Primal Eyes

Day 1.4


A blonde little girl was standing there alone, crying. She kept crying and crying, weeping all alone.

"Idiot, why are you crying?"

Not until she heard another voice did she stop her sobbing. She looked up at the other child in front of her with red puffy blue eyes. A happy smile immediately spread on her tear-tainted little face.

"I thought - I thought you left – you left me alone. I'm so scared…"

"Idiot idiot. How would I leave without you? Look!" The other child handed over her a blue popsicle, "I was just there buying sea-salt ice. You like them don't you?"

The blonde little girl took the blue ice treat with such surprise and happiness. "Th-Thank you!"

"You can be such a cry-baby. Why are you crying all the time?"

"But-But I'm scared! I thought you're gone. I-I thought I'm all alone. I'm so afraid…"

"Stupid girl, that'll never happen. We'll always be together. I'm always with you, remember? We'll be together forever and ever!"

Two children giggled with each other happily. Watching them from the darkness, she felt her tears start rolling down her cheeks.

Remember, Ventus, I'll be always with you, protecting you. We are always together. I'll never leave your side, never, ever.


"Hello Miss? Can you hear me? Miss?"

Sensing someone was gently pushing her shoulder, Ventus eventually opened her eyes. She found herself lying on her sides on the cold wooden floor of the rehearsal room. She felt a cool and wet sensation on her face, so she touched her cheek. When she saw the tears on her fingers as she wiped them away from her cheek, she felt dazed and lost. Is this…her tears?

"Thanks goodness you woke up! Are you okay Miss? Do you feel any pain or hurt?"

"I…I'm fine."

Ventus looked up, seeing a middle-age cop looking at her with worries. The man looked relieved as she answered his question after regaining her consciousness. The policeman immediately pulled out his walkie-talkie to inform his colleagues about his finding, "I found a survivor in the rehearsal room! Thanks goodness she's unhurt!"

Ventus quickly comprehend the situation. The police and rescue team had arrived. It should be safe here now…

Wait, where's that guy!

She suddenly recalled the black-haired man she met right before she passed out. But of course, the man was no where to see anymore. As she gently rubbing the spot at the back of her neck, Ventus found herself lost in confusion. So…the guy didn't do anything else to her, he only simply knocked her out and left? Despite of the dangerous and oppressive intensity shining in that pair of golden eyes, Ventus couldn't help but have this feeling that the raven man didn't mean any harm to her, in fact, quite the contrary…

"Miss, can you still walk? Should I call the paramedic for help?"

"No. I'm okay. I can walk."

Ventus struggled to get back on her feet. Her legs were still a little jerky as she hadn't fully recovered from her blank-out yet. The policeman hastened to support her.

"Don't worry Miss. Everything'll be okay. Let's get out here first."


"We're live in front of the Cocoon House which has utterly become a scene of complete chaos! The police, fire-brigade and ambulances have just arrived at the scene. So far no one knows exactly how this whole fire started. We have heard words from some survivors who are suffering from serious burn injuries saying that all people in this concert tonight simply caught fire spontaneously. So does the mysterious spontaneous human combustion really exist? Could such a massive scale spontaneous combustion ever possibly happen in reality? Until now, this combustion theory has been acknowledged only by occult enthusiasts. Many others believe it's another terrorist attack. So what do you think? You can share your thoughts and discuss with us on our website at xxx dot xxx dot xxx…"

"Wait a sec. Oh my! We just got some update that the police have found another survivor! And apparently unlike the other survivors, this one is completely unharmed! What could have happened to her?"

Isa had to try hard to suppress his urge to punch those news reporters who were rushing from everywhere and currently blocking the entrance of this already chaotic fire scene.

"Damnit Donald! What the hell are you doing? Push those reporters back back back! Don't let them get any closer! Quickly put up the tape again!" The blue-haired cop shouted in frustration. As an experienced cop, he knew too well what a big headline this unbelievable incident could make. Nowadays the news media cares about nothing but grabbing eye-catching headlines and breaking news as fast as possible. And when they do that they are in such a frenzy that can be hardly stopped.

"Look! The said survivor is coming out! She's indeed unhurt!"

Unfortunate to Isa and his team, the journalists were out-numbered. While the cops were trying hard to block off the scene and keep things in control, some reporters could always find a way to sneak through. Like now…

"Miss! You are the sole survivor of this horrible ordeal, correct?"

"I…"

Ventus was stunned by the microphone that was suddenly shoved to her face. The constant flashing of camera flashlight caused her an awful headache. She was completely not prepared for this. Whatever calmness she forced herself to hold back when the incident happened was all gone now. Right now she just felt too exhausted. Her body was uncontrollably shaking from the dread and fear as the flashbacks of hell-like scenes hit her mind. So many people have…died right in front of her eyes and she could do nothing to stop it. The realization of how fragile life indeed is frightened her to no end. Now she simply didn't have any energy left to deal with all these annoying media reporters.

"Miss, I would like to represent all citizens of Radiant Garden to interview you exclusively. What really happened in tonight's concert? Is it true that those people spontaneously combusted?"

"Please…just…leave me alone…" Ventus whispered in agony. She had to shut close her eyes in hopes to alleviate the sharp pain pounding in her head. But even with her eyes closed, she could still see people wailing in despair, rolling in fire and burning alive. She could feel her ears ringing too, blocking any noises from outside. She couldn't hear the outside and she didn't want to hear.

"Please answer my questions Miss. Why are you the only one who didn't get any injury at all? Do you have something to do with this fire? Are you actually the one who set the fire? Are you -"

"Scram, bastard!"

The reporter didn't get the chance to finish his question bombarding as the crowd suddenly heard a woman's voice shouting angrily. In the next moment, what people saw was the reporter's body flying onto the ground after a female cop with flame-colored hair punched him hard on his face.

"Are you all fucking deaf? She said leave her alone so leave her the fuck alone! You fucking hear me?" Basically everyone was shocked at what the red-haired policewoman had just done, including Ventus.

"Oh my god oh my god, did you get that filmed? The police is beating unarmed civilian!"
"Are you crazy? You aren't getting away for this! We're gonna sue you!"

"Sue my ass. You guys not only deaf but also blind. Can't you see what's said on this yellow tape? This is an off-limit area and she's our important witness! Back your sorry ass off immediately! Or do you want me to arrest all of your for obstructing police investigation?"

Even the most reckless journalists started retreating in fear because of the scary red-haired policewoman's murderous threatening manner. No one wants to get into trouble right? But Isa couldn't help but facepalmed himself for what his fiery-tempered partner had done. Oh boy…

"Sorry Ven, I'm late."

"No…Lea, thanks for that." Ventus could only smile at her friend weakly. She didn't know what else to say about the dramatic turn of the event. But she really was grateful that the redhead came to her rescue. Otherwise only god knows when this nightmare could end.

"Isa, I'm driving Ven back home. 'll be back later."

"Sure. Take care of her."

No one dared to come close to the blonde again as the ferocious red-haired policewoman led the girl to the police car, sending the media reporters deadly glares while cracking her knuckles loudly.


"Ven, you okay? Do you want me to stop by the hospital?"

"No. I'm fine. I just want to go home…"

"Yay…you must be tired. That was really something that happened back there…"

"…"

The redhead driver worried about the blonde girl sitting on the passenger seat next to her. Lea always saw this girl as her younger sister. She knew Ventus was a strong-willed young woman, but what happened tonight was just too striking and disturbing. To be honest, not all the professionally trained cops were able to handle this type of incident, leave alone a young college student who just had to experience and survive through the nightmare. Of course she'd be worried.

"Oh about your boyfriend," Lea paused a little, trying to search for the guy's name, "…what's his name again? Seifer, right? He's one lucky guy." Ven had told her about her date tonight earlier today after their meeting on campus in the morning. Neither of them had thought this was how the date turned out to be.

"…He's not my boyfriend." Ventus responded half-heartedly, her blank eyes staring at the outside night city through the car window, "Is he alive?"

"Yeah, the guy is among a few survivors who aren't too badly burnt. Heard that he snatched a fire extinguisher from some other guy and used on himself. Tsk tsk, you should see how he was whining like a chicken-wuss when we got him onto the ambulance. Seriously, shouldn't he be more grateful that he survived instead of complaining about everything? What a loser."

Her redhead friend obviously didn't think about to conceal her contempt towards the guy at least, Ventus could only shake her head slightly. This guy was definitely a wrong choice. Next time, she had to make sure she get to really know about her date before go out with them. Yet nevertheless, it was still a good news that the guy survived. Too many lives had been lost tonight. No matter what kind of person Seifer is, no one deserves to die.

"Hey Ven, I'm not trying to give you a lecture or something. But you really should be more careful when you pick your date, yo'know? Take my words, never date a loser like that one, got it memorized?"

Ventus smiled a bit. She knew the red-haired cop was trying to distract her with a lighter topic. For that she was grateful.

"Don't worry Lea. I had him escort me just 'cuz he kept pestering me for a date. And I was thinking it could give me reasons to turn him down after this one date."

"Glad to hear that. I know our Ven has better taste. Y'know we have a bunch of good kids close to your age in our office if you're interested. Well yeah, most of them are still green rookies but they are good lads. I can introduce some to you if you like!"

"Thanks but I think I need to take a break first." Ventus chuckled at the older female's suggestions. Lea really was like an elder sister to her. She felt much better now.


After a short period of silence, the red-haired cop spoke again in a more serious tone, "…Ven, I know this might be hard for you, but we need you to tell us what happened tonight. Of course not now. You need rest. Tomorrow morning I'll come to pick you up. You know you're the only witness we have in good shape."

"I understand. I'll go with you." Ventus answered immediately without any hesitate. She has already made her decision. "In fact, if Uncle allows me, I'm going to ask to join your investigation team."

"What?"

"Those people are right. I am the only one who didn't combust tonight. I think…I'm somehow immune to this spontaneous human combustion thing."

"But this spontaneous-whatever crap is just…"

"Lea, I know it may sound crazy, but this case is not normal. It may be more complicated than we know. I just want to learn the truth."

"Wow, now you sound like a cop already. Okay girl, but let's call it a day first. You take good rest, and we deal with this mess tomorrow."

"…Sure. Mmm…no, actually, I think I should tell you this now. Lea, you probably want to check out this singer Xion first. We need to find her."

"Xion? Why? You think the Organization XIII is involved in this?" The redhead seemed tensed a little bit upon hearing the singer's name.

"Yes. I think she is the one responsible for the catastrophe."

"What? How come?" The female cop's voice raised in surprise, which in turn surprised Ventus.

"I mean, I know that little girl. How is it even possible that she is responsible for…this?" Lea explained in disbelief, but as soon as the words came out she immediately regret what she just said. They are criminal investigators, they shouldn't let personal emotion or belief to interfere with their judgement. Given evidence, they should treat every suspect the same no matter they personally know the person or not. But still, what Ventus said was just too unexpected to her.

"You know Xion?" The blonde questioned with surprise.

"Yeah, actually my younger brother Axel is one of the members in Org XIII. And he and Xion are good friends."

"…your brother…is one of the Org XIII? Then the concert tonight…" Ventus covered her mouth with her hand, she didn't know if she should continue.

"Don't worry. Axel wasn't in this concert. The other half of the Org are preparing for another concert tomorrow. He'll be performing tomorrow night at Radiant Garden Park."

"…I see."

"Axel and Xion are quite close. Guess I should start with asking my brother about her then."

"I'm sorry Lea. I don't mean to suspect your brother's friend, but…"

"It's okay. You must have your reasons to think so. I trust you."

Lea unconsciously tightened her grip on the steering wheel. The policewoman looked more serious than she normally was.

"It's gonna be another while till we get to your place. Take a nap if you want, girl."

"…thanks, Lea."

They stopped talking after that. Ventus turned her head to the side, continuing to stare at the night scenes outside.

It all started with this incident.
The following days that were to become an even worse nightmare for all…
People will eventually forget and go on with their lives.
But I will never forget it.
It was pure terror…but…
It was also days filled with unforgettable memories…fear…despair…sorrow…and love…
I can never forget them.

TBC


A/N: I don't know why I'm updating this only-very-few-people-interested story instead of my other more popular ones…I guess I just love PE too much to give up. Lol, I wanna play the game again. I love Aya-chan and my Ven-chan XDXDXD