Introduction

I sighed as I watched the end of the Final Fantasy eight FMV sequence. I really loved watching Seifer Almasy turn his gaze up to Balamb Garden as it flies above him when he is in Fisherman's Horizon. That ending is perfect to me because it shows that Seifer was happy at the end of the game. I know it may sound crazy, but I'm in love with Seifer Almasy. A knock sounded at my door and I heard my guardian Shelly on the other side. "Suiko, time to get ready for school!" she called cheerfully.

"Okay!" I yelled back. I leaned forward and pressed the on/off button on my PSOne before placing the controller back on the shelf on the small T.V. stand. Since I had already taken a shower and dressed, all I had to do was grab my school bag and meet the bus at the corner. I stood and smoothed out any wrinkles in my skirt. It was solid black along the hem, with one large wrap-around panel with a colorful paisley pattern. The top I wore was like a fancy sweater, but the shoulders were cut out and in its place were one inch spaghetti straps. The sleeves of my blouse had a slight bell shape at the bottom for added drama. I brushed my shoulder-length ebony hair before picking up my school bag and opening the door.

I met Shelly in the kitchen where she handed me a couple packages of Pop Tarts to eat on the way to the bus stop. The other children in the orphanage with me were also handed their breakfast before heading toward the door. I stayed long enough to drink one of the prepared Insta-Breakfast shakes before going toward the front door. Many of the younger children caught their bus right in front of the orphanage, but I didn't mind going for a walk to catch mine.

Near my bus stop was a small lake. I always enjoyed watching the waters ripple when a breeze went by. The only thing I hated about said bus stop was the worst bully in school. Sure he was handsome, but his attitude made him unattractive in the other senses. I carried my bag by one handle which made the bag almost drag across the ground. I never wore the backpack on my back because it was uncomfortable to do so because it was kind of heavy with all the text books in it. I paused at the bus stop and waited for the bus to arrive, while hoping Jefferey, the bully, left me alone. Unfortunately, his friend Chad was also there with the rest of us. I felt my bag being forced out of my hand, so I turned to find Chad with it.

"Give it back to me!" I yelled as I tried to grab it back. Chad laughed as he held my bag above his head where I couldn't reach it. I jumped and tried to take it that way, but Chad threw my bag over to Jefferey. Jefferey, in turn, turned in circles with my bag in one hand. He threw my bag as far as he could into the lake and I stared in shock. "Go get it!" I demanded angrily.

"Go get it yourself," Jefferey laughed at my plight.

I struggled inwardly on whether or not I should go out into the lake and find my bag, or go to school without it. All of my homework was in there, but it was probably ruined by now. Then I remembered that the few pictures I had of my birth parents were in there! I always carried their pictures around with me so I would be reminded of what they looked like. They may've been the worst parents in the world, but it is good to remember what they looked like so I can see how I may have taken after them in the looks department. From what I understood, my parents were drug addicts who couldn't take care of me properly. I am not sure they even liked me in the first place. After the Social Services took me away, I was placed in orphanage after orphanage. I never stayed in one place for very long. Shelly's orphanage was the second one this month I was taken to. I was lucky to be one of the few who had their own room there, usually I had to share with at least one or two other people.

Finally, I decided to get my bag. I stopped at the edge of the lake and tried to remember where the bag went in at. I was really scared to go into the water because of the fact that I didn't know how to swim. I slowly began to walk into the lake, hoping that the water didn't get too deep when I got to the right spot. I waded slowly as I went deeper and deeper into the lake. By now, the water was up to my waist and I continued wading carefully to make sure I didn't go under. All of a sudden, the floor of the lake gave out and I was plunged under the surface of the water. I inhaled a mouthful of water out of reflex and it burned really bad. I thrashed my arms and kicked my legs as hard as I could to try and get back to the surface for some air.

I felt my head emerge from the lake and I quickly coughed up some of the trapped water in my mouth as I tried to get some oxygen. Unfortunately, I only inhaled more water but I managed to get most of it back out. I heard yells and screams coming from the direction of the bus stop, but those were soon muted as I felt something wrap around my ankle and pulled me under again. This time, I really started to panic even more. I thrashed and kicked, but nothing would work. I was also holding my breath to keep from drowning, but I would need to breath soon or I would pass out. I don't know how long I was able to hold my breath, but it quickly escaped me. My mouth opened in reflex and my lungs inhaled as they tried to get some air, of course that was impossible in my position and all I got was another rush of water.

I coughed and sputtered as my lungs continued to betray me and let the water in. My chest was rocked with deep spasms as my lungs worked to get the required oxygen to me, but it was no use. The next thing I saw was a bright white light in the form of a tunnel.