Dark Hearts and Green Eyes

Squall's feet couldn't seem to touch the ground. No matter how hard he tried, his feet just would not listen and land on the floor. He couldn't move his arms either. Something or someone was holding his wrists. His back was pressed against he wall; his shoulder blades ached. Shooting pains made his head throb. He had no idea where he was or even who he was. All he knew was the pain and the burning desire to rest his heels on the floor. His eyes glanced across the room, spotting two people with him. They looked hard and cold. One of them wore a gray coat and an air of familiarity. The other was shorter and was obviously underneath the taller in the more ways than height. They were speaking in low voices so Squall only caught snatches of the hushed conversation.

"Sir Seifer, why is the prisoner here? What does he know?" The shorter one spoke reverently to Seifer, the taller one.

Seifer smiled sardonically and looked up at his dangling prey. "He knows a lot." His whole face brightened and he raised his voice. "Ahh. You're awake."

Squall blinked. He had no idea what was going on as Seifer's voice droned on, throwing question after question. His answers were vague and full of confusion. He didn't understand. Then the shocks came. Tears came to his eyes as pain wracked his entire body. His muscles contracted; his jaw locked. He couldn't even scream. He couldn't cry out. He was imprisoned in his body for seconds that seemed like hours. All of a sudden, it was over. His heart raced. Saliva ran down his chin, mingling with the tears that were already there. Blood leaked out of his nose and ears. Air came in short gasp as if the wind had been knocked out of him. "I don't know..." He didn't know. What was SeeD? Wasn't he here because of SeeD? It came again, the surges of electricity.

Seifer gazed up at Squall. He almost felt remorse. He had grown up with the boy dangling above him. They were like brothers. Seifer was the older brother, the one who picked on his kid brother. Squall was the younger brother, the one who took it like a man because he'd rather be teased than hated. Squall had always been so good at hiding things. A good liar to have around to get out of trouble. There the "younger brother" was before him, eyes naked with emotions. It was almost sad. Not sad enough.

The questions continued. The uncertain answers continued. The electricity was channeled through Squall's body. The torture went on. He blacked out more than once. His interrogator changed and then he was alone. It was cold. Not that he ever noticed it over the numbness in his limbs and his waning consciousness. He moaned and finally passed out from exhaustion.

Seifer tiptoed in and let Squall down from his cross. How so like a mock crucifixion it was. He returned to the bowl he had set on the floor and dipped a clean cloth into the cold water, wringing excess water out when the cloth was completely wet. He held Squall's face steady with one hand; wiping away traces of tears and dried blood. Seifer wasn't entirely sure why he was doing this. Maybe that remorseful feeling was returning and this was the only was he could satiate it. When he was finished the water was a pink color, but at least Squall was clean. Seifer turned away, unable to bear the troubled dreams that shone in Squall's face, and left the torture room. Squall's friend would soon be there to retrieve him, so Seifer knew he'd be fine. One nagging thought preyed upon him as he walked away.

Would he ever have friends to retrieve him in his time of need...?

-fin-