-1He never saw it coming.
He'd seen a lot in his young life, and had much more to see. So much promise built up, so many expectations, so many things to be fulfilled, and he could do it all. The world had a lot to offer him, and he was ready to take whatever he could.
He had it all: the beginnings of a great career, a wonderful best friend, adoration from many; the world seemed to be at his feet. A smile was always gracing his young face, and for awhile, it seemed like nothing could erase it.
Until that day. Until Neibelheim…
Then nothing was the same. He had no idea when it began, or when it ended. All he could remember were the endless tubes, the seemingly vast amounts of mako around him, the needles, the pain…
It seemed as if it would never end, until finally…it did.
Then it was an impossible chase, one which he was uncertain if they'd ever really escape. Some days, it seemed as though they were sure to be caught, to be sent back to where they had just barely escaped from. One would never know it by looking at him, but the thought of going back to being a human guinea pig…it terrified him.
Some days, he almost expected it to all end. He almost expected to be caught up with.
Still, he never saw it coming.
It had seemed like a normal day. The endless chatter, trying to fill in space, trying to ignore the uncomfortable silence, the rather irritating bouncing of the truck he somehow managed to remain oblivious to…it all seemed so normal.
The sky was blue, and it seemed almost like it had been before…before that day…before everything changed and both of them were left jaded.
Neither of them could really pinpoint where it went wrong; it all happened so fast.
The sudden urge to run, the shots being fired, all the strength that had to be gathered just to get away…just when they thought they were finally safe…
None of it mattered. In the end, nothing could be helped.
Zack was gone.
And Cloud never saw it coming.