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"Is it here?"
Standing on a mound of uneven earth mixed with dried, crusted egg yolk and debris, Claire slowly raised the telescope and looked forward. The wind was cold, carrying a rotten stench that clung to the throat. Her fingers tightened slightly as she adjusted the focus.
Ahead of them lay a region surrounded by tall iron fencing. The metal was rusted, bent in places, yet still stubbornly standing, as if refusing to admit that the world had already collapsed. Inside the iron fence stood an ordinary house—two floors, faded paint, nothing special at first glance. But outside the fence was a completely different scene.
Countless zombies crowded the perimeter, their bodies pressing against one another, hands clawing at the iron bars. Some were missing limbs, some dragged shattered legs across the ground, and others stared vacantly ahead, jaws hanging loose. Their low groans merged into a single, endless sound that vibrated in the air like a funeral chant.
"This is where the base is hidden. We'll enter from this route."
Jack spoke lazily, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. His posture was relaxed, almost careless, as if the swarm of undead in front of them was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Smoke drifted upward, briefly masking his calm expression.
"But there are so many zombies."
K-Mart shook her head, instinctively taking a step back. Her eyes scanned the crowd, and her breathing became shallow. No matter how many times she had faced them, the sheer number still triggered fear deep in her instincts.
"A small gift. Don't forget, big brother can fly."
Jack smiled faintly, confidence written plainly across his face, as though gravity itself had long since given up trying to restrain him.
"You're really showing off."
Jill shot Jack a contemptuous look. She crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed by his theatrics, though she didn't deny the usefulness of his ability.
"Where's the helicopter? If we're going to Alaska, we'll need it."
Alice lowered the telescope slightly, her gaze sharp and focused. Her voice was calm, but beneath it was urgency. Alaska wasn't just a destination—it was a fragile hope.
Jack straightened his posture slightly, the relaxed air around him tightening just a bit. "Enough idle talk. I'll take you in. Ready?"
"Ah—!"
Teri and K-Mart cried out almost simultaneously as their bodies suddenly lifted from the ground. Panic surged through them as the sensation of weightlessness struck without warning.
Jill, Alice, and Claire remained comparatively calm. They had already experienced far worse than flying through the air. Claire glanced sideways and said seriously, "You're not going to drop us straight into the zombie crowd, are you?"
"Don't say such scary things!"
K-Mart shouted, clutching at the air instinctively, her heart pounding.
Jack merely chuckled and guided Alice and the five women forward. The cold air rushed past them as the distance closed rapidly. In just moments, they were above the iron fence.
Jack carefully lowered them down. Their feet touched solid ground on the inner side of the fence. The sudden silence inside the perimeter felt eerie compared to the constant noise outside.
"The helicopter is ahead." Jack pointed calmly. "With this, going to Alaska won't be a problem."
"Do we leave now?"
Teri asked softly, still unsettled, her hands trembling slightly.
"Without our things, there's no point staying here anyway."
Jack replied lightly, as if discussing something trivial.
"You all go. Leave this place to me."
Alice spoke firmly. Her eyes moved toward the house ahead, her expression unreadable.
"That's not acceptable. We can't let you go alone."
Claire immediately objected, stepping forward. Fear flashed across her face—not fear of zombies, but fear of losing Alice.
"There's no need. I'm enough by myself." Alice continued, her voice steady. "This is between me and the Umbrella Corporation—gratitude and grudges alike. Let me finish it. You all leave quickly."
Jill hesitated, then placed a hand on Alice's shoulder. "Good luck."
Claire looked at Alice for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright."
Jill, Claire, Teri, and K-Mart boarded the helicopter. The engine roared to life, stirring dust and loose debris into the air. Slowly, the helicopter began to rise.
Alice stood below, watching it ascend. She raised her arm and waved. "We'll meet again next time."
Inside the helicopter, as the ground pulled away, Jack's expression suddenly changed. The carefree smile vanished, replaced by something deeper and heavier.
"I've decided," Jack said quietly. "I can't leave Alice behind. I'm too kind-hearted. I really can't let go."
"Is something wrong with your brain?"
Jill shot back, clearly irritated.
"No. My brain is perfectly fine." Jack replied calmly. "You go to Alaska first and wait for me. I'll catch up."
Before anyone could stop him, Jack leapt from the helicopter.
"Hey, Jack—!"
"That bastard!"
Jill cursed angrily as the helicopter continued upward.
Back on the ground, Alice stood beside a massive pit behind the house. The pit was filled with corpses—bodies piled atop one another, identical faces staring lifelessly upward.
They all looked like her.
Alice's breath caught. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as a burning rage surged from her chest. Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
"They are your replicas."
A voice sounded behind her.
Alice turned sharply. "Jack? Weren't you leaving with them?"
"I left." Jack replied calmly. "But I can come back too."
"Can you stop following me?"
Alice asked coldly, exhaustion creeping into her voice.
"Of course not." Jack smiled, eyes glinting. "How could I miss such an interesting place?"
"Suit yourself."
Alice turned away and walked toward the lone house without looking back.
Jack paused, gazing into the pit once more. "Truly pitiful… so many 'Alices' died here."
Alice kicked the gate open with force. The metal clanged loudly as it crashed aside. She scanned the interior, tension coiling in her muscles, then stepped forward.
Hū—lā!
The wooden planks beneath them split apart suddenly. A hidden underground entrance revealed itself, plunging straight down into darkness so deep the bottom couldn't be seen.
"The underground base is below. Let's go."
Jack stepped onto the iron platform without hesitation.
Alice followed. The platform jolted, then began descending rapidly. The sound of machinery echoed as they sank deeper underground.
"What exactly is your goal here?"
Alice asked, breaking the silence.
"Maybe I'll find something interesting." Jack smiled faintly. "I'm a very curious person."
"Is that so? Let's hope your curiosity doesn't get you killed."
"My curiosity only makes me stronger."
A cold light flashed through Jack's eyes.
"Why don't you kill me?"
Alice asked suddenly. It was something that had been bothering her. With his abilities, it would have been easy.
"Why would I want to kill you?"
"Fine." Alice said quietly. "Funny thing is, when I asked that, I actually wanted to kill you."
Jack shook his head slowly. "I don't care. But you'll pay a price for that thought."
"What price?"
"Hopefully, you'll never have to experience it."
Jack raised an eyebrow slightly.
The platform came to a stop. The elevator doors creaked open.
They stepped into a dim corridor, illuminated only by a few flickering bulbs. The air was stale, heavy with the scent of blood and decay.
"It seems someone's already been here." Jack said lightly. "Otherwise, Umbrella soldiers would have welcomed us."
They moved forward. Broken walls, overturned equipment, shattered glass, blood stains—everything told a story of chaos and violence.
"Judging by this, something terrifying definitely happened here."
Jack remarked calmly.
"Who could be more terrifying than you?"
Alice mocked.
Jack smiled. "Why don't you turn around and take a look?"
Alice spun instantly, weapon raised. Her eyes widened.
A small girl stood there, wearing a white dress. Her appearance was childlike, yet unreal, as if she didn't truly belong in this world.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." The girl spoke softly. "I am an artificial intelligence."
"I know what you are." Alice said coldly. "I've met your sister. She's nothing but a murderous lunatic."
"My sister's core logic is to protect human life."
The girl replied calmly.
Jack stepped forward, eyes gleaming with interest.
"The White Queen…" he said with a wicked smile. "You're much cuter than your sister, the Red Queen."