So what is Human?

It had taken half an hour to find her. Beth smiled a little as she and Birkin, no Barker, she reminded herself; found the brat curled up on one of the sofas in the nurse’s lounge sleeping peacefully, a textbook on her chest, the notebook lying on the floor by her hand. Her hair had fallen out of its bun and fell in wisps over her face.

Walking over, Beth grabbed the girl’s hair, forcefully pulling her up enjoying the startled cry the girl gave as her text hit her knees.

Barker chuckled crossing his arms as he looked down at the waif of a girl. “You let your staff sleep where ever they please?”

“She’s still resident. So she would make sure she’s near by if needed.” Beth growled at her.

Madison managed to break free from her and scrambled back. “Considering I worked four shifts to pick up your slack.” She gave a flustered blush fighting the urge to rub the back of her head where the woman had pulled her hair. “What do you want?”

She remembered Chris and Leon both warning her to try not to be alone with the doctor or Beth, and now they had caught her off guard. She knew she wouldn’t be able to warn them with the radio. Not with how Beth was smiling. She had seen it on her face a few times when she had harmed some of the patients and knew she never wanted it directed her way.

He raked his fingers through his hair as he watched the teen. “You might be of some use to us.”

Madison stayed seated on the couch, but backed away from the two of them. “H-how…” She stammered. She didn’t like how Beth was staring at her, but knew if she didn’t participate, things might get worse. And she didn’t trust Beth to take care of Chris. Catching the time on the clock, she knew she probably only had to stall a few hours until Chris’s sister was there.

Barker smiled a little. “Well, seeing as to how the subject has taken a liking to you. I feel that maybe it would be best if you were the one to give him the treatment.” The smiled had to have been stolen from a 50’s sitcom. It was wide and showed all of his perfectly even white teeth. “After all, we don’t want to cause him anymore stress now do we?”

Madison looked up at Barker still clearly trying to get her sleepy mind to wake up fully. “And… I refuse? I don’t trust the treatment…”

Beth scowled, they didn’t have time for this. “Where do you think his friend is? Probably on the way to pick up those cute little nephews of yours and kill your brother.”

In actuality, the ‘bodyguard’ was still at the hotel, probably just starting to wake up. She had agreed to stay behind at least for a little while.”

“You do understand you’re in a little too deep to say no.” The man sighed and tipped his head back slightly. “You even breathe wrong, and we can make all of you disappear.”

Madison bit her lip. “You… you’ll leave Mike and the boys alone if I do this right?” She knew Chris wanted the treatment. He wasn’t one to try to start over as he was, though she doubted he would want it knowing the price would be to involve her and her family more.

“Oh shut up brat.” Beth lifted her hand. “If you don’t I’ll have the pleasure of making sure he stays hurt a while until it kicks in. You wouldn’t want your wounded soldier to be in pain now would you?” She growled, a smile on her lips when Madison flinched.

“Now Beth,” He chided. “Let’s not get too abusive, we don’t want her crying about unfair treatment.”

Beth shot him a glare. “She has no idea what unfair treatment is yet.”

Madi closed her eyes a moment, and then looked at the man knowing he had to be more reasonable than Beth was. “Promise me you’ll tell her to leave them alone. I… I’ll do it only if you leave my brother and his sons alone.” She sagged her shoulders a little. “I… want your word that they won’t be harmed.” She knew it wouldn’t be worth fighting them, Beth alone could overtake her, and she didn’t want Beth hurting her.

He sighed, this kid was going to be too easy to manipulate. “You have my word.” He waved a hand lazily. “But you have to behave, or all bets are off.”

Madison chewed on her lip a little and nodded. “Fine… I’ll do it.” She looked up at Barker, trying to avoid looking at Beth. It was clear the teen was trusting that he’d follow through with his end of the bargain.

“Good, if you need a moment to steady yourself, then I suggest you do so.” He rolled his eyes and was trying to keep up his act. Really sometimes he cursed the idiocy of humans.

Beth glanced at Barker. Considering they didn’t know how much time they had until his sister arrived, giving the brat more time seemed like a mistake to her.

“And if I say I need to go freshen up? Let me guess, you’ll send her with me to make sure I don’t try to warn him?” She knew it would probably be the only way she’d be able to use the radio in her pocket. But couldn’t risk it unless she knew where the other woman was. She didn’t want Mike to get hurt.

She hoped she’d be able to get Leon to go check on her family.

“Mr. Redfield will take some time to recover from the treatment, but I assure you he should have full movement once again.” He knew his new masterwork would take time to fully integrate with the host. The brain would be the last organ affected. Hearing the girl’s words he steadied ice-cold blue eyes on her. “I would come after you myself.” He snapped, his voice dripping with impatience. “This is not a game.” He growled low, a hint of something inhuman on his face. “I do not have the time for dumb moves on your part.”

Madison bit her lip when he snapped at her. “I… I didn’t think that it was a game…” She managed to recover from her shock and matched his glare with one of her own. “And I’m not a child, so don’t treat me like one!” She growled back at him.

“To me you are.” He pointed out. “I’m old enough to be your father ‘girl’ and I am more experienced than you will ever be. If I am taking the time to talk to you, you should be thankful.” The man crossed his arms. “And you haven’t even asked a thing about the treatment. Really, can you be any less professional?”

“Because I have a feeling with or without me you’d go through with it. And your little legal act is just to keep him calm until you can poke and prod at him.” She growled lower. “I also know that most of the staff here works for Umbrella, I’m not that fucking blind. I leave that to Susan.” She had done her best to act like she didn’t know so they wouldn’t fire her. That way she could still work near her brother’s home.

A hand reached out grabbing the back of her hair again making her give a small cry as Beth pulled her head back. “Sir, we really don’t need her.”

Barker couldn’t hide his shock. Though he managed to cover it up. “Umbrella is dead. Don’t you watch the news?” He leaned in as Beth held her still. “And even if you don’t. Keep in mind that all things that got too close to it died as well.” Crossing his arms over his chest he waited a moment for it to sink in with her. “I would advise you to put your blinders back on little girl.”

Beth pulled tighter making her have to rise up on her knees to keep Beth from pulling out all her hair.

Madison clawed at Beth’s hands trying to free her hair. “Why do you think I didn’t want to know what the treatment was?” Beth threw her back down to the couch and she stayed there a moment before rising up. “Can’t kill someone who doesn’t know anything.”

“You are an idiot yes, but you’re not that dumb. Sadly though, it still looks like you know a little too much.” He looked at Beth. “If she tries to play hero, you know how to deal with her and her family.”

Beth nodded. “Still want her to give him the treatment.”

Madison stayed huddled on the couch rubbing the back of her head, where she was sure she had a bald spot no thanks to the brute. She thought about drawing the radio, but didn’t think she’d be able to use it before it was taken from her.

“Yes, but search her, I’m sure she’s a crafty little bitch, most women are.” Part of his act slipped and while he smiled it held no real warmth. His eyes were still cold enough to make Madison shudder slightly.

Beth held out her hand. “I know you have that radio on you. Hand it over.” She smiled faintly. “Can’t have you calling security on us. Now can we?”

Madi frowned and pulled it out of her pocket. She’d play along for now, she wasn’t happy with the idea, but until she knew they’d leave her brother alone, she couldn’t disobey.

“Good girl.” Beth pocketed it in her scrubs.

“Just think if this works, what it could do for the cripple you live with.” He sneered at her.

Madison’s eyes flared with anger. It was true Mike couldn’t move around without his wheelchair, but he had been the only one after a while that had ever done anything for her. “Don’t talk about my brother like that.” Her hands balled into fists and Beth grabbed her again, making her cry out. She struggled against the woman wondering why the hell security hadn’t come to check on things yet. They were supposed to check all the rooms at least once an hour.

“No one is going to come for you.” He growled as if he could read her thoughts. He could already tell the girl was going to be trouble. Sooner they could get rid of her the better. “Now you’re are going to be a good little girl correct?”

Madison lowered her head and gave a nod. “Yes, I’ll behave.” She snarled slightly, clearly not liking being called a little girl.

Beth stayed nearby, but didn’t move to grab the kid again. Wouldn’t do to have her bruised before she saw Redfield after all. After her job was done, then she’d make sure the brat wouldn’t breathe again. The thought brought a smile to her lips.

Barker shook his head. “Now, get a hold of yourself, we need to act quickly.” He frowned looking at her carefully. “And you need to act normal.”

She looked up, her eyes showing anger, though it was clear she’d do her best to hide it when the time came. “What do you want me to do?”

“You’re going to be the one to give him his shot.” The man smiled lifting her chin to make her look at him as he tipped his head in a bird-like manner looking at her closely. “That is all. You don’t have to stay any longer than that.”

She chewed on her lip, not sure if she could trust him to let her just walk away from them.

“Think of it this way.” He smiled. “As of this point, we could have killed you at time. You and your family.” His grin grew more, as he made sure she knew what was at stake. “So just try not to be stupid.”

Madison nodded the best she could and was released. She knew they wouldn’t let her leave, but maybe she could manage to tell Chris what was going on. Or Leon, they’d be able to help her at least.

The doctor smiled again, this time it was friendly looking, a lie, just like so much known about the man. “Lead on if you would be so kind.” He motioned to the door, lifting a pocket to let her know he was armed.

Madison bit her lip and nodded, moving past him to the door. As she walked, she fiddled with her hair, pulling it back up into a messy bun, trying to calm down, so that they wouldn’t think she was doing anything stupid.

Walking up to the door where Chris was, she paused a moment, glancing to the nurse’s station, which was empty. She looked past it, hoping to see Leon, but the hall was just as vacant.

Barker cleared his throat clearly aggravated. “I do not have all day, and neither do you.”

She chewed her lip a moment and closed her eyes as she stepped into the room, forcing a smile on her lips.

“Good morning Mr. Redfield.” She knew her eyes didn’t show what her lips were showing. But as long as she kept the smile, Barker wouldn’t see her eyes. The few locks carefully shielded them from his view.

Chris looked up, smiling when he heard her, though it twisted to a frown when he caught the look in her eyes. He winced sitting up. Something wasn’t right… “Madi?”

She took a few more tentative steps to the bed, closing her eyes a moment. “I… Chris… If I don’t give you the treatment… Beth says they have my brother and his sons…”

He sighed. “Well I always knew government types were bastards, but that’s a little too low.” He looked up at her and carefully brushed her bangs out of her eyes. “It’s going to be alright. Don’t worry so much; I won’t let them harm you or your family. After all I want this.” He was trying to be strong and comforting seeing how freaked the kid was. Part of him wondered if they had harmed her at all, though he couldn’t see any bruises, didn’t mean that they hadn’t touched her.

She gave a small nod, though it was clear she was scared, not for herself, but her family and for him. “At least you know ice queen’s not sticking you right?” She touched the hand a moment and lowered it back to the bed, trying to ‘act’ professional again. Her eyes showed she was terrified; Chris squeezed her hand trying to calm her as she spoke to the doctor, not bothering to look at him. “Doc, I can give it to him through the IV line right?”

Barker came into the room fully. “No you can’t.” He tipped his head slightly; the girl was behaving so far at least. “It’s a simple shot that is best given directly to the side of the neck.” He had it with him in the metal case he carried. “I do advice that he be strapped down before the injection. Just in case he has a negative reaction to the treatment or during his recovery.

She paused stiffening slightly, not liking the idea at all. She shot Chris a terrified look, asking him silently if he was okay with that.

Chris looked away but nodded. He didn’t want her to know he was scared as well. If he was strapped down, and they attacked her he wouldn’t be able to do anything. “He probably knows what he’s talking about.”

“I’ll need to get the restraints the…” She yelped as they hit her shoulder, Beth had thrown them at her.

“Just do the job, we don’t have time to waste.”

“Aww, baby, I knew you loved me. Planning to have your way with me later?” Chris had seen her wince when they had hit her. As she knelt to pick them up he sneered at Beth.

Beth scowled. “The brat’s more my type, maybe you’d like to watch while I have fun with her.” Beth took another step closer to Madison, enjoying the fear in the girl’s eyes.

Barker chuckled. “Maybe later ladies, but could you keep your minds on the job.” He looked at Beth, “And you’re not to touch her until I say so.”

Chris shook his head at Beth. “I’m not into lesbian rape porn.” He touched Madison’s hand again, hoping to calm her. The kid was about to lose it. He hated the fact that she had been involved.

Madison set the restraints on the bed and tried not to freak out with Beth being so close. Focusing on her task she looked at Chris. “Tell me if I have them too tight okay?” She hoped that the doctor wouldn’t give the order for Beth to touch her again.

Chris wished she wasn’t being so nice to him, though he didn’t say anything, knowing she was trying to do her job so they wouldn’t hurt her. He just wished she wasn’t making things hard. “Madison, they need to be tight, if he’s right, and something goes wrong I might hurt myself or someone else.” He shot her a worried glance.

Madison nodded tightening the restraint she had on one wrist making sure it was tight, but not cutting off circulation. Part of her hoping she worked a little slower and carefully Leon would show up, or someone else would come to check on them. She’d give him the shot, but needed to know that the doctor wasn’t going to kill her right afterwards. Going to the other side of the bed after binding the leather cuff to the bed, she eased up a little having the bed between her and Beth. She then strapped his legs down, biting her lip.

Barker set the case on the bed opening the heavy locks. Madison glanced at the case as it hissed. Beth scowled at her, making her flinch back slightly biting her lip.

Barker drew the needle out of the case. Madison shook her head, it was huge, the only time she had seen something that big had been in cheesy horror movies her nephews liked. She stayed back until he demanded she stepped closer. “Good girl.” He held out the syringe for her to take.

“If I mess up with that… I’ll kill him…” Her eyes showed her fear, not for herself, but for Chris. The syringe attached to the needle was filled with an angered green fluid that seemed to pulse slightly.

“Then I suggest you don’t mess up.”

Chris’s face paled as he saw the needle. Even though he was trying to stay strong for Madison two words escaped his lips. “Aw hell…”

Madison balked again; hearing Chris’s comment did little to help her feel better. “I…” She caught the look on Beth’s face and reached out for the needle, she’d do anything to keep Beth from touching her or Chris.

Barker handed it over, his hands lingering over hers a moment, making sure she had it. “Just do your job and this will all be over soon. Ice blue eyes looked at her, warning her not to screw up.

Chris swallowed hard. He trusted the kid, but the green ooze in the vial was another matter. It was a new shade, but once you saw one of them, you never forgot it. “I trust you Madi, you’ll do fine.”

She clutched the needle close as she looked at Chris. “I… I’m sorry… I’ll try to make it quick…” She didn’t know what she was about to give him, just that it couldn’t be good.

“Just do it already brat.”

Chris braced himself, his eyes on Madison, if he was going to lose his humanity; he was at least going to lose it while seeing a friendly face. He wished he could brush the tears from her eyes. She had every right to be scared though.

Madison trembled a little as she placed the syringe at his neck. Closing her eyes a moment she stood still, trying to calm herself before she gave him the shot. Opening her eyes she did what she was supposed to do, gave him the shot, praying she wasn’t making things worse.

Chris hissed when the needle bit into his skin, and he was sure he was imagining fire raging through his veins. After all, it was impossible for anything to work that fast….

Wasn’t it?

Madison gave Chris the last of the injection. She hadn’t heard the door until the man’s voice spoke up.

“What the hell you just give him?”

Madison froze, her head whipping up showing her tears. Where the hell had he been twenty minutes ago? She withdrew the needle backing away from Chris; worried Leon would shoot her, her hand stayed around the syringe as her back touched the wall.

Leon saw she was trembling like a leaf and wished he hadn’t been so loud entering. Part of him wanted to ask if she was hurt.

“How’d you deal with his assistant so fast?” Beth growled looking at Leon, only to back up slightly when he aimed the gun at her. He caught Madison cringe against the wall and wished he didn’t have to be so rough.

Barker sighed. “Our subject was given the treatment he agreed to.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “If you really must know, it is the T-R-Virus.” He shrugged a little. “It’s a perfected version of the T-virus, and I assure you my work is entirely government funded.”

Madison stayed in the corner, the needle in her hands. Her eyes fell on Chris again. “Right… Doubt it. You… Leon, they made me give him the shot. They… they would have hurt my brother…” She didn’t look up from Chris as she spoke. Something was wrong.

Chris blinked; it was so hot in the room. It had to be from all the people. He didn’t realize that it had started to get harder to breathe, he was almost panting. Sweat had broken out on his brow.

Madison moved closer to him.

“Now she’s lying.” Barker shook his head. “Though she is involved in some classified matters now.” He looked at Leon as if to insinuate it was his fault.

Madison put the needle down and went back to the bed. Lightly touching his brow she frowned. “Beth, go get the ice packs, he’s burning up.” She pushed her fear back, knowing that they had to cool Chris down quickly.

Leon growled a little, but moved so Beth could get out of the room. “Do as she says.” He moved closer to the bed, seeing the look on Madison’s face. She was trying to hold herself together. If the others moved to do anything else to Chris, he’d try to stop them. But right now, Madison was probably Chris’s best bet.