The Closest

It will not last much longer. It is not very far from here. Just a few miles until Midgar.

The words had already become second nature to him, having repeated them over and over during the endless days of his escape. He had recited them in his thoughts as if they were a prayer which he could cling to. In the long, awfully silent nights, he had whispered them into Cloud's ear when the boy was in danger of slipping away from him, time and again.

Zack Fair was an optimist from deepest conviction. He had his aims and ideals and he fought with everything he had to reach them. He had never doubted there was a happy ending awaiting them.

But being imprisoned, escaping, all the lost years he had not even known he had missed… all those had done irreparable damage on his nerves. On his innermost part, his pride, his honour. When he had always pursued the best, the highest, how could the world turn against him? How could it conspire against him when he had never wanted to do anything else but making it a better place?

Just a few metres until Midgar.

When Zack concentrated, as he did now, and listened to the silence inside of him, he could almost hear Aerith's voice.

"It's already been four years now. This is the 89th letter that I've sent to you, but I don't even know where to send them anymore…"

Four years. Almost five. Not only to him, this seemed to be eternity. And yet, she had been waiting. She was still waiting – for him. It was this hope which had kept him going, every single day.

"By the way, the flowers are selling very well. They make everyone so happy- thanks to you, Zack."

One foot before the other. On and on.

He had never had the chance to tell her what she meant to him…

Just a few steps until Midgar.

It was not meant to be. Zack knew his will was not broken. He would have gone further till the end. Whatever it took.

But he could not feel his legs, his arms anymore. He did not possess anything his will could force to go further. And a sharp pain in his chest made him realize that there were also obstacles he could not overcome. Not this time.

He had failed.

He felt rain on his face, wet drops, damp and cold. But with every ragging breath he took, his skin became number and the world before his eyes – Cloud's face – blurred.

I want to see her, he begged fate. One last time. Give me one last moment with her. But fate was not merciful and all he got were old, fading memories.

"Hey, Zack. If we're in the upper city, the sky must be really close, right? I'm a bit scared, but the flowers would like it… maybe."

Too many steps until Midgar. And even if it was only one, he would not be able to go. So many words unspoken. So many moments which would never be lived. Failed. So close to the destination.

When he closed his eyes now, he did not see her anymore. He only saw the sky, infinitely blue. And… feathers. A hand reaching for him.

Angeal?

Just now he remembered their first talk.

"Heaven?"

"Not quite. Church in the slums."

"An angel?"

"No! I'm Aerith."

Still, she was an angel.

If this turned out to be heaven, they would give him wings now. He would be free. And she would follow. Someday.

Aerith… If there was one person he could imagine to have wings…

Someday. He had plenty of time now, right?

Someone else would go the last steps to Midgar instead of him.