CH: 128 After the white

{Chapter: 128 After the white}

"Is this the place?" On a dry, yellow mound, Claire adjusted her telescope, scanning the horizon ahead.

In the distance was an area surrounded by a tall iron fence. Inside the fence was an ordinary-looking house, while outside, a massive horde of zombies gathered, shuffling aimlessly yet threateningly.

"The base is hidden well. We can slip inside easily," William remarked lazily, taking a long drag from his cigarette.

"But there are so many zombies," Kmart said, shaking her head with visible concern.

"Come on, don't forget, I can fly," William said with a cocky grin, exhaling smoke.

"You'd better prove it," Jill teased, flashing him a knowing wink.

"And what about the helicopter? If we're going to Alaska, we'll need it," Alice said, holding her own telescope as she surveyed the scene.

William stood up, flicking his cigarette to the ground. "Enough chit-chat. Let me take you there. Are you all ready?"

"Wait, what?!" Terry and Kmart yelped as they suddenly found their bodies floating off the ground.

Jill, Alice, and Claire remained calm, though Claire narrowed her eyes at him. "You won't take this chance to throw us into the zombies, will you?"

""Don't say it's so scary!" Kmart exclaimed, flailing slightly as she floated.

William smirked and lifted them into the air, flying toward the iron fence with the five women. They reached the perimeter swiftly, the zombies below groaning and reaching upward at the sound of movement.

William touched down with them just inside the fence. "The helicopter's right ahead. With it, getting to Alaska won't be an issue."

"Are we leaving now?" Terry asked hesitantly, glancing nervously back at the horde outside the fence.

"There's nothing left for us here," William replied lightly, his tone almost dismissive. "Why stick around when we can leave?"

"I'll stay," Alice said firmly.

"No way, I can't let you go alone," Claire objected immediately.

Alice turned to her. "It's not necessary for you to stay. This fight with the Umbrella Corporation is my battle to finish. You should all leave while you can."

Jill stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Alice's shoulder. "Good luck," she said simply.

"Alright," Claire finally relented, though her hesitation was evident.

William, Jill, Claire, Terry, and Kmart climbed into the helicopter. Its rotors whirred to life, and the machine rose slowly into the air.

From the ground, Alice watched them ascend, lifting an arm in farewell. "See you next time."

Inside the helicopter, William's expression darkened. "I've made my decision. I can't let Alice go alone. I'm too kindhearted for that."

"Are you serious right now?" Jill shot him a sharp glare.

"My nerves are just fine, thanks," William retorted, his smirk returning. "You guys go to Alaska and wait for me there. I'll join you later."

Before anyone could stop him, William leaped out of the helicopter.

"Hey, William!"

"This lunatic!" Jill shouted in frustration.

Meanwhile, Alice stood near a pit filled with twisted, broken bodies. Tears streamed down her face as she stared at the grotesque scene. A burning anger surged within her chest.

"They're all your failed clones," came a voice from behind her.

Alice spun around quickly, gun raised, only to see William standing there.

"You didn't leave with the others," she said, her tone a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

"Nope."

"Are you planning to come in with me?"

"Of course," William replied with a crooked smile. "How could I miss out on all this fun?"

"Suit yourself," Alice said, turning back toward the house.

William glanced at the pit again, his expression darkening slightly. "What a tragedy. So many 'Alices' lost."

Alice ignored him and kicked the door of the house open. She scanned the room, taking a few cautious steps inside.

Suddenly, the floor beneath her creaked and split apart, revealing a hidden entrance leading to a bottomless underground shaft.

"The underground base is down there. Let's go," William said, stepping onto the iron platform that had appeared.

Alice followed, and the platform began to descend rapidly, carrying them into the depths of the hidden base.

"What's your reason for coming down here?" Alice asked, breaking the silence.

"Curiosity. I've always been a curious person," William said with a sly grin.

"Really? Let's hope your curiosity doesn't get you killed."

"My curiosity only makes me stronger," he replied, his eyes gleaming coldly.

"Why don't you just kill me?" Alice asked bluntly, her voice laced with suspicion.

"Why should I kill you?"

"Maybe because I've tried to kill you," she said, her tone hardening.

William shrugged. "I don't care about that. But you'll pay for the thought eventually."

"And what's the price?"

"I hope you don't have to find out," William said, raising an eyebrow.

With a loud metallic groan, the platform came to a stop, and the elevator doors slid open.

The pair stepped into a dimly lit hallway, where flickering light bulbs illuminated the ruined interior. Blood smeared the walls, and broken equipment was scattered everywhere.

"Looks like something big went down here. Otherwise, we'd be greeted by Umbrella's armed goons," William remarked with a chuckle.

The two continued forward, passing overturned furniture and shattered glass.

"Whatever happened here, it must have been horrible," Alice muttered.

"More horrible than me?" William teased.

"Hardly," Alice replied, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

William smirked. "Don't look now, but..."

Alice whipped around, gun raised. Standing in the shadows was a small girl in a pristine white dress, her presence oddly unsettling.

"Sorry if I startled you," the little girl said softly. "I'm an artificial intelligence."

"I know what you are," Alice said sharply, her grip tightening on her gun. "I met your sister—she's a homicidal bitch."

"My sister simply followed the logical rules programmed into her to protect humanity," the girl said calmly.

William stepped closer, his lips curling into an amused grin. "So you're the White Queen. You're much cuter than your sister, the Red Queen."

*****

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