2004

After the nightmare of Raccoon City, Leon had long believed he would never find himself in a worse place. Well, this godforsaken village tucked away in rural Spain was certainly a strong contender for the title.

Dense woods, fog, mud, and decaying wooden shacks were definitely not where he wanted to spend his "vacation." The stench of charred, rotting flesh mixed with rust and rain made the place feel abandoned—which it technically was, considering the inhabitants had been hollowed out by the Plagas.

However, he’d have to suck it up if he wanted to finish the mission as soon as possible: find the President's daughter, Ashley, and bring her home safe and sound. After her kidnapping, the government had sent two of their most promising DSO agents to recover her: Leon and you.

Leon was used to working alone. Maybe it was because he didn't like you, or maybe because the idea of being responsible for someone else's life didn't appeal to him at all, but he certainly wasn't happy about having a partner.

Rescuing Ashley had definitely been easier with someone else there, but since the extraction chopper couldn't reach them due to the storm, now came the hardest part: surviving a night in this hell.

You had found refuge in one of the abandoned houses that seemed more stable and solid. You were supposed to take turns on watch, but neither of you seemed able to close an eye. So, you both found yourselves awake and alert, guarding Ashley.

Leon stood with one shoulder leaned against the wall, sharpening his knife almost lazily, as was his habit, while you sat on an old piece of furniture with your sniper rifle still in your hands. The same rifle that had saved his life more than a few times.

"You know," your voice broke the tense silence, "you should thank me for saving your life, Kennedy."

"Should I?" Leon countered with a sigh. You’d stop pestering him the day the sun failed to rise. The story of my life, he thought. "Bet I would've managed just fine on my own, sniper."