Broken.
Two.
The dim light from street lamps out on the main road flickered ominously as he picked his way through the trash littering the narrow alleyway, stopping before a door cut into the side of the building.
It was a fairly nondescript door, its green paint chipped and worn from the elements.
Squinting up against the light rain, Cloud checked off mentally against the address Tseng had given him before stepping up and rapping lightly against the metal, just to be sure. It was a fairly unpleasant neighbourhood, that much was obvious, and he didn't want any trouble.
Not that he wasn't confident of handling it, but he was weary from travelling the entire day.
'Coming!' a cheery voice called out from within, and he was slightly startled.
He hadn't expected him, of all people, to be living with a woman, and Cloud was sure he had gotten the place right.
The door creaked open, held in place by a door chain, and a bespectacled woman, her brunette hair falling messily across her face, peered out warily.
'Yes?'
'Good evening ma'am. I'm looking for Cid Highwind.'
'Oh.. I'm sorry, but Cid is.. busy at the moment.'
'It's an old friend, miss. I'm sure he wouldn't mind,' Cloud said quietly.
'Well.. hold on a moment then, I'll get him for you.'
He could hear grumbling from within the building as someone, presumably Cid, stomped towards him.
'Who the hell are you..' Cid growled, before his eyes widened in recognition at the shadowy figure standing before him and he tried to slam the door shut.
To his complete and utter surprise, it didn't budge an inch. He looked down to see Cloud's glistening boot wedged securely between the frame and the door.
'What the fuck do you want?'
'I need your help.'
Cid barked out in laughter, the short, rasping sound ringing out around the alley, before fixing his stony gaze on Cloud again.
'I don't recall you ever needing my, or anyone else's, help.'
'I need it now.'
Cid frowned as he pondered what to do with his unwelcome guest.
'I don't suppose you'll just leave quietly, will you?'
'No.'
'Come in then,' Cid said gruffly, before opening the door reluctantly and stepping aside to let Cloud in.
He led Cloud through a cramped corridor and into the dining room, plopping himself down into one of the straight-backed chairs.
'Shera! Where the hell are you? Get Cloud here some damn tea, will you?' he yelled out.
'Com.. coming!'
As if on cue, the woman from earlier on scurried in, holding two mugs of steaming drinks. She placed them clumsily on the table before offering Cloud a polite smile.
'Here, I'll take your jacket for you..'
'It's fine, miss, I'll keep it on.'
'Oh.. uhm.. Cid.. if there's n-nothing else..' she stammered, looking down at the cracked parcquet.
Cid shooed her out of the room before glaring across the table at Cloud.
'Tell me what the hell you want and leave,' he said, the hostility evident in his voice.
'I need mako.'
Cid snorted.
'If you need materia go look for Shinra and his damn lackeys.'
'I need mako, not materia.'
Two moths flitted about the single uncovered bulb in the room as the two men stared at each other, one in shock, and the other in quiet confidence.
Cid looked away and took a sip of piping hot tea.
'That stuff is illegal, Cloud, what makes you think I can get it for you?' he laughed nervously.
'Tseng,' Cloud stated levelly.
Cid started before taking another sip of his tea.
'I don't like being threatened.'
'I wasn't threatening you. The Turks know about your little operation.'
'And they'll shut me down if I don't give you what you want?'
Cloud said nothing, the rainwater sliding smoothly down his leather jacket and onto the grimy floor.
Cid laughed again, a genuine, booming laughter that reverberated around the small room.
'You bastard. You're the last person I expected to have the Turks on your side, especially with your dishonourable discharge,' he sneered.
A tense silence followed as Cloud looked coolly back at Cid, his face expressionless. Cid was the first to crack as he looked away angrily.
'Tell me what you need it for and I might be able to help you.'
Cloud stood wordlessly and removed his jacket.
'..Son..son of a bitch..' Cid breathed.
A soiled bandage was wrapped tightly around Cloud's exposed left bicep, the white gauze stained black. The dressing came off entirely as Cloud gave it a firm tug on the end.
'..Geostigma..' Cid whispered, fear and disgust creeping into his voice as he left his chair involuntarily and took a step back.
There was a small wound on Cloud's arm, but it looked to be an old one, and should have healed a long time ago. A viscous, unnatural dark fluid oozed slowly out of the scab, discoloring the surrounding skin.
Cid had heard the stories, of course, but it still came as a shock as he witnessed it first-hand.
Cloud felt an unwelcome twinge in his left arm as he watched Cid avert his gaze and shift uncomfortably.
'..H..here. Tell them I sent you,' Cid stammered, unable to keep the pity from his voice. He tossed a worn card across the table, seemingly afraid to touch Cloud.
'Thank you,' Cloud said quietly, before dressing quickly and turning to leave through the door.
Cid sat there, at the table, and was unable to keep his hand from shaking as he struggled to light a cigarette.
A/N: Finally up. Sorry for my long absence, though judging from the reviews I highly doubt anyone has missed me. Would be nice if someone proves me wrong though. Some explanation here; got a new laptop, and been very, very busy with school. Exams are coming up as well (in a week's time) and damn it, Diablo is out in 3 days time. Will try my best to update though. Just a word; a shorter chapter than usual, though I quite enjoyed writing this one because it was fun trying to capture all of the emotion within it. Hope I managed to achieve the satisfactory level of tension that I feel this chapter needs. Comments, anyone?
Irish-Brigid; Thanks for the review again. I actually meant for that to happen because I'm such a stickler for mystery and even though it was fairly obvious who 'he' was I just couldn't resist. Another bad habit of mine, I know.