September 27, 1998, 8:30 AM, Jill's Apartment
The weekend was an illusion of peace, a stolen breath before the storm. Morning light flooded the small kitchen, the smell of eggs and coffee blending into an almost painfully normal atmosphere. Jill moved with a new, fluid efficiency, preparing breakfast for two.
Eddie leaned against the doorframe, watching her. His eyes, sharper now, registered every detail: the way her back muscles tensed beneath the robe, the economical precision of her movements.
"Darling," she murmured without turning, her voice calm. "You've grown stronger. I can feel you… more agile. More energetic these days." Not a question. An observation. An analysis from a woman trained to notice subtle changes. A faint smile curved her lips.
"Yes, I think so." Eddie sat at the table, pausing to weigh his words. Truth was a double-edged weapon. It could build trust—or destroy it entirely. "By the way, I need to talk to you about something important."
"Hmm? What's so important?" Jill turned, hand to her cheek, her attention fully on him.
Seeing that openness, that trust, Eddie exhaled. This woman, once an impenetrable fortress, now lived with him. The world truly spun fast.
"The research I'm conducting at Umbrella… involves enhancing physical strength." He began, his voice serious, devoid of arrogance. "Spencer, the president, conspired to kill a distant relative of mine, Marcus, one of the founders. All this time, I've been playing a part in front of him. For my safety."
Jill narrowed her eyes slightly, calm expression hardening into focused concentration.
"I've perfected a serum. But the game is about to end. I'm sure Umbrella is plotting something huge, something terrible. I don't know what, but it's not good." He looked her directly in the eyes. "I'm concerned for your safety, Jill. That's why I want you to use the serum I've developed. So, what do you think?"
Jill's brows furrowed. "A serum that enhances physical strength? Forget it, Eddie. I don't think I need it." She didn't want to be a burden. Besides, what kind of conspiracy could require a super-serum to survive?
"Don't worry, there are no side effects. Maybe just an increase in appetite. Trust me, your chances of staying safe will rise dramatically after using it." Eddie was serious. His love for Jill, twisted and possessive as it was, was genuine.
Jill considered it. Had she not seen that… thing in the Arklay Mountains, she would have refused outright. But the horrific image of the zombie dog was burned into her mind.
"I… don't think I need it, Eddie."
"Jill, I hope you understand. The Arklay Mountains are extremely dangerous. Not even a trained army like yours can face all those monsters at once." His tone grew more serious. "Do you want me to keep worrying about you?"
In the end, Jill relented. Still hesitant, but the genuine concern in his eyes disarmed her. She nodded slowly. "Alright. Do what you want."
"Trust me, nothing will go wrong." Eddie smiled, relieved.
That evening, after Eddie returned from the lab with a sample of her hair, Jill received her dose of the serum.
September 29, 1998, 7:45 AM, S.T.A.R.S. Headquarters
Two days later, Jill felt… reborn. The process had been a fevered hell, an agony of muscles twisting and reforming. But now, every ache had vanished, replaced by clarity and strength she had never felt. Her body had changed. Not just a few centimeters taller. A sharp new definition traced her thighs and shoulders. She looked like a war goddess descended from the heavens.
"Hi, Jill, feeling better? Wait… did something happen to you?" Rebecca approached with her usual sweet smile, eyes widening at the change.
Jill simply smiled. "Changed? What change?"
Rebecca tilted her head. "I think you're the same, but more beautiful and… radiating an adult aura!"
"You're very good at compliments, Rebecca. Let's join the others—this afternoon, it's on me." Jill laughed, elated. She had tasted the serum's effect. Her health was at its peak, and some long-standing physical issues had simply vanished.
Eddie's Private Laboratory
Eddie had not returned home. Now that Jill was safe, he needed to focus on Alex. Unlike Jill, Alex had a condition, a genetic defect that had to be corrected before any serum could be administered.
Beep!
His phone lit up. Alex's face appeared on the screen.
"Darling, I got the information. You really surprised me!" Alex laughed happily, running a hand through her hair.
"The data I gave Spencer a few days ago was incomplete. Don't waste time studying it. You can use it as reference, but I've prepared something far better for you." Eddie continued. "I'll come in person to map the serum. So don't worry about anything else."
Alex nodded. "Alright, I'll wait. When you come, I'll give you a special surprise." She smiled. "Right now, I'm still studying the new serum Spencer gave me. Maybe this data will help… Well, see you then."
"Okay, stay safe, Alex. Closing now." Eddie nodded. A serum to extend life. Spencer was becoming desperate.
After ending the video call, Alex gazed out the window. Beyond the building stretched a vast, beautiful ocean. She was overseeing a project on an island that didn't exist on any map, a private island managed by Umbrella.
"Spencer… do you think you can use me as a tool? What a foolish dream." Alex's eyes glimmered with contempt. If Eddie hadn't told her before, she might still be deceived by the old man's farce.
Her body felt stronger, but the genetic defect couldn't be removed. She could only hope her future husband could solve this too