The Island | 12

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
The salty breeze tousled Jasper's raven hair as he watched the waves lap against the hull of the boat. His arm rested comfortably against the top of the seat and his legs spread widely. He stared at the back of Ada's head with a glare, feeling slightly grumpy at the fact that he practically let her take the wheel. The spike of jealousy he felt wasn't helping him depleting his mood.
Leon sat in the passenger seat beside Ada, silently gazing out into the ocean until Ada finally broke the uncomfortable silence, "You look like you've got something to say."
"I've something to ask you... but I don't think I'll get a straight answer," Leon said. He paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not to proceed. Finally, he took a deep breath and decided to speak, "Raccoon City. You know, after the incident. The world changed. You try to save one person; a hundred others die. I guess I changed too."
A subtle smile formed on Ada's lips listening to Leon's words. "You? Leon S. Kennedy?" She responded. "You haven't changed. You just think you have."
Jasper rolled his eyes as he watched the exchange between Leon and Ada, feeling the irritation build inside him like a storm brewing in the horizon. Leon couldn't help but take a glance at Jasper. The Asian man gazed out into the ocean with his arms crossed, as if he was trying to ignore them. His curiosity grew, his brows furrowing slightly as he tried to decipher the change of his behavior.
He sighed and turned back around, adjusting his seating position. "So here's my question..." Leon glanced at Ada. "Have you changed, Ada? Or are you just trying to use us again?"
Ada could feel the weight of Leon's words hanging in the air, his distrust palpable. She maintained her composure as she turned to meet Leon's gaze, her voice steady and resolute. "What do you think?" The woman turned back forward as they approached the island. "We're here," she announced.
Ada stood up after the boat slowed down until it was no longer moving. "Ada," Jasper's voice caught her attention and she turned to him slowly. Despite his annoyance towards her, Jasper maintained his professional composure and told her, "I hope you know what you're doing. For your own sake."
Ada turned away from him, hiding the small smirk curling on her lips. "I always do, Jasper," she responded before she retrieved her grappling hook and fired it at the cliff. She turned to the two agents and told them, "Don't think too hard, boys. See you later." She gave one last glance at them before allowing herself to be pulled up by the grappling hook, causing the boat to rock violently. Leon swiftly moved behind the wheel and took control of the boat to stabilize it.
Leon and Jasper let out a deep breath as they watched the woman in red disappear amongst the rocky mountains. "Women," Leon mumbled, before they drove away from the cliff.
Leon and Jasper stopped the boat near the rocky shores and Jasper was the first to climb off the boat, Leon following behind him shortly. They climbed onto the slick mountains, taking slow and cautious steps in order not to slip. When they reached the peak of the mountain, they came across a fortress in the distance, guarded with fervent soldiers.