it show on my face. Even though I'm about to fangirl on this scene.

Let's keep our cool.

One then ask one of his men to explain everything about the hive to the rest of the group.

Which I already knew...

So I zoned out a little, thinking of ways to surviving this movie and earn points while not compromising on my safety.

Until...

"And them?"

Alice pointed to Zheng and the rest of us.

I was about to panic when her gaze landed on me.

Because I haven't thought of a name or what persona to use yet.

Should I be the naive kid, the reliable guy or the Stoic dude?!

Screw it!

I'll go with Li Xian, and I'll play the fool out of his league card.

Wait!

Isn't there a guy named Xuan in the story?

That would be too confusing!!

I'll go with Kris Wu.

Sounds Chinese enough to pass, and almost American too.

But... I'm neither, so that's just messed up.

As I finalized my role for this farce...

One swooped in for the save. One said,

"They are also security operatives. Company has their names registered files. But I question if there's an error in corporate orders. Aside from one person, everyone else just looks like ordinary civilians."

Wait!!! Don't just go and lump me in with these cannon fodder.

I need to pitch in now or never!!

"Ah! Sir, Boss Man, Might I add that, I may be an Intern..."

" 'cause judging by what you guys are wearing, and the way I'm dressed. It is very likely related."

"Although, I'm wearing sneakers... I might have been on break..."

Everybody's eye landed on me at that statement.

Sizing up my current apparel, some nodding as if my words made sense to them somehow.

But Murder death kill was now using his signature glare attack at me.

Promising a world of pain when he gets the chance.

I just had to open my big mouth...

He-he

I let out a nervous chuckle on reflex.

And everybody began to look at me weird.

Shyte!!!

Now nobody will take me seriously... damn, don't break character.

But maybe this could work in my favor.

As everybody was getting ready to stone me to death...

Spence then asked,

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"The Hive has its own defense mechanisms, all computer controlled. A nerve gas was released into the house. Primary effect of the gas, complete unconsciousness lasting anything up to four hours. Secondary effects are varied, but can include acute memory loss."

" For how long?", asked Alice

"Subjective. An hour, a day, a week." One responded.

While they were going on about their stuff...

I was pressed on my shoulder by murder death kill, as he whispered in my ear,

"If you have nothing useful to share, keep your trap shut or next time, things wouldn't go so well as them ignoring you. Understood?"

I promptly nodded like a chick on chow time.

Keeping up with the act.

But deep in side I'm cheering, yes, I got this Schmuck fooled!

Satisfied he sent his message clear, he let go of my slightly bruised shoulder. And walk away from me, opting to stick with the mercenaries.

I took this time to familiarize the cast, pointing them out in my head.

He's Matt Addison, came here looking for his sister, who was a researcher inside the Hive. She found out the corporation was researching T- virus and attempted to contact the government. The person she contacted was...

Alice. But before she could steal the virus...

Spence... stole the virus and leaked it, he's the cause of all this.

Things won't end well for him. I silently prayed for his soul to land in hell.

At this time...

A voice came from the door,

"Sir! We've breached the Hive."

One nodded, then he looked at our group and sighed.

Shaking his head. He turned around and led the mercenaries in front of the door.

The door opened under the computer's control.

I craned my head over their shoulder to take a peek inside and...

It was totally black, like the open maw of a beast waiting for its meal to walk in.

Well, into the belly of the beast...

I have to focus from here on out, can't let my mind wonder like I use to.

I have to focus!!!

'Cause if not, I don't think I'll have any more do-overs to spend.

I must have psyched myself too well because that's when I heard a DING Sound from somewhere.